The Blade Heir (Book 1) Read Online Free Page A
Author: Daniel Adorno
bow is the heart of an elf on the battlefield, and a Protector of the Great Tree is required to wield it proficiently. The bow always precedes the sword. After a brief rest, you will all compete, and we shall determine who will join Siegfried, Mora, and Isis in the ranks of the elite."
Quetulya signaled to Athri and Kiret. The two Protectors dismissed the competitors for a short time. The elves dispersed, talking among themselves and their family clans who stood watching a few feet behind the green seal. Lucius walked up to Siegfried and patted him on the back.
"Well done, brother. It is quite an honor, and I see no elf more worthy of it than you."
Siegfried nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Lucius. But I have yet to bear the armor of Breninmaur ."
"I have no doubt you will after this next contest," Lucius admitted.
"Have you not seen what is happening here, Lucius?" Siegfried's tone grew serious. Lucius looked at him quizzically. "Isis was chosen over you."
"So? What of it?"
"Isis is Quetulya's daughter, Lucius. She suffered a quicker defeat than you."
Lucius followed his logic. "You're suggesting the Council was biased in their ruling?"
"Yes. You fought more valiantly than she did. Go present the matter to our Father, or Quetulya himself. The honor is rightfully yours," Siegfried persuaded.
"No, Siegfried, I don't wish to get involved in the Cyngorell 's decision. It's not my place ... I am not even of elven blood." His voice trailed off.
Siegfried shook his head and walked toward the dais where the councilors were chatting and laughing. Lucius realized what his brother planned to do and he reached out to stop him, but it was too late. Siegfried called to his father.
Helmer abruptly stopped his conversation with one of the councilors and turned to his son. Quetulya, who had been writing on a piece of parchment, looked up at the fair-skinned elf.
"I do not agree with the Cyngorell 's decision," Siegfried said, eliciting a few gasps from those nearby.
"Why not, my son?" Helmer asked.
"Father, it is clear to me that I should be honored by this Council for worthy display of skill with a D'aryan blade and the defeat of a Protector. But it is unclear why Lucius, who displayed the same skill and valor as I, should not also be bestowed this honor."
Before Helmer could answer, Quetulya interrupted, "young Silverhart, it is not your place to question the rulings of this Council. We alone will judge who is worthy of recognition for such a prestigious honor as that of a Protector of the Great Tree."
"As a descendant of the great sage Ellyllei of the ancestral line of Silverhart and heir to my father's seat in the Cyngorell , I have every right to question your ruling, Quetulya Elvinstar," Siegfried challenged.
Quetulya stood from his seat and turned to Helmer. "Is this the manner of respect you have taught your son, Helmer?"
"Siegfried speaks for himself, Quetulya. He is not a child anymore. The decision has been challenged. Now what does the Grand Councilor suggest?" Helmer retorted.
Quetulya clenched his jaw. "The decision to honor Siegfried, Mora, and Isis was fair—"
"Fair?" Siegfried interrupted. "How fair was it that your daughter, Councilor, should gain honor when she was defeated quicker than any other elf who faced Kiret? Surely, if she is worthy of the Protector's armor, then so is my brother."
"Enough!" Quetulya snapped. "One more insolent word from you, Siegfried, and your honor shall be stripped of you."
Lucius swallowed hard and put his hand on Siegfried's shoulder, pleading for him to stop. But he did not.
"There is no need, Quetulya. I forfeit my honor since you have chosen to withhold my brother's."
The faces among the crowd of elves who had formed behind them looked on, aghast at Siegfried's words. Lucius couldn't believe what his brother had just done.
"Very well, Siegfried," Quetulya said with noticeable satisfaction in his tone. "You will no longer be considered for the role of
Quetulya signaled to Athri and Kiret. The two Protectors dismissed the competitors for a short time. The elves dispersed, talking among themselves and their family clans who stood watching a few feet behind the green seal. Lucius walked up to Siegfried and patted him on the back.
"Well done, brother. It is quite an honor, and I see no elf more worthy of it than you."
Siegfried nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Lucius. But I have yet to bear the armor of Breninmaur ."
"I have no doubt you will after this next contest," Lucius admitted.
"Have you not seen what is happening here, Lucius?" Siegfried's tone grew serious. Lucius looked at him quizzically. "Isis was chosen over you."
"So? What of it?"
"Isis is Quetulya's daughter, Lucius. She suffered a quicker defeat than you."
Lucius followed his logic. "You're suggesting the Council was biased in their ruling?"
"Yes. You fought more valiantly than she did. Go present the matter to our Father, or Quetulya himself. The honor is rightfully yours," Siegfried persuaded.
"No, Siegfried, I don't wish to get involved in the Cyngorell 's decision. It's not my place ... I am not even of elven blood." His voice trailed off.
Siegfried shook his head and walked toward the dais where the councilors were chatting and laughing. Lucius realized what his brother planned to do and he reached out to stop him, but it was too late. Siegfried called to his father.
Helmer abruptly stopped his conversation with one of the councilors and turned to his son. Quetulya, who had been writing on a piece of parchment, looked up at the fair-skinned elf.
"I do not agree with the Cyngorell 's decision," Siegfried said, eliciting a few gasps from those nearby.
"Why not, my son?" Helmer asked.
"Father, it is clear to me that I should be honored by this Council for worthy display of skill with a D'aryan blade and the defeat of a Protector. But it is unclear why Lucius, who displayed the same skill and valor as I, should not also be bestowed this honor."
Before Helmer could answer, Quetulya interrupted, "young Silverhart, it is not your place to question the rulings of this Council. We alone will judge who is worthy of recognition for such a prestigious honor as that of a Protector of the Great Tree."
"As a descendant of the great sage Ellyllei of the ancestral line of Silverhart and heir to my father's seat in the Cyngorell , I have every right to question your ruling, Quetulya Elvinstar," Siegfried challenged.
Quetulya stood from his seat and turned to Helmer. "Is this the manner of respect you have taught your son, Helmer?"
"Siegfried speaks for himself, Quetulya. He is not a child anymore. The decision has been challenged. Now what does the Grand Councilor suggest?" Helmer retorted.
Quetulya clenched his jaw. "The decision to honor Siegfried, Mora, and Isis was fair—"
"Fair?" Siegfried interrupted. "How fair was it that your daughter, Councilor, should gain honor when she was defeated quicker than any other elf who faced Kiret? Surely, if she is worthy of the Protector's armor, then so is my brother."
"Enough!" Quetulya snapped. "One more insolent word from you, Siegfried, and your honor shall be stripped of you."
Lucius swallowed hard and put his hand on Siegfried's shoulder, pleading for him to stop. But he did not.
"There is no need, Quetulya. I forfeit my honor since you have chosen to withhold my brother's."
The faces among the crowd of elves who had formed behind them looked on, aghast at Siegfried's words. Lucius couldn't believe what his brother had just done.
"Very well, Siegfried," Quetulya said with noticeable satisfaction in his tone. "You will no longer be considered for the role of
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