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

paces. From within, three elderly women emerged, their white dresses covered with heavy winter coats to protect their aging bodies from the cold.
    "Your highness." the lead woman said, her voice easily breaching the silence. "I am..."
    Gurn cut off her voice with a chopping gesture. "I don't care which of you it is." he replied. "I only care for your answer."
    The woman balked. "I..." she responded, off balance. "We need more time!"
    Gurn raised his voice. "That is not the answer I demanded." he declared. The elite guard nearest him slung the greatsword from his back and offered it to the king. He took it with one hand. That alone impressed Joven; a weapon heavy enough to be wielded with two hands, and he hefted it with one hand like it was a regular longsword. What kind of monstrous wrist strength did he have?
    "You have one more chance to give me an answer. Speak, or I will find another to answer for me." he said calmly.
    The central woman eyed the sword nervously. "We have not fully passed on our histories." she replied. "Kill me, and you lose some of who we were."
    "I have given you six years." Gurn replied harshly. "Consider the loss of our history proof of my resolve."
    She hesitated, her head bowing. "We cannot determine who it is. I'm sorry, but we lost the elder possessing that knowledge to fever before the stars fell, and even though we recalled every elder abroad, none of them had the full picture. If you wish to kill me for not being able to give you a clear answer, then so be it."
    Gurn tilted his head. "So your answer is that the Ergkinoa do not know?" he asked.
    "Yes."
    Gurn raised the greatsword, for a moment preparing to strike her with it. Kalenden seemed to liven up, becoming interested in that moment. Inexplicably, he changed his grip on the blade and handed it back over to the warrior who had given to him. "All right then." he replied.
    The women looked surprised. The head elder spoke up. "You're not going to kill me?" she asked.
    Gurn scoffed. "Kill you?" he replied. "I have received an answer. You all do not know. If I killed you, I'd still know nothing and I'd be depriving my people of your valuable teaching."
    The woman looked stunned, but nodded and backed away. Gurn turned to the amassed crowds. "Since the Ergkinoa cannot decide, then I will leave it up to the guardians to make that choice for us!"
    The crowd turned to look at Joven and Korvos, the two guardians staring wide eyed as they felt the eyes of hundreds upon them.
    "So, do either of you want to yield?" Gurn asked.
    "Uh..." Joven said, "I want the job?"
    Korvos chuckled. "I do, too."
    Gurn stared at them intently. "Since you both desire the task, then it is only a matter of which of you is better able to guard the Spengur. How do you suggest we determine that?"
    The guardians exchanged a glance, both knowing what the other was thinking. "Combat." the two said in unison.
    Gurn smiled. "Spoken like true Balatorans." he said. "Very well, tomorrow, as the suns reach their peak, you shall fight to prove who is the better."
    He turned to the crowds. "Tomorrow, the guardian will be decided one way or another!"
    As the crowd cheered, Joven and Korvos shook hands.
    "I'm glad to have the chance to kick your ass tomorrow." Korvos said cheerfully.
    "Same here!" Joven replied. "But it’ll be me kicking your ass."
    "Boys!" Anna interrupted. "Shouldn't you be getting prepared?"
    Korvos nodded. "Yeah, we should. See you tomorrow." he replied, returning to his family. As the crowd dispersed and the Rathes headed away from them, Anna looked back at Joven.
    "Isn't it great?" she asked. "Soon, everyone will be happy."
    Joven chuckled. "Except Korvos." he replied, pushing off. "Enjoy the show tomorrow." he said, setting off towards home. He had preparations to make.
    * * * *
    The Ergkinoa volunteered the use of their training yard for the match, and the king graciously accepted. An area with fifty feet of space on all sides, the center ring was wide enough that