The Seer And The Sword Read Online Free Page A

someone near his size and fought with a variety of weapons. When they had done seltec for a few weeks in practice, the final championships would be public games, with crowds gathered to watch. Those who excelled in any field would receive the most comprehensive training – they would become members of Archeld’s warrior elite.
    Today they were practising hand-to-hand combat. Torina saw Zeon best another boy and strut to thesidelines. She picked out Landen, off to one side, away from the clot of boys and young men. The trainer called out two names, and Eric and Beron came to the centre.
    Torina was fond of Eric and disliked Beron, a large young man who often used his size to bully the younger children. She watched avidly as the boys circled each other, throwing punches. They seemed well matched, and neither could land a hit. Then Beron said something. Eric looked behind him. Beron’s fist was swift and vicious. Eric spun round and lunged for Beron, catching him a blow that sent Beron to his knees. Eric followed up with a brutal chop to the back. Emid pushed in to declare Eric the victor.
    Torina squealed with satisfaction. Feeling a light weight on her shoulder, she turned to see Ancilla’s hand. Impulsively, she pulled her grandmother to the stairway from the courtyard that led to the practice field.
    When the field was in close view, they could see Landen and Jelton fighting. Landen was easily beaten.
    ‘Gramere, he’s a prince! He should be best of all,’ Torina protested, not happy to see Landen thrown in the dust.
    ‘Ah, child, war was never something King Veldon planned for his son. Landen was raised to be a fair man and a gentle-minded king.’
    ‘But everyone knows kings have to fight if they want to keep their lands.’
    ‘Not everyone.’
    The combat test closed. Emid gave the call for archery. The old queen and young princess sat ona nearby boulder as the boys took turns aiming for a target thirty yards away.
    Torina watched anxiously as Landen took his place. It seemed to her he was as bruised as when he arrived. Yes, those were fresh marks on his face and arms. When he stepped up to shoot, scattered gibes were heard. No one spoke up for him.
    Each boy was allowed four arrows. As Landen lifted the bow and pulled it taut, Torina called out, ‘Hit the centre!’
    Landen glanced at her and released the arrow. It went wide, grazing the outer rim of the target. Jeers sounded as he fitted another arrow. He shot quickly. The shaft lodged in the bull’s-eye. The shouting died away as Landen repeated this feat twice more. A few boys grinned. Most stared open-mouthed. Torina tried to smile at Landen but he didn’t look her way as he walked to the sidelines.
    Clearly, there had been one art of war Veldon’s son had been trained to do well.
    The older boys shot, and though some surpassed Landen because his first arrow counted, none but Beron were better archers.
    Emid ordered regular target practice. Six lines of boys ranged in front of straw-backed targets. Torina had often watched archery from the courtyard, but never this near. She hurried to Emid.
    ‘I want to learn to shoot a bow.’
    Emid met Ancilla’s gaze. The old queen shrugged.
    ‘Zeon, let the princess have your bow. You shot well today. Teach her how to pull a bowstring.’
    Zeon, puffed with pride, demonstrated. Torina tried the bow and found it awkward. The string was tight, hard to pull. The arrow landed two feet to the left of her target. She fitted another shaft and this time the arrow fell to the other side. As she reached for another arrow, the bow was seized from her hand. Turning, she saw her father. His colour was high. Green eyes blazed.
    ‘Papa,’ she faltered.
    ‘A practice field is no place for a princess.’
    She wanted to tell him she could shoot as well as any of them if he would let her practise. Wanted to yell out loud that, because of men like him, she must learn to defend her kingdom.
    ‘Leave at once.’ His tone left no