A peek at the new story Love Dust Chapter 1
Maurice the Dragon Rider Story 4
I missed mailing on Tuesday. My husband had some dental work done and I had to be the driver for the day, which included taking him home, getting his prescriptions, and driving the grandsons to work, so I spent the day on the road. I’m a homebody at heart. I love my garden and my quiet acre, so it takes me a little while to recoup from that sort of busyness.
I thought I would give you a peek at my new story. I won’t be releasing the entire story on Tuesdays. I like to have something special for my Friday paid subscribers. But I wanted to share the beginning of this one because it’s got me smiling and I’m excited to write it. This story will be included in the special edition of Another Man’s Storm. If I get any other short stories written by September when I launch, I’ll include those too.
We’ve see Maurice, the son of our main characters of the Sword of Cho Nisi at ages 12, 13, and 14 years old in the short story series. He’s 16 now and it’s time he takes a trip by himself (with his dragon), away from home. Enjoy!
Love Dust
Leaving home for the very first time, Maurice, and his dragon Kai find themselves amidst a lively gathering of wizardry students and one particular young witch stirring the sticky-sweet scent of a love potion.
Chapter 1
The day had been long, and Maurice’s muscles ached from helping his father carry the two deer carcasses through the woods. Now, with the hides soaking in ash and water, and the meat hanging in the smokehouse, he and his father could clean up and have that hot meal he’d been smelling ever since they came home.
“Well, the work is done, Son,” Arell said, his smile wide as Maurice turned to him. Making his father proud meant a lot. Especially now that he was ready to ask if he could have a vacation away from Nico, away from his parents, alone. With his dragon.
Before he opened his mouth to let the words out, Arell patted him on the back.
“I think it’s time for you to give your dragon a treat.”
Maurice, puzzled, shot him an inquisitive look. “A treat?”
“Perhaps a trip? It’s late summer, the harvest is in. The heavy work is finished for the season. I think it would be a perfect time for you to get away. Why that look? You don’t want to go explore the world?”
“Of course I do. I just didn’t know you’d approve.”
“Approve? I’m encouraging it!”
Maurice breathed a laugh. This was unexpected, but then his father was not a predictable person.
“What about mother? What would she say?”
“Maurice, you’re your own man now. Of course we want to do things that would please your mother. But sometimes, as a man, we need to exert ourselves and do what must be done for our own growth and happiness. And for our loved ones too. You’re sixteen years old now. You have a trustworthy companion in Kai. And there is so much in this world you have not experienced. I say take a trip.” He gestured to the heavens. “The world is yours, Maurice. You’re a Dragon Rider. Go be one!”
The joy that stirred inside of him was too much to contain. He wanted to grab Kai at that very moment and fly off into the unknown, but his father took his arm.
“Just have somewhat of a plan first. It’s always good to have a plan. And a knapsack full of food.” He winked. Maurice laughed.
Maurice’s gait back to the house was more of a skip and a hop than a walk. He wondered if his father had said anything to his mother about an upcoming adventure for him. Or if his parents had planned it together. Maurice had little time to form words, though, for the house was quiet aside from the crackle of the fireplace and the aroma of fresh bread hot out of the oven distracted him.
“Did you see this letter from Barin?” Erika asked when they stepped inside.
“I didn’t know there was one.” Arell peered over her shoulder.
“It came on the latest ship that docked in Northport. Serena brought it to me. Barin asks how Maurice is. I don’t think he’s given up on employing you, Son.” She smiled at Maurice, who grunted.
“As what? An heir?” Maurice snickered and scanned the table for the bread.
“He’s like that. He’s not keen on Iris altering tradition and becoming a queen, you know. But I’ve half a mind to go visit them and teach her the art of womanly warcraft.”
“Do tell,” Arell interrupted. “Barin’s perfectly capable of raising his daughter.”
“She’s only three, isn’t she?” Maurice laughed. “Hardly big enough to wield a sword.”
“There are things she could be learning. In any case, he says Kairos is leaving.”
“Leaving? His wizard?” Arell took the letter that she offered and studied it.
“For a short while. He says he’s going to visit friends at the University in Norbury.”
“Isn’t that south of Prasa Potama.” Maurice’s ears perked. South meant warm weather and more beaches. “I wouldn’t mind going south.”
Erika looked up at him. A concerned frown darkened her smile. “Norbury is a University town, made up of amateur witches and wizards, Maurice. I don’t think you have any business down there.”
“Did Father tell you about our talk?”
“What talk?”
Arell cleared his throat and took Erika’s hand. He always calmed her with a touch before he gave her news he knew she wouldn’t like. “We’ve been discussing Maurice getting away for a bit, going to see the world. Another step toward manhood, Erika.”
“Norbury is hardly a place for a young man to see the world. All he’ll see there are spells and curses. I’d hate to think what sort of charms he’ll come home with, if he comes home at all.”
Arell laughed and winked at Maurice. “If he chooses to go south, who are we to criticize? Kairos will be there, and your sister no doubt. He’ll be fine.”
Maurice studied the two wide-eyed as they argued over him, which was one of the reasons he needed to leave. And soon. Without a doubt, his destination had just been chosen.
You can check out the pre launch page for Another Man’s Storm. This is the debut launch of this brand new book! I hope you’ll consider it. The campaign will have the eBook, paperback, audio, and hardcover editions, along with the rest of the series. But it reads well enough as a stand alone because it’s a spin off of the series.
Another Man’s Storm
When peace-loving Maurice is commissioned by his uncle to confront the king of Allotrope Island concerning a debt, he and Kai are thrust into a foreign land filled with magic, dragons, and war.
‘As dragon novels go, this is way up there. It’s the suspense, you
see, of never knowing what’s going to happen next. I loved every
page!’ The Wishing Shelf
Dustcover art by Mario Teodosio. Leather stamp design by Les T.
I like the wisdom Maurice's father is passing on to him. He'll learn so much on his journeys with his dragon. Maurice is also a good son by wondering what his mother will think about this idea and I like how he brainstorms about how the whole idea came about. This is definitely how a young man would think. Excellent story, DL.