Teaser Shorts

Welcome to Teaser Shorts! Where we tease upcoming manuscripts with litte tidbits of story. These are not supposed to be parts of the manuscript itself, but they aren't long enough to constitute a manuscript of themselves.

Into Raging Fire – Short I

The gates of Geidrich Castle opened, revealing Wiz Ardon and Felecity behind them. Wiz looked outside with a neutral expression. Did he really want to be out there? More than a year now, he'd been shut inside his castle, studying magic with a cat and phantoms of the past as his only company. But mostly the cat. It wasn't like he hadn't gone physically outside before, but this time stepping out the gates signified so much more.

For a year now, he'd d dived in the deep waters of the advanced magical arts with a single purpose. To utilise his skills in the fight against the dark forces that plagued the Crux System. But going out there, perhaps not to come back for a long time, he'd have to interact with other people again. His loneliness so far had been so convenient. He'd liked the silence. Now he'd have to listen to the utterances of the silly people that made up the majority of the world's population. He'd have to pretend to care.

“They will be insufferable”.

Felecity looked up at him, disapproving of his sentiments.

“Oh don't be like that. Only you deserve me well-behaved. You and her. But her I can't see”.

Felecity remained unamused.

“The Nexus Force. I have to return to them, now. I've been away for too long. At least, they're half-decent. But still I'd rather not have to speak with people...”.

Felecity blinked questioningly.

“Theramiere? Yes, I said I need to find him. But I've had one year to think about this. And I know my priorities. I hate his guts, but it's not urgent. As long as he doesn't make any new moves... but I don't have anything else he can take from me. She can take care of herself, I'm sure. If he wants to move against me, let him come. I'm ready for him. It won't be like the last time I met him. It won't be like when he fought Geidrich. I was a naïve apprentice then... And it won't be like when he came to Burkborrow. I'm expecting him now. I won't let him hurt people anymore”.

Wiz couldn't read Felecity's expression this time.

“Well, Felecity. Be a dear and look after this dusty old place while I'm gone. This wizard has to go now. Make sure it doesn't fall to pieces and don't let any adventurers raid it... Well, now. I've got to go. The outside world. One could say it was in flames last time I was there. Well, into the fire I go”.

He stepped out.