Soldier Son (The Teralin Sword Book 1) by D.K. Holmberg

Author:D.K. Holmberg [Holmberg, D.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ASH Publishing
Published: 2017-03-06T18:30:00+00:00

20

Endric was standing with his hand on the door when he heard the knock. He had been expecting it, but was still startled. Squeezing the hilt of his sword briefly, shifting the scabbard as he did, he pulled the door open. Pendin stood dressed in his formal gray uniform. Crisp and clean. Endric wore similar gray clothes, typical Denraen attire, though his were looser fitting. He didn’t want to be restrained by his uniform.

His friend didn’t wait for an invitation before pushing past him and into the room. “You don’t have to do this,” he said without preamble. “There is no shame in withdrawing the challenge. I have checked; it can be done. It will be up to your father if there are any consequences, but he has been lenient with you for so long—”

“I will not withdraw the challenge.” He spoke softly but firmly.

“Endric—”

“You know I cannot.” He frowned at Pendin, who closed his eyes and shook his head while he sighed. “You know me. You know this is not about me.”

“I thought I knew you.”

Endric narrowed his eyes. “What does that mean?”

“The problem I have with this is that none of this is you. Since you first saw the Mage in Stahline, you’ve been acting strangely. And that was before Andril’s death. Since then, you have been acting more like him than yourself!”

“That may be true. He was a better man than I will ever be. I can’t change the way things were left between us, but I can stop being the selfish boor I had been. That was one of the last things he asked of me.”

“Andril wouldn’t have done this. He wouldn’t have wanted you to do this, either.”

“He wouldn’t have had to. My father listened to Andril. If only he listened to me.”

“Then make him!”

“I tried. And failed. This is the only way.”

Pendin sank onto his bed. His face was forlorn. “There is always another way, Endric. You didn’t even bother to look.”

“Pendin—”

He leaned forward and shook his head, saying nothing for a moment. When he looked back up, his eyes were tight and reddened. “I had to try. One last time. I knew it wouldn’t matter.” He sighed again and then stood. “Let me stand with you at least.”

Endric smiled sadly at his friend. “It would be better for you if you didn’t. I don’t want to give him any reason to expel you if I lose.”

“You’re my friend. I won’t let you face this alone. I can accept whatever consequences may come of it.”

Pendin reached out his arm and Endric grabbed it, pulling him into a hug.

“Thank you. You’re more than a friend, Pendin—you’re my brother,” he said. Separating from Pendin, Endric swept his gaze around his room and turned, walking quickly into the corridor.

The hall was quiet, almost eerily so. A few doors were open as they made their way through the barracks, but Endric didn’t look into the rooms. Most were curious if Endric would actually go through with the challenge. Some stood in their doorways and nodded as he passed.

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