Game of Truth: The Athronian Chronicles, Book 1

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Startled away from her book, Janin looked up as half the village rushed towards her favorite reading spot. The most peaceful and quiet place in the village, the Banish Hall Grounds with neatly trimmed greens and great ancient trees was Janin's paradise. Even with the unrelenting clashes from the sword and staff practice of the Banish Hall Guards echoing around the warren of buildings from the dusty practice yards on the backside of the Hall, Janin felt only peace.

Her large blue eyes widened as she realized her neighbors weren't stopping at the double wagon-width iron gate. She pushed long flaxen strands of hair from her face as she tried to puzzle out this strange activity. She finally slipped the book into her belt pouch and stood up to get a better look.

Janin gaped at the terrified expressions on the familiar faces as the people crushed onto the green. Her first impulse was to go to her family clustered close to the Banish Hall. But curiosity overcame sense and she sprinted to one of the small openings in the imposing stone wall.

Remnants of mist from the river swirled around the rushing people. She frowned, unable to see the cause for this sudden exodus from the village proper to the Banish Hall Grounds. Then her mind and body froze. Six of the largest creatures, clothed in menacing red and black, that she had ever seen emerged from around the corner. Wielding terrible ugly weapons. Ghouls! The frightening word popped into her mind even though she had never seen one, except in her mind's eye as she listened to the ancient stories by the fireside.

Cries of dismay came from behind her, and she turned to see the Guards, clad only in their light brown cotton shirts and black leather leggings, crunching through the grass. Not having had time to pull on their tunics and armor, the Guards, only fourteen strong, rushed to defend the village with their sparring weapons and shields. Captain Janvil, voice braced with steel, barked commands as they ran. The villagers, taking confidence in the elusive safety of the green, parted to let the determined Guards through.

The villagers appeared heartened by the Guards' arrival, but Janin could see that they would be cut down as easily as if they were children. The thought was shocking and frightening. Along with everyone else, she had grown up believing without question in the ability of the Banish Hall Guards to protect them from any and all dangers. At that moment, she knew in her heart that these brave souls, lined up across the cobbled road, were about to defend their village to the death.

Shaking from fear and helplessness, Janin squeezed her eyes shut, desperately shouting in her head for the Ghouls to stop. Tears fell down her cheeks as she covered her face with trembling hands. The idea of the Ghouls stopping their rampage was so clear in her mind that it was almost a tangible entity. Her ache to stop them was so intense that a throb of pain pushed against her temples, and then faded just as quickly.

The cacophony of terror died out around her. Feeling light-headed, Janin lowered her hands and opened her eyes. A gasp escaped her throat as she focused on the road outside the wall. The stunned Guards slowly lowered their weapons. The Ghouls had collapsed and were a lifeless clump before the Banish Hall gates.