Dyl: Wizard King in Training

By Leigh Brock

What more can go on? A hurricane, an attack, and new Rebel creatures. This was supposed to be fun right?
Dyl and his friends have faced a lot of heartache. When his future Queen and mate appears, Dyl is not completely sure he wants to go through losing someone again. After all, he lost the most important person to him already, what if he commits and she changes her mind or is killed also. On their way to claim the Wizard Stronghold, Dyl has to make up his mind what he is going to do. And will Jazz be willing to go along with it.
Going to Holly Beach and finally finding his place in the world is just what Dyl needs, he only hopes that it will still be standing when all is said and done. All your favorite characters are back in this action packed adventure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JK Publishing LLC
• Release date: May 5, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476249964

Book preview

DYL: WIZARD KING IN TRAINING

Leigh Brock

SMASHWORDS EDITION

JLK

Training Series © 2012 Leigh Brock

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

© Copyright 2012 Leigh Brock. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Contact me at:

Leighbrock.webs.com

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Facebook: Leigh Brock

Dear readers,

Please allow me to take this opportunity to thank my family and my friends for their unwavering support. My husband, who is the love of my life, even if he does not understand how I think up all these crazy things and is my biggest fan. My children, Jade, Cassidy, and Dylan, whom I love dearly. My mother, who tells people every time she meets them that I am an author and they should by my book. And my friends, Charissa, Mike, and Sara. I love you guys.

Also, I have a new manager and friend, her name is Rose Colton and without her I would be lost. In the short time we have been working together she has talked me down from the ledge and made me sit and work. Her son, Devon, is my New Fairy King in Training. He is so excited too.

Thank you and enjoy the story.

Leigh Brock

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.

Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

― Roald Dahl

Prologue (or whatever you want to call it)

Cassidy stood at the edge of the cliff overlooking the ocean in Shelter Cove, California, and thought about everything that happened. In the last few months, their lives had changed, some may argue not for the better too. They had been thrust in to a world they knew nothing about when they learned that they were not the normal teenagers they thought they were. Cassidy was the proclaimed leader of the group and was informed that she was a Princess. The Princess title was only until her parents, who she thought were dead and had yet to meet, passed along their titles. Because she was a Princess, she demanded that she be allowed to give the back-story to this book. I am allowing her to because she just has a way with words.

"It went like this. My parents, Ren and Leigh, were captured when I was a small child by my uncle, Dane, who wanted to be the leader of the Warriors. That is what I am, a Warrior, I get to carry a sword and kick some major butt when I need to. In addition, I had a totally hot boyfriend named Justice, my parents had picked him out for me, yeah, a little creepy but true just the same. At least they had chosen well.

Anyway, my parents had been the leaders of the Council that oversaw all the Guilds; these were the different magical beings in their world. My family's ancestors had moved to Colorado a long time ago and had almost died. But because of their pure hearts and faithfulness to the spirit of the mountain they lived by, they were given gifts that would change their lives. As time progressed, their destiny changed. The guilds grew, and someone needed to oversee them to make sure they did not take advantage of their powers. Well, of course, there were some that did do that so they were kicked out of the guilds and became what we called Rebels. Not much imagination there.

There were five Guilds: Warriors, which I am, Rangers, who were the ones who received small amulets as a gift that turned into their animals. Kallen, my best friend since childhood, was the Ranger and he had found his mate, Jade. Then Dyl was the Wizard, and this girl named Jazz has just shown up claiming to be his mate and needs help. Not sure yet what that’s all about. Eli was an Elf, which was cool cause it explained the whole pointed ear thing we had teased him about for a long time. Then there was the twins or what we’re now calling the 'not twins'. Cause Cami and Celli look exactly alike but they were not related. They were mirror images of each other, long explanation there.

None of us grew up with our parents. They were all captured and held by Dane because he wanted control. So Guardians, of course we thought they were like adoptive parents, raised us. Our parents had chosen them to take care of us, and when they were attacked, they sent us with the Guardians into hiding.

It all busted wide open when I turned eighteen. Things were just crazy, jewels appearing on my skin, and suddenly people were hunting us. I tell ya, I think I got quite a few stress zits over that.

Bernie, my Guardian, was a Warrior too. He is the one who is able to calm me down; I think it was his gift since I apparently can be a little high maintenance sometimes. I really don't see it cause I think that guys just don't get us girls. I mean how difficult is it to know to put the toilet seat down when you use it, when I need chocolate, or have a Mountain Dew ready first thing in the morning. Is that really too much to ask?

The rest of the Guardians were Bea, who was Kallen's, Liam, who was the 'not twins', Kristen and Charlie, who had both been killed by the Rebels, were Dyl and Eli's Guardians. I still cry when I think about their loss. Charlie had been like another father to me, and Kristen had been the hip aunt that always took us shopping. My anger begins to bubble when I think about their loss. Dane had ordered his son, CJ, and CJ's sidekick, Skot, to attack them. The jerks had caused a lot of this because they weren’t too bright.

First, they attacked the Warrior Stronghold where Kristen was killed protecting us. Then they took me hostage thinking that CJ could convince me to choose him as a mate so he could be in control. The thought makes me vomit in my mouth a little, he was my cousin or something like that, I mean gross. He, of course said that if I stepped down or was dead he would get it anyway, so they tried to kill me. Not a fun day.

Then Charlie sacrificed himself in order to be able to spy on the Rebels in his spirit form; their ancestors had given him that gift. Crazy, right? Where did people come up with these ideas? The gist of it is that we have to find all the Strongholds our parents left us. Of Course they aren’t right next door to one another, they are across the country, and to claim our birthright, each of the five has to do it in order for us to be a completely seated Council and have the power to fight the Rebels.

So here we are, never having left the state of Colorado before, traipsing across the country in search of the castles. Yep, I said it, castle. Of course you can't see them so don't go looking. They are hidden.

Like I said, a little over two months ago, we had been planning our graduation from high school and our biggest decision was where we were going to college. Now we had to save the world. Really? That was a little much.

I watched the waves roll in and laughed when I saw the large whale out in the distance. It was Michael's animal, I would know him anywhere. This is what I was talking about. Who would have thought that one of my best friends would have an animal that was part of him? It was just crazy. Now Dyl, another of my best friends, was going to be a Wizard.

I hung my head and shook it a little; I needed to get back to the castle and help deal with this. Justice had covered for me long enough; it was gonna be a two Mountain Dew kind of morning, it looked like. We just finished the pseudo funeral for Charlie when a bunch of butterflies came floating down with a chick in the middle. Again crazy. That was why I am out here, some things you just need to process, if you know what I mean.

But seriously, this is really not my book at all. This is Dyl's story and I think I should let Leigh tell it."

CHAPTER 1

Dyl paced around the courtyard mad that he had let that girl get to him. He never let a girl get to him. He was always the one who was in control. Girls loved him, who cared if one stupid, gorgeous female seemed to be immune to his charms? He did not have to take her as a mate. Charlie told him that. Yeah, she may be the one that was chosen for him, but he still had free will. Dyl and his friends had too much going on for him to have to chase some chick around, hoping to convince her to be his mate. He didn’t even want a mate. He wanted to be a Wizard, and make Charlie and Kristen proud.

Dyl stopped and laughed, what did he have to worry about? He was training to be a Wizard. He didn’t have the time, yeah, and that was it. Walking back up to the castle, he paused and straightened his clothes and hair. He wasn’t trying to look good for her, but he didn’t want her to think that she in any way affected him.

Dyl pushed to open the door and heard his friends in the meeting area talking to the girl about his Stronghold. Well, it was time she knew who was going to be the King.

So, what do you need from us? Cassidy was asking the girl.

Dyl stood back and looked at her again. This time taking the time to really look at her. She was gorgeous. Long, black hair with purple highlights tied up in some kind of swirly twist. She wore a pair of holey jeans that rode low on her waist and a red tank top. The effect should have looked at little grunge, but she made it look chic with her high, black boots. Her face was heart shaped and her eyes a bright blue. Just his type, if he had a type.

I have no clue. We received a warning about a hurricane, and this chick just kinda appeared and said I needed to come here and find Dyl. So that’s what I did. Holly Beach has been devastated by hurricanes in the past, and we were just getting things built back. I don’t think we can withstand another hit without some help. My powers, and the Stronghold member's powers, are only enough to protect the Stronghold. We have to protect the area around there too. I figured Dyl would be able to help, Jazz said and looked at him in a challenge.

Yeah, I will help MY people, he said childishly.

We need a plan, Justice said and looked at the maps. We had the bikes ready again. How long do we have? There’s no way we can make it if it’s more than seven days, we were gonna stop in Loveland.

About 5 days to prepare, give or take. It all depends on how fast the winds start moving it. But I would guess from what they are saying about five days sounds right, Jazz said and looked around. So, you are the Royals, huh?

Cassidy and the others laughed at the brashness of the girl that was standing in front of them. Well, I think you’re one too, Jade whispered. At least, I’m pretty sure. Can you feel it?

Yeah. Cassidy smirked and she looked at Jazz daringly.

Uh, no. My mother was the house cleaner of the King and Queen. I think they felt sorry for my mother; she was the only person in the Stronghold with a child the age they needed. They knew they were going to be captured and they felt obligated to make sure I was protected, so they did the only thing they could. They named me as Dyl’s mate. But I was told that I didn’t have to accept it, Jazz said and shrugged.

None of you were chosen because of such a silly reason, Bea said from behind them. Why would you even think that load of bull?

They turned to see the rest of their guardians come into the room. It had been a rough day for all of them to begin with. Today was Charlie’s funeral. They had lost two of their guardians so far in this mess, and they were all still reeling from the past few days.

Charlie was Dyl’s guardian. Charlie and his wife, Kristen, had raised Dyl and Eli as if they were their own children. Both thought they were adopted children until a few months ago when they found out the truth. Their parents were still alive and they were being held captive. Together, all of their parents made the Council of the Guilds; they were in charge of things. When it was time, they passed on the crown to the next in line. The spirits chose who was going to be the next King or Queen. Each of them would hold a seat on the Council and the Warrior Guild would be the leader. They would balance the power so none of the members of any of the Guilds would gain too much power. Dyl and his five friends were heirs to mystical Guilds. Each of them belonged to a different Guild and each of them were the children of the King and Queen’s.

Dyl and his friends found out when they were attacked in Denver, Colorado, where they were raised. It was really very confusing since all of them thought they were just normal kids who lost their families. Basically, it was like this, Bernie raised Cassidy who is the Warrior Queen. She was the leader of their group and has always been. She was the reason they were attacked in the first place. Somehow, they found out she was still alive and tried to kill her. Her mate, Justice, who is now her King, rescued her. Each of them has special gifts called ‘soul’s gifts’. Cassidy’s was a sword she was able to wield with amazing strength.

They were told that each of them had a Stronghold or a castle that each of the Guilds had. Basically, it was the place the members of that Guild resided in peace. Most of them wanted to use their powers to help mankind, but there were some that wanted to use it to rule Human beings. They were the Rebels and the ones who wanted them out of the picture so they could rule all the Guilds.

Then there was Bea, who raised Kallen, the Ranger King. Kallen found Jade, his mate, when his Stronghold was attacked and she was wounded. Kallen and his mate can speak to animals. They are able to call them to help them if needed and help protect their Strongholds. Each member of the Guild is given a specific animal and they use him or her to communicate with the other animals. Kallen had Tey, a Black Panther, and Jade had Ares, a Spirit Bear. They were both very cool.

Cassidy and Kallen are the only ones that have yet to claim their Strongholds. They had decided to travel one at a time together to claim the castles. Cassidy refused to let them go alone, she said that they were stronger together, and thank goodness they had listened to her. So far, the Rebels had attacked several times and actually taken one of them hostage. Cami had escaped with her life and a few scars; they all hated to think what could have happened if they hadn’t been close.

Lola, one of the crazy henchman leaders of the Rebels, was the one who kidnapped and tortured her. She was crazy and would do anything for CJ, the leader of the Rebels. He wanted Cassidy and he would do anything to gain the power of the crowns.

Lola killed Charlie just a few days ago. What she didn’t know was it was all in the plan. Dyl had been pissed when he learned that Charlie was going to sacrifice himself, that was, until he explained that he was given a gift by the spirits. Charlie and Kristen were going to be given a place in the ancestor’s Stronghold. Sounds weird, but they were given eternal life together in the Stronghold. They, of course, couldn’t leave, but they would be able to watch over them and occasionally speak to them when they needed it. Charlie said that was all he ever wanted, to make sure they were all happy. This way he could help because, as a spirit, he was following Lola to see where the Rebels were camped. So far, they had been unable to find their Stronghold because they kept moving it.

Dyl was a Wizard; his Stronghold was in Holly Beach, Louisiana, which was the next place they were supposed to go. He had had some training with Charlie, but he still needed to find the trainer that Charlie had chosen for him. He needed to be able to control his powers, and he only knew a few of the things he needed to know.

Kristen had been Eli’s guardian. They were Elves. He was able to manipulate metals and make weapons. Kristen had been killed on an attack in Cassidy’s Stronghold in Loveland, Colorado. They all had been devastated.

Then there were the twins. Liam was their guardian, and truthfully, he had no clue what the man was. Liam was small in stature and seemed to appear out of nowhere half the time. Cami was a Gnome, she controlled the earth, and Celli was a Fairy, she controlled the weather. They weren’t sure of their powers yet because until you claimed your stronghold, none of them had their full powers.

Dyl knew as soon as he claimed his Stronghold, his powers would get a lot stronger. When he found his mate, they were supposed to join, pledge their loyalty to Cassidy, and they would receive their jewels and soul’s gift. Together they were supposed to train and become the leaders of the Guild. Clearly, no one told Jazz that she really didn’t have a choice. Dyl was not going to be the reason that they failed. If she wouldn’t step up then he would find someone who would.

I repeat, none of you or your mates were chosen out of pity or duty. I happen to know Dyl’s parents and really do not think they would have chosen you for the reason that you think. They saw something in you, something that you are not seeing, Bea said. I have to tell you, from what I’m seeing, it is because of your inner strength.

Bernie nodded and said, "Hello Jazz, let me introduce you to everyone and then we will discuss this. If what you say is true, we do not have a lot of time to get a handle on this. First the Guardians. I am Bernie, a Warrior, this is Bea, a Ranger, then Liam, a mix of