The Pass by Zion Kistler (books to read romance TXT) 📖

that they were six inches wide and as tall as the owner. These in particular seemed always to be drawn.
There was no greeting from all of them and Treaf became wary again. He knew that they were not enemies, and decided that they were just wary also, and had every right to be so.
Presently what looked like the head of the group said, “We will now hear from you the contents of your happenings and what has transpired on your journey,” he finished, and Treaf remembered all of the previous times when they had had to relate their journey. To think of doing that again sounded treacherous.
“I will not relate our journey, but only the enemies that have proved fatal to us,” Malock said, and Treaf was surprised at first, but that surprise turned to content. This would be much simpler.
So he began with the Blackwolf Spirits, and how they had attacked them, the Alkerons, and everything that had happened during that time of their travels, and finally after a few minutes he came to the battle in the city if The Jaragon, all the enemies that they had faced, and even the offense strategy that Treaf had come up with. Treaf became particularly happy when he remembered his wonderfully welcome brilliance.
It took quite a long time to explain all the strengths and weaknesses of the spirits and animals, plus the Dark Hoods, and the large creature that had almost broken the gates, plus the Drewmorocks and Grewls that had poured out of the forest, accompanied by the Trial Dogs.
From there since they had not been attacked much, Malock only briefly mentioned the attack of the Blackwolf Spirits. Of course he explained how powerful they had been, and how the maker of them had been present, and that Treaf, (again!) had killed him and hence defeated the enemy.
But, since he had mentioned this last, and Treaf was expecting applause, there came nothing: only dry looks and a few raised eyebrows from everyone present. In fact this stage lasted quite a while.
Until: “Malock Eidfrn, I think that you should allow your party to stay with us for three weeks.” The head-man said, smiling for the first time. Malock, instead of his cold, steady gaze, had shifted from that to a raised eyebrow, as if he was shocked that someone would say such a thing! And to him!
“Why……exactly?” Malock drawled back slowly. The head-man stopped smiling in an instant.
“They need training. If you could hardly defeat an ordinary group of poorly made Spirits, than it has become evident to me that you should hand them over. You will never defeat our enemy if you continue with this.” The room was so silent that Treaf’s ears hurt. It seemed like everyone in the room was shocked, or chose not to speak, and Malock lowered his head in silence. Then he replied, “I have no objection. You are right: maybe I should attain the training as well…?” This time it was funny. Malock had one severely raised eyebrow, and it was very obvious that he was challenging the man. But he did not reply after that, and instead said, “Three weeks. And training will start tomorrow. But Eidfrn, I doubt that you will have to train…you seem quite capable.” Then he was solemn again.
Throughout the rest of the meeting there was not much in particular that happened. They discussed the enemies, different suggestions on defeating Spirits, and even gave the Elder a little help on how to create a spirit. Of course he was not completely sure that he was even going to do this, but all of them decided that it would be best to have as much information as possible.
Nothing much had happened in their city, and there had not been any attacks recently, and they had not heard news from the members that were traveling and fighting certain evils.
I do wonder, though, how many strong they are. If they had a thousand members, and they all fought together, it would be quite a capable army—plus the fact, Treaf had to admit, the Second Society seemed to be quite established fighters.


Chapter Ten
Letin Noedar

After the meeting, which lasted quite a while, they were led by their guards,( Treaf found it very annoying that they were following them everywhere!) to door at the end of the room, and from that they went into the narrow hall that would eventually lead them to the staircase.
After being down in the ground Treaf could not guess what time it was, or even whether it was dark outside, but for some reason he guessed that the council had lasted for quite a while. Perhaps even five hours.
After all he had been very sore when he had gotten out of his seat, for the chairs that they had been forced to sit in were hard, wooden, with poorly designed features which resulted in a neck cramp, plus a back that hurt very bad. There had also been no cushions.
The way back up the large, winding staircase was actually quite dizzying, but it seemed to be shorter and when they had been walking for five minutes they suddenly popped into the room in that large building, and even then Treaf could not tell what time it was, for the building did not have any windows on that floor. Only the large light in the center of the room, which Treaf had noted to be a prominence, (besides the hoods!) in most of the houses.
It was soon, though, that they had made it to the door of the building and emerged to find a completely black night. Strangely, though, there seemed not to be many stars, which Treaf guessed was because there was so much light emanating from across the street.
In a few minutes they had made it to the house that they were staying in, and Treaf just realized how tired he was. And damn and blast, we’re gonna have ta’ train tomorrow! He thought, dreading the idea. But, once he thought about it, curiosity grew in him until he was looking forward to it. He guessed that the Second Society knew magic, and he thought that this was a very good opportunity to learn more and become more powerful. But then he remembered how disdainful they had all been towards them. Pfffft…Treaf thought, I’m so gonna try to beat them so bad they go cryin’ back ta’ mommy! This idea sounded very appealing, but when he remembered the particularly large swords that most of them possessed, he grimaced. I do, however, wonder from whom they were trained…?
In a minute they were in the house, and shortly they had finished the last-minute set up. Then there was silence, and presently the light was blown out and darkness enveloped them.
§
The next sensation that Treaf felt was misery. He was so comfortable, it was dark, and he guessed that it was about five I the morning, but what was that sound…?
In a flash he was up and awake. It turned out that there was not a noise, but he knew that if he let himself drop again he would fall asleep and probably go through the embarrassment of someone waking him up. Then he would be groggy, and even now he did not even want to think about it, so he put on a shirt and strapped his pauldrons, gauntlets and bracers on. His sword was at his hip, and well he had let his bow stay off his back for a change.
Since no one else was up, he stood there for a second and looked around him. There were five floors of the building, if he remembered correctly, and he and all the others were on the fourth. Hmmmmmmm.................Treaf thought, I wonder what is on the fifth floor, though? There was a staircase that led to it, of course, but he decided not to go up it, since then he would probably get in trouble because there was an old hermit living up there and he wanted his peace and quiet.
Sighing, he strode towards the staircase leading down and started the descent. He guessed that, as like the previous city, there would be breakfast nearby, maybe in the same house, but then start tingly he remembered that they had in fact not eaten dinner on the same house the night before. They had eaten in the restaurant across the street.
So he took his time and took into account what all had said in the council. If the Elder would be assisted in making Blackwolf Spirits, well… I have the feeling that we will be able to do it if we have assistance. And if we actually do succeed than we will be able to grow invincible…perhaps. He heard a noise below him, and he decided that it was unimportant, so he ignored it and thought again: And if a start learning magic then we injuries will be a small matter, especially if I grow so powerful that I, or the Elder, could heal others besides ourselves.
In that moment he heard a few rustles above him on the sleeping floor and then there followed a few loud thumps and the cracking and groaning of boards as they all started coming down the stairs. Malock, of course was at the lead, and Treaf looked on at them for a second before turning and smiling. I suspect that we’re gonna start trainin’ pretty soon…and with that he went down the remainder of stairs with his hands in his pockets.
When they had reached the end of the stairs Treaf halted and looked out the window. The total of the Second Society were outside, standing in lines and looking rather important. Treaf grinned.