The Year of the Lumin by Andrew Ryan Henke Page A

originally.  However, two are not enough to support the hundreds of fighting men that we have.”  He leaned forward toward Noir.  “So, I must ask you.  If we trained you in the use of lux, would you fight with us?”  Grandel noticed the surprised look on Noir’s face, so he stood up, walked over to a small bookshelf and said, “Take a moment to answer if you need it, though we do not have limitless time.”  He pulled out a book and scanned its pages.
                  Noir thought on all that he had recently learned.  He certainly wanted to learn how to use this power that was said to be in him.  He couldn’t believe it was actually real.  But he wasn't sure if spending his time with this group was what he should be doing.  What about Aimee and Uncle Steven?  He couldn't stay with this group and forget about them.
                  “I will help you if you agree to a few conditions.”
                  Grandel slapped the book closed with one hand, and turned on his heel.  “Name them and I will see what we can do.”
                  “While I am learning how to use my vigor, you need to get my family back here from wherever they went.”
                  Grandel sighed.  He walked forward and laid the book on the table.  The book had thick leather binding with a colorful symbol in the middle.  At the base of the symbol, it had a yellow ornate tree pattern with wide spreading branches.  At the top of both sides of the branches were two more symbols.  The one on the left was in a deep blue.  It was a flattened diamond shape with intricate, symmetrical curved lines inside.  The shape on the right of the golden tree was a red circle with two pointed protrusions.  They were bent in opposite directions so they looked like spinning blades. 
    Noir’s attention was brought back to Grandel.  “I'm afraid that isn't possible.  If they’ve not already been sold, both of them are probably already a day and a half's ride away in who-knows-what direction.  If they have been sold, then there is no way to get them back without releasing our identity and jeopardizing our whereabouts.  I'm sorry.”
                  Noir thought, “Great.  So I won't see them for who knows how long.”  Then he said, “Well if I help you, you must let me leave to attempt to find them whenever I desire.”
                  “Certainly.  Anyone is free to leave whenever they like.  They just need an escort to make sure they get to their destination unhindered.”
                  “All right.”  Noir said.  That would have to do for now.  “Also, I want Ratt released.”
                  “Who is Ratt?”
                  “The guy who I was sharing a prison cell with.”
                  “Oh him!”  Grandel laughed.  “That can be arranged.  We were going to release him tomorrow anyway.”  Grandel then stood up and stretched his hand out over the table.  “So, what do you say?  Are you our newest member?”
                  Noir really hoped that this was the right decision, but he was eager to learn about this “lux” thing.  He grabbed Grandel's hand and shook it.  “As long as I get to go search for my family members, I'm in.”
                  Grandel released his firm grasp with a smile on his face.  “Excellent.  We’ll take you for your Luxin training tomorrow.  First,” he slid the book with the symbol on the front toward Noir, “take this book and skim it before tomorrow.”  Noir picked up the heavy book and put it under his arm.
                  Grandel gave Noir an odd look.  “I'll bet you don't have any tali, do you?”
                  Noir looked at the bearded man blankly.
                  “Figures,” Grandel said.  He walked to a small wooden box on one of the shelves, opened it, and