Age of Mystics (Saga of Mystics Book 1)

by Chris Walters

  The men lined up for Adam were Kyle Ward, Ted Craven, Anthony Johnson and Jordan Kane. These were the men he had served with in the sand and he was thrilled to be with them again. The only one missing was the one who would have been his best man, Calvin Ward. Here, on his most important day, he missed his old friend more than he could say. Standing in for Jenny, and now waiting across from his groom’s men, were Natalee Ward, Jenny Martinez, Emma Pare and Maxine Craven (with two of her dogs).

  The feast they would take part of later would not only be the wedding feast of the Cross’, it would be the first annual Thanksgiving feast. Adam was honored to start off their concept of a new life together with the ceremony that kicked off his new married life. Rich walked to the front with his guitar and began playing the wedding march on it, it was gorgeous. The opening of the chapel was suddenly filled with Kate Ward, and the most beautiful version of Erica he had ever seen. Somehow, in secret, they had dug up a wedding dress and she stood there, shining in white as she walked down the aisle to meet him. He thought the smile might break the corners of his mouth, he smiled so widely.

  When she reached him, he took her hand from Kate and Kate went to sit down in the front row. The ceremony was beautiful, but Adam could not have told you what happened. He only had eyes for Erica, the new Mrs. Cross. But, as the ceremony finished and he walked his new bride back down the aisle, he had only one thought. The goodness of life continues, was all he thought. It showed itself to be true.

  THE END OF BOOK ONE

  GLOSSARY OF NAMES

  Adam Cross – 33, former US Army Medic, now restaurant manager at Pep’s

  Alan Stone – 64, commanding officer at Fort Carson; Lieutenant General

  Alton Tooney – 57, registered sex offender and neighborhood handyman, Black Forest

  Amy Paolo – 26, wife of Mike

  Andy Summers – 28, clerk at Fort Carson, Private First Class

  Anthony Johnson – 27, scrounge, heavy weapons, Corporal

  Beth Merritt – 68, mother of Kayla Craven and Kate Ward

  Brick Martin – 52, pastor of the Spring Life Church, megachurch pastor, televangelist

  Britton Casco – 22, Cadet Commander at Air Force Academy

  Calvin Ward – 48, Dojo owner, former soldier

  Cliff Ko – 12, role-playing gamer

  Clinton More – 67, Commandant at Air Force Academy; Major General

  Corporal Danvers – 36, Black Forest Police Department

  Cooper Paolo - infant

  Donna Harris – 24, Private First Class, stationed at NORAD

  Ellen Harris – 28, server at Pep’s

  Emma Pare – 42, botanist; stationed at NORAD

  Eric Fine – 54, infantry officer, dojo owner; Major

  Erica Butterfield – 26, server at Pep’s

  Hermit – middle aged, unknown origin and identity, considered an urban legend

  Jeff Prince- 35, store manager at the sporting goods store

  Jenny Martinez – 27, yoga instructor, businesswoman, local celebrity

  Jessica Peters – 19, student, retail employee at sporting goods store

  Jim Colson – 49, government worker for city government

  Jordan Kane – 22, technical support at NORAD; specialist

  Jose Rio – 21, infantry soldier, stationed at NORAD; Private

  Karen Pile – 47, Realtor, Black Forest resident, overtly religious

  Kate Ward – 43, Cal’s wife

  Kayla Craven – 45, Ted’s wife

  Kin Ko – 21, student at Denver University

  Kyle Ward – 20, student at Pikes peak Community College; works at Sporting goods store

  Maxine Craven – 10, Ted and Kayla’s daughter

  Mike Paolo – 28, Amy’s husband

  Miles Damiano – 33, former army scrounge; part time dojo manager at FMAA

  Natalee Ward – 17, prom queen

  Peri – 21, Jenny’s assistant

  Rich Carson – 59, pastor of small church in Black Forest; neighbor of Ted and Kayla

  Ronnie Jones – 25, drug dealer

  Ted Craven – 48, infantry NCO; stationed at Fort Carson; Sergeant First Class

  Zane Meyer – 50, infantry NCO; stationed at Ft. Carson; Staff Sergeant