Rite of Passage: Saga of the Soul Shifter, #1

By J.L. Zenor

Before he can be seen as a man, young Eindride must face the ultimate trial: Stealing from a dragon's hoard. Most return men, only slightly injured, but a few, including Eindride's cousin, have disappeared during the trial. Will Eindride make it back alive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.L. Zenor
• Release date: May 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781524201548

Book preview

RITE OF PASSAGE

by J.L. Zenor

CHAPTER ONE

Aesa

All of my life, I have looked up to and tried to be like my cousin, but would I survive in the place where he died? As I got closer to the day of my trial, the day I would become a man, this question had been on my mind, plaguing every moment of each day. But today, it would be over.

The axe came down as I sharply exhaled and spun on my heels to face behind me, smoothly transitioning into another move as soon as I finished the first. The exercises were meant more for practicing balance than for actual combat, but the routine had a calming effect, almost like meditation.

I sucked in another breath of cold, frigid air as I moved to the next part of the routine.

I focused on a single movement of the routine at a time. With each breath out, each movement of the axe, I let out my worries. With each breath in, I brought in more focus, more resolve.

I glanced towards the sky as I turned to face east. The stars shimmered like diamonds, decorating the sky, while the snow beneath me sparkled in the moonlight. The horizon was just starting to show the faintest glimpse of daylight. In just a few hours would dawn the most important day of my life.

I turned again, swinging the axe over to my side as I and exhaled. Then I froze.

Something in the distance alerted my subconscious to danger.

Crouching, I listened, and I heard it. The crunching of snow beneath feet. A heavier crunch, and only two feet. Not a wolf.

I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding as I tried to focus on continuing the axe routine.

Yah still have a few hours befo' we go,