Read Online Zachania by Joseph Henry Gaines - Free Book Online Page A

surrounded the city and showed his passes to the
immaculately dressed soldiers of the royal guard.
    Once he was
inside the wall he was astounded at the city’s splendour, never in
all of his life had he seen or imagined such impressive buildings
which dwarfed him as he rode by. Everywhere he looked was military
presence, the inner city was heaving with soldiers all of which
were dressed in shining uniforms. Statues of soldiers, some as
large as his home back in Tallasian lined every corner and open
space. He was also struck by the cleanliness, every road was
cobbled, there were giant flags hanging from the buildings, even
the horses were dressed in military covers.
    Talon began to
feel excited as he allowed himself a smile. This did not seem at
all as bad as he had imagined, he even found himself feeling keen
and eager that he soon to become a part of it all. When Talon
reached his fourth stop point he hunted for his passes with a new
found enthusiasm. The soldiers gave Talon an escort to the north
eastern sector of the city, commonly known as cadet village because
of its four military schools and libraries. Once again Talon rode
feeling amazed at the village, everywhere he looked he saw stone,
nothing like in Tallasian which was mostly built from wood. Again
he saw statues of soldiers reaching high into the sky, stone
carvings of scholars adorning walls, and when he saw the library he
had to stop and take in the sheer size of the giant building which
was carved in marble the colour of purest white.
    When Talon
arrived at the school that was designated to him, he was shown into
the schools great hall. Talon smiled to himself when one of his
escorts told him that this was the school of Chow, the oldest in
the city and commonly regarded as the best. Its Principle was the
old and wise General Chow who was held in great esteem by all who
knew him. Talon and his two escorts waited in the hall for his
audience with the General, he waited patiently until he heard the
sound of footsteps coming from an adjacent passage. Talon’s first
impression when he laid eyes on the General was how militarily he
looked, Chow had the face of an old man but the body and poise of
someone much younger, he strode into the hall with two companions
behind him who showed there obvious difficulty in keeping up with
him. He was dressed in what Talon was soon to discover as a
Generals uniform, a hard leather vest and a pleated kilt with a
large General’s sword strapped to his waist. He wore boots of the
finest leather. Talon was greeted warmly as the two men exchanged
polite conversation about the journey and Talon’s background etc.
then after a brief ceremony Talon was sworn into the royal
guard.
    Three years
passed very swiftly for Talon as he excelled in his studies, Talon
was now twenty one years of age, he had gained maturity and
discipline and now looked every bit the soldier that he was.
    He had also
proved to be very popular amongst the cadets at the school, and had
made many friends, all of which seemed to look up to him and trust
in his council.
    Talon had now
learned all there was that the school could offer him; and was in
need of further tutelage, education that the school of Chow could
no longer provide.
    At the end of
every Imperial calendar year in the month of Uprek, three
candidates of the schools highest merit would be granted a great
honour. The three cadets would be chosen at the ‘Grand Festival of
Pass’ to expand their Imperial careers in the Emperor’s mysterious
Palace lands. There future would be secure as they would be
immediately given the rank of Captain in the elite Imperial Palace
guard. Many secrets, traditions and ancient knowledge of the Empire
would be made available to them.
    The rank of
Imperial Palace guard Captain would hold rank over every soldier
based in the provinces of Kratos. Even some General’s based in
Kallick town could not enter the Palace lands.
    The honour was
immense, behind the great wall of