The Summoning (Custodes Noctis) Read online

  “Yes, I chose the wood, and the spell, made the oils and tuned it for your voice.” Galen smiled gently. “You keep the Sagas, Rob. You keep Tradition.”

  “Yes.” Rob took a somewhat unsteady breath, tears bright in his eyes. “Well, I should have given you this first, since there is no way I can ever top what you just gave me...” Dera and Dor chuckled. “But here.” He pushed a package across the table. “Because of everything that’s happened this year, I thought you should have something special.”

  Galen picked it up, it was obviously a book. He glanced up at his brother, Rob and the ravens looked back with suspicious innocence. Not sure what the looks were about he carefully untied the ribbon and offered it to the ravens. They refused it and waited. Galen unfolded the paper and turned the book over in his hands. Sixteenth Century judging by the look of it, although he could be off by a century.

  “You got me a copy of Galen?” Galen cleared his throat. He had several, but none this old.

  “Look inside, at the inscription.”

  Galen carefully opened the cover and stared at the name scrawled in the book. His hands started shaking.

  “It's genuine, Galen, I checked and rechecked.”

  “But Rob...” He looked up at his brother and smiled, ignoring the tears on his cheeks. “It's real?”

  “It is. Seemed fitting, you know? You're named for them both.”

  “I....” Galen swallowed. “Thank you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Happy Birthday, Brat,” Galen said, brushing the tears away.

  “Happy Birthday, Galen,” Rob said, gently running his fingers over the harp strings.

  The downstairs door banged open, breaking the mood. Galen reverently touched the signature “Nicholas Culpepper” before gently closing the book and putting it carefully on the shelf.

  “Get down here! There's Clang to carry!” Flash called.

  Rob groaned and Dor and Dera took off with a happy noise. Galen knew they were headed straight for Flash's car.

  The End

  About the Author

  Born in California, Muffy Morrigan began her writing career at the age of six, when after completing her first hand written novel she attempted to sell it to the neighbors for the lofty price of ten cents. After myriad careers, including archaeological consultant, teacher, herbalist, shop keeper, news editor, reporter and columnist, she has settled in to her first love and passion--writing. She currently lives and works in the Pacific Northwest.

  www.muffymorrigan.com