The Last of the Sages (Sage Trilogy, Book 1) by Julius St. Clair Read Free Book Online

sentimental when you’re killed in the field, so if it’s all right with you, I’d rather skip the introductions.”
    The stranger stared him down, waiting for a reply as James uncomfortably stood up and brushed himself off. Was this a teacher here? Or someone playing a cruel joke? His voice was so foreboding and threatening that it bordered on the line of scary and entertaining. This man spoke with such a matter-of-fact voice that James couldn’t figure out if he was joking or not.
    “So, what do I call you in the mean time?”
    “Just call him Kyran,” a deep, intellectual voice stated behind them. James instantly figured that the new figure arriving had to be an actual teacher. His voice begged to be heard.
    “You’re no fun, Arimus. I wanted to greet this one.” Kyran said with no excitement whatsoever. Every sentence that came out of his mouth was monotonous in its identically sinister tone and pitch.
    “You have odd tactics, my friend,” Arimus said. “But I must ask you to spare our company of what you would have dared to call yourself.”
    Kyran didn’t say a word and handed James the satchel.
    “Make no mistake,” Kyran said to him, leaning into his face. “Arimus is tougher than I. Under that soothing temperament is the grace of a sledgehammer. Mind your tongue in his presence.”
    James nodded nervously as Kyran studied his reaction. When he was satisfied, he walked off into the darkness like he was part of its ambience, his dark hair and black trench coat melting into the shadows.
    “I know what you’re thinking, James,” Arimus said. “He looks like a black cat.”
    He snorted at the thought but then immediately gathered his composure in front of his superior. It was best to go through the motions and wait to see what was acceptable or not before he started playing around. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him.
    “You know my name,” he blurted out. It was probably not the most militaristic response, but Arimus didn’t seem to notice. He instead motioned for James to walk with him as they traveled across the stretch of courtyard to the entrance of the school itself. James couldn’t help but be in awe over the man. He had to be about seven feet tall, with a build that was desperately trying to match his height in width. Behind the ancient, wool cloak that covered his body, James had no doubts that this man had muscles as big as his head underneath. There was not a shred of evidence indicating he was fat. Add this intimidating fact to the rugged gray beard shrouding most of his face and his steel blue eyes overflowing with wisdom, and James suddenly found himself listening intently before he realized it. He wasn’t sure why, but this man, in seconds, had gained his respect.
    “It was not hard to figure out,” Arimus said assuredly. “Considering only one recruit was to arrive today, and his name was James.”
    “True, sir,” he stated mindlessly, not sure what to say.
    “You may call me by my proper name. Arimus. You will find that there are few formalities here.”
    “R-uh-moss?” he mouthed, like there was a bad taste in his mouth.
    “Close. It’s pronounced air-a-muhs.”
    “Ah.”
    “And the soldier you had the pleasure of meeting a moment ago was Kyran. A little shady at times, but one you can trust with your life. After all, that is one of the requisites of becoming a full-fledged soldier. You must be reliable on all accounts.”
    “You trust me with your life, Arimus?”
    “No, James,” he stated flatly. ”Not yet. But that is one of the purposes of the Academy. To see if we can. Come, I will show you to your room. There you will find some food and the rest of the night is yours to do as you please. But tomorrow at dawn, the training begins.”
    “Can I ask you something?” James said as they reached the end of the courtyard. The winds died down suddenly to a whisper.
    “Of course.”
    “Where is everyone? I can’t be the only one. Am I?”
    “No, of course not.