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

agreed.  “Have they decided on the army or the navy yet?”
    “Hmmm…they’re kind of waiting for me to decide that, Grandfather.”
    “Is that so?  Will you be deciding for them, or with them?”
    “With them, Grandfather.”
    “You know Aleron…” Hadaras began, “I never wanted you to feel pressured to join just because I was a soldier.  You can be a woodsman, like your father, or a farmer, or a tradesman and I will be proud of you just the same.”
    “Then why have you been training me to fight all these years?”  Aleron asked.
    “Because, I want you to be able to fend for yourself and you needed to have something to apply yourself to.  I do not have enough work around here for you remain occupied and not become soft and lazy.”
    “So, it was only to keep me busy?”
    “Yes,” Hadaras replied, but Aleron did not believe him for a moment.
    “I still think it might be the best thing for me Grandfather.  I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately and I’m not really interested in anything else.  I want to see some of the world and I know that will not happen if I’m stuck on some farm.”
    “You will get to see plenty of it this year.  We will see if you still feel that way next spring.”  Hadaras replied with a wry tone.
    Aleron lay awake in his bed that night.  The bit of drowsiness from the ale had long since worn off and though he was tired from the long day planting, he was too excited about The upcoming journey.  A whole year away from the village he had called home for nearly six years.  He imagined returning home next spring, nearly sixteen years old and seasoned world traveler.  He wondered if he would have a beard by that time.  The girls would be impressed then , he thought.  His thoughts drifted to soldiering and sailing. He imagined leading a column of soldiers against evil Kolixtlanis, goblins and wild men, or sailing the high seas on the deck of a Sudean warship, fighting Thallasian corsairs and exploring strange shores.  With these thoughts, he drifted off to sleep.
    ***
    Hadaras spoke to Jessamine after Aleron slipped into the land of dreams.  “He is still adamant about the military when he turns sixteen.”
    “Were you expecting anything different from the boy you raised,” she replied.  “He is a more accomplished fighter than half the soldiers in the army already, under you tutelage.”
    “True enough, my dear, but I’ve also taught him to read and write four languages.  Why not an interest in university instead?”
    “That’s simply not exciting for a fifteen year old boy, my love.  He will have plenty of time for that later.”
    “I suppose so,” he admitted.  “Time for bed?”
    “I suppose so,” she replied, as she sauntered towards the bedroom, hips swaying seductively.
     

 
    Chapter 4
     
    Gurlachday, Day 25, Sowing Moon. 8760 Sudean Calendar
     
    “Are the horses saddled yet, Aleron?”
    “Yes Grandfather,” Aleron replied.
    “Did you remember to wait for them to exhale, before you tightened the girth straps?”
    “Yes I did, Grandfather.”
    “Good boy; now get the saddlebags while I finish this,” Hadaras instructed as he finished loading the packhorse with the sundries they would need to sustain them on the road.  It was just before dawn and there was enough chill in the air that the horses blew steam from their nostrils as they snorted at the indignities imposed on them by their handlers. 
    After finishing with the horses, they donned their mail hauberks and strapped on their sword belts.  Hanging their helms on the saddles, they were ready to depart the farmyard.  Jessamine came out to see them off.  She would stay behind to keep an eye on the homestead.  “Have a safe journey and keep your grandfather out of trouble,” she said to Aleron.  Fare well my love and stay safe, she spoke in Hadaras’ mind.  I will miss you this season.
    And I you, he replied in kind.  It will be as a blink of an eye to one such as you,