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A Hero For Ryl
by
Leif Baumann
Copyright © 2010 by Leif Baumann
(although this is classified as an epic fantasy, it is primarily a novel of political intrigue)
Another crisis in Ryl: the dynasty begun by a new king has too quickly died out, along with the remnants of the previous dynasty, and the invaded country is looking for a new leader to save them.
Again the word is out that the wizards expect the real Hero to appear at any time. The leader of the nobles hears this tale and cannot believe rational people would put any stock in such old wives' tales, although he recalls hearing about them when he was younger.
Another noble lets him in on a little secret: the two contenders for the throne are both phony and, yes, there are wizards. Reeling from these mind-bending revelations, the nobleman goes looking for answers. It appears the reason for the invasion is to forestall the appearance of this prophesied hero. He is stupified: eighty years of invasion to prevent the appearance of a mythical person!
The widespread Brotherhood is somehow aiding the wizards and there are more tendrils extending into every part of their society. The old nobleman is beside himself seeing how far and deep this apparent conspiracy goes, and all the players involved.
They choose one of the claimants to the throne but the other mounts a coup and takes the throne by force, then sells out the nation at the negotiations. His subsequent murder and general rebellion of the populace upsets the balance of powers again. As the invaders close in for the kill, the wizards make an appearance. Though their search has not revealed the coming hero to them, they have to do something to save the land and the people.
Fortunately, the hero appears but in a manner unsuspected by anyone, even the wizards.
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Anaboraxus: the Young Wizard
by
Norman X. Scozzafova
Copyright © 2010 by
Norman X. Scozzafova
Anaboraxus was the youngest son of a farmer who really does not have enough land to portion out to another family member, so he acquires an apprenticeship for his son in the Imperial Capital of Vriamidon. The lad travels with a poet band going in that direction and becomes enamored with the life of a traveling poet. But that life is cut short when the poets are set upon by vigilantes (this because of the poets' other occupation: theft).
Left for dead, the young Anaboraxus flees into a nearby wood and finds a place to hide, thinking his life is over.
Unknown to him, there are people nearby alert to his problem and venture forth from their underground lair to help him. After some consternation with other tribe members, he is offered a place among them and the opportunity to learn their craft: magic!
He also learns the reason for their living underground: they are hiding from their mortal enemies. An elder tells him of the older days when two tribes existed side by side: the Piesuref, an evil group, and the Langstroma, a righteous one. Anaboraxus is appalled to find out the good people that have taken him in are not the Langstroma, but the evil Piesuref!
But that was ancient history, and now they have become a good and righteous people. But the Langstroma want to destroy them still.
They survive an attack from above but Anaboraxus realizes he was probably the agent of their discovery. He vows to help save the tribe and to personally discover why the continuing ancient animosity and try to remove it.
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The Cult of the Black Lotus
by
Norman X. Scozzafova
Copyright © 2010 by
Norman X. Scozzafova
Muldaur is a soldier of fortune and decides to get involved in the very deadly enterprise of drugs, specifically the extract of the black lotus.
A female warrior is not unusual in her world but one with such intimate knowledge of the drug is extremely rare.
Many question her true motives, and revenge is only the tip of the iceberg.
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