Second Guard by J. D. Vaughn Read Free Book Online Page A

clanged its summons.
    As they walked down to the training grounds, the breeze off Lake Chibcha bit Tali’s cheeks and she was grateful for the alpaca wool poncho she’d been given as part of her pledge
uniform. Devoid of their traditional guild clothing, the pledges now looked more alike in their practical tunics, boots, and breeches, though Tali decided she’d still recognize Zarif as a
Moon Guilder and Chey as an Earth Guilder, even if she hadn’t known them previously. Zarif walked tall, chin up, as if balancing a book on his head; Chey, on the other hand, had more of a
wide-stanced, lumbering gait, as if shouldering something heavy. She smiled to herself then, wondering if her own manner of walking somehow revealed her as a Sun Guilder.
    The pledges had been instructed to gather in the weapons arena, a large circular enclosure on the north side of the Alcazar. The weaponry, dull in the gray light of early morning, lay stacked
against the arena railings waiting for use. A tall wooden platform shot up in the middle of the training pits like an arrow in a bull’s-eye, allowing Alcazar instructors to evaluate the
progress of several pledges at once. Centurio Jessa quickly climbed the ladder as the crowd below tilted their heads up to hear her words.
    “At the end of the year, your competence in four training areas will be tested during the Final Tournament.” She paced the small platform, her gloved hand running along the railing.
“Weaponry. Horsemanship. Endurance. Combat. You must not ignore the demands of any. My fellow centurios and I are here to provide you with instruction and knowledge. We are not your
suckle-maids or mothers. You must determine your own schedules and learn to evaluate yourselves. Train and excel!” she commanded, gesturing them to begin.
    The crowd dispersed as quickly as it had come together. Several pledges went straight to the railings to find a weapon, unable to resist the temptation of swords and spears.
    “I have been told to put endurance behind you first each day,” Chey said.
    “As have I,” Zarif agreed, nodding. “Best to accomplish it while fresh.”
    “Fresh lambs to the slaughter?” asked Tali. Zarif and Chey both laughed, and Tali was pleased to see things easier between them. They headed toward Jaden’s training station on
the south end of the island and joined the small group of pledges already forming there. Centurio Jaden stood in front of a large boulder, arms crossed over his chest, examining each pledge as they
arrived. When the last few stragglers had joined the group, he turned around and scaled the boulder in one fluid movement, as if it was no more than a footstool.
    As he had done the night before in the Great Hall, Jaden took a moment to scrutinize his audience. While his sharp gaze was elsewhere, Tali studied him, once again awed by the brazen confidence
and air of authority, especially in one so young. He was a man who knew his own worth, who knew that he had earned his high rank and deserved every accolade. He would be difficult to impress. Tali
wondered what would be required to win his regard, to own his attention. When his keen eyes finally locked on hers, she noticed their deep green hue, a telltale inheritance from a Far World
ancestor.
    Although his audience numbered less than two dozen, Jaden addressed the group as if commanding a legion. “You have made a wise choice,” he said, nodding his approval to the pledges.
“Endurance will be the most important part of your training here at the Alcazar.”
    Tali rubbed her hands together and tried to ignore the chill as she concentrated on Jaden’s words.
    “A warrior,” he continued, “must be prepared to survive long battles in harsh conditions. You may be the best sword, the best rider, the best brawler in the realm…but if
you cannot endure the ceaseless days and nights of warfare, those skills will fail you. Do as I instruct, and you will learn to overcome the weaknesses of