The Enchanter of Rangel: Child of War Book 1 Read Free Page A

strength it took to wield a sword one handed. Xander had practiced this with either hand since he was young so did not feel the fatigue of many men even those twice his size. The butterfly soon gave way to the dragonfly and after an hour Xander could see many soldiers had left to begin their day. Only the most dedicated soldiers stayed trying to perfect their craft, like Xander seeking solace in its intricacies.
    Many Soldiers saw their commitment as a chore and Xander could see what his mother said was true; many did just enough to get by. This was the only life Xander had ever known and one he excelled at. Xander was taught at a young age all there was to being a Soldier a passion fueled by his mom. He had heard the horror stories of people who were placed directly under the care of some noble do farming or such, many of who used their position as a way to gain permanent slaves or were just drunk with power. Being a soldier meant that the majority of your time was spent around other soldiers, better still after your 24 summers were up if you still wanted to be a soldier you could commission and gain just as much rank as any female.
    Xander finally put his sword away as the morning grew hotter and made his way back inside the gates of Riley.
    “Finally finished eh runt?” Captain Gowan spoke as he approached Xander. Xander liked Cpt Rowan as he was one of the few who were not put off by his birth and appreciated hard work. At 6’5 he was a mountain of a man bigger than any Xander had ever seen with bulky muscles and instead of a normal sword, Gowan’s was at least a foot longer and a whole lot heavier, capable of cutting a sapling in two with a swing from his massive frame. The biggest thing that everyone noticed even more than his size was his long jet black beard speckled with a few specks of gray. Gowan definitely was intimidating to look at and Xander was sure he was hell to fight in battle.
    “Yes Sir, they will be hear any day now to get me and I want to be my best. Leave nothing to chance is what my mom always said.”
    “Aye, Maxine is right. Too bad you never met your Pa, if you had he would be right proud of the way you are turning out. If you were my boy I would be proud, not like the two thunder heads I got at home.” Gowan said while shaking his head.
    “You have kids?”
    “Well don’t sound so surprised that someone once found me handsome. Yeah during my commitment I met a beautiful woman walking the road in the middle of the night. I thought she must be mad, since anyone could have stumbled upon her and took advantage. I offered to walk her home telling her it was not safe and she laughed at me! Imagine that, laughing at me offering her my protection! Ha! She took it anyway and I followed her home not knowing I was talking to a real live witch! She shot fire from her hands to light the lanterns in front of her porch and scared me half to death. Even her slaves started laughing at me as I fell on me backside trying to get away. She was a good soul that invited me in anyway. One thing led to another and I had 20 good years with that woman until the war took her away from me.” Gowan said as he suddenly grew quiet, perhaps remembering his lost love.
    “I’m so sorry Sir, I never knew” were the words out of Max’s mouth before Gowan silenced him.
    “Don’t be lad, I got some good years out of that woman. She even tried to set her slaves free but they refused to leave. Anyway I have two strapping lads and a mighty fine lass that is at the Magorium learnin’ her spells. Back to those thunderheads though, they’re might lucky they received their letter from the Queen. Those two would be in the mines or cleaning waste out of the sewer they would be. Nowhere near as hard working as you are. It would do me well to have one such as you serve under me. I don’t imagine anyone more of a sure bet for the army. That is unless those damn guys from the watch get you or the palace guard.”
    “I never