The Warrior Elf Read online

  Contents

  Title Page

  Character List

  Maps

  Chapter 1 First Saturday of March

  Chapter 2 Sunday

  Chapter 3 The Weekend's Unfinished Business

  Chapter 4 Doreen

  Chapter 5 Chris Gets Involved

  Chapter 6 Parson's Branch

  Chapter 7 Hendon Port

  Chapter 8 Taking Care of Business

  Chapter 9 Preparations

  Chapter 10 Rhianna Arrives

  Chapter 11 Franco Steps Up

  Chapter 12 Plans Get Underway

  Chapter 13 The Summons

  Chapter 14 A Hectic Saturday

  Chapter 15 A Relaxing Sunday

  Chapter 16 The Council of Elders

  Chapter 17 Getting Settled

  Chapter 18 The Federation of Terah

  Chapter 19 A Busy Monday

  Chapter 20 Tuesday Morning

  Chapter 21 Making Things Right

  Chapter 22 Back to Milhaven

  Chapter 23 One-Year Anniversary

  Chapter 24 April 5

  Chapter 25 Meanwhile at Doreen's

  Chapter 26 A Quiet Week

  Chapter 27 April 12

  Chapter 28 Eryn

  Chapter 29 Requests

  Chapter 30 An Interrupted Lunch

  Chapter 31 April 17

  Chapter 32 Sorting Things Out

  Chapter 33 New Arrivals

  Chapter 34 Finalizing Plans

  Chapter 35 Kevin Meets Cpt. Garen

  Chapter 36 Time to Go

  Chapter 37 A Hectic Weekend

  Chapter 38 More Loose Ends

  Chapter 39 Good News

  Chapter 40 May 7

  Chapter 41 Back in Milhaven

  Chapter 42 Preparations

  Chapter 43 A Change of Pace

  Chapter 44 May 21

  Chapter 45 Family Ties

  Chapter 46 Mishap at Fenway's

  Chapter 47 June 4

  Chapter 48 The Assassins Prepare

  Chapter 49 Trouble at Doreen's

  Chapter 50 Reactions

  Chapter 51 Showdown

  Chapter 52 Aftermath

  About the Author

  The Warrior Elf

  by

  Mackenzie Morgan

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, places, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.

  Copyright © 2016 by Mackenzie Morgan

  Cover Design by John Ward

  All rights reserved.

  No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law

  Character List

  Agnes - Resident sister at the Chapel of Light in Milhaven

  Alastar - Seated Sorcerer of Landoryn, took over when his mother, Gwendolyn, lost her challenge to Myron

  Alek - Guard at the castle in Milhaven, one of Myron’s bodyguards

  Allisandra - Badec’s sister, Craven’s wife, Lysette’s mother

  Ariel - Head page in Myron’s office

  Ashni - Giant, Blalick’s wife, lives on Wildcat Mountain

  Badec - Myron’s father, Master Sorcerer of Terah before Myron, deceased

  Bianca - Seated Sorcerer of Dresland

  Blalick - Giant, attends Glendymere, lives on Wildcat Mountain

  Brena - Head of the Sisterhood, lives at the chapel in Timera Valley

  Caelan - Warrior Elf, representative to the Federation of Terah, lives in North Amden

  Caitlyn - Orphan from Syrando, lives with Joan and Karl

  Cameryn - Page in Myron’s office

  Chandra - Elf, owns stable in South Port, friend of Weldon’s

  Chanz - Robyn’s dog, lives in Mapleton

  Chris - Kevin’s closest friend, Myron’s assistant, advertising executive on Earth

  Colin - Sorcerer who helps Warren in Walnut Springs

  Corey - Orphan from Syrando, lives with Joan and Karl

  Corin - War unicorn, bonded with Laryn, lives in the woods surrounding Milhaven

  Crandal – General in charge of Camden’s army

  Cryslyn - Head of Housekeeping at the castle in Milhaven

  Damien - Seated Sorcerer of Nandelia, lives in Prindley

  Dani - Alysian Cat - lives with King Merdin in Farowood

  Danyelle - Badec’s sister, married to Sedwin, children: Ashney, Sadie, Teron, and Norrie

  Dara - Dayed’s wife, Jasyn’s mother

  Darius - Korman’s apprentice, one of Rolan’s spies, originally worked at the castle

  Darrell - Captain of the Guard at the castle in Milhaven, college football player on Earth

  Dayed - Badec’s brother, Dara’s husband, works with wood

  Devron - Mikos’s assistant, tagged along when Mikos went to Camden to track down Gwendolyn’s extra key

  Drusilla - Next in line for Head of the Sisterhood, trained Theresa, lives in Drisden

  Duane - Elf, lives in North Amden, helped get Myron out of Milhaven when he was born

  Dylan - District Sorcerer for Tamarack, lives in Fall Creek

  Edwin - Seated Sorcerer of Farragon

  Elin - Page in Myron’s office

  Evelyne - Resident sister in the chapel in Abernon

  Fenway - Owns the tavern in Milhaven

  Freddy - phoenix, lives at the castle in Milhaven

  Garen - Captain of a squad of guards Rolan sent to Milhaven to kill Myron

  Gaynor - District Sorcerer of Zander until he was removed and placed with Warren, killed by Myron in self-defense.

  Geoffrey - Seated Sorcerer of Havernia

  Gerry - Resident sister of the chapel in Glenco, Rolan’s girlfriend, responsible for the poison that killed Badec, helped steal the dragon’s flame lamp and pendant, killed by Rolan

  Glendymere - Dragon, Head of the Federation of Terah, Grandfather of the dragons, Myron’s tutor, works with Landis, lives in Willow Canyon

  Glenice - Resident sister in Mapleton, communication link between Myron and Robyn

  Gwendolyn - Seated Sorcerer of Landoryn until she challenged Myron and lost, teamed up with Rolan and Malcolm, Deceased

  Gwynn - Elf, Hayden’s wife, Rhianna’s and Duane’s mother, Landis’s foster mother, lives in Crinsor Run, North Amden

  Hayden - Elf, Gwynn’s husband, Rhianna’s and Duane’s father, Landis’s foster father, lives in Crinsor Run, North Amden

  Hayley - Sister in chapel in Milhaven, once was Theresa’s assistant

  Isak - Page in Myron’s office

  Jana - Wrenn’s wife, lives in Milhaven, former governor’s assistant, helps Joan

  Jason - Seated Sorcerer of Prosidian

  Joan - Karl’s wife and assistant, farmer on Earth, worked at the Pioneer Village

  Jonquin - Dragon, lives in Camden, friend of Glendymere’s

  Judith - Seated Sorcerer of Riordan

  Kalen - Dwarf, Keeper of the Gate

  Karl - Joan’s husband, Governor of Camden, farmer on Earth, worked at the Pioneer Village

  Kayla - Shadron’s wife, Lysa’s and Brandt’s mother

  Kevin, aka Myron of the House of Nordin - Master Sorcerer of Terah, Seated Sorcerer of Camden, Badec’s and Yvonne’s son, accountant on Earth

  Korman - Blacksmith in Milhaven

  Kyle - Badec’s youngest sibling, works with dogs

  Lance - Marcie’s husband, lives in a settlement outside Bridgeport, Rayne’s and Caleb’s father

  Landis - Tsa
reth’s daughter, Rolan’s half-sister, Taelor’s half-sister, fostered with Hayden and Gwynn in Crinsor Run, Myron’s apprentice, lives with the giants on Wildcat Mountain, studies with Glendymere

  Laryn - Badec’s sister and Second, Myron’s aunt, Steve’s wife.

  Lawrence - Army captain, Gen. Crandal’s assistant, was Captain of the Guard under Badec

  Lisal - Lives in Bridgeport, parents own and operate the tavern and inn, has planned to marry Marcus for years with no encouragement from him

  Macin - Giant, Blalick’s and Ashni’s son, lives on Wildcat Mountain

  Malcolm - Seated Sorcerer of Glyndal

  Marcie - Marcus’s sister, lives in a settlement outside Bridgeport, Lance’s wife, Rayne’s and Caleb’s mother

  Marcus - Sorcerer, Myron’s associate, lives at the castle in Milhaven

  Marissa - Thom’s wife, lives in Bridgeport, Parsyn’s mother

  Marshall - Manages Myron’s stable, takes care of Nikki, one of the teens Karl bought in Glenarbour

  Merdin - King of the Forest Gnomes, gnome representative to the Federation of Terah, lives in Farowood

  Mikos - Gwendolyn’s son, in charge of the slaving business during raids in Camden, discovered Marcus was the one who took Gwendolyn’s extra key to Terah

  Miranda - Head of the kitchen staff at the castle in Milhaven

  Myron of the House of Nordin aka. Kevin - Master Sorcerer of Terah, Seated Sorcerer of Camden, Badec’s and Yvonne’s son, human representative to the Federation of Terah, accountant on Earth

  Neiven - Blacksmith and Head of Grounds at the castle in Milhaven

  Nikki - Kevin’s dog

  Nolan - Badec’s father, Myron’s grandfather, was Master Sorcerer before Badec, deceased

  Pallor, aka. Paul - Elf, lives on Earth, godfather to Kevin O’Reilly, Hayden’s nephew, Weldon’s son, has a house in Crinsor Run

  Paul, aka. Pallor - Elf, lives on Earth, godfather to Kevin O’Reilly, Hayden’s nephew, Weldon’s son, has a house in Crinsor Run

  Petri - Page in Governor’s Office, one of the teens Karl bought in Glenarbour

  Regan - Seated Sorcerer of Silva

  Rhianna - Elf, Hayden’s and Gwynn’s daughter, Duane’s sister, from Crinsor Run in North Amden, Landis’s assistant, lives with the giants on Wildcat Mountain

  Robyn - Tsareth’s son, Rolan’s brother, Landis’s half-brother, lives in Mapleton

  Rolan - Seated Sorcerer of Brendolanth, Tsareth’s son, Landis’s half-brother, lives in Trendon

  Ryan - District Minister of Ragenon, lives in Walnut Springs

  Sandy - Gargoyle representative to the Federation of Terah, lives in Dresland

  Sari - Giant, Blalick’s and Ashni’s daughter, lives on Wildcat Mountain, tends Theresa’s herb gardens

  Saryn - Assassin, sent to Milhaven to kill Landis, shot Marcus behind the chapel, stopped by Rhianna, died in the jail

  Shadron - Badec’s brother, raises and trains horses, married to Kayla, father of Lysa and Brandt

  Shana - Laryn’s housekeeper, one of Rolan’s spies, originally worked in Miranda’s kitchen

  Shardin - Governor of Wyndsor, lives in Valez

  Shel - Thom’s sister, Marcus’s foster sister, lives next door to Marcie, Evan’s mother

  Shelandra - Elf, Duane’s wife, lives in Crinsor Run, North Amden

  Sheryl - Ryan’s wife, lives in Walnut Springs

  Starvos - Seated Sorcerer of Jardin

  Steve - Myron’s advisor, retired history teacher on Earth, Laryn’s husband

  Taelor - Landis’s half-brother, Rolan’s runaway slave, former chapel aide, lives with giants on Wildcat Mountain, helps Sari with herb gardens

  Theresa - Sister at the chapel in Milhaven when not on assignment for Sister Brena, college journalism major on Earth

  Thom - Blacksmith in Bridgeport, Marcus’s foster brother, Marissa’s husband, Parsyn’s father

  Tolliver - Town Director of Milhaven, owns the dry goods store

  Torrey - Warren’s wife, lives in Walnut Springs

  Trevor - Soldier under Gen. Crandal, one of Rolan’s spies

  Trivera - Seated Sorcerer of Wyndsor, lives in Valez

  Tsareth - Father of Robyn, Rolan, and Landis, Seated Sorcerer of Brendolanth before Rolan, deceased

  Tyree - Taught Myron about the government of Camden while Myron was in Rainbow Valley, occasional advisor, does not live at the castle or in Milhaven

  Verna - Resident sister at the chapel in Timera Valley, helps Sister Brena

  Warren - District Sorcerer of Ragenon, lives in Walnut Springs

  Weldon - Elf, Chairman of the Council of Elders, lives in South Port, Hayden’s brother, Rhianna’s uncle

  Wrenn - Governor of Camden while Badec was Master Sorcerer, advises Karl, lives in Milhaven

  Xantha - Pegasus, has a mind link with both Myron and Duane, lives in Crinsor Run, North Amden

  Yara - Merfolk representative to the Federation of Terah

  Yardner - Captain of the Guard at Rolan’s castle in Trendon

  Yvonne - Myron’s mother, seer, died shortly after his birth

  Chapter 1

  First Saturday of March

  Rolan frowned as he sat down at his desk after the March Council of Sorcerers meeting. Something had changed, and he wasn’t sure what. Almost everyone had been relaxed, even the assistants, and that was unsettling. He’d always enjoyed watching their eyes dart around the room as they scrunched down in their seats, but that had been missing today.

  The only one who looked at all uncomfortable was Alastar, but that was to be expected. It was his first meeting, and his seat had come at a price. Rolan doubted the man was grieving, but he had to be embarrassed that his mother hadn’t lasted five minutes against Myron. Not that anyone mentioned it. The only one who seemed to notice Gwendolyn was missing was Malcolm, and he’d looked lost.

  Rolan shook his head. And something had happened to Damien over the last few months. He was stronger now, more confident. Rolan drummed his fingers on his desk as he remembered the way Damien had stared him down after the duel. There was no way Damien would let him have the key to that other world now. He needed to rethink his strategy for getting hold of it, but not today. Today he needed to concentrate on solving his other problem: Landis.

  Rolan stood up and started pacing. How long ago did he send those scouts to North Amden? Three months? Why hadn’t they found her yet? How hard could it be to find one human girl among the elves? It wasn’t that large a place. Surely the elves knew where she was staying. How could he convince them to talk? What could he offer them to loosen their tongues?

  Rolan opened his door and roared, “Find Cpt. Yardner! I want to see him! Now!”

  Three of the pages who were lined up outside his door took off running, one towards the captain’s office, one towards the stable, and the last towards the barracks.

  Five minutes later Cpt. Yardner knocked on Rolan’s open door. “You wanted to see me, sir?”

  “What are we offering for news of the girl?”

  “You’re referring to Landis?” Cpt. Yardner asked as he shut the door.

  Rolan swirled around and glared at the captain. “Who else would I be talking about?”

  “You’ve offered the one who finds her a plot of land and his choice of the single women in Brendolanth.”

  Rolan thought for a moment. “Add ten slaves to that. And tell them any elf who tells them where she is gets ten slaves too, but only if the information leads to her capture. Otherwise, no one gets anything.”

  “That would definitely be an added incentive for your men, but I don’t think it’ll do much for the elves.”

  Rolan scowled. “Not enough?”

  Cpt. Yardner shook his head. “Elves don’t believe in slavery. They’d take the offer as an insult.”

  “Well, what then?”

  “Maybe ten horses?”

  “Fine. Offer them whatever they want. Just find that girl!”

 
; ~ ~ ~ ~

  One of Rolan’s men, Gildan, had arrived in North Amden two months ago and had spent the first month going from farm to farm. No one claimed to know anything about any humans in the area, much less a young woman. He didn’t believe for a minute no one knew where she was, but he had no trouble believing no one was willing to tell him. Why should they? What was in it for them?

  That’s when he’d decided he was going about this the wrong way. He left North Amden and headed for human settlements, specifically towns large enough to have a tavern and a few stores, but small enough not to have a resident sorcerer or army lieutenant. His strategy was simple. Ride into town, wander through the shops, visit the tavern, ride out of town for a couple of miles, and wait for dark. Then, during the wee hours of the morning, he’d slip into the shops and take what he wanted. If there was any money around, he pocketed it, but if not, he took small items he could sell in the next town. By the first light of day, he’d be on his way to the next town.

  When his pockets were full of coins, he headed for South Port, the largest town in North Amden. He doubted the girl was anywhere near there, but he felt sure someone in town would know something about her, and the money in his pocket should loosen a few tongues.

  He arrived in town Saturday morning. His first stop was a dry goods store. He wandered around until he was the only customer left and then he approached the owner. “I’m looking for a human woman, mid-twenties, red hair. She’s been missing for a while and her family’s hired me to find her. I tracked her to North Amden. Have you seen anyone like that around here?”

  The store owner shook his head. “No, can’t say that I have.”

  Gildan took some coins out of his pocket and laid them on the counter. “Maybe you’ve heard something about her? Maybe she’s visiting someone outside of town?”

  “No, haven’t heard of any humans around, man or woman.” The owner pushed the coins back towards Gildan.

  Gildan picked up the coins and dropped them in his pocket. “Well, thanks for your time.”

  He got the same results in the next three stores he visited, but when he came out of the third, an elf was waiting outside the door.

  “I understand you’re looking for someone,” the elf said.

  “A human female, mid-twenties, red hair,” Gildan said. “I can pay for information.”