Diana Alderoot and the Gilded Mage

by Trista Shaye

  Many fairies grumbled under their breaths for a bit about how she had inherited her parents’ luck, and they were surprised she had come back at all. But Mrs. Marrow always gave them the dirtiest of looks and kindly let them know they could keep their business far away from her bakery if they chose to continue speaking in that manner. She didn’t lose many costumers for very long.

  Diana had appealed to the council and been given approval to begin a summer outreach and immersion program that went to the other realms for service projects and practical cultural learning. She had it in her heart to show the other fairies the beauty of the world around them and the friends that were there to be made. It was a good way to keep her mind occupied and to help her cope with the loss and burden she now had to bear.

  She often went for visits on her own when she felt sad or alone – Farran had given her a special whistle to call Andante whenever she needed his assistance. It was bittersweet every-time she rode on her moth friend’s back, a reminder of flying, which she would never be able to do on her own again.

  She was, of course, invited to Farran and Matilda’s wedding which was within a month of their return home. Andante sang a lovely ceremonial song and took them off on a honeymoon to The Dappled Peaks. After they returned, Matilda got her family in order and worked out a truce between the gnomes and the trolls – with Shaarg’s unending help on the side of the trolls.

  Shaarg’s father recovered after a time from the black ooze – though he would never be the same or heal fully, he would live for many more years – and Shaarg was respected by all in The Marshes. His intricate colors, some of the hues which had never been seen before, were envied by everyone, as well.

  Diana even visited Exto and Dakin when it was summer in The Dappled Peaks. And, against Exto’s better judgment and many pleas that she should just avoid it, they went to the dragon market and she was able to explore as she had wanted to since first seeing it. Exto had even come along with her and Dakin, hoping to find something they might be able to rig up to make her fake but workable wings. There was no luck just then, only a couple of leads.

  Diana never really felt the need to go back to Castle Majestic, as it was rather a source of some bad memories for her and Kendel came to visit often, anyways. He would bring reading material and they would sit for hours and he would teach her things and answer questions. She enjoyed those times and every time after she spent with her friends who had shared so much with her and given so much for the freedom of their own realms and hers. She was eternally grateful for them all. Their friendships made the loss of her wings a little easier to bear.

  One fine summer evening, about a year after their journey had begun, Andante showed up to Diana’s fairy home and knocked on her door unexpectedly. She was quite surprised and pleased to see her friend and invited him in. He declined gracefully and told her it was actually he who was sent to bring her to Farran’s cottage. She gathered a few things into her leaf backpack and hopped onto his furry back without delay.

  As they flew, Diana had begun to wonder what was going on. Andante could only tell her what he knew, and that was very little. Shaarg had sent them a message asking if Farran and Matilda wouldn’t mind hosting him for a few days. They had, of course, consented – having put up a little guest cabin on their property to allow for plenty of visits. Shaarg had then asked, once he’d arrived, if Diana would be welcome, and they of course replied yes. So here he was, bringing Diana over to The Garden Glade for whatever reason the troll had in mind or perhaps just for a visit like old times.

  They arrived the following day, a bit after morning tea, and Diana was pleased to find not only Shaarg and the gnome couple, but also Kendel setting by the fire. The day was turning a little sour, so Farran stoked the fire and brought blankets out to everyone. Matilda baked warm stew and biscuits for lunch and the friends all sat around and caught up, talking of things that were happening in their own realms and of things they hoped to see accomplished by the help of each other’s homelands.

  They ate lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and evening tea, talking all the while and sharing laughs and good wishes until Kendel turned to Shaarg and asked, “Why did you invite us all here, Shaarg?”

  The troll looked down at his rocky hands that were clasped together. “Hmm …” He rumbled and then nodded, “Me want bring all together one time more before Shaarg become chief and not able leave home as much.”

  “You’re becoming the chief, already?” Diana asked, her brow furrowing. “I thought your father had recovered.”

  “Yes, recover.” Shaarg nodded fervently. “But want to pass on duties to me so he can recover more. He think I have better grasp on world now than just own realm, he think better let me work in new ideas. He help me for a time yet, but I won’t be free to come whenever want.”

  “That’s …” Diana was about to say sad, and her heart felt that way, but she knew it would be good for Shaarg to get the responsibility and to help shape their world differently. He would do a good job, she knew. “That’s amazing, Shaarg,” she finished instead.

  “Yes!” echoed Farran and the others in hearty agreement.

  “I mean, it will be sad not to see you so much,” Kendel explained. “But we’ll come visit and you’ll be amazing at this!”

  “Thanks, thanks.” Shaarg took their compliments well, but Diana thought she saw him blush a little – or maybe he just had a darker red coloring around his face area.

  The troll grabbed a bag from under the chair he had been sitting on and put it on the table. “Me bring something for you each, something remember me when I am busy with chief things. You each my best friends, Matilda, Kendel, and Diana.” He looked at Farran and Andante. “You too, my friends, and I thankful for all.”

  Farran and Andante nodded, knowing they would probably be left out of the gift giving, which was more than fine with them. They knew the others had been on quite the adventure together and they had not been there themselves. They stepped back a little and situated themselves by the fire to let the four friends have their moment together.

  “You didn’t have to bring us anything, Shaarg.” Diana said, patting his arm. “We could never forget you!”

  “Thanks, but I want,” Shaarg said, nodding enthusiastically. “I want give. It for best of friends.”

  No one else tried to stop him then and he reached into his bag, taking out, one by one, a rock for each of them, which he then handed out. The rocks were all different in shape, size and color and each of the friends smiled as they received their token of friendship.

  “These most precious of gifts, most deepest of friendships they signify,” Shaarg explained. “They for you. Special. All from my collection. They blood-line stones, given by mother to me, before she gone. They have special power to summon troll if find yourself in trouble. Then I come.” He pounded his chest. “I come and keep safe. I keep all friends safe forever.”

  A little tear formed in Diana’s eye and she hugged her friend quickly, trying to hide her emotion. His large rocky arms enveloped her and she breathed in deep to control herself but she was so touched. Never in all her days did she imagine herself as being the best friend to a troll.

  “Thank you,” she whispered as he let her go.

  Shaarg nodded softly and the other two patted his arm or barreled into him with affection. Then they went and sat themselves by the fire and ate berries and cream for dessert and stayed up much too late laughing and talking.

  As Diana, much later, was in her own guest room, and slowly fading off into sleep, she thought how strange time was and how quickly all things changed and how great a difference good friends make in times where you don’t know what to do or where to turn, or how you’ll get through. They had all helped her through her own struggle with losing her wings, and to be honest she was still working through it, but she didn’t feel as sorry for herself or as sad or as lost without them anymore. No, her fr
iends more than made up their worth in many ways and in ways she was sure she had yet to discover.

  ‘And so,’ Diana thought, ‘It was all worth it.’

  For what she lost could never outweigh what she had gained.

  The End

  Acknowledgments

  Huge thanks goes out to: my cover designer, Magpie Designs LTD – her pre-mades are beautiful and dangerous, and so are her custom covers! My editors and proofies; Paper Tigers Proofreading, my hubby, Tori, Mom & Dad Newton, and several others – you all helped this book become more polished and lovely on the inside. Thank you! To my interior formatter/designer and map illustrator, The Illustrated Author Design Services – let’s just sit back and marvel at her work, shall we? Like wow!

  Massively thankful for my parents, both of you inspired my love for reading, writing, and fiction. I’ll never forget all the books you read to us when we were younger and how they impacted me growing up. Thank you!

  Thanks to my hubby – my most favorite person ever! Thank you for asking me about this book and its progress as I was going through the steps to get it to where it is today. And thank you so much for what you sacrifice for us daily to allow me the privilege to stay home and write my heart out and follow my dreams. You’re amazing!

  Thanks to God for blessing this book – I’ve never written one so quickly or gotten the second draft done so fast. My mind is blown. I’m so thankful for the process it’s been and how He’s shown me more about the gifts He’s blessed me with.

  Thank you to my readers, I can’t walk this indie author road without you all! I’m blessed by you and I hope you’re blessed by the words you read between these covers.

  About the Author

  Trista Shaye has had dreams since she was small of the things she always wanted to accomplish in her life, being a published author is just one of many. She’s been an avid reader since the beginning and has been writing stories since she could hold a pencil.

  Published author of The Guardian Elf Scrolls and Ranger, it is said she can be found in a land far from here, a place not many people discover and even fewer understand; the land of her own imagination. She can also be found roaming the world with her husband on grand adventures that help to fuel the scenes of her stories; playing music and writing songs; running a home business; and working on her voiceover career.

  You can find Trista on Facebook, Amazon, Instagram, Goodreads, and Audible.

  Coming Soon

  The Nameless

  The Guardian Elf Scrolls, Book 2

  (MG/YA Fantasy Adventure)

  The Guardian’s return to the realm of their forefathers, Omeale, is ill-timed and the hearts of many are sick with grief. As they flock into their longed-after homeland, Vorn’s forces assail them on all sides, but help ensues from places unlooked to.

  Routed, the hybrids flee from their foes, but not without spoils from the battle to present to their black-hearted master.

  In need of supplies for their journey to the capital, the Guardians masquerade as their enemies and sneak into a nearby village. But things don’t always go as planned. Trials push and pull at the tight weave of the eight’s bond and doubts mount within. Disputes and disagreements as to their plan of action drives a wedge amid their group, splitting them in their choices.

  Doubts rise in the mind of a young hybrid who serves under Vorn and his thoughts constantly stray to what would happen if he went renegade. Anxiety and duty keep his schemes from pulling through and he fears the day when the master will finally learn of his treachery.

  Phantoms lurk in the dark shadows of the woodlands, hybrid patrols and soldiers keep watch with deadly purpose, and Vorn is not unprepared for the inevitable coming of his bitter rivals.

  Even if the eight can get into the shape-shifter’s lair, even if they manage to make it past his many lines of defense, they shall have to face one last barrier before they can reclaim the prize Vorn’s men stole. They shall have to get past one known as The Nameless.

  Adventures can be your greatest companion or your worst enemy. Either way, they stretch you, test your mettle, and in the end you wind up changed. And perhaps not always for the better...

  Now Available

  Ranger

  (YA Historical Fantasy)

  From the north a dark power festers in the heart of the forest. Creatures come from within, beings that bear death. They never leave their victims alive, they’ve never been seen in daylight, and most people don’t believe they exist …

  Until it’s too late.

  Kimberly Ranger is daughter to the wealthy governor of a small, dry western town. Her life is utterly changed one fateful night when her father tries to steal his entire family away to the big city in the north. Disaster befalls them as they ride through the shadow cloaked forest path and all are thought to be dead.

  Several years later a young stranger appears in the town’s dusty saloon, asking questions about that night.

  As time ticks on and people begin to give the stranger answers, they begin to vanish. Respected members of the town disappear without a trace, animals are slaughtered in herds, and a tale as old as time is brought to light. One person links them all together.

  One legend, two protectors. This is their story; one of danger, peril, and hope.

  The greatest adventures are not always the ones that are passed down in fables. Sometimes, the ones that really mean something, are the ones that never get told.

  Quest for the Swords of Healing

  The Guardian Elf Scrolls, Book 1

  (MG Fantasy Adventure)

  A storm that heralds the coming of an army of creatures that strike fear and death into those that behold them. A Dark Lord who orders a force of thousands in search of his quarry that has escaped him for ages. That is, until he found a scroll that revealed the location of his foes. Earth would soon feel his looming presence.

  Actors for years, eight teenagers work alongside hundreds of others in an attempt to create a medieval film of astounding battle sequences, until something puts them off their schedule. Until someone blows up their studio, until two opposing forces divide the teens in half, until mind-blowing possibilities are presented to them of who they really are, and until their world is shaped into another.

  Sent on a quest to find relics of years gone by, the young warriors encounter things that send them reeling, surpass the bounds of reality, and remove all doubt of their past.

  Without knowledge of what the relics really look like, or where they lie hidden, the teens embark on the journey of a lifetime to help save their world, or send it into hopeless peril.

  What will happen to the teenagers in this time where combat is deadly real, and if they make a wish, death waits to claim them?

  Adventures are not always what you make them out to be, sometimes they are so much more.