Xar & Vichattan - The Throne of Light (The Heirs to Light Series Vol. 1) Kindle Edition

Xar & Vichattan - The Throne of Light (The Heirs to Light Series Vol. 1) Kindle Edition
by Bonmedo Tambunan (Author), Lewi Djayaputra (Illustrator), Hendryzero Prasetyo (Illustrator), Eko Puteh (Illustrator), Eve Shi (Translator)

Epic Fantasy Adventure from an Indonesian Fantasy Writer. The first in the Xar & Vichattan - The Heirs to Light series.
After the success of its original version in Indonesian, the Xar & Vichattan series has been translated into English in the hope of reaching a wider audience.

It has been seven years since the last priestess of light sacrificed herself in order to exile the Dark army into the Void. Xar, where Spirit power users live, and Vichattan, where Nature magic users reside, are living in peace. But now Dark has managed to break free from the Void.

Unleashing the dark curse upon Xar and Vichattan's supreme leaders, Dark begins its return to earth. Having lost the power of Light, Xar and Vichattan seems trapped in a dire situation.

In the midst of the chaos, Light reveals its heirs, four teenagers aged twelve and thirteen: Antessa, granddaughter of the Temple of Xar's Grand Abbess; Dalrin, son of a Ka-Xar commander; Gerome, son of Vichattan's previous leaders; and Kara, daughter of Vichattan's deceased leaders.

To resurrect the power of Light, the four of them must retrace the route taken by the first heir. Only then would Xar and Vichattan have a chance of winning against Dark and saving their leaders, before the dark curse consumes them and a terrible fate befalls the world.
The original titles of the series in Indonesian are:

    Xar & Vichattan, Seri Ahli Waris Cahaya: Takhta Cahaya
    Xar & Vichattan, Seri Ahli Waris Cahaya: Prahara
    Xar & Vichattan, Seri Ahli Waris Cahaya: Empat Tubuh Statera

Editorial Reviews

To me, Bonmedo Tambunan is a brilliant writer, worthy of notice not only in Indonesia but also on an international scale. For the first time I have found a faultless book: the story is straightforward, but with the potential to magnificently unfold. The book does not smother the reader with grandness; instead it takes the reader along on its journey to unfold. - Bondan Stanislaus - Review for the Indonesian version of The Throne of Light on Goodreads

Two good things about this book: It is exciting and neatly written. There are very few plot holes and the story is satisfying to read. The novel's advantage lies in its straightforward plot, which is handled in an experienced, detailed manner. - Dion Yulianto - Review for the Indonesian version of The Throne of Light on Goodreads

A constantly engaging book, combining sci-fi/fantasy-style narration and profound moral lessons. - Toba Beta - Review for the Indonesian version of The Throne of Light on Goodreads

Product Details

    File Size: 2020 KB
    Print Length: 301 pages
    Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
    Publisher: Bonmedo Tambunan (June 29, 2016)
    Publication Date: June 29, 2016
    Language: English
    ASIN: B01HRY6GVS
    Text-to-Speech: Enabled
    X-Ray:Not Enabled
    Word Wise: Enabled
    Lending: Not Enabled
    Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled

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Xar & Vichattan Book One
Buy this book from Amazon directly from this link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HRY6GVS

Xar & Vichattan Book Two
Buy this book from Amazon directly from this link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HRY6OXI

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The Islands of the Moon - River Jackson

T H E     I S L A N D S
OF    T H E    M O O N

A  NOVEL  IN  VERSE  BY  RIVER  JACKSON

December, 2098.  Earth has had it rough since the Apocalypse of 2030.  The weather sucks.  A lifeless, toxic ocean covers all except the remnants of some isolated mountain ranges, where the inhabitants must live by night.  Sun has become humanity's worst enemy.  Now thirteen Rocky Island sailors brave the Mississippi Sea and land here on the Appalachian Isles, discovering a culture vastly different from their own.  Amazingly, they manage it entirely in rhyming couplets of iambic pentameter.

Download the FREE E-Book / Print File Version here:
http://www.theislandsofthemoon.com/

Picture source: Wonders of the Earth - Moon and Star Island
regresodelhipocampo.blogspot.com 

The Flame in the Mist | Book Trailer

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsNhJMIKaEc
http://youtu.be/dsNhJMIKaEc

Synopsis:
Set in an imagined past, this dark fantasy-adventure is for fans of Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass. Features Jemma, a fiery-headed heroine held captive in Agromond Castle, yet destined to save mist-shrouded Anglavia.

Learn More:
http://www.randomhouse.com/book/21962...

Fiery-headed Jemma Agromond is not who she thinks she is, and when the secrets and lies behind her life at mist-shrouded Agromond Castle begin to unravel, she finds herself in a chilling race for her life. Ghosts and misfits, a stone and crystals, a mysterious book, an ancient prophecy—all these reveal the truth about Jemma's past and a destiny far greater and more dangerous than she could have imagined in her wildest fantasies. With her telepathic golden rats, Noodle and Pie, and her trusted friend, Digby, Jemma navigates increasingly dark forces, as helpers both seen and unseen, gather. But in the end, it is her own powers that she must bring to light, for only she has the key to defeating the evil ones and fulfilling the prophecy that will bring back the sun and restore peace in Anglavia.

Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin - Book Trailer

In a magical kingdom where your name is your destiny, 12-year-old Rump is the butt of everyone's joke.

Rump has never known his full name—his mother died before she could tell him. So all his life he's been teased and bullied for his half-a-name. But when he finds an old spinning wheel, his luck seems to change. For Rump discovers he can spin straw into gold. Magical gold.

His best friend Red Riding Hood warns him that magic is dangerous—and she's right! That gold is worth its weight in trouble. And with each thread he spins, Rump weaves himself deeper into a curse.

There's only one way to break the spell: Rump must go on a quest to find his true name, along the way defending himself against pixies, trolls, poison apples, and one beautiful but vile-mannered queen. The odds are against him, but with courage and friendship—and a cheeky sense of humor—Rump just might triumph in the end.

An inventive fairytale retelling, perfect for fans of Gail Carson Levine or Shannon Hale.


Learn more at Random House:
http://www.randomhouse.com/book/218540/rump-the-true-story-of-rumpelstiltskin-by-liesl-shurtliff

Source:  http://youtu.be/mpqaOP3UdQ8

Lunula - Alyssa Auch

The Witch and the Warlock

Lunula

Alyssa Auch (Author), Ivan Ciano (Editor), John Phillip Cameron (Cover Artist)

 

The witch knows he will hunt her.

If history repeats itself, as it always does, Wynn will have no choice but to cross paths with her feared counterpart, the warlock. If given the chance, he would kill Wynn, absorbing her aura and obtaining ultimate power. In a desperate attempt to outrun destiny, Wynn moves from place to place, hoping to stray from the map laid out by the Fates. But by chance, on an urgent errand for Queen Alexandria herself, Wynn finds she has fallen into the hands of the one man she so hopelessly fled from. Now his captive, Wynn must guard her secret and that of her kingdom, or risk bringing forth a dark age not seen in hundreds of years.


 Buy Lunula directly in Caliburn Books!
 http://www.caliburnbook.com/lunula.html

 E-Book  $2.99 (Includes both EPUB & PDF)
Paperback $8.99

The Crimson Time - A Vampire Crawl

The Crimson Time - A Vampire Crawl

By Patricia K. McCarthy

The Crimson Time is a tale of consumption to gross excess, a "vampire crawl" if you will; a pub crawl in the company of vampires, with a treasure hunt to drive the plot on its lurching, sodden way. Magdalene our luscious heroine returns, now a vampire full-blown. Bask in her immortal radiance as we share a few tumblers of dark rum with Auntie, listen as baby Finn farts (loudly; blame the vegetables) and watch as husband Samuel makes a total ass of himself. The Crimson Time dishes up tales of wicked sex, basement grow-ops, police malfeasance, rampant bloodletting and more... all of it set on a single, late-winter's day in Canada's fair Capital.

Embrace the Highland Warrior - Anita Clenney

Excerpt - Embrace the Highland Warrior http://amzn.to/ttZNfo


Her throat tightened as she approached the three graves. What did she hope to find? Reconciliation? Closure? To make sense of the lies? A whisper brushed her ear, a fluttering sound, and she tilted her head, listening. Skin prickling, she turned. A statue stood in the corner, an angel watching over the dead? She didn’t remember seeing

it the last

time she was here, but it had been years ago, and her head had been blurred with pain. A soft breeze ruffled her hair and stirred the dying October leaves. Just leaves rustling, not whispers. After the last few weeks, she jumped at every sound.

She studied the names engraved on the larger headstones, then knelt before the tiny one cradled between them. Her finger traced the worn name—Dana Michelle Rodgers—under the angel’s outstretched wing, thinking she should have some sense of recognition.
After all, it was her grave.

Something flashed in her mind, a memory, a dream—fire and pain. Shay shook her head and frowned. Some guardian angel. The clouds shifted, and a shadow crossed the angel’s face, as if he didn’t appreciate her disrespect. She heard the whisper again. It came from near the statue. Was someone hiding there? What if it was him? She squinted, trying to focus, and then watched in horror as the statue turned and looked at her.

David and Leigh Eddings - The Younger Gods (Book 4 of the Dreamers) Review

The Younger Gods by David Eddings

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Well, I beg to differ.



"The Gods Must Be Crazy".

It's an obvious notion Vadis, the Pilgrim From Everna got while exploring the nameless World of the Dreamers. And that notion escalated to a climax in this final episode of The Dreamers Saga.



In this last work, the late David Eddings tried so hard to bring out the "climax of all climaxes". While altogether sliced the story between lots of main characters' point-of-views and balancing between dialogue, narration (story) and action.



The result is, the Pilgrim is again impressed by the brilliant work of a true Fantasy Pro as follows:



- Brilliant strategies, giving a more "natural" touch in this "god-loaded" story.

From fort-building to outsmarting enemies and - a goddess in particular.



- Fantastic and godly magicks that seem to fit in place, representing the main elements of nature. Remember the episodes: 1-Volcano (Earth-Fire), 2-Flood (Water), 3-Tornado (Wind-Blue Fire) and 4-Blizzard (Ice).



-Individual brilliance of the commanders and especially the "Dream Team": Longbow, Keselo, Rabbit and Omago.

If you choose to ignore Omago from page one, get ready for a surprise. A bit predictable, yet still shocking.

All in all, the characters are likable with sufficient descriptions of their interesting personalities, traits and abilities.



In spite of that, the Pilgrim stumbled on several things. Observant readers, be warned.



- Too many reminders and discussions about the exploits in past episodes and chapters, in dialogues and narrations alike.



- Except for the blizzard and a few others, on many occasions the Pilgrim was left with "reports" about battles and such. Maybe it's to avoid prolonged narrations about such "minor events". Yet the Pilgrim wished he "join" the characters in action in the spur of the moment instead of "hearing" them TALK about it. The danger, the suspense...



- The involvement of so many mighty gods and dreamers, though with limitations still made things seem so easy.

Especially, for instance, "Father Time". He made the daring sneak into the nest of the Vlagh like a walk in the park.

Well, let's just assume that the gods helped make the impossible possible. Whenever the mortals meet a dead end, the gods would walk in and break the wall.



Apart from the setbacks, the Pilgrim saw (or read) some very interesting things:



- Aracia's madness maybe a subject of scrutiny here - the base problem, the elder gods' main weakness. Yet, the Pilgrim can't help feeling sorry for her. Well, even Greek, Norse and mythological gods have their flaws too.



- The fission between "Big Me" and "Little Me" is another fascinating thing. They shared one body at first, so the logical split should be one in body, one in spirit. Well, where logics can't explain, as long as it's in realms of fantasy we'll just assume it as the work of the almighty.



- As explained in the ending solution, the human counterparts, especially the "mercenaries" didn't retain the memory of their "tour of profit" in Dhrall. They only became more mature, wise and knowledgeable without knowing how.

That's good because, if their memory was intact, we can predict what happen next: The Trogs, Malavis and Maags would unite and invade Dhrall, bringing their gods with them. "You cheated! Give us our gold back!" They'd say.

The Pilgrim must agree that he found the time-manipulating ending is logically hard to believe. Some said that right out: it's plain stupid.



- Among the notable new characters is Alcevan, the crafty little priestess. If only she wasn't at all "buggy", she would be a perfect mate for Rabbit.



All in all, this last work of David Eddings is worthy of appreciation and regarded as "The Treasured One", if not for entertainment. Just consider the condition Eddings was in when he wrote this novel and the magnitude and flair of his works in his prime.



Farewell, David and Leigh. We'll always remember you and learn from your legacy.



Review by: The Pilgrim of Everna

As written in: http://fireheart-vadis.blogspot.com/2011...



View all my reviews

The four elder gods Dahlaine, Zelana, Aracia, and Veltan have ruled over Dhrall for eons. Every 25,000 years, the siblings pass on their duties to a quartet of young gods so that they can rest. But as the next changing of the gods approaches, the elder gods are faced with a potential catastrophe: an enemy has arisen from the vast wasteland in the center of Dhrall and is bent on conquering the entire realm and using all its inhabitants as nourishment for its minions. The Vlagh, as it is called, is a wellspring of evil, continually birthing nightmarish insectoid monstrosities to make up her army. But as the final battle looms closer, one of the elder gods begins losing her sanity. As the gods desperately search for ways to stop the Vlagh -- and rein in their unstable sibling -- heroes turn up in the unlikeliest places.



A word of warning: Fantasy fans who are looking for a truly epic fantasy saga -- like Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth or Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time -- will not find it here. Unlike the Eddings' classic Belgariad series (Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, et al.), the Dreamers tetralogy is decidedly light, featuring a more intimate cast of characters, all-age-encompassing themes, and not overly complex plot threads. That said, hard-core Eddings fans should thoroughly enjoy the husband-and-wife writing duo's world of Dhrall, where the godly couple Ara and Omago are arguably extensions of the authors themselves. Paul Goat Allen(less)

Mass Market Paperback, 432 pages
Published March 1st 2007 by Warner Books (first published 2006)
ISBN 0446613320 (ISBN13: 9780446613323)
edition language: English

The Last Battle of the Starswords

Click on image to read it on the source site

Written by: Dale Broda jr

Description:
She’s tried for years to get the sister sword from Andorian. With no success. Losing patience, a war broke out. This is the story of the end of that war, where brother and sister sword clash for one last time.

Source: Evolitera
http://evolitera.co.id/ebook/the-last-battle-of-the-starswords

Category: Fantasy, Novel

Type of Book: ebook

Publisher: Self-Publish

Number of Pages: 49

Language: English

Have you read more than six of these books?

Have you read more than six of these books?

The BBC believes most people will have read only 6 of the 100 books on this list.

Instructions: copy this into your notes. Bold those books you have read in their entirety. Italicize those you started but didn't finish or read only an excerpt. Tag other book nerds. Tag me as well so I can read your responses.


1. Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkein

2. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

3. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman

4. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams

5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, JK Rowling

6. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee

7. Winnie the Pooh, AA Milne

8. Nineteen-Eighty-Four, George Orwell

9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, CS Lewis

10. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte

11. Catch-22, Joseph Heller

12. Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte

13. Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks

14. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier

15. The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger

16. The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Graham

17. Great Expectations, Charles Dickens

18. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott

19. Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres

20. War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy

21. Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell

22. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, JK Rowling

23. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, JK Rowling

24. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, JK Rowling

25. The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien

26. Tess of the Durbervilles, Thomas Hardy

27. Middlemarch, George Eliot

28. A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irwin

29. The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck

30. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll

31. The Story of Tracy Beaker, Jacqueline Wilson

32. One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez

33. The Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett

34. David Copperfield, Charles Dickens

35. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl

36. Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson

37. A Town Like Alice, Nevil Shute

38. Persuasion, Jane Austen

39. Dune, Frank Herbert

40. Emma, Jane Austen

41. Anne of Green Gables, LM Montgomery

42. Watership Down, Richard Adams

43. The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald


44. The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas

45. Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh

46. Animal Farm, George Orwell

47. A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens

48. Far From the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy

49. Goodnight Mister Tom, Michelle Magorian

50. The Shell Seekers, Rosamunde Pilcher

51. The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett

52. Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck

53. The Stand, Stephen King

54. Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy

55. A Suitable Boy, Vikrem Seth

56. The BFG, Roald Dahl

57. Swallows and Amazons, Arthur Ransome

58. Black Beauty, Anna Sewell

59. Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer

60. Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky

61. Noughts and Crosses, Malorie Balckman

62. Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden

63. A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens

64. The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCollough

65. Mort, Terry Pratchett

66. The Magic Faraway Tree, Enid Blyton

67. The Magus, John Fowles

68. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

69. Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett

70. Lord of the Flies, William Golding

71. Perfume, Patrick Suskind

72. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Robert Tressell

73. Night Watch, Terry Pratchett

74. Matilda, Roald Dahl

75. Bridget Jones' Diary, Helen Fielding

76. The Secret History, Donna Tartt

77. The Woman in White, Wilkie Collins

78. Ulysses, James Joyce

79. Bleak House, Charles Dickens

80. Double Act, Jacqueline Wilson

81. The Twits, Roald Dahl

82. I Capture the Castle, Dodie Smith

83. Holes, Louis Sachar

84. Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake

85. The God of Small Things, Arundhati Roy

86. Vicky Angel, Jacqueline Wilson

87. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley

88. Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibson

89. Magician, Raymond E Feist

90. On the Road, Jack Kerouac

91. The Godfather, Mario Puzo

92. The Clan of the Cave Bear, Jean M Auel

93. The Colour of Magic, Terry Pratchett

94. The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho

95. Katherine, Anna Seton

96. Kane and Abel, Jeffrey Archer

97. Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel Garcia Marquez

98. Girls in Love, Jacqueline Wilson

99. The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot

100. Midnight's Children, Salman Rushdie


BJ Vadis: Okay, so I read 18:
1, 3, 5, 7, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 34, 35, 36, 44, 47, 62, 63

Source: Truly Rudiono's Facebook Note
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/notes/truly-rudiono/have-you-read-more-than-six-of-these-books/10150099958937279

The Taleweaver

The Taleweaver - Fan art by Andry Chang

The Taleweaver Indonesian Language Edition Front Cover

Tell me, will you choose death if you can’t attain your true love? Or you can only bend your knees, crying, sobbing, and hiding behind the door like a child loses a candy bar?

A tale about Jim this is. Since boyhood he believed that every soul is destined to have one true love. Truthfully, it means almost all of us have a similar tale with Jim’s. However, this tale becomes different with ours when Jim didn’t even come to realize that love is a noun. And as a noun, it obviously needs actions, not just feelings.

Jim was born and raised in a beautiful coastal town. His simple and naive life as a fiddler playing in every party in town changed one hundred and eighty degrees when he attended the mayor’s daughter, his best friend Marguerite’s wedding. In that party, Jim met Nayla, a beautiful girl from the neighboring sub-continent, a member of Marguerite’s husband’s family. Their eyes met, and nothing else mattered.

Jim has found his true love.

They have fallen for each other. Alas, Nayla’s family confined her in the walls of nobility, traditions and pride, and also guarded her with a band of Bedouin-Arab mercenaries brandished with broad scimitars. And the cowardly Jim made a big mistake! Not only he was too scared to break those walls and go past the guards, but also made Nayla desperate. That ill-fated girl took her own life.

Footages of this classic tale are presented briefly at the first part of this novel. A full chapter is used to make the readers understand about Jim’s love problem. But actually, this novel doesn’t go around the cause of Nayla’s suicide. Not like other classic love stories that ended with sadness (or happiness) because the failure (or success) of the protagonist’s love, that kind of ending is actually the beginning of this story. The tale begins with: Jim felt very guilty upon Nayla’s death and didn’t now what to do but to cry regretfully. After all that happened, Jim’s life became very painful...

Luckily, Jim was chosen by the Keeper of Tales, the Taleweaver to weave a tale about overcoming his grief of the loss of the love of his life. Chosen to weave a tale about making peace with the past. The Taleweaver is a wise character, keeper of all tales in the world told by our parents by our bedside and rewritten in books. He asked Jim to do two things: Firstly, to believe in the words: “A true lover never gives up on life until death comes and takes it away.” Secondly, to join the Floating City Fleet expedition first thing in the morning.

In the timeline of this story, great expeditions to find new, undiscovered continents were just begun. One of them was Admiral Ramirez, leader of the greatest fleet in history of forty large ships that looked like a floating city from above. Jim didn’t want to go, as he has decided to spend the rest of his life in grief. Staring at Nayla’s grave. He also didn’t believe the Taleweaver’s promise at all. All that was nonsense to him. But the Bedouin mercenaries came for his head, forcing him to flee. So, Jim joined the fleet at last.

Years of journey along the vast oceans has begun. An expedition to find the Promised Land. Here, the cowardly Jim began to develop into a man of honor. From zero to hero. Day by day, along with the troubles in the Floating City Fleet, Jim was forged into a real man. The battle with the legendary pirate lord in the Oceans of China; The mysterious giant turtle with the great storm that came with it... The land battle in the Land of ChampaAdam’s Peak where he faced the mystery of his own destiny. To the mutiny within the Floating City Fleet when the crew began to feel weary after more than a thousand days of non-stop sea travel. (a beautiful kingdom full of girls of unfathomable beauty). The climb to

Along the voyage, the Taleweaver guided Jim. Jim also found out that Admiral Ramirez was also chosen by the Taleweaver to weave another tale. The tale to find the Promised Land – and more.

Several events in the journey are told in a colossal way. The tale about one of the most magnificent voyages ever recorded in history of mankind. But the grand seafaring tale was not the main theme, only the background of Jim’s love story.

It was because although Jim became one of the Commanders in the fleet, became the right hand man of the great Admiral Ramirez, became so valiant and powerful, educated and wise, Jim still couldn’t make peace with his past. Couldn’t ever forget his grief upon Nayla’s suicide.

Instead, the events in the Floating City Fleet became the symbol of the never-healing wound. Indeed, he looked tough from outside through the important events, but his heart was very fragile. Even Jim was always clouded with questions: he couldn’t be able to completely forgive his past, ever.

And here’s the most important story. The story about how Jim must believe the Taleweaver’s words of a true lover’s way, never to give his life up until death came and took it away. When Jim MUST finish his perilous journey – at any price!

Because all people in the world need this tale. To define the true meaning of heartbreak! To understand the true meaning of loss and to cope with it!

A tale for us to realize that the falling leaf doesn’t hate the wind...

“Will you die for me too?” Nayla asked softly.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Written by: Tere-Liye

English Publishers Wanted

For inquiries, please e-mail the author to: maibelopah@yahoo.com

First Published in Indonesia under the title: Sang Penandai

Publisher: Penerbit Serambi, Jakarta

How To Write An Epic Fantasy Novel

How To Write An Epic Fantasy Novel – A No Nonsense Guide To Getting The Job Done

The key to writing a real epic fantasy novel lies in the word "epic". But this doesn't just mean big in scale, scope, and size. An epic fantasy novel doesn't have to be a thousand page doorstop. It has to be epic in its ambitious reach for finding answers to the big questions in life. This is the true and hidden goal of epic fantasy. It is a vehicle for understanding what life is about. And even though the story may have dragons, and take place on an unbelievable world that doesn't really exist it needs to be applicable to the human condition.

So this is the first thing you have to do when writing an epic fantasy novel. Decide what you want to say about life or what important topic you want to explore. Write this down and keep it in mind throughout your whole novel writing experience. And remember that you don't have to come right out and explain your theme. It is usually better, and more rewarding for the reader, if you reveal the theme slowly and allow him or her to discover it.

Some common themes you may want to explore in epic fantasy include the examination of the nature of good and evil, the ultimate meaning of life, the quest to understand oneself, or the challenge of making the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Writing a book can be joyous, yet hard work, and you may need some motivation to get you through the whole task and here is all the motivation you will need. Write your theme down on a big piece of paper and pin it to the wall near your computer. Start it out like this: "My novel is all about: ". Then put in your theme or themes. Here is an example: "My novel is all about how adversity is the most important thing in life. It is through adversity that we each become a better person. Gold comes out of the ground dirty and ugly. It is by going through the fire that it is purified and made beautiful. And I am going to put my main character through the fire!" Whenever writing becomes difficult for you this will be a source of inspiration because you have something to say and your novel is how you are going to say it. The world truly deserves to hear your perspective on the big questions in life.

When doing the actual writing of the prose of the novel I recommend you set yourself a very distinct goal. This is imperative and the goal I recommend you set is that you will write part of the story every single day until it is done. It is even ok if you just write one sentence or even if you write a whole passage that you know you are going to delete tomorrow. The important thing is that you write every day.

I don't recommend you set goals that are pinned to dates or word counts. Dates can be tricky because a novel is a fluid thing. Your novel could end up being fifty thousand words or two hundred thousand words. This is because you are exploring a theme and more ideas and angles are going to come to you as progress. And I don't recommend pinning a daily or weekly word count to your writing because writing is a creative process and you could end up with just a lot of filler. Simply set yourself the goal of sitting down and writing every day. This will keep the writing going, keep the story moving, and insure your improvement. At some point in the middle of the novel you are going to look back and realize that you are in a routine and everything is flowing quite smoothly.

I have two final bits of advice for you when it comes to writing your epic fantasy novel. First off I recommend you keep a spiral bound notebook for ancillary information and notes. This is where you keep ideas, plot lines, character names, places and all your ancillary information organized. As your novel, and the world it portrays grows, you will need to manage a lot of information and over the course of months or even a year or more of writing you are going to forget things. But a reader could potentially go through your novel in just a few hours. He or she is going to see logical flaws. Write down the details in a spiral bound notebook and refer to it often.

The last bit of advice I have for you is that you should never rely on the fantasy aspect of your world as an escape route. What I mean is that there is nothing worse than watching the main character of a novel getting out of a tricky spot by whipping out a super-duper magical spell that the reader never even knew about. Make sure there are rules in your world and make sure your characters follow them. You are drawing parallels to real life and in real life there are tangible rules to everything. So create rules in your world and follow them.

An epic fantasy novel is an exploration of the big questions in life. You have a very valuable point of view about these big questions and there is an audience out there that is very willing to listen. Write yourself a clear statement of what you want to say and then write toward that goal every day. Before long you will have a written work that you will be proud of and that will enrich other peoples lives by shedding light on the human condition.

(Retrieved from several sources)

The First FireHeart Book is Released!

Hi, fellow readers,

I just want to inform you that the first FireHeart - Legend of the Paladins novel, the Bounty Hunters is now available in print (good quality paper book)!

Well, the catch is, it was published in Indonesian Language under the title: "FireHeart - Legenda Paladin (Buku Satu) Sang Pemburu". I guess the term "think globally, act locally" has something to do with this, but hey! It's a start.

I thank God for His bountiful blessing, considering it has been three years since I began this project back in January 2005, finished the first of the trilogy in April 2006, submitting it to several (if not a few) publishers who would consider unsolicited manuscripts, got rejected every time. An Indonesian publisher got interested in my blog and I translated it in Indonesian. It took me another year or so until its release.

Thus, the journey didn't end here. As I said, it's a start, so there is plenty of work to do ahead. Among them: promoting the first novel, submitting the english version and finalizing the final book of the Paladins Trilogy: The Lion, the Eagle and the Serpent (title may vary).

Well, I thank you all for visiting, reading and following FireHeart NovelBlog.
If there's any other way to express my gratitude, I'll do it.

Fulfill your destiny, and see you... on the other side.

Andry Chang (BJ Vadis)

(hehehe, this is the blog post i've been waiting 4 so long 2 write...)

3.2.8.1. Algaban's Call Part 2

(Revised Edition)

Robert.
Robert feels that someone is calling him, but… in the middle of the marshland?
Robert Chandler.
Naah, it can’t be. I must be hearing things. But what am I doing here? Am I supposed to be asleep now?
Robert Chandler, Orcbane, hear me. I call upon thee.
Robert tries to shout in response.
‘Who’s there? What are you calling me for?’
Answer me with your mind, Robert, as I can speak through your mind only. But hear me out first. Stay calm. Don’t get up.
All right then. Tell me who you are, and if you try to invade my mind I’ll fight you.
I’m sure you can, Robert. Anyway, I’m one of the most ancient dragons alive, Algaban is my name. Now please don’t speak, let me finish. I can talk through your mind now because in me resides the spirit of my first master and friend, Rheinavl Shvi’tharmõn of Thyrine. She has become me and I have become her and it’s her voice that you hear now.
I call upon you now because I need your help. You see, Vadis the Almighty has subdued me once and assigned me to guard Sodomos Adair’s Arsenal – a sign of truce between the two gods after Enia’s sacrifice - in Mount Hvalgarr, Northern Regia. I’ve defended it for years and ages from attacks, sneaks and raids without fail, but now I sense that immense and terrible powers are coming this way, and I will not withstand this combined power. Then I searched throughout the land for someone who can help me. I let my mind flew far and wide, seeking among heroes, hunters and nobles, dwarves and elves.
Finally, I found you, not very far from my home. You’re the one and only person who can hear my call. We have a spiritual bond, you and me. So, will you help me fight those intruders to protect Adair’s Legacy? I will reward you beyond your wildest dreams.
Robert replies, still in his mind. I beg your pardon, O’ Great Algaban, but I barely know you. I only heard your name in legends and folklores, how can I be sure it’s you who’s talking to me, not someone else? And where in Mount Hvalgarr do you live? Please show me directions so we can go there as quickly as we can.
There’s silence for a while. Then Algaban’s telepathy rings again in Robert’s mind.
I understand you to be cautious, Robert, and I admire you for that. Therefore, I’ll give you images of my own and my humble abode in your mind, so, prepare yourself. Are you ready?
Yes, I am.
From a blank, dark view, Robert begins to see things in his mind. It’s Mount Hvalgarr, and it seems Robert is although flying towards it in high speed. The view of Mount Hvalgarr slowly zooms in, and at last he arrives on an entrance into a huge cave, big enough for five fully-grown dragons to fly in easily. Then he flies into the cave, and after several turnings and crossroads, Robert sees a huge, very spacious room. The wall of carved stones surrounds this room, giving it a grand look of a treasure vault. And what good is a treasure vault without treasures? Twelve cases are put in this room; eight of them are open and empty, and the rest are magically sealed.
And there it is. The ancient demigod dragon Algaban, standing on two feet not like ordinary dragons in the middle of the vast room. Algaban’s head looks more like an eagle than a dragon, but the back of its head is unusually shaped to give it a more menacing and powerful look. Its torso, legs and hands look like humans have, but they’re fully covered with red scales and golden, thick hide. Its long tail wags menacingly and its wide-spread wings flaps forcefully, lifting Algaban from the ground. And it floats there in mid-air, it stares directly to Robert. Robert is totally amazed with Algaban’s appearance, and suddenly he remembers something.
Ah! She… she looks like…
You’re correct. My head and neck look like the main cannon figurehead of the airship Aurora. In fact, the airship was modeled after me although in the end it looks more like a giant mace than a dragon. Eidos Crydias the Grand Artificer saw me once when he was young and I rescued him from a pack of dire wolves when he ventured into Northern Regia in his apprenticeship days to accomplish a quest from his teacher. The Chrono Chakram chose him and I let him have it. He never forgets me ever since; he even drew my head in his journal and built Aurora to honor me.
Well, now that you see me, what’s your answer? Will you help me?
Ah, I don’t know… you said you are guarding Adair’s Arsenal and defended them without fail. Well, there are twelve of them, right? But why are eight weapons missing?
Ah, you’re truly observant. Anyone seeing that would say that I lied about my flawless defense. But well, I’ll answer to that. You see, these weapons I’m guarding have ‘souls’ within them, so usually the weapons choose their masters. My job is to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. So, for thousands of years I’ve found people who can hear me and guided them here, and exposed the arsenal on them. And so far, there were three weapons which found their masters: The twin dagger Ultimatum, the great sword Kraal’shazar, Scythe of the Crow, Chrono Chakram, the great hammer Terra Nakroß, the twin sword Colathaloc, Carrion Halberd, and the Viper Cane.
Robert finds something very contradictive about this, and protests. But, that’s thousands and hundreds of years ago. By now, all the weapons out there may be held by wrong hands. Deathblade, for instance, was held by the worst villains in history, namely Mildred Urganon and Paliades, Vordac’s heir. To get it off their hands a great number of people have lost their lives; Thousands or maybe millions. And now it’s in Adler’s hands, a person whose allegiance we’re not sure about. I think I’d rather have them in your protection. Why did you search for suitors anyway? What are you playing at?
Before you say that, Robert, you must understand one thing. I used to a wild life once, and I was used by Adair to defeat Vadis, and as you know, Vadis defeated me instead. The truce between Vadis and Adair compelled both of them to surrender their weapons and the weapons of their subordinates and they are never to touch their weapons again. However, they may entrust the weapons to other people with lesser powers but with perfect compatibility to the weapons to maintain balance of power. Vadis’ Arsenal of Light and the Sword of Justice were entrusted to – for instance – the heroes of your age, Sage and Antoine Deveraux. So why Adair’s Arsenal can’t be distributed as well? And I, being trapped between the two gods, don’t have other choices but to obey the conditions of their truce. I will be free once more once I distributed the entire arsenal, and I need you now because I know for sure the people coming here are the wrong sort of people with great powers but dark intentions. That’s why I need your help. Maybe I’ll be dead if I fight them alone, or I’ll be dead for sure if they steal the weapons against the weapons’ will. That’s the magical curse that binds me, so I MUST complete my duty so Vadis will free me from the contract.
All right, I can take your explanations although some things are still unclear to me. Are you sure the things you’ve displayed to me in my mind are real? I mean those are pretty vague to me.
Hm, I still see hesitation in your face. Of course, if you’re still not sure whether these images are fabricated or reflections of reality, you can come to Mount Hvalgarr to find out the truth. So for the third and final time, will you help me?

Runemarks

Runemarks by Joanne Harris

About the book

Seven o’clock on a Monday morning, five hundred years after the end of the world, and goblins had been at the cellar again. . . . Not that anyone would admit it was goblins. In Maddy Smith’s world, order rules. Chaos, old gods, fairies, goblins, magic, glamours–all of these were supposedly vanquished centuries ago. But Maddy knows that a small bit of magic has survived. The “ruinmark” she was born with on her palm proves it–and makes the other villagers fearful that she is a witch (though helpful in dealing with the goblins-in-the-cellar problem). But the mysterious traveler One-Eye sees Maddy’s mark not as a defect, but as a destiny. And Maddy will need every scrap of forbidden magic One-Eye can teach her if she is to survive that destiny.

>> Read an excerpt
>> Meet the characters
>> Buy the book

Source: http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/runemarks/home.html

The NEW Romance of the Three Kingdoms Novel!

A Classic Chinese Masterpiece re-told in a new way.

The free chapters are online, just like mine.... - BJ Vadis

Just click the link to:
http://dw3k.com/home.html

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The First Few
Part 1

The sounds of battle rang out over the land.

As the two waves of rampaging martial artists became one, a ragged boy struck down an opposing teenager wearing a yellow cloth around his forehead. The child paused to steady himself, but he was sliced across the cheek by a larger youth in a gold coloured outfit and fell to the ground. Amongst the screams and the clanging of weapons, the large youth laughed as a small plain clothed foe neared, yet his voice was cut short as he was stabbed in the abdomen. The undersized man quickly raised his blade to finish the larger opponent when his own head was removed from behind. Wearing a yellow bandanna this killer appeared a strong combatant, however a nimble old man confronted him on his left side. As they closed on one another the old man dodged the slash of his enemy and rolled, cutting into the other's leg at the same time. He saw the foe slump and heard his painful scream, but as the elder came again to complete the fight he was slain by the wounded man. The stronger combatant, now wounded, weakly pulled his sword from the chest of the old man. Wincing in pain and holding his leg, he looked around and saw a group of youngsters bearing toward. Their faces showed a lust for blood and he could not hope to survive as they surrounded him. He flailed his arms and legs attempting to keep them at bay, but they quickly hacked off chunks of his flesh until the body stopped moving. One of the young men in the group decapitated the corpse and waved the skull in the air. He plucked the gold cloth from the scalp of the deceased and held it high. The fighters around him also raised the yellow scarves they had taken from the heads of their enemies. Together they screeched and cheered.

Continue to Part 2

3.2.8.2. Genilda's Advice Part 1

Early the next day, Robert and his friends are walking on the plains, out of the Jigdha’uthul swamp, heading south. From Chris and Carolyn’s faces, we know at once that they’re still fatigued and sleepy due to lack of sleep. Andreas is rather tired too but his chubby face and thick beard hide his expression and make him look as though he’s smiling.

But even Iris, the most vibrant of them all, is the first one who throws her complaint.

‘Tell me one thing, Robert. You mean you asked us to abandon the Uthul frog job and go on a dubious mission because some dragon asked for your favor in your dream?’

‘Yes, that’s so,’ says Robert, ‘and she’s not some dragon. She’s Algaban, the most ancient of dragons in our world and age!’

Andreas adds, ‘We know about Algaban, Robert. But we still can’t trust her until we actually meet her.’

Carolyn also adds, ‘Maybe she’s an impostor, trying to lure you into a trap.’

Robert answers calmly, ‘Yes, I’ve thought of that too, but I’ve decided to help her. So, in a way or another, we go to Mount Hvalgarr. All I ask of you is to get prepared for anything. If she’s indeed an impostor, we’ll kill her. And if it’s a trap we’ll clear it up so no one else will fall into the same trap like we do.’

‘Aye, that’s very noble of you, lad,’ says Andreas. ‘But I feel we’ll be fighting forces beyond our comprehension!’

‘Didn’t we always?’ says Robert, ‘in our jobs, missions, in Enia’s Sanctum?’

‘And it’s worth dropping other jobs… even going home,’ says Chris. Carolyn stares at Chris with worry. Chris looks totally messed up, exhausted from sleepless nights. Carolyn says,

‘You said Algaban asked us to be on her side in a week, isn’t it? I suggest we better fetch our horses now, and return to Barc’vadon to rest and resupply. It’ll only take two days, max. And then we’ll ride all the way to Hvalgarr so we can reach Algaban in time.’

‘Sounds like a good plan,’ says Iris.

Robert looks at his friends one by one, and concludes,

‘I’m glad we are all agreed to this. Now let us hurry, we much reach the stables before sundown.’

==oOo==

As evening comes the next day, the streets in Barc’vadon, the capital of the Kingdom of Bresconnor are dark – except the dim candle lights from the houses and buildings there. It’s a grim city, no doubt about that, with grim-faced, rude people living there. Most of the buildings are shabby and some of them are even beyond repair and in the brink of collapse.

Many said the condition in this ‘grim slum city’ is the outcome from a nation ruled by corrupt, tyrant nobles and an incompetent king, Chivron van Kreulen. Because of high taxes and lack of resources, the people of Bresconnor only want to survive. They don’t give a damn whatsoever about honor, justice, aesthetics and the good of the society. They are nothing but selfish, dumb and violent brutes, the exact contrary with the lavish landlords.

But of course, not all peasants there are brutes, and not all nobles are corruptors. There are still a few nobles who are really noble, and parts of the population are good, hard-working people who uphold justice, decency and honor above anything else, like our friend here, Yemima Genilda.

Genilda, a widow in her forties, plain but cheerful looking, is standing in front of her flower shop, the tidiest house in her block. The streets in this block are practically deserted now. Genilda looks around and sighs.

‘Jolly holly, looks like we will be together again one more day,’ Genilda speaks to her flowers as though they are her own family.

Then she hums melodiously, humming some Bresconian folk songs and enjoying her work, watering the flowers and shoveling the earth around them to make it loose. Tulips (only found in Bresconnor), roses, dandelions, and various sorts of flower plants native to Aurelian Continent are neatly and orderly kept in big vases in the front of the shop. Butterflies are sometimes seen flying around them, supplements of the beautiful scenery. Thanks to Genilda’s care, the flowers in this shop are always fresh and somewhat radiant, like their counterparts in the wild.

Genilda sighs a bit while humming, thinking. What use are pretty fresh flowers if no one’s buying them? No one cares about beauty here anymore. Even a man only presents bread to propose to the girl he loves. If I don’t love my flowers, I’ll abandon them and move to Lore for my kids’ sake. But thanks to my friends, I now have extra income for a year and a half now; it can cover up all my expenses including taking care of my flowers. And I don’t have to go adventuring again – after the loss of my honey hubby, Kluyvard.

Kluyvard’s widow pauses for a while, thinking back about what happened in Enia’s Sanctum. After a brief moment, suddenly Enia is snapped back to herself. Well, my job is done, and I’ll call it a day then...

But wait! I think I see people coming from there. Ah, yes! It’s them, all right.

The friends whom Genilda referred to are Robert, Chris, Carolyn, Iris and Andreas, the party of five. They are walking towards Genilda’s shop in a hurry. Genilda greets them, saying,

‘Rob, guys, glad to see you back safe and sound. What’s taking you in such a hurry?’

‘We have an urgent thing coming. We’ll talk inside,’ says Robert.

‘After supper, I suppose,’ says Chris. ‘Man, I’m so hungry I can eat a whole cow!’

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3.2.8.2. Genilda's Advice Part 2

(Revised Edition)

Robert and friends are now walking inside Genilda’s shop as though it’s their own home. They follow Genilda through the front room, the shop section filled with decorations and bouquets made from preserved and dried flowers, and then into the family room. They see Genilda’s two daughters, age nine and four, each wearing a wreath of flowers and playing with Chiel the micha (a winged, mouse-like magical animal) and their dolls. The dolls are placed in rows as though they are the audience, and the children are dancing, skipping and singing in front of them, making an act, an operetta show. The micha also acts there as the children’s playmate.
The act soon finishes, the girls bow to the dolls, and the hunters give them a hearty applause. Chiel also does somersaults in mid-air happily.
‘Beautiful, girls. So well done,’ says Andreas.
‘Lauryn, Marjan, that’s a good one, girls, but you better help out in the kitchen now. It’s almost dinner and Uncle Chris is famished.’
‘Aw, mom, do we have to?’ says Marjan.
‘Mom must work now, sweethearts. Don’t argue with me or we all won’t have dinner tonight.’
‘Oh, awright...’
Marjan’s elder sister, Lauryn goes straight into the kitchen without saying a word. From the look of her face, we can say that Lauryn doesn’t like too many people (strangers in particular) staying in her house, even for a few hours.
Genilda then takes the hunters into another room. This room looks like an office or a meeting room, and piles of documents are sorted neatly, categorically and alphabetically on the racks. Scent of chamomile comes from the vases kept on the walls, on the left and right side of the windowless room. It’s a typical, well-organized office run by women.
But one can judge by a few posters pinned on a wooden board on the wall that it’s not an ordinary office. And if we see the posters more clearly: wanted criminals, monsters to hunt, items and treasures on demand, we can obviously conclude that it’s a hunters’ guild.
Genilda takes her seat, and after her guests are well-seated (except Robert, who in his nature prefers standing this time) begins talking casually but inquiringly.
‘So, what’s the big hurry, guys? You can’t wait to cash the goods in, can you? I didn’t expect you to get the Uthul frog galls so quickly.’
Carolyn answers sheepishly, ‘Er, actually... we didn’t bring ALL of them. We didn’t complete the task.’
‘Yeah,’ says Iris, ‘something just came up.’
‘Jolly holly! What kept you? What made you end your spotless record? Well, whatever it is, it better be good.’
Robert answers, ‘Now listen to me and I’ll tell you everything. You see, Genilda...’
Robert goes on, telling Genilda about his dream and everything he has told his comrades. Genilda listens patiently with full attention and only comments when Robert finishes his explanation.
‘So, you abandoned your task to follow a vision, a mission given in your dream?’
‘Yes, I am. I too doubted her at first, just like you to me now. But after she showed me so many things and even explained about her weakness, I have no other thought but to go there and find out either it is real or a trap. Whatever we do, we are ready and we’ll see it through to the end for the sake of mankind.’
‘Good thinking, Rob. But let me get this straight. You’ll be risking your necks out there just like Enia’s Sanctum and this time there are going to be only five of you. Are you sure you don’t want to bring anybody else there? I mean, “ancient dragons” can be absolutely, infinitely nasty, you know.’
‘I appreciate your concern, Ilda. But I think we made quite an improvement since Sanctum, from our jobs and journeys around Aurelia. We have experienced much, if not, Algaban wouldn’t have called us.’
‘Well, no point stopping you then, if you are so confident about your team. I’ll help provide for your provisions and tell you the quickest way to Mount Hvalgarr. But let me analyze the situation first. I believe you told me that Algaban has given eight weapons away from the arsenal. Deathscythe Crow, Terra Nakroß, Deathblade Kraal’shazar, Chrono Chakram, Colathaloc, Viper Cane, Carrion Halberd and the daggers stained with cursed blood: Ultimatum.’
‘Right.’
‘Kraal’shazar is in Adler’s hand now. He is still the prime suspect for being Vordac’s real new host, and is watched closely by his partners, Eidos Crydias – the holder of Chrono Chakram and Hernan Parvaez. But judging from his behavior until now, I think Vordac’s spirit is still weak and dormant, hiding somewhere or is still sealed in the sword, or perished with Paliades. Alexis holds the Colath’aloc, Desmond the Terra Nakroß, and the Ultimatum, you know who owns them... the rogue assassin MacLair – he is still at large, the most wanted man in Aurelia. I don’t know where the Crow Scythe and Carrion Halberd are now.
That leaves the Viper Cane. Do you know who owns it?’
‘I don’t know, Ilda. And neither do the rest of us.’
Carolyn cuts in, ‘Ilda, from the sound of your voice, you do know who the owner is, right? I mean, I thought the Viper Cane was lost for ages!’
‘You’re right, Carol,’ answers Genilda, ‘I know who’s the new master of the Viper Cane. She is called Zal’fira, a native Bresconnor. She once was a dark witch with no repute, until she took up necromancy. No one knows when and where she found that cursed cane, but it only took her five years to perfect her necromancy crafts. And one more thing, I heard she made a spiritual bond with the ancient dark dragon, Omegron the Tiamat, and she has sold her soul to Sodomos. The reason why you never heard of her is she never did anything big until now. All she does are experiments, with corpses, poisons and alchemy, and she meditates a lot.
With Omegron on her side, she now possesses one of the mightiest forces in Aurelia. Beside Sylvanian dark forces, Zal’fira is most likely one of the “great forces” Algaban fears. I tell you this so you’ll be prepared for anything lies ahead. Remember, if you must fight Zal’fira, be extremely careful. Well-known enemies of their well-known methods – like MacLair, for instance – are easier to fight against. But this Zal’fira... it’ll be extremely harder to fight someone you hardly know about.’
‘But how do you know her?’ says Iris. ‘You said even Bresconians hardly heard of her.’
‘That’s because we used to hunt together as a party when we were young. She is five years older than I am, yet I used to save her life so many times that she harbored envy towards me. Her envy turned into hate when I and Kluyvard were married. She liked ol’ Kluy, you know. She left our hunting party without a word and didn’t come to our wedding party either. I didn’t hate her because of that, but I never expected her to be this terrible.’
Chris concludes, ‘So, in other words, we must prepare to fight against the heir or the heir’s minions, Zal’fira, or plus Algaban herself.’
‘Yup.’
‘And the chance of us getting out of Hvalgarr Mountain cave alive is as thin as a strand of hair split in half.’
‘You said it.’
‘Bring them on.’
‘We have promised, so we’ll go as soon as possible,’ says Robert. ‘Thank you for your invaluable information, Ilda. I really appreciate it.’
Genilda answers with a slight remorse. ‘Jolly holly, I knew from the start that I can’t always depend on you guys as my meal ticket. I knew you’ll go far away again, only this time I fear that I won’t be seeing you again for a long, long time.’
Carolyn responds, a bit concerned. ‘Aw, Ilda, don’t be like that. I know we will meet again soon. But what will you do without us?’
‘Don’t worry about me, my friends,’ says Genilda. ‘When I decided to open this secret guild, I planned ahead to make this guild grow. Hunter guilds are illegal in Bresconnor, but with the flower shop as camouflage, I managed to assign several good hunters to do the tasks. There are fourteen of them active now. They are never as good as or better than you guys, but they proved to be a great help with a good rate of job completions. So, go. I and my kids will be okay.’
‘I’m sure you will, Ilda,’ says Carolyn with the sweetest smile she can put on. ‘You have been so resourceful since the first time we met you. I’m sure you’ll be all right.’
Genilda smiles back at Carolyn, saying, ‘Well, in that case let us dine, prepare and pray, may Vadis take care of you in your mission. Now what took the kids...’
GRUMBLE!
‘Hey, what’s that?’ says Iris, puzzled.
GRRRUMBLEEE!
Iris and the others look around to find the source of the grumbling sound. As they see Christopher rubbing his stomach with his two hands with a grimace on his face, they know at once that the sounds were from Chris’ empty stomach. Instead of being sympathetic to Chris, they all – except Robert – laugh out very-very loudly, amused with Chris’ attitude.
Robert shakes his head slightly with his ever-serious face. And Chris, of course, feels so ashamed in addition of his hunger. His face blushes like a little kid and he rushes out from the room towards the kitchen, under his friends’ continuous laughter.