A New Light (The Astral Wanderer Book 1), D'Artagnan Rey [best romantic novels to read .TXT] 📗

rather than demeaning. He looked at the majestic in his hand. While he did plan to have a life of adventure and protecting people, this seemed like a huge step to take on a whim, even a positive one.

He looked into the arena, where Wulfsun and Nauru were deep in conversation as they studied the map. “Can I ask the grand mistress something first?” he inquired.

Vaust looked at Zier and both shrugged. “I’m sure she would have no objection to that. Go ahead,” the mori replied.

The boy hurried down the stairs with Jazai on his heels. The two Templars watched them, their expressions thoughtful. “If he stays, that will make three young recruits,” the scholar noted. “The most we’ve had for quite some time.”

“That’s certainly true. It is usually older Magi following tales of better times, seeking redemption, or merely trying to find a new home,” his comrade replied and smiled as the boys approached Nauru without hesitation. “Like you were at one point.”

The dryad turned away. “As I recall, so were you.”

“Also true,” Vaust said without rancor, “but I’ve been here for quite a while now.” He chuckled as he lost himself briefly in memories. “This is my only home, truly.”

“Hey, Miss Nauru,” Devol called. The grand mistress and Wulfsun turned to look at him. “Sorry to interrupt, but I have another question if you don’t mind.”

“And what is that, young Magi?” she asked.

He took a moment to put the words together. “I originally wanted to come here only for training, but I like everyone I’ve met so far and I think I can gain more than originally thought by studying with you.”

“I believe the same,” she agreed and glanced at the templar beside her. “And from what the commander has said, he believes so as well.”

The giant placed a fist against his chest. “Aye, and we have to have another match after that last one!”

“Right, so I thought…” He paused to take a breath. “I…may want to join the order someday. But I can’t say right now.”

Nauru nodded reassuringly. “That is perfectly all right. It is a difficult decision for one so young.”

“But I want to help,” the boy declared. “I met Mr. Lebatt on a mission he was finishing. If there is anything like that I can do, let me know. I want to be able to help while I stay here and train. Maybe that way, I’ll gain understanding of what the Templars do and it will make the decision easier.”

Both Nauru and Wulfsun seemed slightly taken aback by this, but they were certainly more interested than perplexed. She pressed her fingers together, closed her eyes, and lowered her head in thought. “It is very gracious of you, Devol. I see how that could benefit both of us.” She opened her eyes and looked at both boys. “As it happens, I think there could be a little errand you two could run together.”

“Both of us?” Jazai asked and his head jerked to look at his companion before he returned his gaze to meet hers. “Me too?”

“Yes. I think you have something to gain from this as well, Jazai,” she stated with a grin.

The apprentice tilted his head to the side before he shrugged. “It has been a while since I’ve been out of the castle. But if Zier throws a fit, I’ll send him to you, madame.”

“Noted.” She chuckled and looked toward the arena’s entrance. “Perhaps…I think it would be best if the three of you went.”

The boys looked at one another in confusion and in unison asked, “Three of us?”

Chapter Seventeen

Devol and Jazai sat in the middle of the forest arena in the larger training area, brought here by Nauru before she stepped away to talk to some of the other Templars. She did not leave them unattended, however. They were joined by a third member, the wildkin girl Devol had noticed earlier and who had previously been identified to him as Asla. She stared intently at them despite sitting a good few yards away.

“She seems…” Devol began and peeked quickly at her. She narrowed her eyes when she saw his glance. “Studious.”

“It’s a polite way to put that, yeah.” The apprentice leaned back on his hands as he fixed her with an unconcerned look. “Asla, you wanna introduce yourself or should I have the pleasure?”

Her eyes widened before she shifted her focus from him to the newcomer, then away. In silence, she stared into the trees.

“I guess that answers that.” Jazai sighed. “Her name is Asla Baghira. She is a cat wildkin who came to the order more than a year ago, although she has only recently started training with us. I was here with my pops when she first arrived,” he explained while she continued to avert her gaze from them. “It isn’t my place to go into too much detail about her arrival, although I must confess—even if I am a jerk—that I don’t know much. But I can say she is another promising student in the order and she’s a few moons younger than you are.”

“I see.” Devol nodded, stood, and approached her slowly before he stopped a few feet away and extended a hand. “Hi, Asla, my name is Devol and—”

“You smell like fish,” she told him, her head still turned away although she cast him a sideways glance.

“Huh?” He pulled his shirt to his nose to smell it. While most of the fishy odor seemed to have been filtered by the smoke from the den and sweat from his fight, very faint traces lingered from the fish they had eaten previously. “Oh, I guess so. Sorry about that.”

“It’s all right.” She shrugged and looked away again. “I like fish.”

“Oh, that’s good,” he said with a smile as he placed his hands casually behind his back. “When we go out on the mission, maybe I can catch you some.”

“So we are going on a mission then?” Asla asked and now turned her full attention to them.

“It seems that way,”