Carroll Published by John H. Carroll at Smashwords Copyright 2011 John H. Carroll Cover Copyright 2011 John H. Carroll Cover photography by Tracy Carroll This story is dedicated to those who believe war is a waste of loved ones Table of Contents Map of Ryallon Map of Greffen Province Map of Cothbern and Rain Glade Beginning About the Author Rain opened her eyes as morning rays peeked through cracks in the eaves next to her straw bed. She stretched and brushed off a spider that had begun spinning a web between her and the ceiling. Judging from cool air coming through the cracks, it was another misty spring morning. Her corner loft was barely big enough for the pitiable bed and a chest holding clothes and the few things precious to her. She looked over the side. It was dark and the only sound was that of her father snoring in the single room of their small, stone house. A curse word she wasn’t supposed to know came out of her mouth when she sat up and bonked her head against a ceiling beam.