about the table, several times returning to matters of the Appraisal Ceremo

itable end ushered in by

hem off to start on their morning chores before then messing u

s left for the Tower. Alaric stuck around clearing the table

me to talk to someone he'd

ssils, and then placed them neatly in a pile on the table. Cody, the wistful child in qu

t magic? Why don't you use magic when training? What about

o get to the academy. Big Brother Adam made it to the Elite Guard and was able to pay to fix the roof.

, Alaric answered...

reserves low or by hitting them with an at

. Besides, I doubt you'd see them coming if their powe

for are the guardians they send af

owerful the demon, the more terrifying the a

many kids like us and many more with powerful

ts of money back here. Then Big Sister Marla can

by the sink, washing the dishes whi

where to be seen with the doors of both

ighting demons?" the fl

orld is a safer place for my little broth

ldn't have meant much. However, all the orphans knew of

see you

enever I get a chance. Soldiers of the Elite Gu

ping. He knelt on one knee and looked the teary boy in the eye, "Wha

th each messy swipe at the streaming rivulets, more salty streams replaced them, determined to so

ce as he watched the boy s

t be sure to remember everything I've taught you. Train hard.

is head gently,

to use it so that when your Appraisal Ceremony come

mm

She might not look it but between you and me, I think she loves the compliments... and I think she's get

" Cody

ou'll find that a lot harder than the Dance of the Serpent. It

rds that make nests in old Thomper's branches. Oh, you'll have to get those out regu

-haired eleven-year-old's f

or us. Take care of the twins, Tommy and Mira. They'll need a big brother to look up to... and I'm not sure t

but Cody was different. Aside from the fiery nature of his abilities-which had also

e glue. Now that Alaric was leaving, he would be the oldest along wit

bilities would so

hug, "And most important of all, protect your fam

aking wood split the silence. Murmurs came from the o

been holding down, walked to the door to the boy's dormitories and opened it

Garin will be here soon. His guardian has a thing for

m, "Cody, he'll still be here for ten days before he can l

el him away from his idol before mouthi

eaving for the boy's dormitories. The boys who'd been found hidin

he cold water would wash away the

t kid] a feminine voic

our help, you know]

dled yourself we

to know exactly what to say and how to say it. It was only after Alaric had doused his head with cold water