Companions of the Eye and Ear

By Shawn O'Toole

The elves of the Blessed Court live in peace and safety because of the daring of its unsung warriors. Dame Aylith and the little sprite Twaylee are questing agents in the Ministry of the Eye and Ear. Follow them on their harrowing adventures into the lands of monsters and the realm of the dark elves. Enjoy gritty, realistic fantasy and thrilling action, espionage and suspense.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shawn O'Toole
• Release date: Sep 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301474011

Shawn O'Toole

Shawn O'Toole is an avid reader who expresses his love of literature by writing his own. Though his favorite works are classical fiction, most of his actual reading is historical or scientific non-fiction. He combines his inspirations to create yarns that are fantastic yet believable. He is restless and eager, so one need not wait to delve into his adventures.

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COMPANIONS OF THE EYE AND EAR

by

Shawn O’Toole

SMASHWORDS EDITION

*****

PUBLISHED BY:

Shawn O’Toole on Smashwords

Cover Art Illustrated by:

Shawn O’Toole

Companions of the Eye and Ear

Copyright © Shawn O’Toole 2013

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this story, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Your support and respect for the property of this author is much appreciated.

This story is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are products of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

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COMPANIONS OF THE EYE AND EAR

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Chapter 1

Stealing the Stolen Book

A manuscript was on its way to the Ministry of the Eye and Ear when stolen by the dark elves. The secrets within would be safe... so long as the spell upon it could not be broken; one that would curse the book to rot to dust should it be opened. The dark elves sent their prize to Lady Maudra, one of their venerable necromancers, to break the spell. The Eye and Ear sent agents to retrieve the book– deep into the realm of their enemy.

Two naked, yellowish-brown nymphs, the black hair of each fastened into a bun, stood together chatting. Like all elves, their limbs and features were long and delicate, their ears narrow and pointed, their bright green eyes slanted and their mouths small and lips thin.

Each of the nymphs wielded a sword, nearly half the length of which was handgrip. Its short blade was double-edged and very sharp.

It was not my will to be trained for war, Della, the one, said to Vyliss, the other. I would much prefer picking fruit where the city is near..., she then whispered, rather than be stranded here where all but one are female.

Vyliss giggled, Do you so long for wanton frolic?

No. I fancy males for more than mere play. I like them. Vyliss laughed. Della defended, There is more to a male than his loins.

I know.

Della explained, Their thoughts, feelings and ways are like our own but so very different. I delight in trying to understand them.

"Their thoughts, feelings and ways are crudely simple."

Della insisted, They are not. Well, simple, perhaps, but not so shallow as many of us believe them to be.

Vyliss giggled. She told her friend, Our Lady Maudra is beyond us in wisdom, power and knowledge. So great is her voice that even Her Majesty hears it. I am honored to serve Lady Maudra.

As am I, dear Vyliss, but I wish we could do so where we are not stranded.

As do I, Della, but Lady Maudra cherishes her privacy.

"Her secrecy, you mean."

Vyliss shivered, "I would not even dare guess the secrets of a death witch."

Nor would I!

The two fell silent.

Vyliss mentioned, Eshlee is making a new robe for Lady Maudra.

She is?

"Yes. It shall be blue in many shades. I believe