The Jade Sorcerer: Illusion

By Scott Mason

Amun of the Nartil must find out how Ba'al became so powerful and end his tyranny. Else, he and his people will be doomed to live as slaves forever. Can Amun do it? Join Amun on his adventure across mystical lands and witness the ultimate battle between good and evil.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469158754

Scott Mason

Scott Mason has 35 years of experience in television, and since 2007 he has been WRAL’s “Tar Heel Traveler,” a segment in which Mason takes viewers around the state to meet the locals, sample the fare, and explore North Carolina’s fascinating history and culture. His more than 100 journalism awards include 14 regional Emmys and three National Edward R. Murrow awards, one of broadcasting’s highest honors. He has twice been named North Carolina Television Reporter of the Year. His books include Tar Heel Traveler Eats: Food Journeys Across North Carolina and Tar Heel Traveler: Journeys Across North Carolina, a new edition of which will be issued in May 2019.

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Copyright © 2012 by Scott Mason.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2012901607

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4691-5874-7

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4691-5873-0

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4691-5875-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

INTRODUCTION

10 000 BCE

It was dawn. The sun rose in the west bringing light to the small village of Nartil. The people of the Nartil woke each morning with the sun to get an early start on their day. They were a simple people, living in small huts made from stone and mud. Their clothes were woven from the hairs of animals they caught and killed for food. Warm fur clothing was essential for the Nartillians, because even though their village was based in the middle of a vast desert, the night temperatures were brutally cold and could freeze a man to death. They had knowledge of fire for warmth, and cooking their food, but wood was scarce in the desert making the task of keeping a fire alight, difficult.

The Nartillians had a rough life. Their only source of water was a lake near the village that had been polluted by the construction of the palace fortress on the other side so many years ago. Several generations ago, a man named Ba’al came to their world and declared himself their god. At first, no one took him seriously, but after a massive display of his power, the village leaders were killed, and Ba’al’s army swooped in and suppressed the village. Today that fear of him remains, especially since Ba’al has not aged a day over the years and his power still holds strong. The Nartillians were forced to build his palace and were left with nothing. Now each day they are forced to mine the quarry nearby for ore to build weapons for Ba’al’s soldiers, such as metal tipped arrows, swords, shields, and spears.

A boy by the name of Amun stayed at home and helped his mother clean and do chores around their home. Amun didn’t know exactly why he didn’t work in the mines with the rest of the men, he was certainly able bodied. Perhaps his mother didn’t think so.

Amun along with his mother, sister, father, and cousin, who they had taken in when his parents died, lived together in their small village. Amun accepted his life until one tragic day.

His father had an accident in the mines. He was seriously injured and ended up passing away days later. Before he did however, he spoke to his son.

Amun, he said, Never accept something without questioning it first.

Those were the last words Amun’s father spoke to Amun and they stirred him. Was his father talking about Ba’al?

For the years following Amun questioned Ba’al and his motives as often as he could. His mother would always step in to prevent Ba’al’s soldiers from finding out and would tell him.

It’s better to live under his rule then not at all. Amun didn’t agree.

Unlike every other day, as the Nartillians got up and went to the quarry to work, one man did not. Amun, was now a young well-built man at about twenty-four years of age with short scruffy brown hair and distinctive green eyes, and was ready to set off on a journey. He sought the truth, He did not believe Ba’al was truly a god, and Amun wished to know where