Book
Title: Winter Night Falling
Series: Ti-aran Chronicles: Rise of the Guardians
Book One
Edition:
Second
Author:
Bryan R. South
Publisher:
Freaky Fiction Writing - http://freakyfictionwriting.wordpress.com/
Cover
Art: Bryan Rainey
Tour
Organizer:Cu’s Ebook Giveaways - http://cuhelpingauthors.blogspot.com/
Book
Blurb:
Now the Four Kingdoms are each proud and full of themselves. All the
races of the realms must come together and fight the demon lord once again.
Magic has been outlawed, and it is up to the reawakened Grand Mage, an
eccentric old man, and what is left of the Mage Knights, as well as a budding
Guardian to try to keep the peace.
Can the Grand Mage and his friends get the other kingdoms to move in time to
stop the Demon Lord? Does the Demon Lord have more than one objective now that
he is free? Only time will tell.
About
the Author:
Bryan R South was born and
Raised in the Pacific Northwest. He Graduated Kamiakin Highschool in 1993
. Bryan has had several poems published and has been working on the
Rise of the Guardians Series since he was 16, and did his senior year
paper on being a fantasy novelist. He has worked as a Linecook, in
construction, and other odd jobs. He resides with his wife and fell
author, S. Cu’Anam Policar, and their children in the Pacific Northwest still.
Author Links:
The
characters of Winter Night Falling:
Orindyll
Ravenslock – Arch mage of the First Order, Acting Grand Mage of the
Orders of Five, Earl of Raven’s Bluff
J’Lann
Silverhand-- Mage-Knight; First Sword of the 2nd Order,
Later Preceptor (commanding officer) of the Mage-Knights.
Joran Silverhand—Mage-Knight;
3rd Order
Tomas
Silverhand-- First thought to be a magus of the First Order; he is
later discovered to be the Last of the Guardians, as well as a Divine Agent of
Adara the Lost. Goddess of Knowledge, Nature, and Magic.
Count
Evan Dupont-- Count of the Township of North Keep
Zatchion
D’Orsk— Arch Magus of the 2nd Order. Great
Grandson of Orindyll Ravenslock. Baron of Caer Percivor.
Sarah
D’Orsk -- Arch Magus of the 3rd Order. Great
Granddaughter of Orindyll Ravenslock.
Sirenthial
Silverbranch -- Arch Magus of the 4th Order. Heir to the
Elven Throne of Erinor. Chronicler of the Orders of Five.
Chase
Summers – Mage-Knight of the First Order, Traitor
Gregory
Pecorian – Mage-Knight of the 2nd Order; Sergeant
Aileen
Mistwinter—an Elven Hunter of Erinor; Twin of Tariel
Tariel
Mistwinter – An Elven Hunter of Erinor; Twin of Aileen
Duke
Echias of High Point – Duke of the City of High Point.
Captain
Rancos – Captain of the Black Watch of High Point
Jack –
Arch Mage of the 5th order. From Tiramon
Haicho – A
portly Journeyman Mage of the 5th Order from North Keep
Kelvin –
Former Grand Mage of the Orders of Five; Arch Mage of the First Order, King of
Tiramon
Arrowthorn—
Ranger of Tiramon, Heir to the Throne of Tiramon. Kelvin’s son
Alindryia
Silverbranch—Queen of the Elven Kingdom of Erinor. Priestess of Adara.
Mother of Sirenthial
Korinthial
Silverbranch—Son of Sirenthial, Heir Presumptive of the Elven Kingdom of
Erinor. Blade-Weaver.
Sebastion
Thr’ask— Mage-Knight of the 4th Order. First Sword.
Orion
Brighthammer— Mage-Knight of the 3rd Order. First Sword
Erik
Joruss— Heir to the throne of the High Kingdom of Pendys
General
Tapi— General of the Armies of Tiramon
Tir’alac—
Shadar-Hai War-Leader.
Balin
Ironfist— Dwarven KingsGuard. The maker of Joran’s Broadsword
(though both do not seem to mention it in the story) Brother to Borodor
Borodor
Ironfist— Dwarven KingsGuard. Brother to Balin.
Lee
Featherhand— Mage-Knight of the 2nd Order
Charles
Stormcloak— Mage-Knight of the 5th Order
Brother
Bradley— A powerful Priest of Galaen the Just. God of Justice
Akbar—
Dwarven Journeymen Mage of the 2nd Order
Ermina— a
Sylph bound to Joran’s Sword
Jarrack—A
powerful Corrupted Portal Master of Limbo.
Cassandra— Lady
of the Oak Glade, Guardian
Nysander –
Shade of the Great Guardian of Erinor . Cassandra’s Grandfather.
Tyramononix—The
Very First Guardian of the Four Kingdoms, Soul is bound to a Golden Torc Tomas
wears
Excerpt - Joran's
admittance into the Mage-Knights of the Four Kingdoms
They quickly
divided up the food amongst themselves and then ate quietly, each lost in their
own thoughts. When the food was gone they sent Tomas to go find Joran who
hadn’t appeared for breakfast. They returned a few moments later. Joran sat
down with care not to stain his new attire he had purchased, a pair of Black
leather boots, black dyed leather trousers and a bright yellow over
tunic. A new broadsword hung from a new baldric on his left hip, and his
short sword now rose on his right. He gave each a nod, and waited for
introductions of Sirenthial and Sebastion before he settled more
comfortably into a seat on the bench a little ways down from Count Evan.
“Alright then, to business then. Count Evan since we are in your principality we are going to allow you to sit in on what in the old days would be known as a Guild meeting. Gentlemen today we are going to start rebuilding the Orders of Five, as well as the Mage-Knights.” he paused to look at each in turn to allow his statement sink in.
“Seeing how I am the most Senior Arch-Magus present, I am going to be acting Grand Mage, until we discover the whereabouts or demise of the current Grand Mage. Sirenthial here will be my Chronicler or Second. Any questions so far?” Everyone looked around at the others at the table, and seeing how no questions were forth coming Orindyll continued.
”First Sword Silverhand until by Challenge will be the Mage-Knight Preceptor. You Sir will see Sirenthial and I later. Sebastion you will hold your current position as First Sword of the 4th Order. To the next matter of business then, Gentlemen we have a warrior-adept among us who would join the Mage-Knights. He has been tested magically and been found with the talent. IF he is accepted into the Order of Mage-Knights, he will be of the 3rd Order. He has already completed half of his training, he was taught his sword lore by the Preceptor himself.”
Sebastion stood up. “I would not attest to this normally, but has he been tried? We’re going to be traveling some dangerous roads in the near future.”
J’Lann couldn’t contain a grin. “Joran, would you be interested in showing the
assembled your skills?”
Joran gave a grin that matched his fathers and rose to his feet, stripping off
his tunic, drew his swords and assumed a battle stance. Sebastion also stripped
out of his tunic and picked up his battle axe and gave it an expert swing.
J’Lann gestured to the others.
“Gentlemen
give them some room”
While the others moved the table to allow for more sparring room, and kept themselves out of harm’s way, J’Lann turned to face the combatants. “First Blood, three separate cuts is declared winner... that is it ..... Begin.”
The two combatants began to circle one another, each sizing the other up. Suddenly Sebastion lunged in, his axe coming in from the right, whistling through the air. At mid-swing he reversed the direction of the axes blade bringing it up in a nasty cut from below. The sound of steel on steel filled the air Joran crossed both his blades over the Axe in a parry designed to drive the axe down to the ground. Joran then brought his right foot up to kick the overextended Sebastion in the jaw sending the older warrior over backwards.
With a roar of anger Sebastion kipped off his shoulders onto his feet and charged in swinging a deadly overhand chop towards Joran’s head. Joran parried with the broadsword and then dropped low and brought his short sword in a horizontal slash from the right that gave a quick slash into Sebastion’s left thigh, parting leathers and skin alike. Sebastion countered with a haft hook to Joran’s jaw sending him to the ground.
Sebastion again roared and charged in with a swirling downward chop to Joran’s exposed back. Joran kicked out behind him catching the older warrior in his unprotected groin, and then sprang to his feet. he swung his swords in a fast spinning combo slicing open Sebastion’s exposed ribs on the right side, once, twice, and finally a third time.
“ENOUGH” Roared
Orindyll.
Joran dropped down into a defensive crouch, one sword in the air behind him and the other in a forty-five degree angle in front of him. Sebastion stood cursing softly as he held his bleeding ribs with one hand while the other cupped his groin. Orindyll walked over to Sebastion and laid a palm on the man’s ribs and uttered a quick incantation. Joran watching felt his jaw drop as he watched the older warrior’s wounds close right before his eyes. Orindyll gestured for both of them to resume their seats at the table.
“Are his skills enough to satisfy you First Sword?” asked Orindyll.
Sebastion coughed and nodded. “He kicked me so hard I am still coughing up the
family jewels; yeah I would have him at my back or at my side.” He paused
and looked over to J’Lann. “You taught the boy some dirty tricks Preceptor.”
“Anymore Objections?” asked Orindyll. Everyone shook their heads, and Sebastion chuckled and socked Joran in the arm playfully. Orindyll then gestured for Joran to come and stand before him. “Give me your sword Lad.” Joran reached down and pulled his broadsword from its scabbard and held it out to Orindyll hilt first.
“Kneel. That’s it. Joran of the Sixth Royal House of Silverhand, do you accept the Charge of guarding magic, and all things magical as decreed by the Order of Five with your life?”
“Yes.” He
replied softly.
“Do you accept
the Charge of guarding the homes, families, and persons of your Brother Mages
with your Life?”
“Yes.”
“Furthermore by accepting these charges, do you understand that you now renounce the Authority of the Lower Crowns over your Person? And that you are no longer subject to their rule? You are now outside their Caste system, and will hold only titles given to you by me, the Preceptor, or the High King?”
“I understand.”
said Joran.
“By accepting these charges your life is no longer your own. The only other authority over me is that of the High King. You now belong to the Order of Five and the Order of Mage-Knights until we release you from service.” Orindyll then began a long incantation that was deep and loud, and the broadsword in his hands began to glow with a strong yellow light. He then touched each of Joran’s shoulders with the sword and then lastly set the sword on top of the young warriors head.
“Bound by Five. Given by Five. Your sword is mine. Arise Corporal Joran Silverhand, Mage-Knight of the 3rd Order.” When Joran had reclaimed his feet, Orindyll set the point of the glowing sword over Joran’s heart and incanted once more. When he finished the smell of burning skin filled the air, and when he removed the swords tip, a glowing purple sword tattoo identical to his fathers glowed though his skin for all to see.
Sebastion rose from his seat and came over to Congratulate Joran with a warrior’s arm shake. J’Lann was next who wrapped him in a huge bear hug that stole the boy’s breath. When everyone had congratulated Joran, Orindyll gestured for them to return to their seats
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