Aela Read Online Free PDF Page B

Eena and I am the leader of the people who live in this area.’
    Both Aela and Rom hesitated then Rom stepped forward.
    â€˜I am glad you, Rom have enough sense to greet me.’ stated Eena. ‘You are both gifted, you as a warrior Rom, and you have the powers of the visionary eye, Aela. These skills need to be further developed to help my people to overcome our enemies.’
    Rom further stepped forward and this time with a smile on his face and he bowed low before Eena, ‘I am happy to help you, Eena and your people.’
    Eena let out a hearty laugh, ‘Thank you Rom, you are a true warrior.’ She then turned her intense gaze on Aela, ‘I can blow you over the nearest mountain or I can turn you into a frog. What is your answer, Aela?’
    Aela dropped Eena a graceful courtsey. ‘I am also very happy to serve you, Eena.’
    â€˜Very wise of you, my dear. You will thank me sometime in the future. Croan, Croan fetch Ardu immediately. I want him to meet Rom now.’
    Croan was heard scuttling in the background, muttering to himself holding a torch aloft to light his way. Very soon there was the sound of footsteps and Croan appeared, holding the torch above his head, closely followed by a very tall athletic looking man.
    â€˜Ardu, I am so glad to see you,’ exclaimed Eena, stepping forward, and holding her hands out in greeting. Ardu flashed a wide smile and bowed very low before Eena.
    Rom studied Ardu at close quarters, as he assumed that he was going to be his warrior teacher. Standing before Eena, Ardu struck a dramatic pose, knowing full well all eyes were on him.
    Ardu was dressed in a short multi-coloured tunic. Around his waist was a thick belt with a gold buckle at the centre of which was a sparkling green stone. Below the belt, to one side, there was a sheathed sword with an elaborately carved gold hilt embossed with semi-precious stones. He had strong facial features, with a wide square jaw, large flashing light blue eyes and long blond hair falling to his shoulders. Obviously he was at the peak of fitness, with strong muscled chest and arms and well proportioned long legs. He was someone people would think twice about before challenging to fight in single combat. Much to Rom’s annoyance he could see from the admiring look on Aela’s face, that Ardu was making a very favourable impression.
    â€˜Ah, I spy a beauty in our company.’ Ardu faced Aela, bowing to her, ‘Oh, goddess of the moon and stars, I salute you.’
    â€˜I greet you too Ardu,’ Aela laughingly replied, as she too bowed in response.
    Eena interrupted this pretty scene, ‘Come Ardu, I want you to meet Rom, your new pupil.’
    The two men eyed each other, trying to assess each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Then they bowed low to each other, and simultaneously turned towards Eena, awaiting their orders. ‘I want you Ardu, to teach everything you know to Rom, all the tricks that a warrior should have for survival in combat’ ordered Eena, with a flourish of her hand, as if to emphasise her point.
    With a ready smile Ardu bowed before Eena, ‘We will begin the training tomorrow at dawn.’ Then Ardu quickly turned on his heels and disappeared down a side passage.
    â€˜Croan, take these two to their quarters. Make haste! You Aela, will be brought to me tomorrow. You have much to learn about spiritual matters’ stated Eena.
    Not to be outdone Croan pushed Aela and Rom down another passage, lit up with torches, they were quickly followed by two guards. The group entered a cave with a high vaulted ceiling, in the middle of which was a fire burning on a flat platform of rock, casting a cheery glow over the scene. In one corner there was a heap of furs and rippling water was heard in the background providing melodious sounds to further enhance the scene.
    â€˜Don’t think you can escape,’ growled Croan. ‘I will come for you at