Read Raven (Legends Saga Book 2) for Free Online Page B

Edgar did owe her great respect. He was right on track with all his classes, except for mathematics where he was actually a lesson or two ahead. Retrieving his coat from the row of hooks, he prepared to join the other boys for their post-lunch outing to stretch their legs. The heels of his shoes scuffed across the hardwood floor, his hands plunging deep into his pockets. Moving with the crowd toward the door, he kept his gaze cast to the floor. Air, still crisp from the morning rain, swirled around him the moment he stepped into the yard.
    Many a time Edgar had stared out his bedroom at the orchard next door and tried to picture what an actual schoolyard would look like. The reality did not disappoint. Under the canopy of a towering oak, a group of boys engaged in a lively debate over a leather bound text. At the picnic table beside them, another group set up dominos in a path that led across the table, down to the bench, and ended with a spiral on the ground. In the center of it all sat the field where a dozen or so lads retrieved cricket equipment from a storage closet and assigned themselves positions for a game. Unsure of where he fit in any of this, Edgar skimmed along the brown stone school. The rough brick snagged his wool jacket as he slid down the wall to watch their game.
    “Ayo, ayo, chaps! It looks like we ‘ave a new bilge rat in our galley!” A hefty lad with a shock of red hair and forest of freckles flung his cricket bat over his shoulder, shooting a grin to Edgar.
    More than anything, Edgar wanted to acknowledge the boy’s greeting. Unfortunately, his own painful anxiety allowed him little more than a forced glance, before returning his stare to the top of his shoes.
    It was a rodent -faced boy with a crooked smile that came to his aid. “D-d-don’t mind H-h-Harold,” he stammered. “H-h-he learned of the East India Company hiring C-c-Captain Kidd to combat p-p-piracy in history class t-t-today and n-n-now wants to be just like him.”
    “Not just like him,” Edgar softly advised, brushing the dirt from the tips of his shoes. “He was later tried for treason and hanged.”
    “Blimey,” Harold’s face fell, his bat wielding arm dropping limp at his side. “We didn’t get that far in the lesson yet.”
    A plain looking boy with sandy-brown hair hanging in his eyes flung an arm around Harold’s broad shoulders. “You cannot let that bit of trivia stop you! Your frame could use a bit of stretching!”
    Harold used excessive force to shove the boy away, sending him stumbling back three paces. “To bowler’s position with you! If you want to have time for a game at all!”
    “I’m Douglas b -b-by the way,” the boy with the lopsided grin announced, jabbing a thumb over his shoulder at the other players taking their position. “D-d-do you play?”
    Edgar gnawed on his lower lip, his own inadequacy growing into a ravenous monster that threatened to swallow him whole. “I know the theory behind it. That the bowler bowls to the batsman, who then attempts to score runs. Unfortunately, I have never had the opportunity to play … or even watch a game for that matter.”
    Douglas nodded as if he understood Edgar’s very plight. “Watch a g-g-game or two. S-s-soon as you are ready, you can p-p-play substitute.”
    With an eager nod, Edgar settled back on his heels to watch as the game began. The blond fellow, referred to as Anderson by the other players, seemed quite the bowler. The majority of batters swung and missed at each of his powerful throws. All took turns taunting each other’s failed attempts at bat, yet none seemed up to the task of besting Anderson.
    Until Harold stepped up.
    Ball and bat met in a clap of thunder, wood splintering at the impact. The bat snapped in two, the ball shooting out long behind the hefty redhead.
    “What should we call that play?” Harold bellowed, leading the boys in a rousing chorus of laughter.
    “Land a second one, Harry, and we can name it after