I’m so excited to bring to the world the new novel The Keeper, which is now on Kickstarter, that I’m sending you the first chapter. This story is a spin-off from the Cho Nisi series and all the books are available at reduced costs in the campaign.
See below for more information about the crowdsourcing site Kickstarter and feel free to ask me any questions!
Enjoy Chapter 1
The Plunder
The hem of Waylen’s robe adhered to decaying fragments of sand crabs on the beach as he followed the other alchemists toward the dunes. Sand thick and weighted down with fog pulled at his feet. The odor of rotting seaweed, shellfish remains, and muddy sand clung to him and soured his senses. He glanced over his shoulder. The cloud that enveloped him acted as a barrier sealing out the world, but he could still hear the constant drone of the surf in the distance and the hollow groan of the three ships where the Admiral waited for their return.
How do I get myself into these situations?
He trudged barefoot, wincing as the sharp shells and jagged rocks pierced his feet. The other sorcerers were calloused and felt nothing—not the damp and chilly atmosphere, nor the bruised feet, nor guilt or remorse for what they were doing. Not so for Waylen. He always had been an outsider to the cult, yet Admiral Geraldo forced him to play the game this time.
Admiral Geraldo! Waylen had known the man since his childhood when they lived as humble farm boys together. Geraldo grew into a prominent scientist who really didn’t know a thing about science but depended on the wizard and a few others for their genius. Waylen didn’t mind that Geraldo took all the credit for he had no need for invitations to fancy dinners in the king’s court. But Geraldo had seen promise in these sorcerers from the Neverworld, and despite Waylen begging the admiral not to include them on this mission, Geraldo insisted.
And so here he was, following the foreign wizards around like a puppy, bending to their will when he had little trust in them or their motives.
When they reached a clearing free of driftwood, the two men in the lead set a gilded chest on the ground as the others formed a circle around it. Seven of them held their hands over the coffer, casting magic from their fingertips as the alchemists heaved open its lid. Waylen closed his eyes and took a deep breath, hating every second of this. It was his duty to call out the incantation while the others harvested the island's magic.
The words vibrated inside of him and leaked out of his pores as he sang. Every cell in his body echoed the monotonous tone. He heard the swishing of robes, the shuffle of feet across the sand, and the sucking sound of the wind beating in rhythm as if someone were drumming. Flashes of lightning brightened his closed eyelids as he chanted.
Why does it have to work every time? I’d be a lot less miserable if my chants failed.
The seas responded to the reaping, lashing at the beach with angry surf. The wind swirled fog into thick dark clouds. Both wind and sea succumbed to their command and obeyed the sorcerer’s will.
They were getting it all, harvesting all the spells and ancient enchantments of the island, leaving nothing in return.
Waylen opened his eyes. Two alchemists kneeled at the trunk. Liquid metal dripped from their fingers into the chest as they transformed the magic into a substance they could carry to the ship. Waylen shivered. More raw power streamed into that vault than he had ever seen.
“This will take time,” a woman prompted, weaving in and out of the witches. “Get it all. There’s much magic here. The chest must be filled, one dollop at a time. Don’t falter, Waylen!” she ordered.
Waylen’s voice cracked, and his throat burned. He wouldn’t be able to speak again for weeks, but at least a promised promotion awaited him. Maybe then he could leave these vagabond warlocks to their own evil endeavors and use his talents for something more useful.
“Louder, Waylen!”
Waylen raised his voice as best he could and closed his eyes again. At least if he didn’t watch what they were doing he wouldn’t feel so guilty. What an atrocity! Stealing magic from natives! Had they even considered the consequences?
That’s no concern of mine. No concern whatsoever. Just do what I’m told. That’s why I’m here. To do what I’m told.
What is Kickstarter?
Kickstarter is a platform becoming more and more popular with creatives to find support to complete projects such as films, books, and inventions.
There are a lot of costs involved in publishing a book. Software, editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing, and for creatives to go forth on their journeys to invest in their work is sometimes a huge burden. They ask others to help them before the work is complete, or before it's offered to the public.
These projects offer 'rewards' for backers (you) often in the form of the book or article they're creating plus many extras. It really is becoming a great place to shop. I’ve backed quite a few projects myself.
No money is credited to your card until the project is complete and most projects run for 30 days from their launch. No money is credited unless the project meets its funding goal.
So please consider backing The Keeper on Kickstarter and get rewards that will not be available after the project is complete!
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