The Legend of Skaluni

By Bruce E. Arrington

Skaluni, an archetypal outsider with unusual powers, comes of age in his village. He becomes someone the villagers never would have expected, and though he faces constant rejection, he chooses to put others before himself, with increasingly fantastic results. But with the end of the world at hand, will he use his ability to help in time of great need?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pipe Dream Books
• Release date: Oct 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781942031017

Bruce E. Arrington

Bruce Arrington is the author of more than fifteen books, including fantasy children's stories, sci fi/fantasy teen and young adult, and even a new adult romance novel. He likes to take average, everyday characters, and upend their lives through unusual and powerful circumstances. His latest thrill includes ziplining in the tropics of Costa Rica. Catch up with his latest writings here: https://www.facebook.com/PipeDreamBooks/ https://www.amazon.com/Bruce-Arrington/e/B0064TKY1G

Book preview

Prologue

On the day of Skaluni’s birth, the seven moons lined up as one, eclipsing each other for the first time in village memory. Many quakes shook the ground, bringing fear and uncertainty to the people. A mountain on the horizon split apart as a new one rose to take its place. The large, fish-filled lake that fed the villagers lost half of its water in only three days.

So it was foreshadowed among the elders and spirit leaders that this was a special child who would bring good fortune to the people. But upon his father’s subsequent death, they reinterpreted the event as a curse on the village. With his mother’s premature departure six years later, the dark destiny of the child sealed itself in the minds of almost everyone.

Chapter One

Year Six

The child called Skaluni stood beside the warm fire pit, curious, as he smiled at the elders of the people. They sat in a closed circle around him, looking at each other with questioning glances. Behind them, other members of the village, both young and old, stood in silence.

At six years of age, the boy knew he was different from everyone else. His skin, his hair—even his eyes were not like theirs. Is this why they brought him here? Were they not going to let his friends play anymore? And where was Momo? He didn’t see her anywhere in the crowd.

A man with a wrinkled face slowly stood to his feet. His tall, heavy frame leaned against a large beam. His cheerless eyes glanced around the room.

The Moon Spirits be praised! his tired voice rang out.

Forever and ever! the people answered as one.

The man looked down at the young child with a face that expressed no emotion. The spirits have spoken. Skaluni has no father or mother to care for him. It is a sign we cannot ignore. The man cleared his throat and gestured at the boy. It is apparent that he is not one of us, as he looks unlike our kind. We must heed warnings of the spirits.

As Skaluni took a small stick and made marks in the dirt, some in the crowd nodded their heads with somber expressions. But a woman dressed in rich animal skins came forward. She smiled at the child with her wrinkled face.

Everyone here has been touched by death in one way or another, Dyalocal, she said, standing straight as a post. Your reasoning is as weak as the Forsaken Hut. She looked at those around her and a few chuckled at her words. "Have you forgotten that while my husband led us, we cared for all, including those considered not to be of our kind? And

Reviews for The Legend of Skaluni

[davidr1958 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very well written short fantasy which some might regard as a fantasy-SF crossover piece. Bruce Arrington achieves a fascinating creation of both world and characters within the finely calculated framework of a long short story or a short novella. The story has more depth than the reader first suspects, and the rising tension through a series of revelations is well managed; the pages keep turning as the reader hovers anxiously over young Skaluni, wondering what will happen next. While Skaluni is a MG/YA protagonist, adults should enjoy this just as much. I personally felt that the ending, dramatic as it was, could have been still more powerful. Still highly recommended.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy for an honest and objective review.

[bertha_-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed this book!