So we are on the last chapter of the four fallen till their all together. After this chapter it will be much easier for me to write and will be funnier. Hope you like this one!
"I'm so full," Rollan said as they all made their way to Meilin's room. "Rollan," Abeke said "You ate WAY too much." "Yeah." Conor said "Like you were going into hibernation, too much." He burped loudly. "Sorry"
When they arrived they all sat down as Meilin grabbed the book. "Ok" she said "Who's next?" "Well," Abeke said "Since Rollan's chapter is next, I'll go"
Meilin handed the book to Abeke. She opened the book to the next chapter and started reading.
Essix. Rollan lo…
"Wait," Conor said "What about Olvan and Lenori?" "Oh yeah right" Abeke said "Forgot about them"
They sat and waited for Olvan and Lenori. About five minutes later, they walked into the room and sat down.
"So," Olvan said "You tried to read without us?" "Accidentally" Abeke said "Accidentally" "Sure"
"Ok, Now I will start."
Essix. Rollan loitered on the corner by the apothecary, keeping his back to the store.
"Why?" Meilin asked "Because you were planning to steal, thief?" "Noo" Rollan said guiltily
Down the cobbled street, between buildings with thick plaster walls and rounded facades, Smarty and Red were looking his way. Rollan tried to convey with eyes that they shouldn't draw attention to him. They got the message and faced elsewhere.
"Smarty and Red?" Conor said "Are those nicknames?" "Yes," Rollan answered "And I'm the only one who doesn't have one."
An orphan since age five, Rollan knew that stealing was part of survival. Even so, he avoided it whenever possible. He had no problem claiming leftovers, since the owners were done with them. People with money abandoned all sorts of things. Rollan had found clever ways to lay claim to unfinished meals and discarded clothing.
"Hey" Abeke said, looking up. Wouldn't our spirit animals want to listen?"
They nodded and everyone, except for Meilin and Olvan, released their animals
That was salvaging, not thievery. But his current problem would not be solved through scrounging. There was no such thing as leftover willow extract. It was too valuable. He and the boys used to have some, thanks to Hands, but they had run out. And now Digger had a terrible fever. They had wasted the precious medicine on less serious sickness. Had they known this was coming, they would have saved some, but it was too late. They wouldn't be in this mess if Hands hadn't gotten arrested.
"It was good you got into the mess" Conor said "Or you would have never summoned Essix and met us." "Yeah, you're right." Rollan said
The boy had a gift for pilfering, and life had been much more comfortable with him around. But Hands got greedy and started going after real values. The militia caught him and locked him up. Rollan glanced over his shoulder at the apothecary. As with many businesses in town, a banner emblazoned with Essix the Falcon,
Essix screeched when she heard her name
Patron beast of Amaya, hung over the entrance. Digger really needed help. He was burning up, and it kept getting worse. Without medicine, he could die. Folding his arms, Rollan scowled at the ground. He didn't like to steal, but it wasn't out of deep respect for the law. Many of the profiteers in Concora made their fortunes on the backs of the poor, taking everything they could from the people who had almost nothing, and the laws protected that system. Stealing was just too risky. When kids got caught taking even the smallest thing, the penalties were harsh, especially as you got older. Plus he had his honor.
"We already know" Meilin said "Don't steal from the poor, never from the sick, and never if there's a better way." "We don't need a lesson on how to steal," Meilin mimicked. "Hey It's more important you get a lesson on how to steal than a lesson on how to put on makeup" Rollan said "No one here wears makeup except for you!" "I wear it sometimes" Lenori said
His own version of it anyway-never to take from the poor, never from the sick or infer, and always to try other alternatives first. The other boys teased Rollan for his reluctance to pinch things. They had tried to nickname him Justice, but he had forcefully declined.
"Wait" Conor interrupted "If they did nickname you would we have to call you Justice or just plain Rollan?" "I dunno" Rollan said
Actually, he had dodged all of their attempted nicknames, which was why he was the only guy in the group without one. No matter how he looked at it, stealing from the apothecary would be difficult. The owner had an unfriendly reputation. His employees were vigilant, and they turned troublemakers over to the militia.
"Like you" Meilin said
Rolan had warned the others not to go after the extract. Hands could have managed it, but nobody else had a fraction of his skill. Rolan wasn't above asking for help. Begging had been good to him. Certain bakeries and inns didn't mind handing over stale bread or unwanted food. But times were hard and getting harder. Amaya was a young continent, much of it still untamed, and even in a big town like Concorba, if a harvest went poorly or if pirates harassed the importers, pretty soon everyone felt the squeeze. Those at the bottom of the pecking order felt it the worst. There wasn't time to beg for enough money to buy the extract. Rolan decided he would swipe it if he could-after all, the life of a friend outweighed some rule. But after casing the store, he didn't think success was possible . should he try anyway? Rollan asked for help from everywhere that made sense. Except at the apothecary.
"Everything seems to go much smoother when Rollan DOESN'T talk" Meilin said smiling
"Oh," Rollan said "You want me to talk?" Abeke continued before they started an argument
Unlikely as that option seemed, it might be more fruitful than the alternative. Steeling himself, he went inside. The owner, Eloy Valdez, stood behind the counter in a white apron. He had bushy gray sideburns and a receding hairline. His eyes locked on Rolan, who always drew attention when he entered a business. Even in his best clothes, he was too young and scruffy.
"But still handsome" Rollan stated "Handsome on the outside or inside?" Meilin asked, "Both looking past the scruffy and dirty part on the outside." Rollan answered "If you mean your personality for the inside, think again." Meilin said "Your jokes and annoyingness are far from handsome." "My personality is fine, my Lady Panda." Rollan said "Call my Lady Panda again" Meilin said holding up her fist and NOTHING about you will be handsome." Rollan scooched closer to Olvan.
Rollan walked directly to the owner. "Good afternoon, Mr. Valdez." Rollan tried on his brightest smile. He knew beneath the grime he was a handsome kid,
"See, told you." Rollan said "In your opinion" Meilin snapped
With his tousled hair and tan skin, but there was a lot of grime. "Hello boy," the man replied, his gaze suspicious, "Can I help you?" "Not me so much as a friend" Rollan said "He has a horrible fever. This is the third day and it keeps getting worse. I'm an orphan, him too. He needs willow extract. I don't have the money, but I can work, help tidy up, whatever you need." Mr Valdaz made the I-wish-I-could-help-you face Rollan had seen so often. "That's an expensive remedy. And it's in short supply these days, making it more costly still. "I don't mind putting in a lot of work." Rollan offered. Mr. Valdez sucked air through his teeth. "You know how times are. My two assistants already take care of everything. I have no spare chores, and plenty of qualified men waiting for a vacancy. Sorry"
"You could have walked away with that answer" Conor said "But instead you tried to steal the medicine and then ended up in jail."
Rollan's cheeks burned with shame, but Digger needed him. "Maybe you could get creative? You know, to stop a kid from dying? "You want charity" Mr. Valdez said knowingly "I'm afraid I have a strict no-charity policy. Medicines are pricey. If your friend were the only soul in town who couldn't pay, I'd surely lend a hand. But endless people have desperate needs and no money. If I give free remedy, I should provide for all the others as well. I'd be out of business in a week. "I won't tell anyone where it came from," Rollan promised. "You might not be able to help everyone, but you can help him. Please, Mr. Valdez. He's got nobody. "Secrets like free willow extract don't keep" Mr. Valdez said "Besides, your tale may be true, but some stories might not be. How am I supposed to tell the difference? I can't help you. Good day." Rollan had been dismissed. What options were left? If he returned after this, Mr. Valdez would study his every move. Stealing the extract was no longer a possibility. "How would you feel if you were alone in some alley, sick, no place to go, and everyone ignored you."
"Now your just making the situation worse" Abeke said
"That's why I don't live on the streets," Mr. Valdez said "That's why I worked hard to get where I am, and why I intend to stay here. The needs of an urchin are not my obligation." "Hard work doesn't get you off the streets," Rollan said, frustration surged through him. "It won't always keep you off them either. What if your store burned down?"
"Threatening him isn't going to make the situation better" Abeke said
Mr. Valdez narrowed his eyes "Is that a threat?" Rollan raised both hands. "No! I just mean bad luck can strike anywhere." "Aldo!" Mr. Valdez called "This person needs help finding the door!" The cause was lost. Rollan decided he could stop licking Mr. Valdez's boots. "You need help finding a heart. I hope you catch something without a remedy. Something besides old age." A large man with sleeves rolled back over thick hairy arms strode in from the back of the store. He came straight toward Rollan. Behind him, Smarty ducked behind the apothecary counter. How had Smarty gotten here? Through the back door? What was he thinking? His nickname was a joke, not a compliment. He was going to get them both busted! Rollan tried not to stare at his friend.
"Oh" Conor said "You never stole the medicine, you were just blamed."
Instead he watched Aldo approach. "You thick?" Aldo barked "Beat it!" Rollan sidled toward the door, trying not to move too quickly. He needed to get out of there, but if he ran off, Smarty would get nabbed for sure. Aldo closed the distance, seized ROllan roughly by the back of his neck, and marched him toward the doorway. "Don't let us catch you in here again," the big man warned. "Aldo!" Mr. Valdez called. Looking back Rollan saw Smarty spring toward the back of the store. "He took the willow extract!" Mr. Valdez shouted. "Santos!" Aldo dragged Rollan toward the rear of the store. "Get back here or your friend gets it!" the big man yelled. Smarty never glanced back. By the time Aldo reached the back door, Smarty was out of sight.
"I guess Digger got better?" Conor guessed
"Santos!" Mr. Valdez cried, joining them "Where is Santos?" "On that errand, remember?" Aldo said. Mr. Valdez turned furious eyes on Rollan. "All that talk about working to pay off the debt-you were setting me up while your accomplice snuck in here! Very low, even for scum." "He did it on his own," Rollan insisted. "Save it kid," Aldo said. "You helped steal the goods, you'll do time."
"In jail" Rollan said "You were in there for like what not even a day?" Meilin said "so don't complain"
Rollan kicked out at Aldo's knee, but the big man took it without a flinch. Rolan could feel the strength of the hand on his neck. "Your next appointment is with the militia." Mr. Valdez said. Rolan knew there was no point in arguing. At least Digger would get his remedy.
Abeke stopped. "Why did you stop?" Rollan asked "Because it's the weird sign again that means a certain amount of time was skipped." "How about we just acknowledge there is a weird sign so everyone knows why we stopped" Olvan said
They nodded
The city militia kept a line of cells in the basement of their headquarters. Mildew thrived on the damp walls, and ancient straw littered the discolored stone floor. The interior barriers were composed of iron bars, allowing the prisoners to see each other. Rollan sat on a decaying wicker mat. Men occupied three of the other cells. One man was sickly and gaunt, another had slept since Rollan arrived.
"How do you know if he's not dead?" Conor asked, "He was sleeping, I just know." Rollan said
And the third looked like the sort Rollan had learned to avoid. He was probably in here for something serious. A guard had informed Rollan that he would go before a judge tomorrow. He was young enough that they might send him back to the orphanage. The thought gave him shivers.
"What's wrong with the orphanage?" Conor asked "Just keep reading, you'll find out" Rollan said
There was no worse racket than the orphanage in Concorba. The head guy lived well because he fed the kids the absolute minimum, made them work like slaves, dressed them like beggars, and never wasted resources on things like medicine.
"Wow, Yikes" Conor said
Rollan had run off for a reason. He suspected he might actually prefer prison. A door opened, and boots clomped down the stairs. Were they bringing a new prisoner? Rollan arose for a better look. No, the jailer was alone. He was portly with a stubbly jaw. Holding a ledger, he came to Rollan's cell. "How old are you?" Was this a trick question? Would it benefit him more to seem older or younger? Rollan wasn't sure, so he answered honestly. "I'm twelve next month." The man made a notation "You're an orphan" "Actually I'm a lost prince. If you take me back to Eura, my father will reward you."
"Really?" Meilin said "A lost prince who lives in Eura?" "That was the quickest lie I could come up with." "That is one of the most worst lie I have ever heard" Meilin said "I'm going to guess they didn't believe you."
"When did you run away from the orphanage?" Rollan considered the question, and found no reason to fib. "I was nine." "Have you had your Nectar?" the question mildly surprised him "No" "You know what happens if you don't take the Nectar?" "A bonding could happen naturally." "That's right. It's against our town's statutes not to drink the Nectar within three months of turning eleven." "Good thing I'm already behind bars."
"Really?" Meilin said "Joking in jail?" "To the jailer" Conor reminded "Not a good approach" Lenori added
"Want some advice, you should make a law against eleven-year olds dying because they have no medicine!" The jailer harrumphed "This is no game boy." "Does it sound like a game?" Rollan said "Have you ever played dying-alone-of-a-fever-becasue-wilow-extract-costs-to-much?"
"Yelling at him won't make it better" Lenori said
Look, just add my lack of Nectar to my list of charges. For the record, nobody offered me any." "The militia gives Nectar to any children of age who haven't received it." "You guys deserve more medals."
"And you should talk less" Meilin said "This is no joking matter"
The jailer held up a scolding finger. "If you have the potential to summon a spirit animal, it'll happen on its own by age twelve or thirteen. But do you know what could happen to you without the Nectar? The bond is a gamble. Drives some people mad, others to illness. Some did on the spot. Others are fine."
"Wait" Conor said "People could die on the spot?" "Yes" Lenori said "I didn't know they could instantly die" Conor said
"But with the Nectar it's always stable," Rollan said "the Great Beasts may not have done much for us lately, but we'll always owe Ninaini for the Nectar. But to benefit , you have to use it." Rollan huffed
"You really did not want the Nectar did you?" Conor said
"What are the chances I'd call an animal. Like a hundred to one? Less? The jailer ignored him.
"Because you are being WAY too annoying" Meilin commented
"I know a Greencloak who tends to orphans. I'll send her around by and by. The jailer turned and climbed the stairs. Rollan stretched, pivoting his waist, then raising his hands high. "I didn't expect a show today" said the gaunt man in the farthest cell. "What do you think you'll call?" "Nothing," Rollan said. "I thought the same," the gaunt man said. "I was wrong, I called a hedgehog." "You're a Greencloak?" Rollan asked, surprised. "The man snorted. His eyes looked lost, his posture exhausted. "You see any cloak? My animal got killed. The absence left me… I wish I'd lost a limb instead. An hour later, maybe two, the jailer returned with a couple of uniformed militamen and a Greenloak. She was in her late teens and of medium height. Her face wasn't very pretty, but it was kind. The jailer unlocked the cell gate and beckoned for Rollan to step out. One of the militia men held a small cage with a rat inside. Exiting the cell, Rollan nodded at the rat. "Is this a joke?" "They say folks bond more easily if animals are present," the miliaman said with a jeering smile. "We caught him a couple years back. He's our mascot.
"The jail has a mascot?" Conor said "I'm not surprised it's a rat though"
"Very funny," Rollan said dryly. "Should we hunt for some spiders? Maybe a cockroach?" People don't bond with insects," the Greencloak said "although there is some precedent for summoning arachnids." "I'll bet a copper piece he calls nothing," said the prisoner who Rollan thought looked like trouble. The man patted his pockets. "Wait, two." he produced them "Any takers?"
"I bet he lost them" Conor said "because you summoned Essix"
Nobody agreed to the bet. "Should we do it?" Rollan suggested., breaking the awkward silence. For some kids the summoning ceremony was a big deal. They got all dressed up with their families, spectators attended, lectures were given, refreshments served. He was in a dirty jail with a rat, his guards, and his fellow prisoners. He just wanted to get it over with. The Grencloak produced a simple flask. She uncapped it and held it out to him. "Only takes one swallow." "That was quite the speech," Rollan said, accepting the flask. "Your talents are wasted in dank basements. You're ready to work aboveground." He took a sip. There was a restaurant that sometimes gave him sweetened cinnamon toast, his favorite treat. The Nectar tasted sort of like that, but liquified. Rollan wiped his lips. As the Greencloak reached for the flask, Rollan's body swayed. Hee held out the flask, but his arm felt unsteady. The Greencloak took the flask and Rollan dropped to his knees.
"You fell over?" Meilin said
"What's wrong with me?" Rollan slurred. The entire jail rumbled and the room grew dark. Or was his vision failing? A blinding light appeared, lingering for a moment, and then vanished. A falcon had joined them in the room,
"Now you can say it" Meilin said "what?" Rollan said "oh, And then I summoned Essix!" he shouted. Essix shrieked a little too loud, hurting everyone's ears.
large and powerful, the feathers a brownish gold with white speckles on the breast. With a flurry of wings, the raptor leaped up to Rollan's shoulder. When the claws pinched into his skin, the sparkling sensation ceased. The others stared dumbfounded. For a moment, Rollan's eyes seemed unusually keen. He was able to see the porous textures of the stone floor and walls. He spotted a spider hiding amid the wafting cobwebs in the high corner and felt the startled moods of those around him with abnormal clarity. And then, all of a sudden, he was back to normal. "It's a falcon!" the Greencloak marveled. "A gyrfalcon… with amber eyes!" "She's a falcon," Rollan clarified "She's a girl" "How do you know that?" the jailer asked. Rollan paused. "I just do". "She would be a female I suppose," the Greencloak murmured. Seeming to snap out of a trance, she stared at Rollan searchingly. "How is this possible? Who are you?" "Just an orphan," Rollan said, "There has to be more to it than that," she muttered, half to herself. "I'm also a criminal,"Rollon volunteered. "The worst kind of criminal, actually." "What kind is that?" the Greencloak asked. "The kind who got caught" Rollan replied
Everyone laughed
The Greencloak glanced at the jailer. "Put him back in his cell and I'll be right back." "The bird too?" "Naturally," The Greencloak replied "It's his spirit animal." "I guess it's my lucky day" mumbled the seedy prisoner. "No one took my bet. I get to keep my coppers."
"And then there's that weird sign again" Abeke said pausing
It was not long before the jailor escorted a man to Rollan's cell.
"Great" Rollan said "Is this with Zerif?" Meilin asked "Yes"
The stranger looked like some foreign lord. He wore high boots, leather gauntlets, a fancy sword, and an embroidered blue cloud that Rollan guessed cost more than a team of horses. The man had a neatly trimmed beard on his chin, and gazed at Rollan with interest. "Would you like to get out of her, Rollan?" The man asked.
"Yes I would." Rollan said "But not with you!"
"I might miss the itchy mat and the black stuff that rubs off the bars" Rollan said "Sometimes we don't appreciate what we have until we lose it." the man smiled, but with the hint of a sneer. "Why isn't your cloak green?" Rollan asked.
"I dunno" Conor said "Maybe because you're a CONQUEROR!" He said it a bit to loud
"My name is Duke Zerif," the man said. "I work with the Greencloaks, but I am not one of them.
"I work with the Greencloaks, but I am not one of them." Rollan said mimicking him
"They send me to help with cases like yours." "Cases like mine?" Zerif glanced at the jailer. "Better if we converse in private. I've paid your bail." "FIne with me," Rollan said. The jailer opened the cell door. Rollan stepped out, the bird on his shoulder, and exited with Zerif, never glancing at the other prisoners, not saying a word to anyone. What did this guy want.
"He wanted your help to free Kovo and Gerathon so they could take over the world" Abeke said
When they reached the street, Zerif looked over at him. "That is a superior bird" "Thanks" Rollan grunted "what now?" Today your new life begins," Zerif said. "We have much to discuss." "Bail isn't a pardon. What about Mr. Valdez?" " the charges will be dropped. I'll take care of it." Rollan gave a slight nod. "What about the girl who gave me nectar? Where is she?" Zerif flashed a cocky grin. "These matters exceed her expertise. You are no longer her assignment. "Come" The falcon gave Rollan's shoulder a brief painful squeeze with her talons. Despite her weight, Rollan had nearly forgotten her presence. Something about the timing of the squeeze, and the way Zerif had spoken about the girl, made Rollan uneasy.
"But what he didn't know is that I'm an excellent lie detector." Rollan stated
"Is she alright?" did a trace of admiration creep into Zerif's grin?" I'm sure she's fine" He was lying and Rollan knew it. Zerif even seemed to respect that Rollan suspected him. Rollan felt a disturbing certainty that Zerif had done something to the Greencloak. Just who was this guy? Zerif hurried them down the street. "Where are we going?" Rollan asked. "A quiet place to talk. Then far away from her, if you like. Have you ever yearned to see the world? That bird is your ticket." The falcon shrieked loud enough to hurt Rollan's ears. Zerif's eyes darted between the bird and Rollan, his smile faltering a bit. "She doesn't like you," Rollan realized.
"Well at least Rollan was smart enough to realize that Zerif was the bad guy." Abeke said disappointed in herself." "It's fine," Conor said "You came to us eventually."
"She's just testing her voice," Zerif answered "I mean you no harm." Rollan would have bet two coppers he was lying. His response had almost sounded relaxed, but Zerif was definitely acting. And he was wearing a large sword. "What is that woman doing?" Rollan asked, pointing across the street. As Zerif turned to look, Rollan ran. They had passed an ally, and he turned and sprinted down it. Halfway down the alley Rollan risked a glance back and saw Zerif in pursuit, blue cloak flapping behind him. The man had jerked his sleeve back and the mark on his forearm flashed. A canine creature landed in front of him, already running. What was it? A coyote?
"Jackal" Olvan corrected
Rollan had hoped that the lordly stranger would be above chasing him. Apparently not. But the coyote proved that Zerif was one of the Marked. Maybe he was a Greencloak after all. Still, Rollan didn't trust him and neither did the bird. He needed to ditch him fast. Rollan had some experience escaping down alleyways. He ran hard, and extended his hands to topple crates and rubbish bins into the path of his pursuers. In spite of his efforts, he could hear them gaining. Visions of coyote teeth and the thought of Zerif's expensive sword impelled him to run faster. Rounding a corner, Rollan raced into another alley. He paused an occasional door, not daring to try it in case it was locked, or whoever lay beyond might not aid him. He learned the hard way that orphan in flight had few friends.
"But now you got us" Conor said smiling
He glanced up, looking for a way up to the rooftops, but there was nothing in view. The man and the coyote kept gaining.
"Jackal" Olvan corrected again
Ahead on the left, Rollan saw a fence between buildings. He jumped, grabbed the splintery top of it, and kicked one leg over. With a snarl, the coote leaped for his dangling leg.
"Jackal" Olvan said "can you stop correcting?" Lenori said "He didn't know what it was." Olvan shut his mouth.
Teeth tore through his pant leg and scraped his skin, nearly yanking him from the wall. "Come down from there!" Zerif ordered racing forward with his sword drawn. Rollan rolled over the tow of the fence and fell into a weedy lot with a shanty in one corner. A ragged man glared at him unwelcomingly from the shadows of his hovel. Springing to his feet, Rolan dashed across the lot. As he approached the fence on the far side, Rollan glanced back. The coyote streaked across the lot toward him, but there was no sign of Zerif. Had he tossed his spirit animal over the fence? Rollan scanned the scraggly ground ahead as he ran for something to use as a weapon, but saw nothing. The coyote ws closing in. He knew he would barely win the race to the fence. No way would he get up andover without getting mauled. When Rollan reached the fence, he jumped and grabbed the top with both hands as if he meant to climb, then turned in midair to kick the coyote springing at him square in the muzzle. The blow connected cleanly, and the coyote hit the ground with a yelp. Rollan was up the fence and over before the animal had recovered. The alley he landed in was wider and he debated which direction to go, Zerif shot around a far corner, running with superhuman speed. Rollan couldn't run half as fast as Zerif was moving. Zerif had gone around most of the block in time it taken Rollan to cross the lot, Rollan had heard stories about the powers the Marked could receive from their bonds.
"But his bond isn't natural." Rollan said
How could he escape from someone like that? He turned and ran the opposite way. Racing around another corner, Rollan found himself sprinting toward a large man in a forest- green cloak aside a moose.
"Large?" Olvan said "Large? Are you calling me fat?" "No, you're just big." "Leave it" Lenori said
There was no time to digest the bizarre sight. The moose barreled toward him, its massive antlers spanning almost the full width of the alley. The gray-haired man astride it had a thick build and a fleshy face framed by a brightly beard.
"See" Rollan said "You were big in muscle"
He clutched a mace in one hand. A mail shirt jangled under his cloak. "Out of my way, boy" the Greencloak bellowed. Lunging sideways, Rollan flattened himself against the wall of the alley as the moose charged past. He heard a shriek above him and the scrape of talons on metal as his bird landed on the roof.
"I hate the sound of things scraping against stuff" Meilin said "Like fingers on a chalkboard" she shivered "Or even chalk itself."
Zerif and the coyote bolted around the corner, skidding to a halt when they saw the oncoming moose. The Greencloak gave a battle cry and raised his mace. Zerif shouldered through the first door he reached, probably some entrance to a business. The Greencloak paused for a moment, as if about to give chase, before he rode back to Rollan. "What name did he give?" he barked "That guy? Zerif" "That much was true. Do you know him?" "I just met him. He bailed me out of jail." The man dismounted. "What did he tell you?" "Not much" Rollan said "He wanted to take me away."
"Far away" Rollan said "to the bad guys, the Conquerors."
"I expect he did. We call Zerif, the Jackal after his spirit animal, a cunning creature native to Nilo. He works for our archenemy. The Devourer." "The Devourer?" Rollan said. It seemed improbable, he almost choked. "Are you serious? Who are you?"
"My name is Olvan" Olvan recited
"My name is Olvan." Rollan glanced at the huge moose and back again. No way. It couldn't be. "The Olvan?" he said, shocked into a whisper. " If by that you mean the worldwide commander of the Greencloaks, then yes, the Olvan. The gyrfalcon shrieked and swooped down to land on Rolan's shoulder. Rollan reached up to stroke her feathers. He paused a long moment before he spoke. "Suddenly everyone wants to be my friend. Both of you show up so quickly. Is this about my falcon?" "She is not your falcon, son. She's the Falcon." Olvan let the words sink in. " You have summoned Essix back into the world"
Abeke put the book down. "Rollan you're next." "Oh, Alright." Abeke handed the book to him. "So now we know each other's backgrounds now. Happy?"
They nodded
"OK."
Training