Sunstone - Dishonor's Bane (Book 2) by Guy Antibes Read Free Book Online

That sheathing would keep him warmer in the winter, should he be allowed a brazier in his rooms. He had expected the wooden sliding walls that defined living spaces in every other dwelling he had ever entered.
    He looked up at the blackened timbers of the ceiling. The guild house must be centuries old. How many apprentices had used this room? How many had died before they became fully accepted sorcerers? Shiro had no desire to know the answers.
    “Oh. Sorry, I’m usually better at guessing ages.” Shiro could see embarrassment play across the man’s face. Boreko’s was a pleasant visage set in a rotund body. It looked like he approached sixty. He had a bald head with a fringe of salt and pepper hair twisted up in a topknot as casual as the one Shiro wore. A stringy gray beard framed his face. Boreko had the most startling light gray eyes where most eyes in Roppon, at least on his northern isle were dark, like Shiro’s. “I’m sorry that this is one of the smaller chambers, but if you’re from a village, I’m sure this will do.”
    At the mention of his village, Shiro looked at his homespun clothes and rude shoes. “I don’t suppose I’ll be wearing the clothes I brought.” He smiled to put the older man back at ease.
    “No. Put your satchel under your bed and we can get you new clothes. All of your needs are provided by the guild.” Boreko smiled as he pulled a large brass key out of his pocket. “Something to keep your things safe. The people may fear us, but there are those among the Guild who fear nothing. Not even the punishment for a bit of theft. Sorcerers use wards to protect their personal possessions, apprentices use keys and locks.”
    Shiro could feel that the Guildhouse sat close to a nexus. He knew so little about the Affinity and how to use it. The thought of so much talent housed within the Guild’s walls might not be a good thing. Physically, he had no problem taking care of himself, but he had no experience with magic users. He put it in the back of his mind to be careful in this new environment.
    “Can you tell me a bit about yourself?” Boreko asked. He fidgeted with his hands. The situation seemed to bring out more nerves for Boreko than it did to Shiro.
    Shiro didn’t waste any time in providing a quick story, including his run-in with Roniki. Boreko seemed to relax, just a bit.
    “Good. I wanted to hear it from you. Your history, as written down by the Guild is a bit different. Captain Mistokko wondered if you might be a spy. Your power is extraordinary for an apprentice. He had me meet him at the docks and asked me to mentor you. I didn’t want to. It sounds horrible and cowardly, I know. There are a few of us who are a tiny bit rebellious and we just don’t need the exposure. We aren’t seeking to overthrow the Guild or anything, but we are not looked upon with complete approval.” Boreko sighed. “Mistokko thinks you are someone special, over and above your potential, if you are truly untrained. I wanted to be sure you were genuine. There. I hope my instincts don’t prove me wrong.”
    “You don’t have to worry. I’m anxious for a different reason. I’ve heard of culling in the guild and, if anything, I’m concerned I’m not going to make it through.”
    Boreko pursed his lips. “It happens, but rarely. Just follow my counsel and you may do just fine,” he said, trying to give an encouraging smile, but Shiro could see the uncertainty behind it.
    “You can help me?”
    “I’ll do my best, Shiro. Now let’s get you into something more appropriate for a guild apprentice.” Boreko’s smile became a bit brighter.
    As the pair walked along stone corridors lit by torches and across the main lobby and down to ground level, Shiro couldn’t help being impressed by the stonework and the fact that the main building had nearly as much glass as paper windows.
    They came to a room with a split door. Boreko tapped on the upper section. It slid open to reveal a room full of