Read Online Taken: The Life of Uktesh Book 3 by Aaron Hicks - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Aaron Hicks
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ourselves.” She turned to the messenger and said, “Please continue.”
The man was staring at her arm, or lack thereof, but quickly recovered and continued, “This will not be to form an army, or to begin recruitment. Though it is mandatory, there won’t be a draft at the end. You will all be back in time to begin planting for the harvest. Are there any questions?”
Basam strode forward and said, “Basam and all Basam’s family are between eight and sixty save for Sy and Mychael. Who would watch them if all are to be training?”
The messenger said, “For a community this size you may choose one person to stay behind and care for those too young to begin the training.”
Thulmann marched forward and said, “I am Four. We have a wet nurse who has to stay behind, but she has no combat training. If my wife were to stay behind we’d all feel much better about leaving. Then we would know the children would be defended”
The messenger took a step back and even the dozens of guards looked nervous. “I, ah, suppose that if one of the Numbers says his wife is well trained, then she could, ah, be exempt, but just one!”
Thulmann clapped the man on his shoulder and said, “That’s great! We’ll be there. It sounds like fun!”
The messenger said, “As one of the Numbers you’re expected to arrive the day before training starts.”
Thulmann barked a laugh and said, “Too bad Uktesh isn’t here. We could have all ten Numbers.”
The messenger said, “Uktesh? The winner of last year’s tournament? He lives here? Is he here now? I need to thank him, I won so much money because of him.”
Thulmann said, “No, alas, he was captured by the invaders after single-handedly destroying most of their ships.”
The messenger puffed out his chest and said, “I’d expect no less from someone of his caliber. Tell me, was he killed in the fighting or captured like you said?”
Thulmann said, “Captured.”
The man grinned widely and said, “Then we’ll see him again. I have faith that if it’s possible to get back here, he’ll be the one to do it. He wants to come back, right?”
Thulmann gestured at Laurilli and said, “His wife is waiting for him.”
The man said, “I knew I recognized you. You also fought in the tournament, and did fairly well if I remember correctly. What happened to your arm?”
Laurilli said, “The invaders caught me with two crossbow bolts.”
The messenger nodded and said, “Well, if you’re here I’m certain he’ll come back! Stronger than ever!” He raised a clenched fist and suddenly realized he was cheering on a person who couldn’t see or hear him. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment and he said, “Well, I’ll see you guys in two weeks!” He quickly backed out of the courtyard and shouted, “Take care,” before the gate was shut.
Thulmann said, “Well, we’ve got two weeks to whip everyone into shape! Abrym how old are you?”
Abrym smiled and said, “Sixty-two.”
Thulmann said, “Good, how good are you with a bow?”
Abrym lost some of his glee, “Poor, I’d say.”
Thulmann said, “Then it’s time to buy you some archery gloves! Because without them you’re going to cut your fingers down to nubs!”
Laurilli asked, “I think we should focus more on endurance than actually learning skills. Being able to fight longer will help more than bursts of skill followed by exhaustion.”
Thulmann nodded and said, “You’re in charge of the endurance training then. Don’t push yourself too hard and by the time we show up there won’t be a community better prepared, outside of Beletaria that is!”
Everyone shouted and he continued, “Maybe by the end we’ll be better than some of those villages too!”
Everyone cheered again, and Thulmann quickly organized people into weapons training and endurance. Laurilli had a purpose again! She paced in front of Basam, Fayth, Trysha, Pamfilo, and Sara, and
The man was staring at her arm, or lack thereof, but quickly recovered and continued, “This will not be to form an army, or to begin recruitment. Though it is mandatory, there won’t be a draft at the end. You will all be back in time to begin planting for the harvest. Are there any questions?”
Basam strode forward and said, “Basam and all Basam’s family are between eight and sixty save for Sy and Mychael. Who would watch them if all are to be training?”
The messenger said, “For a community this size you may choose one person to stay behind and care for those too young to begin the training.”
Thulmann marched forward and said, “I am Four. We have a wet nurse who has to stay behind, but she has no combat training. If my wife were to stay behind we’d all feel much better about leaving. Then we would know the children would be defended”
The messenger took a step back and even the dozens of guards looked nervous. “I, ah, suppose that if one of the Numbers says his wife is well trained, then she could, ah, be exempt, but just one!”
Thulmann clapped the man on his shoulder and said, “That’s great! We’ll be there. It sounds like fun!”
The messenger said, “As one of the Numbers you’re expected to arrive the day before training starts.”
Thulmann barked a laugh and said, “Too bad Uktesh isn’t here. We could have all ten Numbers.”
The messenger said, “Uktesh? The winner of last year’s tournament? He lives here? Is he here now? I need to thank him, I won so much money because of him.”
Thulmann said, “No, alas, he was captured by the invaders after single-handedly destroying most of their ships.”
The messenger puffed out his chest and said, “I’d expect no less from someone of his caliber. Tell me, was he killed in the fighting or captured like you said?”
Thulmann said, “Captured.”
The man grinned widely and said, “Then we’ll see him again. I have faith that if it’s possible to get back here, he’ll be the one to do it. He wants to come back, right?”
Thulmann gestured at Laurilli and said, “His wife is waiting for him.”
The man said, “I knew I recognized you. You also fought in the tournament, and did fairly well if I remember correctly. What happened to your arm?”
Laurilli said, “The invaders caught me with two crossbow bolts.”
The messenger nodded and said, “Well, if you’re here I’m certain he’ll come back! Stronger than ever!” He raised a clenched fist and suddenly realized he was cheering on a person who couldn’t see or hear him. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment and he said, “Well, I’ll see you guys in two weeks!” He quickly backed out of the courtyard and shouted, “Take care,” before the gate was shut.
Thulmann said, “Well, we’ve got two weeks to whip everyone into shape! Abrym how old are you?”
Abrym smiled and said, “Sixty-two.”
Thulmann said, “Good, how good are you with a bow?”
Abrym lost some of his glee, “Poor, I’d say.”
Thulmann said, “Then it’s time to buy you some archery gloves! Because without them you’re going to cut your fingers down to nubs!”
Laurilli asked, “I think we should focus more on endurance than actually learning skills. Being able to fight longer will help more than bursts of skill followed by exhaustion.”
Thulmann nodded and said, “You’re in charge of the endurance training then. Don’t push yourself too hard and by the time we show up there won’t be a community better prepared, outside of Beletaria that is!”
Everyone shouted and he continued, “Maybe by the end we’ll be better than some of those villages too!”
Everyone cheered again, and Thulmann quickly organized people into weapons training and endurance. Laurilli had a purpose again! She paced in front of Basam, Fayth, Trysha, Pamfilo, and Sara, and
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