Read Once We Were Kings (Young Adult Fantasy) (The Sojourner Saga) for Free Online Page B

Corigan had finally brought an end and along with it, "The Age of Inscience."
    Edwyn sniffed with disdain as the children ravaged their meals like a pack of famished dogs.  None of them displayed the slightest modicum of civility.  This, and no doubt many other things, would have to be taught.
    Amongst this last litter—orphans, alleged Sojourner children and slaves—was to be his class of pupils.  The boy called Render and his friends already seemed troublesome.  According to the registration records, Render's former master Bobbington had kept, the lad might have been a child of Sojourner parents who had died in a preemptive raid on insurgent soil.
    The very thought brought a sharp twinge between Edwyn's ribs.  He was only slightly older than Render when his own parents had died because of Sojourner superstition.  Consequently, Edwyn had become an orphan. 
    So, as was the case for these children slopping down their fine breakfast like pigs at a trough, Edwyn had been brought up a ward of the King.
    A disguised blessing, perhaps.
    Lady Volfoncé continued to lecture the children on their assignments, while Edwyn and the other mentors stood by the walls observing their new charges.  Scarcely a child lifted his head when their name was called and matched with their tutor.
    But Render did. 
    Though his older brother and two young friends continued eating with their bare hands in spite of the proper utensils within easy reach, Render stopped and attended when Volfoncé called.
    "Render, Stewan and Folen of lower Talen Wood," she announced.  "You shall henceforth submit to the care and authority of Sir Edwyn.  Your tutor."
    Render stood up. "What about my brother?"
    "Shut up!" Kaine hissed, and pulled him back down to the bench.
    Volfoncé smiled.  "As Master Kaine is the only one of this class near the age of cultivation, he shall be under the tutelage of The Lord Mooregaard." 
    Across the courtyard, the wickedly handsome Don raised a black-gloved hand ever so slightly and half turned it, indicating his presence to his sole pupil.  He then turned and bowed to Lady Volfoncé.  As he straightened up, from behind his dark goat-like mustache and beard, a smile whiter than snow emerged. 
    Never one to admit it, Edwyn had always envied Mooregaard's status as a knight of the Order of the Scarlet Pendragon.  What was it about him?  His sword, his chainmail, his commanding stature?
    Inclining her head in response, Lady Volfoncé continued with the introductions.  Edwyn stood patiently awaiting his trio of students.  This time, he thought, for once in my seven years as a royal tutor, please let them be different.  Not just sheep incapable of independent thought.
    By the time Volfoncé finished the introductions and all thirty-one students had been matched with their tutors, she clasped her hands together and said, "Now then.  Any questions?"
    "Yes, Milady." A girl at the far end of the courtyard stood.  She may have been about nine or ten years old and didn't notice that she had put her splendid red gown on backwards.
    Volfoncé covered her mouth to suppress a laugh.  "Yes, dearest."
    "Besides mathematics, astronomy, literature and physi...phizzi.."
    "Physical Sciences, precious one," Volfoncé assisted, endearment beaming from her countenance, "among other disciplines."
    "Yes, physical sciences.  Aside from those, will we be taught....uhm...Oh, bother, what is it called...?  Oh yes!  Will we be taught magic?"
    Volfoncé retained her smile, but her eyes dimmed under arched brows.  She stood silent for a moment.  The backwards dressed girl blanched and sat right down with a wordless apology on her face.
    "If by magic," Volfoncé said, low and foreboding, "you mean, illusionism, and sleight of hand, as performed by court entertainers, you've clearly misunderstood the elevation of your station."
    "I'm sorry, ma'am," said the girl, "I... I just meant—"
    "There is no other kind of... of... magic!" Volfoncé