The Leira Chronicles- The Complete Austin Series

by Martha Carr

  He arched his back, rubbing his shoulder as the toe of his boot nudged the bag and the sound of metal hitting metal could be heard by anyone sitting nearby.

  Louie looked up to see who had taken notice but no one was looking in his direction and the Kilomeas were too involved in arm wrestling each other with one arm and a knife in the other to pay attention to him. Louie watched, amused for a moment but turned back after awhile, raising a finger to the bartender to signal for another beer.

  He laid half a small gold coin down on the counter and took a long swig, swishing it around in his mouth. The door opened, sending a cold breeze into the small pub and annoying the Kilomeas who let out loud grunts, one of them banging his studded hammer on the table. Ronnie slipped into the bar and quickly made his way past the Kilomeas, taking a seat at the bar on the far side of Louie.

  "Hey, hey! Take it outside," yelled the Elven bartender who was drying glasses with a damp rag, frayed at the edges. The bartender sent a warning shot of three small fireballs no bigger than a drop of water sizzling over the tops of the Kilomeas large heads, barely missing a Crystal man sitting at a nearby table. The Crystal retaliated by breaking off a frozen spike and tossing it like a javelin, neatly hitting the bar right in front of where the bartender stood.

  Another Kilomea joined in and shook his fist in the direction of the bar but they settled down and went back to making small bets with one another.

  "Tell me again why you like this place so much?" Ronnie settled in at the bar and pushed a coin forward while waving to the bartender. It was a rule in the joint that you showed your money first, then got a drink. There was no food to be had unless one of the patrons bit someone in a fight, which was likely on most nights when it got to be close to closing time.

  "It's close to work and cheap and no one bothers you."

  "No one bothers you?" Ronnie choked on his beer, sputtering. "Everyone bothers you in here!"

  "You know what I mean."

  "Oh, so you're some kind of celebrity and you needed to get away from your fans? Or is it the ladies? Boy, that's rich."

  "Too many eyes in these parts, these days. This place is full of the kind that don't want anyone knowing where they are..."

  "Look out!" Ronnie screeched, sliding off his bar stool, spilling his glass as the Kilomea brought down his large hammer, and Louie leaned back far enough, sliding off the bar and pulling out the sword in one smooth movement.

  The Kilomea smiled, showing pieces of a worm still clinging to his teeth. He swung the hammer sideways, attempting to sweep Louie off his feet like a bowling pin.

  Lean back and slice the handle of the hammer with the edge of the sword.

  The sword was speaking to Louie inside his head. It wasn't the first time. He had grown to trust what it said, acting instinctively whenever he heard it.

  The broadsword cut into the thick wood, weakening the handle and splintering it, surprising the Kilomea and enraging him further. He slammed the hammer to the ground and reached out with his hands to throttle Louie as his friends got up from the table to join in the fight.

  The bartender quickly grew a larger fireball in his hands this time and sent it screaming in front of the Kilomeas path, cautioning them to stay out of the fight.

  "You know the rules," he shouted. "No piling on."

  The two beasts stomped out of the bar, roaring with their heads back and mouths wide open as the wind rushed in again.

  The Kilomea missed Louie's neck and thought better of it, lunging for the bag still sitting by the bar, a grin returning to his face, large fangs protruding from his mouth.

  Bring the flat side down at an angle to his head.

  Louie swung, putting all his weight behind it, smashing the Kilomea in the head while he was still bent over. The oversized beast crumpled against the bar, letting out a warm, stale breath of air and rolled backward onto the floor.

  "I think he's out." Ronnie picked up a bar stool and nudged him with one of the legs. He let out a soft groan but otherwise didn't move. "Not so bad when they're unconscious."

  "Yeah, I don't think that's gonna last long. Come on, we better get out of here."

  "Not that way!" yelled the bartender. "His thug friends will be waiting for you out there. Follow me." The bartender lifted a section of the bar and headed for a small room in the back, tossing aside a rug to reveal a hatch in the floor. "Place like this needs an exit strategy, if you know what I mean. Nice sword play. Don't suppose you'd want to trade with it?" The bartender reached up to touch the sword and was sparked with a snap and crackle of electricity.

  Louie smiled, opening the hatch and helping Ronnie down into the tunnel. He jumped in after him and tossed the bartender another gold coin. "Thanks for your help."

  "Sure... don't like to see those Kilomeas make barbeque out of just anybody. Where'd you find that thing? Never known an artifact to spark like that. That's what it is, isn't it?" He gave Louie a sly look but didn't wait for an answer as he closed the hatch, covered it back over and went back to drying glasses behind the bar, waiting for the next customer and the Kilomea to regain consciousness. "Just another day at the office." He whistled a tune he'd heard the other day and smiled as the potted fern swayed in time with him.

  Louie and Ronnie quickly made their way underground, directly under the feet of the behemoths waiting for them outside. The exit to the tunnel was far enough into the Dark Forest where no one could see them exit and it wasn't long before Louie was back in his own cabin, safe and sound and had deposited Ronnie in his favorite tree to sleep in a hammock high off the ground. He preferred it on any day that wasn't raining.

  Louie went into the cabin and dropped the bag of artifacts, stripping down to his waist and picking up the sword. He was going to have to head back to the other world soon, before he was missed long enough to really piss someone off. But before he went, he was determined to test out the sword some more. He swung the sword over his head, admiring how well balanced the handle was in his hands.

  To the right... crouch down. Turn behind you. Bring the blade up.

  The sword was speaking to him, telling him what to do again. Swing hard to the left, steady your feet.

  He listened to each command, practicing, wanting to see if he could keep up, the muscles rippling in his back. It came to him easily, naturally. He stopped, resting the tip of the wide sword on the floor, breathing hard.

  Join forces.

  "What?" He picked up his shirt and wiped the sweat off his face, still holding on to the handle of the sword.

  Join forces with her. Align with Leira Berens. Fight by her side in the coming battles.

  Louie felt a cold sliver of energy pass through him, chilling him to the bone as he picked up his shirt and put it back on. "Time to go back to Earth. Apparently, I'm needed there."

  FINIS

  Author Notes - Martha Carr

  Written February 28, 2018

  I think I’m finally getting a handle on this marketing thing. I say that knowing full well it’s already got an expiration date on it and everything will change by the time you’ve read this. I’ll be pushing buttons, and fixing glitches a week from now on some new googaw, like I was for most of last week (okay, and a little bit today – figured out how to set up giveaways, so there’s A LOT of contests in our future. I’m even going to figure out how to get Yumfuck printed on a sun visor for a car for one of the prize packages. That’s just too much fun to ignore). Anyway, for now, I’m rocking and rolling. I’ll take it and enjoy it while I’ve got it.

  That’s the business these days, maybe every business. Things change rapidly, and it takes a certain amount of courage to plunge ahead knowing full well I’m flying blind for the most part. Armed with a pretty good bullshit detector (honed through paying enough of the wrong people a lot of money over the years), I’ve learned to listen to that inner voice a lot faster that says when to stay put or when to run.

  Besides that, I’ve been lucky enough to surround myself with really
talented, creative, fun people like Michael Anderle and Craig Martelle, who are more like brothers to me at this point. Or Stephen Campbell, the Zen Master who quietly keeps all the plates spinning behind the scenes. That makes the long hours a lot more fun. Well, that and talking to all of you on the Fan Groups. (Everyone out there joined the Peabrain Society yet?)

  Truth is, I wouldn’t have this life any other way and this past week, I got a nice payoff that showed me exactly why. The Offspring, Louie Carr, is taking his swing at bat and is starting his own venture, Own Path Media Group, managing musical acts and he’s already got 3 clients! When I listen to him talk about this turn his life is taking, I remember all the times I was struggling to get ahead and sitting next to me was a small Louie, watching my every move.

  There was a long stretch of road where there weren’t many cheerleaders in my corner but it never occurred to me to give up or slow down and I made progress till I found the right team, and then connected with all of you, the FANS. Louie has that inner belief burning brightly in him too and it’s giving him the strength to just say yes to his dreams. That’s my payoff.

  Hopefully, my grandchildren will see all this as second nature. Of course, you do what you love. Of course, you keep going until all the pieces fit. Of course, you will eventually succeed. (No, I don’t have any grandchildren, yet…) I’m telling you, these days I’m winning on all fronts because in the end it’s the connections we make and the people we love and the legacy we leave them with that matters. And on that score, I am very grateful to all of you, the Fans, to LMBPN and all the faces that are wrapped up in that, and to Louie for getting out there and lighting up the world with his gifts. Here we go everyone…

  More adventures to follow.

  Martha

  Author Notes - Michael Anderle

  February 26, 2018

  First, THANK YOU so much for not only reading ALL of our stories in this series, but through to our author notes, as well!

  Like Martha, I’m soooooo freaking blessed to be provided the opportunity to provide stories for you, and others like you that like our brand of characters.

  Our people, so to speak.

  One of my “cool moments” just happened to me about 1 hour ago and I really want to share it with you. For those who read The Kurtherian Gambit, you know the character Nathan Lowell which is in book one, and keeps going into multiple series at one point.

  I’ve mentioned either in other author notes, or maybe on a podcast, that Nathan Lowell is named after an author that I like.

  Nathan Lowell (the author) wrote the Ishmael Wong stories that start with Quarter-Share (Traders Tales from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper - My Book ).

  So, I’m hanging in the back of this author conference today, and this older gentleman (suit mind you, grey beard, VERY awesome and completely makes me feel underdressed (because I am…wait, I have on shirt and pants, so underdressed as in very casual.) Anyway, dressing aside, this very polite man waits while a couple of other authors ask me some questions.

  When everyone is done, he turns and I notice his name tag says ‘Nate’… I got nothing (all names and faces escape me until I’ve seen people for a lot of times.) So, he introduces himself as NATHAN LOWELL.

  I had a fanboy moment (did not squeal). He put out his hand to shake and I might have shocked him by hugging him and being so enthusiastic…

  Oops, sorry Nathan.

  I answered his question from his fan if my Nathan Lowell was named after him and I confirmed CERTAINLY… I needed a name and I loved his work. Plus, I never expected to become so successful as a writer, (I was a little embarrassed at this point) and I had to admit I riffed off his name for my character.

  I think I’m blushing just writing these notes.

  Either way, it is SUCH a cool moment for me to meet one of the writers I’ve admired for at least 7 years or longer. I can’t wait to admit to my kids that I’ve met THE Nathan Lowell.

  Fucking hell, this is so cool!

  Ok, I’ll come off my author high now and agree with Martha that we (authors) are so damned blessed to know that we have provided some bright spots in your life.

  Let us know on Facebook, or reviews (you are reviewing at least for Yumfuck, right?) how we make you feel in these stories, and know that Martha (and myself) will be traveling more in the next 12 to 18 months.

  Hopefully, we will come to an area near you.

  Ad Aeternitatem,

  Michael Anderle

  Guardians Of Magic

  Leira Chronicles Book Eight

  Chapter One

  The black swirl of mist seeped into hotel room 302 on the third floor of the Driskill Hotel, emerging out of thin air and swirling in the room. It gathered in inky, puffy clouds along the carpet, spreading out under the bed and around the chair. A mild stench accompanied it that was hard to place and lingered on everything it touched. The maids were getting used to the smell clinging to the room.

  The temperature was quickly dropping twenty degrees as if the air conditioning was running amok. No guests were in the room.

  The room was still kept empty most of the time and only used when the hotel was overbooked and desperate. Many didn’t last the night and would call the front desk complaining of strange noises and a peculiar smell.

  And the cold…

  The worst was when they said they heard low moaning like something was trying to escape.

  Today, they would have been right.

  A couple visiting Austin from Indiana were happily chatting as they passed by the room.

  “I can’t believe that Kady Rain. Her music was amazing! Do you have the directions to Stubbs Barbeque. I don’t want to be late to the gospel brunch.” The husband patted his pockets, looking back down the hall.

  “Did you hear that?” The wife stopped dead in the hall, right by the door, tilting her head to listen more carefully. She pulled her sweater closer around her shoulders, hoping she’d hear something easy to explain.

  “There it is again. Like somebody doing the ugly cry.”

  Her husband put his arm gently around her shoulders and pulled her away from the door, a cold shudder passing through him. “None of our business, dear. Let’s keep going.”

  She moved away reluctantly, concerned about whoever was in the room.

  “Sounds like someone mourning the dead. Poor thing.”

  “You have a good heart, Ellen. You always did.”

  Ellen got it half right. Lucius was a beast lost to the world in between and was crying out, determined to rip through the veil, mourning what was taken from him.

  The hotel room was one of the thin places in the world where the darkness could press against the light and it was giving way to the other side. The master of the dark mist was finally ready to show himself and seek revenge.

  “Rhazdon!” Lucius cried out the one name that had been on his lips for hundreds of years. A claw poked through, appearing in the room, tearing a long thin line as a darkness sucked in the light from the room. He had been keeping watch on the room, building his power. Sucking in the dark magic from lost Wizards and Elves and the occasional Gnome. He was even branching out to humans like Charlie Monaghan. The bubble that was left in the veil by Leira Berens gave him something rare in the world in between. Hope.

  On that day that Mara Berens was rescued a breach was opened in room 302. Everyone filed out of the room, relieved after the rescue, not realizing the hole was never completely closed. Something had been working at clawing its way out ever since that day. Reaching out looking for power, looking for Leira Berens.

  Today was the day he finally could escape.

  There was a loud rip, as if Jell-O was being scraped out of a bowl with the edge of a metal spoon, and an opening was created from the world in between. A large beast that was once known as a Light Elf named Lucius, stepped through the opening and onto the carpet, leaving soggy puddles with each step.

  He let out a roar, opening his arms wide and balling his hands
into fists as he tilted back his head, loose on the world, again.

  The bellhop waiting by the elevator startled and dropped his phone in mid-text. “Shit! What the…” He glanced nervously down the hall at room 302. “Not again.” He jammed the elevator button, willing it to come faster, even though all he previously knew of the room were the stories the clerk behind the counter liked to tell him. Until that moment, he was sure she was flirting with him.

  He leaned over, keeping his eyes on the door and scooped up his phone as the elevator doors opened. He stepped in, biting his lower lip as another roar echoed down the hallway.

  “Come on… come on… come on…” He pushed the lobby button and used his key to make sure the elevator wouldn’t stop at any other floors. “I am so out of here. I’m quitting this gig hard! Rather be asking strangers if they want fries with that. At least I get to keep all my parts!”

  The beast went to the window and looked out at the bright day below, watching all the people wandering around 6th Street below, going in and out of the bars and restaurants, laughing and talking loudly. “Rhazdon will pay for this. Eight hundred years. Best part, the bitch will never see it coming.”

  His last taste of freedom was at the height of battle as he stood by the great kings to defeat Rhazdon. He had his sword at the Atlantean’s throat as he protected the old King of Oriceran. But victory was not going to be his that day. Rhazdon raised up an arm before he could plunge the steel into flesh and whispered a spell, sending a creeping darkness throughout Lucius’ body. A startled look had come over his face just as he was shoved into the abyss of the world in between. The battle had raged on without him.