“It is good there are newer Saales to fight for his Grace now.”
Chelka nodded and climbed to her feet.
“War does not suit either of us, Ed.”
He chuckled.
“You have no idea how glad I am to hear you say that, my dear.” He put his hand on the trunk of the slender tree behind him and climbed to his feet. “Will you walk with us, my good Orpus?”
“I would be honored,” the young tree said in its girlish voice.
Edmath stifled a laugh. He still had not grown accustomed to hearing voices different from Orpus Lengbyoi’s coming from the trees. He, Chelka, and Brosk led the way across the garden, followed by a procession of red and white-flowered saplings. He turned to Chelka as he walked.
“I suppose our time here is nearly up. It has been a year already.”
She met his eyes with a hint of sadness in her own. He wondered if his eyes would ever be green again. But at least he had been able to see his father because of the same affliction. Chelka’s pace quickened and Edmath fell behind by a few paces.
“An eventful year, I only wish the events had been less painful.”
“Indeed,” Brosk said from behind them.
The cool wind from the south rustled through his clothes. Edmath shrugged.
“I’d give my research for the sight of death becoming life again in a heartbeat.”
Chelka smiled at him, her little pains suppressed for that moment.
“Hmm, not too practical, Ed.”
Edmath’s heart beat evenly. He shrugged his shoulders again, turning to look back at the parade ground before them.
“I suppose not.”
They reached the hill overlooking the parade grounds. Orpus trees clustered around them and murmured at the sight of soldiers marching past in formation. Edmath watched for a few moments before turning to Chelka. She smiled, though a far-off look remained in her eyes. Before he could ask what she was thinking, a cry came from behind them.
Edmath turned where he stood and squinted through the afternoon sunlight, picking out a familiar form approaching. Gayaneb looked the same as a fully Saale as he had a year ago as a student, big, dark, and wearing a full beard. He raised his hand when he saw Edmath.
“It’s been too long, White Curtain Saale!”
Edmath raised his eyebrows, but couldn’t help himself from smiling. Chelka and Brosk and the orpuses turned to face Gayaneb as the dark-skinned young Saale approached. Edmath nodded toward him and grinned.
“Surely there can be only one reason you are here,” he said. “You are here to join the service of the emperors. Splendid!”
“I would not say that is the only reason,” Gayaneb said. “I have also come to see my now-famous teacher, the Lord Benisar.”
Edmath’s smile broadened and he looked at Chelka. He found her beaming as well. Gayaneb bowed to Brosk, and then to Chelka. When he looked up again he smiled at the seal of an orpus tree.
“More trees, I see.”
“We’re all orpus trees!” said the young tree beside Edmath.
“Splendid,” said Gayaneb.
Edmath shook his head. His former student remained eager to please.
“Truly, I feel with you here all of our work for the emperors will be well seen-to over this coming year.”
A murmur of assent passed through the orpus trees, but some of them sounded almost nervous. Edmath patted one on the trunk. He could not be with them forever, but they would not forget him for some time. Chelka took his hand. There was still much world to see.
Author’s Note
Hello, good reader! I hope you enjoyed the first three volumes of the Spells of the Curtain. This is the end-point of the novel I wrote almost a decade ago. From this point on the story and storytelling are going to be almost as new to me as to you.
Edmath and his friends will be back, and the action and intrigue will go deeper still. I’m writing books four and five at the moment, and I really look forward to sharing them with you in September.
From this point on, new books will release every 18 days. The rapid release of these first three books has been exciting and draining for me. I’m very happy people are reading and seem to be enjoying this series. Thank you all so much. Special thanks to all the people who read this story for me over the years to help me iron out the problems. This thanks goes double to Martin Spernau, for reading it twice.
Don’t forget to leave reviews for books you enjoy. Reviews really help authors.
Thanks for reading.
Tim Niederriter, August 2018
Also by Tim Niederriter
Spells of the Curtain Series
Court Mage
Battle Mage (August 7th!)
Winter Mage (August 14th)
Garden Mage (September 1st)
Traveler Mage (September 19th)
Fire Mage (October 7th)
Protector Mage (October 25th)
…and more to come!
Tenlyres Series
Ilsa and Blue
The Gray Lector
The Lyre War
The Root Conspiracy Series
Memory Lost
Mind Chase
Image Storm
Cell Cycle (August 21st)
…and more to come!
Other Books
Rem’s Dream
Find out more at http://mentalcellarpublications.com
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Tim Niederriter has been reading fantasy and science fiction since he was five years old when his parents introduced him to the hobbit.
These days he writes stories in science fiction, fantasy, and combinations of the two for himself and for others. When not writing fiction or losing at cards, he maintains a blog at dwellerofthedeep.wordpress.com, and you can find his personal website at timniederriter.com. He also talks on the podcasts “Of Mooks and Monsters,” and “Alive After Reading” available at mentalcellarpublications.com and wherever podcasts are downloaded.
He lives in Minnesota for as long as the corn decides not to eat him.
Winter Mage Page 11