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    Wizard of Ends
    Wizard of Ends
    Wizard of Ends
    Ebook124 pages1 hour

    Wizard of Ends

    By Vanessa Finaughty

    ()

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    About this ebook

    When Lashlor Leaflin offers to escort Queen Narraki Dragonsbane to the Jeltar Woods, he’s unwittingly caught up in a magical adventure of the type he would rather not have.

    The sorceress Assassa believes the Land of Ends to be rightfully hers, but King Lanaran refuses to hand over his crown. In retaliation, the sorceress conjures creatures of darkness to hunt the queen and end her life. Lashlor helps where he can, but it isn’t easy when the Guards of Ends who protect the queen believe him to be false.

    A confrontation with Assassa will be the death of him, Lashlor is certain. However, the king insists on his help and it soon becomes apparent that he may have no choice.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherVanessa Finaughty
    Release dateOct 8, 2014
    ISBN9781310817786
    Wizard of Ends
    Author

    Vanessa Finaughty

    Vanessa grew up in Cape Town, and still lives there with her husband of fifteen years, her baby daughter and plenty of furry, four-legged ‘children’. Her passion for the written word started her career as an editor and copywriter, and she part-ran a writers’ critique group for close on seven years. She's been writing ever since she learnt how, has always been an avid reader, and currently lives on coffee and cigarettes. Her interests include reading, photography, the supernatural, life's mysteries and martial arts, of which she has five years’ experience. Review copies of all Vanessa's books are available upon request, and fans are welcome to email her at shadowfire13@gmail.com - she loves to hear any type of feedback and answers all emails personally. *** Please note that Vanessa uses UK spelling and grammar, which is not always the same as US spelling and grammar.

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      Book preview

      Wizard of Ends - Vanessa Finaughty

      Wizard of Ends

      Book 1

      Vanessa Finaughty

      Smashwords Edition

      Copyright 2014 Vanessa Finaughty

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      Thank you for downloading this free ebook. You are welcome to share it with your friends. This book may be reproduced, copied and distributed for non-commercial purposes, provided the book remains in its complete original form. If you enjoyed this book, please return to Smashwords.com to discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

      Dedication

      This series is dedicated to my baby daughter, Myka Kiera Finaughty, without whom these books would not exist.

      Table of Contents

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 10

      Chapter 11

      Chapter 12

      Chapter 13

      Chapter 14

      Chapter 15

      Chapter 16

      About the Author

      Chapter 1

      King Lanaran Dragonsbane, ruler of the Land of Ends, stood at the foot of the royal bed, gazing down at the sleeping queen, whose silky black hair framed her pale oval face. So intense was his love for Queen Narraki that his breath caught in his throat as a faint smile curved her delicate lips. She must be dreaming about something pleasant, he thought, realising that he was smiling too – her smiles had always been so infectious. Even now, in this darkest of moments. His chest ached with the knowledge of what was to come. He could stop it if he wanted to. All he had to do was give the order and she could remain here where it was safe. He could… but he couldn’t. Not if he was to retain his throne – and the respect of his people. He could not show weakness, for to do so would invite war, and that would kill more than just his wife. His enemies had spies everywhere. What he was forced to do now was proof of that.

      Lanaran turned from the bed and walked to the door, where he cast one last glance at his wife. He caught a glimpse of himself in the wall mirror, but looked away, disliking his drawn appearance – and was that a hint of grey creeping into his black hair? No, it couldn’t be. At thirty-one, he was far too young for that. He left the room and, without meeting their eyes, murmured to the guards outside, You remember what we discussed. It wasn’t a question. He knew that they knew. The potion has worked. She will sleep for some time. Make sure no one sees you, and be quick about it.

      The two Guards of Ends, both of whom would be loyal to the end, Lanaran was sure, nodded almost imperceptibly.

      Good.

      Lanaran strode down the wide stone corridor and went to the royal lounge, which was always stocked with a choice variety of the best wines. Goodness knew, he needed a drink if he was to get through the night without sounding the alarm and sabotaging his own plans.

      <><><>

      Lashlor Leaflin cursed as the icy wind blew out his lantern and he tripped over a branch. He stood up and patted himself down, then checked to make sure the small brown pouch was still attached to his belt. It was. His chest heaved in relief; he hadn’t come all this way after dark just to lose the herbs now. Everyone knew how dangerous the Jeltar Woods were at night. All manner of deadly creatures emerged once the sun set, ready to devour travellers, wary or otherwise.

      Lashlor winced and squinted as the wind lashed his shoulder-length brown hair into his eyes. He waited for his eyes to adjust to the dark, then continued along the path, trying to make as little noise as possible – night creatures had far better hearing than day creatures. That was the only reason he had chosen to wear his uncomfortable leathers, which made him feel trapped they were so tight – his other clothes may catch on bushes or rustle, alerting the night creatures to his presence.

      An indignant shriek somewhere nearby startled him, and he stumbled again. Sharp pain pierced his right thigh and he bit his tongue to prevent himself from crying out. It would draw night creatures like a drop of blood drew a lake monster. He felt his leg.

      Really?

      He’d stuck himself with his own arrow. Lashlor gritted his teeth and yanked it out, along with some flesh.

      Of all the stupid…

      The shriek came again, this time filled with terror. It sounded like a woman.

      The wind whipped faint words to Lashlor.

      Unhand me, you oafs!

      Just do as we say! a male voice demanded gruffly.

      How dare you talk to me like-?

      The wind picked up, drowning out the rest. Lashlor hesitated, torn. The urge to keep walking and get out of the forest, to the safety of the city, was almost overpowering. However, like any decent man, he found himself unable to ignore a woman in trouble.

      Lashlor hastened in the direction he thought the voices came from, stopping to listen when the woman screamed again. It was cut short this time, as if someone had placed a hand over her mouth. Moments later, he spotted them. Two men and a woman. The woman wore a nightdress with a royal blue robe draped around her, and both men were clothed in black.

      He frowned. The woman looked familiar. That long black hair and pale oval face…

      Queen Narraki Dragonsbane!

      Kidnapped and to be held for ransom by those who would usurp the king’s throne, Lashlor assumed, judging by her dark mauve aura, which indicated fear.

      He swung his bow off his shoulder, then pulled an arrow from the quiver on his back and drew it.

      Take your hands off her, he commanded.

      The two men glanced at each other, panic evident in their eyes, even in the dark.

      This is none of your business, said the beefier of the two. Don’t make us kill you. We don’t want to, but we won’t hesitate if you interfere. Now go.

      Leaving now would be treason, Lashlor growled. And I’m no traitor. He levelled the arrow at the man. "Now step away from the queen and maybe I will let you live."

      The thinner man nudged his friend and whispered something in his ear, gesturing to Lashlor, who smiled. He knew what they were talking about. They had just noticed the silver leaf-shaped pendant he wore around his neck – his wizard’s medallion, recognisable by the silver aura that surrounded it.

      By law, all magic users had to wear one plainly visible to prevent unnecessary deaths by warning those who might be in the mood to pick a fight not to do so with anyone wearing a medallion. Too many drunken fools running around town. Lashlor thought it would have been better to just outlaw alcohol, but the king liked his wine too much for that to ever happen. At least the medallion looked cool, he thought. It was also nifty in that only a magic user could wear one. The only ones forged had a spell cast on them to ensure they would lethally reject any non-magical person who tried to wear one.

      Lashlor was glad he was a wizard, however, or the medallion would have annoyed him, for every magic user’s medallion was called a ‘wizard’s medallion’ even if said magic users were not wizards. The medallion had been invented by a wizard, and the name was in honour of him. It would have been better named after him: ‘Sorlit’s medallion’ sounded so much better.

      You don’t understand, the beefy one said, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

      Not killing you is fast becoming an effort, Lashlor said evenly. And you should know I’m a lazy bugger.

      The other one said, We are Guards of Ends – from the king’s personal guard. We’re doing this to protect the queen.

      And never mind that, the beefy one said, we’re following the king’s orders!

      The queen spluttered. "You are not!"

      Lashlor gaped.

      Yes, we are! I have a sealed, signed letter to you from the king, My Queen. There is no time to read it now, but I promise you will have a full explanation once we’re safe. The night creatures-

      As if on cue, a low growl came from the nearby bushes. A set of slanted yellow eyes glared at them from the foliage. Judging by the shape and small size of the eyes, it was a gabbertok… a young one, and, therefore, not much of a threat. If they ignored it, it would most likely either stay where it was or leave.

      Lashlor turned back to the men. Let me see the royal seal.

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