The Last of the Sages (Sage Trilogy, Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

less and less tenants inhabited the residential complexes, resulting in the outer lining of the village being completely composed of condemned homes and beggars of the lowest means. Beggars that strangely stayed away from the eerily quiet castle…
    Supposedly a king and queen lived there, reigning comfortably and dictating everyone’s lives, but James never saw any evidence of this. Whenever he asked a villager about the castle or its royalty, their answers were as vague as a weather report. Yet, it was still an underlying understanding that whoever lived up there was still in charge. James had no opinion in the matter, and as a result he cast the royal family in the same category as the Maker - nowhere to be found. But just as he put on the cross every morning that dangled from his neck, he reluctantly but faithfully followed the decrees and ordinances that were passed upon him. 
    “What do yeh suppose they’re doin now?” Leidy sighed as she began distributing lunch.
    “Who?” Korey asked with little interest.
    “The king and queen.”
    It was a conversation that was often brought up between them but never concluded to anyone’s satisfaction. Still, they each gave their own conjectures as they ate greedily.
    “They probably take a percentage of the people’s hard-earned money,” Korey said through bouts of chewing.
    “If they do,” Leidy interjected, “I haven’t seen any taxman. We must not be that important.”
    Jennings yawned as he reached for another apple.
    “Well, no one’s actually seen the king and queen for years.”
    “So someone’s seen them?” James asked, intrigued.
    “Oh, I’m just speculating. The way everyone’s so silent, I suspect as much.”
    “There may be no one up there at all,” Leidy said. “And we’re all alone, governing ourselves.”
    Leidy – always the realist.
    “That’s scary,” James said.
    “It would explain why no one’s kicked James’s dad off the farm,” Korey guffawed.
    “Just imagine if that castle was empty,” Leidy continued. “Yeh know, we should check it out someday soon. If it’s empty, I’d like ta see if there’s anything valuable inside.”
    “What if someone really is up there? We could be hanged,” Korey said. “No, I’m with James. It’s too scary. I’m sure there’s a reason no one’s talking and it might be best to keep it that way.”
    “I’m not one to stay ignorant forever,” Jennings replied.
    “Curiosity killed the cat.”
    “Yea, but satisfaction brought him back,” Leidy interjected.
    “Where did you hear that ridiculous line?”
    “I think it was on a popsicle stick.”
    “And this is where we get our proverbs and words of wisdom,” Jennings laughed. “Perfect.”
    “Sure ain’t from our parents,” James muttered.
    “So it’s decided,” Leidy said in excitement. “We’ll check out the castle in a couple o days.”
    “Who decided?” Jennings retorted. “You? Leidy, you’re forever deciding things for us to do.”
    “If yeh don’t do as I say, who will get yeh free food?”
    Dead silence.
    “Well played,” Jennings nodded. They all burst out laughing and James patted Leidy on the back. She was taken by surprise so she immediately jerked forward, almost dropping her banana in the fine needle-length grass below. She came up quickly after retrieving it, but her curtain red hair slapped James in the face on the return. He spat in a panic as some flew into his mouth and he threw up his hands to fight off the onslaught. It only got him more entangled.
    “I think that’s the closest thing to a kiss James is ever gonna get,” Jennings laughed. James glared at him and Leidy giggled as she picked strands of hair from his face.
    “Geez, Leidy,” James whined. “It’s like a spider web. When was the last time you washed that thing?”
    “Not trying ta impress no guy, so I figure why bother?”
    “Doesn’t it smell?” Jennings asked.
    “Yes,” James said quickly.
    “Smells natural,” Leidy