Hunted Sorcery (Jon Oklar Book 2) by B.T. Narro (chapter books to read to 5 year olds .txt) 📕

“I think I made it sound worse than it is,” he said, no doubt noticing my disapproving expression. “We don’t take a lot of jobs in small villages, but it’s important for us to be ready to, just in case we’re needed there. Sometimes it’s the threat of a group like us coming to a village or even a town that will stop a crime from occurring. The threat of justice is the best protection of all, because it prevents rather than punishes. The kingdom needs us.”

“Yes, but if you were employed by the king in his army, you would be just as threatening to the criminals.”

“Maybe after enough of us are hired, but it would take hundreds of troops for the king to adequately protect everyone in the three major cities of Lycast alone. He would have to employ many more to extend this protection to the large towns, and even more to reach the small ones. The threat wouldn’t be a threat until years have gone by during which the king has proven that criminals in even the small villages will be caught. But for now, Nykal can only focus on the capital because Cason is here and likely to act soon, as I’m sure you’re aware.”

I was glad that Calvin was so knowledgeable. I had always prided myself on learning everything I could, my father often boasting that I was a quick study no matter the subject. But I had been slow since coming here at fully grasping this dire situation. It was partly because the king had been so secretive about many aspects, but the answers were there. I just hadn’t taken the time or effort to search for them.

So the army was basically a group of guards managed by Byron, none of whom had any skill with sorcery. And then there was us, of course. That was pretty much it.

It sounded like noble families these days most likely watched over the city of Tryn, where my father used to work for Byron. And Koluk seemed to be completely on its own, as were the small towns, especially the smaller places like Bhode, where I came from. There wasn’t any crime that I could recall growing up there, but my father did mention that there was a thief who was caught when I was younger. Apparently, it was up to the people of Bhode to catch and punish this thief. I was too young to remember what happened to him. If it was gruesome, my father probably hadn’t told me.

He’d hidden a lot from me.

“If you know Cason is likely to act soon, that’s all the more reason for you to remain in the capital and help us during these times.”

Calvin smiled forgivingly. “That’s exactly what we’re doing. We haven’t left Newhaven since the battle in Curdith Forest.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

I should’ve taken the time to ask others, like Calvin, about the inner workings of the capital. Even Eden had taught me a lot in the short time I’d spoken to her, though I could’ve done without her cynicism.

I noticed a few of the Stormeagles seemed to be fawning over Willelma, as three of them were crowded around her. She didn’t seem at all bothered by the attention.

Calvin must’ve noticed me looking. “I hope you aren’t going to turn out like these other sorcerers,” he said.

“I’ve heard that none of them cares about anything besides coin and their reputation. But you must’ve met at least a few who aren’t like that?”

“Sorcery is rare, Jon. That makes the strong ones think even more highly of themselves.”

So Eden could be right after all.

“Most of the ones I’ve met were during a conflict,” Calvin continued. “But I’m usually there because I’ve been paid to stop them. It’s always a dark mage I have to kill, never a sorcerer of erto, and especially not one of ordia or dvinia. I don’t believe I’ve ever met one of those unless you count the witch we killed who was cursing people with ordia and dteria.”

“But it hasn’t always been like this, has it?”

“No. I know of men whose grandfathers have spoken about what sorcery used to be like. Dteria has always been around, but it was a rare form of sorcery. Never has it spread like this.”

“Are there any possible answers as to why it suddenly started spreading so quickly?”

“Others talk about the demigods’ influence and war among each other,” he said casually. “But no one knows for certain what it really is.”

Suddenly, there was a lot of shushing and stirring.

“Everyone gather here!” announced the king.

He stood outside the keep to his castle. We moved to encircle him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

There were about thirty of us in the courtyard. Eden had come out of the apartments to stand beside me and Calvin. A great number of archers stood on the walkways—atop the circular wall surrounding the castle. All I could think about was how much this would cost the king, and there might not even be a fight.

“Gather here!” the king repeated, as the last few guards on the outskirts of the courtyard huddled in with the rest of us. “You all have been brought here because there is a small chance that the castle might come under attack. Only the dark mages who are strong enough to lift themselves over the wall could reach us. I will now assign stations to everyone until this threat has passed and the rest of my sorcerers have returned. However, my sorcerers out there might need support, in which case the drawbridge will be lowered. The Stormeagles, Jon, and Willelma are to rush to the premises of Luther Prigg in this case. He is being arrested for treason as we speak.”

Murmurs spread. Calvin had a wide-eyed look as he glanced at me as if to silently ask if this was really true. I nodded.

“Everyone else is to remain at your station until you are