My Universe: A Collection of Short Stories Vol.2 Revised

By James Sybrant

Follow along with the wizard, Daestril Clingingbeard and his band of unusual characters.
See what happens after two hundred years of trash from Earth is dumped on an asteroid.
Find out the solution to an overpopulated penal system when Earth is contacted by an alien race.
Join in as a family locks themselves away from the plague and are joined by an immortal, to keep them entertained.

This is just a few of the stories you'll find in this collection. Adventure awaits to capture your imagination in the second volume of My Universe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Sybrant
• Release date: Aug 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310715020

James Sybrant

James R. Sybrant resides in Northwest Arkansas, where he was born and raised. He is the author of My Universe: A Collection of Short Stories: Volumes 1 & 2, Right to Rule (Book 1 of the Rule Series), Rise to Rule (Book 2 of the Rule Series), Return to Rule (Book 3 of the Rule Series), and Rebirth of Rule (Book 4 of the Rule Series). He has read science fiction and fantasy stories for decades, and has been writing for almost as long. He is also a photographer and has worked for the local paper for twenty years.

Book preview

My Universe: A Collection

of Short Stories

Volume #2

Revised

James R. Sybrant

Copyright 2014 James R. Sybrant

All rights reserved.

Cover art by NASA

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.

Contents

Adventure Awaits

A Legends is Born

The Price of Adventure

Sheep

The Hazards of Adventure

Myth

Noble Intent

Rats

One Giant Step

CSI: Germany

Blood Trade

The Ditch

Immortal Spawn

Other Books by James R. Sybrant

Adventure Awaits

Thorin Ironchest was sitting in the corner booth of The Slaughtered Giant. It was a tavern he visited often when he was in town. He was a dwarf that had been found on a battlefield as an infant by a human. That human took him in and raised him as his own son. As a result of this, he liked being around humans. However, not every human liked the idea of a dwarf in their midst, especial this dwarf. He wasn’t like others of his race, he didn’t like to get dirty and, even stranger, he was clean shaven. All dwarves had beards, even the women, granted their beards were thinner and lighter in color, but they were still beards.

Nonetheless, he thought it was a good day. He was sitting comfortably, drinking his ale and waiting for friends to arrive. Daestril Clingingbeard had procured a map that promised not only wealth but adventure as well. It was a strange thing; he liked to get out and fight but didn’t like to get dirty. Then again, he had created his own style of fighting that helped him stay clean during and after a battle; most of the time. He believed you didn’t have to get bloody like so many fighters did. Many fighters even relished being covered in blood, they saw it as a badge of courage, even honor. But Thorin didn’t need to show others his prowess, he only needed to prove to himself that he was a strong fighter. Well, his friends also needed to know. They had to trust he could pull his own weight in the group as well as protect them.

His friend Henrad Darak walked in and spotted him in the back. He nodded toward Thorin before going up to the bar to get a tankard of ale. Henrad was a young fighter that still had much to learn. Thorin had agreed to be his teacher and was glad for it. It did his heart good to see a young human willing to learn from him. Henrad, his muscles bulging, stocked over to the booth and sat down without a word. That was another thing Thorin liked about Henrad; he was a man of few words.

They sat contented without speaking when Rinak Ashess walked in and over to them, without stopping at the bar. He was a cleric, a holy man, and didn’t drink very often. There was a smile on his face as he approached, his mace swinging freely at his side. It amazed Thorin that a holy man would be so willing to fight, but Rinak believed it was righteous to exterminate evil. He said it was his duty and he would only put down his mace when all evil was eradicated from the lands he roamed.

Good afternoon to the two of you. His voice was full of cheer.

It’s not bad, Thorin replied as the cleric took a seat.

And how are you young man? Henrad hated being called young man, but this was a man he respected, so he tolerated it.

Fine, he replied.

Where is the wizard? Rinak asked. Daestril was a human wizard who sometimes underestimated his own power, but he was a very valuable friend and ally.

He’ll be here soon enough. Then we can decide which thief to hire. Rinak didn’t like the idea of having a thief in the party, you couldn’t trust them. They would just as likely put a knife in your back as they would the enemy. However, this was going to be a job that required someone with the skills needed to disarm traps. It was never a pleasant sight when one of your companions was impaled by stakes or melted by acid when they accidently sprang a trap. So with a thief that knew what they were doing, they wouldn’t have to worry about that. They made a flyer and copied it a few time and stuck it up in the inns and taverns around town, it read:

Party looking for a trap expert, you will receive your proper share of any wealth acquired. If this is you, then adventure awaits. Meet at the city gate on the north end of town for more details.

I just hope we made the right choice appointing Daestril to interview our potential companion. He can be a little flighty sometimes, Henrad voiced. He was of the opinion that Thorin should have been in charge of that decision since he was the oldest. But the other two said Daestril was the one with intelligence and should be the one to make the choice. In the end Henrad was out voted, so he hoped Daestril would not let them down. If he did a poor job, Henrad would give him a few lumps as a reminder not to do it again.

They sat around the corner booth talking about nothing in particular until Daestril came strolling in. He went straight to the bar and ordered a flagon of mead before joining them.

Well? Any luck? Rinak asked before Daestril could take a seat.

Yes, I found two good candidates. He took a long draw of his mead before he continued. One is a young man, human, but it’s the other one I’m voting for. She is an elf, and unlike other others of her race. I believe she would make a perfect match and possible a long term companion.

What’s so wrong with the young man that you wouldn’t take him? Henrad asked. He felt that Daestril was trying to imply something about his age as well.

I just don’t think he has the experience we need, and he seemed to jump at ever noise he heard. Daestril took another drink. Rinak and Thorin looked at one another as if they were communicating without words. Thorin turned to Daestril for one final question.

You said she was different from other elves. In what way is she different? He of course didn’t care if she were different or not, but he knew Rinak did. Rinak had a bad experience with another elf that was ‘different’. He turned out to be a crazy, evil, murderer that tried to kill Rinak, and after he brought him back from the brink of death. Some people just can’t show gratitude.

She is an elven thief. Have you ever heard of such a thing? And she’s relaxed. How often do you see an elf that doesn’t look like they have a board shoved up their ass? She also smiled in all the right places. She has a passion for life that I’ve just not seen in other elves.

Okay, she’s in, but make sure you keep an eye on her. If she turns out to be an evil wizard wearing an illusion, I’ll hurt you in so many ways, Thorin said with a big grin.

As a wizard, I would have picked up on such a deception. Trust me, she’ll be great. Daestril downed the rest of his mead.

So when do we meet her? Rinak asked.

I thought I could get you to see things my way, so I asked her to follow me and wait outside until I came for her. Thorin just shook his head but Henrad jumped up to physically show him what he thought about such an act. Thorin stuck his battle axe in front of Henrad and persuaded him to sit back down. The thought of an unknown thief having their location was a bad idea in Henrad’s eyes. Their map could be stolen away before they even left The Slaughtered Giant.

He may not have done things the right way, but it’s not bad enough for him to be beaten over. Thorin put his battle axe away but kept an eye on his young student.

I’ll just go get her, He wiggled his flagon. And get a refill, anyone else? Thorin and Henrad held up their tankards and Rinak held up his hand. When he took Henrad’s tankard the young fighter grabbed his wrist.

Don’t think this gets you off the hook with me. Daestril pulled his wrist away and continued as if he hadn’t heard the threat.

What did you do that for? Rinak asked when Daestril walked away.

It was just a joke, Henrad said, though he wasn’t smiling.

I didn’t think it was funny and I don’t think Daestril did either. Rinak looked to Thorin as if to ask what he was going to do about it. Thorin rolled his eyes.

Apologize to him when he returns. Thorin didn’t like having to play the role of a parent, but when you’re beyond a hundred years old, it was hard to escape.

When Daestril returned with their drinks he was being tailed by the female elf. She had short black hair that didn’t reach the collar of her tunic. Her yellow eyes could be seen from across the room as if they radiate their own light. She was about five foot eight with a muscular, but thin build. The skin tight leather she wore didn’t make a squeak when she moved. All three seemed unable to take their eyes from here as they approached. It wasn’t until Daestril sat their drinks down that they were able to blink.

Gentlemen, this is Tanusi Woodflower. Tanusi this is Henrad, Rinak and Thorin. They just grinned like little boys and didn’t say a word.

She snapped her fingers in front of them. Are you mute or are you simple?

Neither, nice to meet you Tanusi. Rinak was the first to speak. Being a holy man made it easier for him to pull himself away from her beauty. ‘If it is your beauty, it felt more like a spell.’ He thought to himself. Rinak knew about charm spells since he had a few of his own. It would make sense if it was a spell. It would be a great asset for a thief. I’m looking forward to getting to know you better. He had no idea why he had said that. It made him feel like a fool.

Very pleased to meet you, Henrad said as he reached for her hand. That was when Rinak noticed her reach up and fiddle with her broach. When she did, Henrad and Thorin seemed to snap out of their trance. Henrad dropped his hand and stood up. You can take my seat.

Thank you. Her voice was like music to their ears. Then she cleared her throat and the music was gone. When do we leave?

First light, Thorin said. He saw that Daestril had brought their drinks but couldn’t remember him setting them