Soul Stone Mage Complete Collection Boxed Set

by Sarah Noffke

  “You think this is funny? That was a complete show of disrespect. Even Queen Emeri had the decency to offer politeness to our people.”

  “He called me ‘Emperor Fuckface,’” Frederick said, shaking his head as he laughed.

  “Do not repeat such repugnant words.” Phillip sat back on the leather sofa, and Rover hopped up to join him at once. The large poodle nestled his head into the Duke’s lap, earning a nice scratch behind his ears, which the dog relished.

  “My sister appears to be a different leader than her mother.”

  “Don’t call her that,” Phillip snapped.

  “That’s what she is though, isn’t she?” Frederick asked.

  “Technically she’s your half-sister, but being related to a witch isn’t something you should ever boast about.”

  “I think the actual problem is that they have Father and won’t release him.”

  “If I know Richard, he doesn’t want to be turned over. He’s been itching to be released from our border.”

  Frederick nodded. It was no secret that his father longed to explore Oriceran. However, the feeling of abandonment still sat heavily in the young emperor’s chest.

  “If you knew they weren’t going to return Father, then you planned on retaliating all along.”

  “Not only have I been planning on retaliating, the plan has already been put into motion.”

  “What are you going to do?” Frederick asked, his face drawn with fear.

  “It’s better if you don’t know, Emperor,” Phillip said, a sadistic smile on his face. “Why don’t you go and rehearse your speech for tomorrow’s festivities.”

  “I don’t understand how you think a press conference to declare Virgo an unfriendly territory is a festivity.”

  “It’s been a long time coming, that’s all.” Phillip stroked Rover’s head.

  “Fine, but I want to know what you have planned,” Frederick said, striding toward the exit. He gave the regent one last look before closing the door behind him.

  “Oh, you’ll find out soon enough what I have planned, Emperor Frederick.”

  Not a full minute had passed before something pecked at the window. Phillip ushered the large dog off his lap, looking at the bat-like grayish-black bird perched on the sill.

  Phillip pulled the window open, careful to keep some distance between him and the pterosaur, which was a member of the dinosaur family with its sharp teeth and claws. The harpies had delivered on their end of the bargain. Yes, the Orcs guarded the borders of Virgo, shooting arrows at any harpies who flew overhead. However, harpies were large-winged creatures that were easy to spot. Pterosaurs were strong but small, and could fly higher than harpies.

  Reaching into his desk drawer, Phillip withdrew a small box. He pulled the top off, peering at the black oblong tablet inside. It was more concentrated than the virus he had infected the queen and her cabinet members with when they visited. This single tablet would be enough to infect everyone in Virgo with the virus, which would rob all the witches and wizards of their magic.

  Extending the hand holding the box to the pterosaur, Phillip ordered, “Drop this in the stream that feeds the wells of Virgo. Got it?”

  The black-eyed bird squawked. Its skin was stretched tightly over its wings, and its beak looked sharp enough to puncture a man’s lungs. It reached its beak into the box, pulling out the pill, then flapped its wings, sending wind into the office as it rose a few feet off the windowsill before turning and flying in the opposite direction. Phillip watched from the window until the pterosaur disappeared. The poison would soon render those people in Virgo powerless. Then they’d no longer be a problem for him, and he could lead as he’d always intended.

  FINIS

  Author Notes - Sarah Noffke

  September 18, 2017

  Guess how long it took me to write this book?

  You know what?

  I freaking loathe guessing games too.

  Like I don’t read minds! Why not just tell me?

  Two weeks.

  It took me fourteen days from prologue to epilogue. Actually, book one, two and three of this series were all written in a two week span. Before you assume that’s because I have no social life, I’d ask you to consider that I was so taken with these characters and really wanted to write their story. I’m also a workaholic and tend to get a nervous tick if not writing. I did travel to see my best friend’s house, Leen, for the weekend after finishing the book, so I’m not a total recluse.

  Let’s talk about names.

  I disclosed some important information on naming in the author notes in book one. I’m here to continue that disclosure. More books, more names, more secrets. That’s how this author game works.

  You know those strange conversations where you learn something that has little to do with you and it stays with you for no reason at all? Yes, my mind is a vault.

  I have no idea why.

  Anyway, a dozen or billion years ago, can’t remember which, my other bestie, Heidi, told me that she had a friend who named her kid Ever. End of convo. Except that my mind held on to that tidbit and fifty… or ten years later, I named a Light Elf this. It’s a cool name, no? And while we’re on the subject, yes, I put Heidi in book one as the friendly human in Terran who helps Azure. Ten points to readers who connected those dots. I often put my friends into the books. Farrah, the cannibal/helpful mermaid, is Heidi’s daughter. And in this book, the other mermaid is Heidi’s other daughter, Tabby.

  So please feel free to befriend me, buy me a drink, and tell me a story because it will likely end up in a book.

  Okay, let’s get serious for a moment. My most favorite part of this series was in book two. The coronation. It was unexpected for me. And yes, I realize I’m the author and should have seen it all coming, but I didn’t. For some reason, it was sweeter than I imagined. It had emotion. And when Azure became Queen, I felt her power grow.

  This is when I should admit that everything that happened after the coronation I didn’t have in the outline. It surprised me when she asked Gillian, Ever and Monet to be on her cabinet. Really, I was questioning her judgements. However, I loved who Azure became in this book.

  Because for me, I love to write characters who evolve. I don’t want them to start and end the same way, but rather change from book to book.

  I want my main character to surprise me because despite the outline she became something I hadn’t envisioned. And in this book, Azure did.

  She became a Queen who I’d be proud to kneel to.

  Author Notes - Martha Carr

  September 19, 2017

  The Oriceran Universe is off to a great start – blooming in fact – and Sarah Noffke is part of that great success! It’s been fun watching her interact with readers, share picture of her cat and drawings of the characters. It’s been heartening to also see how many readers are already so engaged.

  When Magic Mike and I first conceived of this big idea back in January this is exactly what we hoped to see. More authors and fans connecting with some great characters in some magical settings. Dreams coming true all around us and folks finding a way to escape for a while into another place and time where the characters do what’s right, no matter what, learn to rely on each other and there’s a few laughs along the way. That is a really good description of what it’s like to be a part of the Oriceran family.

  I have a sister who’s ten years older than I am – Diana – who I call D. She’s been a big sci-fi and super powers fan for as long as I can remember. When I was really small, my sister commandeered the one black and white TV we had in order to watch Star Trek. No talking allowed while it was on! And she bought DC comics by the armload and let her younger siblings read them without complaining about our sticky fingers or how much we bent the pages. She even forgot about them in later years – packing boxes worth (except for the ones that the chronically overflowing washing machine turned into pulp). Family lore is my younger brother sold them and made a small killing. I’ve nev
er bothered to check and good for him if he did.

  Those stories – they started my love affair with characters who do the right thing just because it needs doing – and a sense of wonder and magic. Love that combination! I get it when fans write in and say a story an Oriceran author wrote gave them a place to go for just a day. They gave me the ability to dream and then go after those dreams – like building a universe with Michael Anderle.

  Now, here we are – Sara Noffke and myself - and six other authors (including Magic Mike) helping each other to create an entire world where all those things are possible once again, along with fans who are fast becoming family. I could not have conjured up this dream any better. Thank you to everyone who has taken us into your homes and your hearts and sends us selfies and jokes and ideas and encouragement.

  I am forever grateful.

  Publisher Notes - Michael Anderle

  September 20, 2017

  First, THANK YOU for not only reading the story but making it all the way to the lonely back of the book where the architect of the Universe and publisher is writing his notes…

  You know, my place.

  Here I get to wax philosophic about Sarah and her fast-as-hell run through the books. (I’m insanely jealous and happy at the same time.) I’m pleased with how Martha has supported our authors in this new Universe, and yet annoyed by being called YET ANOTHER name.

  I mean really people, how many titles do I need? I’ve got Magic Mike by Martha, preceded by Yoda by Ell Leigh Clarke, I can’t even remember the one Craig Martelle bestowed upon me and then “The Author” (which I coined, so I’m completely down with that one) on the Kurtherian Gambit Facebook page.

  However, one name or title I don’t mind is ‘supporter of dreams.’ Right now, through your reading and enjoyment of these stories, I get to see authors realize their dreams as we work to streamline the process of publishing amazingly fun characters that go out and do cool stuff. We stick these stories in that place that USED to be called between-the-covers and now is simply your ebook reader.

  Damn, I just wondered what would happen if I hired about thirty people to ping Sarah Noffke on the Oriceran Facebook page at once?

  Not that I can do it because I know I’d tear my own hair out if it happened to me and I have WAY less than she has, so not fair.

  Now, Martha “give him a name” Carr, on the other hand, I might be willing to tweak a little bit. It would serve her right for trying to get people to start calling me by the title of a movie, or…uh…’dancer’ for the ladies.

  I’ll get her back, just wait and see.

  When you read books you love (by whichever author it is) drop them a review on the book. It helps continue encouraging your favorite authors to keep doing what they are doing and providing YOU with new books to read. These books then satisfy that craving you have, that need to immerse yourself with your favorite characters one more time.

  Today is Wednesday (it slipped past midnight and is now Sept 20th) from when I started writing these publisher notes, and in just a little while we will be at the perfect time to read a book.

  What is the perfect time to read you ask?

  Well, any of the days that end in ‘y,’ of course!

  Ad Aeternitatem,

  Michael Anderle

  Mountain of Truth

  Prologue

  A stony well sat on the eastern hills of the Kingdom of Virgo. It had never gone dry, and was responsible for providing the water for the neighboring crops.

  The sun dried the morning dew from the grass as a bright blur buzzed over the well. It shot several feet up and then halted in the air. The fairy’s brow crinkled as she spun to face the water source. Luna wore a tight dress made from blue flower petals. Her silver hair hung over her bare shoulders and her sharp eyes narrowed at the well. She flew low, landing on the stone walls that bordered the water, which was only three feet down. Luna sniffed, her pointy nose inhaling the moist air, and gasped, her eyes widening with shock.

  Kneeling, the fairy ducked her head into the well. She immediately yanked her head back up, dizzy. The hills and sky over Virgo spun, the greens and blues running together. Luna tried to push herself to a standing position, but faltered. Overwhelmed by the chemicals she’d inhaled, she swayed and then passed out.

  “Where is Luna?” Finnegan asked, tossing his long turquoise beard over his shoulder so it didn’t brush the plants as he inspected them.

  “She’s probably sleeping. Tonight is a full moon,” Navi remarked, fluttering through the air. Tied to her waist was a small satchel that was full of plant food. She pinched a bit from the sack and sprinkled it as she flew over the mint jelly herbs.

  The old wizard shook his head. “I suppose you think I should let her off on those days?”

  “Each fairy is different. It would be nice if you acknowledged that a bit more,” Navi said.

  “Oh, sure. You get the spring off. Snow gets to sit on her ass during the winter. Meanwhile, I work every damn day.” Finnegan waved his wand in the air over the young seedlings, a scowl on his long face. “Why I have to work with damn fairies, I’ll never know.”

  Navi flew over and circled the wizard’s face. “Oh, you old grump. You know you love us. And who would do all this work if it wasn’t for us?”

  Finnegan eyed the greenhouse, where rows upon rows of plants sat with small bright blurs buzzing over them. “I’m thinking of replacing the lot of you with a fleet of bewitched dragonflies.”

  Navi laughed, diving lower to continue feeding the plants.

  The herb garden had lost the previous mint jelly and hook-skirt crops. However, the milk thistle and caralluma fimbriata were ready for harvest. Finnegan’s gaze darkened, a shadow dancing across his turquoise eyes. Half the potions those herbs were used for couldn’t be made, since Virgo had lost Charmsgood, the Potions Master. Where was he even supposed to sell the crop of herbs with the potions shop closed? The queen would need to appoint a new Potions Master soon, however much Azure had demanding her attention.

  “Navi, have the harvest fairies deliver the milk thistle and caralluma fimbriata to the stand at the front of the farm.” Finnegan’s dirt-stained hands clasped his soul stone, which was pinned to the side of his robes. To say he missed Charmsgood was an understatement. As his twin brother, there was no one he’d known better in the last six centuries. The wizards had been born in the second hour of the second day of the second month in the year. Great things had been expected of two wizards born under such auspicious circumstances, and they’d fulfilled those expectations. But now Charmsgood was gone, leaving Finnegan with a constant feeling that he was lacking something vital.

  Navi halted in the air, her brow furrowing. “Who will sell the herbs, though?”

  “I guess you will, or Granite, or one of the other fairies. Whoever you decide. I don’t care.” Finnegan waved his wand at the pipe that ran overhead the full length of the greenhouse.

  “You can’t sell the herbs?” Navi asked.

  Usually Charmsgood bought the harvest from the greenhouse. Without him, there was a piece missing in the system. No, the herbs wouldn’t be ground into different usable forms or turned into ready-to-use potions, but at least the people of Virgo would have the herbs.

  “You fairies have an extra hour in your day, but I don’t,” Finnegan said bitterly. “My job is to grow the herbs, not to sell them.”

  The pipe sputtered, but nothing came from the misters. Finnegan grunted, waving his wand in the air again. Still nothing.

  “Wait!” a tiny voice rang from his back. Finnegan wheeled around just in time to get hit in the face by a fairy.

  “Get off!” Finnegan yelled, swiping at his cheeks.

  Luna rose into the air just in front of Finnegan’s face, her eyes large and silver hair askew. “Sorry! But you can’t water the herbs today!”

  Finnegan shook his head of long turquoise hair. Fucking fairies were always saying outrageous bullshit like that. “Don’t plant when Mars is retrogr
ade. No working when the sun sleeps,” or “Only fertilize when spring winds blow.”

  “I do believe that if I don’t water herbs then they’ll die, Luna. Is that what you want?” Finnegan said, leaning forward and growling at the fairy. “And where have you been?”

  “The well! There’s something wrong with the water supply!” Luna yelled, her little voice so high-pitched it hurt the wizard’s ears.

  “You’ve been smoking too much caterpillar shit.” Finnegan again waved his wand at the sprinkler system. The old pipes needed to be replaced. He’d been complaining to the House of Enchanted about it for a decade, but so much in Virgo needed to be repaired. In time…

  “Hey, listen!” Luna zipped through the air and landed on the wizard’s shoulder. “I’m serious. I smelled something in the well. You have to believe me. It knocked me out for…well, I don’t know how long.”

  Finnegan lifted his hand up and pressed it under a mister until a drop oozed onto his fingertip. He sniffed the water and shook his head. “Smells fine, you fucking insect wanna-be.”

  “It’s more concentrated in the well!” Luna stomped her feet on the wizard’s shoulder.

  “Stop that!” Finnegan swatted at the fairy. She flew up to avoid his hand, but darted back down and tugged on his long earlobe.

  “Hey, listen! This is serious! We’ve got to warn Virgo. None of the crops can be watered,” the fairy of the moon’s cycles screamed, her pale face flushing red.

  Finnegan reached over with his opposite hand and pinched the fairy off his shoulder. He held the squirming little figure in front of his nose and blew out a huge breath just as he let her go. She spiraled through the air before her wings broke free of the wind.