The Hunter by Rose Estes Read Free Book Online Page A

older, the boys who were now men laughed at the memory of their younger selves and tried to
     convince themselves that their fears had been nothing more than theoveractive imagination of youth. Braldt did not join in that laughter.
    The priests going about their business wrapped in eerie silence, in robes of black and midnight blue, had decided their lives,
     directing them first into classes where the basics of knowledge and religion were pounded into them. Those who showed quick
     minds and aptitude were separated from their classmates and advanced to higher classes where they were taught all that their
     minds could hold of mathematics, geography, religion, history, and philosophy. Those few who excelled were divided yet again
     and given to the appropriate teachers.
    Those who advanced no further than the first level completed their limited education and were then trained to become the farmers
     and herdsmen and menial laborers of the tribe. There was no onus in these chores for they were necessary, the basis of the
     wealth upon which the clan depended for their daily sustenance. But neither was there glory.
    Others became teachers themselves or were slated to join the ranks of bureaucrats who functioned, mostly unseen, in the myriad
     of chores needed to maintain tribal affairs. A few were chosen to become acolytes to the priests, and while their parents
     accepted the rare honor with a glad face, in private they wept for they knew that their sons would be sent to the Temple of
     the Moon and when and if they were seen again, they too would be wrapped in dark robes of silence.
    All boys, even those destined to become priests and scholars, were required to learn the rudiments of battle. But, as with
     education, those who excelled advanced on to other stations where they were taught all that they could learn. Those few who
     were the very best, such as Braldt and Carn and a handful of others, would become the protectors, the very backbone of the
     city-state, sworn to keep it from danger at the cost of their own lives if necessary.
    Only a very few of these boys survived the keen scrutiny and winnowing process of the teachers and priests and went on to
     form the elite cadre of those who weredeemed superior in both mind and body. From these precious few would come the future leaders and Council members of the tribe.
     Braldt could count himself among those few, as could Carn and four others. Those who had gone before them had already taken
     their places in the Council or other positions of responsibility.
    Braldt had thought little of his future role in the affairs of the clan for he was content with his life as he knew it. Auslic’s
     friendship warmed him and fulfilled his need for human companionship, and the duties that took him off into the desolate far
     reaches of their lands satisfied his need for action as well as solitude. But if Keri’s words were true, his world was about
     to crumble.
    Braldt himself had no desire for a higher station and dreaded the day when he would be charged to take his place on the Council,
     for he had no liking for the incessant yammer of voices arguing matters that for him held little interest. Nor could he picture
     the clan without Auslic at its head. But all men must pass in their time, even Auslic.
    Braldt knew that the title of chief would never pass to him for he was an outsider even though he had spent his life among
     the Duroni. If Auslic should die, the title would undoubtedly be passed to Carn. Braldt shook off the feeling of dread that
     accompanied this thought, trying to think of Carn’s good points, trying to convince himself that all would be well.
    Carn was the obvious choice. He was a direct descendant of Auslic. He was intelligent, of that there was no doubt; his bright
     eyes spoke eloquently of the brilliance that lurked behind them, the sharp, cutting wit and barbed words that flew straight
     to their mark defeating any reply. Nor was he short of courage and