Assassin's Rise Read Online Free PDF Page B

you pass the
exam, Roland Belanu. Until you pass the exam, nothing will change.”
He resumed tapping his finger. “If you head back towards the
harbour, you will pass a marketplace filled with colourful stalls
selling cheap trinkets. You should have seen it on your way here, I
presume ...” He looked up expectantly. Roland could not remember
any details from the city, but he would rather die before admitting
it to the old man.
    “Just head as straight
as you can toward the harbour. You won’t miss it,” Altmoor said and
chuckled. Roland felt his ears turning red.
    “Once you reach it, ask
around for a tavern called the Seek‘n Find. Mention my name to the
owner. Go there now; you can start preparing for the exam
tomorrow.”
    Roland tried to
organize his thoughts and finally said, “Thank you, educator
Altmoor. You have been very helpful.” He did not trust the old man,
but for now, Roland meant what he said. “I’m also looking for
Healer Callon. Do you know where I can find him?”
    “Why do you seek
him?”
    “He is a friend of my
master, Apothecary Pelron. I want to thank him for the herbs he had
send four years ago. They worked wonders on my mother.”
    “Ah, I see how it is,
but unfortunately Healer Callon has gone on one of his trips to the
east. A fascinating people they are, those of the east. They hold
great faith in training the spirit together with mind and body –
although I have some doubts as to whether the spirit and the mind
are actually different bodies ... but I’m going off track now. I
don’t believe he will be back for at least half a year, maybe even
more.”
    “I see. I will take my
leave then,” said Roland and stepped away from the counter.
    “Some friendly advice
before you leave,” said Altmoor and held up a bony finger. “Having
fire in your belly is good, but let it flare too bright and you
will burn yourself and those around you ... and when you next visit
Academia Amlor, make sure that yourself and your attire is cleaned
to an acceptable standard.”
    *
    Acceptable indeed,
thought Roland as he left the academia. Not even one day had passed
and already he had made an enemy.
    Hellson? How could that
popinjay fool command any respect? He was the first noble Roland
had the pleasure of meeting, but if all nobles acted like him, he
could well understood why Carla’s eyes had hardened when she spoke
of them.
    Carla ...
    He wondered where in
Darma she might be. He had never thought to ask where she lodged
at. But first, he had to find the market Altmoor had told him
about. Was Altmoor a noble also? More than likely, Roland thought,
but he had the feeling that Altmoor was of a different breed to
Hellson. Maybe there was hope for the nobles yet.
    As Roland walked toward
the harbour, he noted the streets getting dirtier, the artisanship
of the buildings turning rougher. The walls of Academia Amlor
looked smooth, the stones in the wall of similar size and carefully
fitted, but here some of the buildings looked haphazard, as if
multiple men were in charge of planning, each with a different
idea. Some of the stone walls carried large openings where clay had
dried and fallen out, giving the impression of ancient wounds. He
saw a wooden building at least three stories high, one side with a
heavy slant. He wondered if it swayed when the wind was strong.
Sleeping at the top must feel similar to sleeping on the
Swallow.
    Roland entered a large
square jam-packed with merchant stalls and customers. Folks were
eyeing the various wares, haggling loudly and vigorously. Hands
were dramatically thrown into the air as they hunted their
trophies. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and Roland was
surprised to find himself smiling. He picked a stall with fewer
customers, asking the merchant were he could find the Seek‘n Find.
The merchant instead handed him a small statue. It was made of clay
and resembled some kind of donkey with a growth on his back. The
merchant had one eye and his thick