The Legends of Lasniniar Starter Collection E-Book

Jacquelyn Smith

• Herausgeber: WaywardScribe Press
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

Origin stories, first meetings... No hero or legendary friendship is ever born on page one.

Visit Lasniniar’s sprawling past, filled with elves, dwarves, mermaids, dragons, and vampires in three early, short story adventures from the Legends of Lasniniar fantasy series by the author of the Fatal Empire series, Jacquelyn Smith:

Possession
The Vow
Legacy Hunter

Possession

No one in the entire Wood Elf tribe understands Golvanyar, aside from his mother. Until he meets Iadrawyn.

Golvanyar knows the moment he first spies her from the shadows that they share some kind of connection. He can feel it in his bones as he watches her, unseen. Does Iadrawyn feel it too?

Only one answer can satisfy Golvanyar.

In the richly-imagined Legends of Lasniniar, this stand-alone short story focuses on an event from the elves’ sprawling past—an event that forever changes Golvanyar, and starts Iadrawyn on the path to becoming a woman of legend. (Previously published as “Legends of Lasniniar: Possession.” This adventure takes place before the World of Lasniniar novel Light Chasers.)

The Vow

Nimrilwyn swims the seas of Ralvaniar—a respected member of the Folk.

...One of the few who takes an interest in the land-dwelling elves.

None of the Folk understand her friendship with them. Why bother to form a bond with those who can never know life beneath the waves?

But Nimrilwyn values her unusual friendships. She prides herself on her loyalty. Even to those not of her own kind.

...No matter the cost.

Visit the sprawling past of the Legends of Lasniniar series in this stand-alone fantasy story. (Previously published as “Legends of Lasniniar: The Vow.” This adventure takes place before the World of Lasniniar novel Light Chasers.)

Legacy Hunter

Barlo stares at the limp, elven form on his couch. A poisoned goblin arrow protrudes from the creature’s shoulder. A long knife hangs from its belt.

How could his wife think to tend the elf stranger and leave her patient armed? Elves do not belong in Dwarvenhome. Especially not ones with weapons.

But the elf’s presence presents another problem to the dwarven clan chief.

...What brings goblins so close to Dwarvenhome?

A stand-alone story from the Legends of Lasniniar fantasy series, “Legacy Hunter” tells the tale of Barlo and Iarion’s first meeting. If you love a fun, action-filled adventure, grab this book. (Previously published as “Legends of Lasniniar: Legacy Hunter.” This story takes place between the World of Lasniniar novels Kinslayer and Soul Seeker.)

Leseprobe

THE LEGENDS OF LASNINIAR STARTER COLLECTION

THREE LASNINIAR SHORTS

JACQUELYN SMITH

WAYWARDSCRIBE PRESS

The Legends of Lasniniar Starter Collection

Copyright © 2023 Jacquelyn Smith

Published by WaywardScribe Press

Cover and layout copyright © Jacquelyn Smith

Cover design by Jacquelyn Smith/WaywardScribe Press

Cover art copyright © Breakermaximus, Grandeduc, Obsidianfantasy/Dreamstime

Possession: A Legends of Lasniniar Short (Bonus Edition)

Copyright © 2023 Jacquelyn Smith

First published in July, 2013 as “Legends of Lasniniar: Possession”

The Vow: A Legends of Lasniniar Short

Copyright © 2023 Jacquelyn Smith

First published in January, 2013 as “Legends of Lasniniar: The Vow”

Legacy Hunter: A Legends of Lasniniar Short

Copyright © 2023 Jacquelyn Smith

First published in September, 2011 as “Legends of Lasniniar: Legacy Hunter”

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights reserved. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

CONTENTS

Possession

The Vow

Legacy Hunter

The Reef

About Jacquelyn Smith

POSSESSION

This Iadrawyn prequel adventure takes place before Light Chasers (The World of Lasniniar Book 1).

POSSESSION

Golvanyar crouched in the bushes, watching the other elven children play. They frolicked in the forest clearing, chatting among themselves in the shadows. Occasionally one of them would crouch to roll a snowball and launch it at anyone who happened to be standing nearby, triggering an impromptu battle. These outbursts ended with most of the children rolling on the ground laughing while wiping snow from their faces before returning to whatever imaginary game they had been playing before.

Only one elf remained apart from the others. Golvanyar’s violet eyes were drawn to her immediately, almost of their own accord. She appeared to be around his own age—perhaps twelve or thirteen years old. She sat on a large rock, fletching arrows. She hunched over her work, her long, raven hair obscuring her features as her fingers continued their task. She seemed to need no lantern or torch, using only her elven sight and deft touch in the constant darkness of the forest. Golvanyar watched her, barely breathing.

His mother had always kept him apart from the other children of the village. Now she had deemed him old enough to wander on his own, but his peers held little interest for him. Their rough horseplay seemed so crude and childish. The other youths also tended to be more aggressive with him than they were with one another, which didn’t help matters.

They know I’m different. Mother has always told me how special I am. They must sense it, and hold it against me.

But this elf girl who sat fletching arrows... She was different too. He had never seen her before, but he was sure of it. She radiated a calm solitude, holding herself comfortably apart from the chaos around her. When one of the children had the audacity to lob a snowball in her direction, she dodged it without looking up from her work. Golvanyar’s hands balled into fists. How dare anyone attack her like that?

“Iadrawyn, come play with us!” her attacker called, stooping to roll another snowball. Golvanyar’s rage was briefly forgotten.

Iadrawyn. Her name is Iadrawyn.

She looked up, revealing smooth, dusky skin the same shade as any other elf’s, angular features, and a pair of deep, green eyes. Her lips twitched in a tolerant smile.

“You don’t really want that, do you?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “Or have you forgotten how badly I beat you last time?”

Golvanyar found himself hanging on every word of her lilting voice.

“You just got in a few lucky shots,” her attacker blustered. “I bet you couldn’t do it again.”

Iadrawyn shrugged and said nothing, returning to her work. The boy smiled to himself and wound his arm to throw. Golvanyar was about to throw himself from the bushes to tackle him, but Iadrawyn was already in motion. If Golvanyar hadn’t been watching her, he would never have believed she could have moved so quickly. In mere moments, she had three snowballs in the air. They slammed into the boy’s face in rapid succession with damp splats, sending him reeling. His own missile fell from his hand, forgotten.

When Golvanyar looked back at Iadrawyn, she was already back to her fletching without a single strand of hair out of place, as if nothing had happened. Golvanyar blinked and shook his head. After a startled pause, the other children began to laugh as her target wiped the snow from his face with a rueful expression.

“Don’t feel bad,” Iadrawyn said without looking up. “I have two older brothers, remember? I am used to being attacked without warning. Now leave me to my work, please.”

The boy’s shoulders slumped in defeat and he returned to playing with the other children. Golvanyar forced his tense muscles to relax, his eyes glued on Iadrawyn.

Her head snapped up without warning. She sat motionless while the other children continued their games, her green eyes sweeping the clearing. Golvanyar froze. He knew there was no way she could see him, but she was staring directly at his hiding spot. Her expression was wary, as if she sensed something was amiss, but could not quite put her finger on it. Time hung suspended.

Golvanyar couldn’t explain it, but something deep inside him suddenly surfaced, forging a link between them. Iadrawyn appeared oblivious, but somehow Golvanyar knew. There was no doubt in his mind that his and Iadrawyn’s fates were inexplicably intertwined. The absolute certainty of it overwhelmed him.

After a few tense moments, Iadrawyn shook her head and returned to her arrows. Golvanyar’s breath came out in a rush. It seemed strange that she would not sense the immensity of what had just happened, but clearly she had sensed something.

It must be my task to make her see. Surely once we properly meet, she will understand.

But Golvanyar wasn’t about to make his move now, not in front of so many people. No, he should probably get to know Iadrawyn first before approaching her. Watching her should be simple enough. And he would definitely make sure she was alone when he finally approached her, so there would be no interruptions. He smiled as he imagined the scene...

A single thought thrummed through his entire being, repeating itself in an endless chant.

Iadrawyn will be mine.

* * *

Golvanyar sat, lost in thought, as his mother ran a comb through his long, silver hair, humming as she worked. The long, steady strokes of the comb soothed him, just as they always did, but his eyes remained half-open. Treasured memories of his first sight of Iadrawyn danced through his mind—her smile, her cunning, the sound of her voice... Golvanyar uttered a sigh.

“Why so restless, my silver prince?” Aranriel asked as she continued her grooming.

A smile tugged at Golvanyar’s lips. His mother had always recognized how special he was, even if no one else did.

“I met someone today,” he said. “Someone special.”

“Really?” His mother asked, her fingers going still. “Who?”

“Her name is Iadrawyn.” Golvanyar felt that same sense of connection lurch within him once more as he spoke her name aloud.

“Iadrawyn...” His mother’s voice drifted off in thought for a moment. “I have heard that name before. Isn’t she Iaralys’s daughter?”

Golvanyar shrugged. “I’m not sure. She did mention having two older brothers. Does that help?”

“Yes, I think Iaralys has two older boys as well. Why didn’t you just ask her?” Aranriel gave her son’s shoulder a playful swat.

“Well... I didn’t meet her, exactly. I saw her from where I was standing, behind some bushes.” Golvanyar felt a warmth flush his face.

“And you never talked to her?”

“There were other children around,” Golvanyar said. “They would have only made things awkward.”

“You mustn’t let the other children look down on you,” his mother said in a firm voice. “You are far better than any of them will ever be. Not only are you the descendant of a noble bloodline, but I knew the moment I conceived, you would be touched by a great destiny. Your father knew it too.”

Golvanyar tried to take comfort in his mother’s familiar declarations. She had been born the unacknowledged daughter of one of the Wood Elves’ higher ranking nobles. Her father had died in battle before he was able to claim her. Since he already had an established mate and children of his own, his family decided to look the other way, leaving his lover to raise Aranriel alone. Years later, Golvanyar’s father suffered the same fate, dying in battle before he could meet his son.

Golvanyar knew the other elves didn’t believe his mother’s claims of a noble heritage, but she ignored them, bearing herself like a queen in exile. Golvanyar was her treasured prince. She was fiercely protective of him, and considered him without peer. Her absolute certainty in his great hidden destiny allowed nothing less.

“Iadrawyn would make a fair match for you,” she said, returning to her combing. “She comes from noble stock, and her father is on the council. You are too good for her, of course, but she is not too far below you to be cause for embarrassment.”

“She will be my mate someday,” Golvanyar said, his conviction coloring his words.

“Are you certain?” Aranriel asked. “There are a few others I have had my eye on that I thought might be suitable. They are more highly placed. In fact, I had not even considered Iadrawyn. She is a third child, after all, and will inherit little power of her own.”

“Iadrawyn is the only one for me.” Golvanyar’s shoulders tensed. He had to make her understand. “There is no one else. We are connected—I know it.”