The Guardians: Book One of the Restoration Series Read Free Page A

have gladly sunk through the small holes in the chair if they had been larger.
    The king finally collected himself and spoke again, this time a little more quietly. “All right, I will allow the magi to test you for magical talent. If you have any, I will insist that you become a magician. If you do not have any magical talent, then you will attend the teachers’ academy at Demoreau.”
    “But grandfather, that’s ridic...”
    “Do not talk back to me!” The king snapped, returning to his seat. “Go home, before I really lose my temper.”
    Flare rose and started to step away from the table.
    “Come back tomorrow morning.” The king said quietly, as Flare reached the first step. “I want you to think about our discussion, and be prepared to give a different account of yourself tomorrow. Do you understand?”
    “Yes, grandfather.” Flare said, his eyes on the floor.
    Flare waited just a moment to see if the king would say anything else, but the king just sat there with his hands rubbing his temples. When nothing else was forthcoming, he bolted down the steps and across the courtyard. He had never been completely comfortable around his grandfather, but he had never heard his grandfather raise his voice to a family member before.
    His grandfather had always been fair with him, and Flare felt humiliated about the meeting. He hadn't expected his grandfather to embrace his decision, but he hadn't expected this.
    After leaving the palace gates, he slowed down and headed home. Since his mother was a princess, her estate was only a short distance from the palace. But after his meeting with the king, Flare was in no hurry to get home. He raised his hands and looked at them; they were still shaking from his grandfather's outburst.
    He walked slowly over the cobblestone road, considering his options. When he went back tomorrow, he might be able to talk his grandfather into assigning him to the elven guard at a distant outpost, but that would only confirm everybody’s belief that he was unworthy. He could dutifully accept the king’s decision and become a teacher, but what would happen when Yolstice ascended to the throne? He could also run away, but he doubted that he would make it ten miles before the elven guard overtook him. Perhaps, he thought suddenly, his mother could speak to his grandfather in his behalf. He clung to that hope as he approached his home.
    Princess Aliston's estates were beautiful, truly fitting for a princess. The two story house was made out of the smoothest white marble. A seven foot white brick wall surrounded the residence, more for appearance than protection, since there wasn’t any crime in Solistine. A pebble path went from the gate to the front door. Woods, flowers, and grasses surrounded the house and went to within ten feet of the wall.
    Servants were going about their daily tasks, with a large number of them working on the grounds. As Flare walked up the path, some of the servants spoke to him, some nodded their heads, and some completely ignored him. He hardly even noticed their reactions, as he had grown up being ignored, he didn’t even notice it any more.
    He walked up the stairs and through the door, where he was met by Althos. Althos was the chief servant, and had always been friendly to Flare.
    “Hello, master Flare. I hope everything went okay with your grandfather.”
    “Not quite. Althos, do you know where my mother is?”
    “Of course, sir. She is visiting the lady Octura.” The lady Octura was expecting her first child and Flare's mother was helping her. “She said she would be back shortly before dinner.”
    “Thanks Althos. I’m going to my room. If mother gets back early, please let me know.”
    “Yes sir.”
    Flare climbed the stairs to the second floor and lay down on his bed. With all the decisions that he had to make, the last thing he wanted to do was fall asleep. But after his draining morning, he fell asleep as soon as he lay down.
    Althos woke Flare at dusk,