Free Once We Were Kings (Young Adult Fantasy) (The Sojourner Saga) by Ian Alexander, Joshua Graham Page A

can of solvent, washed his hands in a basin.  As he wiped his hands on a cloth, he thought of the twins, whom he had not seen for the past two weeks.
    "Sir Edwyn, how are Folen and Stewan?'
    "They are well.  Somewhat lacking in motivation, but that is understandable."  He began leafing through Render's finished paintings, stopping every once in a while to gaze thoughtfully at those that caught his eye.  "It is you with whom I am more concerned."
    At this Render paused and regarded his tutor, though Edwyn, too engrossed in the paintings, did not reciprocate.  "Am I not learning to your satisfaction?"
    "Quite the contrary.  I have never had a student that I needed to warn off from working so hard.  You stay up at all hours, unless I find you and send you to bed.  You drive yourself twice if not thrice as hard as most ordinary students.  All this work is admirable, but—"
    "I was a slave.  Or have you so soon forgotten?"  Edwyn looked up.   Render smiled and pointed to his paintings, to his lute on the table next to his history books and his poetry.  "This is not work.  This is joy.  Freedom."
    His mentor returned the smile and clapped him on the shoulder.  "Would that all my students took your view."
    "All my life, Sir Edward, I have felt I was meant to be someone of worth.  Not by fame or acclaim, mind you.  Just something more than a slave.  Someone who, before he dies, will have left some kind of mark, no matter how small, on this world.  Of this I am certain: I wasn't destined to live and die without purpose."
    "And just what purpose would that be, young squire?"
    "It was my hope that you could help me discover this."
    "Perhaps I shall." Edwyn stretched his hand to the open door.  "But not tonight."
    Only torch and candle light illuminated the stone hallways of the castle.  The sweet smell of wax filled Render's senses as they walked.  Their shoes made the only sounds other than their scarce words.   Render spoke quietly if at all.  "What of you, Sir Edywn?"
    "What of me?"
    "You never speak of yourself.  Surely you have discovered your purpose in life by now."  They reached Render's chamber, which thankfully he shared with no one.  Edwyn unlatched the door and it creaked open.  He gestured for Render to go inside.  "Well?"
    "Perhaps another time, Master Render."
    "But—"
    "Good night."
    Trying to hide his disappointment, he took a deep breath and inclined his head.  "Good night, Sir Edwyn."
    Carefully, lest the ancient hinges awaken all nearby, Render shut the large wooden door.  With his back against it, he took a deep breath and set his candle on the desk next to him.  He went to light the lamp near the bed when he noticed the cool sheet of moonlight flooding through the open window.  So pleasing was this light that he decided blow out his candle and gaze outside. 
    From his window he beheld the moon and stars above, and the high wall of the citadel below.  Not long ago, he had lived outside the walls of this great and ever-expanding Torian capital.  
    A lifetime ago.
    Now, he lived in the castle of the Lord Agon.  Neither slave nor servant, nor a ragged boy scraping the floor for a morsel.  He was Master Render, a knight in training, royal ward of the High King Corigan.
    As he drew the curtains, shutting out all light, something dropped to the ground.  
    "Hello?"  Instead of the lamp, he reached under the pillow for his dagger.  Steadily, Render got to his feet.  Squinted into the blackness as he drew his blade.
    He was not alone.
     
     

 
    CHAPTER SIXTEEN
     
     
     
    The edge of Sir Mooregaard's broadsword glinted in the moonlight.  Just moments before it came slicing down over Kaine's neck.  Letting out a terrified gasp, Kaine felt a surge of fear rush from the bottom of his feet straight up his mail-clad back.
    "No!"  Kaine fell onto his side and rolled.
    Mooregaard's sword hit the pavement, a finger's width from his ear.    Sparks flew as it scraped the stone,