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

embrace of the flame.  The old man gestured me to follow. I did just that without even a second glance back.  The outside world was not going to give me the answers that these people hopefully could. 
    The interior of the building was not much different than a regular library, except for the complete absence of people and artificial lighting.  I figured that the absence of lights was due to the fact that the endless flame outside illuminated the entire building.  I wondered how these people sleep with no darkness.
    We continued on for a while until we came to a small golden bell.  He took up a miniature metal hammer, and struck it once.  “The sound is so beautiful.” I said.  “Please ring it again.” I yearned to hear the bell one more time. 
    “No!  The bell can only be sounded once.”  The sternness in his voice frightened me out of my daze, although I still desired to hear the soft ring once more.
    By now a group of red clad figures surrounded us.  I was not afraid, for these people seemed at peace.  The old man broke through my thoughts, “these are the members of our family and there are only six of us left.”
    As I surveyed their faces, a realization hit me.  They all looked very similar. Before I could ask the old keeper seemed to have read my mind.  “The magic of the flame has changed our appearance and is still changing us.  To what end I do not know.  Now for formal introductions, I am the Keeper.  I am so because I was the eldest when the city fell.   My name has been lost with time.”  For some reason I felt sorry for him.
    “Those three are the Guardians; they have trained and studied every known magical attack, defense and weapon known to man.  They also have no names.”  He said this as he pointed to three identical men with blue sashes across their shoulders.  Each man was very muscular with bald heads.  Along with the sash, they wore orange sleeveless tunics.  Their stature did not worry me, it was their intense stares that caught my attention.   
    I turned back to the Keeper. “Guards, why do you need guards?  No one can even get in here.” I just had to ask.
    “You will find these answers in due time,” he replied and then continued on with his introductions.  “The one with the purple sash is the Librarian; he knows where every book is and what every book is about.  But sadly, with all of the intense studying, he has lost the ability to speak.”
    “Wait, ” I said. “I thought there were six of you, and I only see five.”
    “Ah, very good, the last is Juleen.”
    “What does a Juleen do?”  I wondered out loud.
    “A Juleen does nothing.  It is a person, my daughter.”
    “Your daughter?”  Instantly after I said this I saw her.  Her body was that of an athlete, slick and streamlined.  She had long dark hair that shone from the white flame.  Her face was slightly rounded with beautiful silver eyes.  Her eyes are what struck me so.  They burned with power, but also sadness.  I instantly knew I wanted to be with her, I also knew that she was definitely too good for me.
    “And now you shall sleep.”  With this the Keeper showed me to a small room.
    “Later we shall start your training,” he said before leaving.
    My life had been completely turned upside down; I thought what am I to do now ?  Even though all these questions were burning within me, I still fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

 
    4
     
    The street was dirtier than any he had ever seen.  That was not the worst of it though; the people were ten times worse.  No respect and more importantly, no money.
    Jes had been looking for a good score ever since he had parted from Lyndon at the gate.  
    “Hello sir, do you have any idea where I can find a good ale house?”  Jes asked a passerby.
    “You can go to the Flying Horse, but a thief like you would not like that place.”  Jes had to hold back the surprise.  How had the man known what he was?  Since he already knew