The Warrior Elf
Page 1
Contents
Title Page
Character List
Maps
Chapter 1 First Saturday of March
Chapter 2 Sunday
Chapter 3 The Weekend's Unfinished Business
Chapter 4 Doreen
Chapter 5 Chris Gets Involved
Chapter 6 Parson's Branch
Chapter 7 Hendon Port
Chapter 8 Taking Care of Business
Chapter 9 Preparations
Chapter 10 Rhianna Arrives
Chapter 11 Franco Steps Up
Chapter 12 Plans Get Underway
Chapter 13 The Summons
Chapter 14 A Hectic Saturday
Chapter 15 A Relaxing Sunday
Chapter 16 The Council of Elders
Chapter 17 Getting Settled
Chapter 18 The Federation of Terah
Chapter 19 A Busy Monday
Chapter 20 Tuesday Morning
Chapter 21 Making Things Right
Chapter 22 Back to Milhaven
Chapter 23 One-Year Anniversary
Chapter 24 April 5
Chapter 25 Meanwhile at Doreen's
Chapter 26 A Quiet Week
Chapter 27 April 12
Chapter 28 Eryn
Chapter 29 Requests
Chapter 30 An Interrupted Lunch
Chapter 31 April 17
Chapter 32 Sorting Things Out
Chapter 33 New Arrivals
Chapter 34 Finalizing Plans
Chapter 35 Kevin Meets Cpt. Garen
Chapter 36 Time to Go
Chapter 37 A Hectic Weekend
Chapter 38 More Loose Ends
Chapter 39 Good News
Chapter 40 May 7
Chapter 41 Back in Milhaven
Chapter 42 Preparations
Chapter 43 A Change of Pace
Chapter 44 May 21
Chapter 45 Family Ties
Chapter 46 Mishap at Fenway's
Chapter 47 June 4
Chapter 48 The Assassins Prepare
Chapter 49 Trouble at Doreen's
Chapter 50 Reactions
Chapter 51 Showdown
Chapter 52 Aftermath
About the Author
The Warrior Elf
by
Mackenzie Morgan
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, places, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.
Copyright © 2016 by Mackenzie Morgan
Cover Design by John Ward
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law
Character List
Agnes - Resident sister at the Chapel of Light in Milhaven
Alastar - Seated Sorcerer of Landoryn, took over when his mother, Gwendolyn, lost her challenge to Myron
Alek - Guard at the castle in Milhaven, one of Myron’s bodyguards
Allisandra - Badec’s sister, Craven’s wife, Lysette’s mother
Ariel - Head page in Myron’s office
Ashni - Giant, Blalick’s wife, lives on Wildcat Mountain
Badec - Myron’s father, Master Sorcerer of Terah before Myron, deceased
Bianca - Seated Sorcerer of Dresland
Blalick - Giant, attends Glendymere, lives on Wildcat Mountain
Brena - Head of the Sisterhood, lives at the chapel in Timera Valley
Caelan - Warrior Elf, representative to the Federation of Terah, lives in North Amden
Caitlyn - Orphan from Syrando, lives with Joan and Karl
Cameryn - Page in Myron’s office
Chandra - Elf, owns stable in South Port, friend of Weldon’s
Chanz - Robyn’s dog, lives in Mapleton
Chris - Kevin’s closest friend, Myron’s assistant, advertising executive on Earth
Colin - Sorcerer who helps Warren in Walnut Springs
Corey - Orphan from Syrando, lives with Joan and Karl
Corin - War unicorn, bonded with Laryn, lives in the woods surrounding Milhaven
Crandal – General in charge of Camden’s army
Cryslyn - Head of Housekeeping at the castle in Milhaven
Damien - Seated Sorcerer of Nandelia, lives in Prindley
Dani - Alysian Cat - lives with King Merdin in Farowood
Danyelle - Badec’s sister, married to Sedwin, children: Ashney, Sadie, Teron, and Norrie
Dara - Dayed’s wife, Jasyn’s mother
Darius - Korman’s apprentice, one of Rolan’s spies, originally worked at the castle
Darrell - Captain of the Guard at the castle in Milhaven, college football player on Earth
Dayed - Badec’s brother, Dara’s husband, works with wood
Devron - Mikos’s assistant, tagged along when Mikos went to Camden to track down Gwendolyn’s extra key
Drusilla - Next in line for Head of the Sisterhood, trained Theresa, lives in Drisden
Duane - Elf, lives in North Amden, helped get Myron out of Milhaven when he was born
Dylan - District Sorcerer for Tamarack, lives in Fall Creek
Edwin - Seated Sorcerer of Farragon
Elin - Page in Myron’s office
Evelyne - Resident sister in the chapel in Abernon
Fenway - Owns the tavern in Milhaven
Freddy - phoenix, lives at the castle in Milhaven
Garen - Captain of a squad of guards Rolan sent to Milhaven to kill Myron
Gaynor - District Sorcerer of Zander until he was removed and placed with Warren, killed by Myron in self-defense.
Geoffrey - Seated Sorcerer of Havernia
Gerry - Resident sister of the chapel in Glenco, Rolan’s girlfriend, responsible for the poison that killed Badec, helped steal the dragon’s flame lamp and pendant, killed by Rolan
Glendymere - Dragon, Head of the Federation of Terah, Grandfather of the dragons, Myron’s tutor, works with Landis, lives in Willow Canyon
Glenice - Resident sister in Mapleton, communication link between Myron and Robyn
Gwendolyn - Seated Sorcerer of Landoryn until she challenged Myron and lost, teamed up with Rolan and Malcolm, Deceased
Gwynn - Elf, Hayden’s wife, Rhianna’s and Duane’s mother, Landis’s foster mother, lives in Crinsor Run, North Amden
Hayden - Elf, Gwynn’s husband, Rhianna’s and Duane’s father, Landis’s foster father, lives in Crinsor Run, North Amden
Hayley - Sister in chapel in Milhaven, once was Theresa’s assistant
Isak - Page in Myron’s office
Jana - Wrenn’s wife, lives in Milhaven, former governor’s assistant, helps Joan
Jason - Seated Sorcerer of Prosidian
Joan - Karl’s wife and assistant, farmer on Earth, worked at the Pioneer Village
Jonquin - Dragon, lives in Camden, friend of Glendymere’s
Judith - Seated Sorcerer of Riordan
Kalen - Dwarf, Keeper of the Gate
Karl - Joan’s husband, Governor of Camden, farmer on Earth, worked at the Pioneer Village
Kayla - Shadron’s wife, Lysa’s and Brandt’s mother
Kevin, aka Myron of the House of Nordin - Master Sorcerer of Terah, Seated Sorcerer of Camden, Badec’s and Yvonne’s son, accountant on Earth
Korman - Blacksmith in Milhaven
Kyle - Badec’s youngest sibling, works with dogs
Lance - Marcie’s husband, lives in a settlement outside Bridgeport, Rayne’s and Caleb’s father
Landis - Tsa
reth’s daughter, Rolan’s half-sister, Taelor’s half-sister, fostered with Hayden and Gwynn in Crinsor Run, Myron’s apprentice, lives with the giants on Wildcat Mountain, studies with Glendymere
Laryn - Badec’s sister and Second, Myron’s aunt, Steve’s wife.
Lawrence - Army captain, Gen. Crandal’s assistant, was Captain of the Guard under Badec
Lisal - Lives in Bridgeport, parents own and operate the tavern and inn, has planned to marry Marcus for years with no encouragement from him
Macin - Giant, Blalick’s and Ashni’s son, lives on Wildcat Mountain
Malcolm - Seated Sorcerer of Glyndal
Marcie - Marcus’s sister, lives in a settlement outside Bridgeport, Lance’s wife, Rayne’s and Caleb’s mother
Marcus - Sorcerer, Myron’s associate, lives at the castle in Milhaven
Marissa - Thom’s wife, lives in Bridgeport, Parsyn’s mother
Marshall - Manages Myron’s stable, takes care of Nikki, one of the teens Karl bought in Glenarbour
Merdin - King of the Forest Gnomes, gnome representative to the Federation of Terah, lives in Farowood
Mikos - Gwendolyn’s son, in charge of the slaving business during raids in Camden, discovered Marcus was the one who took Gwendolyn’s extra key to Terah
Miranda - Head of the kitchen staff at the castle in Milhaven
Myron of the House of Nordin aka. Kevin - Master Sorcerer of Terah, Seated Sorcerer of Camden, Badec’s and Yvonne’s son, human representative to the Federation of Terah, accountant on Earth
Neiven - Blacksmith and Head of Grounds at the castle in Milhaven
Nikki - Kevin’s dog
Nolan - Badec’s father, Myron’s grandfather, was Master Sorcerer before Badec, deceased
Pallor, aka. Paul - Elf, lives on Earth, godfather to Kevin O’Reilly, Hayden’s nephew, Weldon’s son, has a house in Crinsor Run
Paul, aka. Pallor - Elf, lives on Earth, godfather to Kevin O’Reilly, Hayden’s nephew, Weldon’s son, has a house in Crinsor Run
Petri - Page in Governor’s Office, one of the teens Karl bought in Glenarbour
Regan - Seated Sorcerer of Silva
Rhianna - Elf, Hayden’s and Gwynn’s daughter, Duane’s sister, from Crinsor Run in North Amden, Landis’s assistant, lives with the giants on Wildcat Mountain
Robyn - Tsareth’s son, Rolan’s brother, Landis’s half-brother, lives in Mapleton
Rolan - Seated Sorcerer of Brendolanth, Tsareth’s son, Landis’s half-brother, lives in Trendon
Ryan - District Minister of Ragenon, lives in Walnut Springs
Sandy - Gargoyle representative to the Federation of Terah, lives in Dresland
Sari - Giant, Blalick’s and Ashni’s daughter, lives on Wildcat Mountain, tends Theresa’s herb gardens
Saryn - Assassin, sent to Milhaven to kill Landis, shot Marcus behind the chapel, stopped by Rhianna, died in the jail
Shadron - Badec’s brother, raises and trains horses, married to Kayla, father of Lysa and Brandt
Shana - Laryn’s housekeeper, one of Rolan’s spies, originally worked in Miranda’s kitchen
Shardin - Governor of Wyndsor, lives in Valez
Shel - Thom’s sister, Marcus’s foster sister, lives next door to Marcie, Evan’s mother
Shelandra - Elf, Duane’s wife, lives in Crinsor Run, North Amden
Sheryl - Ryan’s wife, lives in Walnut Springs
Starvos - Seated Sorcerer of Jardin
Steve - Myron’s advisor, retired history teacher on Earth, Laryn’s husband
Taelor - Landis’s half-brother, Rolan’s runaway slave, former chapel aide, lives with giants on Wildcat Mountain, helps Sari with herb gardens
Theresa - Sister at the chapel in Milhaven when not on assignment for Sister Brena, college journalism major on Earth
Thom - Blacksmith in Bridgeport, Marcus’s foster brother, Marissa’s husband, Parsyn’s father
Tolliver - Town Director of Milhaven, owns the dry goods store
Torrey - Warren’s wife, lives in Walnut Springs
Trevor - Soldier under Gen. Crandal, one of Rolan’s spies
Trivera - Seated Sorcerer of Wyndsor, lives in Valez
Tsareth - Father of Robyn, Rolan, and Landis, Seated Sorcerer of Brendolanth before Rolan, deceased
Tyree - Taught Myron about the government of Camden while Myron was in Rainbow Valley, occasional advisor, does not live at the castle or in Milhaven
Verna - Resident sister at the chapel in Timera Valley, helps Sister Brena
Warren - District Sorcerer of Ragenon, lives in Walnut Springs
Weldon - Elf, Chairman of the Council of Elders, lives in South Port, Hayden’s brother, Rhianna’s uncle
Wrenn - Governor of Camden while Badec was Master Sorcerer, advises Karl, lives in Milhaven
Xantha - Pegasus, has a mind link with both Myron and Duane, lives in Crinsor Run, North Amden
Yara - Merfolk representative to the Federation of Terah
Yardner - Captain of the Guard at Rolan’s castle in Trendon
Yvonne - Myron’s mother, seer, died shortly after his birth
Chapter 1
First Saturday of March
Rolan frowned as he sat down at his desk after the March Council of Sorcerers meeting. Something had changed, and he wasn’t sure what. Almost everyone had been relaxed, even the assistants, and that was unsettling. He’d always enjoyed watching their eyes dart around the room as they scrunched down in their seats, but that had been missing today.
The only one who looked at all uncomfortable was Alastar, but that was to be expected. It was his first meeting, and his seat had come at a price. Rolan doubted the man was grieving, but he had to be embarrassed that his mother hadn’t lasted five minutes against Myron. Not that anyone mentioned it. The only one who seemed to notice Gwendolyn was missing was Malcolm, and he’d looked lost.
Rolan shook his head. And something had happened to Damien over the last few months. He was stronger now, more confident. Rolan drummed his fingers on his desk as he remembered the way Damien had stared him down after the duel. There was no way Damien would let him have the key to that other world now. He needed to rethink his strategy for getting hold of it, but not today. Today he needed to concentrate on solving his other problem: Landis.
Rolan stood up and started pacing. How long ago did he send those scouts to North Amden? Three months? Why hadn’t they found her yet? How hard could it be to find one human girl among the elves? It wasn’t that large a place. Surely the elves knew where she was staying. How could he convince them to talk? What could he offer them to loosen their tongues?
Rolan opened his door and roared, “Find Cpt. Yardner! I want to see him! Now!”
Three of the pages who were lined up outside his door took off running, one towards the captain’s office, one towards the stable, and the last towards the barracks.
Five minutes later Cpt. Yardner knocked on Rolan’s open door. “You wanted to see me, sir?”
“What are we offering for news of the girl?”
“You’re referring to Landis?” Cpt. Yardner asked as he shut the door.
Rolan swirled around and glared at the captain. “Who else would I be talking about?”
“You’ve offered the one who finds her a plot of land and his choice of the single women in Brendolanth.”
Rolan thought for a moment. “Add ten slaves to that. And tell them any elf who tells them where she is gets ten slaves too, but only if the information leads to her capture. Otherwise, no one gets anything.”
“That would definitely be an added incentive for your men, but I don’t think it’ll do much for the elves.”
Rolan scowled. “Not enough?”
Cpt. Yardner shook his head. “Elves don’t believe in slavery. They’d take the offer as an insult.”
“Well, what then?”
“Maybe ten horses?”
“Fine. Offer them whatever they want. Just find that girl!”
; ~ ~ ~ ~
One of Rolan’s men, Gildan, had arrived in North Amden two months ago and had spent the first month going from farm to farm. No one claimed to know anything about any humans in the area, much less a young woman. He didn’t believe for a minute no one knew where she was, but he had no trouble believing no one was willing to tell him. Why should they? What was in it for them?
That’s when he’d decided he was going about this the wrong way. He left North Amden and headed for human settlements, specifically towns large enough to have a tavern and a few stores, but small enough not to have a resident sorcerer or army lieutenant. His strategy was simple. Ride into town, wander through the shops, visit the tavern, ride out of town for a couple of miles, and wait for dark. Then, during the wee hours of the morning, he’d slip into the shops and take what he wanted. If there was any money around, he pocketed it, but if not, he took small items he could sell in the next town. By the first light of day, he’d be on his way to the next town.
When his pockets were full of coins, he headed for South Port, the largest town in North Amden. He doubted the girl was anywhere near there, but he felt sure someone in town would know something about her, and the money in his pocket should loosen a few tongues.
He arrived in town Saturday morning. His first stop was a dry goods store. He wandered around until he was the only customer left and then he approached the owner. “I’m looking for a human woman, mid-twenties, red hair. She’s been missing for a while and her family’s hired me to find her. I tracked her to North Amden. Have you seen anyone like that around here?”
The store owner shook his head. “No, can’t say that I have.”
Gildan took some coins out of his pocket and laid them on the counter. “Maybe you’ve heard something about her? Maybe she’s visiting someone outside of town?”
“No, haven’t heard of any humans around, man or woman.” The owner pushed the coins back towards Gildan.
Gildan picked up the coins and dropped them in his pocket. “Well, thanks for your time.”
He got the same results in the next three stores he visited, but when he came out of the third, an elf was waiting outside the door.
“I understand you’re looking for someone,” the elf said.
“A human female, mid-twenties, red hair,” Gildan said. “I can pay for information.”