War (The True Reign Series) Read Online Free PDF

arms, stretching. Several of his wounds were still healing, but they wouldn’t impede him. Hearing voices approach, he went to the middle of the deck and stood with his feet shoulder-width apart, waiting.
    His mind drifted back to his first challenge. He ’d only been at Emperion’s military school for three days. The officer leading his squad was showing them how to do a flying sidekick while unsheathing a longsword at the same time. Darmik asked a simple question—why not use a dagger instead? Since he questioned authority and showed insubordination, the officer assigned five cadets to attack Darmik.
    G ranted, at the time, he had been seventeen and was serving in the King’s Army back home, so he wasn’t a novice. When the five cadets came at him, Darmik was shocked by the determination and brutality they exhibited. Since they weren’t allowed to use any weapons, one cadet went to punch him in the stomach. Darmik blocked the blow, but another cadet kicked from behind, sending him to his knees. Before he could recover, another cadet grabbed his hair, yanking his head up. One punched his jaw, while another kicked his side.
    As he s prawled on the ground, the cadets repeatedly kicked him until he passed out. When he woke up, he was still on the ground, covered in blood. Since there wasn’t a medical ward at the campus, and no one would help him, Darmik was forced to crawl to the room he shared with the cadets who had done this to him.
    His torso was purple, his face black and blue, one eye swollen shut, and he could barely move his j aw. From that point on, Darmik never questioned his commanding officers out loud—ever.
    Savenek stood before Darmik. “You want to fight me?” He smiled, confident he’d win.
    “ No,” Darmik said, “I want to challenge you. No weapons. Hand to hand only. First one to pin the other down, unharmed, wins. Understand?”
    Savenek nodded. “What’s the point?”
    “ To show you that you have a lot to learn. I am in charge of this mission, and you will give me the respect I deserve—no more snide comments.”
    Savenek stood, staring at him.
    “ Do you want to rescue Rema?” Darmik asked.
    “ Of course I do.”
    “ Then I need your loyalty.”
    Neco folded his arms, standing next to Ellie, watching . It looked like he was trying not to laugh.
    “ I don’t need to fight you to prove anything,” Savenek said.
    Darmik reached out and grabbed Savenek ’s shoulder, digging his fingers in.
    “ You’re arrogant, and you don’t understand how to follow authority. I am challenging you. Once I win, you will swear allegiance to me.”
    Savene k whacked Darmik’s arm away. “My loyalty is to Rema, not you.”
    “ If you want to save her, you need me. And I want you focused and doing exactly what I say. Otherwise, I’ll throw you overboard.”
    Savenek snickered. “What happens when I win?” His fist flew toward Darmik’s face.
    Darmik ducked and grabbed Savenek ’s right leg, throwing him off balance. Springing up, he kicked Savenek down. Savenek rolled to the side, getting back up. Bouncing on the balls of his feet, Savenek hunched over and came at Darmik, trying to tackle him to the ground. Darmik twisted and broke free, shoving him back. It was time to end this. Darmik ran and jumped on him, wrapping his legs around his neck, knocking him to the ground. He sat on top, victorious. Savenek tried to squirm free, but Darmik had him pinned down.
    “ Swear loyalty to me, or I’ll throw you overboard right now.”
    Savenek growled, still trying to break free. Darmik leaned his elbows down harder on Savenek ’s neck.
    Savenek banged his hand against the ground. “Fine,” he said, seething with rage. “I concede.”
    Darmik loosened his hold ever so slightly. “And?” he prompted.
    “ I swear loyalty to you.”
    “ No more disrespect. No more inappropriate comments. I want you on your best behavior. Understand?”
    “ Yes,” Savenek agreed, his face red.
    Darmik released