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

Nodia is kingdom of four tribes, watching over Sunburnt Plains, southeast to Solia, and twice size. Moonclaw. Jadefire. Wolfhowl. Oba Sassone is Warblade.” He gave a bullish snort. “Now begin training we will. Oba’s time you will not waste. We start two degree spell Shield.”
    Augum stole a sidelong glance at Sydo, who was working on Telekinesis with Thomas. The prince was trying to get a rock to jump to his hand. All that royalty around him all his life and he was still bumbling around with the most basic spell. Then he remembered his own futile attempts at making a rock move while Mrs. Stone watched and felt a creep of shame.
    “Augum Stone—waste time with idle thoughts you will not. Concentrate you will!”
    “Yes sir, sorry sir—”
    “Augum Stone, your sword you will draw.”
    Now he’d done it. He hesitantly drew Burden’s Edge. The blade began lightly crackling.
    “Oba you will attack.”
    Augum glanced to Leera, then Bridget.
    “Them not—Oba!”
    Augum raised Burden’s Edge and half-heartedly swung at Oba, who did not move, letting the blade hit the ground, making it painfully obvious Augum had not intended to strike true.
    “No! When Nodian invites attack, dishonor him you will not with weakness! Again you will try!”
    Augum, forehead prickling with sweat, swung his sword with all his might.
    Oba lazily raised his arm and a moss-covered wooden shield appeared, deflecting the blow before disappearing. He nodded for Augum to step back in line.
    “Many years warlocks fight. Before scions, before Founding, warlocks fight. Fight they will long still. Old spell Shield is. Block arrows, sword, spear, arcane attack. Difficult spell to master. Size, shape, texture you learn control.” Oba stepped away from the group and turned to Thomas, who patiently stood watching Sydo reach out to a rock that would not come. “Thomas Stone—fireball.”
    Thomas turned as if expecting to do this very thing, arm bursting to life with flaming rings. He moved as if throwing a rock at Oba, instead hurling a massive fireball that hissed through the air.
    Oba only had a moment to raise both hands in a defensive gesture, summoning a large green shield of interwoven wet leaves and sticks, stretching from his feet to his head. The fireball smashed against it, expanding with explosive force. The flames licked around the edges, torching the grass. It evaporated quickly, Oba’s shield along with it. The grass continued burning as Oba paced back to the group, breathing a little quicker.
    “Sometimes two hands need you will. Art, Shield spell is. Remember Oba’s shield—Oba use water to fight fire. Adapt you must or die. Learn this you will.”
    Bridget raised her hand. “Sir, is there an arcane word for this spell?”
    “Non-verbal, this spell. Oba now teach.”
    For the next while, Oba explained how to conjure the shield. They were to use their left forearms as their right hands were to be free for spell casting or sword wielding. Augum found the method similar to the repair spell, especially the part about imagining the final shape, texture, and size—except it had to be cast reflexively, which made the spell far more difficult.
    “Childlings ready to cast Shield?” Oba asked after one last example.
    They nodded. The Leyan sauntered over to the oaks and picked up a stick. When he came back, his opaque eyes fell upon Augum, who barely had time to raise his forearm to block the stick from smashing his head. It crunched into his arm with a sickening crack. Augum cried out involuntarily and fell to his knees, gripping his throbbing forearm. Bridget and Leera gasped as Sydo peeked from behind Thomas.
    “No. Again,” Oba said, shooing Bridget and Leera off.
    Augum bit his lip and stood up. He felt his anger rising.
    “Augum Stone concentrate.”
    SMACK!
    Augum fell to the ground again, trying not to utter a sound, the sting travelling up his arm and radiating throughout his body.
    Bridget helped him stand. “Sir, this