Rise of the Darekian's, The by Andrew Wood Read Free Book Online Page B

Taylor to Gracie, "here give her an apple, she likes those" he said passing the fruit over and showing him how to hold his hand. The pony took the apple and munched contently on it, while Luken and a stable hand saddled her up. Once the horse had finished eating, its bridle was put on and they walked her out into the yard. Showing Taylor how to mount up and down, then how to hold the reins, and make the horse move and stop. It was not long before Luken watched with some pride the youngster trotting the pony by himself, around the yard smiling and looking so pleased with his achievement.
    After all the excitement of riding, Taylor was shown the not so fun part, cleaning and scrubbing down of Gracie, but the boy did not complain , instead taking a certain pride as he rubbed the brush across the pony, well at least to the parts he could reach. Afterwards they had supper and another story from one of Lukens old childhood books, another one about magic and dragons, these always appeared to have Taylor entranced. Every so often Luken would stop and ask Taylor if he could read a certain word, usually the small easier ones and once again, the boy showed how quick he had learned and was getting some of them right and wallowing in the praise that followed. Readying for bed, Luken tucked Taylor in, "Goodnight" he said, "goodnight Father" came the reply, "err, I am not really your father Taylor you do understand that don’t you?" he replied, " I know" the boy said, "but I think of you as mine, that is alright isn’t it?" he asked, "of course it is." If he were very honest with himself, if, and when he ever had children, he would wish for a son like Taylor. The youngster had given him a purpose, and although he missed Caldar dearly, watching Taylor enjoy even the simplest things in life, and looking overjoyed when he had learned something new, gave Luken a warm-hearted feeling he had never experienced before.
    Levin sat in the small house, rather nervously looking at his new 'foster parents', or at least that is what Jak Corley had referred to them , before leaving him there a few days ago. After having a lecture from the prince on the treatment children received at the orphanage he had thought better than to take Levin there. After discovering his father had been a blacksmith, and he had started learning the trade, Jak had successfully asked an old friend who just happened to have a smithy. His friend and wife, whose own children had grown up and left home long ago, were very happy to take him in and care for him. After a silent meal, he stood "thank you for my supper, I think I will go to my room if I may?" His elderly foster mother stood "of course dear, I know it appears all a bit strange, but I am sure we will all get on just fine." Levin did not reply, though he did manage a smile.
    His room was smaller than the one he had in Lanber, but he had a nice clean soft bed, a set of drawers to put the clothes his new friend Jak Corley had managed to acquire for him , before he left. There was also a small bedside table, on which stood his oil lamp, and a washstand with jug and basin upon it. In the flickering light, he sat with his knees pulled up to his chest, feeling ever so lonely. No sooner had he just gotten used to living with Jak, he was now with his third home in as many weeks. He was sure the elderly couple he was with were nice, and in some small way, he was looking forward to continuing his apprenticeship with the smith, but he wished he could go back to the time before all the troubles had started. Even though his mother had died when he was very young, he and his father had lived a happy life together.
    King Sethin sat in his study, a number of oil lamps burned to lighten the room and papers he was reading upon his dark wooden desk. Standing and moving over to another table , he placed another marker on a map that was laid out upon it, each of these markers signalled an incident involving raiders. He had a few days earlier