by R. J. Batla
He shrugged, “That’s one possibility.”
She looked intently at Royn. “And you want me to be in this group?”
“Wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
“How many of you are there?”
Royn grinned, stepping closer to her again, almost whispering. “Always room for more, but enough to get the job done.”
Undetermined number then. Either way, the Ranger was playing it close to the vest. “Is there anything special I’d have to do?”
Royn shook his head. “We won’t know what we’ll need until we need it. Though you’ll just have to be yourself.”
Celeste flicked her wrist, sending a wave out, rocking the few boats moored to the docks. “I'll have to think about it.”
He held out his hand and she shook it. “Fair enough.” He pulled out a card with a small button on it. “Let me know your decision. Take your time – there’s no rush. I'll be expecting your call, if I read you right. Good luck with your new ship, Captain.”
“Thanks.”
The Ranger nodded and turned, walking down the dock. Reaching the end, he turned back around. “Oh, and Celeste?”
“Yes?”
“It doesn’t ever get easier to lose comrades or friends. The life of a soldier will always hold death in it. Because of that, you’ll have to you learn how to grieve faster, and go on with living while honoring their memory at the same time.” He saluted, then disappeared in a flash of blue. Teleportation was an amazing power – even with the wide range of powers Senturians possessed, Celeste was still amazed to actually see someone teleport in real life.
Celeste walked over and fiddled with the rigging on the small sailboat. With a sigh, she jumped back in and Pushed hard with her water powers to get the boat headed to sea. Unfurling the sail and catching the wind quickly, she guided the boat through the docks and out into the open ocean. Looking to the west, she saw the sun dropping below the horizon as she rubbed the card the Ranger had given her, holding the rudder with the other.
Thinking.
The sun would go down in about thirty minutes.
Was she ready for such responsibility again? Would it be good to have a purpose, a higher calling? She could work through her issues about captaining a large ship while still doing some good in the world.
She jerked on the line, pulling the sail taut again. Bah, who was she kidding. She was going to call. If nothing else, to see what the Ranger was really doing.
Pulling on the rudder, she whipped the vessel around, tacking back into the breeze, her hair blowing behind her. Maybe she could do more good if she was part of something bigger than herself. Bigger than her nation. Maybe she was destined for bigger and better things. Just like her father, if the mermaid was to be believed.
The sail caught the breeze. Celeste reached down and touched the spent Wave Connection in her pocket. Despite its appearance, perhaps there was still something useful left – in both the necklace and in her. She intended to find out.
Other Books by R.J. Batla
Join my Reader’s Coalition and get AGAINST THE BEAST for free!
Royn Crowell’s first assignment is a tough one - stranded on the West Side of the Breaks with a commanding officer that hates him and unwilling to let him to use his gifts.
Talk of demons finally forces the captain’s hand, and sends Royn on his first mission. Unfortunately he comes face to face with the most feared creature in Terraunum. With the situation getting worse by the minute, can Royn find a way to defeat the monsters, or will his death mark the first in a long line and threaten all humans on Terraunum?
Sword and Sorcery, Superhero, Military, and Steampunk elements combine in the fast-paced, action packed adventure in Terraunum, where monsters and men clash in a battle for survival.
Grab your copy now!
You’ll get an email with the link to the book (if you don’t check your spam folder or email me and I’ll get you your copy).
I’ll also send periodic updates on my author journey and future books.
Thanks!
RJ
Buy Fire Eyes Awakened - you’ll be sent to my website, then click on the cover and you’ll be there!
Jayton Baird worked for years to save enough for his powers to be Awakened, becoming a Senturian. Protectors of Terranum from the terrors on the West Side. This power comes with a price - Jayton becomes the most powerful Senturian Awakened in a hundred years. And the most feared.
With an invasion imminent and a death sentence over his head, Jayton is chosen to fight in a gladiator style tournament to prevent a potent weapon from falling into the hands of an enemy bent on conquest. A team of elite warriors escorts him on the trek fraught with danger.
Can Jayton and his team survive long enough to complete his mission, or will the dark power burning inside consume him?
The first in the Senturians of Terraunum Series, FIRE EYES AWAKENED combines epic fantasy with fantastic powers. Join the action and adventure!
Another Free Gift!
Want to know more about the world of Terraunum?
Click below to sign up for my list to receive the Ranger’s Field Manual, my free gift for you!
Get the Field Manual for free!
You’ll get an email with the link to the book (if you don’t check your spam folder or email me and I’ll get you your copy).
I’ll also send periodic updates on my author journey and future books.
Thanks!
RJ
Did you enjoy TEMPUS?
If so, please leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0788TYL2Y
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37543125-tempus
I would greatly appreciate it!
About R.J. Batla
R.J. Batla is the author of FIRE EYES AWAKENED, TEMPUS, and AGAINST THE BEAST, with future books well underway, including DEATH CLOUD, Book 2 in the Senturians of Terraunum series, as well as several novellas in the Origins of Terraunum series.
Christian, Husband, Father, and Author, R.J. Batla enjoys everything outdoors and takes as much time as he can with his family. If he could move to the country and just write he would. If you find a way to do that, please let him know.
Connect with R.J. Batla:
Website: rjbatla.com
Twitter: @RJBatlaAuthor
Facebook: fb.me/rjbatlaauthor
Email: [email protected]
Thank you so much for reading Tempus!
