The Callindra Chronicles Book One - First Quest by Benjamin Fisher-Merritt Read Free Book Online Page A

was easily
able to hack the majority of it off in a ragged line. She didn’t
really care if it was straight or not as long as it didn’t
interfere with her baldric. How was Glarian able to properly wield
his sword with that huge braid?
    She wrapped her chest, tying it off just
behind her left arm, and then donned the rest of her clothes. Wide,
loose breeches, a shirt with short sleeves and a wide neck for ease
of movement, light wool socks that would pad her feet properly
inside her thin leather shoes but still allow her to feel the
ground.
    Glarian was already out in the main room
drinking tea and stirring porridge. “You’re up on time. Good, I
have a busy day planned for you. How are your muscles feeling this
morning?”
    “ Not as bad as I feared, but
not perfect. That bath certainly helped.” She said, helping herself
to some tea. Feeling his eyes on her, she flushed slightly. “My leg
hurts but I can handle it.”
    “ This morning we will start
with something slightly different. We must meditate and stretch
before training each day from now on.” He served some porridge for
them, adding a generous spoon of honey.
    “ I understand the
stretching, but why meditation? Isn’t that for priests and the
like?” She asked, confused.
    “ Do not question the methods
of your Master. It will benefit us both I think.” He
said.
    After breakfast, Glarian instructed her to
follow him outside and sit in the center of the small courtyard she
had practiced in yesterday, sword across her knees, hands touching
hilt and flat of the blade.
    “ The first Korumn is breath.
You must learn to control your breathing as this is the source of
your power. For others breath gives life, but for us it also takes
life away. Be aware of your breath flowing into your body through
your nose. Be aware of it leaving your mouth. Feel its power and
pull that power to the center of your abdomen.”
    She closed her eyes and tried to do as he
instructed. As she relaxed something began building inside, almost
as though when she breathed out the air was staying inside.
    “ Do not hold the power; let
it flow through you like the wind through the trees. Although it
surrounds and fills you, allow it to calm and focus you instead of
being a distraction.” His voice droned on, and Callindra lost
herself in the ebb and flow of her breathing. When he touched her
shoulder to let her know it was time to begin the day’s training
she was startled to see the sun well above the horizon.
    “ Now we will begin with the
strikes I taught you yesterday.” Glarian said, “Then I will show
you something new.”
    “ Something new already? But
I haven’t mastered the first two strikes you taught me
yet!”
    “ Mastered?” Glarian laughed
heartily, “Girl I have been a disciple of the Sword for longer than
you’ve been alive and I don’t consider myself to have mastered any
of it. There is always room for improvement. Remember, no matter
how often you practice or how experienced you are, there is always
more to learn. To cease learning is to die.”
    Where had she heard that before? She was sure
she had heard someone say something like that before. Or maybe she
had read it. Before she had the chance to ponder it further,
Glarian started the day of training. The thought was soon lost in
physical exertion.
     
     

Chapter 6
     
    It had been a month now and Glarian was
pushing much harder than he would have with any other student.
Callindra was developing far faster than he had been afraid she
would but not as fast as he needed her to. He didn’t like being a
harsh task master, and forcing her to the very edge of her limits
had put a strain on their relationship. More often than not he had
to rely on her anger to get her through and he knew he had to
change tactics before she built up bad habits.
    He had to make sure she was strong enough
though. She was on the verge of collapse, nearly at her limit but
there was something there still. One problem was that leg;