“Hello young lady, you must be Sara.” Sirus stated his steel eyes alight once again.
“Yes sire that is correct.” Sara answered.
“You were the last standing in the test earlier alongside Garret were you not? Sirus asked. Sara simply nodded her reply, keeping her blank expression in place.
"Well I must say that Sasha is quite fond of you and it seems Felix has grown a bit attached to you as well.” Sirus said with a wide smile. “Well I must first ask you if you have any special skills and I must also ask if you worship any of the gods.” Sirus said not trying to conceal his boredom with repeating the same thing over and over again.
“As far as I am aware M’lord I do not possess the gift of magic, nor do I have a religion.” Sara stated simply wanting this moment to be over.
"Women are rare in the army, but with your survival so long in the battle earlier I cannot help but ask if you would wish to join the army?" Sirus asked. With this question all those with Sirus leaned nearer awaiting the small woman's reply.
"I don't believe myself suited for the army M’lord, it was due to Seth, Garret, and Ashton that I remained in the competition as long as I did." Sara answered. Sirus thought a second before continuing his line of questioning.
“Well do you have any other skills that you are particularly good at?” Sirus asked with an unfamiliar tone in his voice.
“What do you mean M’lord?” Sara asked unsure of his tone.
“Is there anything at all that you are good at that might be useful to the Kingdom?” Sirus asked this time not trying to hide that he wanted her to say something.
“Well M’lord I am fairly good with figures, and I can memorize things rather quickly.” Sara stated hoping it would answer the knight’s question.
“Can you read and write as well?” Sirus asked.
“Yes M’lord.” Sara answered.
Sirus stood for a moment trying his best to pretend he was deep in thought about something, though Sara, who had just met the man, could tell he was faking.
“Judilanthaliz aren’t you currently without a messenger?” Sirus asked as if trying to recall some detail.
“Yes Sirus in fact I am.” Judilanthaliz said nodding. “I am happy you have reminded me I had not thought to find myself one today.” He added.
“Does this young woman suit your needs?” Sirus asked the man in gray.
“She might indeed. Let’s give her a small test shall we?” Judilanthaliz asked in a musical voice that was too sweet to be wholly human.
“What do you have in mind?” Sirus asked the older man.
The man in gray thought a moment and turning his gaze upon Sara he asked his question.
“Young woman, can you recall some details of the conversation we just had with the man who stood beside you a moment ago?”
“Yes M’lord.” Sara answered.
“Well then young woman what do you recall.” Judilanthaliz asked.
“Well M’lord your name is Judilanthaliz the head of the gray robed guardians. You worship Saranadia and live to protect those in need of protection. The man in red here is Vladmere The head of the red robed battle mages. He worships Zeranthil as do most of the battle mages. They fight with the armies of Valdadore. The beautiful woman beside you in white is Karishtala the head of the order of healers. They worship Lorentia and live to heal those in need of healing. Sirus here is the head of the Knights of Valdadore and he and his men worship Gorandor. They fight with the army though they hold a much higher council than those of the regular forces. The man behind you in green is an elf and I assume as such that he is the head of the druid order, though I know not his name. Behind him, Heath stands with a large tome in which the names of those chosen are recorded as well as the location of their homes as well as their new station in life. Beyond him representatives of the regular army as well as a representative of the King’s house stand. Is that sufficient sire?” Sara asked after speaking every detail she could readily recall.
“Indeed young woman your memory is sharp.” Judilanthaliz said and turning to face the knight he continued. “I think she will fulfill my needs of a messenger quite nicely.” He said with a grin.
“Sara go and see Heath and tell him you are to be messenger to Judilanthaliz and follow his instructions.” Sirus said grinning once again.
*****
Sirus watched as Sara passed and he could not help himself but to smile. His wife had given him instructions not to allow her and Seth to be separated, and though he knew it was not entirely up to him, he had played his cards properly and by doing so had not disappointed his wife.
*****
Seth watched for many long moments as Sara spoke to those gathered before her. He was close enough to see who was speaking and when but too far to clearly hear their words. He could clearly see through Sara’s mask to the fear she was trying to hide. The same fear that twisted within him. He watched as she spoke for a long time, speaking more quickly than she normally would as if in panic. He then watched as Sirus and Judilanthaliz exchanged words and Sara left them to speak to Heath. Seth watched even more intently as heath scribed Sara’s information in his book and finishing with his quill, again raised his head. Heath said a few words then to Sara, and turning his head he pointed directly at Seth. Sara nodded her understanding to the man and with a giant beautiful smile turned to meet Seth’s eyes with her own amber gaze. Seth suddenly realized what was happening and all fear rushed from his body to be instantly replaced with gratitude and love. Sara strode confidently to his side, where she belonged, and took his hand interlacing their fingers once again. For all that had gone wrong since the night before Seth left his home in Vineleaf, something had finally gone right. He was to be separated from Garret he knew, but it was a realization that he knew he would have to come to terms with. Garret dreamed of glory and honor, whereas he just wanted a quiet life with Sara.
To both Seth and Sara it was as if a huge weight had been lifted off of their shoulders. Though they had not spoken of it frequently they had both been carrying the fear of separation with them for many days now and it had slowly eaten its way through them. So certain they each had been that they would be separated that both of them had already planned by themselves when they would flee and what route they would take back to the inn. Now however it was all for naught. The fear, the anguish, and the planning had all been for nothing. They were together just as they were meant to be. Finally each of them was able to relax and the tension that had been building dissipated quickly.
“I love you.” Sara said smiling as big as she was able.
“And I love you angel.” Seth replied also smiling.
Together they waited hand in hand for the remainder of The Choosing ceremony. No one came to join them, nor did anyone join Garret and the dwarf. Seth and Sara paid the actual choosing selection little attention, instead choosing to enjoy the time together. Neither of them had any real idea of what was to come in the days ahead, but they were both sure that they would at least be able to see each other frequently, and that was enough for them to be happy.
Before long the ceremony was finished and the procession of delegates performing the actual choosing parted ways and each went to collect their new members. Seth and Sara both waved goodbye to Garret as Sirus came to collect him and the dwarf. It was not long after Garret had left the courtyard that Judilanthaliz came to collect his two new charges as well. Greeting them as he approached he asked both Seth and Sara to follow and he led them across the courtyard the way they had come earlier in the day.
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Read the next book in the Blood and Brotherhood Saga
The Chosen
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Clad in Shadow
About the Author
First and foremost I am a father and a husb
and. Beyond that I belong to the fraternal Brotherhood of the United States Marine Corps. I have earned a living as an industrial electrician, welder, mechanic, carpenter, CNC machinist, and dozens of other jobs that gave me a wide scope of blue collar life. I have lived in more places than most people, though I grew up primarily in Michigan. I graduated high school in mason Michigan, and went to college in Lansing Michigan. After joining the USMC I spent time living in Pensacola and Jacksonville Florida, and then moved on to spend four more years in North Carolina. After serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring freedom, and the militaries humanitarian effort in Liberia I received an honorable discharge and returned to live in Jackson Michigan near my family who still reside there. I now live in southern Louisiana with my wife and children, though I try and visit family in Michigan yearly.
I have been writing stories since I began writing and still have examples of short stories I wrote beginning in first grade. In my mid teens however I began to write in earnest, dreaming of one day seeing my work on a bookstore shelf. It is and remains an unfulfilled dream, as I never attempted in my earlier years to publish any of my work besides a few stray poems or short stories. With digital media growing and print media declining I really don’t see my books ever being released in print in the future either. However at present I felt that I had to make some effort to publish my books. As a father I tell my children that any one of them can live their dreams if they put in the time and effort required. To which they of course reply by asking if I have lived all my dreams. So it is through their urging that I prove to them that they, like I, can do anything we set our minds to.
I hope that you have enjoyed this book and your visit to Thurr. It has been a long time coming, and I am happy to have finally released it publicly for you to enjoy. The next book in the Saga is already released as well and is titled “The Chosen”. I must warn you however that the next book is fast paced and action packed, so if you chose to read it, stock up on your favorite snack, call in sick, kick back, relax, and enjoy!
I appreciate any and all feedback from my readers. Please drop in to say hello, or leave a message on any of my social media sites, my website, or my blog. You can find easy access to them all at:
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The Choosing Page 33