The Realms of Animar Read Online Free PDF Page A

fell quiet.
    “Good Morning!” Urso roared, his deep voice echoing around the arena. “It seems we have a new pupil today!”
    Thane blushed as laughter spilled out and numerous heads turned his way.
    Avryn raised a hand to hush Urso, a man not known for his candor.
    Ignoring Avryn’s wish the trainer then yelled, “Young man, come on out here!” He motioned for Thane to join him in the center of the arena.
    Thane hesitated, not sure of what to do.
    “Oh come on lad,” Urso roared. “We won’t make you fight just yet.”
    Thane looked to Avryn for guidance.
    “It’s alright,” Avryn said. “Go on out there. We might as well get this over with.”
    Reluctantly, Thane made his way out to the center of the arena. When he drew near, Urso put a hand on each of Thane’s shoulders and spun him around to face the onlookers. Suddenly the boy wished he had gone to school after all.
    With the exception of his father, the crowd seemed to be amused by his presence. Thane nervously scanned the faces that peered at him and sweat began to form on his brow.
    “Care to tell us your name young fellow?” Urso asked with a grin. Everyone, including Urso, knew the answer already.
    “Th…Thane,” he replied quietly, his nerves clearly rattled. “My name is Thane, sir.” Flustered, he then pointed to his father and added, “My father is Avryn, the King.” Thane closed his eyes and frowned. Oh that was bright.
    Urso immediately burst into laughter and was joined by an assortment of clapping and cheers from the crowd. Thane’s face turned bright red.
    “I see!” the trainer proclaimed. “So your father is our King? This is certainly good to know!” He laughed again but this time the response from the crowd was a bit subdued.
    Urso then looked over at Avryn. The glare he received back spoke volumes. Although the people had declared Avryn to be their King, he himself had never warmed to the title. Avryn preferred to think of himself as a commoner and Urso had knowingly touched a sensitive topic.
    After clearing his throat Urso continued, “Well my boy, would you like to see a match today?”
    Thane began to reply but then hesitated and looked over at his father. Avryn smiled and nodded in acceptance. Thane then turned to Urso, “I would sir. Yes please.”
    “Well, alright then. Excellent! Who would you like to start us off today?”
    Thane looked up at the trainer, puzzled. He then peered over the crowd and searched the countless faces around him. A few even pleaded with their hands to be selected. With Avryn present, there was no lack of willing participants.
    Expecting the worst, Avryn groaned and covered his eyes.
    With a grin Thane turned to Urso, “My father?”
    Urso chuckled and held out his hand toward Avryn, “Well, how about it? Do you feel like a duel today?”
    Avryn closed his eyes and wished he could revise the events that had led to this moment. He then sighed, stood up and tossed a stern look at Thane who begged forgiveness with his eyes. Avryn then walked to the center of the arena and stood beside his son.
    “Splendid!” Urso declared before turning his attention back to the crowd. “Now, who would like to duel Avryn this fine day?”
    Thane looked out at the blank faces of the once boisterous crowd that had instantly fallen eerily silent.
    Urso frowned and pleaded once more for a volunteer. “Come now, surely one of you is up to the challenge?”
    A soft murmur began to spill forth from the onlookers that had grown restless. Suddenly a man yelled from somewhere in the crowd. “Why don’t you do it?”
    Laughter erupted.
    Urso stood up straight and collected his thoughts as he tried his best to recover from the outburst. He was clearly rattled.
    “Fair enough,” he then snorted defiantly. “Why not?”
    Avryn looked over at the trainer and bowed his head slightly, accepting the duel. He then turned to Thane and pointed to a hefty middle-aged woman with long brown hair that was seated alone on