by Rick Cook
"I know, but there have been changes since then. Your Sparrow is now the mightiest of the Mighty. His method of magic will likely spread throughout the World and he bids fair to outshine us all from hedge-witch to master sorcerer. And he does not want the spell removed.
"You on the other hand bid to become the Lady to the mightiest of the Mighty and that raises you high indeed. A poor old fat wizard who wishes to live out his days in peace would be well advised to stay in your good graces."
The black giant smiled, showing all his filed, pointed teeth, looking for all the world like an avuncular shark.
"More to the point Lady, I cannot remove what is not there."
"Huh?" said Wiz brilliantly.
"Lord, I saw Patrius cast the spell."
"And I removed it on my visit some months back," Bal-Simba said, still smiling. "It no longer seemed necessary."
Moira dropped her hand to her sides. "Then . . ."
"Oh yes, your Sparrow has been free for some little time." He cocked his head and eyed Wiz. "Although he seems to show no great interest in leaving his cage."
In response William Irving Zumwalt, the Sparrow grown large as a roc, spun Moira the hedge witch around and clasped her to him. She melted into his arms and their lips met again.
Over her shoulder and through a haze of coppery red hair, Wiz saw the Mightiest of the Mighty ease through the door and close it softly after him.
He moved amazingly quietly for one so large.
Table of Contents
Book One:
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen