Read Online Jabberwocky by Daniel Coleman - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Daniel Coleman
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recruit, Chism, won local championships in javelin, archery, staves, and daggers.”
Sitting next to Tjaden, Chism fidgeted. Hearing Captain Darieus praise the other recruits made Tjaden’s slightly more comfortable. But none of them brought along a personal witness. I should’ve tried harder to convince Elora to stay in Shey’s Orchard. But thoughts of the time shared on the journey made him realize the sentiment was a lie.
Captain Darieus continued. “And finally, one of our recruits risked his very life to defend a helpless victim under the attack of a bandersnatch.”
A few murmurs passed through the audience. “The young lady whose life was spared by his heroism is with us today. I ask her to recount the harrowing events. Elora…”
Elora, wearing a deep green dress fancy enough for a Sixteenery, glided to the stage, briefly distracting Tjaden from his worries. But when she started talking, any hope she wouldn’t use his name vanished. She was proud of him and exaggerated his fearlessness and prowess. Her speech wasn’t long, but with each word his face turned a deeper shade of red. By the time she reached the point in the story when his father arrived, Tjaden fully expected flames to erupt on the surface of his face.
As Elora finished and Captain Darieus returned to the stage, Tjaden felt sweat trickling inside his uniform and beading on his forehead.
“Thank you, Elora,” said Captain Darieus. Turning his attention to the audience he spoke in a regal tone. “Assembled in front of you today is the greatest young fighting talent anywhere in the world. Every one of them has shown skill, valor, and dedication. I present to you the future protectors of Maravilla!”
When the applause died, Captain Darieus signaled the banner that hung behind the recruits. A circle, bisected vertically by a sword, was highlighted in white against a dark blue background. “The Circle and the Sword. The Circle represents the continuous connection between every individual in the kingdom—from a wheat farmer, to a trader, to the king’s procurer, to the king himself. The Circle becomes complete and returns to that farmer by virtue of the Sword. The Sword connects the king to the citizenry by offering protection against foreign powers, disorder, and inhuman beasts.”
Leaving the podium, he paced the stage and continued. “And this holds true not only for farmers, but for craftsmen, for hunters, and for nobles. For the newest baby and the oldest woman in the kingdom. Everyone is connected in an unending circle to each other and to the king, and only through the strength of the Sword can the Circle exist. Remove the Sword and the Circle collapses. Likewise, if the Sword is separated from the confines of the Circle, it becomes a destructive rather than uniting force.
“Each of these young men will wield the Sword because they understand that their mothers and fathers, their brothers and sons, and everyone they care for is part of the Circle.”
Tjaden caught Elora’s eye and reflexively diverted his gaze. When he looked back she wore a pleased grin.
Ten feet tall , he thought.
Captain Darieus concluded, “If your young men can complete the rigorous training, they will pledge their lives to the support of the Circle and the Sword. I commend them for the dedication necessary to reach this point and encourage them to persevere in the months to come. Thank you.”
The audience rose and cheered as Captain Darieus resumed his seat.
Lieutenant Markin spoke next. In contrast to Captain Darieus’ uplifting comments, he was practical. He told them that up to half of the recruits would not finish training. The next fourteen months would be the most grueling of their lives, and would include demanding daily schedules, tests of knowledge, and physical evaluations.
The silent crowd listened as he detailed the soldiers’ lives after they completed training. Daring rescue missions, drawn-out battles, injuries and hardship. The
Sitting next to Tjaden, Chism fidgeted. Hearing Captain Darieus praise the other recruits made Tjaden’s slightly more comfortable. But none of them brought along a personal witness. I should’ve tried harder to convince Elora to stay in Shey’s Orchard. But thoughts of the time shared on the journey made him realize the sentiment was a lie.
Captain Darieus continued. “And finally, one of our recruits risked his very life to defend a helpless victim under the attack of a bandersnatch.”
A few murmurs passed through the audience. “The young lady whose life was spared by his heroism is with us today. I ask her to recount the harrowing events. Elora…”
Elora, wearing a deep green dress fancy enough for a Sixteenery, glided to the stage, briefly distracting Tjaden from his worries. But when she started talking, any hope she wouldn’t use his name vanished. She was proud of him and exaggerated his fearlessness and prowess. Her speech wasn’t long, but with each word his face turned a deeper shade of red. By the time she reached the point in the story when his father arrived, Tjaden fully expected flames to erupt on the surface of his face.
As Elora finished and Captain Darieus returned to the stage, Tjaden felt sweat trickling inside his uniform and beading on his forehead.
“Thank you, Elora,” said Captain Darieus. Turning his attention to the audience he spoke in a regal tone. “Assembled in front of you today is the greatest young fighting talent anywhere in the world. Every one of them has shown skill, valor, and dedication. I present to you the future protectors of Maravilla!”
When the applause died, Captain Darieus signaled the banner that hung behind the recruits. A circle, bisected vertically by a sword, was highlighted in white against a dark blue background. “The Circle and the Sword. The Circle represents the continuous connection between every individual in the kingdom—from a wheat farmer, to a trader, to the king’s procurer, to the king himself. The Circle becomes complete and returns to that farmer by virtue of the Sword. The Sword connects the king to the citizenry by offering protection against foreign powers, disorder, and inhuman beasts.”
Leaving the podium, he paced the stage and continued. “And this holds true not only for farmers, but for craftsmen, for hunters, and for nobles. For the newest baby and the oldest woman in the kingdom. Everyone is connected in an unending circle to each other and to the king, and only through the strength of the Sword can the Circle exist. Remove the Sword and the Circle collapses. Likewise, if the Sword is separated from the confines of the Circle, it becomes a destructive rather than uniting force.
“Each of these young men will wield the Sword because they understand that their mothers and fathers, their brothers and sons, and everyone they care for is part of the Circle.”
Tjaden caught Elora’s eye and reflexively diverted his gaze. When he looked back she wore a pleased grin.
Ten feet tall , he thought.
Captain Darieus concluded, “If your young men can complete the rigorous training, they will pledge their lives to the support of the Circle and the Sword. I commend them for the dedication necessary to reach this point and encourage them to persevere in the months to come. Thank you.”
The audience rose and cheered as Captain Darieus resumed his seat.
Lieutenant Markin spoke next. In contrast to Captain Darieus’ uplifting comments, he was practical. He told them that up to half of the recruits would not finish training. The next fourteen months would be the most grueling of their lives, and would include demanding daily schedules, tests of knowledge, and physical evaluations.
The silent crowd listened as he detailed the soldiers’ lives after they completed training. Daring rescue missions, drawn-out battles, injuries and hardship. The
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