Angst Box Set 2

by David Pedersen

  “The queen’s sword,” she commanded.

  The crowd’s muttering was ended by her fierce gaze.

  “My first act as Queen of Unsel is this,” she said. “Your heroic deeds and great sacrifice will not go unrecognized.”

  The reflection of gold caught his eye as the queen’s longsword rested on his left shoulder.

  “I dub thee Sir Angst of Rookshire,” she said. “Knight of Unsel.”

  The sword rested on his right shoulder.

  “Zyn’ight of Unsel,” she continued.

  The sword fell on his left shoulder.

  “Champion of the Queen,” she said with finality, gently resting the sword on his head.

  And everything he’d ever wanted caught in his throat. He could only nod and fight tears.

  “Rise, Sir Angst,” she said. “And stand by my right side.”

  He stood shakily and stared into her green eyes. They were full of hope, and love. For a brief moment, he couldn’t have cared less about those attending and just wanted to embrace her.

  “Hugs later,” she said in his mind, casually holding up a hand.

  “Lots of them,” he thought, moving to stand beside her.

  The crowd erupted in cheers once again. He ignored them all, his eyes falling on Heather and his children. The pride in their faces was better than the surprise knighting. Mostly.

  56

  Epilogue 1

  It was more than a dream. It always had been. In the past, his nighttime visits to Prendere seemed out of his control. That was no longer the case. Now, the great golden field surrounded by snow-capped mountains felt as much like his home as the rest of Ehrde.

  Almost every face staring down at Angst from on high appeared either curious, or perturbed, or furious. The five elements were larger than ever, their forms towering over the mountains they stood behind. Earth, the giant stone maiden, seemed surprised at what she’d helped create. Air hovered in its tornadic form, and Angst took his stormy demeanor to mean the element was as pleased as the others. Water’s arms were crossed, and she leaned over like an angry mother, glaring at him with hollow eyes. Fire was fury, as always, and Angst was surprised that the element hadn’t shot globs of flame toward him, yet. Magic was practically unrecognizable, a human-like form composed of darkness—not unlike the beam Angst had chased from Fulk’han to Unsel so long ago.

  He stood there, naked before all the elements, in the middle of the field with cool grass beneath his feet. It was nice. The mountain-fresh air was warm against his bare skin. Despite the pending doom of five elements towering over him, Angst was surprisingly at peace. It was a welcome change from how he usually experienced these dreams. With the gentlest effort of will, he covered himself in armor—silver, not black—and stared up at the giants.

  “Yes?” he asked calmly. “Did you need something?”

  “Do you know what you have done?” Water asked.

  “I’m pretty sure I won,” Angst said, sticking his chest out and placing his fists on his hips.

  Tantrum would be the best way to describe the next few minutes. The elements stomped and fretted and roared, or more accurately stormed, and rumbled, and blew. It went on for too long, and he sat down, leaning back against his arms to watch. This was, after all, a dream—and how often do you get to see the extremes of so much nature all at the same time?

  “You never answered my question,” he finally said. “Do you need something? I’m tired. I’ve earned the rest. Do you have something to share, or some advice to give?”

  “Angst,” Earth said, her tone grating like the crunch of boulders rolling down a hillside. “Since the beginning of time there have only been five elements, and now…”

  “Do you even know what to do?” Air said, actually sounding concerned.

  “Yes,” Angst said. “I’ll watch over everyone. I’ll be a hero like I’ve always wanted.”

  “You aren’t an element. You are tiny! You are nothing!” Fire roared. “We’ll do everything we can to make your reign miserable. We’ll destroy everything you care for and everyone you love and…and…”

  “No,” he said, his voice booming.

  They stopped. To his surprise, they stood still, looking at him like upset children—made of fire and storm and everything frightening.

  He sighed and shook his head. “This was my win,” he said. “If I sense the slightest backlash, there will be consequences.”

  “What will you do now?” Water asked, practically sneering. “Cover Ehrde in flesh?”

  “Gross,” he said, wincing at the image. “Don’t you see? Your war has always been about domination when it should’ve been about balance. You’re all equally important. We need air to breathe, fire for warmth, water to drink, earth to stand on, and magic to bind it all together.”

  “But we don’t need you,” Air said.

  “Yes,” Angst said. “You really do, or what’s the point? Without life, Ehrde will die, and you all become nothing.”

  They looked at each other, and Angst expected to hear some sort of unknown ‘twin language’ between them.

  “You’ll see that life is part of this,” he said, trying to sound hopeful. “Sharing isn’t so bad. The six of us will work together, in harmony. In two thousand years, maybe you’ll come back and not want to go to war.”

  “And if we come back ready to fight?” Fire asked.

  Angst imagined himself in his dusky zyn’ight armor, and it appeared. With a deep breath, he willed himself to grow, and he did. He grew, and grew, and grew until he filled the field. He grew until he towered over them, and then he grew a little more. It was so ridiculous, he would’ve laughed if he wasn’t so upset. A small part of him wondered if this was what it was like to be tall.

  “I’ll be waiting,” Angst said, his voice booming. “Just ask Magic.”

  The elements turned to face Magic, who looked at the ground like a guilty child. They stood there, disgruntled, as if waiting for something. They shuffled their feet, stared at each other, and waited.

  “You’re still here?” he asked. “It’s over. Go home. Go!”

  Angst turned his back on them and left.

  57

  Epilogue 2

  The Wizard’s Revenge had never smelled so good. While the new location in Rookshire was only nine months old, Angst could already smell the familiar tinge of burnt grease. It was as if every piece of bacon had been cooked to a sharp crisp just for him. The stone floor was tacky from old booze, and the smell of stale alcohol wafted through the thick summer air. Someone’s spell had generated a warm breeze from window to window across the bar. It was just enough to clear out the stench of sweaty drunks, both young and old. Honestly, it smelled pretty awful, much like the old Wizard’s Revenge, but the nostalgia was delicious.

  The room was huge, filled with patrons and noise. The old Wizard’s Revenge at the capital would grow and shrink thanks to Graloon’s magic. This new bar was created by Jaden to be spacious enough without the need for magic. And while Graloon grumbled about having more space to clean, the old barkeep didn’t have to struggle with his spell to host large crowds or larger guests.

  Maarja and Faeoris were already deep into their kegs. An impressive collection of emptied mugs on their table made Angst wonder if they’d challenged each other to drink, or merely planned to challenge Graloon’s stores of liquor. Fortunately, the backslapping hadn’t gotten so rough that Angst felt the need to intervene. Three tiny Meldusians stood before them, toasting with their thimble-sized goblets.

  “I told you not to let Kala use those wings,” Nikkola said, propped up by a less-drunk General Mirim.

  “I can’t imagine where she got them,” Faeoris lied, hiding behind her mug.

  Maarja laughed and they both drank. Despite the Berfemmian’s prowess on the battlefield, it was impossible for her to out-drink Maarja. Marisha, the petite Berfemmian who sat beside Faeoris, sipped at her own drink and watched warily, as if ready to catch her drunk friend and fly he
r home at any moment. Exactly what he would expect from her essent.

  Tarness sat between Maarja and Dallow, either fighting through a haze of alcohol or struggling to stay awake through Dallow’s long-winded exposition of something or other. Tarness rubbed his mechanical arm awkwardly until Maarja took it, kissed it, and said in a low voice, “Stop.”

  “Just missing our son, Jarle,” he said.

  “He’s in good hands with Gose,” she said, “and we deserve the break. Now drink.”

  Angst tensed as his favorite barmaid approached Rose and bosomtastically leaned over the table. Rose whispered something in her ear that made her giggle before scurrying off. He was glad to see Rose smiling. She hadn’t said much to him beyond rolling her eyes after Karina had made his lap her seat.

  The twin was lost in a giggly conversation with her sister, Bella, who must’ve been drunk because her hand rested on his arm. He leaned around Karina awkwardly and took a long draw of sweet wine, careful not to disrupt his perch. It wasn’t easy to reach his mug, and it also wasn’t torture.

  “…and then, after Dallow and I get back from visiting all the mage city ruins, I’m going to go on a bunch of naked adventures with the twins,” Kala said. The young woman stood before him with hands on hips, leaning a little too close.

  “What?” Angst asked, jerking his head up in surprise.

  Bella and Karina laughed, the twin on his lap wiggling pleasantly.

  “I knew if I said naked, I’d finally get your attention, old man,” she said.

  “Sorry, Kala,” he said. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

  “A lot of booze on your mind and women on your lap,” she said, winking at the twins. “I originally said that after gathering all the books we can from the old mage cities, we’re going to open a school for wielders.”

  “It’s about time!” he said too loudly, unable to hold back his excitement. “I’m sure our queen would be glad to help you recruit—”

  “I’ve already spoken to Tori about it,” she said hurriedly. “She thinks it’s a good idea to welcome casters, uh, wielders from all of Ehrde.”

  “Tori, huh?” he asked in surprise. Wasn’t he the only one who was supposed to use that nickname? “Well, she would know, and…oh boy, hold that thought.”

  Heather stormed into the bar looking slightly perturbed, Scar following closely, his puppy head skinny with guilt. She stomped past several pending hugs and waved Karina off his lap. The young woman squeezed between him and Bella.

  “I thought you were supposed to watch him,” Heather said to Kala. “Especially with those two.”

  “I can’t tell them what to do,” she said, jerking her head toward the twins. “You’re the only one they listen to. You and maybe Faeoris.”

  Heather peered at the twins. They smiled innocently at her, hardening his wife’s stony gaze.

  “You didn’t stomp in here just to yell at mah girls,” Angst said, the alcohol-imbued words coming out too slowly.

  “Your girls,” Heather said, rolling her eyes.

  The twins giggled, and Angst failed to hold back his grin.

  “Do you know what Thom and Eila did?” she asked, not waiting for a reply. “It seems they took Scar and stole a piece of the Ivan tree from the Fulk’han…again!”

  “Are they okay?” Angst asked.

  “Yes,” she said snappily. “But you need to talk to them!”

  “Were the Fulk’han upset?” he asked.

  “Of course they were upset,” Heather said, her cheeks red. Everyone around them seemed agitated as her emotions became theirs. “But the Fulk’han won’t touch them because they’re afraid of you.”

  “Good,” Angst said dismissively, taking another sip of sweet wine.

  “You’re not going to talk to them, are you?” she asked.

  Angst glanced at his empty lap, encouraging her to take a seat.

  “It’s all warmed up for you,” Karina said, practically singing the words.

  “Mine,” Heather said, peering at the girls as she plopped down on Angst’s lap.

  Graloon approached with a flask and handed it to Heather with a slight bow.

  “At least someone is a gentleman,” she said. “Thank you.”

  “Angst, I wanted to thank—” Graloon bit off his words. He looked up and paled, his eyes wide. “I didn’t know…you should have told me. I would have cleaned…”

  Victoria and Jaden walked into the Wizard’s Revenge, appearing quite regal. Despite being weeks away from marriage, they were already the perfect royal couple, and everyone wobbled to their feet as they entered. Jaden wore a deep crimson tunic and tan leggings, Dulgirgraut hovering ominously over his back. Tori had fashioned a pink satin corset dress that was incredibly flattering in his favorite way.

  Angst patted his wife on the leg, and she sighed as they rose. He knelt, lowering his head, and everyone in the bar followed his lead. Tori and Jaden approached to stand before him.

  “My queen,” he said.

  “I don’t want my friends to kneel,” she said. “Please rise, my champion.”

  He did, and before she could say anything else, wrapped his arms around her in a hug and didn’t let go until he was done. Tori was blushing when he pulled away, and Jaden stared at the ground, his face set in a grimace. Angst didn’t care.

  “You came,” he said.

  “I wouldn’t miss your party for anything.” She accepted a goblet from Graloon, turned to face everyone, and raised it in a toast. “I would like everyone to know that the law was signed this morning, and Rookshire is officially a mage city. Autonomous to the crown.”

  There was a gentle round of clapping. When it slowed, Tori nodded to Jaden.

  “More important than that,” Jaden said, “the queen has decreed that magic is now legal in Unsel. No more restrictions.”

  Cheers, and tears, and back patting, and hugs overtook the room. Heather embraced Angst and held tight. When she was done, he sought Tori’s eyes and nodded once in gratitude.

  “A toast,” Angst said, raising a glass. “To the queen and future king of Unsel!”

  Everyone nodded respectfully and sipped from their cups.

  “This wouldn’t be possible without the sacrifice of so many,” he said, unable to hold back the catch in his throat. “Queen Isabelle and Captain Tyrell. My friends Moyra and Marissa. Leaders like Rook and Janda. Sean and Simon. Jintorich and Aerella…”

  Heather gripped his arm. Faeoris shoved past the twins to hold the other. He nodded to them both before continuing, barely choking out the words, “To Hector.”

  The room became bleary through his tears, and Angst lowered his head while lifting his mug. There were hugs and pats of encouragement, but all of them were a haze through the loss he felt. Maybe the sacrifice was worth it. Maybe his friends had died for a good reason. That didn’t make it stop hurting, and honestly, they deserved his tears.

  “Hey, Angst,” Graloon asked, “how did you get to be so stinking old?”

  It was the laugh everyone needed, and Angst wiped tears from his cheeks.

  “Don’t you know?” he asked. “Age is all in your head. It doesn’t matter if you’re tall or short, young or old, fat or thin, all that matters is who you choose to be. I’ll always be Angst.”

  They all clapped, and he nodded respectfully.

  “But you went into that beam of light alone,” General Mirim said. “I’ve been told that everyone who came out, including your kids, are older too. How is that even possible? Do people get older just by being near you?”

  He’d hoped the laughter and noise from the crowd would wash away the questions, but a quiet overtook the room. He waited, wishing for that one joke that would distract everyone, but it didn’t come. Finally, his eyes met Tori’s.

  “I want to know, Angst,” she said. “You don’t have to tell your queen, but will you tell your friend?”

  “You won’t believe me,” he said, wanting nothing more than to end this conversation. The entir
e adventure was so fresh that he was still exhausted from the memory. Tori continued to look at him with those eyes that he couldn’t say no to. He sighed deeply. “My dog saved everyone by sending them two thousand years into the future. Every flash of light that appeared when someone was about to die was Scar trying to save those I love.” He took a deep breath. “I went into that beam of light to fight Magic for the wish and didn’t realize I was actually fighting my future self. Young Angst lost, and I threw him into that future so he could find everyone, including himself.”

  Silence filled the room until Graloon burst out in nervous laughter. Others followed, but the laughter didn’t last long. When the room became quiet once more, all eyes were on him.

  “Really?” Victoria asked. “How did you find everyone? How did you get back?”

  “Really,” Angst said with a smirk. He took a long draw of sweet wine, lowered his glass, and looked her in the eye. “But that’s another story entirely,” he said with a wink.

  Front Matter

  Cover art by:

  Alessandro Brunelli

  Editing by:

  Angela D. Pedersen

  http://www.angiewrites.com

  Danielle Fine

  http://www.daniellefine.com

  © 2019 by David J. Pedersen

  Odysia Press

  All rights reserved.

  Created with Vellum

  Acknowledgments

  When I started writing Angst, my goal wasn't to get rich or famous (good thing.) I had a story to tell. I wanted to share a part of me and only hoped that people who read my books would be entertained. In eight years I've written over a half-million words and have published six books. Because of these books I've had the great honor to meet people from all over the world, many who I now call friend. Readers have sent me emails, messages, and even a handwritten letter telling me that they enjoy my stories and relate to the characters. They've shared that my books make them laugh. I consider that a gift to me.