Brightflame Accension (Book 1) by D.B. Penner Read Free Book Online Page B

crowd of recruits obeyed, falling quiet. The voice began again, “Soon, we shall be continuing on to the Academy.” Will located the source of the projected voice. Addressing the audience assembling before him, the man stood on a wooden dais. He wore an enameled breastplate over a mail shirt of blue steel; his white cape flowed gently in the light breeze. Shaggy hair and beard were black as a night’s sky, and he had pitch black eyes to match. “Welcome, recruits, to Bladebeard Academy. Your fellow charges eagerly await your arrival, so upon entering the Academy please make to the Feasting Hall, for I am sure you all must be hungry. And after that, to bed; you have traveled far and will need the rest,” As he finished, a great cheer from the students rose up; apparently they were as in need of a proper bed as Will was.
    “Ah, and if for some reason, you do not yet know my name,” he added, stepping back up to the platform, “I am Boewdard, your Blademaster, who births and enforces the rules at the Academy. My word is final and is law. I am the Emperor, if you will, of Bladebeard Academy. Fear not, however; I have faith that none of you will have need to face my justice.” The Blademaster finished and stepped down from his platform.
    “Oy, step this way! Recruits, step this way!” Bottleleaf called, guiding the mob of youths towards a large bonfire. “Like herding trolls,” he muttered under his breath as he passed Will.
    Following the balding man’s instruction, Will and Art were forced to squeeze past the massing recruits. When they arrived at the fire, Will spotted Vivyan, who winked at him. Upon seeing Maribelle, Art fell silent, blushing a brilliant pink when she smiled at him. “Children, children, come now, closer to the fire. We will be setting out for the Academy soon. It is only a short journey, but before the sun rises and we depart, we must again take an assessment of your abilities.” Will cast a sideways glance at Art who cocked his eyebrow. His many bracelets clinking, Bottleleaf pulled out his checklist and began to rifle off several names.
    The summoned younglings stepped forward; there were about fifteen in total. The remaining recruits watched as those chosen were put through several tests of agility and speed. The assigned tasks included jumping from various heights, leaping across gaps, and running through a small maze of wooden posts that the participant had to dodge lest he get bludgeoned by a heavy club that rotated quickly when triggered. When all were done, they were pulled aside by a woman garbed in a flowing dress. More were called.
    Will watched impatiently as all the other recruits finished their assessments. Sweaty and panting, Art returned to Will’s side. “How did I do?” he managed to huff into Will’s ear.
    “I thought you ran well… so long as it was in a straight line,” Will added with a smile.
    Art appeared too winded to argue, simply nodding his concession. “Haven’t you been summoned to perform the tasks?”
    Will frowned. He was the only recruit who had not yet been tested. Had they forgotten me? But this worry soon proved groundless as Bottleleaf announced Will’s name.
    “Now, students, we have a special treat. William Stormhand, son of General Matthew Stormhand, thrice Anointed Defender of the Empire, is among us this night. I ask him now to step forward to be tested.”
    Every eye found Will. He felt his stomach tighten with the pressure. Was he any more talented than the other recruits, many of whom having received training from a true Master-at-Arms?
    His father’s reputation had preceded him again, yet Will was not inclined to disappoint the eagerly watching crowd.
    At Bottleleaf’s request, Will began to run. He sprinted to a point and back, then repeated the distance backwards. Shuffling sideways, Will felt the eyes of everyone analyzing his every motion. His lungs burned from the exertion as he pushed himself off the ground. A shout, and he dove