Spellscribed Tales: First Refrain by Kristopher Cruz Read Free Book Online Page A

shrugged. "Never got the chance to make it up. After Winterhaven, I was sent with my brother to Furie's Crossing for the Bloodfrost Rebellion. After that, it just kind of slipped my mind."
    Anna sighed. "Ah, and here I thought you were flirting." she said, giving him a wink.
    Joven hesitated. "Uh....nope?" he replied uncertainly.
    Anna laughed, patting the fence with a hand. "Good man." she replied.
    "So, do you know who's going to be chosen?" Joven asked.
    Anna's face darkened. "I don't." she replied. "Some of the memories are muddled by the years. We've never had such a long time between Spengur, and one of our eldest died before passing along all of her histories. The elders have been arguing over it as much as they are trying to collaborate on what they do know."
    “And you didn't have any of them?" he asked.
    She shook her head. "I'm too young." she replied. "Only the elder Ergkinoa are taught the line of Spengur. And the Draugnoa."
    " The who?"
    Anna half-shrugged. "The Spengur's wives."
    "Oh." Joven replied. "How are those decided?"
    "That's much simpler." Anna replied. "You pick several prospective Draugnoa and then they perform various tasks to prove they are suitable to serve."
    "That's it?" Joven asked.
    "There are also fights." Anna added. "Matches to prove who's the most competent of fighters. The Spengur's life is fraught with danger, and the Ergkinoa don't like having to replace their lost members very often."
    "Fights." Joven said. "I like that way of solving it."
    The Ergkinoa rolled her eyes. "Of course you do." she replied. "Fight, fight, fight all the time! Never have time to learn any of the higher arts."
    Joven scoffed. "Hardly true." He replied. "I bet I know something you don't."
    "What's that?"
    "How to read." He replied.
    She scowled at him, but the twinkle in her eyes told him she was amused. "Bah!" she exclaimed. "Foiled again by centuries of oral tradition."
    Joven shrugged. "Hey, nobody's perfect."
    Korvos turned from a conversation with his family and spotted Joven at the fence. He sidled up, shaking his head.
    "You know they can't marry right?" his rival teased.
    Joven waved a hand dismissively. "Can't marry." he replied. "The law doesn't say they can't do anything else."
    Anna blushed. "Joven!" she exclaimed indignantly.
    Joven grinned again. "Only joking!" he protested.
    Korvos shook his head. "You two look like siblings. You sure you're not related?"
    Anna shook her head. "No." she replied. "I grew up in Winterhaven."
    Joven glanced at her, surprised.
    "My parents wouldn't have a home anymore if this offensive lug and his family hadn't been there a few years ago." She continued. "So, I think I can tolerate a little good natured ribbing."
    Korvos chuckled, patting Joven on the back. "Yeah," he replied. "Kid's got more battle experience than many of our adults."
    "Kid?" Joven asked, turning to him. "That's a stretch considering you're only two years older than me."
    "Two years and two months." Korvos replied. 
    The crowds around them quieted suddenly, and the two prospective guardians turned to look. The king and his guards descended from the ramps of the eighth bowl. The people assembled parted as he approached, filling back in after he passed.
    The king, a man in his fifties, was one of the biggest men on Balator. Almost seven feet tall, his profile was only made more massive by the black plate armor he wore. A simple crown of steel adorned his head, pushing his hair back from his head. The man's face was hard and intense. Though he wore no weapons, his men were all armed with heavy blades.
    His son, Kalenden, followed in his wake. Dressed similarly, it was obvious that he had inherited Gurn's build and features. He did wear a sword, a weapon with over-sized serrations. The only thing that could really mark the difference between the two were Gurn's graying hair and Kalenden's sneer.
    The king approached the front doors of the Ergkinoa's hall, and they opened before he got within a dozen