Journey to the stars and worlds of imagination: Hooked On Windmaster, Consolation and Hope #MFRWHooks #MFRWauthor

Windmaster
(Book 1 of the Windmaster Novels

Prophecy decreed Ellspeth marry the Archmage. However, despite the attraction to him, Ellspeth’s heart fought the announced destiny. For to be with Lord Dal meant she had to take all that came with him, including magic. Love meant the loss of her ship and crew because to a mage the sea meant death.

To set the scene, Dal is taken to the kapuna tree, the heritage of all mages. His friend and mentor, Semelen, tries to console the Archmage. A description of this magical tree can be found in the book hook, friends lost.

Excerpt:

Something shimmered at the end of a branch. The leaf’s vein was a vibrant pure red. Instead of the stillness of the other leaves, this one pulsed. Even before he spotted the rune that symbolized his own name, Dal realized the leaf’s rhythm was that of his own heartbeat. The leaf marked his lifeline.

At the end of the branch, a leaf without a symbol also vibrated. He ran a finger along of its main vein. Despite the feather-light touch, a shock numbed his arm. Ellspeth’s face appeared then faded, leaving behind only an undefined yearning.

The flicker of the adjacent leaf was noticeably slower, and with each passing second, the color turned darker and darker. Its small veins had already shifted into deep red. Dal knew without even looking that the name marked on the leaf was Semelen’s.

Semelen’s hand felt warm on Dal’s shoulder, despite the coolness of the glade. “It was not your fault, my friend, that you were away when it happened. The poison spread so quickly not even the most skilled healers among us could have saved those on the island. We’re just fortunate you survived to carry on the work... and to rebuild the council.”

Dal wrenched away from the intended comfort. “There is no council anymore. Everyone is dead. I built the pyres myself.” His voice grew quieter with each word, until it was almost a whisper.

Semelen spun Dal around, his grip firm despite his impending death. “No. You always were the strongest of us all. If not, you would never have been made Archmage. You have Voan and Jesmen to help. In time, there will be others.”

“It took five score of us to make a school.”

The old islander gestured to the tree behind them. “Your strength is that of the kapuna—the strength of all who have gone before. You still have access to the books of knowledge. They date back to when Belrum came out of the desert and settled on the island. The council has to be rebuilt. The prophecy has begun. You know the beginning is cast. Only the ending remains shrouded.” Semelen moved closer. Although the old man’s face remained expressionless, Dal heard the urgency roughen the other’s words. “Mages will have magic, whether good or bad.”