Season of Sacrifice (Blood of Azure Book 1) by Jonathan Michael (best ebook for manga txt) 📕

It is scrap. It is waste. It is useless if you ever intend to overcome your obstacles. If mastered—and yes, it can be mastered—it can give a man uninhibited control of the life he lives, and quite possibly a short glimpse into the future if you understand how to use it to its fullest. That is all I can say, but know if you secure it, it will enhance the judgment of all the decisions you make.”

“Where are you from? Were you raised in Farrow, by any chance? They spend their lives learning about hogwash like that.”

“You have potential, but your mind is filled only with what the Taoiseach has allowed. And patience evades you. Now, use your Instincts. Listen. Your talents are limitless. Today is the day. Seek your youthful knowledge, and you will succeed.” Graytu sets down his daily delivery at my bedside. A generous ration of fruit and nuts.

“Graytu…” I calm, leaving the anger behind. “…can you speak to me in the common tongue? No riddles, rhymes, or clues to follow. Simple questions and simple answers.”

“That is all I ever do, lad. Simple questions and simple answers. You’re looking too deep. Keep it simple.”

“Keep it simple,” I repeat while trying to understand what he means by simple.

Graytu then gives me something I’ve never experienced before. A smile. Not just any smile, but a smile that radiates pride. The pride of a father looking down upon his son when he is proud of his accomplishments. Something my own father has never shown me. But he was too tied up in his duties as a general. He is a great man with great achievements. I cannot blame him for not knowing how to raise a son. He is a worthy general. He’s not a worthy father.

I can’t explain why Graytu gives me that smile, but I see it. And it reignites my confidence to the level it needs to be. I am worthy.

Unfortunately, my body isn’t. “Graytu? How much longer before I can flee this bed and get back on my feet?”

“Goose of House Greyson…” he pauses dramatically, “… that is solely up to you. Like I said, today and all the previous mornings… Use your Instincts. Listen. Your talents are limitless. Today is the day. And be sure to try the kiwi! It will lift you up.” His eyes light up, then he turns and exits my hollow.

I brace myself for pain and sit up, escaping the comfort of my linens to tame the hunger rising in my stomach. To my surprise, Graytu has left me more than just fruits and nuts today. There is a large slab of seared red meat lying on the tray beside the other grub. My stomach grumbles, and my mouth waters. I devour a good majority of the fruits and nuts, leaving the meat untouched, soaking in its own deep-red juices. I save it for last so I can savor every bite. Then, I think about how my morning will go when the meat is gone. It will begin the same as yesterday and all the days prior since my incident with the Redcliffe Guardian. And all the confidence that came to me when Graytu shared that fatherly pride is gone. Instead of eating the meat, I lie back down and sulk in my misery, not wanting to touch it because then I would have devoured the only good thing I have left.

How can I simply toss away all the knowledge my father has given me? That is what Graytu is asking of me, isn’t it? To toss out what I know and start fresh. If only Stone were here by my side. He’d fix me up, and I could be on my way. Back the way I came. I cannot let go of what my father has given me. I just can’t. I need to get away from this place.

“How’d you like the special treat? What! I should have guessed a Sheela like you wouldn’t eat the red meat.” A much-needed visitor enters the room. “They’ve gotten into your head, Goose. It’s a shame.”

“Zoie!” I call out in a helpless sort of way. “Thanks for dropping in. I could use some of your motivational comments right now. I wouldn’t be able to get through the morning without it.” My sarcasm doesn’t always get through to her.

“Motivational? I just called you a pussy, and you find that motivational? What’s wrong with you?”

I respond with a smile.

She smiles back and quickly lunges forward to punch me in the shoulder. Her radiant, green eyes twinkle in the morning sun, and her short, brunette hair is disheveled as always. I try to ignore the fact she resembles Jay so much and focus on the cute and spunky tomboy she is.

“So, you’re the one who imposed upon my typical breakfast. A breakfast provided by the life of the forest?”

“It’s venison. It was provided by the forest. And it’ll give you a lot more strength than those nuts you’ve been eating every morning.”

“I don’t know about that. I think Fairview has been lacing them with some of her ‘medicine’. The flavor has been tainted.”

“So, can you walk yet? I’m ready for you to fulfill your promise to me.”

“What promise?”

“That hunt! You promised me we would go out and kill something together. Not that I need you, but a promise is a promise, and I expect you to uphold it.”

“Of course I will. Once I can walk, that is.”

“If I had to guess, based on your Sheela attitude, I would bet you haven’t even tried to walk yet.”

“Not today I haven’t, but I did yesterday and the day before and every day before that.” I defend myself, but I’m not sure why. I know she is only taunting me. “I doubt one more day will change anything.”

“Don’t be a Sheela. Get on