Riven (The Arinthian Line Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

disappointment.
    “Augum Stone, Sydo Ridian, Bridget Burns, Leera Jones—I am going to teach you the ancient forgotten spell of Centarro.”
    Augum felt a shiver race up his spine—they were going to study an off-the-books spell after all!
    “Centarro is a difficult spell. You must allow yourselves patience. It predates the Founding, its name and incantation unchanged for thousands of years. Many generations ago, we Leyans shared it with humans, its use now lost to time.”
    Leera crinkled her nose. “What does it do, Mr. Stone?”
    “It enhances focus.”
    Her face fell. “Oh, that’s all? So it’ll just help me study better?”
    “Centarro has many uses. It will sharpen your senses, your reflexes, your concentration, and heighten your perception, allowing a brief time of clarity. However, one must be prepared for the spell’s side effects—headaches, lack of concentration, sluggishness, confusion, nausea, and even memory loss. Thus, one must carefully choose the timing and place of casting, for the spell can be very dangerous if ill-timed. Let us begin with observation. Walk with me.”
    Thomas turned on his heel and led them to the forest, stopping at the base of one of the massive oaks. The foursome lined up to watch. Sydo was actually making a serious effort at paying attention, nodding his head whenever Thomas spoke, not interrupting or making faces.
    “Study the bark and tell me what you see.”
    They crowded around the oak.
    Leera shrugged. “It’s just bark.”
    Thomas stood unmoved.
    “It appears to have deep grooves,” the prince said, looking to Thomas for approval.
    Augum peeled off a long sliver. “It flakes.”
    Bridget glanced at a nearby brazier. “It would burn if we lit it on fire.”
    “All true indeed, and it is the application of said potential that we concern ourselves with. Depending on one’s mastery of the spell, Centarro allows a glimpse of the many hidden possibilities one is usually not privy to in everyday life.”
    Bridget and Sydo nodded along while Leera and Augum frowned, straining to understand.
    “Let us discuss potential. Bridget Burns—you have stated the bark could be lit on fire. This is potential.” Thomas fell silent, face as smooth as glass.
    “Oh, and you could make armor from it—” Leera blurted.
    Bridget gave her a look.
    “What, I’ve heard of druids making armor from bark.”
    “I beg to differ—there are no druids,” Sydo said in a strained tone. “Those are tales for children.”
    Leera glared at him a moment but swallowed what she was going to say.
    Bridget raised her hand. “You could make bark tea.—”
    “Or stew,” Augum added. It sounded plausible, though he hadn’t heard of such a concoction.
    “Yes, these are indeed examples of potential. Let us situation together.” Thomas peered beyond them and raised his arm. It flared with bands of fire. This time Augum was able to count seventeen rings in all—seventeen stripes to his one. Sydo’s lips moved as well. For a moment the two caught each other’s eyes before promptly looking away. It made Augum uncomfortable knowing he had done the same thing as the prince.
    Where Thomas pointed, a bark-covered wooden dummy appeared in the clearing. It had a tree trunk body, thin log legs, branch arms, and twig fingers. The dummy stood upright, reminding Augum of one Sir Tobias Westwood built for sword practice. How many hours had Augum hacked at that dummy with the wooden sword Sir Westwood had fashioned for him?
    Thomas turned back to the group.
    “That is absolutely astounding, sir,” the prince said. “Your powers are exceptional.”
    Leera rolled her eyes.
    “Let us situation an attack on our wooden friend,” Thomas continued. “Augum Stone—please demonstrate.”
    Augum looked to the group, hesitantly drew Burden’s Edge, and approached the dummy. He raised his blade and with one clean swoop sliced off an arm.
    Leera gave a snicker. “Aww, how could you?”
    “As you have