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

heard of those, are they some kind of elite unit?”
    “Ha, they would like to think so! The city watch basically polices all the big towns keeping the riffraff in line. Way to cushy a life for me though and many of em need knocked down a peg or two. Mostly they spend time taking bribes from whoever is paying the best and abusing their power against anyone who is not on the watch, well except for Soldiers cause we fight back and are better at it. But look at me lumping them together like some highborn. Plenty of them lads do perform the job they were assigned without grumbling, most of em though was like I described from what I met. It’s also up to them to stop highwaymen along the countryside. Then there is the elite of the elite, I was going to try out for em myself until I met my beloved.
    “The Palace Guard sir?”
    “Aye, lad the Guard. They are normally chosen from among the best fighters available in the Queendom. They are chosen from the best the Army, Watch or the Arena has to offer.  You must be proficient with the blade and the bow and to lay your life down for the Royal family. Them lads have it better than anyone, not even the high Witch herself wants to take them lads on, the operate with the authority of the Queen. They serve only 10 years at their post although some are kept on much longer in hopes of being matched with a highborn. Her Majesty the Queen’s late husband was once a palace guard himself, selected by her over the advances of many noble’s sons. That pissed out the lot of them prissy lasses that their poor spoiled offspring was rejected for a commoner! Ha! Anyway that would be the right way to go iffn you want to meet some noble ladies, they are always around the castle gossiping and looking down on any one beneath their station scheming and such. Although I wouldn’t know why a guy would take such a life of being treated second class just so they could marry into money. True the queen might commute your commitment, but whats 24 years compared with the rest of your life? Anyhow, I am sure you will do fine, you know what the trial consist of right?”
    “Yes Sir, my mom made sure I knew what to do. She always told me folks would be quick to judge me by what I look like and who my Ma was instead of seeing what I was capable of first. Show proficiency at the bow, have a basic duel with the recruiter and be able to run a mile or two nonstop.” Xander said proudly as he stuck out his chest a little.
    “That Maxine tells you true about your appearance, I’m sure you heard some of lads saying you are a damn Thornian, ignorant whelps. They do have a point though you sort of look like them in a way, and I doubt many of them no matter what you look like will give the son of a magic user a fair shake. Hell growing up I thought you a bunch of prissies all full of yourselves. Your ma did you a solid raising you out here on the border; you know hard work and can more than handle yourself in a scrap. Still I don’t think I would announce to many that you are the son of a magic user, let ‘em make up their own mind. I mean that as no slight to Maxine in case she hears of our conversation.”
    “My mom isn’t like that Sir, but I will say you are the only one I have ever heard call her by her given name.”
    “Aye, she doesn’t seem one for titles. Plus she owes me one, a big one whether she remembers it or not. It has nothing to do with her banishment here on the border. Your Ma reminds me a lot of my sweetie, real down to earth not flauntin’ her power and such. It would be an insult to her to call her by any other name. Most folks think the females, especially those witches or noble born are all full of themselves. Fact of the matter is everyone gets lonely. And since I am sure not even one other female would ever visit this place, I am sure she misses talking to real people.”
    “Yeah she gets lonely sometimes. I am going to miss her a lot but I don’t think I can keep my mom a secret.