The Trinity of Heroes (I Will Protect You Book 1) Read Free

Stands loaded with every good imaginable circled around a garden and common well. The main attraction was the Silver Shield Pub. The largest building in town, outside of Knights Runn Castle, it doubled as both a pub and an inn. The Hailian Knights, visitors and dignitaries from other villages, and citizens all viewed the Silver Shield as a common meeting place. Its emblem served as a beacon to all comers, helping them find their way to a hot meal and hearty beverage.
    “Hello, Lawrence! How are you?!” A strong, boisterous shout rang out over the cacophony of marketplace business and broke Lawrence from his daydream.
    He shook his head and looked around, trying to place the familiar voice. He saw Benni Wakewood eagerly rushing toward him. His shoulder length, sandy brown hair swayed in the wind as he hurried toward Lawrence. Lawrence smiled, nodded in his direction, and waved at his childhood friend.
    “Well Lawrence, today is the day. Aren’t you excited? I can’t believe we can finally sign up to be Knight Guard Recruits. Is Razzius here yet? I hope there isn’t a long line!” Benni’s orange eyes gleamed with excitement. He could hardly get the words out coherently; he was talking so fast in his excitement. He took some deep breaths, trying to regain his composure.
    “No, not yet Benni. Hopefully he’ll get here soon,” Lawrence said tranquilly, trying to calm Benni down a bit.
    Lawrence chuckled a bit inside, knowing his friend would be like this today. It was all Benni ever talked about, his dream, his desire, his one and only goal was to someday be Knight Guard Captain. And that started today, with him becoming a Knight Guard Recruit. Benni was almost seventeen now, he had just missed being able to sign up for the Knight Guard last year. Lawrence could swear that the anticipation of this day over the last few weeks had almost prematurely killed his friend. Lawrence feared that if Razzius didn’t show up soon there was no telling the craze that would overtake Benni.
    Benni paced back and forth, scuffing the street with his boot as he went. His eyes darted about the courtyard, looking for any sign of Razzius’ arrival. He was starting to become a bit upset that he had promised Razzius that they would wait for him and all go sign up for the Knight Guard together.
    After what seemed like an eternity of pacing, Benni’s orange eyes finally lit up. There, way at the opposite end of the courtyard, he had finally spotted Razzius. Though the young man’s head was down, he could tell it was his friend by his trademark shuffling. Razzius always walked that way in public, weight shifting from side to side, hanging just a step behind the group, head down, and hands in his pockets. It was as if Razzius was unsure of his place, and didn’t want to upset the footsteps of those he was with.
    Benni and Lawrence jogged over to greet Razzius. He glanced up at the sound of their boots and smiled timidly.
    “Hello, Razzius, why are you late, everything alright?!” Benni questioned in the same overbearing manner as he wrapped his arm around his friend’s broad shoulders.
    Razzius rubbed the stubble on his chin. “Oh, everything’s fine,” he responded meekly. “I just lost track of time, I guess.” He lowered his eyes and looked down at the ground.
    “Well, let’s hurry; we need to get to the castle! It’s time to sign up!” Benni urged, not really caring that his friend offered such a weak answer to his interrogations.
    Lawrence used to worry about Razzius, but had gradually grown used to his peculiar behavior. He knew that Razzius’ mother, Elena, had died giving birth to him, and that that burden was something that weighed constantly on his friend’s mind. He didn’t know much about his father, only that Wurn Grimm used to be in the Knight Guard. Actually, he had never even been to Razzius’ home. It wasn’t uncommon for Razzius to show up late to an event, and then rush home at an inopportune, seemingly