Ancel followed, troubled by Charra’s reaction and Mirza’s earlier words about Irmina. As much as he wanted to return to his old self, he was not sure he could. It’s not like I asked to feel this way about her. It just happened. Somehow, I’ll work this out. I think.
Charra, on the other hand, was another issue. With his erratic behavior increasing, Ancel hoped his father wouldn’t listen to the townsfolk and ask him to leave the daggerpaw at the winery. Not being able to bring him to school was one thing. To do without him in Eldanhill altogether was another entirely. Given a choice, he would rather not come to town at all if it meant leaving his daggerpaw behind.
Of course, not going to Eldanhill presented another set of problems. His need for female companionship would suffer. The thought made him remember today’s rendezvous.
“By the way,” Ancel said, “I’m supposed to meet with Alys after school.”
Mirza looked over his shoulder. “Is this your way of telling me you’re shirking your duties again? We’re supposed to be gathering kinai for Soltide and your father’s winery later.”
“I know,” Ancel said. “But in case I lose track of time, I wanted you to know where to find me.”
“Which means I will have to come find you.”
Ancel snorted. “If that’s what you think, then—”
“Here’s what,” Mirza interrupted. “I’ll do it if you’re willing to make a wager.”
“If you want to lose more coin to me,” Ancel shrugged, “Who am I to argue? So what’s the bet?”
“Simple. I bet you’ll think more with your cock than with your head. I know you won’t be able to hold back. Not with Alys. So if I have to come get you, it’ll cost you a gold hawk. If you manage on your own, I owe you two.”
Ancel grinned. “There’s no way I’ll lose.”
“We’ll see.”
They continued on their way to their classes at Eldanhill’s Mystera.
Acknowledgements
First, thanks to the Man upstairs.
A big thanks to my Speculative Collective Writing Group. Ted, my man, Ted. What can I say? Without your awesome beta reading and critiques this book would be a shell fo itself. Lee, thanks for your input on war strategy and making it better. Katie as always good with grammar. Elisa and Ed, I miss all you guys and gals.
A big thanks to another beta reader, Ann Cannaliato. Your diligent work on the writing site where me met was invaluable in shaping this work. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for bearing with me and setting your own work aside to read mine. And for backing me up and defending my writing.
As usual, another thanks to my editor D Kai Wilson–Viola. Your patience is a breath of fresh air.
Thank you to Valeri Douglas and Kai for putting together the Alexandria Publishing Group.
To my best friend Hughey, you know I can never forget you.
Other Novels by Terry C. Simpson
AEGIS OF THE GODS
Prequel: The Shadowbearer
Book 1: Etchings of Power
Book 2: Ashes and Blood (Coming Soon)
Message From the Author
Creating this book was even more enjoyable than my first one, and I hope you enjoyed it. Again, I humbly ask that you venture onto Amazon and Goodreads and the like and review this book. This goes a long way to helping any author. Also it lets us know how you feel. After all, what are we without you, the reader? Nothing at all.
Don’t forget to come visit my blog, terrycsimpson.wordpress.com and become a fan on my facebook page, TCSimpson on Facebook, if it so moves you. Insightful comments are always welcome. So come on, take the journey, help increase this vision of a whole new world. Below, you will find an excerpt from Etchings of Power.
Terry C. Simpson.
Fantasy works from authors at Alexandria Publishing Group.
Fezariu’s Epiphany
By Valerie Douglas
Song of the Fairy Queen
The Coming Storm Series
Setting Boundaries
Not Magic Enough
The Coming Storm
A Convocation of Kings
By Paul Kater
Hilda the Wicked Witch series
Hilda the wicked witch
Hilda – Snow White revisited
Hilda – The Challenge
Hilda and Zelda
Hilda – Cats
Hilda – Lycadea
Hilda – Back to School
Hilda – Dragon Master
By Stephen H. King
Cataclysm: Return of the Gods
Ascension: Return of the Gods
By Jonathan Gould
Doodling
Flidderbugs
Magnus Opum
Table Of Contents
Welcome
Dedication
Map Of Ostania
PART 1
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
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
PART 2
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Glossary
Etchings Chapter 1
Etchings Chapter 2
Etchings Chapter 3
Etchings Chapter 4
Acknowledgements
Novels by the Author
Message From the Author
Fantasy Authors of APG
Copyright
Copyright
The Shadowbearer is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Golden Arm Press
Copyright © April 2012 Terry C. Simpson All rights reserved
Edited by D Kai Wilson-Viola
Mapwork by Terry C. Simpson
The right of Terry C. Simpson to be identified as author of this Work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to author and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Find out more about the author and upcoming books online at terrycsimpson.wordpress.com or @TeeSimps on twitter or NovelistTCSi
mpson on facebook.
Epub Edition
ISBN: 978-1-939172-05-1