Read Order of The Rose: Forsaken Petal for Free Online

of the room that looked as if it could fit an entire tree. John headed across the room and pushed a red velvet curtain aside that went from ceiling to floor.
    John opened a door that was hidden behind the curtain. Tom passed through the door and it closed on its own with a thud. Tom was surprised to be outside. Two guards stood on either side. Tom and John’s feet crunched on the graveled courtyard as they walked toward a building as big as the one they had just left.
    John pointed at the building. “This is the dorms, you will not be allowed into the main home again unless specifically invited.”
    They passed two more guards standing by the entrance to the dorm. John opened the door between the two guards. “I will take you to the supply room and then to your room. Watch where we go and how we get there, you need to learn to find your way on your own.”
    Many boys were lounging around in the room that the door opened into. Tom guessed that it must be a common room. Some of the boys were playing board games others were talking and some were reading. There were several doors that led off in different directions and some stairs going up. John started for the door that went to the right. There was a short hallway that led to a counter. Above the counter was a sign that read “Supplies.”
    John reached the counter and said, “Hi Sam, we have a new kid that just arrived today.”
    Sam was behind the counter. “That’s the third one this week, why you guys bringing so many in lately?”
    “I’m not sure, to tell you the truth but if I did I probably wouldn’t be able to tell you anyway,” John said with a smile.
    Sam was a big man with an even bigger waist. He had a beard that went to the middle of his chest that was neatly braided into two parts. His hair was black but Tom could see the grey starting to come in. He wore a loose fitting shirt that was tucked into jeans that were held up by a thick black belt.
    Sam studied Tom for about two minutes, turned and walked toward some shelves. He looked at several tags that were on bags and finding the one that he liked, grabbed it. Sam put the bag on the counter. He pulled out a clipboard and wrote down the numbers that were on the tag. Handing the pen to Tom, he said, “Sign here, son.”
    Sam patted the bag. “This is not your stuff, it belongs to me. If there is a problem report it as soon as possible. As you grow you must return the contents to get it traded for a larger set.”
    Sam’s voice was kind but firm and Tom felt safe around the older man.
    “Do you have any questions?” Sam asked.
    Tom signed the clipboard and grabbed the bag. “No, sir.” He grunted as he lifted it off the counter and onto his shoulder. What’s in this ?
    Sam snorted. “Looks like you need to spend more time lifting swords and less time studying books.”
    John winked and Tom smiled back at the older man. Tom felt like he belonged somewhere for the first time in a long time.
    Sam turned to check on his inventory. “Tom, keep your nose clean and listen to your roomy. He’ll keep you out of trouble.”
    “Thank you sir,” Tom said as he turned to follow John.
    “ See ya around,” John said.
    John turned and waved for Tom to follow. He headed up the stairs taking them two at a time as Tom struggled up the stairs. When Tom got to the top of the stairs he saw John heading to the fifth door on the right.
    John knocked and then opened the door without waiting for a reply. “Cody, we have your new roommate.”
    “ It’s about time, what took so long? After my last roommate left I’ve been stuck alone for nearly two weeks.”
    Tom looked past John and saw an average sized kid with a muscular build that reminded him a little of Jacob. He cringed at the thought, but when he saw Cody smile he knew that he could never be the same.
    Cody pushed past John and stuck his hand out. “Hi there, I’m Cody, your new roomy. How do you like the place?”
    Tom swallowed as he nervously wiped his