The Blade Heir (Book 1) Read Online Free Page B
Author: Daniel Adorno
Protector—unless, of course, this Council nominates you again after your performance in the archery tournament."
Siegfried scoffed. "Even if I shoot my bow with the grace of a seabird of Und, you will not nominate me again, nor will you consider Lucius, who I dare say, shoots an arrow with skill rivaling the best archers of Verdania."
"Alright, Siegfried," Helmer spoke before Quetulya had a chance to chide his son. "You have had your say in this matter. Go and compete, if you so choose."
Siegfried sighed and glared at Quetulya one last time before he clutched his bow and walked away from the green seal. Lucius followed him reluctantly, asking whether he would compete or not. Siegfried didn't answer and kept walking away from the square toward the Royal Road. Lucius stopped at the edge of the seal and watched him for a while until the blast of Kiret's horn filled the air. The archery tournament was about to begin.
The elves grew silent and hurried to their positions, both spectators and competitors. Lucius did not wish to compete without Siegfried present. But he knew this would be the last chance to show Quetulya and the Council he was worthy of being chosen to be a Protector. He hurried toward the green seal, grabbing his bow from the spot on the floor where he had left it. He pulled the bowstring a few times to prepare his arm muscles for the contest while he listened to Kiret and Athri state the rules of the tournament. It was nothing new to him. Various targets would be set up at differing distances and had to be hit within a predetermined time limit. Accuracy, speed, and grace were of the utmost importance.
After another poem to D'arya was recited by one of the Cyngorell , Lucius and the rest of the competitors lined up. Athri commanded them to nock their arrows and aim. The tall, attractive elf raised her hand as the contestants readied themselves. A few seconds later, her hand dropped and Lucius released his arrow.
THREE
Revelations of Lineage
“Your skills were unmatched, Lucius," Helmer complimented as they walked down the western road.
"If that is so, then why didn't the Council nominate me, Father?" Lucius replied, knowing the answer.
Helmer looked up at the Great Tree's high branches as they passed underneath, perhaps seeking an answer hidden among the leaves. "Lucius, you know the sensitivities of the elf-folk of Evingrad. There is a marred history between the elves and men."
"Yes, the Battle of Verdania, I know," he confessed.
"Then you should also know that the elves have not yet forgotten the savagery of such times."
Lucius looked down and kicked a twig on the road. "But I wasn't present during those times! Why am I looked upon with such contempt?"
"It is not you whom they have contempt for, Lucius. It is your people. Since the time when mankind stepped into Azuleah, they have only shown the elves their insatiable lust for power over this land." Helmer turned a corner behind a moss-covered house onto the northern lane that led to the Silverhart house.
"I understand the bane my people have been to this world and to the elves, but have these qualities been seen in me, my lord?" He stopped at the intersection of the roads.
Helmer turned around to face him, "No, Lucius. They certainly have not. I daresay you are unequaled among the men of this world. And it is for good reason that I embraced you into my house eighteen winters past. You may not yet know it, Lucius, but your life is of great value to the elves and to your kin."
Lucius raised a brow. He had never heard his father speak of him this way. When he attempted to get more answers from the wise sage, his father dismissed them. Helmer put his hands on his shoulders affectionately and said, "The answers to the questions you seek are soon coming, like the dawn of a winter's night. Have patience, my son. Come, I am curious to see what Siegfried has been up to in these passing hours."
They continued to walk down the road, walking
Siegfried scoffed. "Even if I shoot my bow with the grace of a seabird of Und, you will not nominate me again, nor will you consider Lucius, who I dare say, shoots an arrow with skill rivaling the best archers of Verdania."
"Alright, Siegfried," Helmer spoke before Quetulya had a chance to chide his son. "You have had your say in this matter. Go and compete, if you so choose."
Siegfried sighed and glared at Quetulya one last time before he clutched his bow and walked away from the green seal. Lucius followed him reluctantly, asking whether he would compete or not. Siegfried didn't answer and kept walking away from the square toward the Royal Road. Lucius stopped at the edge of the seal and watched him for a while until the blast of Kiret's horn filled the air. The archery tournament was about to begin.
The elves grew silent and hurried to their positions, both spectators and competitors. Lucius did not wish to compete without Siegfried present. But he knew this would be the last chance to show Quetulya and the Council he was worthy of being chosen to be a Protector. He hurried toward the green seal, grabbing his bow from the spot on the floor where he had left it. He pulled the bowstring a few times to prepare his arm muscles for the contest while he listened to Kiret and Athri state the rules of the tournament. It was nothing new to him. Various targets would be set up at differing distances and had to be hit within a predetermined time limit. Accuracy, speed, and grace were of the utmost importance.
After another poem to D'arya was recited by one of the Cyngorell , Lucius and the rest of the competitors lined up. Athri commanded them to nock their arrows and aim. The tall, attractive elf raised her hand as the contestants readied themselves. A few seconds later, her hand dropped and Lucius released his arrow.
THREE
Revelations of Lineage
“Your skills were unmatched, Lucius," Helmer complimented as they walked down the western road.
"If that is so, then why didn't the Council nominate me, Father?" Lucius replied, knowing the answer.
Helmer looked up at the Great Tree's high branches as they passed underneath, perhaps seeking an answer hidden among the leaves. "Lucius, you know the sensitivities of the elf-folk of Evingrad. There is a marred history between the elves and men."
"Yes, the Battle of Verdania, I know," he confessed.
"Then you should also know that the elves have not yet forgotten the savagery of such times."
Lucius looked down and kicked a twig on the road. "But I wasn't present during those times! Why am I looked upon with such contempt?"
"It is not you whom they have contempt for, Lucius. It is your people. Since the time when mankind stepped into Azuleah, they have only shown the elves their insatiable lust for power over this land." Helmer turned a corner behind a moss-covered house onto the northern lane that led to the Silverhart house.
"I understand the bane my people have been to this world and to the elves, but have these qualities been seen in me, my lord?" He stopped at the intersection of the roads.
Helmer turned around to face him, "No, Lucius. They certainly have not. I daresay you are unequaled among the men of this world. And it is for good reason that I embraced you into my house eighteen winters past. You may not yet know it, Lucius, but your life is of great value to the elves and to your kin."
Lucius raised a brow. He had never heard his father speak of him this way. When he attempted to get more answers from the wise sage, his father dismissed them. Helmer put his hands on his shoulders affectionately and said, "The answers to the questions you seek are soon coming, like the dawn of a winter's night. Have patience, my son. Come, I am curious to see what Siegfried has been up to in these passing hours."
They continued to walk down the road, walking
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