Free All that Glitters (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 1) by Loren K. Jones Page B

to bring you before the Elders Council."
    Harner shook his head. "No, Shari, I won't."
    The meal was unremarkable except for the almost exultant tone of Dorvina's voice whenever she was asked a question. Sahrena asked Sharindis' permission to dismiss Dorvina and Harner as soon as the meal was completed. Sharindis' nod of assent was met with the sound of two sliding chairs and the patter of running feet.
    Sahrena chuckled and both Sharindis and Zahrinis joined in. "I warned him to be good, or Karlit or Dad will take him before the Council," Sharindis said with a grin.
    "Ah, young love. Do you need any help, Mistress Shari?"
    "No, I'm fine. I'm more tired than anything else right now, so I think I'll go to bed early. Good night to you both. Send Harner on his way when you feel they've had enough time."
    * * *
    Harner reported to the training grounds on his third day, as required, and joined the final year group. He was tired of the Warmaster treating him like he could barely hold a Dragon's Tongue. He'd passed, scoring a strike against the Warmaster before the Warmaster had struck him the third time. It was galling to be required to practice with the boys.
    "Form up!" Darak Kel'Norlan snapped, and everyone snapped to attention at their place. Darak had two hollowed stars on his shoulder, and Harner couldn't help but dream of the day he'd be sporting stars like that.
    "Pair off," Darak commanded and Harner looked around. There were twenty-three boys in this group and he stepped toward one of them, but another boy paired with that individual. Even Jallav paired off with someone else. Within moments Harner was standing alone. That meant—
    "Well, Harner, it looks like you and me," Warleader Kel'Norlan said with a hint of humor in his voice.
    "Yes, Warleader," Harner replied, snapping to attention.
    Darak nodded with satisfaction. "We'll go last. Wallan and Devero, take the circle." The boys did as he commanded and entered the dueling circle. "Begin!"
    The boys attacked with the ferocity of their ancestors, striking and catching the rebounds in a lightning-fast exchange. Darak called the score, and when Devero struck Wallan the third time he shouted, "Done! Devero is the winner."
    Two by two, the boys entered the circle and sparred, until all eleven pairs had finished. "Our turn, Harner," Darak said as he stepped into the circle.
    Harner entered the circle and crouched at the ready. Darak said, "Anytime, Harner," and Harner attacked.
    Darak blocked Harner's strikes easily, then struck him in the chest. "You can do better, Harner. Make it real." Harner redoubled his efforts, but Darak's weapon hit his armored chest twice more without an answering blow. "Done. Join the losers, Harner. You boys know the forfeit. Begin." The losing group resolutely began jogging around the training ground. There were worse punishments than being required to run in full armor, but not many.
    When their twenty laps were done, Darak dismissed them and Harner slogged away to his father's house. He was exhausted and resentful. It wasn't fair that he always ended up facing whoever was leading their group. The rest of the boys were afraid of him. That's all it was. They knew he'd beat them easily.
    * * *
    The Warmaster watched his students as they practiced. His boys. It was hard not to think of them that way. He'd been Warmaster for nine years, and that meant that only one of the year groups he was teaching had started under Warmaster Kel'Pardlin. He smiled as he thought of the fourteen-year-olds, then frowned as another thought crossed his mind. He had two spares in that group: Harner and Jallav.
    At least Jallav had a reason for staying back when he wasn't drafted. His father was sick, and Jallav, as the only son, was seeing to the needs of his family. That was an honorable thing to do, and no one thought less of him for doing it.
    Harner was another story, and was keeping that story to himself. As far as Charvil or anyone else had been able to find out,