The Orphan Wars (Book One) Read Online Free Page A

Kenneth.  My name is Nemeth.  What are your names?   I'd like to inform Professor Phantas that you're both doing an excellent job guarding the main entrance.  We're very close and he values my opinions greatly.  You might even get promoted when I tell him about the fine job you're doing."
    "I'm Stelios," replied the first guard.   "Once again I'm very sorry."
    " My name is Jaumet," replied the second guard.  "We would appreciate it if you put in a good word for us."
    "These guards are complete idiots," whispered Nemeth to himself.  "I'll inform Professor Phantas for sure.  I'll inform him of how awful of a job they are doing.  They'll be lucky to get a job cleaning the shower rooms in the dorms after this."
    "So I may proceed inside then?" asked Nemeth.
    The guards nodded their heads in agreement and opened the main entrance to the Great Hall of Athos for Nemeth.  Nemeth winked at them and then scurried in through the main entrance.

Chapter Three
     
    Nemeth began to look around the room.  The interior was beautifully decorated with an assortment of valuable paintings and statues.  He noticed that there were large tables in the corner that appeared to have a variety of delicious food on them.  The pleasant smell of the feast filled the air.
    Nemeth made his way over to one of the tables .  He grabbed the first piece of food that he saw.  It was a large roasted turkey leg.  He began to devour the turkey leg when all of a sudden he felt someone tap him on his back.  Nemeth turned around and saw Professor Nomiki.  She was the Defensive Magic professor for third year students.  Nemeth stared at her gaunt face and continued to chomp on the turkey leg.
    "The feast ended about ten minutes ago," said Professor Nomiki.  "The tables are going to be cleaned off momentarily, so no more food for you.  That should teach you a lesson about being tardy.  You're going to have to take your seat now."
    Nemeth walked over to the rows of seats where the other students were already sitting.  Most of them were chatting amongst one another.  Nemeth decided that he should find his friend Bastilone and have a quick chat with him before taking his seat.  Nemeth spotted Bastilone almost instantly.  Bastilone was the tallest and strongest student out of the third year class which made him stand out in the crowd easily.  Nemeth noticed that Bastilone was looking in his direction.  Nemeth signaled with his hands for Bastilone to come over.  Bastilone stood up from his seat and maneuvered his way towards Nemeth.  He accidentally bumped into most of the students sitting down in his row.
    " Hey Nemeth!" exclaimed Bastilone.  "A bit late aren't you?  I thought you weren't going to make it here."
    "Ah, whatever," replied Nemeth.  "All that matters is I'm here though.   How have you been?"
    " I've got some great news!" exclaimed Bastilone.  "I'm ranked number 49 in the class this year!  It feels good to be in the top 50.  But even with that good news in mind, I can't wait until this thing is over with so we can go celebrate at the parties tonight!  Then tomorrow we finally get to go outside the gates go on our class trip!  We get to go to Gunnhild Beach this year for an entire week!  Ah, it's just our luck that us third year students were chosen to have their graduation ceremony on the last day!  The students from every other grade are already outside the gates on their vacations."
    "Hey listen up," whispered Nemeth.  "We need to lower our voices.  I've got some things that are pretty urgent that I need to tell you.  I don't need anyone else hearing what I'm about to tell you.  First of all, congratulations on ranking number 49.  Second of all, I really don't feel like giving this speech.  I guess the sooner I get done with it, the sooner we get to relax.  It's been such a rough year.  I really just want to go back to my dorm room and sleep.  When I'm refreshed enough, I want to finalize my plan to escape from