When life-long friends Hanson and Graber learn there may be a great wizard on the far side of the woods behind their village, they decide to seek him out. The source of the information may be suspect, but the lure proves too strong. In hopes of learning magic to rise above their current status as Hanson the Pigs and Graber the Firewood, they set out on this quest.<br><br>When they meet wizard Holzy, they’re both intrigued and intimidated. He makes them labor and suffer, but eventually begins to teach them the practice he calls “the feat of the wand,” which turns out to impart much energy and knowledge as well as unsuspected pleasures to both men.<br><br>A submerged attraction between them comes to the fore as Holzy awakens urges and desires they hardly even dreamed existed. But he keeps them entranced and bound to him. When Holzy makes a mistake, can Hanson and Graber apply their new powers to gain freedom from his spell and be acknowledged as his equals? Will they go home in triumph or be consigned to the salt mines?

Hansen and Graber

“Perhaps a year,” he finally continued. “Give me a year and a day, and I will teach you magic, all the magic you can possibly hope to learn. For three hundred and sixty-six days, you two are my indentured servants. You both must obey any order I give; perform any task I set upon you. Is that agreeable?”


“Yes,” Graber blurted, his face aglow with visions of what he could do with his new skills.


Hanson shot him a chastening look, but after a deep breath, he also agreed. “Aye, for a year and a day, I’m your man. On the last day, you’ll set us free. I know until then there’ll be a binding spell we cannot break. Although I have to confess I don’t like that notion, it’s not too great a price to pay for the prize we seek.”


Chapter 5