House of Ravens (The Nightfall Chronicles Book 2) by Karpov Kinrade Page B

sound ominous at all. I look around and notice most everyone has stopped eating to listen, which is good. It means I don't have to fake eat anymore.
    "You will learn more from your individual classes, but for now, allow me to introduce you to our curriculum. You are about to begin your Fall Quarter training here at Castle Vianney. You will have two classes from each Order; however, each quarter does have a different focus, which dictates the nature of the Trial. The Fall focus is the Teutonic Order and the Trial at the end of the quarter will test your Teutonic skills."
    Wytt leans forward from across the table to whisper at us. "One of the Initiates died last year in the Teutonic Trial."
    I look at him in surprise. "What? Seriously?"
    He nods. "Seriously."
    "That's crazy. How can they allow it?"
    Wytt shrugs. "To become a Knight in the old days, you had to fight in battle. Many died. In lieu of battles, they must provide dangerous challenges to weed out the weak."
    The Chancellor is still talking. "As some of you know, these Trials are not for the faint of heart. They are graded as pass or fail. You pass if you succeed at the mission in the time allotted. You fail if you take too long, or surrender. Or die."
    Wytt raises an eyebrow. "See?"
    The Chancellor continues. "Many of you might have heard that these Trials are dangerous. If you are not willing to take those risks, then the Knighthood is not for you."
    He looks sternly at everyone before continuing. "You must pass all four Trials to be considered for Knighthood. You must also work hard at your classes. You will be graded on a scale of one to ten for each class, and your Masters will determine who amongst you is exceptional. For those they deem worthy, they will give you Boons to take with you in your Trial. These Boons could mean the difference between success and failure. Do not underestimate the importance of attending all of your classes and doing well."
    There goes my plan for ditching PT and sleeping in.
    "Furthermore, your Masters will be evaluating you throughout the year. They will be the ones to determine who amongst you is chosen for their Order. A word of warning: You could pass all the Trials—but if you do not impress a Knight of standing, you will not be chosen for an Order."
    I didn't know that. And by the reaction around the tables, many others didn't either.
    The Chancellor moves to the side as Master Varian joins him. "I'd like to now introduce you to a new Master at our school. King Varian of the House of Ravens, First Knight of the Templars, is honoring us with his experience and training as he takes over several classes and acts as my Second for the Templar seat on the Council."
    Master Varian nods and takes his place behind the podium as my grandfather sits down. "Thank you, Chancellor Forrester. I look forward to sharpening the future blades of our Orders and making them battle-hardened. There grows a greater threat in our world than just Nephilim or unchecked Zeniths. Now, we have powerful rebel groups forming, flexing their muscles, trying to rip control of our world out of the hands of the Church and the Orders. You are the next generation of Knights who will be tasked with keeping order. With stopping these rebels and bringing peace to these lands. Are you ready?"
    As cheers fill the hall, I stare straight ahead, my heart pounding as I consider the cost of my double identity.

CHAPTER 7
GRANDFATHER
     
     
     
     
     
     
    The sky is still dark. Which is my second clue that it's entirely too early and I should still be in bed. My first clue was sleeping through the alarm clock. Good thing my roommate is better at mornings than I am.
    I barely made it to Physical Training on time, but here I am, running an obstacle course at 5:45 in the morning, sweating through the morning chill. I can't use my Nephilim abilities to regulate my body temperature, because that requires the use of my wings. Instead, I strip off my black Castle V sweatshirt and