Read The Reluctant Mage: Book One in the Zandar Series for Free Online Page B

supplies. “We couldn’t get horses up here anyway,” his uncle said when Marko asked why they had to walk during the journey.
     
    They spent the whole morning and two phases of the afternoon meandering through the rocky mountainside. As they descended, the scattering of pines turned into a denser forest. They eventually found a small road that wound through the trees. His uncle said that this road had no name but eventually connected to the great coastal road. They travelled for another three marks when his uncle said that they better set up camp.
     
    The two of them pulled the mule several hundred yards from the road until they found a deadfall created by a large oak. As Marko began setting up a lean-to against the tree, he heard the distinctive sound of a sword coming out of a scabbard. Marko twirled around only to see his uncle holding a short sword in his hand.
     
    “Although the coast road is patrolled by Imperial soldiers, there are bandits about. We better be armed from here on out. This sword is not fit for the Emperor but it is serviceable. Consider it a gift from me.”
     
    Marko took the sword reverently. He had never owned a sword. The practice sword he and his father practiced with did not count. This blade only measured two feet in length and had a short guard protecting the handle. The grip was covered in a rough leather wound in wire. Marko noticed that something was scraped off the metal guard. He looked up at his uncle questioningly.
     
    “It is a decommissioned Imperial blade. There used to be an eagle inscribed on there. Most infantry battalions have been issued longer blades. Be proud of holding that m’boy. There is no telling how many Kastav soldiers that sword has struck. The Emperor issues these to civilians who have need of them. You will never see one sold by the Merchant’s Guild.”
     
    They ate a small meal that evening. There was no time to set up traps for small game, so they had to delve into the rations that they took with them.
     
    The next morning they got up at the crack of dawn.  After breaking their fast, they were back on the road quickly. They hoped to reach a small town Marko’s uncle mentioned by that evening. They spent most of the morning discussing what was expected of Marko at the orphanage. As it turns out, the facility was originally established to support boys who had lost their parents. It eventually included those children whose parents could not afford to support their children. This included children of soldiers who were on active duty. The Emperor took over the administration of the school about ten years ago. Its new mission was to train boys (there was another orphanage for girls) for future careers in the Empire. The Empire needed a steady supply of educated young men for the various, low-level positions throughout the country.
     
    Just before nightfall, they saw the stone wall of a small town named Clandar. As they approached, they saw two Imperial guards walk out of a small guard shack at the town gate. Both had beards sprinkled with gray and were well armed. They walked up with a swagger that showed confidence.
     
    “Welcome gentlemen. Please state your business.”
     
    “Professor Berisha from Comte Universite on business with the Empire. This is my nephew Marko.”
     
    “Yes sir.” said the guard in charge. “Have a good evening.” The guards casually walked back to their shack.
     
    After they entered the town, Marko turned to his uncle. “Those guards were very courteous, more so than at my village.”
     
    “Those guards, Marko, knew what they were about. Did you see how old they were? They were close to mandatory retirement. My guess is there were forty years of experience between the two of them.  Before they even spoke to us they both noticed our swords. I am sure they recognized the Imperial pattern. That meant that we were either working for the Emperor or we had stolen them. I guess we did not look very nervous from our