Ethan Wright and the Curse of Silence Read Online Free

wondered why his father would draw Isaac a map anyway. Maybe there would be a dotted line on the map that would lead him straight to his twin. He felt bad for yelling at his caretaker, and then decided it was good of Odin to have drawn a copy of it.
    Ethan picked up Loki and held him up to his face. “What do you think? Do you think I screwed up?” He looked at the cat as if he was about to receive advice. “Oh, what am I thinking, I deserve to be punished,” he said aloud.
    It had been a long time since Ethan had received a punishment. He decided that he would do his best to help Wegnel so that Odin would hopefully look past his outburst from earlier that morning. But first, he decided to go on a small hike to Whitehaven and watch part of the youth sword competition.
    “C’mon, Loki. Odin said we couldn’t enter, but he didn’t say anything about watching the first few matches.”
    The cat jumped down with a plop and followed Ethan toward Vincent’s general store. There was a large wooden sign on the sturdy door that read Closed for Sword Competition .
    Ethan chuckled. He continued walking, but then noticed the strange man that had been speaking to Odin now approaching.
    “Greetings, Ethan. It is nice to see a young lad enjoying the day — shouldn’t you be entered in the youth sword competition today?” asked the stranger abruptly.
    He was very well dressed and carried himself with a strut that showed he was of higher society. He had a sneaky look on his face that made Ethan feel a bit uncomfortable. His hair was stiff and coarse with a dark silvery hue and even his shoes were of a high gloss that shone in the sunlight.
    “I’m on my way there now,” answered Ethan.
    “A little late for signing up — don’t you think?” asked the snooty gentleman.
    Ethan nodded. “I’m just watching.”
    “Surely not, a young man with your skill would be in the fight, not on the sidelines. Besides, I was hoping to catch a glimpse of your skills with a sword, be it made of bamboo or whatever….” He pulled at the fingertips of his gloves, slid them into one of his pockets and then offered a hand to Ethan. Ethan paused, and then shook the man’s hand. He tried to take his hand back, but was pulled in close.
    “Do you know who I am, Ethan?” the silver-haired man asked quietly. As Ethan was pulled close he noticed the man had bright green eyes that seemed to peer right through his soul. Several necklaces and pendants clinked as he pulled Ethan forward. Ethan pulled his hand away and stood up tall.
    “I saw you speaking with Odin. Your name is Tothyll.”
    “Yes, but more importantly is what I do — I am a recruiter for the Royal Guard. I was sent here for you … a Mr. Ethan Wright. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of you in this year’s sword competition.”
    “Well it’s too late to enter, so I’m going to go watch for a while. Please excuse me.” Ethan started to walk around Tothyll, but was cut short.
    “Being a man in my position, I have a certain pull with authority around here. Needless to say, I can easily get you into the next round of the competition. We will simply enter a bye for the first round, no problem. In return, I would ask that you simply consider the Guard …” insisted Tothyll.
    “Not interested,” said Ethan flatly as he walked around.
    “One last thing — I heard news of you visiting Wegnel last night,” challenged Tothyll.
    Ethan stopped in his tracks. He hadn’t told anyone, yet everyone seemed to know. Ethan smirked to himself as he thought of the babbling rambles that blurted unnecessarily from Wegnel’s pruny face.
    “Yeah, I met with him briefly,” answered Ethan.
    “Beware Wegnel the Alchemist — not to be trusted at all, young lad,” said Tothyll smoothly. “I suppose a bright young boy like you saw right through his deceit, and I have full confidence you are not one to mingle with such foolish characters. I suspect a boy of your intelligence would have much