Meet Bashim #MFRWHooks

Continuing the series of posts introducing some of my favorite people (or people I love to hate) from the sword and sorcery romantic fantasy series, the Windmaster Novels, you are invited to meet the mage, Bashim.

Physical Description

Despite his slender build, Bashim is a striking figure with dark hair in tight ringlets that cling to his head like a crown.

Background 

Bashim's family was associated with the trading guild, the House of Pirri. His older brother Malor captained Dark Wing, one of the guild ships until His guild’s ruling council disowned him for stealing from his house and the attempted assassination of a kinsman.

Bashim did not pursue a life at sea, but turned his focus to magic once his powers showed themselves. However, not even being a mage satisfied his lust for power. Like his older brother who broke the rules, Bashim was sanctioned by the Council of Mages for various crimes including using magic against those who have none. Just before the council bound Bashim's powers, he turned them against those who had taken him in.

The excerpt is Lord Dal's discovery of who killed everyone on the Isle of Mages. 

Dal closed his eyes and sank into the gray veil of a light trance.

Semelen’s soft voice guided Dal deeper into the netherworld. “Now remember the waterspouts. Look for the power behind them. The feel is familiar? You know it.”

“Yes,” Dal whispered, “but it’s cloaked. I can’t see the one who wields it.”

“Then return to the Isle of the Council. Follow the power. You know the one behind the power. He is...”

The heart-home of mages formed in Dal’s mind. He could almost hear the low roar from the waves that crashed against the cliffs. A slender figure stood on the edge, his back to Dal. A breeze teased at the edges of the cliff-walker’s cloak. He turned.

Dal’s eyes opened wide. “Bashim!” The force of his scream tore at his throat. “Bashim. He’s not dead. He did it. He killed them,” Dal cried, his voice rough with emotion. He leapt to his feet; his fingers grasped for a sword that wasn’t there.

Semelen’s voice penetrated Dal’s anger. “Wake, Dal, return to the here and now. And, Archmage, control that temper of yours. You know what it does to your magic. I don’t want to spend my last hours as a frog just because you lost control.”

More About Him (Secrets or Public)

Bashim has a secret identity, where he uses not blood, but the adoration of believers, to fuel his magic.

An author's note: The fight scenes between Ellspeth and the Bashim's underling who ordered her crew killed and ship sank, and the one between Dal and Bashim, were intriguing to write.

Spoiler Alert - Bashim returns to haunt Ellspeth and Dal in Windmaster Legacy.

I hope you enjoyed this introduction to Bashim.  Find excerpts for Windmaster and Windmaster Legacy by clicking on the cover in the banner.