Vitiosi Dei (Heritage of the Blood Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

slightly under the High Commander's scrutiny.
                  That the man had let his discomfort show said more to Nim than anything else, piquing his curiosity. “What do you mean?”
                  “I was going to offer our young friend here a position as well...” Stewart said, surprising Nim once again, to a lesser degree. No one from the Order of the Griffon had ever been offered a commission into the Knights. The forces were recognized as completely separate entities, as completely different orders of discipline were needed for each. “...however, it appears that he is to be the next Grand Master of the Order.”
                  This surprised the group more than anything else, wide eyes turned from every angle to look at the young monk. Cypherious's squirming intensified under the scrutiny of his companions. Over the last year, Cypherious had slowly integrated himself into the tight nit circle of friends. Nim wasn't quite sure how it had happened; the man hardly ever talked, and seemed to have the sense of humor of a brick. Time after time, however, the young man had proven himself against the Dracair.
                  It was during battle that Cypherious truly shone. The young monk seemed to adapt his fighting style to work with whomever he was fighting near. The young man was death in motion, and Nim had found fighting next to Cypherious to be an enjoyable experience. No matter who he was fighting, Cypherious seemed to brush blows aside with an almost contemptuous ease. After one particularly brutal fight in early spring, the young man had approached the group's fire and been accepted with respectful nods. He had been an expected, if not always noticed, face around the fire ever since.
                  “I told them I was too young for such a position,” Cypherious said, obviously uncomfortable being the center of attention.
                  Cantel laughed. “Which is exactly what made them decide that it had to be you. Most people would jump at that much power and prestige, especially at such a young age, but you told them you wanted nothing to do with it. It reminds me of how Dalton Theromvore became King of the Protectorate!”
                  Cypherious sighed in defeat. “I haven't even seen Haven yet.”
                  “There's nothing over there except sand and too many serious people,” Ashur said. “The Oasis that Haven is built on is beautiful, to be sure, like a tropical forest in the middle of a wasteland, but the people who live there ruin the whole experience.”
                  “I would still like to see it,” Cypherious said, his tone bordering on petulant.
                  “We all do what we have to do,” Nim said softly. “Think of it this way—would you trust anyone else with the job?”
                  Cypherious looked up at Nim, focusing his thoughts inward before shaking his head. “No, I'm afraid you are right my friend. I do not wish to do it, but I would not shirk the responsibility that has been placed on my shoulders.”
                  “Well, I would say that makes this campfire surrounded by some of the most powerful men in the world.” Ashur grinned. “When are you going to be Arch Magus, Halycon?”
                  “Don't even joke!” Zander said. “First of all, the loss of Arch Magus Windsbane would be the biggest setback the Protectorate could possibly suffer right now, and for another...” he grinned, “... that is just too damn much responsibility for me! Being the Tetriarch has already made me go bald!”
                  Sharing in his friend’s joviality, Nim said, “It seems to me that you were bald when I first met you. You were what, sixteen?”
                  “I wasn't bald then,” Zander said. “I simply shaved it off for continuity reasons. Besides, my