The Orphan Wars (Book One) by Shane Rowling Page B

Temple of the Forest."
    "You just ruined my fun little plan," said Nemeth with disappointment.  " We need to get out of the academy and visit some of the shops outside.  If they aren't abandoned though, we're going to need money.  We don't get to keep much money here at the academy.  You would think that I would have some silver but I don't have any.  The same thing goes for gold.  Oh, and you can forget about me having any diamonds!  I have no money whatsoever!"
    "Master, there is a lot of money to be found outside of the academy," replied Jaida.  "I will help you get the money you need.  That should be the least of our problems.  Other than the main gate that was destroyed by Terazhul, do you know of any other way to get out of the academy?"
    "As a matter of fact yes I do! " said Nemeth excitedly.  "If we leave this dorm and head to the northeast corner of the academy, we'll come to a secret tunnel that leads outside of the gates.  It was something that many students created years ago in order to come in and out of the academy.  We called it the Freedom Tunnel.  Unfortunately, the professors found out about it and it is now sealed by a large rock.  The professors thought it would be funny to call it Freedom Rock.  Archers were posted up around the area too to make sure that nobody could move Freedom Rock and get into the Freedom Tunnel ever again.  But if you say it's not safe to head out at the main gate, then that's going to be our best option of escaping.  I just hope I'm powerful enough to move Freedom Rock out of the way.  Oh and let's just say if there are any remaining archers, they better be cooperative."
    " Please gather your things master," replied Jaida.  "Lead the way to Freedom Rock so we can get out of the academy and go after Terazhul."
    Nemeth get out of bed and looked around the room.  He grabbed his wooden sword off of the wall.  He then proceeded to grab a sheath for his sword from his closet.  He fit the sheath over his uniform nicely and placed the sword inside it using his left hand.  He opened a drawer in his desk and retrieved a small flask of water and placed it in his pocket.  He then fetched his small wooden shield from under his bed and flung its straps over his right shoulder onto his back.  He took one last look around the room.  There were so many things left behind but he knew he could not carry them all with him.
    "I've hated this place for such a long time," said Nemeth.  " I thought I would feel rage inside and want to burn this dormitory to the ground.  But I don't feel that at all.  For some reason I feel sad now that I'm leaving.  I think maybe it's because whenever I was feeling miserable or hopeless, I knew I could retreat back into this room and find peace.  This will probably be the last time I set foot in this room.  Goodbye."
    "There is no need to say goodbye, " replied Jaida.  "You will be back here soon enough.  Once you defeat Terazhul, you must come back and destroy the Black Orb.  There will be plenty of people that need healing afterwards.  You will have to make a second escape attempt with your friends once they are rescued and healed."
    "You're so certain that I'm going to come out of this victorious aren't you?" asked Nemeth.  " I know the room doesn't have ears, but I just had to say goodbye though.  I think it was necessary.  You're a Guardian Spirit and while I'm sure you have even more amazing abilities other than the Sunburst Lullaby, you're not a fortune teller.  You cannot foresee the future Jaida."
    Jaida remained silent.  Nemeth opened the door to his dorm room and then slammed it shut.  He headed downstairs to the first floor.  He proceeded to the center of the main hallway and took a small lantern from the wall.
    "O utside its pitch black, so I have a feeling that we're going to need this," said Nemeth.  "It looks like it was recently filled with lantern oil so it should work for quite some time."
    "Master, that is a