Firebrand by R.M. Prioleau Read Free Book Online

shrugged. “Everyone is different. But at the rate you’re going, I’d say in a few years. Dedicated children like you are rare.”
    Kaijin raised his head and smiled broadly.
    Rorick swallowed his mouthful and watched the exchange in silence.
    “And how about you, Rorick?” Jarial’s eyes shifted to him.
    Rorick blinked and stuffed more apple slices in his mouth.
    Jarial’s face hardened. He crossed his arms.
    “Rorick, stop doing that.” Kaijin pushed the plate of remaining fruit out of his brother’s reach.
    Rorick gazed pleadingly at Kaijin. Finally, his eyes downcast, Rorick gave in and swallowed his portion. He mumbled his response incoherently.
    “What was that?” Jarial raised a brow at the sulking boy, as if he neither heard nor understood.
    Rorick took a deep breath of frustration. “There are too many hard words!” He glared at them.
    Jarial huffed. “No one said this was going to be easy, Rorick. You are almost six years old—certainly not too young to learn. Kaijin is advanced for his age, and I thought you would be, too. Perhaps I should find an alternative method of teaching you the basic concepts.” He took another sip of his cider.
    Rorick frowned. “Why can’t I do the same stuff Kaijin’s doing?”
    “Because you and Kaijin are on completely different levels of learning. You’ve yet to give me a reason why I should take you to that next level when you are struggling with the very basics.”
    Rorick’s frown deepened, and he stared down at his lap.
    Kaijin reached across the table to tap Rorick’s hand. “Hey, you’re doing great, Rorick. Remember that word you read all by yourself? You didn’t even need my help for that one.”
    Jarial slammed his fist on the table, startling the boys. “Have you been helping Rorick, Kaijin?”
    Kaijin’s heart raced. He shook his head slowly. “Uh ... N–no, Master.”
    “‘No’?”
    “I just watched him read the words, Master. I didn’t help.” Kaijin tried his hardest to maintain a stern face. He felt a lump forming in his throat.
    “He didn’t help me, Master!” Rorick shook his head quickly. “I read a word all by myself! It was easy! I read each syllable like he showed me, and—”
    “Rorick!” Kaijin glowered at his brother.
    Rorick promptly cupped his mouth with both hands. “Uh oh ...” His voice was muffled.
    Jarial scowled. “I think an extra hour of chores tomorrow will suffice, Rorick.”
    Rorick groaned.
    “Two hours extra for you for lying to me, Kaijin. And no lunch, either, for thinking you could get away with it.”
    Kaijin gaped at Jarial. “But, Master—!”
    “Do not argue with me, boy!”
    Kaijin sank back into his chair and frowned.
    Rorick scrunched his face as though he was about to cry. “Master, it’s my fault!” he pleaded. “I don’t want Kaijin to get in trouble, please, Master!”
    “No.”
    “Master ...” Kaijin slowly raised his head. His concern for his brother intensified. There was a mix of anger and sadness in his mind. The last thing he wanted was for Rorick to give up. “Can I please just help him with the definitions, at least?”
    Jarial sneered and slapped the back of Kaijin’s head. “I said ‘no.’ Do not ask me again.”
    Whimpering, Kaijin rubbed his stinging head. He refused to cry in front of his brother.
    Rorick sobbed, instead. Kaijin tried to smile reassuringly at him. “It’s okay, Rorick. Don’t cry. Remember what Papa said? ‘Only little boys cry.’”
    Rorick sniffled, rubbed his eyes, and nodded slowly.
    Jarial huffed. “Touching.”
    Kaijin acknowledged Jarial’s detached comment, but did not reply. He had faith in Rorick, but deep inside, he was also afraid—scared that he would end up leaving his younger brother behind.
    After lunch, the boys returned to their assignments. Kaijin continued writing his report while Rorick’s frustration persisted as he tried to read the first few pages of his book.
    Kaijin’s hand cramped from having furiously