Gavain's Proving

By Grant Hoeflinger

When Gavain learned that he was going to be assigned his final test as a squire before becoming a Wyvern Knight, he expected that his Proving would be a routine mission. He never imagined that his Proving would require him to explore the deadly Wastes south of Valdaran, nor that what he would discover there would be far worse than his superiors suspected. If Gavain cannot survive his Proving, all of Valdaran may be doomed...

Gavain’s Proving is a prequel to the Saga of Thorns. Set a year before the Saga of Thorns begins, if you have yet to read Laeryk’s Proving, Book One of the Saga of Thorns, Gavain’s Proving is a perfect place to begin exploring the world of the Saga of Thorns.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Grant Hoeflinger
• Release date: May 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311359506

Grant Hoeflinger

Grant Hoeflinger was born and raised in Ohio. He attended college at Ohio University. He still lives in Ohio, with his wife and children.

Book preview

GAVAIN'S PROVING

A Saga of Thorns Novella

By Grant Hoeflinger

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014 Grant Hoeflinger

Cover Design By Don Saunders (webmark at Fiverr.com)

License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only, and 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.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Map

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Author's Note

About the Author

Laeryk's Proving Preview

PROLOGUE

Gavain Whiterose's lungs burned from the effort of running for so long. The night air was bitterly cold as it snapped at Gavain's passage, but that cold was a welcome change from the blistering heat that had accompanied the daytime. Gavain barely felt the cold. His blood was pumping, and he felt flush, adrenaline and a healthy dose of terror keeping him moving as he ran over the dry, cracked earth of the Wastes.

Behind him, monsters worse than any from Gavain's nightmares chased him.

Keep going! encouraged Burr, the scout who had been sent to accompany Gavain on his Proving into the Wastes to investigate reports that the inhuman hrimthaar had found the hidden pass into Valdaran. Gavain's superiors had suspected that a small hrimthaar hunting party, or at worst a single clan, might have been preparing to enter Valdaran in search of plentiful game. Either was bad enough; the hrimthaar were savage hunters focused entirely on their survival, and they weren't picky as to their food. A Valdaran sheep herder would serve as well as a goat or a deer. The reality of what Gavain and Burr had discovered was much worse. If they didn't warn someone in time, the devastation to Valdaran would be terrible. The hrimthaar would overtake the keep guarding the pass and establish a foothold in the Wyvernpeak Mountains that might prove impossible to remove.

Gavain heard a rattle off to one side, a warning that the hrimthaar were about to do something, but reacted too slowly. A spear flew through the air and imbedded itself into the ground just in front of Gavain, missing him only thanks to either good fortune or the blessings of Alluman. Gavain tripped over the shaft of the spear, tumbling to the ground. Instincts honed by years of training caused Gavain to reach for his bow, before remembering that it had been broken during the initial battle to escape from the hrimthaar. Gavain sucked in a breath as he saw the insect-like form of a hrimthaar sailing descending through the air toward him as it completed an incredible leap propelled by its powerful legs. The creature was ready to thrust its spear down into Gavain. He braced himself for the inevitable attack…

A high-pitched whine cut through the air just before Burr released a stone from his sling, striking the hrimthaar in the skull. The blow staggered the hrimthaar long enough for Gavain to roll out of its way, avoiding death on the tip of its spear, and bought him enough time to draw his sword and close with his foe. With a speed that spoke volumes of the hrimthaar's feral, predator instincts, the hrimthaar recovered and moved to engage with Gavain again, but another stone from Burr's sling forced it to move out of position. Gavain lashed out with his sword, but the hrimthaar was too fast, avoiding what should have been a killing blow. It didn't escape unscathed, however, and Gavain's sword sliced through one of the hrimthaar's chitinous limbs, severing an arm.

Burr lashed out at the hrimthaar with his own spear, stabbing it through one of its backwards-jointed knees. The hrimthaar's leg buckled, sending it to the ground as it let out an alien shriek of pain. Gavain stared at the scout in surprise.

Go! Burr roared, and Gavain obeyed, running on legs that still shook from the close call. Wyvern Knights were trained to fight their foes from the backs of their flying mounts, excelling at archery. Melee was considered an act of last resort, and most squires received shockingly little training in it, barely more than the basics. Gavain had the benefit of years of private tutoring in swordplay, but he was still unused to close-quarter fighting in anything more than practice sparring.

Gavain stole a glance over his shoulder, and was horrified to see that other hrimthaar had stopped where their injured comrade had fallen. They had not stopped to help the wounded creature.

They were ripping the fallen hrimthaar apart and eating it.

Food's scarce, Burr gasped beside Gavain. In a place like this, you don't waste anything – even if it's your own kind. The hrimthaar always devour their weak and sick. Maybe that will buy us enough time.

Do you really think it will?

Shut up and run, Burr ordered.

Gavain did as the scout commanded and tried to banish the cries of the hrimthaar from his mind. He couldn't help but pity the creature, and right now he needed to be focused on the task at hand: reaching the pass into Valdaran and warning the border keep of the danger. In an effort to dispel the memory of the hrimthaar's cries from his mind, Gavain thought back to the morning he'd been assigned his Proving and sent to the Wastes…

CHAPTER ONE

Gavain squinted from the sun in his eyes, his brow covered in sweat as he faced his opponent. He tried to keep his guard up as he weighed his options, but there was no time to waste on careful planning. Laeryk was faster, had a longer reach, and was a better swordsman than Gavain. Had any of those factors had been in Gavain's favor, he might have been able to try and wear Laeryk down, but Gavain had to face facts. Laeryk held all the advantages in this fight.

Alluman, give me the strength I need to overcome this, Gavain prayed silently. The thought of having Alluman’s support bolstered Gavain’s confidence. Laeryk wouldn't be praying. He didn't believe in asking for help from anyone, let alone a higher power.

The two squires stood approximately eleven feet apart. The training ground was relatively flat. Both of them were in excellent shape. Laeryk was taller and leaner, but if Gavain could build up enough momentum his extra weight would be an advantage. Gavain charged toward Laeryk at full speed.

If Laeryk was surprised, his face betrayed nothing. He smiled slightly, a look of calm control on his face. Gavain felt a small spark of cold panic run through him. Laeryk had already anticipated what Gavain was going to do.

This is going to hurt.

Laeryk didn't dodge. Instead, he crouched low and sprang forward at the last second, clipping Gavain just below his waist. Laeryk rose into the air, using Gavain's momentum to help pull him up, and threw Gavain across the training field.

At least the sun is going to be in his eyes now. Thank you for that small