The Troven (Kingdom of Denall Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

go get him or let him figure it out on his own? I know you like him, Kaz, but seriously, do we have to take him with us?”
    Kaz shook his head as he called and waved to Bendar, answering Garin over his shoulder. “You know we need him. If he's not with us, Farin and I would only have you to pick on the whole way to Norwell. Besides, he has the route all planned out and all the rations calculated. We need his brains as much as any of our gifts if we're going to succeed.”
    “I just don’t get why you seem to like him so much. He talks like everyone around him is an idiot.”
    “He is a level three intellect,” Kaz responded as if that was explanation enough.
    “Yeah, and I’m a level two listener. That doesn’t mean I act like everyone else is deaf.” Garin put one finger to his mouth when Bendar came within ear shot.
    The three bright red dots on Bendar's forehead were the first things that came into view as he stepped up over the ledge. He was, as usual, wearing brightly colored clothing, the way the professors did at the capitol city of Norwell and in the universities. Farin didn’t remember Bendar ever wearing anything different, or trying at all to fit in with the other boys in the village.
    His round face wore a stern frown when he closed the distance to the three boys.
    “Have a good laugh, pea-brains?” he asked as he held up the arrow. He reached out as if to hand it back to Kaz, but when Kaz moved to take it Bendar snapped it in half and tossed the shaft into a small briar with a satisfied smile.
    “Sometimes I wonder why I even agreed to help you all survive on your Trovens. I presume you at least gathered the supplies on the list?” Bendar asked in a condescending tone.
    “We got everything,” Kaz called from behind the thorn bush. He carefully moved his hand farther into the briar, trying to retrieve the arrowhead.
    “We have everything you've asked for and we even decided to pack our own underpants,” Garin replied with a sarcastic, you're-not-my-mother tone as he turned and left with the lamb.
    “Don't listen to him. He's just mad he didn't see Kaz's arrow hit your pants,” Farin said. With a quick focus to see if Garin was out of earshot he added. “You could help things by not being so condescending all the time.”
    “It would be a lot easier to be friendly if I was not always the butt of your jokes.” The words were emphasized by reaching down and poking his finger through the hole in his trousers. “Despite the unnecessary nature of this venture, I am looking forward to testing the words of Emer, the head scholar from Norwell University. He wrote, 'Traveling can separate the strongest of friends and unify the worst of enemies. Through miles together, true character is forged, formed, and brought to light.' I wish I had space in my belongings for even a portion of his writings.”
    Farin had no interest in writings from scholars, and even less interest in hearing about them from Bendar for the next year.
    “I have one question, Bendar. Who is this Emry guy and has he ever left the walls of the university? I've heard you talk about all these wise guys, but I've never heard of them leaving their cozy apartments in the capitol. I'll tell you one thing: I'm not wasting my strength carrying scrolls, books or anything I don't need.”
    With this final insult Bendar shook his head and paused. “First off, you asked two questions. Secondly, it is Emer. I am sure with some concerted cognitive effort you will be able to pronounce it correctly. And thirdly, I do not think it necessary for you to carry a single transcript, text, manuscript or writing of any kind unless it has bright picture drawings.” Bendar smiled wide with satisfaction at having outwitted Farin. He looked to Kaz and back to Farin for some kind of reaction, but all he received was a dismissive head shake.
    Returning from the thorn bush, Kaz broke the silence, “Bendar, was that a joke? We really need to work on timing and