Read Online Firebrand by R.M. Prioleau - Free Book Online Page B

at this hour?”
    Kaijin gulped. “I–I’m g–going back to—to my master, sir.”
    The stranger glowered. “Who is your master?”
    Kaijin felt sweat forming on the palms of his hands. The world around spun. He had to escape. He shut his eyes and barreled past the stranger, almost knocking him down in the process.
    Kaijin ran, neither looking back, nor stopping. He reached the front door of the cottage and took a moment to catch his breath. Kaijin fought to mask his terrified expression. The last thing he wanted was his master’s suspicion. Who knew when he would get this opportunity again? As Kaijin reached for the handle, the door swung open, and Jarial stood with his arms crossed.
    “You’re late.” The mage’s voice was icy.
    Kaijin lowered his head in defeat.
    “Well?” Jarial tapped his foot.
    Kaijin heaved a heavy sigh and told the story of his night.
    “Who was this man asking you about your master?” Jarial raised a curious brow. “What did he look like?”
    Kaijin thought hard. “Um ... He was ... He was kind of tall ... with scraggly hair and a scary face—like a skeleton. I’m certain he was a skeleton in disguise.”
    Jarial rolled his eyes and sighed. “Perhaps, it was a mistake to send you out alone. We will not speak on this matter again, understood?”
    “Yes, of course, Master.”
    “Good.” Jarial pointed to the stairs. “Now, take those parchments to your room and work on that spell again.”
    Kaijin bounded up the stairs and shut the door to the attic, eager to rewrite the cantrip on fresh parchment. He worked until his eyes grew heavy, and his body’s clock told him it was time for bed. Kaijin set the quill down and pushed aside the parchment.
    The attic door opened, and Rorick trudged in. He tugged off his tunic and tossed it to the floor, stepped out of his boots, and plopped down on his bed in silence.
    Kaijin smiled at his brother. “Hey, Rorick, how are your studies coming along?”
    Rorick shot a brief glare at him before lying down and pulling the blanket over his head. “Shove off, Kaijin.”
    Kaijin frowned. It wasn’t often he’d hear Rorick sound like their father. “Oh come, Rorick. Don’t tell me you still haven’t memorized at least some of the words.”
    Rorick said nothing at first and shifted under the blanket. “What’s it to you?” he spat. “Master Jarial still won’t let me learn magic!”
    “You know you can’t learn magic without learning your definitions.” Kaijin paused. “As much as I’d really like to help you again, I probably shouldn’t—”
    “No! Don’t. I’m not gonna ask you nothing no more. I had to do extra chores because of it.”
    “So did I!” Kaijin scoffed. “And I didn’t even get any lunch! What’s your point?”
    “Goodnight, Kaijin.”
    Kaijin sighed and turned away. He hated seeing Rorick struggle. “Fine. I’ll leave you alone.” He got up from the desk and went to his own bed. After stripping down to his pants, Kaijin placed his clothes in a neat stack atop his trunk. He lay in bed, staring up at the flickering shadows dancing in the rafters and musing about the day’s events. His eyes felt heavy, but he found himself unable to sleep. He rolled over in bed and observed his brother. The soft snoring from beneath the steadily rising and lowering blanket indicated that Rorick was already fast asleep.
    Kaijin sat up again and examined his discarded clothing. He crawled to the foot of the bed and fished for his belt pouch. He opened the small leather container, pulled out the dingy holy symbol, and examined it. The drunkard’s words sparked curiosity in his mind. Kaijin traced his finger through the molded crevices of the golden trinket.
    “Ignis ...” he mumbled as he caressed the charm. The symbol was like the embodiment of beauty, itself, to his eager eyes. “Perhaps I will be able to see the Firelord now that I have this.”
    His eyes trailed over to the burning candle on the windowsill, and he