The Apprentices (The Crimson Guard Trilogy Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

respect for slavers.”  A hideous laugh came from the tall man as I said this.
    As I am looking at this man, I thought, what was I doing?  Why don’t I just step away from the flame?   Yet something was drawing me closer.  Not really knowing what to do, I backed away from the building.
    “That’s right come to me.”  A faint smile crept over his face.
    If I were to go to him I would at least not die, but he would try and sell me to some hideous rich man would make me do untold things.
    “You know what slaver; I think I would rather take my chances with the fire than with you”.  With this I made a mad dash for the white fire. 
    I had only taken a few steps before they were upon me, hands desperately trying to pin me down.  Fear swept over me, I kicked and screamed, hoping someone would come.  I should have known that in this town no one ever comes, none the less I still screamed. 
    The men started yelling at each other and a sword was drawn, I could feel myself slipping away.  The feeling was the same as before, I knew what was happening, but still could not stop it.  The man who was trying to restrain me suddenly flew across the park and landed in a heap a few yards from the others.  He reminded me of a leaf in the wind.  The magic and power flowed through me like a river after a horrendous storm.  The two remaining men came at me from both sides swords drawn.  I willed myself to run, for my legs or body to do anything.  I would have cried at this point if I could have.  The men had almost reached me when a blue flame streaked from my fingertips, leaving one man charred and the other running for his life.  I thought, Slavers sure don’t have any loyalties .
    As I regained control of my body, I realized that this was no way to live.  A life without control is no life at all.  Slowly I turned and stared in awe, the beckoning flames of the library is my answer.  All who tried to enter this forbidden place were consumed by the never ending flame.  This is my end, a way out of this world, an end to the struggle, one more death to stop the killing.  For the first time in my life I was not afraid, my thoughts were making me feel whole.  Something I hadn’t been since childhood was ripped from me.  With all my confidence and courage, I stepped towards the wall of fire.  As I reached the edge between life and life after death, I paused.  An overwhelming feeling came over me.  Can this possibly be the right thing to do ?  Without giving myself a second to reconsider, I closed my eyes and stepped forward. 
    A strong hand gripped my shoulder, the grip of death I thought.  Maybe the Gods were here to receive me for all my sins. 
    “Don’t fear mage, Daddy’s got you now, no need to do that.” 
    Without hesitating I turned, but to my dismay, I was alive and the hand was missing three fingers. 
    “Now how would I make any money with you going off and killing yourself?”  The slaver’s voice was shaking.
    “No!!  I won’t go!”  I screamed.
    “No more killing, no more.”  I whispered
    Without another thought I dove, propelling myself through the flame and hopefully to a quick and painless death.  The man struggled desperately to restrain me, nothing could stop me now.  Sadly, as I entered the flame I realized the slaver’s grip drew him in after me.
    Somewhere deep inside I felt sorry for him.  As I stood there in the flame, I became slightly disappointed it was not killing me.  After only a moment the voices filled my head.  They were all jumbled and screaming or crying, but the one that I could hear the best was coming from the leader that had followed me in.  The man floated inches above the ground and a horrifying expression was set upon his face.  The expression was frozen like an ice sculpture or statue. 
    Now that his scream had died down the voices became louder again.  Although I could still hear him, it sounded muffled and distant, as if from another