The Vitalis Chronicles: White Shores Read Online Free PDF Page A

dangerous for Don's taste. There had been the occasional accident around the village and he had seen what it could do to a man. He felt it an unnecessary risk for a little added convenience.
    Their tiny house was warmed by a wood stove, which also served to cook their meals. His wife was hard-pressed to find ways of cooking those meals without the blazing iron beast in the heat of summer, but she was artfully creative when it came to it.
    Emily was a dream to Don; he was proud of her. She worked hard to maintain business with their neighbors and often stayed up late into the night to make or repair clothing for the children. Sometimes she would have enough left over to sell at market.
    Dinner was special for the family though. Especially during the summer when the little ones didn't have school to attend and the sun rested in the sky for those extra few hours. Don would often pull them outside after finishing up at the table and set them to playing a game he called 'cat and mouse.' He couldn't much run any more, but he could make his children.
    He, the cat, would sit in his chair on the back porch and throw a small ball at the mice, his children. They had the task of dodging the ball by diving behind planters, troughs, wagons, or whatever shelter presented itself. More often than not an older sibling provided ample protection. If hit they were made to stand behind their father on the porch, in the mouse trap, until their time was up and they were free to roam the farm again.
    The twins had long since given up on the game; too busy helping their mother to run around in the back yard. But the rest of the children loved the game, even John and serious little Adelade weren't above a good round of cat and mouse.
    The sun began to set in the peaks above their house, the warm pink light diffusing through the tall trees around their land. Emily called to the children to make ready for bed. Their protests came and went as obligatory ritual, and soon the house was quieting down for the night.
    “Boys,” their father called them over as their sisters walked in the house. “Walk with me.”
    The brothers smiled at each other and followed their father. Evening walks with him were a rare treat. He couldn't make it very far with his cane and prosthesis. They usually only made it to the edge of their property before he found a log to sit on. The breeze picked up off of the mountains as the sun set behind their craggy peaks. Ardin couldn't help but close his eyes against it and smile.
    They sat with their father as he told them one of his old war stories, reminding them of the cost that had been paid to secure mankind's freedom.
    “Back when I fought for Elandir,” he started as he always did. “We trained with the finest technology a man could wish for. They knew the Magi would return, and bring their cursed Shadow Warriors with them, and they had prepared well.”
    “Were you worried, Father?” Ardin asked. “I mean, knowing that you would have to fight them? Fight their magic?”
    “Of course son!” Don laughed as he thumped Ardin on the back. “Of course. But we had the right tools, didn't we? And we had Khrone's Hunters doing the real fighting. The magic users didn't stand a chance.”
    “But they killed a lot of you, didn't they,” John was staring back at the house.
    “Yes, son. They did. But we tore them to shreds.” Their father's expression grew serious as well. “There wasn't any joy in it, boys. We may have earned our freedom, but the things we saw... listen. I want to tell you something important. Ardin.” He turned to his youngest son. “You share a great responsibility with your brother.”
    Ardin's focus on his father couldn't have been more complete. The lines in the old man's worn face were far deeper than they should have been at his age. Ardin believed them to be true signs of wisdom, like the silver cropping up at his temples.
    “Your sisters, son, will need protecting in this world. As will your