Blood and Bone (Prologue)

“Ohgod Ohgod Ohgod Ohgod”1

Deep in the halls of Charenon Academy, a young boy, only seventeen years of age, was busy dodging knives. His attacker gained a curious look.2

“What?”3

"Stop Stop! You’re throwing them too fast!”4

Divana Syntaya paused, tapping a dagger against her thigh.5

“Garret, the purpose of this to train you for a surprise attack.  If a pack of rogue drows attack you, you can hardly scream ‘Stop’ and expect something to happen”6

Garret Arabia turned to his mother. She was smirking.7

“But you’re throwing them too fast.”8

There was a flash of sliver and a humming next to his ear. Garret glanced at the knife.9

“Um…”10

“Ambushers are hardly going to worry about how fast their knives are going.”11

“But Ma…”12

“Do you want to learn how to fight or not?”13

Divana folded her arms patiently.14

“Yeses, I do Ma. But you’re being evil!”15

She raises an eyebrow at his pathetic look.16

“I’m being evil, am I?”17

“Yes!”18

“Trust me, I ain’t even close to evil. You want evil? Next time you break one of your father’s highball glasses I won’t interfere. That’ll show you evil.”19

“But making drinks isn’t as life threatening as knife throwing. I mean, you could cut me some slack. ‘Pa does.”20

Garret watched a strange look pass over his mother’s face. He knew she wouldn’t cut him any slack, because it was ‘un-realistic to the fighting world’. He sighed.21

“You’re right Garret, maybe I am pushing you too hard. But I care about you and you asked for this. So don’t give me crap about ‘Too fast’. I had to learn when I was young."22

“But I’m not gonna be an assassin. I’m all for taking over the tavern when Pa dies. “23

“Stop talking about your father like he’s on his death bed,” Divana snapped. “He doesn’t even have grey hairs yet. Although if you and your sister keep up your act…”24

“Oh, sis isn’t old enough and I don’t give dad that much trouble."25

Divana folded her arms again.26

“Your middle name is trouble, Garret. Look, we’re finished. Supper is nearly done. Go get ready and for godsake leave the maid alone…”27

--------28

Garret quietly opened the door to the dining hall, careful not to make it creak. The rest of the Academy wouldn’t be eating for another hour, so it was just he and mother present. Garret wanted to see how his sneaking was going determined to surprise his mother.29

He peered around the door, testing the conditions of the room. It possibly would have worked better if Divana weren’t facing the door.  For some reason she was grinning strangely, despite the fact that someone was sitting in her usual seat.30

Divana looked up.31

“Well, don’t just stand there, Garret. Do you want supper or not?”32

Garret blinked. The stranger was obviously male, and he had to be someone special to be sharing a meal with his mother. His married mother. Her and Pa had only been separated for a few months, Pa had to take care of the tavern while Ma had her work here, and after 18 years of marriage that shouldn’t mean finding comfort in the arms of a new man just yet. Besides, Garret reasoned, anyone who still wore grey cloaks didn’t deserve his mother.33

The man straightened and turned slowly. Garret stiffened and prepared to face the man that was stealing his mother from his father.34

To say he was shocked would be an understatement.35

“Father! What are you doing here?!”36

Zander flicked back the hood on his cloak and looked over his son.37

“Am I not allowed to visit you and your mother?”38

“No! I mean yes. I mean… I mean…”39

Garret threw up his arms and took a seat next to his Ma. He picked up a fork and waved it threateningly.40

“You could have written! You always write before you come.”41

Divana leaned back and watched as they both slipping into the common-tongue they both loved so much.42

“I did. Your Ma here obviously kept it to herself.”43

She smirked. Zander just shook his head before turning back to his son.44

“Now, what’s this I here about you giving yer Ma trouble…?”45