Ghosts Of Alfhaven (Book 2) by Logan Petty Read Free Book Online Page A

fat?”
    Color and heat rushed into Sawain's cheeks, “No, I mean... Does it really take that long to finish the training to become a ranger? Or...”
    Tobi forced a smile as he looked at Sawain, “Sure, most finish within a year, but... It's a lot harder for me. I never made any friends, it took me a year to pass the test to be placed on a team, and now even my team mates don't want me around. My father was a Ranger for the first hundred years or so of his life until he was wounded in the last war. It's his dream for me to become a Ranger like him and carry on the family legacy. I love my dad and he has always done so much for me, I just can't let him down. Even if it takes a decade, and even if I'm just one of the trackers, I have to become a Ranger for my father's sake.”
    Sawain listened and felt bad about judging Tobi just from his looks. He smiled at Tobi.
    “ I think you can do it, Tobi. Maybe we'll end up finishing the training at the same time and will be able to work together out there.”
    Tobi's eyes brightened and his mood improved dramatically, “That would be great, Sawain! I hope we can both do great this year and pass the Arena Trials on the first try!”
    Sawain didn't know what the Arena Trials were, but he smiled and clapped Tobi on the shoulder, “Maybe we will, Tobi.”
    Sawain and Tobi talked and joked for another hour until it was time to turn in. Sawain climbed the stairs along the Courtyard wall until he found a door with the same strange runes etched onto it as his key. He took the key Lady Tirinele gave him from around his neck and placed it into the keyhole. He turned it until the lock clicked. He pushed the door open and looked inside. The room was dark and barely furnished. The only things in his room were a small bed and a chest at the foot.
    He stumbled inside and closed the door. He took off his boots and other belongings, then strew them across the floor as he fell into bed. This bed was not much, but it was the most comfortable one he was ever able to call his own. He was asleep within the minute he closed his eyes.

Chapter 5

    The bell in the courtyard rang out and snapped Sawain from his slumber. He stared at the darkness in front of his eyes. His body did not want to get out of bed.
    I just went to sleep. It can't be time to get up yet.
    He closed his eyes. Sleep enveloped him again, but released its grip when a knock rapped hard on his door, followed by a loud voice.
    “Time to rise, recruit!”
    He winced and sat up. He glared in the direction of the voice. He swung his feet to the floor, resting them on the cold wood. He looked around for his clothes, then realized he could not see a thing. He felt around for his pants and tunic, using his sense of feeling to put on whatever he found. It took several minutes to dress. He stumbled out into the better lit stairs outside of his dark room.
    I need to get one of those glowing mushrooms.
    There was a scroll pinned to his door. He pulled it off and unrolled it. He was thankful it was written in common.
    Sawain of Anvilheim,
    Team Mirehawk
    Instructor: Captain Nerelis
    Meet at sword ring after breakfast.
    Sawain's stomach dropped when he read the name Nerelis. He remembered Ilias matching the name with the Ranger captain who beat him and threw him in prison.
    This is not good.
    He was shoved from behind and stumbled down the stairs, catching himself before he crashed into the young elf maid coming out of the room below him. He glared over his shoulder at his assailant. It was the boy from the encounter on the lawn. He grinned viciously.
    “ Watch your step, man-elf. Don't want to cause a ruckus.”
    The girl who Sawain stopped short of frowned at the boy, leaning close to Sawain to look past him, “Banthan, you're the one who needs to watch his step! You know you're on the verge of being expelled as it is!”
    The boy named Banthan waved her off, “Tch, whatever you say, Daddy's Girl. At least I got in on skill alone.”
    The girl's