by Candy Crum
Author Notes - Michael Anderle
August 9th, 2017
First, THANK YOU for not only reading this book, but sticking around and reading these Author Notes, as well.
Personally, I found it hilarious how much feedback we received about my editing Candy’s excessive exclamation point problem (e2p2). This time, I didn’t take one ep out. So, any of you ready to jump my case about it, you can chill…
This time.
I’m not making any promises NEXT book when Candy’s… um, e2p2 problem… rears its ugly head again.
Just saying.
I’m blessed and I freely admit it. However, the blessing I’m speaking about is the chance to be the go-between the readers, and an author who is not only seeing sales, but fan engagement perhaps for the first significant time.
And changing a life as they receive the blessings.
You know, from people reaching out in reviews (talking directly to us in the reviews, not just talking about the book which is completely awesome as well) or on our Facebook pages, or shit, wherever. I’ve had a significant amount of fans say they appreciate our communication and the reality (for me anyway) is that I am reactionary.
Not majorly proactive.
Meaning (in a completely wrong sense of usage, but stay with me here) that I do put a few things up on Facebook and make comments. But if you, the fans, didn’t write back, engage with us etcetera, then we would stop putting our content out there and talking.
Because, it would feel like I was talking in a deserted old cold, dank warehouse, which was crumbling down and I’d feel like I want to be anywhere else than where I was.
However, your replies, your comments, hell, your SUPPORT when I admit I’m having challenges writing every day to get the next book out HELPS significantly.
At some point, I can imagine someone is going to figure out that the story of The Kurtherian Gambit Universe is something that can be shared beyond the confines of our group. When that happens, I’m sure there will be a question that has to do with the ‘secret’ of the success.
Like hard-assed work is a secret? Sorry, I digress.
However, what they are truly asking is why what we did differently than others and part of the answer is we found a niche, a group of fans that are appreciative of our efforts. Fans helping us to keep going when the tough times hit so we can feel that dopamine slam when you read our books, give us those comments on Facebook or in reviews and ask us…
“WHEN THE HELL IS THE NEXT BOOK?”
Yeah, it occasionally sucks to hear that after putting out twenty books in twenty months, but you know what?
It’s like a drill sergeant who is in your face, pushing you to be the best recruit / soldier / whatever you can be.
You might hate what they are yelling, but you KNOW their heart is in the right place.
So yeah, I’m ready for the truth, and my book is coming out August 23rd you red-faced, yelling at me (but completely awesome) sonsabitches!
You are the reason Kurtherian is kicking ass and taking names.
And I love you all.
Michael
The Frozen Wasteland
Tales of the Feisty Druid Book 3
Prologue
Amelia sat at her desk, only just finishing writing a letter for Julianne. It was quite the surprise visit from her friend, but given all that was happening, she couldn’t deny just how welcome it was.
She closed and sealed the letter, handing it to the trusted guard in her office—one of the only ones she had left in Arcadia.
“See that Julianne gets this. She’s staying at the Queen’s and expecting me. No one else is to get this,” Amelia said.
The guard bowed slightly. “Absolutely, Chancellor. I’ll get it there as quickly as possible.”
Since Talia and Scarlett had begun taking the city, more and more people were slipping over to their side. With careful planning and Scarlett’s influence over a few of the more powerful minds, they had been very successful in their plans.
But Amelia hoped that wouldn’t last for long.
Perhaps Julianne could offer council on the matter. The Master Mystic had requested a meeting—but Amelia couldn’t risk going anywhere except the Capitol building or her home. However, that wasn’t going to stop her from meeting her friend right away.
Amelia was impressed with the speed in which the guard had delivered her letter. Julianne was in her office in no time. She just hoped her friend had taken her advice and shielded herself a little. If Scarlett realized she was in the city, things could go very wrong, very fast.
Hearing voices outside of her office, she smiled and ran to the door, flinging it open.
“Julianne!” Amelia shouted excitedly. Her dear friend smiled and stepped forward, each of them sharing a hug. “Please, come in. Your friends are welcome, too.”
“This is Garett,” Julianne said.
“Thank you, but I’ll stay out here for now,” the man said.
Amelia shrugged and pulled Julianne inside, closing the door behind them.
“I’m so sorry for the short notice, Amelia,” Julianne said.
Waving a hand in the air, Amelia said, “Oh, it’s fine. You have no idea how happy I am to see you. So much has happened and even more has changed. We’ve rebuilt the factory and had to set up a whole new trade industry to fund the restoration of the city.”
Julianne smiled. “The work seems to agree with you.”
Amelia grinned, doing her best to hide the doom she felt by what was happening in the city. She wanted to enjoy seeing her friend, even if only for a moment. “It’s a lot of work, but it was worth it. Seeing it all come together like it did and knowing how we impacted the people in the city was incredible.”
There was a pause before Julianne said, “I couldn’t help but notice that you used a lot of past tense there. Was incredible?”
Amelia swallowed hard, her eyes finding her desk. Finally, she looked back to Julianne and nodded. “There is so much happening. I want to tell you, but I also just wish we could have a normal visit.”
Julianne smiled, but it looked forced. Not fake exactly, but it was obvious she felt for her friend. “It sounds like we have a lot to discuss. I’m just passing through, Amelia, but I needed to speak with you. I have things that need my immediate attention as well.”
Amelia’s brows furrowed as she studied her friend, concerned that she might be in danger. “You first. You went out of your way to come here. It must be important.”
“There was… an incident up at the temple.”
Amelia sat in one of the two visitor’s chairs across from her desk and gestured for Julianne to do the same. “That must have been one hell of an incident for you to have come here in person.”
Julianne nodded. “A group calling themselves the New Dawn appeared a few days ago. I don’t know who’s leading them, but they’re crazed, convinced that mystics are the only ones fit to rule. They want that rule to be absolute.”
Amelia swallowed hard. The only ones fit to rule. Talia had been the one in control this whole time, but was it possible that Scarlett was calling the shots?
“Shit.” Amelia shook her head. “That sounds familiar. Unfortunately, a bit more familiar than you can imagine.”
“How so?” Julianne asked.
Taking a deep breath, Amelia said, “To keep a very long story short, I accidentally hired Adrien’s bastard daughter to be the Dean of Students. More than that, she has what I could only describe as a dark mystic in her employ. I don’t know if she’s one of your New Dawn people, but Scarlett is definitely up to no good.”
Julianne’s eyes widened a bit in obvious shock before they turned white. Amelia could feel the Master Mystic brushing her mind, and she did nothing to stop her. Her eyes suddenly returned to normal before she shook her head.
“This Scarlett person is unfamiliar to me, but that doesn’t mean anything. I know nothing of the New Dawn yet. It’s possible she is self-taught, or perhaps she left the Temple
before I met her,” Julianne replied.
“How much of a threat do they pose?” Amelia asked then.
Julianne shifted in her chair. “They’ve managed to find some way of shielding that can’t be penetrated, so I can’t be sure. It seems they hail from the other side of the Madlands, which is where I’m headed now.” She sighed and shook her head as she looked at her friend. “I wish I could stay to help you. I feel compelled to, but I have a responsibility to my people, and they atta—”
“No, no, no,” Amelia said, reaching over to give Julianne’s hand a light squeeze. “Don’t do that. You don’t have to make excuses to me. You always belonged in the Heights, and I belong here. We worked together to free the city, but we have our responsibilities to our homes. I know you’d stay if you could. I would go with you if I could, but my city is in danger, and I can’t leave. I truly understand. Seems we have our own paths to take.”
Both women smiled, but they were forced—both of them trying fruitlessly to comfort one another.
Amelia sighed. “Still, I can’t help but ask. Are you sure that’s a good idea? Going across the Madlands, I mean. If something happened to you out there—”
“The temple would have all the resources it needs to carry on without me,” Julianne interrupted. “I’ve planned for the worst, though I certainly hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“I see.” Amelia gazed over steepled fingers. “If there’s anything I can do to help, I will. Our resources are thin, and I’m stuck here, but I’ll commit what I can.”
Julianne smiled. “No, there’s no need. I only came to warn you of their presence, but it seems like you may have already been aware of it. Of the six that came to us, only three remain. I assume those three are the ones that attacked us on the mountain.”
Amelia gasped. “Attacked?”
“Yes. We lost someone, not from our party but known to our rearick. I couldn’t leave without telling you. Actually, could you spare a messenger? I need to let my people know what happened.”
Swallowing hard, Amelia nodded. “Of course. I only have very few trusted guards, Marcus among them, though I’ve had him buried in responsibility training the new Guard recruits. I’ll brief those who need to know and perhaps put some feelers out for more information if I can. You’re sure there’s nothing else I can do to help?”
Resolutely, Julianne shook her head. She could see Amelia was stretched thin already.
Amelia nodded. “Very well. Please, let me know if that changes. I’ll send a trusted courier to your room at the inn tomorrow morning to take your message. I wish you all a safe journey and a fast return. Stay safe, Julianne. Irth needs you.”
Amelia showed Julianne to the door. They hugged briefly, and Julianne stepped outside, Amelia locking the door behind her after a few moments.
1
The skies were wide open, only a small speckling of clouds creating any shadows over the mountain. The sun reflected off the thick snow, blinding Arryn when she looked in the wrong direction.
With every breath she took, thick white mist streamed from her mouth, but she didn't let it distract her. She bent over as far as she could, slowly moving behind a large rock. Her target was several yards away.
A beautiful white rabbit. He was quite large for being at that altitude with so little food, but she knew he would be quite the challenge to catch.
It had been several days since she'd arrived in the Frozen North; transported and abandoned on the highest peak of the tallest mountain. At first, she'd been almost too weak to move, and using magic to create a fire hadn't done much to keep her from freezing to death.
Just as Talia had told her, it had sapped her strength. But as Talia had also predicted, Arryn refused to give up. Several times a day she had thrust her hands deep into the snow, feeling for the energy in the water under and around her and pulling it into herself. It was a trick Cathillian had shown her, and for once, his advice wasn’t completely useless or juvenile. It had taken several days, but she was finally feeling more like herself.
Arryn wanted to get back to Arcadia more than anything else. She needed to finish what she had started, and she needed to make sure the citizens were safe. She wasn't sure what Talia was capable of or what she truly wanted, but she sure as hell didn't want to go back home and find the entire city desolate. All life lost; only Talia left for her to return to.
Now that she was feeling a bit more normal, Arryn decided it was time to prove the bitch wrong and get her ass off that mountain. The snowy rabbit was going to help.
As Arryn shifted her weight, she saw the long white ears perk up, swiveling as they listened for whatever might be approaching. Then the rabbit turned his head, and his eyes met Arryn's.
"Shit!" Arryn exclaimed, shaking her head.
He jumped into action, sprinting across the snow. Arryn wasted no time as she put all the strength she had into a powerful run, chasing the rabbit across the snow while trying to avoid slipping and falling.
The rabbit was fast, and his skill at sharp turns was incredible. Try as she might, she couldn't catch him.
"Hey!" she shouted as she ran. "Give me a break! This isn't fair."
The rabbit ran straight for a massive rock. Arryn thought he would go around it on the easier terrain, but he didn't. He planted his feet against it without breaking stride and used it as a pivot point to change directions. Arryn almost had him, but was forced to drop and slide on her hip to keep from running straight into the boulder.
"Gah!" she yelled into the vastness around her.
The rabbit turned and stared at her as she got to her feet, as if challenging her to come for him. Her eyes narrowed and she returned the gaze, her body lowering to a crouch as she once again prepared to run.
"I will catch you. And when I do, you're gonna be—"
Her threat was curtailed when the rabbit took off again. She growled to herself as she lit out after him. Stiff from several days of disuse, her muscles were screaming at her, begging her to rest, but she wasn't giving up.
She knew that she would have to be strong, fast, and pay full attention to her senses if she was going to get off this mountain. The only way to get back into shape was to be extremely active.
She charged after the rabbit in the hope she would catch him, but she became careless. Her desire turned into impatience, and she quickly lost focus on her surroundings.
The rabbit made his sharpest turn yet, spinning in the snow and running directly back through her legs at the last second. As she turned, her feet slid in the snow, and she landed hard on her side. Though her breath didn't leave her, it hurt like hell.
Rolling onto her back, Arryn groaned as she cursed the rabbit and her own impatience. She grunted as the fat, fluffy, snow-white rabbit jumped onto her stomach, his little nose twitching up and down as he stared into her eyes.
She reached up with both hands and scratched the sides of his face. "I'm gonna get you next time. You just wait and see. You cheated, anyway."
The rabbit leaned his head into her touch, and she scratched between his ears before taking them between her fingers and rubbing down to their tips.
"You're lucky you’re cute. Do you have any idea how hungry I am?" she asked, a smile on her face.
The rabbit bit her hand, lightly enough that it didn't draw blood, but hard enough for her to know he took offense at her comment.
She laughed. "Sorry. It was just a joke. Jeeze, you’re so sensitive!"
She was just about to set him aside so she could stand when the rabbit's ears perked up, warning her that they weren't the only ones in the area. A deep, guttural sound filled the air around them. It wasn't a growl, but a warning, sounding very deep in the animal’s chest as it slowly stepped toward them.
Arryn laid on her back, the rabbit frozen on her stomach as they both stared at the large, hungry snow leopard.
"Run," Arryn whispered to the rabbit.
She felt a slight movement on her stomach, but not enough to suggest he'd
listened. A louder rumble from the beautiful cat warned her that time was running out. This time, she didn't give the rabbit a chance.
"Run!" she shouted, throwing him far away from her and quickly rolling onto her stomach.
The leopard pounced, but Arryn was fast enough to get out of the way. The slick snow she’d been laying on took the leopard down just as it had her. In only seconds the leopard was back on her feet, roaring loudly and charging for Arryn and her furry companion.
Hearing the rapid crunch of snow behind her, Arryn risked a look over her shoulder to see the animal coming directly for her, moving far faster than she could possibly run. The rabbit was in front of Arryn, running in a zigzag pattern but making good time.
"Ooooh, run, Puff-Butt, run!" Arryn exclaimed as they began scrambling down the north face of the mountain.
A loud growl sounded as a large shadow fell over her. Without looking back, Arryn dove forward, catching the rabbit in her arms and twisting, landing on her side and rolling out of the way. The leopard landed hard, sliding and rolling over, which gave Arryn enough time to get back to her feet.
Arryn was still very weak. Not only did she have very little time to try to use her nature magic to subdue the animal, but as weak as she was, she wasn't even sure she could. If it didn't work, she would be directly in front of the big cat’s jaws.
Using physical magic wouldn't be much better, but it appeared she didn't have a choice. It was the guaranteed option in this instance, unlike attempting to use nature magic.
She tossed the rabbit away from her, out of the direct path of the leopard, before turning and throwing her hands out. A small gust of wind pushed the leopard back, and she encased it in ice.
But the leopard jumped forward again, breaking free of the thin ice Arryn had created in hopes of scaring it while expending minimal energy. Apparently, the leopard had no plans to back down under any circumstances. It was just as hungry as she was, and it wasn't like there were a lot of food sources in the mountains.
