Ascent and Invaded: Two Short Adventures

By Michael Soldat

A hopeful tribe chief must conquer a mountain to claim leadership over his people in Ascent. The peak contains perils only those hoping to rule will ever see; this man will face trials that will test several skills necessary to lead his people.

Mysterious beasts have wreaked havoc in a bustling goblin city in Invaded. One shopkeeper survives the carnage only to flee his home and his city. In order to reclaim what has been lost, he must band together with others if he ever hopes to regain his city.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Soldat
• Release date: Feb 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781497705913

Book preview

Table of Contents

Ascent | 1

2

3

4

5

Invaded | 1

2

3

4

5

6

Ascent

1

It's time. I rise with the sun, as I have for the past twenty some years. Breakfast is simple: just some bread and a cup of cold stew from last night. Normally, I would finish up and head out to either hunt or work the fields. Not today. I've gotten up to see my last sunrise as a regular member of my people. Either I will see the next as a man destined to lead, or I will lie dead somewhere on the mountain with the sun's rays peering down at my corpse.

Throughout our history, my people have tested every child for the potential to watch over the rest. I hadn’t the faintest idea what the tests were when I took them. I figured my parents and the others wanted to make sure I was fit and that I could work well with others. These are pretty important to life in the hills, after all. However, when my chief offered me the possibility to take the final test, to inherit his position, I instantly knew what my calling in life was. I love my people dearly, even though I may not get along with all of them. To be their guardian makes me tear up slightly if I think about it in just the right mood. That question was asked nearly a year ago and I have been anxious ever since.

Historically, my peers do not pick their new leaders without extensive thought, but I am told their choices are spot on. Each child in the youngest generation of our people is watched from the day they are born to see if they have the potential to lead. Not every generation fields someone with the potential to keep the peace, so to speak, but there are laws in place to ensure the tribe does not fall apart without a leader. Luckily for me, there has been a chief couple for me to learn from. Hopefully, I will make them proud.

A woman was chosen, as well, and she will have her own trial to overcome. Neither of us had any obligation to act on our test results, but leading others to great accomplishment was in our blood, even as kids. No matter the task, we took charge at once, though not without humility. Neither of us were ever disrespectful, because it is incredibly clear that we would not be quite as effective without others. I imagine that is part of why we were chosen, but the vagaries of these trials will not be revealed until, hopefully, I get to choose my successor one day. This process is much easier with another set of eyes, which is why I am thankful that someone else was chosen to help. She and I, should we both succeed, will most likely move in together. This is purely platonic, as our past reveals many pairs of chiefs of either gender, though some do choose to wed. Not my concern right now, though. Getting past this rock is.

The whole village has come out to see me off. My parents are bundled up, relatively safe from the brisk chill. I am allowed only my coat and the warmest pants I can manage: the only other tool I can bring is my wits. I am told I will not have need for food or shelter on this trip, if I am to truly be the next chief. Our current leader stands front and center of the gathering with a faint smile on his face. Should I succeed, some day I will probably feel the range