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.Before long, a rather precarious-looking structure peeked out above the lower tree tops.As it grew nearer, it became more and more apparent that the tower was standing out of sheer habit.Large sections of the wall had fallen away, planks of wood hastily put in place to patch them.The roof showed the faintest hint of having been painted blue, but time and the elements had wiped it away ages ago.Finally, they reached an equally faded red door with a barred slot at eye level.Myranda gave a knock.After a particularly long wait, the slot slid open and a pair of ancient eyes peered out."Aye," came a thickly accented voice."I was sent here by Caya," Myranda said."I know no one by that name," he said."I have this," Myranda said, producing the writ."Give it here," came the voice, a pair of withered fingers appearing at the slot.Myranda offered up the paper Caya had given her.It was snatched away and, after a few moments of irritated muttering, the voice rose again."The money?" he asked, or rather, demanded."I was not given any.Caya needed time to get the silver together," she said."NO! NEVER AGAIN! WE HAD AN AGREEMENT, I AM TO RECEIVE TWO--YE GODS, WHAT IS THAT!?" he ranted.Myn, intrigued by the new scent and new voice, stood on her hind legs and leaned her front feet against the door.That had just managed to bring her eyes to the slot, and she peered eagerly inside, startling the ranting old man."Myn, get down from there! I'm very sorry, Mr.Wolloff.That is just Myn.She is a dragon," Myranda explained."I can see that! I have eyes, haven't I! What is it doing here?" he demanded."I.It is difficult to explain," she said."Never mind.Get inside, but the dragon stays outside," he said."I don't know if I can keep the dragon from--" she began."The dragon stays outside!" he screamed.Myn jumped back, startled by the man.The door flew open to reveal a white-haired man.He was precisely as one might imagine a wizard, rendered frail by the mass of years gone by.His clothes were simple, and immaculately white.A brass amulet with a clear crystal hung about his neck.He grasped it and spat out a trio of arcane words.A sharp, brief pulse of light came from the stone within to signify the casting of the spell.Myn dropped to the ground as though struck.She was no longer moving."What did you do?" Myranda insisted."Relax, lass.I put the little demon down for a rest.Now get inside before I wake it and sic it on ye!" he said.Myranda reluctantly moved inside, keeping her gaze locked on the motionless dragon until the door slammed shut."Are you certain she will be all right?" Myranda asked."Aye, she will be just fine.As for you, I'll expect a bit more speed and obedience from a pupil.That is what you have come for, I trust," he said."Yes," she assured him."Right, then you will be needing food, I suppose," he said."I would appreciate it," she said."You will find the kitchen there," he said, pointing a crooked finger at one of the three remaining doors.Myranda turned to the door.The room she stood in was, to say the least, well used.Books with faded writing lay open upon every surface.Half-empty vessels of strong-smelling powders and liquids were scattered about, making the air stale with the smell of potions.A rickety table with a single chair made up the dining area, it would seem, while the parlor consisted of an overstuffed chair strategically placed between the crackling fireplace and the table.She walked to the flimsy wooden door her host had indicated."I shall take my meal in here.When you are finished you may bring it out to me," he called after her.She stopped in her tracks."You want me to prepare food for you?" she said in disbelief."Aye.You know how to cook, I assume," he said without looking up."Well, I do, but I have just spent days out in the cold, most of them on my feet," she said.He quickly cut her off."Then I would imagine you would jump at the chance to spend some time in front of a warm fire," he said with an infuriating cheerfulness."I--" began her retort."I do not want to hear it.Until that woman sends me my silver, you are not a guest, not a student, not a customer.You are an unwanted tenant! AND RENT IS PAST DUE! You will do what I say, when I say it! That goes double when we are in training! NOW GET TO WORK!" he commanded.Myranda backed into the kitchen, taken aback by what he had said.As she gathered the meager selection of ingredients, the girl wondered two things.First, why was this man so ill-tempered? Second, how could someone who seemed so fragile be so forceful and commanding? When he spoke one could not help but act.Perhaps learning magic taught such a trait.She half desired and half feared gaining that quality in her time here.The meal, a simple vegetable stew, was finished and set before Wolloff in one of the plain clay bowls she managed to find in the kitchen.He shoveled the food into his mouth as Myranda cleared the uncushioned chair of books and other debris so that she could join him at the table [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]