The Realms of Animar by Owen Black Read Free Book Online

question suddenly popped into his mind. “What kind of animal is Joli?”
    “I wondered when you would ask that. She is a gazelle. Marvelous runner. She and your mother are good friends actually.”
    “Is Guderian a gazelle too?”
    “Actually, no but close. He is an elk. We grew up together and I have known him for quite some time. His village was close to ours.” A solemn look then appeared on Avryn’s face. “He is a good but troubled man. He lost his twin sister a few years back and has never been the same.”
    Thane stopped in his tracks. “What happened?”
    Avryn tugged at Thane’s shirt and pulled him along. “It’s a long story, one for another time. Now come along, we need to get you home.”
    Chapter 3
    L ady Trussil stood in the doorway that led into the classroom while she waited for her students to arrive. One by one they passed her as they entered, greeting their teacher with an assortment of smiles and hugs along with an occasional piece of fruit or artwork to add to her collection.
    Her attention was captured by the restlessness spilling forth from a neatly huddled group of boys that approached. She grinned when she spotted Thane, tucked neatly behind Javan’s large frame.
    “I see you Thane,” she said, fighting back a laugh.
    The two boys stopped in the entryway in front of her. A look of astonishment blanketed Javan’s innocent face as if some masterful scheme had been foiled.
    “Um, good morning m’lady,” Thane said bashfully as he peered out from behind his cover.
    “Good morning to you as well, Master Thane. Are you feeling better today?” Her sarcasm was obvious.
    Thane hesitated as he pondered his reply. He then flashed his best smile her way. “Yes, yes I am. Much better thank you.” He urged Javan along with a solid push in the back and the boys continued into the classroom.
    “That is wonderful news,” Trussil said as she watched the boys pull away. “I heard you had quite a day yesterday.”
    An assortment of giggles rolled around the classroom while Thane took his seat. Javan continued to his spot near the front of the classroom near the rest of the newer students.
    “Did you really get to go see them fighting?” Castor whispered, leaning over from his seat next to Thane.
    Thane peered over his shoulder and noticed that another student has just arrived and was talking to Lady Trussil. He then turned to Castor and replied softly, “I did. It was really great!”
    “That is so unfair,” Castor snorted.
    “What do you mean?”
    “They let you go because of your father. The rest of us don’t get to—”
    Castor was instantly silenced when Lady Trussil touched his shoulder on her way to the front of the classroom.
    Thane scowled at Castor and then turned his attention to the teacher. He did not like to be singled out because of the status of his father but he was well aware of the advantages he had. He was not special. His father had always enforced that upon him. They were commoners, despite what others might think or how they might be looked up to. Thane knew that his father had other reasons for taking him to the arena, despite what he had said. He was becoming a man and it was time for him to become something more. No longer just a boy, he felt the need growing inside him, a hunger fed by his dreams and fueled by his nightmares. Something was coming. He needed to be ready.
    “Good morning class,” Trussil said before her eyes found Thane. “It is nice to see everyone here this morning. I thought today we might do something a bit special. We don’t get to do this kind of thing often, and arranging the escort was no easy task mind you, but….” she paused to silence a number of whispered conversations then continued, “Who would like to take a trip to the river today?”
    A roar of cheers erupted from the students.
    ***
    It was a splendid day for an outing. The sky was clear and a cool breeze danced around them, causing the wheat crops to bend and sway in