Michael A. Stackpole Read Online Free PDF Page A

started his sword training in the school Audin had run here in Stone Rapids. Three years after I arrived from the capital, when I became five years old and was due to start training, Audin had closed his school to make his grandsons his only students.
    I swallowed hard. “You’ve seen it in his eyes, too, haven’t you?”
    Geoff nodded solemnly. “He had always planned for Cardew and Driscoll to come back from their time with the Valiant Lancers to continue his sword school. When they died he decided to train us so we would never succumb to those things that killed them in Chaos.
    Because he took no other students, his school has all but been forgotten, and it shouldn’t be. Deep down 1 know he still dreams of having his school continue, and I want to make that dream come true.”
    He folded his arms across his chest. “You and I have an alliance, little brother. I will see to it that his dream of having his school reopen is realized. I leave it to you to fulfill his dream of having another of his pupils praised by the Emperor for service as a Chaos Rider. Is this bargain acceptable to you?”
    “You’re a good swordsman, Geoff, and you will be every bit as much of a hero as our father. I think the course you give yourself is more difficult than the one you give to me.” I looked down at my hands. “I want you to do what will be best for you.”
    “In that case, Locke, you will execute the Empress and put me out of my misery in what, five moves?”
    “Four. You missed the Wizard fork.”
    “Always my bane.” Geoff reached over and toppled the Emperor. “Locke, go, see the capital. Go meet the Emperor, and even dance twice with each of his sisters—once for you and once for me. Then come back and tell me all about it.”
    “You will have no regrets if I go in your place?”
    “I might, I just might.” He reached out and tousled my hair. “But I’ll live knowing you’re off having the adventures that will inspire whole legions of students to come to Audin’s school again.”
    2
    I
    looked down from the promontory overlooking the Garik Road. Off in the distance I saw the dusty cloud that marked the approach of the caravan with which 1 would travel to the capital. All of a sudden my stomach turned itself inside out because I would be leaving home for the very first time. 1 pulled my sheepskin coat more tightly about me and looked over at Geoff and my grandfather.
    “The caravan is coming.” I swallowed hard. “Geoff, you can take my place if you want.”
    My older brother shook his head. “I’m a Garikman born and bred, Locke. I’m not the sort that should attend the Imperial Ball. You, being born in Herakopolis, are.”
    “I may not be Garik-born, but I am Garik-bred.” I nodded to my grandfather. “I will make you proud. The Empire will have another of your students to remember.”
    The old man pulled me to him and enfolded me in a hug. “I am more proud of you than you could know,
    Locke.” He held me out at arm’s length and touched the sword-and-dagger badge sewn on the left breast of my jacket. “You may only be an Apprentice in ranking, but there is much more to you. You know that. Be confident in yourself and your skills, but be aware that, like you, not everyone can be defined on the inside by the rank badges they wear on the outside.”
    “Thank you, Grandfather.” 1 turned to Geoff and firmly grasped his forearm. “Two dances with each princess—one for you and one for me.”
    Geoff laughed, the early-morning chill turning his chuckle into steam. He reached inside his coat and pulled out what appeared, at first, to be an inlaid wooden box with a gold clasp on one side and hinges on the other. It rattled as he extended it to me. “I know it is early, but this is my Bear’s Eve gift to you. just so you won’t forget us back here in Stone Rapids.”
    I took it and opened the narrow box. Inside I saw a chessboard with holes drilled in the middle of each of the squares. The rattling