Stormcaller (Book 1) Read Online Free

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    The cool wind of the Abyssal Sea entwined his hair, highlighting hues of gold.
    “I’m certain that you’re not really certain that I wouldn’t believe you,” Juzo said, wagging a finger at him.
    Walter sighed and glanced over his shoulder, half smiling.
    “I saw this really bizarre monster-like thing during meditation, something out of a nightmare,” Walter said, shaking off the image.
    “Maybe it was a nightmare. I think I heard you snoring.”
    Walter feinted a knee to Juzo’s abdomen and Juzo pushed it away.
    “You’ve been working the elixir fields too much.”
    “My dad thinks I don’t know what work is yet, apparently.”
    Juzo slapped him on the back, grinning.
    “You’re pretty lazy, he’s right.”
    “Right – oh, wait a minute.” Walter spun and headed back through the veiled archway into the dojo.
    He strode in, seeking the large blue glass jar of cream he’d forgotten. “Looking for this?” asked Noah, offering it from his desk.
    “Thank you, sir” said Walter, taking it from him.
    “What did you see?” asked Noah.
    “Nothing, I–”
    “Don’t ignore your visions,” he interrupted. “They’re often manifestations of our own demons, things we must settle within. They may portend certain events, but that is extremely rare and unheard of this side of the Silver Tower.”
    Walter nodded, and returned to Juzo. If he told anyone that he knew in his gut that the vision confirmed the truth of what he saw behind his house, they would surmise he consumed Fang Cress. Ralph Seaborn had developed the taste for its long thin leaves dotted with yellow flowers and became a babbling fool, left by his wife to fend for himself. The young men started north towards Nyset’s house through the bustling Breden Square.
    Fruit and vegetable vendors hocked their wares, shouting prices and freshness quotients into the marketplace. Michael Bisbon led his herd of goats to the leather worker’s table, assuming his negotiation face. He waved to the boys as they passed. With his leg Juzo nudged an extra-fuzzy white goat that stepped in front of him, making its bell to chime. Juzo then lunged at the goat, causing it to scurry away towards the herd. Mr. Bisbon shook his head at Juzo, muttering.
    Walter stopped by Janelle’s fruit wagon and fished two dull glass beads from his gem pouch. They had an indiscernible sliver of diamond within, the lowest denomination of Zoria, often referred to as a common mark. There were also clear, topaz, opal, sapphire, diamond and power-diamond marks in order of increasing value. Power-diamond marks were infused with the essence of fire by the rare money changers who could use the power of the Dragon. A power diamond mark was worth ten thousand common marks. Walter purchased two shiny green apples, tossing one to Juzo, who expertly caught it from the air.
    “Nectar of the Phoenix!” Juzo exclaimed after taking his first bite.
    “You got that right. Let’s go check out what they’ve set up,” said Walter. He motioned towards what would soon become the main attraction for the Festival of Flames. They approached the center of the square, where decorations for the festival became more abundant. Swathes of red and orange cloth mimicking flames adorned shops and hung from signs, creating a stark contrast between the browns, grays and blues of the buildings. Juzo waved at his lithe mother, Mindred, at her fish cart. She was in the midst of wrapping three salted cod in thick, brown paper for a rather portly fellow wearing a green sweater.
    In the center of the square, unlit torches circled a wooden structure at least twenty paces tall. Five carpenters cut, hammered and climbed the structure, massaging the wood into the shape of a large bird. Their sweat glistened brightly in the mid-day sun. The boys admired the structure for a moment, chomping down the last of their apples. Mr. Camfield, Nyset’s father, waved to them from atop the large structure, then resumed affixing