Free Brightflame Accension (Book 1) by D.B. Penner Page B

towards Pat evaporated as he saw that the boy was sobbing. Will had been about to lash out at him, but again felt sorry for the boy instead. Pat soon regained his voice and began to murmur apologies.
    “No matter,” Will said, reassuringly. “What is the worst he can hope to accomplish?” However, Pat took no heart from the statement; he simply looked white-faced as a multitude horrifying possibilities ran through his pudgy head.
    The lion stopped before a massive sculpture of a white bear that was erected next to a magnificently carved door and roared.
    “Silence, you insolent cat! Your mewling will disrupt the celebrations.” The marble sculpture had spoken; Will was sure of it. Indeed, the bear was now moving, its stone limbs working fluidly. From the enchanted beast’s maw issued a gravelly voice, “Splendid, two more promising disciples devoted to brave Lumberton’s cause. Strong Heart Strong Hand, brothers.”
    The lion growled menacingly. The statue snapped its stone jaws at the lion, sending it slinking down a hallway. “Back to your master,” the bear snarled after it. “Brothers, I bid you enjoy the evening. Welcome to the Pit.” Indicating the door with a huge paw, the bear seemed to harden into an ordinary statue once more.
    Cautiously, Will turned the iron handle. Met by a boom of sound, Will was deafened by shouts and drums and the sounds of dancing Lumbertons enjoying a boisterous party. Noticing the boy at the door, several strong pairs of hands yanked Will through the doorway. 
    Overwhelmed by the noise of musicians lively strumming and the mass of rambunctious youths, Will pushed through the crowd, seeking respite. Finally, he spotted Arthur who pulled Will into an empty room.
    “Get out of here!” Art shouted at a couple entwined on a bed. As they scampered away giggling, Will sat on a bed and stared into space. The room was blessedly quiet.
    “What happened? I saw Pat lead you away. Will? Have you taken ill?” Art asked nervously. Will, who was still rather angry, just stared ahead in silence. Art shook him violently and woke Will from his fuming stupor. Art asked again. 
    “Not a day here and I’ve earned punishment,” Will replied ruefully. 
    “Oh well, that’s no issue. I mean this early on… well, it certainly does not bode well for the rest of your career,” he laughed. “But what can they do to you? I trust you weren’t committing heinous crimes,” Art said casually. 
    “Nailfram seeks to hold me in his office on Saturday.” Art’s grin faded. 
    “Nailfram, you say? My brother Melvin told me he isn’t a man to cross. I can’t recall what exactly what was told of him. Words were whispered of the man sustaining himself with the blood of flogged recruits.”
    Art laughed again; Will was not amused. “Take heart, farm boy. Melvin’s tale cannot be truth. The last vampires were eradicated ages ago; I’m hard pressed to believe that one would be discovered among us now.”
    “Pat led me astray on a ‘shortcut’ of his daft grandfather’s invention, and we were soon lost. Nailfram found us before the river outside the gates. Then, he gave promise to detain us, and sent us on our way,” Will finished blandly. 
    Ever amused, Art chuckled once again. “You followed fat Pat to the river? A farm boy ought to know better than to follow a sheep.”
    Will smiled despite himself. “I’m to bed. I have mind to end this night before it worsens.”
    “I’ve had enough of the mob myself. Alcohol isn’t allowed in barracks, but some fool pilfered several casks of ale from the kitchens anyhow. I would not be present when they are discovered.”
    “These beds…”
    “Were made this morning for incoming recruits,” Art said, striping off his Lumberton tunic and crawling beneath the covers of a bed adjacent to Will’s. Doing the same, Will curled up under thick blankets, savoring the comfort of a true bed, and fell asleep.

 
    The Beast Inside
     
    As was his custom,