Awakening: The Frozen Flame, #0

By Paul J Bennett

The path to one's destiny is never easy!

Athgar and Natalia are destined to become great mages, yet everyone has to start somewhere. In this prequel to Ashes, the first book in The Frozen Flame series, discover who they were before magic chose them.

 

The Awakening:

For Stanislav, it's a mage hunter's dream, an easy job on the edge of town.

 

At first glance, Natalia is nothing more than a peasant child, though word of her magical powers has come to light.

 

Now all he needs to do is confirm the rumours, grab the girl, and hand her off.

 

What could go wrong?

Into the Fire:

All Athgar needs to do is make the kill!

 

To his people, tradition is everything, but to him, it feels like a prison. Every day is the same, until the Orcs arrive, offering him a way out.

 

Now he must make a choice, follow in his father's footsteps, or forge his own path.

 

Pick up your copy of The Frozen Flame Prequel today to learn the origins of these powerful mages!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul J Bennett
• Release date: Oct 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781989315392

Book preview

The Awakening / Into The Fire

THE AWAKENING / INTO THE FIRE

THE FROZEN FLAME: PREQUELS

PAUL J BENNETT

Map of Merceria

CONTENTS

The Awakening

1. The Farm

2. The Stream

3. The Volstrum

4. The Mage Hunter

5. Induction

Into The Fire

1. The Visitors

2. The Rival

3. Return of the Visitors

4. The Hunt

5. Triumphant Return

Ashes: Chapter One

Also by Paul J Bennett

About the Author

THE AWAKENING

THE FARM

Autumn 1084 SR*

(*Saints Reckoning)

---

The wind rushed over the trees, blowing leaves into the air, swirling them around in small whirlwinds. As it died down, the leaves floated to the earth below, landing in an open field where men worked, cutting down the wheat with their scythes, sweating profusely in the afternoon sun.

To the west lay a small cluster of huts, home to the peasants that worked the field, their endless chores keeping them busy from dawn till dusk. The women cooked, cleaned and made repairs to their hovels, for the landowner, Baron Rozinsky, was notoriously cheap. The ramshackle huts would do little to stave off the cold once winter again made its appearance.

Outside one such hut sat a young girl, barely three years of age, watching as her mother dipped yet another shirt into the bucket, scrubbing it with stones to try, rather ineffectually, to wash away the dirt. The woman pulled the shirt from the water, holding it up the sun to see the threadbare condition, then turned, making her way to the trees to hang it to dry from the branches, along with the others, few as they were.

The little girl rose, toddled over to the bucket and peered within. The water was dirty, but she dipped her hands in, mimicking her mother's actions and pretending to scrub an article of clothing.

The mother, returning from her task, shooed the little girl away, then bent back to her washing, dunking in the next shirt. Her hands suddenly stopped, and she pulled them out of the now frigid water. Looking into the bucket, she noticed small particles of ice floating on the surface, though they were quickly melting in the morning sun.

THE STREAM

Spring 1091 SR

---

She ran ahead, the other children straining to catch up. Looking behind her, she could see little Tereshkova running for all she was worth, but Natalia, at ten, was the oldest of the group and always had to be first into the small village.

They crossed the newly planted fields, rushing to the edge of the forest. It was only a short trip through the woods, and then they would be at the outskirts of Karslev, the mighty city said to be the largest in the kingdom.

While Natalia waited for Tereshkova to catch up, the other children surged past.

Wait, the ten-year-old called out as she grabbed her friend's hand, running as fast as she could, pulling the youngster behind her.

The other children had already arrived at the stream and were now threading their way through the bubbling water. Natalia spotted Feodor, who had just reached the other bank, putting his boots back on. Natalia halted by the stream and sat, pulling off her own footwear.

Hurry up, called out Feodor, you’re so slow.

Just a moment, she said, as she struggled with her shoes. Finally, after tugging the last lace loose, she stood, grasping them in both hands. Taking a moment to prepare herself before entering the water chilled by the winter runoff, she looked across the stream to see the others who had already crossed shivering from their efforts. The stream, unaware of its temperature, bubbled past them, intent only on reaching the far shores of the great Northern Sea.

Come on, she said to Tereshkova, it’s time to get our feet wet.

When the younger girl hesitated, Natalia went first, touching the water lightly with her toes to test the temperature. The water under her foot went smooth, its surface taking on a glass-like finish. Natalia looked down in confusion, withdrawing her foot, and the stream simply returned to its natural state.

What happened? asked Feodor.

I have no idea, Natalia replied.

Do it again, he prompted.

She reached forward with her toe once more, only to see the water smooth out as soon as she made contact. Withdrawing it, she knelt by the edge of the stream, lowering her face to look at it in more detail.

What did you do? asked the boy.

Nothing, she responded innocently. All I did was touch it.

The other children moved closer to the edge of the stream straining to get a good vantage point. Natalia leaned forward, this time touching the running water with her finger. Lo and behold the water smoothed once again, sending a murmur of excitement through the group.

How did she do that? asked Tereshkova.

She’s a witch! said Dmitri, one of the two older boys.

No, argued his brother, Feodor, she’s a freak!

I’m not a freak, defended Natalia. Don't call me that!

I can call you whatever I want to, Feodor defended. My father is the foreman. If I say you’re a freak, then you’re a freak!

Natalia sat back, a sudden feeling of dread washing over her. Was it true? Was she some sort of freak of nature?

Go home, freak! shouted Dmitri, joining in his brother's taunting.

Even Tereshkova backed away from Natalia, a look of fear showing on her young face. I want to go home, the younger girl said, her voice quivering.

Dmitri splashed across the stream, heedless of the water that seeped into his boots. Come on, he said, grabbing the younger girl's hand, let’s get you away from her.

Dmitri! yelled Natalia. It’s just me. I’m not some kind of monster.

The