Beldagar: A Dark Eve Story

By TK Thompson

This Novela is part of The Dark Eve Series, the origin story of a character in book 3 - Growing up as an abandoned orphan on the doorstep of strangers earned Beldagar a life of servitude. He finds he has a strange talent to turn off the abusive voices of his heartless family, but all he longs for is equal footing among them.

The worst part of it is working in the cold gold mines of the mountain shadowing the primitive village. It seems the deeper they dig the more dangerous it becomes and the strange manifestations haunting him grow more intense affecting his safety.

His relentless life changes one day while safely observing the festival for the Gods, in which he sees Rose. For the first time his life seems to be altering, but in the twirling moment a strange sorceress shows up revealing to him a world of opportunity through her magic as well as warning of an ancient monstrous legend about to wake with in the heart of the mountain. The cursed sorceress foresees Rose’s death and offers him a deal to save her life. As Beldagars manifestations increase he is tempted to do all he can to save her, but what if the final cost is murder?
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• Language: English
• Publisher: TK Thompson
• Release date: Oct 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370964024

TK Thompson

Embark on an extraordinary journey through the mystical realms of T.K. Thompson, a masterful storyteller born in Provo, Utah, and raised amidst the mining towns of NM and AZ. Enchanted by family, devoted to her schnauzer, and allergic to mornings, T.K. immerses readers in the spellbinding worlds of epic fantasy.Best known for her award-winning series, The Dark Eve, T.K. Thompson invites you to a saga of mystery, thrill, and unforgettable characters. Immerse yourself in a reimagined classic, epic adventure tale woven with pirating peril and fantasy on every page, where the weight of a fall threatens redemption.Suitable for ages 13 and up, T.K.'s novels are a portal to captivating stories. Explore her unseen world by visiting www.tkthompson.com, where her words have earned the esteemed Readers Favorite 5-Star Seal.The Dark Eve: A New RecruitShe commands the seas with an iron fist. Yet, when blood proves thicker than water, will Captain Acantha meet her deadly downfall?Savage wraiths, seductive sirens, and a labyrinthine channel threaten to destroy everything the pirate queen Acantha protects. Her search is for her despised older sister, a no-show for mandatory drop-off. After months of searching across oceans, the fearsome fighter’s last desperate resort is to turn to the oracle.The path revealed, is a no-return voyage into permanent darkness. The haunted Captain must succeed or risk captivity for her failure to protect their family secrets."A New Recruit," the thrilling first book in The Dark Eve series, offers high-flying action, electrifying intrigue, and bravery in the face of certain defeat. Join T.K. Thompson on a swashbuckling journey by purchasing your ticket to danger today!◇ ◇ ◇Enter a realm where Pirates of the Caribbean meets Wonder Woman. If you relish authors like Bella Forrest, Leia Stone, and Patricia Briggs or enjoyed Netflix's Cursed by Thomas Wheeler, T.K. Thompson's Dark Eve series awaits. Fast-paced, epic adventures unfold in dangerous and visceral fantasy worlds, with award-winning fiction novels led by Acantha, an unforgettable strong female warrior.Top Reviews:Peter S: "A treasure you'll want to get your hands on!" - Action-packed, rapid-paced, and mysterious.Danielle: "Great read" - Fun and exciting, even for non-fantasy enthusiasts.Rebecca Sensanbaugher: "Fun to Read In the Dark Shadows of Night!" - A pleasant surprise with engaging characters and a well-balanced narrative.Blayden Thompson: "Without Redemption grabbed me by the neck..." - A fresh, imaginative world with captivating characters.Kindle Customer: "Dark Eve" - A grand slam for a first book, impressive writing, and an intricate plot.M Bigs: "Seriously, a great read" - Unpredictable and captivating until the very end.Cassie momma: "Great book" - Adventurous and well-written, recommended for all adventure lovers.Aubrey: "Such a great story" - Action-packed with fascinating characters, a potential blockbuster.Join the adventure, and let T.K. Thompson transport you into a world where danger and magic intertwine in epic proportions.Email: [e-mail]

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Beldagar

A Dark Eve Story

By T. K. Thompson

Published By

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Chapter One - Beldagar

Chapter Two - The Mine

Chapter Three - Rose

Chapter Four - The Mountain

Chapter Five - The Dilemma

Chapter Six - A Day of Decisions

Chapter Seven - The Family

Chapter Eight - The Story and the Lie

Chapter Nine - The Plan

Chapter Ten - The Monster in the Mountain

Chapter Eleven - The Last Deal

Thank you for reading

About the Author

Acknowledgements

CHAPTER ONE

Beldagar

Beldagar’s life was haunted. He had died again in his dreams last night. The dark shadow in the gold mine found him—it always found him.

He sat on the heaped earth, trying to dispel the impending doom that awaited him within the mine. His peaceful, familiar backyard gave little comfort. The tall pine trees scaled into the sky and the wild summer grass, which was actually green this year, was sprinkled with wildflowers. It only meant one thing to him: more work.

He rested his hand on his heart-shaped face, focusing his green eyes on the details of the meadow. A gentle breeze blew. The thought of the workload made his mood sink.

The squeak of the back door of his country home alerted him. It swung open and banged against the wall. The heavy footsteps were always accompanied by a loud, nagging voice.

He braced himself.

"You oblivious boy, get up. They’re expecting you in the mines. Why do I always have to yell to get you to do what you’re supposed to? You’re an hour late at least. Beldagar, are you listening? I didn’t have to take you into my house. Are you listening to me?"

His mind switched off. She called him oblivious. The word rang in his thoughts and the rest of what she said didn’t register.

Oblivious fits me perfectly.

He no longer heard any sound at all. He glanced back over his shoulder. She was still on a rampage. Her motions and speech slurred, drawn out in time. He didn’t know how he did it, but when he wanted to turn it off, it was a simple click in his head.

He refocused on the wildflowers, watching them sway. The view magnified in his vision. His orphaned life never escaped him: his adoptive caretaker Maude was his faithful reminder. Maude the nag, Maude the monster, Maude the very bloated, ugly, balding hag that only yelled. Maude, whose weapon of choice was a straw broom.

His life was worthless, except to compensate the charity that they had so graciously bestowed upon him. What would it have been like to be left at any other person’s doorstep? But considering the choices of their small foot-of-the-mountain village, it could have been worse—much worse. Since he couldn’t physically leave, he mentally did.

He took a deep breath, thankful for his only escape. As long as he could be far away, there was a smidgeon of happiness. He would do anything to mute the constant attacks of her nagging voice. The clicking in his mind switched off. His internal clock was pounding for him to leave.

I swear you are the devil’s child, she continued, unhindered by his diversions. I should let them take you up the mountain and sacrifice you to whatever beast they want. With my luck, nothing would eat you. No, it would spit you out lame, and then they would bring you back here and I’d have to wait on you more than I already do. Don’t you ever think of anyone else besides yourself?

He glanced back to the mountain. It was majestic like the gods they said lived on it. Granted, he only heard bits and pieces. All he really knew was what he could see, and the rest he made up. A small, treacherous road switchbacked up the side to something mysterious.

He imagined going and discovering it for himself, but a person didn’t just travel up the mountain. It was supposed to be a holy, sacred place. In his mind, he painted towered structures all white and glistening in the sun. It helped the work go quickly. Two days in the fields, two days in the forests, and finally, the worst two days in the mines. He shuddered at the thought of the dark tunnel.

The wind felt colder, making him shiver. He stood, giving in to the Nag and the unyielding work that would never perish until he did. The Nag’s actual blood children were privileged enough to be educated and skilled in trades with apprenticeships in the village and other communities. He, on the other hand, worked to pay back his debt of life.

He glanced to the small hovel of a home. He slept in the loft even though other beds had opened up. The Nag was still nagging. Her round, fat face was framed with thin, graying hair pulled back in a sloppy bun. She shook her head, continuing her rant. She was always so genuinely upset.

I’m going, he finally said.

You’re going. You’re going? She had a broom in her hand. He had to watch out that she didn’t swing it at his head. You’re standing there telling me you’re going? You should have been going hours ago.

I don’t like going to the mine. There’s something not right down there, he said, hoping for some sympathy. If she’d had to go down there, she would understand.

You’re ten years old. You’re not a baby anymore. There is no being afraid of the dark now. She waved a tempered finger. Now go.

He took a deep, begrudging breath and sluggishly walked toward the mountain.

CHAPTER TWO

The Mine

The mine opening loomed before Beldagar. He sat on his stone next to a birch tree, allowing every single drop of sun to warm him before the call into work. The precious seconds slipped by. A good twenty feet sat between him