The Sword of Ages: The Mage Breaker Book 1 (18 page)

              “Do you know anything about hunting?” Tanner asked.

              “Hunting is not my storing point, I can make traps though with the best of them. I have caught so many rabbits that my family got tired of rabbit stew. When I was found to be a wizard I was taken to the capital. I am much better in the family business than I am being a mage”.

              “Well then Stephen I aim to make you prove it” Tanner replied. “I am a Tanner by trade, I deal with hunting and tanning animal hides. I don’t really go after small game, unless it is for a special order or I need fur for warm clothing. If you are as good as you say then we can make some real money out here”.

              “Real money?” Stephen replied. “I saw all the riches you brought back, you don’t need to work ever again”.

              “I won’t sit on my ass like some pompous noble” Tanner replied. “I prefer to work, besides, my soon to be will try to kill me if I stay home all the time”.

              Tanner heard a knock at door, then the sound of the door opening and closing. Stephen for his part pulled out a small wand and was ready for action. When the intruder made himself known Tanner should have known only one man was so bold.

              “You going to lie about all day like a pregnant woman?” Golden said with a laugh. “You know when word came back that you were killed on the battlefield I was actually inconsolable. I wrote home and my family was likewise brokenhearted. One of them was invited by her Royal Highness herself to come live in the palace. I told her to move on and find someone not so smelly but she wouldn’t hear of it”.

              Tanner’s eyes widened as he struggled to his feet, Stephen providing what little help he could as Mary came into the room. Tanner had not known he could miss someone so much and hobbled over towards her as she gave him an embrace. Tanner looked down and could see tears in her eyes as she held him closer.

              “I know I’m not the prettiest fellow like the blessed one over there but I didn’t know I was so ugly I made girls cry” Tanner said as he held her close. Mary looked like she was about to say something when Tanner cut her off. “I know love, I missed you too”.

              Tanner heard a grunt and looked down to see Stephen staring up at him.

              “Um hello” Mary said unsure how to proceed. “Hi I am Mary”.

              “So you are the girl he was just going on about” Stephen replied. “I am his bodyguard, and I guess yours too”.

              “Well not until he proposes properly and my mother and father are around to witness the nuptials” Mary smiled I am not that kind of girl.

              “Well at least someone is going to have a happily ever after” Golden said. “The war is still going and although we struck a big blow, all we managed to do was push them back to their side of the border”.