Wizard of the Grove Read Online Free PDF Page A

chuckling.
    â€œYes, sir.” It wasn’t a question but it seemed to need a response.
    â€œJoined your Duke’s Guard at fifteen and moved to the Palace Guard last year.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œYou’re moving again.” He pointed with his chin across the table. “The commander needs an armsman. You’re it.”
    â€œSir?” This from both young men. It was enough to drag the young guard’s eyes off the wall. They studied one another for a heartbeat and then Rutgar went back to looking at nothing and the prince turned to Doan.
    â€œBut I’ve already got a servant.”
    â€œI didn’t say he was to be your servant. He’s your armsman. The men fight in pairs, live in pairs, the officers can’t. He’ll take care of your armor and your horse—trust me, you won’t have time—and guard your back if it needs guarding.” Red-brown eyes raked over the newly appointed armsman. “He’s young but,” he added pointedly, “so are you. You can learn together. Anyway, he’d have made the company himself before this war’s over.”
    A small explosion of air escaped from the pressed line of Rutgar’s mouth.
    â€œDid you say something, Armsman?”
    â€œNo, Captain.”
    â€œGood. Get outfitted. Meet us on the reviewing square in half an hour.”
    â€œYes, sir.” Only the gleam in his eye showed the young man’s emotion as he wheeled and exited the room.
    Rael shook his head and his brow furrowed.
    â€œProblems, Commander?”
    â€œIt just happened so fast . . .” Rael squared his shoulders. “What if I wanted someone else as my armsman?”
    Earth-colored eyebrows rose. “Do you?”
    â€œWell, no, it’s just . . .”
    â€œA good commander should have faith in his officers.” The tone was not quite sarcastic. “Now, if you’re ready, Commander, we’ll review the troops.”
    *   *   *
    The men of Belkar, farmers and herdsmen for the most part, began to gather outside the city. Soon they were joined by the fishermen of Cei and the shepherds of Aliston. Most of these men were skilled with a quarterstaff or spear and some were fine archers, but very few of them could use a sword. In less than two weeks, they had to be an army. It would have been impossible had they not wanted to be an army so badly. Raen was a good king, more importantly he was a popular king, but they wouldn’t be fighting for him. They’d be fighting for their land.
    â€œRiven and Lorn know the mountains and they take care of border raids every winter,” Raen said, jabbing at the map with a dagger. “They’ll do. We can count on Hale to supply cavalry out of those crazy horsemen of his.” He sucked his teeth and looked grim. “They say Melac can field tens of thousands of trained soldiers.”
    â€œImpossible,” scoffed Cei. “Mere rumor.”
    But none of the men in the room looked very happy.
    The palace bulged with the three dukes and their retinues, officersand couriers, clerks and servants, until it resembled an anthill more than a royal residence.
    Rael was up at dawn and in bed long past dark but still there weren’t enough hours in the day.
    He had training.
    â€œYou just removed the ears from your horse, Commander. Try it again and swing wider.”
    He had fittings for new armor in the plain, cold steel of the Elite.
    â€œStop squirming, Highness.”
    â€œYou’re tickling.”
    â€œI assure you, Highness, it’s unintentional.”
    He had Royal Obligations.
    â€œBut I don’t want to have dinner with the dukes, Ivan. Why can’t I eat with my men?”
    â€œYou eat with the dukes, milord,” Ivan finished fastening the red velvet jacket and stepped back to view his handiwork, “because your father commands your presence.” He picked the gold belt off