Secrets and Guardians: Devious Intentions by H. Chambers (summer beach reads txt) 📖

Eldin had waited for this moment and stopped the horses to take in the breath taking views. The deep green forest canopy continued along its western path, undulating over the hills. In the distance the start of the great hills and mountains of Stormway, stretching south as far as the eye could see. The road ahead descended into the spectacular valley with patchwork fields of green, brown, yellow and gold. Small streams meandered, unhurried. Eldin sighed as he looked down at Riftdale. A wall encircled what had become a small town and at its centre the library. It was home to Eldin; it was isolated to Glint.

As Eldin approached he noticed some changes. In the fields in front there were boys, quite a lot of boys appearing to be training in the art of combat. As the wagon came closer he could see the boys doing archery, sword fighting and wrestling. Eldin stopped the horses and looked around, he had left a place of learning and returned to a place of fighting. This would never do, thought Eldin. Why weren't they boys sitting at table copying manuscripts, books or a least learning how to read? Knowledge was the way forward, fighting was the way back.

Reaching the gates he was met by Bowles and Haber. Eldin looked at them both, Bowles was even fatter and Haber even skinnier and still with that long greasy hair 

'Greetings Eldin,' exclaimed Haber.

'Well met,' said Bowles.

'What on earth is going on?' asked Eldin.

'Ah the boys out there are just getting a bit of exercise,' stated Bowles.

'Thomas has been studying the benefits of exercise on brain development and has decided that at least three hours every afternoon must be spent on physical activity,' explained Haber.

'Not us of course,' added Bowles quickly.

'But fighting?' questioned Eldin.

'Ah!' said Haber, 'By incorporating a bit of self-preservation, Thomas believes it will help increase their intelligence'.

Eldin was about to say something uncomplimentary about Thomas's idea but thought better of it. A large explosion caused Eldin and Glint to look to their right. The horses reared up in fright. Bowles and Haber looked at each other.

'Sorry Eldin, we must go and check on Felspar, he has been experimenting with a new powder, unfortunately he keeps blowing things up,' explained Haber.

'Don't worry we keep him well away from the library, sadly though last week he all but destroyed the corn mill,' said Bowles.

'And part of the Brew house,' added Haber.

'Luckily, just damage to the outside of the building,' explained Bowles.

'Yes, that could have been a real disaster,' said Haber.

Eldin looked at the two of them in almost disbelief, what had he returned to?

Bowles and Haber went off to see what Felspar had blown up this time. He had been restricted to a shed in the north corner of the town.

Eldin pulled the wagon in front of the main building, housing the reading room and library and instructed Glint to unload all the boxes of books and take them to Penn, who was in charge of the library. Then see to the horses, then take Eldin's bags to his room, then sort out his own sleeping arrangements, then...

'I'll get something to eat,' cut in Glint before Eldin could go on any more.

'Ah yes,' said Eldin distractedly. 'I must go and see Thomas, most important.'

Eldin hurried off to speak to Thomas, while Glint went into the reading room to find Penn. Glint was surprised at how much smaller the room appeared. It was a very large room but when he had first arrived, having just turned eleven, it had seemed enormous. Looking at the long tables where he had sat, his legs dangling unable to reach the floor, he remembered trying to learn what all those squiggly lines on the pages meant. He had only been here for six months before Eldin had taken him to Landra. A scary journey for one so young, but he was pleased he had gone. He had learned so much more about life than he could have ever done sitting here at these tables with his head stuck in a book. He would be seventeen in a few weeks and standing there, looking around the room he wondered whether he could really spend the rest of his life as a scholar. The longer he stood there the more he wanted to leave.

Penn came in from the library at the back of the reading room. He was tall, slim and carried himself with a calm self-assurance. Always wearing black and nearly always with a book in his hand.

'Can I help you?' he asked obviously not recognising Glint.

'Hello Penn, it’s me, Glint. I've been with Eldin in Landra,' said Glint trying to smile.

Penn looked hard at Glint.

'Well, well, you have grown tall. I remember when you first arrived, such a small lad, cried for a week you did. Now look at you. I hope Eldin did not neglect your education,' said Penn seriously.

'Eldin taught me well. He has asked me to bring you the books, they are in the wagon outside,' said Glint.

Penn's eyes lit up, 'Are there many?' He asked eagerly.

'Yes,' said Glint leaving Penn to get excited over just how many Eldin had brought back.

Penn hurried back into the library and when he returned he was followed by a young man about the same age as Glint. He had fair hair and icy blue eyes, very good looking. His relaxed walk and easy smile made Glint feel decidedly awkward and lanky.

'This is Will, Will this is Glint, help him unload the wagon and bring the books straight to the back of the library,' said Penn.

Will followed Glint out to the wagon.

'That's a lot of boxes,' exclaimed Will when he looked in the wagon. 'Where did you get all these books from?’

'Eldin has been collecting them for the last five years, while we've been in Landra,' replied Glint.

'I didn't know Landra had so many,' said Will.

Glint smiled, 'When we first arrived in Landra, Eldin went down to the docks and told everybody he paid good money for books in any condition,' he said.

Will thought for a moment and then laughed.

'What's so funny?' asked Glint.

'I just had this image of thieves plundering from rich homes and stealing not the gold or silver but the books!' laughed Will still smiling.

It had never occurred to Glint that the books might have been stolen, no, the men had been traders; they bought and sold their goods fairly. But who had they bought all these books from?

'Eldin must have a lot of money,' said Will.

'He was in Landra to teach the Prince and Princess, the position I believe was well paid,' said Glint knowing that Eldin would not have put up with Hylaw unless it had been worth it.

'You met the Princess?' asked Will.

'I was taught with Ami and Hylaw,' said Glint trying to casually impress Will. 'We were good friends.'

Something in the way Glint had said 'good friends' made Will look at Glint.

'Just good friends?' asked Will teasingly.

Glint felt his face flush and turned away.

'Know how you feel, I was sent here by my father last year, fell in love with the wrong girl,' said Will sadly.

'You've only been here a year?' Asked Glint. 'You used to have to be no older than twelve.'

'Yes, Thomas changed the rules, anyone willing to pay, regardless of age, can have their son taught here, didn't you know?' said Will.

'No I didn't, when I came there were quotas, some who paid and were here just for an education and others like me who became apprentices,' explained Glint.

'What was wrong with the girl you fell in love with?' queried Glint.

'Rosie, Rosie was my mother’s maid,' said Will shrugging his shoulders. 'I think my father hopes I will marry Princess Ami,' added Will smiling mischievously at Glint and raising his arms in defence as if expecting Glint to attack him.

'So you are obviously someone important,' said Glint

'I'm not, but my father is Sir Willmott Bernard.'

Glint looked at Will, he had no