Daughter of Havenglade: Daughter of Havenglade, #1

By H.C. Harrington

A sinister wizard.
A mysterious teacher.
A kingdom on the brink of collapse.

In the ancient kingdom of Havenglade, a brutal enemy is ravaging the countryside making his way closer to Gradur Castle. An aging king seeks protection from a council of loyal wizards. A peasant girl finds herself at the center of it all after bonding with a magical crystal and absorbing its magical essence.

After losing her parents, Laurena was given the chance of a lifetime to study wizardry under the mysterious and renowned teacher Unai.

Can she learn to harness the powers inside her before it's too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Havenglade Press
• Release date: Sep 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781386476542

H.C. Harrington

H.C. Harrington is an American novelist, teacher, and lifetime learner. From Orange County, Ca. he studied Anthropology and History receiving his degree from the University of Nevada. He is the author of the Amazon #1 Best-Selling Daughter of Havenglade Fantasy Series, as well as the Fantasy Murder-Mystery The Inquisitor.After setting aside archaeological digs in the Sierra Nevadas, H.C. moved to Chengdu, China to study Mandarin Chinese. During his writing journey, he has lived and traveled to more than a dozen countries.His hobbies include traveling, playing boardgames, creating constructed languages, backpacking, and reading.

Book preview

Prologue

Lord Flek shuddered as a booming sound ripped through the night. The storm had been building since nightfall, and the downpour brought with it a thunder that shook him to the core. There was a knock, and the captain of the guard entered looking dour.

My lord, guards Ullman and Baskins have yet to return from patrol. I’ve sent Mattson and Hovrik to retrace the sentry route in case there’s been some accident, Captain Seri reported. 

Probably this cursed weather. See to it they are found. And if there appear to be any irregularities, send them to me immediately, captain, Lord Flek said.

He waved his hand to relieve the captain and let out a sigh. He had a strange feeling about tonight. Something deep in his bones. Perhaps it was the rain, but all the same, a nervousness had taken hold of him.

Being a royal was usually reason enough to maintain a healthy paranoia. Being King Deunoro’s younger brother came with its share of risks. Flek Manor sat just north of Avixglen—a small town between Havenglade and Pax Grati. There had been word of bandits to the north in recent days, so he had dispatched a sizable chunk of his garrison to investigate and round up any outlaws. A necessary action, but it did leave him somewhat vulnerable.

The room felt stuffy. He unlatched the shutters and slowly opened them until he could see the lanterns of the front gate in the distance, obscured by the heavy rainfall that threatened to drown out all other sounds.

Another crackling boom followed a flash of light. The storm was close. He went to latch the shutter when another flash of light filled the night, but this one was blue.

Lord Flek jerked the shutters closed and slammed the latch down before bolting across the room. 

What in the Maker’s name was that? 

His heart raced as he struggled to rationalize a blue bolt of lightning.

There was another knock at his chamber door.

Come in.

The door flew open, and Captain Seri walked in again, his armor dripping all over the wood flooring.

My lord, he called out, his voice shaking as he struggled to spit out the words, Something is wrong.

The hounds began to bark wildly.

Where are the dogs? Lord Flek asked.

Hovrik was planning on taking them with him. It’s too dark and rainy to see much out there. But I don’t know what’s driving them to— Captain Seri was cut off by one of the dogs as it let out a loud yelp followed by whimpering.

What is going on out there? Lord Flek growled as fear began to get the better of him.

I’ll see to it, My lord.

No, you stay inside. Get Tobit and the others and tell them to see to the disturbance. We might have assassins on our hands, and they’ve picked a damn good time to make their move. We’re short-handed… His voice trailed off as he finished.

As you wish, the captain replied, acknowledging the order with a nod before hurrying out of the room.

Who is behind this? He paced back and forth, rubbing his chin as he racked his brain. He couldn’t think of any obvious enemies. The merchants in Pax Grati had been difficult to negotiate with in recent months, but certainly, none of their differences added up to an attempt on his life. And what of the blue light?

The dogs were silent. The thick patter of rainfall filled the background, loud enough to wash out the sound of intruders going down the hall just outside his chamber. The thought made his heart start racing. Perhaps it was time to return to Gradur Castle? There were worse things than living in his older brother’s shadow—like death.

Rays of another blue flash passed through the tiny cracks between the window shutters. His hands started to shake. What manner of sorcery had the night brought to his doorstep?

He heard footsteps bounding down the hall. 

This time the door swung open without warning.

Lord Flek raised his hands instinctively, thinking the worst. Perhaps ghosts from the underworld had come to remove him from this world.

But it was again Captain Seri.

His forehead dripped blood from a jagged-looking cut. He looked around the room until he caught sight of Lord Flek.

What’s happening? What’s out there?

My lord, Captain Seri was breathing heavily, and his eyes continued to wander around the room, It’s not safe here. We have to move you, he said and motioned toward the door.

I demand to know what is going on. What’s out there, Captain? 

Captain Seri took several steps toward him.

They’re all dead. The guards, the dogs, the archers, everyone is dead!

A dizziness came over Lord Flek, and he struggled to keep his feet. Was this going to be it? He reached out to Captain Seri, who closed the distance and caught him before he could fall to the floor.

There’s no time. We need to move. Captain Seri was already dragging him toward the door.

The dizziness subsided, and Lord Flek found his feet again. Soon both men were moving quickly from the room and down the hall. They hit the back staircase at a run, and Captain Seri almost lost his footing as his wet boots met the freshly shined stairs. 

Where are we going? 

I’ll secure you in the safe room and attempt to divert the intruder as best I can, my lord, Captain Seri said.

Lord Flek didn’t like the look on Seri’s face. It was the face of a man who knew he would die tonight. Did you get a look at the intruders? How many of them do you figure there are?

One.

"One? Impossible. Due to one intruder, we have more than twenty dead guards and a pack of dead dogs?" 

A wizard.

The safe room was a secret. Only he and Captain Seri knew of its existence in Flek Manor. Its door was only accessible through a false wall in the wine cellar. He felt safe once Captain Seri had secured him inside and replaced the false wall in front of the solid iron door. 

He had always been wary of wizards. He and his older brother had countless arguments on how to ensure that a powerful wizard wouldn’t usurp the throne and take the kingdom for themselves. Was this a defection? Or a foreign wizard from lands unknown? His brother, for whatever reason, had unwavering confidence in the wizards of Havenglade.

He thought about his wife and children away in Greyglade, feeding poor peasants from a surplus of grain granted from Gradur Castle. He was thankful they weren’t here now. They were safe, or at least he hoped they were.

But then his heart plummeted as Captain Seri’s tortured scream rang through the iron door, a blood-curdling sound that ended unnaturally. And now I’m alone with the wizard.

He could hear someone loudly descending the staircase. He knew then there would be no escape. This wizard was no amateur. This was a wizard of great skill and terrible power. Lord Flek tip-toed to the back of the room, careful not to make the slightest sound.

Everything went silent. Lord Flek held his breath until he could not any longer. He silently let the air escape his lungs and took a deep, slow breath. 

Nothing happened. 

Was the wizard just part of some nightmare brought on by the storm? Or was he fooled by the apparent dead-end of the wine cellar? Lord Flek began to think he might have a chance. The wizard would assume he’d been tricked, and the lord was already on a horse making his getaway. He waited for the sound of running feet bounding up the stairs…but they didn’t come.

A blue light crept through the seams of the iron door. 

And then a booming cackle echoed through the night.

The wizard had found his man.

An explosion knocked Lord Flek from his feet, and his ears rang as tremendous dizziness overcame him. The door had been blasted open by some dreadful magic. He stared through the breach, and a figure filled the opening.

I surrender, Lord Flek cried out, raising his hands and bowing his head submissively.

The figure stepped into the room. As his vision returned, he looked at the wizard from bottom to top. 

He wore light armor over his boots and legs, his upper body protected by a silver chainmail, and a dark cape covering the shoulders. A short grey beard and mustache flowed underneath soul-piercing dark eyes and long jet-black hair.

You shall have whatever you like. As you know, I’m very wealthy and—

I didn’t come for riches, the dark wizard said. His grin widened as he stared at the groveling man. I came to cleanse this world of your line, the wizard said, breaking into another deep and uncontrolled cackle.

A million thoughts raced through Lord Flek’s mind. He tried frantically to think of a way out of this. Why? I can make you rich beyond your wildest dreams. Would you choose to have a mark on your head? I am the Duke of the western territory, Lord Flek said as he pushed up against the wall, leaning against it to help him rise to his feet.

The wizard raised his right hand and removed a black glove; a glowing blue flame encircled his hand.

Lord Flek stumbled away until his back bumped against a shelf, knocking jars of unknown liquids to the ground, where they shattered around his feet. But there was nowhere left to run.

The wizard crept forward, one methodical step after another, until he was face to face with his prey. 

Lord Flek felt the wizard’s warm, wet breath. 

Fear had taken complete control, but he made a last effort at defiance.

King Duenoro will find you. And when he does, the council of wizards will destroy you. And somewhere, Maker willing, I will have the last laugh, Lord Flek said as he stared back blankly at the wizard.

The wizard’s eyebrows furrowed, and the muscles in his neck tightened as he let out an enraged grunt and grabbed the duke with his gloved hand. He lifted Lord Flek from the ground and held the fiery hand inches from his face.

Tell the Maker to make room for your brother!

The blue flame shot out from his hand, blasting Lord Flek.

He thought of his dear wife and two young children as a sinister cackle marked the last sound he ever heard as it echoed through the night.

Chapter 1

The woman sat right behind Laurena but spoke like she was a million miles away.

Losing your mother is never easy, especially for a girl of … thirteen. What a shame, the woman said with a grimace. She placed a tender hand on her shoulder. Time heals all wounds.

The coachman nodded in silent agreement.

Laurena didn’t want to think about it, but how could she avoid it? She turned away from the woman and the coachman and hid her face in her hands.

The road was bumpy, and it felt like the old wooden coach would fall apart at any moment.

That would be the highlight of the day, Laurena thought. The three of us stranded on some old, scary road.

But they continued on. Laurena’s head throbbed with pain and ached with each rock struck by the rickety wooden wheels.

A thick light-colored cloth covered the coach, blocking the wind. Some flaps could be tied open to act as windows. She untied one, opened the flap, and tied it at the top. Light flooded in, and the passing trees left shadowy patterns on the opposite side of the coach. She sat in front of the opening and gazed out at the terrain. She focused on the distant mountains with their snow-capped peaks.

I’d like to see a nice snowfall someday. I might have to live closer to those mountains, though. Maybe that’s where we’re going. They could at least tell me if Torba is near the mountains. I guess it doesn’t matter.

The woman touched Laurena’s shoulder again and whispered, Would you like to eat something? You must be hungry. When did you last eat?

Laurena sat up and rested her shoulders against the back of her seat.

If I eat now, I might get sick; the road’s too bumpy, she said, trying to keep her eyes on the distant mountain range. She noticed her hands shaking and pulled her sleeves down to hide them.

She stole a glance back at the woman, who smiled at her too emphatically. Laurena wondered how she felt being tasked with escorting a strange child across the countryside.

Let me know if you change your mind, and I’ll dig out some dried fruits and bread for you, the woman said.

Laurena smiled back at her. Thanks, ma’am.

She stayed quiet for a long time, trying not to think about anything, but it was useless. Her mind kept returning to three days earlier when her mother had attempted to kill her.

Why do you want to do this so late? the old wizard asked, scratching his head.

Laurena’s mother was looking in the opposite direction but turned to face him.

I was holding off on letting her bond with the crystal because I was afraid, her mother said. You know most of us don’t understand magical things as well as you wizards do. I thought about it and didn’t want to hold her back anymore. Her father recently passed on.

Her face was paler than usual, and as she pursed her lips together, she continued, Her father was magically inclined, albeit not enough to learn wizardly things. He could read emotions so, so clearly. She stopped and momentarily turned her gaze into the shadows of the night before returning her attention to the old wizard again.

Laurena thought they must have stood outside the crystal bonding chamber for a long time, or maybe it felt longer because several mosquitos had already bitten her. But she waited for her mother without complaint.

Travild, you’ve been a family friend for years. This can’t wait until tomorrow; I might have a change of heart. It needs to be tonight. Her voice rose as she finished.

Travild paused, and he crunched his thick eyebrows together so that they appeared as a single furry unibrow. He finally spoke up. If I do this, I could be banished. Do you know how serious that is?

She answered, We’ll be fast, don’t worry. No one has been banished from this Maker-forsaken land for years. You should be so lucky.

Laurena had heard Havenglade had several beautiful cities, but living in the countryside, you often heard the adults complain about the kingdom.

Her mother turned toward her. Come on, dear, come inside. It won’t be long now.

The wizard sighed and shook his head. Everyone says they want her to begin the training, and this is the first step. Just be quick and quiet in there. I’ve written the instructions for you. I’m much too old to come into close contact with the crystals for any amount of time. So do it by yourselves or don’t do it at all.

Laurena’s mother thanked him and passed him a small jug she had carried over her shoulder. This is the last mead I’ll make before the changing of the seasons. I want you to have it.

He slowly reached for it but hesitated before finally accepting the gift.

At least take a drink. I’d like to know how it tastes.

As the old wizard smiled, his face grew warm; his cheeks flushed enough to be noticeable even in the evening twilight.

I’ve never been one to turn down good mead. Let’s have a taste, shall we? He uncorked the jug, raised it to his mouth, and took a few deep gulps. Yep, my lady, this is good stuff. I guess I’ll be resigned to enjoying this while I wait for you to finish inside.

Laurena’s mother turned to her and motioned for her to follow.

Laurena’s hands were sweaty, and her stomach felt uncomfortable. She wanted to run off into the night but didn’t know why.

Why is she acting like this? She said she doesn’t like magic, and now, suddenly, she wants me to bond with a crystal. Something’s wrong; I can feel it. I wish my father were here.

Mother, I don’t want to do it. I’m scared.

That should test her. She knows I want to become an enchantress and learn about magic.

Her mother bent down to eye level with her daughter. My darling, you have nothing to be afraid of. I’ll take care of you. And with that, she resumed speaking with the ancient-looking wizard, who produced a key from his robe.

He walked toward the large gate and spoke words Laurena couldn’t understand. He bowed his head and then inserted the key. It turned with a high-pitched metallic click. The gate slowly opened. Light from inside the cave-like structure began to brighten, seeming to beckon their entry. This was what Laurena wanted, but why had her mother had this change of heart?

She thought back to her mother’s behavior after her father’s funeral. It had only been a few hours ago.

Her mother had sobbed as they returned home and seemed bothered that Laurena remained silent.

Laurena didn’t cry, but she felt empty inside. Her father was a good man; he might not have had money or been an important person in the kingdom, but he was honest. He had made his living by making and selling hunting knives, arrow quivers, and bags for meat-packing, and he instructed field-dressing various animals. He’d had some magical essence inside but had never been offered a chance to bond with the crystals. By contrast, Laurena was offered the test in her early childhood, and several locals speculated she would become a powerful woman. Her father had supported this but wanted her mother’s approval, which she always denied.

---

It wasn’t until a few hours ago when her mother had