Brightflame Accension (Book 1) Read Free

the ground, stunned. The troll staggered after the fallen warrior. Two of the fallen man’s comrades stepped in between the troll and their friend. They too were swept aside like leaves in the wind by the monster’s club. Coming to, the stunned man scrambled to his feet unsteadily and tripped, falling to the ground. Spotting the troll’s approach, he scurried across the dirt on his hands and knees.
    The chain tightened around the troll’s neck as it raised the cruel weapon for the final crushing blow, affording the warrior enough time to roll out of the range of the troll’s club and gather his sword and shield. The troll bellowed, furious at being denied its kill. Wrenching the collar off its neck with a large, three-fingered hand, it roared.
    The troll shambled, utilizing its knuckles like an ape, over to the warrior and swept him aside. The resounding crack of bones was heard throughout the arena. The crowd froze. The warrior slumped to the ground, lifeless. His legs stuck out at unnatural angles, and a pool of blood formed around the helmeted head.
    A child in the stands began to cry. The spectators rose as one, and mad rush to escape ensued. Tournament officials jumped from the panicking audience into the rink to subdue the troll. Matthew leapt into the arena to help the officials. Fat Harold tried to drag Elizabeth from the arena but she resisted him and leapt after Matthew onto the sand. Standing at his seat, Will was unable to flee, glued to the spot by an invisible force. The troll screeched as arrows and spears penetrated its tough hide. A sweep of its mighty club sent many armored officials soaring into the sky. The monster turned as a sword was thrust into its thigh. It spotted Will, the only remaining spectator, with its beady, gray eyes.
    Will stood, as if in a trance, looking into the cold eyes of the troll. Finding strength from some treacherous source in its body, the troll broke the ring of officials and charged towards Will. The terrible beast swung the spiked club at Will’s head. Will barely ducked in time to dodge the blow. Will’s eyes widened in fear as he dove out of the way of another swoop of the weapon. The troll snatched Will with its three-fingered hand, holding Will upside-down and raising its club for a killing strike.
    Will shut his eyes and cringed as the troll shuddered. Nothing happened. Will opened his eyes to see his father standing on the troll’s shoulders with his sword hilt-deep in the troll’s neck.
    Old man strength, indeed , flitted the thought through Will’s head.
    The monster stumbled and dropped Will. Hitting the ground, Will saw stars dancing before his eyes. Moaning, he fell into the dark grip of unconsciousness.
    Will opened his eyes slowly. Lying on a cart padded with rough blankets that bumped along behind the horses, Will’s back smarted painfully. Fighting soreness, Will could not bring himself to move his arms for a moment. Attempting to but unable to sit up, Will fell back wincing. He closed his eyes wearily, trying to clear his head. The noise of hooves clopping along on a dirt road filled his ears; each clop was a dagger in his temples.
    Reluctantly, Will opened his eyes again, but the night was dark. Still immobile on his back, he saw nothing but the star-littered sky. As far as he could tell, he was alone with the clopping horses. For lack of better entertainment, Will lay, staring up at a star streaked sky, pondering nothing in particular. When the sky lightened, signaling dawn, Will allowed his eyes to droop and fell into a dreamless sleep.

 
    Initiation
     
    The next time he woke, Will found that he could prop himself up with only minor twangs of pain. Looking around, he recognized his surroundings; Will was in his loft at home. He leaned over the edge of his bed and saw the familiar stone fireplace and walls covered in shields of differing fields and crests. From a seat by the fire, Harold and his thick, bristly moustache were peering at him. Will