Rise of the Darekian's, The Read Online Free PDF Page A

neck, "hello boy" he added as he did. He had named his horse Aldac, apparently, he had read it was an ancient word meaning spirit, or that was as close a translation as he could find. Taking the reins and looping them over the neck of the horse, placing his foot in the stirrup he hoisted himself up onto the saddle. He politely thanked the stable hand, before turning his horse and walking it over to his brothers.
    "Morning little brother, looks like we picked a fine day at least" Caldar said looking up to the near perfect cloudless skies. Despite it still only being mid morning the suns pleasant warmth could be felt, though there was a faint hint of a breeze. "We are ready your highness" one of the officers shouted over to Caldar, "let us ride out then little brother" he said to Luken nudging his horse into a slow walk. Falling in beside him, the two princes rode affront about thirty mounted officers, behind them a hundred cavalry, some of whom flew the royal colours, and following up what appeared to be an endless line of horse drawn wagons. Once through the square, the four hundred foot soldiers about turned and joined on the end of the long train. A few of the residents stood lining the main street as they passed, bowing their heads as they noticed the Crown prince and his younger brother leading the way, and probably many stood in awe, or maybe even concern, at the large contingent of armed men being despatched.
    Luken stayed quie t for a little while, not quite certain what to say, and contently he listened to the rhythmic noise of the horses hooves clip clopping on the cobbled street. Noticing the city gates approaching he knew now was the time to say his farewell, "Goodbye Caldar, please take care" he said in a croaky voice. For some strange reason he did not know why, he felt as almost this was a final farewell, and he would not see his brother again. Caldar had ridden out on duty before, this time though it was on a large scale, and Luken knew by reports there would very likely be some fighting, and knowing his brother as he did, he knew Caldar would almost certainly be riding at the front of any such engagement. "I will be fine little brother" he replied leaning over and patting him on the shoulder, "I promise you I will return, do not worry," he added sensing his siblings anxiety.
    Luken looked over and smiled at his older brother, trying to hide the feelings he had, "see you soon then" he said, as he pulled over once they had reached about a half mile outside the city gates. Another rider pulled up alongside Luken, one who would be his escort back into the city, a Captain of the Guard named Jak Corley. Although Hamalin was deemed as a reasonably safe place, any royal would be usually be escorted around by at least one guard, and Luken quite liked the grizzled old man next to him. It took over half an hour for the rest of the cohort and their supply wagons to pass them, having long since lost sight of the brother he worried over he decided to head back. Turning his horse and setting off at a slow trot, his escorting Captain did likewise, not speaking they neared the gates once more before Luken pulled up.
    Pointing to a overhanging branch from a tree near the road, "look, now there is something you do not see very often, I do not suppose you happen to have a pencil and paper with you Jak?" he asked more in some remote hope than any real expectation. The elderly man did not quite understand what was being pointed out to him, "look on the branch, it is a long eared owl if I am not mistaken" Luken enlightened him. "Oh right you are highness, and no sorry I do not have anything for you to draw it with" Jak said, Luken did not really mind, "strange though, you do not see them out in the daytime, owls are usually nocturnal, and that one appears to be staring straight at us" the prince added. To the two men it did in fact look as if the bird was somehow watching them, even as they continued on, Luken looked back to see two