Second Guard Read Online Free PDF Page A

then just as
quickly closed it. Tali cursed herself for creating more tension between the two roommates.
    “I am Tali of the Magda River Traders,” she said hurriedly, holding out her left palm to Chey.
    “Chey Maconde,” he replied, “of the Batenza Farmers.”
    As he placed his palm upon hers and bowed, Tali took a deep breath to compose herself. Chey made her feel nervous, as Brindl had, with his serious, intense expression. He was only slightly
taller than Tali, though he seemed much larger. His shoulders were strong and wide, and he had the rugged, muscular build of a farmhand. His straight brown hair was pulled back from his face with a
leather string, letting a few rogue strands fall into brown eyes that matched his hair. A heavy brow made his face seem even more brooding. The tan, solid hand he placed on top of hers felt like
the trunk of a tree, its green-inked leaves circling his wrist all the way to his elbow.
    “I’ve heard the Batenza hills are very beautiful,” Tali finally said, gently withdrawing her hand. “I hope to see them someday.”
    Chey’s expression softened and a small smile spread across his lips. “Some say the hills are sleeping giants, covered in green blankets.”
    “I would hate to be there when they wake up,” Tali said, returning the smile. “Have you ever traveled that far north, Zarif?” she asked, trying to draw him back into the
conversation.
    “No, I haven’t,” Zarif replied, then proceeded to ask Chey a question about potato farming. Chey answered agreeably, as if glad to find a topic of mutual interest. Tali
listened to them speak, adding a few words here and there to encourage the conversation between the two. She knew little about farming, but Zarif seemed quite educated on the subject, and Tali
noticed that Chey’s expression brightened as they spoke. Perhaps Zarif’s earlier misstep would be forgotten, and the two roommates would become friends. She hoped so. A roommate would
be a comfort this next year.
    A loud chime sounded, halting the conversation between them and quieting the room. As the great double doors opened, the crowd pulled apart to create a path down the center of the hall to the
platform. Tali knelt in reverence along with the other pledges as a man entered the hall. Commander Jorge Telendor strode imposingly through the crowd, the legendary Blade of Tequende hanging from
his side, his blue uniform emblazoned with the Queen’s mark above his heart.
    For the past twenty years, Telendor had served as the Queen’s Sword, a title that ranked him above all but the Queen herself and gave him command of the Second Guard. Four helmeted
centurios in red sashes followed him into the hall and onto the platform, where they stood in perfect formation behind their commander. The excited whispers of a thousand pledges turned into uneasy
silence. Telendor swept a scrutinizing gaze across their ranks and motioned them to rise.
    “Second-born sons and daughters of Tequende,” he finally boomed, his deep voice echoing throughout the hall. “You are here to serve the Queen of Tequende, as commanded by the
Oath of Guilds. At year’s end, two hundred of you will be chosen to join the Second Guard, bringing honor and glory to your family and realm until your nineteenth birthday and beyond, if you
so desire.”
    Tali swallowed and looked around at the crowd. Only one in five of us will make it, she thought. Not the best odds, especially for those without training. She glanced quickly at Chey, but his
face was carved in stone.
    “Those released from the Guard at any time during training,” Telendor continued, “will be assigned servant placement within the realm until their twenty-first birthday. Anyone
here who believes himself physically impaired or otherwise ill-equipped for military training may request immediate placement in the servant ranks of the Alcazar until further assignment from the
Queen’s Steward.”
    Again, Tali looked around at