Read Champion for Free Online

even when his own father had disowned him. They had been very close. As a child Ganry had spent most of his time with his uncle. It was he who had taught him to ride a horse and become a master of the sword, his own father far too busy running his own lands and border army.
    Ludas de Rosenthorn was a tall slender man, much as all the de Rosenthorn males were. Their family were originally migrants, seeking refuge from a war torn country known as Francestra. They had made their home on the borders of Mirnee, and grateful for the protection that the country offered them, they helped to guard the borders. This was now what they were mostly known as, “Guardians of the Borders.” His father owned a large private army called the “Rosenthorn Defenders,” but still swore loyalty to the Emperor. They guarded the borders from a hostile Francestra.
    “Now, I have you, you need not think I’m letting you lose contact again. Last I heard you had made a name for yourself, protecting the Queen of Palara? Is this still your role?” his uncle asked.
    “Indeed,” Ganry replied. “I am here on my Queen’s affairs. It seems that Mirnee are overstepping their territorial grounds on our borders. It is my hope to have an appointment with the Emperor to find out what he seeks to gain with this aggressive move.”
    “Many things have changed in recent years, Ganry, and I will update you, but only over dinner. We will have a feast to welcome you back into your family. Your father has missed you greatly,” Ludas announced, which came as a surprise to Ganry.
    “I cannot think why, uncle. He disinherited me. Thought me an embarrassment to his lineage. I will not be seeking his company,” Ganry said, a scowl on his brow.
    “No matter, all that can wait for a later day.” His uncle smiled. “Come, Berne has already set the kitchen staff in motion. While will eat we can discuss the politics of Mirnee. I insist that we enjoy some fine wine brought in from Francestra, would you believe. What do you say?”
    “Uncle, you always had an answer for everything, forever the diplomat,” Ganry smiled back, following his uncle to the dining area.
    Artas walked up to talk quietly in Ganry’s ear. “You never told me we were to stay with your relatives. I might finally find out about the life of the mysterious Ganry. Is this wise?”
    Ganry patted Artas on the back, “My friend, I have no secrets. I just do not openly share my privacy. I have nothing to hide. All you learn you are welcome to know.”
    Already there was a spread of good food on a long table that sat low to the floor. They took their seats on large cushions. It seemed in this house at least, chairs were not a common furniture item. This was a new kind of dining for Artas. Although he had a plate in his place, he had no cutlery. Just as he turned to Ganry to ask about his utensils, he noted that his friend was using two long, thin sticks to eat his food.
    Ganry noticed Artas’s puzzled look.
    “Can we arrange for some cutlery for my young friend here?” Ganry asked one of the servants.
    Soon, Artas was armed with fork, knife and a large spoon. He quickly dug into the feast, forgetting all about his problems as he began to fill his empty, rumbling stomach.
    “What are those sticks you eat with, Ganry?” Artas asked, his mouth full of a delicious, spicy meat.
    “You will learn how to use them soon enough.”
    “I thought you said this food would be too spicy, it’s delicious,” Artas said, now moving on to another meat and popping it straight into his mouth.
    “Artas, do not…” Ganry wanted to warn him that was a spicy hot dish, but it was too late.
    Artas was chewing and suddenly stopped, his eyes opening wide and tears streaming down his cheeks. He promptly swallowed the contents in his mouth and rushed for his glass of water, coughing in the process.
    “You must introduce yourself gradually, Artas,” Ganry laughed at his predicament. “These are not flavors you are