Wielder's Rising Read Free

searching for more ancient writings and artifacts.  Regardless of Studell’s true intentions, the High King had granted the professor’s request and sent a letter to Traven informing him that his assignment would be to accompany the professor to Faldor’s Keep instead of marching with the Royal Army to Candus.
    He supposed he should be excited to see something new and have more adventure.  But after his last experience with adventure, he wasn’t sure if he wanted any more of it so soon.  He hoped the trip to Faldor’s Keep wouldn’t be too eventful.  With any luck they would quickly find whatever Studell was looking for.  Then he could catch up with the army in Candus before the battle began.
    Traven finished getting dressed in a new set of his black clothes that the royal tailor had made for him.  He then buckled on his belt and grabbed the bundle at the base of the wardrobe.  It contained the golden chest, which had the two might stones and some of the jewelry still inside.  The day before, he had sent a couple of pieces of jewelry to be delivered to his grandparents.  He had also written a letter describing his current circumstances and mission.  He wondered how they’d react to the gifts and news.  No doubt they would be surprised.  He smiled at the thought of what they might say when they received his package.
    He turned his thoughts back to the golden chest.  He had wanted to leave it in the palace.  It would be hard to travel with and could attract unwanted attention.  He had originally only planned on bringing the chest’s contents.  However, Studell had been adamant that he bring the actual chest.  Traven hoped that he would be able to find out what the might stones were for while they journeyed.  The extra jewels he could sell if he ever ran out of money, but he doubted that would happen.  He had plenty of gold tallies.  Professor Studell had already taken possession of the scroll.
    After gathering all of his things, Traven left the palace room and headed down to the stables.  He found Pennon already saddled and ready for the journey.  He slipped his bundles into Pennon’s saddlebags and pulled himself up with some effort.  It amazed him how weak he still was after having rested for a whole week in the palace.  He thanked the stable hand who had prepared Pennon and headed out of the stables, through the palace gate, and into the great square.  He turned around for one last look at the Grand Palace of Kalia.  It was still as awe inspiring as it had been the first time he had seen it.
    He had never imagined when he first arrived in Calyn that he would see the inside of it and had never dreamed that he would actually be a guest in it.  He sighed as he turned his back to the grand palace and nudged Pennon forward.  He would never be welcomed back into the palace as a common soldier.  He didn’t expect to be.  He knew that his place was not in the palace.  Nonetheless, it had been an incredible experience to be there for the past week.  Traven tried to put thoughts of the palace and the princess behind him as his horse trotted towards the docks.  He knew that the ship would be leaving soon, and he didn’t want to be late.
    His senses were assaulted with new sights and smells as he made his way out of the city and onto the docks.  Huge boats lay anchored in the harbor, towering above him.  He had never seen boats so large.  Despite their size, the open ocean behind dwarfed them.  The scent of the docks was far from pleasant.  It smelled of rotten fish and salt water.  He watched as men from different lands moved around busily.  After asking a few different people which ship was the Arrow, a dockhand directed him to where it was anchored.
    Traven slid down from Pennon and led him towards the large ship.  There were many ships that were larger, but the Arrow was still bigger than half of those in the port.  He looked the large vessel up and down.  It was narrow with a