The Soul Forge Read Online Free PDF

her place.”
    “Who’s she?” Anna practically snarled, pointing at the barmaid. It was only when Thomas couldn’t answer that he realized he had never asked her name.
    “I feel terrible,” Thomas said, “but what’s your name, sweetheart?”
    “Took you a while,” she winked, “but my name is Cynthia.”
    “ Pleasure,” Master Kimpchik said, “but our home… our farm…”
    Thomas couldn’t find anything to say to that. All he could offer was a helpless shrug, which he knew was of no consolation.
    “We need to get out of here,” Master Kimpchik said, “we make for the Capital…”
    “No!” Cynthia said, “ we should head to the Verdonti! They’ll protect us.”
    Thomas stared at the burning house, watching as the frame collapsed in on itself. Master Kimpchik and Cynthia started to argue, each one stating their reasons for their chosen destination.
    “The brigands wouldn’t dare attack the elves!” Cynthia reasoned.
    “The elves have no love for humans, they would turn us away and then where would we be? Lost and defenseless! The Capital will defend us, I’m sure of it.”
    “You maybe, but not Thomas here. Thomas will die before dawn.”
    “What?” Master Kimpchik said, completely confused. “What is she talking about, lad?”
    Thomas tore his eyes away from the flame in order to fill in his master. “I was taken because I’m a magic-caster, sir.”
    Master Kimpchik’s jaw dropped in shock.
    “ Found out this morning,” Thomas said apathetically, “great way to start the day.”
    Master Kimpchik stared in silence for a moment longer before clearing his throat. “Then I guess that settles it.”
    Thomas met the older man’s gaze, uncertain.
    “We head to Verdonti,” Master Kimpchik said. “Hopefully they’ll protect all of us.”
    Cynthia looked taken aback, looking to Thomas with a smile. For some reason, hearing Master Kimpchik agree with Cynthia made everything clear to Thomas.
    “I’ m going to the Capital,” he said. As expected, everyone present practically yelled their disagreement, but Thomas’ mind was made up.
    “And you, sweetheart, you are going to Verdonti. You warn the elves, and I’ll warn the humans. Everyone needs to know.”
    “What are you talking about?” Cynthia pleaded, “if you go to the Capital, they’ll kill you on the spot!”
    “Nah,” Thomas replied, “not if I don’t tell them I’m a magic-caster. ‘Sides, I’ve got this,” he finished by holding up his hand, where the metal emblem the soldier had given him was. He still didn’t know what it was, but it surely had to be important. It was a simple gold circle, not that much different than a coin. On its face was a picture of a sword crossed with an ax, and on the back was a banner Thomas didn’t recognize.
    “What if that doesn’t stop them?” she argued, moving forward so that they were mere inches apart.
    “Then I’ll run,” Thomas said with a smile, “getting pretty good at that today.”
    “I agree with the girl, lad,” Master Kimpchik said, “I don’t think this is a good idea.”
    Thomas nodded, but his smile didn’t falter. “I don’t particularly think so either, sir, but they have to be warned. And they’re only going to believe me cause I’ve got this.”
    “I’ll take it then,” Master Kimpchik replied, holding out his hand.
    “This road’s going to be dangerous, sir. I could never forgive myself if something happened to you, especially considering your family is right here.”
    “Stable Boy…” Anna started, her face turning red.
    “Now that’s enough argument. You have your family to look after,” he said to both Ms. Anna and Master Kimpchik. “And you have the elves to warn,” he said to Cynthia, who looked almost angry at him.
    “We’ll all meet again,” Thomas promised. Master Kimpchik shared a look with Ms. Anna, who looked over at Cynthia as if it was all her fault. The thought made Thomas smile.
    Thomas called the horse over, and