Read Online The Children of the White Lions: Volume 02 - Prophecy by R. T. Kaelin - Free Book Online

over his face and he nodded.
    “Gamin,” muttered Kenders. “I should have known.”
    Meeting the head of the mages when they first arrived at Storm Island had been a pleasant, bittersweet experience for Kenders and her brothers. While he was a stranger to them, Gamin and his brother, Sevan, had been close friends with Thaddeus and Marie Isaac, her parents in all but blood. Since arriving, the three Isaac children had spent more than a few evenings with Gamin, enjoying the man’s stories about their parents when they were younger, stories Thaddeus and Marie had kept from them. Gamin swore that Sevan told them all better, but his older brother was away, somewhere in the Commonwealth of Cartu, seeking support—monetary and magical—for the Shadow Manes.
    At least eighty men were scattered about the center of the yard, practicing with their swords, sparring in groups of two or three. Five high-backed wooden benches lined the southwestern wall of the courtyard, all of them empty except for one. A lone, sandy-haired young man wearing a light gray tunic and dark gray pants reclined, resting comfortably, his right, black-leather-booted leg crossed over his left knee.
    She set off across the courtyard, aiming for Nikalys. As she neared, it struck her how different he was from a few turns past. He was only weeks past his eighteenth yearday—a small celebration had been held for him here at the enclave—but recent events had more to do with his entrance into manhood than any date on the calendar.
    Nikalys did not look up as she approached, his gaze locked on two soldiers dueling. His eyes danced about as he actively watched the pair, but they were the only part of him exerting any effort.
    Kenders collapsed to the bench beside Nikalys. She glanced at her brother, trying to catch his eye. He ignored her, keeping his gaze focused on the swordwork.
    “Can’t you rest a moment?”
    “I stop when they do,” responded Nikalys, nodding to the courtyard. “Wil’s been working with a man from the Marshlands for a couple of weeks. He’s trying to teach Sergeant Trell the style now. Look at the swords they’re using.”
    Kenders looked and noticed that instead of normal longswords, the men were using shorter blades, their edges curved on one side and ending in a hooked tip.
    Nikalys explained, “There are certain things you can do with a sword like that that you can’t with a straight—”
    “Nik?” interrupted Kenders firmly. “I don’t care about swords.”
    He glanced over at her for a moment before returning his gaze back to the duel.
    “So…you’re done early.”
    Kenders shrugged her shoulders and ran her fingers through her hair, trying to untangle the knots caused by the wind.
    “And?”
    He looked over briefly again.
    “What happened?”
    Yanking at a knot, she said, “Not much. When I got there, Khin told me to sit down and be quiet. So I did. I sat. I was quiet.” She paused before adding, “For the entire blasted morning.” Sarcasm dripped from every word. “It was a wondrous time. I learned so much.”
    “Why did he have you do that?” asked Nikalys, his eyes still on the soldiers.
    “I have no idea,” grumbled Kenders.
    Wrinkling his nose, Nikalys said, “Try not to take this the wrong way, sis…but you reek.”
    Kenders eyed her brother.
    “Pardon?”
    Without looking over, he pointed at her dress.
    “You smell like that herb shop in Claw.”
    Kenders lifted an arm and sniffed her sleeve. The musky-sweet smell of Yutian incense lingered. Perhaps she should go stand on the battlements for a while and let the wind strip the scent from her.
    “So, after sitting there for hours, all of a sudden, he whispers—” she changed her voice, trying to mimic the aicenai’s breathless tone. “‘—Stone fibríaal first. Then Air. Begin.’” She shook her head, a frown on her lips. “He expected me to Weave instantly. No warning—nothing! With the incense, the cold, and the blasted waiting, I