Fires of Prophecy_ Book Two of the Morcyth Saga - Brian Pratt [100]
Maybe a series of spells, small spells that build on each other to breach the mage’s defenses. Two things that all mages need to do magic are concentration and power. You disturb either one of those and his ability to do magic disappears.
A good mage’s concentration will not be disrupted easily, something profound or totally unexpected would be needed. James considers different methods that might work as he walks around the campsite, trying to stay awake until Stig’s turn at watch.
On his fourth trip around the camp, from off in the distance he begins to see two white lights coming toward him. As they get closer, a roar begins to be heard as well. He’s about to wake everyone when he comes to the shocked realization of just what is approaching him.
He stands there with mouth slightly ajar in shock, as a beat up Ford pickup comes rolling into camp and pulls up with the passenger side next to him. James stands there expectantly, but at first nothing happens. Then he sees the driver lean over to his side and opens the door. Looking in, he sees the little creature with the felt hat sitting behind the steering wheel.
“Get in,” he says, motioning for James to enter the cab.
He looks around at his sleeping friends and says, “I can’t just leave them, I’m on watch.”
“They’ll be fine,” he tells James.
“Are you sure?”
Giving James a look of annoyance, he says again, “Get in.”
James climbs into the cab and shuts the door. With a roar, the little creature hits the gas and they drive away into the dark. He sits there as the truck rolls on, the creature turns the radio on and a George Strait song comes on. “Where are we going?” he asks.
“Going for pizza,” the creature tells him.
“Pizza?” he asks. “There’s pizza here?”
“Just have to know where to look,” the creature smiles as he continues down the road.
Road? James looks and suddenly realizes that they’re on a blacktop highway. Up ahead he sees the lights of civilization approaching. There’re not many buildings, the one closest to them has a sign out front that says ‘Mama’s Pizza.’
The creature pulls the truck into a parking spot outside Mama’s Pizza and parks it. Shutting the engine off, he gets out. Before he closes the door, he looks back at James who’s remained in the cab and asks, “Coming?”
“Yeah,” James says, as he gets out of the truck. Theirs is the only vehicle in the parking lot out front of Mama’s. The place looks a little rundown, similar to what his grandfather would’ve called a greasy spoon. He joins the little creature where he’s waiting at the door and they enter together.
The little creature opens the door and allows James to enter first. Once inside, he points over to a fat, dark haired woman behind the counter and says, “That’s Mama.”
She looks over to them as they enter and gives them a big smile, “It’ll be ready in a few minutes,” she says. He gives her a nod and then leads James over to a table where they sit down.
An old tv is mounted to the wall over by mama who’s watching it with rapt attention. James is surprised to see she’s watching an old episode of Star Trek.
“She’s a Trekkie,” he tells him. “You should see her collection in the back room.”
James turns back to him and asks, “So why are we here?”
“For pizza, like I said,” the little guy replies. “I wanted some and I hate eating alone. It’s better with someone who is able to enjoy it with you, wouldn’t you say?”
“I suppose,” he says.
James watches as the little creature takes the salt shaker and pours a little salt on the table. Using great care he positions the salt shaker on its edge within the salt pile and then slowly removes his hands, leaving the salt shaker cocked to one side. He looks across the table to James with a satisfied smile on his face and asks, “Not bad, eh?”
“You sure don’t act like a god,” James tells him.
“Never said I was, just work for one,” replies the creature, as he continues to admire his accomplishment.