Read The Gems of Raga-Tor (Elemental Legends Book 1) for Free Online

it. The second stone even you might be able to secure without my help, though it may take several months of planning. And that's the important thing to you, the time, the waiting, isn’t it?” Raga paused and then goaded the silent warrior. “Think of it, months and months of keeping those fires from erupting in your loins. And, as time has gone by, I've seen that it’s harder to keep that which is you from becoming that which is not. Seems to me, the choice narrows. If we joined in this together, why, it might be only a matter of several days to get the red stone. You’d be that much closer to your revenge. I—” Raga pounded his chest, “I would be closer to my revenge.”
    “What need have you of revenge? A wave of your hand and the little bitch turns into a pile of ash,” Eris argued, though he sensed the balance of the arguments had just turned in favor of Raga-Tor.
    “The orders of higher magic do not permit such permanent forms of retaliation. However, I can’t say as much for the lower forms. Besides, how can I do anything without the proper accouterments? Who ever heard of a first-level elemental traveling the world without the tools of his craft?” Raga replied calmly.
    “Why should I care? If it were up to me, I’d see the lot of you magic-users hung by your balls, or worse,” Eris said contemptuously. “When did a sorcerer ever do anything but destroy the lives of men? Innocent men? I’m not ignorant of the lore of the Great destroyer, Raga-Tor—if that’s really who you are. How do I know you won’t double-cross me if and when we’ve finally gotten all three stones? I’ve not heard of a sorcerer yet who has kept his word as it was spoken. The lore of many lands is filled with the treachery of your kind, and especially yours.”
    “You can’t believe everything you hear. The world is full of untruths. But that aside, I’ll be just as honest as you are,” Raga assured.
    “Just as I thought. You’ll have the stones and I’ll be a pile of charred bone.”
    Raga paid no attention to the remark.
    “I’ve heard rumors about the location of the third stone, and if they’re true, that stone will be the most difficult to retrieve. Strong, ancient magic surrounds it,” Raga continued.
    “What of it? It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve fought against some foul incantation,” Eris interrupted.
    “I have the feeling you speak truly, but this time you aren’t going up against a fourth or fifth-level magician. This is first-level magic, and if my suspicions are correct, perhaps a power even greater than my own. If the gods do not bend to my will, they certainly won’t to yours,” Raga said plainly.
    “Even so, I’m not ignorant in these matters. I live, while other men have died . ”
    “Don’t be so proud,” Raga-Tor warned. “Until now you’ve lived, but the odds will catch up to you. You know this without me having to tell you. But, if you insist that living under this curse, and never again knowing the soft comfort of a woman, then have your way. But why not even the odds a little and join me? We’ll both win in the end.”
    Eris felt a sudden calmness grow within. He didn't want to feel calm, but felt compelled all the same to consider the man’s words. He understood the sense in the words, but being betrayed by a first-level elemental was not how he wished to end his days. For a moment longer, Eris stared into the red-beard’s eyes. He saw nor felt anything, neither truth, nor deception.
    Drawing a deep breath, he dropped his guard and went to sit on the edge of the bed. In the end, what choice did he really have? Metamorphosing into a woman every time his blood ran hot was not the way a man of his stature, of his obvious virility, should live. In some ways it was an abomination far worse, he reasoned, than joining up temporarily with this Raga-Tor. Eris wondered again if the man was telling the truth. What if he was? He shivered.
    First-level magic users were rarely seen