Wielder's Awakening Read Online Free Page B

We know you better than you think.  That’s why we’ve kept it a secret.  I’ve had the money sent to the school, and they are already expecting you.  We knew that you’d feel guilty, but now you don’t have any choice but to go.  Ah hah, you didn’t think I was that crafty did ya.  Besides, you’ve worked as hard, even harder, than I have.  Half of the money was yours anyway.”
    Traven’s grandfather was grinning satisfactorily, and Traven couldn’t help but feel great as well.  He knew that his grandfather really had outsmarted him this time.  He had no choice but to go to the school.  When he glanced back at his grandfather with a smile on his face, he was surprised to find that his grandfather was no longer grinning.
    “What is it?” Traven inquired slowly.
    “Oh don’t worry.  It’s just that you’re going to have to leave very soon in order to make it to the school in time for the next session.  We waited until now so that you would not have time to worry about it.  I guess I’m just going to miss you.”
    “How soon Pops?” Traven asked anxiously.
    After a pause Traven’s grandfather slowly said, “You’re going to have to leave tomorrow.” 

 
     
    2
     
     
    Traven was awakened by his grandmother before the sun had a chance to peek over the horizon.  It was going to be a long and busy day.  He didn’t think he should have to do so much on his eighteenth birthday.  He should have been able to just sit around and relax.  However, there would be no relaxing today.  By the time he had blinked the sleep away from his eyes, his grandmother already had breakfast ready.  As he wandered into the kitchen, the smell of his favorite breakfast drifted to his nose.  He loved biscuits and mutton gravy for breakfast.  The smell made his stomach rumble.  Maybe today would not be so bad after all.
    Traven settled down at the table with his grandparents and placed two large biscuits on his plate before smothering them in gravy.  He downed them quickly.  After he had put away another helping, he leaned back happily in his chair.  If his unexpected adventure started with such a delectable meal, it must be a good omen.  Maybe his birthday was not such a bad time to embark on a new life.  He started to rise from the table with the thought of changing into clothes for his journey but was stopped by his grandmother.
    “Now Traven, you may be leaving today, but we didn’t forget that it was your birthday.  We did have enough money left over to buy some gifts for you.  Just you wait a minute while I go get them.”
    With that, she quickly disappeared back into her room.  After a few moments she reappeared with two bundles in her arms.  She carefully placed them down on the table directly in front of him.  She also pointed to a large package in the corner of the room with a smile.  Traven could not help being excited with the looks on his grandparents’ faces and the bundles lying in front of him.
    “You can’t just stare at them all day.  Hurry up and open them!”
    Traven didn’t need any further prodding.  He quickly began to unwrap the bundle nearest him.  Out of the package appeared a new black shirt, new black breeches, and knee high black boots with the tops turned down.  But they were not just plain clothes.  The billowing black shirt had silver embroidery along the collar and the cuffs, and the dark breeches had silver embroidery winding its way down the outside of each pant leg.  Even the boots had silver embroidery ringing them.  Traven had never seen such fine clothes in all of his life.  He thought they looked so expensive that he was not sure if he dared to actually wear them.
    “These are for when you need to look really nice while at school.  You will be in a big city, not a little village anymore.  I think that you should be wearing these when you first arrive at the school.  First impressions are very important.  It won’t hurt for people to think