Dawn of the Valiant (The Valerious Chronicles: Book One)
Page 114
* * *
"Then it was all a ruse?" asked Friedrich.
Christill dropped down from the tree branch and walked up grassy slope to the rocks that Friedrich and Vrill were seated on. "The entire thing. I was never in any danger."
Vrill let out a questioning grunt. "How is that possible? From what you have described, it would have taken unimaginable amounts of magic to create so many illusions."
"The building itself is empty. I was followed by a group of disciples who created the hazards as I passed through the doorways."
"An awful lot of effort if you ask me," replied Vrill, flicking a pebble from the rock beside him.
Friedrich laughed out aloud. "Everything is an awful amount of effort to you. You never do anything."
Vrill's look turned sour, but he could not hide his smile for long. "I resent that comment."
Christill took a seat next to Friedrich as a group of students walked through the small garden. He spotted Hilth amongst them and, as their eyes met, Christill saw respect in the Karmanian's gaze. Seeing Christill sacrifice becoming a disciple in order to save his life, illusion or not, had shown Hilth that his aversion had been misplaced. The students passed into the back of the Academy, where the dorms were located, and Christill turned back to his friends.
"So does that mean that you are a disciple now?" asked Friedrich.
"To be honest with you, I do not know. After we left the training grounds, Velski simply told me that I was to present myself to the Council tonight."
Friedrich nodded and yawned. Less than two months ago he would have detested anyone who was not a Dargonian, let alone a disciple of one of the other gods. Now his friendship with Christill, together with his forced sojourn in Karmena, had changed the ideals that had been forced into him.
"And what word from Mandigal?" asked Christill.
"What do you think?" replied Vrill angrily. "It seems he is still not finished with his business. He advises us that our stay in Duathnin may be longer than first expected."
"I would love to find out what exactly he is up to. I have seen him sneaking around the Academy once or twice," said Friedrich. "Why would one of the Honour Guard be forced to keep his movements so secret."
"Who cares what he is doing? As long as he hurries up," butted in Vrill. "I cannot wait to get back to Dargon."
Christill could not understand Vrill's yearning. From what he had seen of Dargon, there was not much worth returning for. "Do you see no beauty in this forest?"
Vrill's resolute look answered Christill's question thoroughly.
"So what happens to you now?" asked Friedrich after a long while.
"Right now, I don't care," replied Christill, closing his eyes.