Her Rightful Place: A Legends of Lasniniar Short: Legends of Lasniniar

By Jacquelyn Smith

Arinmalia holds herself above the rest of her Wild Elf tribemates. With good reason.

Few can match her fighting and tracking skills. She needs no friends to watch her back or distract her with their tiresome company. She prefers to walk the forest paths alone, with only her own thoughts as companions.

Arinmalia knows in her heart a great destiny awaits her. Something beyond the modest village life of her tribe. She dreams of finding it. She hungers to make her tribemates understand.

She needs them to acknowledge her rightful place.

A stand-alone story from the sprawling history of the elves in the World of Lasniniar epic fantasy series by award-winning author, Jacquelyn Smith.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WaywardScribe Press
• Release date: May 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781927723043

Jacquelyn Smith

Jacquelyn Smith writes both epic and intrigue-based fantasy, and mysteries that range from cozy to kick-ass, with independent, strong-willed heroes, in search of their place in the world. These heroes take the problems they face seriously (but never themselves), and are supported by unlikely friendships they forge along the way. Jacquelyn is the author of the World of Lasniniar epic fantasy series, the Fatal Empire fantasy intrigue series, the kick-ass Kira Brightwell mysteries, and the Mackenzie Quinn Canadian cozy mysteries. (She originally published several of the early Kira Brightwell titles under the pen name Kat Irwin, before killing Kat off to eliminate the many awkward questions about having a second identity.) When spending time in the real world, Jacquelyn lives on the suburban outskirts of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with her husband, Mark, and their feline owner, Xena, who is definitely a warrior princess. To learn more, visit: JacquelynSmithBooks.com

Book preview

Her Rightful Place

HER RIGHTFUL PLACE

A LEGENDS OF LASNINIAR SHORT

JACQUELYN SMITH

WAYWARDSCRIBE PRESS

Her Rightful Place: A Legends of Lasniniar Short

Copyright © 2023 Jacquelyn Smith

Published by WaywardScribe Press

First published in May, 2013 as Legends of Lasniniar: Her Rightful Place

Cover and layout copyright © Jacquelyn Smith

Cover design by Jacquelyn Smith/WaywardScribe Press

Cover art copyright © Franciscah/Dreamstime

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights reserved. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

CONTENTS

Her Rightful Place

Shipwrecked

A Note from Jacquelyn

About Jacquelyn Smith

HER RIGHTFUL PLACE

Arinmalia paced, the snow crunching beneath the soles of her leather boots. She did her best to ignore the curious gaze of the young elf who watched her.

This is ridiculous. I have better things to do than look after some snot-nosed brat—even if she is my cousin.

She considered the child that had been left in her care with narrowed eyes. Lodariel was young, but she already carried her spear with a measure of competence. Her fiery red hair, green eyes, dusky skin, and stubborn chin were not unlike Arinmalia’s own, which only served to irritate Arinmalia further.

She liked to think of herself as a unique creature among the Wild Elves. Lodariel’s resemblance to a younger version of herself tended to spoil that vision.

At least she isn’t a baby, but still!

Why saddle me with any of the younglings at all? Doesn’t anyone realize I’m above this sort of thing? It’s not as if I care about their stupid feast anyway.

And of all the children they could have left me with, why did it have to be her?

Lodariel remained silent for a few moments before speaking.

You don’t want to watch me, do you? she asked.

Arinmalia stopped her pacing to glare at her. No, I don’t.

Why not? Don’t you like me? Lodariel’s young voice took on an injured tone.

Arinmalia grunted. Not particularly.

Her words staggered Lodariel. But I’m your cousin!

It makes no difference to me. Do not take it personally. I don’t like anyone. Arinmalia shrugged.

"But why?"

Arinmalia flicked her braids over her shoulder in annoyance.

"It does not matter. You wouldn’t understand. No one ever does.