The Halfblood King: Book 1 of the Chronicles of Aertu Read Online Free PDF Page A

and being thirsty after a hard day planting, were heading for the inn for a draught.  The summer beer was light enough that the boys could afford one or two pints before evening chores.  Aleron had a few days off from his training to help his friends, so he could afford it as well.
    “So you’re leaving next week?”  Geldun asked him as they walked along.  He was still the smallest of the trio, but wiry and strong.  He had just turned fifteen and was developing a chiseled handsomeness that, along with his golden hair and quick tongue, was making him popular with the girls in the village.
    “Yes,” Aleron answered, “we leave on the new moon, in just four days.”  Aleron had yet to turn fifteen and though taller than the others, at nearly six feet, he still had his boyish looks.  He wondered if he would ever grow a beard, the wispy moustache he cultivated being the only hair growing upon his face.
    “Why are you going again, right before summer?”  Barathol asked, somewhat upset that one of his two best friends was leaving, for the first time in six years.  Barathol was the oldest of the group, as well as the most mature looking, with a full black beard as opposed to Geldun’s blonde fringe and Aleron’s wispy lip growth. He was nearly as tall as Aleron, and more solidly built than many of the grown men in the village, with unusually dark skin, like the desert dwellers to the east. 
    “My grandfather thinks it’s important for me to travel and meet new people.”  Aleron answered.  “I’m not real happy about it either.  It means no fishing this summer.”
    “Where will you be going? Geldun asked.
    “First, we will be visiting the dwarves.  Hadaras says there are some of my father’s old business associates there that would like to see me.  I’m not sure if they think I might be going into the charcoal business or something. I’ll be sorry to disappoint them if that’s the case.”  He answered.  “Then we’re supposed to go see the elves and visit some of grandfather’s old friends there.”
    “That should be fun.”  Geldun replied.  “I’ve never heard of anyone getting to visit elves and dwarves.  How did old Hadaras get in so good with the elves anyway?  I’ve heard that they’re not too friendly to outsiders.  Even though the border’s not closed, it might as well be.”
    “He says the army sometimes sends troops in to help on the border with the wild men.  He lived up there for years, even after he retired.  I think he liked all the books they have up there.”
    “Still making you read every night?”  Barathol asked wryly.
    “Without fail,” Aleron replied.
    “So what are you planning to do for work?”  Geldun inquired.  “You can’t go on forever helping out, not if you want to have a family or anything.  Are you still thinking of the army?”
    “I still haven’t decided between the army and the navy.” He answered.  “I like the woodsman thing enough, you know, like what my father did, but I want to see more of the world before I settle into something like that.  In addition, it seems like my grandfather has been training me for the military for the last six years.  He says I’m free to do whatever I want and he always said I should help the farmers and woodsmen, to get the feel of it.  But, I think he would be disappointed if I didn’t choose to serve the kingdom first.”
    They were about to enter the inn when Barathol said, “I’m thinking of doing a stint in the army before I take over the farm.  Ol’ Da won’t be ready to retire for quite a few years yet and it would be good to salt away some money before I settle down and take a wife.”
    “No luck on finding a girl who will have you, eh?”  Geldun teased.
    “Watch your tongue pretty boy.”  He replied, cuffing Geldun as they entered the common room.
    “I’m just not in any rush.”
    “Nor are the ladies,” Aleron quipped, dodging another swipe from Barathol.
    The boys