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    Tales of Asculum
    Tales of Asculum
    Tales of Asculum
    Ebook116 pages1 hour

    Tales of Asculum

    By V.J.O. Gardner

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    About this ebook

    Fanchon has tried many trades but none suit him. He learns the skills readily enough, but soon begins telling his master more efficient ways of doing things. He decides to explore the kingdoms that lie south of the protected valley of Glynis and some of his friends join him. They must speak the outside language and conceal their magical talents to survive in the world outside of Glynis. Fanchon makes a last minute visit to the Seer's home and leaves with a new wife and two new missions - to find his long lost uncle and a new home for the people of Glynis. As the youngest member of the group will Fanchon be up to the task of being the leader on this adventure?

    This is a simple short story meant to introduce the world of Asculum and the founding of Dracona.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherV&E Enterprises
    Release dateSep 17, 2014
    ISBN9781310095849
    Tales of Asculum
    Author

    V.J.O. Gardner

    Writing under the pen name V.J.O. Gardner, Valerie is an award winning author of full length fractured fairy tale fantasy novels. She has self published 'Blood of Ancient Kings' which won an award in the very first contest she had ever entered. Her second book, 'Dracona’s Rebirth', is published by Ink Smith Publishing.Always fascinated by both medieval times and sci-fi she was an avid reader and enjoyed a wide variety of literature and authors. She began writing in the late 1980’s after graduating from Dixie State University in St. George, Utah, where she studied Fantasy Lit and Writing. Valerie is a member of the League of Utah Writers. Although she thought she was writing a short story when she began 'Dracona’s Rebirth' it blossomed into the full novel it is today.The good values Valerie was brought up with she instilled both in her children and in her writing. One of her first professional reviews commented that the story reminded him of the Boy Scout Law. While Valerie has been both a Boy Scout leader and a Girl Scout leader the story was written before then. You can visit her at www.vjogardner.com.

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      Book preview

      Tales of Asculum - V.J.O. Gardner

      Tales of Asculum

      By V.J.O. Gardner

      Cover by G. Earle Gardner

      Copyright 2014 by V.J.O. Gardner

      All Rights Reserved

      Please visit http://www.vjogardner.com/

      First Edition – Aug 2014 Published by:

      V&E Enterprises at Smashwords

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      This is a work of fiction. All the names, places, characters, and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

      Table of Contents

      Chapter One: The Riddle of Glynis

      Chapter Two: A Visit With the Seer Before Leaving

      Chapter Three: Surprise Wedding

      Chapter Four: Goodbye Dinner

      Chapter Five: Building a Bridge

      Chapter Six: Are You a Wizard?

      Chapter Seven: Working for Supplies

      Chapter Eight: The Mountain Temple

      Chapter Nine: The Great Wizard Priest

      Chapter Ten: Visions and Guidance

      Chapter Eleven: A Parting Gift

      Chapter Twelve: Proving His Worthiness

      Chapter Thirteen: A Deadly Choice

      Chapter Fourteen: Burying a Friend

      Chapter Fifteen: Flying Defenders

      Chapter Sixteen: Plans for Building a Home

      Chapter Seventeen: Beginning a new life

      Chapter Eighteen: Preparing for the Future

      Chapter Nineteen: Challenged by the Village Elder

      Chapter Twenty: Aloysia’s Talent

      Chapter Twenty One: Malvin’s Sacrifice for the Future

      Chapter Twenty Two: Refuge from the Storm

      Chapter Twenty Three: A New Generation of Dragons

      Chapter Twenty Four: A Time of Change

      The Tales of Asculum and Map

      About the Author

      Chapter One: The Riddle of Glynis

      Fanchon sat outside the window listening to his mother cry. She and Grandmother must have been talking about Uncle Sethan again. He and Mother were twins, but he had left the valley about seventy five years ago and never returned. Fanchon quietly got up and went around to the front of the house.

      Out of division will come union, out of death will come life, out of destruction will come salvation, that which was lost will be found. One man, who has forgotten yet who has not been entirely forgotten, will claim one woman who has quested for the sake of all. Thus shall the nation be reborn, he said repeating the riddle that everyone in Glynis knew by heart as he walked down the street.

      Everyone in the valley was aware that the volcanoes that surrounded it created the lush fertile valley and would someday destroy it. Uncle Sethan had left in search of a new home for the people just as others had. Some had returned and some had not.

      Fanchon glanced behind him as he got to his favorite tree. No one was paying any attention to him. He climbed the stone wall next to the tree and touched the trunk as he willed the nearest branch to lower. He climbed up the branch as he willed it to return to its natural position. He climbed further up until he reached the platform of woven branches that made a comfortable resting place and settled into watch the storm that was raging to the east of the valley. He heard footsteps and a voice below him.

      Hurry up Aloysia! a woman’s voice said.

      Fanchon rolled to look down at the woman who was facing his house. He willed the branches and leaves to move so he could see where she was looking. Aloysia was looking directly at his house as though searching for something. Her golden hair glistened in the sun as she ran her hand through it. She came to where the other woman waited under the tree.

      You’re hopeless, the woman said.

      So you don’t think Fanchon is worth my time? Aloysia’s words made his heart skip a beat.

      Your father would have to approve of him, the other woman said. What was it he told you last year? He told you that you’d be married when the time is right and not a moment before then.

      That’s the problem, Mara, Aloysia said. He won’t tell me another word. Not even a hint. Being the daughter of a seer is no fun. He always knows exactly what I’m going to do even before I do. When I do something wrong he’s right there to reprimand me.

      At least he doesn’t smell like manure and dirt like my father, Mara replied.

      At least you get some say in who you’ll marry, Aloysia said as her voice cracked.

      I’m sorry, Mara said. Don’t cry.

      The women continued down the street as Fanchon let the conversation run through his mind again. Aloysia was so beautiful, but he didn’t dare even try to be her friend. He had talked to her a couple of times when he was working. Once she had come with a friend who brought a horse to be shod when he worked for the farrier. He had tried to start a conversation with her, but she seemed distracted as her friend answered his questions. When he put on the leather apron to protect his bare chest from the sparks of the forge she seemed to find her voice and began asking him questions. It was the only conversation he actually had with her. He dreamed about spending time alone with her and even kissing her. Everyone respected her father and every man knew he would know if they had any interaction with Aloysia. That was another reason he was planning to leave Glynis with a group of his friends.

      They had been planning it for the last two years. There were twelve in all; five women and seven men. All were married couples except Fanchon and Jerron. Fanchon never had much luck with women and Jerron’s red hair attracted too many. All of the supplies they’d need had been purchased and stored in a small cave near the western entrance to the valley. Fanchon had made two carts they could pull by hand or could be pulled by a two horse team. Horses were rare in Glynis, but according to those who had returned from the outside there were many horses roaming freely not far south of the valley. Fanchon’s group had been learning the strange language spoken in the outside world from one of the men who had spent fifty years living outside the valley.

      They were planning on telling their families just before leaving tomorrow. He worried about what Mother and Father would say when he told them. He sighed and sat up as someone passed below the tree. When the man turned to walk up the front walk of his home Fanchon saw it was Aloysia’s father. Mother answered the door as Fanchon sat frozen watching. Mother shook her head and the seer gestured as though talking to her. Soon she wiped at her face and looked down. The seer put his hand on her shoulder and she looked up to meet his eyes. She put her hand to her mouth then nodded. The seer patted her shoulder before leaving. Mother stood watching him go before going back inside.

      Fanchon wished he could ask Mother about the seer’s visit, but he would have to reveal how he knew. Fanchon’s father walked down the street and into the home. Fanchon decided he’d best wait

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