by Ron Collins
Garrick put his hands on his hips.
He thought about Sunathri.
He remembered the velvet touch of her kiss and the strength of her passion.
Reynard was right. This arrangement could work. And he wanted to do something for Sunathri. Could he find a way to make this work in conjunction with his own needs?
“I will be away often,” he said. “And for long periods.”
“Your learnings in these travels could aid the order,” Darien replied.
“My god-touch makes me dangerous.”
“And half of our army is alive due to that same touch.”
Garrick nodded.
The proposed arrangement was really no different from the arrangement they had come to God’s Tower under, and Darien’s response told him he was free to travel on his own as he had already planned.
“I can live with it,” he said. Or at least try.”
“Then I will serve, too,” Reynard replied.
The mages gave a disjointed cheer.
After a moment, Darien raised his hand and everything quieted.
“I have only one requirement for taking this position.”
“Which is?” Reynard asked.
“The decision must be unanimous.”
A smile grew over Reynard’s lips, and he turned to the rest of the mages. “Are there any of the Torean order of the Freeborn who would reject Darien proposal?”
Faces turned to faces, all afraid of what might happen next.
No voice spoke against the arrangement.
“It is done, then,” Reynard said. “Darien of Dorfort is the Torean Lord Superior.”
The order cheered once again, and this time Darien did not stop them.
* * * * *
This is the end of Gathering of the God-Touched, but the story of Garrick, Braxidane, and the struggle between the orders continues in Pawn of the Planewalker, due to be published January of 2015!
Available at:
Full Amazon Profile
Full Smashwords Profile
Search Kobo
Search Nook Book
Subscribe to Ron's Ramblings to be the first to hear about new publications!(*)
(*) We promise not to spam you with anything beyond information regarding Ron's work!
The Saga of the God-Touched Mage includes:
Glamour of the God-Touched
Trail of the Torean
Target of the Orders
Gathering of the God-Touched
Pawn of the Planewalker
Changing of the Guard
Lord of the Freeborn
Lords of Existence
APPENDIX
* * * * *
Map of the Plane of Adruin
image by Ron Collins
Acknowledgements
The universe of Adruin and All of Existence has many people to thank for its existence, not the least of which are Tim Brown, Mike Cox, Ken and Jackie Peters, and my wife, Lisa.
I need to single out a few others for their efforts beyond all the rest.
My friend, collaborator, and pre-reader John Bodin's help was—as always—superlative. I want to thank my daughter, Brigid, for stepping into the fray when I needed her. And I want to give thanks to my cover artist, Rachel Carpenter, who was great fun to work with and who did a fantastic job bringing Garrick to life.
Mostly, though, I have to thank Lisa for everything she's done for me. The Saga of the God-Touched Mage has gone through more twists and turns than I could ever have predicted when the idea first hit, and she's been with me through every step. (Don't worry, honey. It's really done. Really, I mean it. It's done. You don't have to read it for the 111th time!).
About Ron Collins
Ron Collins is an award-winning author who lives in Columbus, Indiana, with his wife, Lisa.
Gathering of the God-Touched is the fourth volume in the eight-part Saga of the God-Touched Mage. Ron published Five Magics, a collection of his short fantasy, in 2012. Five Magics includes two tales from Dragon Magazine, a Marion Zimmer Bradley’s FANTASY MAGAZINE Cauldron Award winning story, and another tale that was awarded Honorable Mention in Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling's “Years Best Fantasy.”
Ron is the author of two road trip, alternate-history, fantasy, science fiction baseball novels, the first being See the PEBA on $25 a Day (2010), and the sequel being Chasing the Setting Sun (2014).
He has contributed numerous short stories to professional science fiction publications including Analog, Asimov’s, and Nature. His writing has received a Writers of the Future prize, and a CompuServe HOMer Award. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and worked developing avionics systems, electronics, and information technology before spending a decade in Human Resource management.
Discover other work by Ron Collins at:
Full Amazon Profile
Full Smashwords Profile
Search Kobo
Search Nook Book
Subscribe to Ron's Ramblings to be the first to hear about new publications!(*)
(*) We promise not to spam you with anything beyond information regarding Ron's work!
The Saga of the God-Touched Mage includes:
Glamour of the God-Touched
Trail of the Torean
Target of the Orders
Gathering of the God-Touched
Pawn of the Planewalker
Changing of the Guard
Lord of the Freeborn
Lords of Existence
How You Can Help
Before you go, you are kindly invited to leave a review of this book.
Reviews are a wonderful way to help the author. They are also a great opportunity to share your honest thoughts with other readers, so please post yours wherever you obtained this book, and in as many other places as you're comfortable.
Thank you so very much.
Your support is highly appreciated.
