Wesley’s brow rose; the voice was edgy and accented, though he could not discern his country of origin. “I amadragon.”
“Good, then I dialed this damn contraption correctly.”
“Who is this?”
“Oklin Mivorn.”
The words were spoken as if Wesley should recognize the name, but he had no clue who the man was. “Mister Mivorn, how can I help you?”
“Help me? I thought you were the one who needed help.”
“What do you mean?”
“What kind of game is this? Jael gave me this number and told me you needed some assistance. Now do you want my damn help or not?”
“I apologize, I didn’t mean to upset you. I do need help.”
“Some hybrid you want out of the way?”
“Exactly. Can you help?”
“I have an idea, but I’m still working on it. I’d be further along, but that damn Ethelin King scammed me. I paid good money for a dragon to experiment on. Took my money he did, and never sent the dragon. Claims he ran away and joined the Council. I don’t want his excuses. I need dragon blood.”
Wesley had no real idea what Oklin was raging on about, but he was desperate for a solution. “In order to help me, you need dragon blood?”
“Are you deaf, boy? That’s what I just said. Send me yours, and I’ll make you a potion.”
“What kind of potion?”
“You’re awfully demanding for someone who needs my help. Don’t you worry about what kind of potion. It’ll get the hybrid out of the way. That’s all you need to know.”
“He can’t die.”
“What kind of wizard do you think I am? I’m not like that dark one you got over there in the Council. A dark wizard. What a catastrophe. The hybrid won’t die.”
“I didn’t mean to insult you, Mister Mivorn.”
“I’m going to need more than blood. That damn King Ethelin cheated me. I have no money. I need to eat.”
“Of course you do, and I’ll certainly be willing to pay you, though you must understand as a member of the Council all of our money is electronic. It will cost me a great deal to convert it to cash you can actually use.”
“That sounds like your problem, not mine.”
“Yes, but what I want to explain is that it affects the amount I can send you.”
“I’m growing weary of this conversation, dragon.”
“Very well, I’ll work out the details.”
“As you should. Now I’m going to send you a magical missive. It’s frowned upon to use magic that way with anyone, and it might be illegal since you’re in the Council, so don’t you go tattling. I want you to fill it with your blood and get it to me as quick as you can.”
“How am I supposed to fill it with blood?”
“How do you think, dragon? Figure it out. Why must I always find myself speaking with morons?”
Wesley didn’t care one bit for Oklin Mivorn, but he needed him, so he let the insult pass. “I want to thank you for your assistance in this matter. I’ll work out the details. How soon do you think you can have the potion ready?”
“I’m a wizard. In case you didn’t know, my skills don’t extend to being able to see the future. You’ll get it once it’s done.”
