First Draw

by Tim Moon

  “Are they familiar to you?” Thendo asked.

  “I can’t tell yet.” Jaron squinted. “Too many shadows.”

  The figure moved forward cautiously from tree to tree, silent as death. Soon a familiar furry face peered out from behind a tree. Cyprus stared at Jaron with narrowed eyes. The suspicious gaze made Jaron tense.

  “It’s me, Jaron,” he said.

  “Oh?” The felidari’s ear twitched and his suspicious gaze turned into a scowl. “The Jaron I know is dead. Yet you appear to be hale. I grant you it is a convincing illusion, imposter. Be gone.”

  Before Jaron could speak, Cyprus drew the bone knife and growled.

  Confused by the reaction, Jaron held his hands up in surrender. He had to convince his friend that he really was the same man, er, elf, or…being?

  “You’re right, the sharkodile killed me,” Jaron said quickly. “After we escaped Myra Bathory and the cottonmouth snakes, you and the children got off the boat. I was too slow.” His shoulders quaked at the memory. “But I promise you, I am Jaron Lionhart. The very same one that helped you escape the cage and slave collar. A lot has happened since then though. If you put the knife away, I will be happy to tell you guys what happened after I died.”

  “So, you are the puppet of a necromancer?” Cyprus asked with a hiss, dropping into a fighting stance. “Is that how you came back?”

  “What? No!” Jaron waved his hands at the ridiculous assertion.

  “The living dead are odd company for a gnome,” Cyprus said derisively.

  “If I may,” Thendo interjected. “I assure you Master Lionhart is no victim of necromancy nor any other foul magics. By my own eyes, I have witnessed him receive the blessing of The Green Hand.” Thendo put a fist over his heart. “I, Thendo McTorqin, swear it on my honor as 1st Outrider of Wildhall.”

  Cyprus gaped at Thendo at that revelation, his resolve faltered, and the knife dipped down. Jaron looked between his friends with a pleased smile, grateful for the good word. Cyprus looked between the two, confusion and awe written on his face.

  Jaron looked at Cyprus with a grin and gave a small shrug.

  “Remember how I said I wanted to learn magic?” Jaron asked.

  Cyprus rose from his crouch and put the knife away, raising an eyebrow and stroking his whiskers with one paw. “Yes, you did say that.”

  “Have I got a story to tell you!” Jaron grinned. “Gather the kids and I will tell you as we walk. Oakenport or bust!”

  Thank You

  I hope you enjoyed reading First Draw. The series will continue in book two, coming soon. Stay tuned and be sure to subscribe for updates.

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  About the Author

  Tim Moon is an author from Washington State. Tim graduated from Washington State University, with a BA in political science and a minor in psychology. As a lifelong fan of science fiction and fantasy, Tim primarily writes in those genres. After years in a government job, he moved to South Korea to teach English and during his free time completed Dead Apocalypse, his first book. Tim currently lives in China with his beautiful wife.

  Want to chat?

  www.timdmoon.com

  tim@timdmoon.com