The Partegon Quest

By DL Jones

Clarebald is in the fight of his life to save his loved one

A magical fantasy adventure with creatures, danger and a little fun.

Clarebald considers himself the unofficial guardian of his hometown of Thaslatten. That self-proclaimed title was put to the test when Miretta, one of the towns elders and closest he has to a mother, was struck with a mysterious illness.

After a little research, he finds that her illness can be cured, but the item needed to make the cure is only found in one of the most dangerous area’s he has ever explored. An area occupied by bandits, killers with magical skills, and beast of the likes he’s never faced.

His betrothed, Sarah, agrees to help him on this journey. She has no combat skills, but has a magical ability that may prove useful.

Clarebald finds himself in a race for time... and in the fight of his life to get the item needed to help save his loved one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DL Jones
• Release date: Sep 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463706282

DL Jones

DL Jones is a Writer, IT Professional and Tech Enthusiast.Visit dljonesbooks.com for more info and to sign up for the newsletterDL Jones was born in Brooklyn NY, grew up in Newport News VA and has spent the last 8 years in Charlotte NC. He has served time in the US Army and works as an IT Professional. His first love has always been tech, well computers and the web specifically, which has led to a lot of writing. He has had several websites/blogs and podcast over the years.

Book preview

1

The Hunt

D on't make a sound, Clarebald said as he looked at his protégé.

Clarebald watched over the vast field, keeping a close eye on a pack of squizzards that were scavenging the scraps of a dead hound. He’d brought with him Rishan, another Partegon, as he was hoping to fill his basket with meat for Miretta's party.

Partegons are a race of people that live in Hyfold. The city of Thaslatten, to be exact. They are a strong, agile race that does rather well on an organized hunt.

The sky was dark, as the two had hunted well into the night. Darkness didn't stop them, as a Partegon's night sight aids them well.

Should I just use my bow? Rishan asked.

Not now, I will get the largest one with my spear. You can catch any that run off with arrows.

It looks like there are about six of those crasters. Lots of meat for the weekend's activities.

I know. That's why we have to be careful not to scare them away.

Clarebald crept along the grass, careful not to make too much noise as he moved. Rishan followed close behind. A squizzard lifted its head and looked in their direction. The lizard-like creature dripped blood from its sharp teeth as it chewed on the dead carcass. Clarebald and Rishan stood still. After a few moments, the creature went back to scavenging its find.

Clarebald stood slowly, making his way a little closer as he readied his spear. Rishan notched her bow. With a quick flick of his wrist, Clarebald let go of his spear, controlling its direction with his will. The spear flew around a tree and smacked the squizzard square. It fell. The other creatures ran off in different directions. Rishan quickly let off arrows from her bow, taking them down one by one. Clarebald lifted his hand and his spear, Light-Raven, removed itself from the dead squizzard and flew toward the last creature that was almost to the trees.

Thwack!

It struck the creature, ending it.

I think we got all of them! Rishan said.

I'm glad. We have been out here all day. Finally, we can go home. Sarah will be happy when she sees our catch.

I don't know about happy... she agreed to clean and butcher whatever we came back with. She will not expect six squizzards.

Clarebald and Rishan ran across the field to gather their kills. Clarebald could put four in his basket. while Rishan grabbed the other two.

Squizzard soup, fried squizzard tail on a stick, sliced and roasted squizzard loins. This will be some good eating, Rishan said.

Miretta will be surprised. I'll also make some of my famous pickleberry wine — that's if Elise gets back from Feltop's farm with the berries.

It was a short walk to where Rishan and Clarebald tied off the riding hounds.

Good thing I picked the two larger hounds. We sure have a lot more squizzards than I figured.

More than we need. It's only going to be five of us, so two squizzards would've been plenty.

Well, we have six. We can invite a few more folks to finish whatever we don't eat.

The two tied off the baskets of their kill to the back of their hounds, preparing for the journey back to Thaslatten. Rishan climbed on her hound, while Clarebald spent a few minutes more foraging for wild carrots.

You two have been busy, I see.

The voice startled Clarebald, as he thought the two of them were alone. He turned to see who’d spoken. There stood a man wearing old, worn armor. It looked like brass, and was beaten and rusted. Clarebald had seen armor like that worn before by unsavory types when he traveled to Thidora Castle. Usually bandits and killers, looking to steal or kidnap. He looked at Rishan, who stepped down from her hound. She pulled her bow from her back and nodded at Clarebald. He held his hand out in front of him, low, as if to tell Rishan to take it easy.

Good day, traveler, we are just finishing up a hunt. About to be on our way. The forest is yours, Clarebald said.

The forest... and those delicious treats you have in that basket.

As the bandit spoke, several more