Riven (The Arinthian Line Book 2) by Sever Bronny Read Free Book Online Page A

look.
    Oba Sassone stood waiting, hands resting loosely on the pommels of his blades. Augum kept his distance, reminding himself he still knew very little of the land of the Ley and its people.
    The man’s eyes narrowed as they lined up before him. “You know? Hmm? How much?”
    The trio exchanged cagey looks.
    “Push, Disarm, Shield? Hmm?”
    The words were hard to make out with his accent, but Bridget finally raised a meek hand. “We don’t know any of those spells, sir.”
    Oba crouched to her height, pushing his face into hers. “Know you two degree?”
    “We only just earned our 1st degree.”
    Oba straightened. “Stripes you show Oba.”
    The trio extended and flexed their right arms. A shimmering ring of water appeared around Leera’s arm, an ivy ring around Bridget’s, and a bolt of lightning around Augum’s.
    Oba Sassone grunted. “Childlings tell Oba names.”
    “I’m Augum Stone, and these are my friends, Bridget Burns and Leera Jones.”
    “Augum Stone, Bridget Burns, Leera Jones. What from kingdom?”
    “We come from Solia,” Leera replied, teetering on her toes.
    Oba’s eyes enlarged to the size of plums. “Craven kingdom, Solia—full of craven men!”He slammed a fist into his chest and four leafy rings erupted around his arm. The trio took a step back. “Solia not Nodia. Oba Sassone proud Nodian warrior. Oba meet few brave Solians. Sacrifice for no one, Solians. Know greed better than honor.” He pointed at each of them as he spoke. “Below Oba you stand until brave you prove.”
    “Sir, how do we prove we are brave?” Leera asked.
    “Leera Jones, Bridget Burns, Augum Stone—prove brave by listen, learn, sacrifice.”
    “Great, we’re back in class again,” Leera muttered, clearing her throat the moment Oba glanced at her.
    “Dark times in Solia,” Oba continued, the sinews in his neck bulging. “Thomas Stone ask Oba help train so childlings help craven kingdom. Oba not happy break vow for cowards. No brave warriors in Solia. No Speedswords. No honor. Hide behind metal skin Solians do. Mountain monks of north ignore craven kingdom and Solia King die like goat under necromancer blade.”
    Augum looked down at his feet, wondering if he should mention who his father is.
    “Why Augum Stone sulk? He afraid training?”
    Augum looked up. “Sparkstone, The Lord of the Legion … he’s my father. He murdered the king and …” He wanted to say he murdered a great many more. He wanted to say his father murdered Bridget and Leera’s parents—
    “Defend father does Augum Stone?”
    “No, I mean—”
    “Follow path of father does Augum Stone?”
    “No, of course not, I—”
    “Is heart of father heart of Augum Stone!”
    “NO—!” Augum found himself breathing hard, fists clenched.
    Oba Sassone studied him. “Carry weakness of craven kingdom you do. Overcome weakness you must. Much sacrifice need. From birth, Nodian warriors train. Solians coddled, pampered with feathered pillows.” He turned his black eyes to Bridget and Leera. “Solian women weak, defenseless. Solians made weak by weak kings, weak warriors. Now, Solian necromancer conquering weak people like lion conquers mice.”
    Leera held up a finger. “Excuse me, sir, but is Nodia the kingdom to the south east?”
    Oba looked her up and down as if deciding which limb to slice off first. His voice was deadly quiet. “Leera Jones not know where mighty Nodia lies?”
    Leera’s hands travelled behind her. “Well I have heard of it.”
    “Foolish childling—name kingdoms for Oba!”
    “I know Tiberra is to the east … and Canterra to the south—”
    “—and Sierra to the south of Canterra,” Bridget added.
    “And north of Solia what is?” Oba asked.
    Leera winced. “Mountains?”
    “Northern Peaks belong Ohm kingdom, home of mountain monks and Seers!”
    “Oh, right.”
    “Solians arrogant. Think Solia center of world, when it tiny north kingdom. Abrandia only kingdom more tiny, far west of Solia.