Darkness Falls (Tales of the Wolf) Read Online Free Page B

mentor, although the literal translation would be ‘person born before another.’ “Thank you would be nice.”
    “Thank you.”
    Darnac tossed his pupil a black leather bandolier. “This will hold the Falinnsverõ, the proper name for that particular weapon, in the proper place across your back allowing you to draw one over your shoulder and the other from underneath.”
    Galvorn cocked his head sideways as he considered the implications for a moment. Replacing his new blades in the plain black scabbard, he fitted it to the bandolier and slipped it over his shoulder. Being primarily left-handed, the black scabbard poked over his left shoulder.
    Standing, Darnac moved away from the fire, reached over his shoulders and pulled free his twin sabers of silver. “Come, let’s dance a bit.”
    With a grin, Galvorn drew his new blades and attacked his Kënnári.

Chapter 4
    Rjurik had been right. When Graytael finally woke up with a knot on his head, he picked up the axe and began splitting the logs. This was one of the chores that he both loved and hated. Swinging the axe with practiced ease, the well-honed blade bit and split the log easily. However, the axe head also bit into the cutting block below, seizing and holding fast the axe. This really was not a problem. A simple jerk on the handle would free the weapon but his uncle had challenged him to split the logs with one blow but not bite into the cutting block below.
    At first, Graytael thought that this would be easy…until he tried it.
    Finding the correct amount of force took practice and intuition. No two pieces of wood had the same resistance. It became a judgment call. He found that many times he would hit too hard or too soft. He was getting better and actually averaged about one in twenty-five clean strikes. This was what Graytael was concentrating on when the twins came out of the kitchen door. Hearing the door opening, he glanced over his shoulder and spied the twins before making his swing.
    Graytael really liked Abban.
    Although the twins were two years his senior, Abban was much smaller than the half-elf. Gray had found that he was inquisitive by nature, fun loving and totally devoted to his sister, which was the problem. Annabelle was beautiful and knew it, which was her problem. She had long silky black hair, alabaster skin and sapphire blue eyes and just a hint of the womanly figure she was destined to have. Unfortunately, she had already learned the art of manipulation. Partially for survival when the twins were on their own but she had also discovered that she enjoyed having others do things for her. Of course, Abban usually took the brunt of her manipulations but Graytael had fallen prey to it a few times. He wished he had not in the past or would not in the future but he had and would. He knew it. She was just too damn pretty to say ‘no’ to for long.
    Annabelle paused at the top of the stairs when she saw the sweat covered physique of Graytael. Gazing on his shirtless chest, she could almost see every muscle working collectively as he swung the heavy woodsman axe. Even though he was younger than she was, he was more muscular than any of the other children of the village. Well, technically that was not true. The blacksmith’s son Garoth was bigger and bulkier, of course since he knew that about himself and was conceited about it, which Annabelle considered it a turn off.
    But not Graytael, he was lean and fit as a wolf. He was also a head taller that any of the village children and had the most strikingly storm grey eyes. His calm demeanor, even temper and shyness intrigued her. As much as she hated to admit it, he also seemed able to resist her charms many times which both irritated and attracted her to him. She would not let it show but it also excited her.
    Abban ran down the steps. “Gray!”
    The young half-elf completed his swing. Making a perfect cut, the two pieces of split lumber fell onto the already large pile of wood. Burying the axe