Wizard in the Woods

by Jeffrey M. Poole

  “Then why did he talk to you?” Gareth asked, bewildered. “He must have had a reason. I still can’t believe dragons can get that big.”

  “He’s friends with my father and my foster parents. I can only assume he knew who I was because of that.”

  “He knew who I was, too,” Gareth glumly added. “Although he wasn’t as impressed with me as he was with you.”

  “And whose fault is that?” Mikal asked, suppressing a chuckle. “You have gained some notoriety, that’s for sure. It’ll take time to undo.”

  “I said I was sorry, didn’t I?”

  “We know you’re sorry, Gareth,” Lissa acknowledged with a smile. “Mikal is just teasing you.”

  They touched down at the dragon cavern just outside the castle. Lissa scurried off Mikal’s back in time to see Gareth shift back to his human form. Before the transformation was complete the wizard had already cast a second spell, outfitting himself entirely in black. Tunic, trousers, boots, everything. The young wizard tugged his tunic into place and smoothed a few wrinkles that had formed on his pants. He glanced over at Mikal and nodded once. In the blink of an eye Mikal was back in his human form, too. Gareth chanted a final time and Mikal became attired in a matching outfit, only his was buttercup yellow. Mikal groaned.

  “Really? Yellow? Was that really necessary?”

  “I could have chosen pink.”

  Lissa giggled, drawing Mikal’s attention. He immediately spun in place and pulled her in for a hug. He gently held her face in his hands and gave her a tender kiss.

  “I’ve been wanting to do that for a while now.”

  Lissa wrapped her arms around him and held him tight.

  “You’re absolutely certain your parents are going to be alright with this?”

  “Alright with what?” Gareth wanted to know.

  “Aye. I’m positive.”

  “Who is alright with what?” Gareth repeated, frowning. “What do you two know that I don’t?”

  Mikal hooked an arm around his friend’s shoulders and pulled him towards the castle.

  “Come, my friend. You can hear it the same time we tell it to my parents. They’re going to love this!”

  ****

  “Father. Mother. Lissa and I have something we’d like to share with you.”

  Both of his parents sat back on their thrones and clasped their hands together. Mirroring each other’s movements his mother and father placed their hands on their laps and silently regarded him.

  “As you know,” Mikal slowly began, fervently wishing that they were alone in the Antechamber without a room full of people watching, “Lissa and I have been seeing each other.”

  Constable Fensham, standing beside Commander Rhenyon, was staring, unblinking, at him. Mikal swallowed nervously.

  “I have asked Lissa to be my bride and to always be by my side. It is with great joy that I can say that she has accepted.”

  No one moved. No one spoke. Lissa stared at her father and frowned.

  “Father? Isn’t there something you’d like to say to me?”

  Fensham smiled at her and clasped his hands behind his back, but elected to keep quiet. He looked, deferentially, at the king and nodded his head. Lissa glanced quickly at the king before dropping her eyes to the ground.

  Mikal couldn’t ever recall hearing the Great Hall this quiet before. With a startled look on his face he slowly spun in place and saw that everyone, including his parents, were staring expectantly at him. Lissa quietly took off the cinch sack on her back and let Peanut out, who instantly bolted straight toward the queen. Ny’Callé stared at the energetic corgi sprinting across the room towards, held up a hand, and gave her a quiet command.

  “Wait.”

  Peanut slammed on the brakes and slid the remaining few feet over to the queen’s throne. Ny’Callé casually reached down to retrieve the leash that was trailing behind her, but not before ruffling the fur on Peanut’s head.

  “This isn’t what I had envisioned,” Mikal softly murmured as his eyes shifted back to his father’s. He took Lissa’s hand and held it tightly. His mother drew his eyes. He watched, confused, as his mother passed the leash from her right hand to her left and then held out her empty hand.

  The silence continued. Ny’Callé cleared her throat and tapped her husband’s shoulder with her waiting hand. His father sighed, reached into his robes, and pulled out a small leather pouch which jingled as he handed it to the queen.

  “Very well, dear. You win this round.”

  The Great Hall erupted into cheers. More confused than ever, Mikal stared at his parents. What had happened? Why had his father given a money pouch to his mother?

  “Your mother informed me that before this mission was over that you and young Lissa would be betrothed to one another,” his father explained.

  Lissa gasped aloud while Mikal’s mouth fell open. His mother knew? How? When?

  Ny’Callé rose from her seat and embraced Lissa with a fierce hug.

  “It was only a matter of time. I could see the way the two of you looked at each other. A woman knows these things. I told your father of my suspicions. He doubted me. Yours, too, Lissa. In fact…”

  She held out another hand. This time it was directed at Fensham, who grudgingly handed over another small pouch. Smiling triumphantly, the queen pocketed her winnings and beamed her approval at both her son and his fiancé.

  “Mister Gareth,” the king formally said as he rose to his feet. “Step forward.”

  Gareth swallowed nervously and took a few tentative steps toward Mikal’s father.

  “You are impetuous, young Gareth,” the king began. “Impetuous and reckless.”

  Gareth’s head fell.

  “Yet you did the right thing. You aided my son and helped save the kingdom from the clutches of the thriper. You alone were able to vanquish an ancient creature long thought to be invincible.”

  “I didn’t do it by myself,” Gareth hastily corrected. “My friends helped me. Without them I don’t know where I’d be.”

  “I would imagine,” Kri’Entu casually said, “you’d still be investigating your surprising shealk heritage, am I right?”

  The three companions were once more rendered speechless. Mikal stared at his father in utter shock while Lissa glanced over at the queen, who failed to hide her smile in time.

  “How do you know that?” Gareth asked in a subdued voice. “How could you have known?”

  “Perhaps someone told him?” a new voice said.

  A man in his late thirties appeared next to the queen. For someone so young his black hair was streaked with premature gray. He was taller than the king, lean and muscular, and had piercing green eyes. He wore a serious expression on his face and he only had eyes for the young boy who was staring suspiciously back at him.

  “Who is it?” Mikal softly whispered to Lissa.

  His fiancé placed a soft finger on his lips.

  “It can only be Balthor. Hush.”

  “Father?” Gareth tremulously asked. “Is it really you?”

  The strange man finally smiled.

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in this form, son. Much too long.”

  “What… when… how did you get here? You said your jhorun was too weak to shift! And wasn’t Lord Phaedren against your returning to the surface?”

  “My jhorun has regenerated enough to allow me to shift. I won’t be able to shift back to shealk for quite some time. Thankfully, Lord Phaedren has accepted my compromise. I can only hope you meant what you said earlier, my son. I hope you will come visit me beneath the seas.”

  Gareth nodded fervently.

  “I will, father. I will! I promise! Does mother know you’re back?”

  Balthor shook his head. He quickly glanced around the room as though he was embarrassed that there were so many witnesses to the private conversation he was trying to have with his son.

  “She does not. Perhaps we could go see her? Together?”

  “I
’d like that, father.”

  “I will be sending along a team of builders,” Kri’Entu formally announced. “I believe that was our arrangement, wasn’t it, Mister Gareth?”

  Mikal watched as his friend’s eyes filled. Gareth hastily swiped the back of an arm across his face.

  “May I inquire the nature of this arrangement?” Balthor asked, curious. He turned to look up at the king and bowed. “Why would you send builders along with us?”

  Kri’Entu looked over at Mikal and nodded his head.

  “It was part of the deal I made with Gareth,” Mikal explained, drawing Balthor’s full attention. “He agreed to help me deal with the thriper if we would provide him and his mother a new house.”

  “A new house?” Balthor repeated, puzzled. “What was wrong with the last one?”

  Still overwhelmed with emotion, Gareth stared at the floor.

  “Gareth and his mother moved in with his aunt after you disappeared,” Mikal answered quietly. “Gareth took your disappearance badly and his mother decided a change of scenery was in order.”

  Balthor nodded. He placed a hand on either of Gareth’s shoulder and squeezed them affectionately. Balthor turned to look back at the king.

  “I appreciate what you are willing to do, your majesty, but I do not think that will be necessary. I will build my family another house. Besides, I have no intention of living with my wife’s sister any longer than duly necessary.”

  “Your position is commendable,” the king told him. After a few moments of silent contemplation he looked back at father and son and clasped his hands behind his back. “It’s truly unfortunate that I cannot honor that request.”

  Balthor, who had just taken a step toward the exit in the opposite direction, turned and regarded the king with a neutral stare.

  “I had an accord with your son. I promised him a new house and a new house he will receive. A team of builders will be dispatched to Verdayn to build that house. Now, if you’d like to assist the builders so that you can say you helped construct your new home that would be fine. Or, you could simply sit back and let others do the work. It matters not to me. That’s my offer, Mister Balthor.”

  Balthor gazed at the king with a bemused expression on his face.

  “May I propose a counter offer? I will design the house and provide the building materials. If you’d like to send a few laborers to help me build it, I would accept the help.”

  Kri’Entu cocked his head and pretended to think.

  “And here’s my counter offer. I provide the building materials and you can select a team of laborers. Their fee will be covered by me.”

  Warming up to the game, Balthor smiled.

  “Am I in charge of the laborers?”

  “If you so desire.”

  “Then I accept.”

  “Excellent. Pick a plot of vacant land and select your team. I will expect to hear frequent updates.”

  Dismissing the matter, Kri’Entu took the queen’s hand and faced the assembled guests in the Great Hall. He held out a hand and indicated Mikal should take his place on his right. Mikal, in turn, pulled his very reluctant fiancé up to the podium next to his father. Right on cue, Lissa’s face blushed crimson.

  “Friends and guests, we have cause to celebrate! Kre’Mikal has finally chosen his bride. May I present the soon to be Kre’Lissa, daughter of Fensham, the kingdom of Lentari’s future princess!”

  “Princess?” Lissa squeaked with embarrassment as the Great Hall erupted into cheers.

  Mikal turned to his fiancé and smiled. “You cannot tell me that you didn’t see this coming. I am a prince, after all.”

  Balthor and Gareth smiled and bowed in front of the royal family.

  “With your leave, your majesty,” Balthor began, “I’d like to see my wife. It’s been too long. My son and I would like to return home.”

  Kri’Entu nodded and turned to Mikal.

  “May I assume you still have Verdayn’s portal key?”

  Mikal nodded. He reached into one of his trouser pockets and produced the key.

  “Perhaps you’d like to personally see to it that Mister Balthor and his son reach their home successfully?” the king asked.

  Mikal took Lissa’s hand.

  “I would, father.”

  ****

  “That? That’s where you’ve been living, son? I had no idea.”

  Gareth bristled with annoyance.

  “Aunt Delythia’s house may not be the nicest but it has been home for the last two years.”

  Balthor was instantly contrite.

  “I am so sorry I was gone for so long. Damn that thriper.”

  “You don’t have to say that anymore,” Mikal reminded him. “It became a tasty treat for a pack of oskorlisks.”

  “I wish I could have seen it,” Balthor wistfully said.

  The front door to the house banged open. Adyna appeared, wearing her worn flannel dress and her apron. She stared at the procession gradually walking towards her. She was about ready to call for her sister when she noticed the man walking silently next to her son. Her eyes widened. She slowly exited the house and began walking toward them. Her speed increased with each step until she was running at a sprint.

  “Balthor! You’ve come back! Oh, Balthor! I thought you were dead! Where have you been?”

  Delythia appeared in the doorway, smiling. She nodded at Mikal and Lissa and then dabbed a worn handkerchief at the corner of her eyes.

  Ignoring the questions being fired at him Balthor pulled his wife into a hug and held her tight. He noticed Gareth approaching and pulled his son into the hug, too. Together again, the family slowly rocked back and forth in their embrace, sobbing hysterically.

  Mikal pulled Lissa away from the newly reunited family and clasped her hand tightly in his. He leaned down to grab Peanut’s leash and guided them back towards Capily.

  “Come on, Peanut. Let’s go home.”

  THE END

  Author’s Note

  Book #8. Wow. I was getting ready to say that I was floored I had published so many but the simple fact that this book makes the 3rd I’ve released in the same year speaks volumes. Several years ago that would have been unheard of. I was envious of those authors who could release new titles that quickly. I even felt bad for the readers. Imagine reading the 2nd book of a trilogy and then learning you were going to have to wait a full year before you could find out what happened.

  Thankfully I’m managing my time a teensy bit more effectively now, so it has helped with my release schedule. So, let’s address the million dollar question: what’s next? Well, the 6th book in the Tales of Lentari series has already been plotted, outlined, and started. Using my same timeline as I used for TfaP and WitW, this one should be done and released by the end of this year. My wife cautions me that it might take longer than that, since she wants a hand in the writing, but I continue to be optimistic. We’ll make it by the end of the year.

  I have gone on record a few times mentioning that I was thinking about starting a new series. I’ve written 8 books about Lentari, and ToL6 will make 9. I’m kinda curious as to try something new. Don’t get me wrong, I will continue the Tales of Lentari series. Thanks to my increased number of titles I release a year I’ll be able to keep the Lentarian fans happy, but I would like to try something else. Something in fantasy? Sci-fi? Maybe a mystery? Or possibly a combination of all three? I’m not sure. I have so many ideas bouncing around in my head that it is difficult to single out just one.

  Regardless of the direction I end up taking, rest assured that Tales of Lentari isn’t going anywhere any time soon. I’d be foolish to alienate the fans and trust me, they’re everywhere. The last time I looked I had made sales and fans in over 60 different countries. For me, that’s mind blowing. The last thing I want is to have a horde of angry fans cyber-stalk me. :)

  Are you looking for something to read while you’re waiting for the next Lentarian title to be released? It surprises me how often I’m asked for
recommendations on other titles/series to check out, so I’ve started including some suggestions in here. So we’ll call this the “if you liked mine then you ought to check out theirs” segment. I’ve read all of these titles and have loved every single one of ‘em. And since you’ve no doubt already checked out most of the traditionally published authors out there I will only recommend titles from other indie authors, like myself. Without further ado, here’s my list of books that are worth checking out:

  The War of the Blade series, by J.D. Hallowell.

  The Emperor’s Edge series, by Lindsay Buroker

  The Blue Moon Detectives series by JH Sked

  The Klondaeg series, by Steve Thomas

  The Nexus Wars Saga series, by Robert Day

  Nik’s Knacks, by Kathryn Nicol

  Rise of the Red Dragon, by Martin Rouillard

  Firecracker, by Charles R. Verhey

  I’ve read them all and would heartily recommend them (which I have many times) to anyone.

  I would also like to mention that I enjoy chatting with the fans, so if you ever have a question you’d like answered, or would like a little more insight into certain characters or plot points, feel free to look me up on my blog. I host & maintain my own blog (www.Lentari.com), so if you stop by and say hello then you will get a hello back! I’m also on Facebook and will entertain all friend requests. The only thing I ask is that you don’t spam me. Keep it civil!

  Also, as an indie author, I’d again like to remind you, the reader, of the importance of reviews. Nothing will help an indie author out more than by leaving a review wherever you purchased the book. Loved it? Liked it? Hated it? Let me know! I would greatly appreciate it.

  If you’d like to follow the progress on the latest book I’m working on then I would encourage you to sign up for my newsletter so you’ll never miss another book release, or contest, or any other bit of news that I pass along to the readers. You’ll even get a free short story for signing up!