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

Tash, the paradise known as
Palace lands was a gateway to greatness.
    This year’s
Grand Festival of Pass was presented with all the usual pomp and
splendour. Generals from all over Kratos lined the stage in their
most ceremonious costume.
    Traditionally
the three chosen cadets would not know of their advancement until
the schools principle General Chow proclaimed them, though this
year it was no secret as to who the chosen ones were going to
be.
    Talon had been
told all through the year that he was a certainty to be chosen,
both teachers and cadets had remarked on it.
    One of the
schools teachers had even told Talon that he was ready to be chosen
the year before but could not be because a cadet had to serve three
years of study.
    The young
cadets congregated in the schools great Gusack hall. Talon stood
out amid his friends as they all waited for General Chow who was
dressed in the traditional Festival of Pass Renthall raiment to
read out the names.
    The cadets
stood in absolute silence as Chow unrolled his scroll and placed it
on a podium before him.
    “Welcome cadets
to yet another end of school year and another Grand Festival of
Pass. It is a time when all of you can weigh upon the past year and
the work that you have accomplished. A time for you to judge how
your tutelage has progressed. And a time for the pedagogues of this
great establishment, to feel pride at the achievement that they
have helped three young gentlemen, begin their careers in the
highest status of the land. These three young men, who soon I shall
declare have been granted the opportunity to walk upon the road of
greatness. And make No erratum, that is precisely what they are
being awarded with today.”
    “Get on with it
man!” One of the cadets standing at the back of the hall suddenly
shouted in a jovial kind of tone which in turn had the whole hall
both teachers and cadets burst into fits of laughter.
    Even General
Chow began laughing as he raised his arms in applause.
    “Once a year I
get to wear this ridiculous costume, so if I have to wear it then I
am going to make you look at It.” the old General replied
sarcastically back to the cadets.
    “And if you
interrupt me again I may even dance in It.” he added as the cadets
then began a slow clap and shout out for him to dance.
    The mood of the
hall remained jovial for a few moments as General Chow made no
attempts to quash it as the Grand Festival of Pass was always a
celebration, a time of great rejoice when teachers and cadets mixed
with no rank between them. It was a gentleman’s affair which always
had an atmosphere of equality.
    The General
waited for a few moments letting the boys have their fun until he
finally silenced them by holding up his hands “I see you are all
very eager to begin with the celebrations, so without further ado
here are the names.” he added as he lifted the scroll up from the
podium into his hands.
    “The first name
upon this list, belongs to a gentleman who has astounded all who
have tutored him with his ability to learn and the enthusiasm that
he has shown.”
    “Flaffy, the
dog!” A cadet mockingly shouted out as he called out the name of
the General’s dog.
    Chow nodded his
head and smiled broadly before deciding to just get on with it
quickly.
    “The three
cadets chosen for the Palace guard are Talon Tallasian, Rensus
Kallick and Callia Kallick.” he shouted above the laughter.
    The whole hall
then suddenly burst into cheers as Talon and his two colleagues
were hoisted up onto the shoulders of the cadets and paraded around
the hall, where everyone began congratulating them. The
celebrations continued until it was time for the wine and ale to be
served which was a good reason for the mood to relax.
    Once a few
rounds of drink had been served, the General of the school, General
Chow and his special guest of honour an old and powerful General of
the Empire began to seek out the three chosen cadets.
    The first one
they looked for at the behest of the