Etchings of Power (Aegis of the Gods) Read Online Free PDF Page B

and tile roofs of the other sandstone and granite structures. Townsfolk bustled down the wide, yet already crowded, Eldan Road, appearing more like small colorful insects than people.
    The distant buzz of a thousand conversations, clopping hooves, trundling wagon and dray wheels, and hundreds of daily activities played a familiar rhythm. Among them rang the clang of smithies and stonemasons, the whir and rattle of the many windmills along the Kelvore River, the receding roar from the Whitewater Falls to the northeast, and the bird song and chatter of small animals within the Greenleaf.
    The clamor and his surroundings brought a soothing sensation along Ancel’s shoulder and neck. An unusually chill wind that smelled of rain streamed his cloak out behind him. Ancel shivered and glanced to Mirza who rode the chestnut stallion thudding a slow rhythm a few feet away.
    Mirza tilted to one side, grabbing at the pages of the book he’d been reading as the wind whipped at the pages. He snatched for his reins and pommel, barely managing to prevent himself from falling. Ancel chuckled.
    “That wasn’t funny,” Mirza said as he righted himself. His skinny legs, in the narrow pants he favored, squeezed against the stallion’s side. The fitted coat he wore matched Ancel’s own except for the book and pen insignia stitched to the lapel. Ancel’s emblem was a silver sword.
    “Not funny to you,” Ancel replied. “But if you sat where I am and saw your arms and legs fly all over you’d be laughing too.”
    Mirza passed a hand through his rust-colored hair. “I guess I would.” He smiled.
    “You know, if you studied at night you wouldn’t need to cram the next day.”
    “I did study,” Mirza protested. “But I’m not like you. I need to refresh the morning of a test so I don’t forget anything.”
    Ancel shrugged. “The test will be simple enough.”
    “Easy for you to say,” Mirza grumbled. “You’ve taken it already.”
    “It was simple then too.”
    “Well, if it’s so easy, how about helping? Ask me a few questions.” Mirza leaned over to hand him the book.
    Ancel shooed him off. “I don’t need it. Just tell me what you want me to ask.”
    Mirza straightened his back. He rubbed a thumb on the reddish stubble growing from his chin. “How about the gods? And Mater?”
    Seeing Mirza touch his beard made Ancel’s own prickly growth itch. “You know, that’s a pretty broad area.” Ancel scratched at the offending sprigs of hair under his chin. “Here, I’ll try to be specific and start with something easy.”
    Mirza nodded, hands fidgeting on the pommel of his saddle.
    A few moments passed. Ancel said nothing. He stared off to the east where he could make out the rust colored Red Ridge Mountains beyond where the land dipped toward the Kelvore River.
    Frowning, Mirza eyed him. “Well?”
    “Well, close that,” Ancel said, his head gesturing to the still open book in his friend’s hand.
    “Oh!” Mirza flipped the book shut.
    “Uh, huh.” Ancel gave his friend a wry look. “You just happened to have the chapter on religion open.”
    Mirza glowered at him. “Ask your questions already.”
    “Name the gods and their titles.” Ancel’s lips twitched ever so slightly.
    Eyes widening, Mirza stammered, “A-All their titles, and all the gods?”
    “Fine. Name the major gods and the elements of Mater they represent.”
    “That’s easy.” Mirza beamed.
    “Really?” Ancel lifted his brow.
    Mirza’s smile changed to a scowl. “Ilumni, Amuni, Bragni and Rituni, the gods of Streams. Humelen, Liganen and Kinzanen, the gods of Forms. Hyzenki and Aeoli, the gods of Flows. There.”
    “Good, but not quite right” Ancel said, feeling a little sorry for his earlier sarcasm.
    “What? They're all correct.”
    “Aeoli's a goddess,” Ancel said with a bemused smirk.
    Mirza groaned.
    “Here, I’ll ask you the first question you will see on the test, but you need to answer exactly as Teacher Calestis