Recruited Mage Read Online Free Page B

Emperor’s Bodyguards came and took them away. Both their families or any of us never saw them again, and two months later I left to come here.” The man got up, walked out of our circle to the tents behind, and disappeared into one.
    Someone threw a log into the fire and we sat in silence for a few minutes with everyone lost in their own thoughts. Eventually someone started talking and then everyone did. There were many happy voices and even a song was sung but soon we all drifted back to our tents for the night. It was freezing cold but I was glad for the trees and the tent linen, which did it’s best to halt a cold wind that started up.
    Th e next morning was freezing and I waited until the last moment before leaving the tent for roll call. I thought I was risking punishment but some of the other boys were still not coming out. They would be punished when we got back but we had a whole morning ahead of searching. We got back into our groups and went our separate ways except my group. We had enough Uillioc to last months. Master Morrin still insisted we did something so we wandered off for a bit before standing aimlessly trying not to get too cold. We took to walking up and down whistling. When we heard the call horn we were already near the camp. Another group had packed for us and we were ready to go. We all took seats on the carts and started back to the Guild.
    There was nothing but trees for miles. I fell asleep again and woke as we entered Almon. We all knew something was wrong immediately. There was no one about and there were extra soldiers at the gates. The moment they saw us they started acting purposefully. Master Morrin walked up to them and they talked. Master Morrin looked unhappy at what they were saying. Suddenly he was shouting and the soldiers were shouting back. Other soldiers who started escorting us waved us through. One of them took the lead horse’s rains. What’s going on? What are they doing? Master Morrin tried to stop them but they pushed him away. Everyone was standing now asking what was going on. We were told to sit down and stay in our carts. We were led past the Guild and towards the town hall. There was a long line of men and boys leading to the doors. As we arrived we were told to get out and join the line. We asked why and were told that we would find out later. So we joined the long line and waited. Slowly we got closer and I began to make out that the line was being split or maybe even sorted into two groups by the Emperor’s Bodyguard who looked at the next person in line and pointed inside or at the town square; one group went around to the large town square on the far side of the hall looking relieved whilst the rest disappeared inside.
    What are they doing?
    I think I know .
    I jumped, I had forgotten about Diryn. Ok? What’s happening?
    Recruiting.
    What do you mean?
    I think they’re recruiting soldiers.
    But why?
    To fight, the Emperor has something big planned.
    It can’t be! They are not allowed to just take people from their lives to fight?
    Yes they can.
    Then why are there boys going in? They’re just a few summers older than me, maybe sixteen summers.
    Well, you need lots of boys to carry stuff li ke arrows and even the new fireshot powder that is too light to have a man carry it.
    So some boys are going to be taken from their families to help fight?
    Yes.
    What do I do? I was getting scared.
    Nothing, just wait, yo u will not be chosen, too young.
    The freezing weather was no t good for standing in lines for two hours. My fingers were numb and my toes in my wool boots had passed beyond feeling cold. When we got near to the doors the tension started to rise. It was terrible seeing the faces of the men and the occasional boy maybe sixteen, which was two summers older than me, chosen to go through the doors. I could see the Bodyguard’s face; it was clear of all emotion. One man who was chosen tried to run but was thrown to the ground by some soldiers. Billy was not