Making of a Goddess: Epic Adventures—Book 2

By John Ricks

Samantha Altera Woodcutter is just one of hundreds journeying to Farnorth, a walled city they hope will protect them from an evil dragon that is burning farmlands and murdering the innocent. When she runs into trouble with mercenaries along the way, Samantha slays a dragon as revenge for killing her family. Her unforgiving journey has just begun.

Samantha, a half-demon, half-dragon with powerful blue eyes, doesn’t care if her battle with the evil dragon destroys everyone and everything around her. She is the most important person to the dragons in the universe. After she settles in Farnorth to begin anew, the queen requests to meet her, setting into motion an extraordinary chain of events. As Samantha’s path crosses with that of several characters including a mercenary captain, an army general, and the queen’s wizard, she precariously balances between good and evil as both sides battle for supremacy and their gods do everything in their power to have her. But as war rages around her, Samantha is about to make a shocking discovery that changes everything.

In this continuing fantasy tale, a beautiful half-demon, half-dragon sets out on a quest to avenge the death of her family where she quickly realizes that nothing is as it seems.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jul 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781532076619

John Ricks

John Ricks was born in Longview Washington and moved thirteen times before he finished middle school. After graduating high school he joined the Navy where he spent twenty more years traveling the world meeting new and astonishing people. His degrees, extensive reading, and travel have helped him see all life in a wonderfully different way. He developed a great sense of fantasy and loves to tell tall stories.

Book preview

Copyright © 2019 John Ricks.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.iuniverse.com

1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-5320-7660-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-7661-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019909248

iUniverse rev. date:   07/19/2019

CONTENTS

Goddess

Part 1    the temple of magicum

Prologue

Chapter 1    Revenge

Chapter 2    A Home at Last

Chapter 3    The Tower

Chapter 4    Correcting an Old Issue

Chapter 5    University of Magicum

Chapter 6    Dragon Pepper

Chapter 7    Never Anger a God

Chapter 8    Trap Level

Chapter 9    University Politics

Chapter 10    Godhood

Chapter 11    Sharing

Post Log

Part 2    Wars

Prologue

Chapter 1    Dinner and Dragons

Chapter 2    Half the Battle

Chapter 3    Magical Support and Protection

Chapter 4    Horde War and Traitors

Chapter 5    Attack on Landtrap

Chapter 6    The Queen’s Anger

Chapter 7    Back to the War

Chapter 8    Taking the Fight to the Enemy

Chapter 9    Another War

Post Log

To the enjoyment of writing. To looking up from the keyboard at three in the morning and wondering why it’s dark outside. To sitting down, starting from nothing, and creating your own passion.

This book was not written to have just one antagonist throughout the entire book, like most books; that is not life as I know it. No, life is a series of challenges, issues, enjoyments, and pains. This book is about Samantha and her life, and she has many challenges and many antagonists.

GODDESS

Map of the First Continent and Landtrap

Making%20of%20a%20Goddess%20Map%20for%20page%20vii-edited.jpg

PART

1

THE TEMPLE OF MAGICUM

PROLOGUE

I paused, looking out onto the farm that was nestled back into the forest, neatly hidden away. All that was left was smoke and a tiny stovepipe sticking up through a small rock chimney. The plowed ground was dark and burnt, and the strongest smells in the air were death and dragon. The charred remains of several bodies were visible—a man, a woman, and three tiny children. They were executed as if the one doing the deed had been set on tormenting its victims.

I pulled the hood of my long dark cloak tighter around my head and walked deliberately through the forest until I came out upon the northern cobblestone road to Farnorth. I turned north and joined the throng of people fleeing to the city for protection. Burning the farmlands was just the beginning. They would not find protection in the city of Farnorth. They would not find protection anywhere in the country of Landtrap.

CHAPTER 1

REVENGE

On the road to Farnorth, there were hundreds of people walking, riding, and in wagons. All were trying to keep pace with the rest, and all were working their way toward the city and the hoped-for protection that the walls provided. It was almost funny. What protection will walls be against a dragon? Everyone knows it’s a dragon that is burning the farmlands. They have seen it burn theirs or their neighbors’ homes and lands. Even the caravan that I walked out and almost into knows. Thousands of acres destroyed in many separate places means only two things: war or dragons.

A particularly large and wide wagon was directly behind me, and I was slowing it down. I could not get off to the side, as we were moving through a small section of the pass. The road was thin, the wagon took up most of the road, and there were mercenaries and guards riding back and forth trying to keep the caravan moving. Besides, I wasn’t paying attention anyway. I was reading a particularly good book. With all these people moving in the same direction, you didn’t need to watch very closely. Just move along with the rest.

Hey, you! Get out of the way!

I looked up and then back. Two horses were nearly breathing on my back. I started to move to the right, but several guards picked that time to ride by. I tried the left, and mercenaries were riding by on that side. One mercenary yelled, Just run the runt over.

I flew up and kicked that mercenary hard in the face and out of his saddle and then flew over the wagon’s horses and sat down next to the driver. I went back to reading and paid no attention to the jeers and jokes that mercenary was receiving for having a child kick him off his horse. The driver started to say something but thought better of it when he realized that to fly like that, I had to be an experienced magic user and therefore dangerous. Besides, I was out of the way and not likely to get into trouble again if I was riding.

The captain of the mercenary troop rode up. You, in the robe!

The driver saw I was paying no attention and nudged me.

I looked over at him. Yes, sir?

He motioned for me to look to my right, so I turned around. There was a mercenary captain riding next to us and looking at me. He rode an impressive black warhorse, and his steel-plate armor shone brightly in the evening sun. I marked my place in the book and put it down. May I help you, sir?

The captain was all business. You, a tiny little kid, knocked down one of my men?

Your man suggested that this nice wagon driver should kill me.

The captain said, That part was not mentioned. You are hitching a ride on one of my employer’s wagons.

It seemed the best way to rectify the issue until we leave this passageway and there is more walking room on the sides of the road.

Very well. If you do not remove yourself from the wagon after the passage is over, then I will remove you.

I looked at him hard. My cloak was still pulled forward, covering my face, so it was difficult for him to see what I looked like. Captain, I will remember to remove myself, but think on what you just said and consider that a sorceress may not like being threatened. I picked up my book and started reading again.

The captain did not like being dismissed in such a way, but the driver said, Captain, I am authorizing this person to stay with me all the way into the city. If Master Ortherntus has a problem with that, then he can take it up with me.

I looked up and said, Why, thank you, sir. That is exceptionally kind.

The wagon driver said, Don’t thank me, my lady. If you’re a sorceress, then you will protect yourself from the dragon. As you are riding my wagon, I am hoping you will protect us as well.

I smiled and tilted my face so the smile showed in my eyes. Your wagon will not come to harm as long as I am riding. Then I turned back to my book. I wasn’t really reading as much as I was watching. Seeing all the devastation the red dragon had created led me to believe that this dragon had been terrorizing the land for a long time or it was an elder dragon. One could not tell from the stories that the farmers and outer villagers were telling. Stories raged throughout the ranks and ranged from It was so immense it blocked out the sun to It blocked out the entire sky. When people are scared witless, their eyes and ears play tricks and add to the fear.

When I was very young, I used to think there were monsters under my bed. I was in total fear. Father and Mother tried to comfort me and tell me that there were no monsters under my bed. My brother told me they couldn’t be under my bed, as he kept them out in the shed. Still, I swore I heard them nearly every night and even saw them on several occasions. We found out later they were real, but they were tiny and not harmful. My imagination made them much bigger and deadly.

However, I knew the size of this monster. I had known it since the day he flew over my home and destroyed my house and killed my family. To him and the flock of dragons that followed him around, we were just an after-dinner snack, following their gorging at the war fields between Ginham and Kayland. When I found his cave, I thought I had found him. He had not been there for weeks, but he had guards. Two eye sundries—evil, smelly little floating eyeballs on ten-foot-long tentacles that fire intense light that burns through your skin if you’re not quick enough to dodge it. I killed both and searched for clues. The tracks told me that a man had visited and the dragon flew off with him. I cleaned out his treasure, every last copper, and waited for him to return. I waited a month, and he did not return. I tracked his devastation to this small country at the top of Ginham on the Horde border.

We were out of the pass now, and the guards came by saying, Keep an eye out. Keep watch.

I could see the city from there. It was a long way off, but the spires of the castle and one taller, dark tower stood out in the distance. This large valley would have been lovely and green if not for the fires and overwhelming smell of burning vegetation. The driver said, The master cannot push the horses any farther tonight. We’ll camp here—no lights, no fires. It’s cold food tonight.

I marked my spot and then closed the book and placed it in my haversack. I looked around as if it was the first time. The dragon will not be around tonight.

The driver looked shocked. How can you know this?

I looked out across the valley. New fires were everywhere. He was here today and will need to rest.

The driver passed that to the guards, and they told Master Ortherntus. It wasn’t long before a little fat man with black beard and bald head made his way to our wagon. You! You’re telling people that the great red will be sleeping tonight?

I did, sir.

And you know this for a fact? No you don’t. Keep your mouth shut. I am having a hard enough time trying to get the caravan organized without input from fools like you. His face turned dark, and he looked like he did not trust me. Why are you so covered? It was a nice day. There is no reason to be so covered. Guards!

I looked directly at him and asked, What are you afraid of? I am causing no trouble.

Several guards rode up, and Master Ortherntus smiled for the first time. I like to know who is traveling with me. I will see your face. Remove your hood.

No.

A guard started toward me, and instantly a ball of light crackling with lightning stood in my hands. The guard backed up.

Master Ortherntus ordered, If that creature does not show its face this minute, then kill it.

Swords were drawn and bows mocked. More guards started showing up, and the driver was getting anxious. I could smell his fear. The mercenaries started showing up, and the captain said, What is this! People are supposed to be getting into a circle and setting up for the night. They are not supposed to be holding up the entire road.

Master Ortherntus said, I want to know who I am traveling with. I want to see its face.

The captain said, "She is a girl, and I would bet that she does not like being called an it. The captain turned to me and asked, Why do you not wish to show your face, child?"

My face gets me into trouble.

Why?

I said sadly, That is my business, and I wish to keep it to myself.

The captain gently said, Like Master Ortherntus, I do not like traveling with someone whom I cannot see or do not know enough about. Please show your face.

I turned to the driver. Thank you for allowing me to travel with you; however, Master Ortherntus and this captain insist that I leave. Therefore, I will not be able to protect your wagon. My apologies.

Master Ortherntus said, It matters not if you stay or leave. I will not have an unknown at my back. I will see your face and know who you are.

I let the glow in my hand disperse. I created an illusion of my staff. An illusion has no powers, as it’s an illusion, but it glows, sputters with lightning all around, and has the wickedest-looking, fire-engulfed red crystal ball on the top. I pull out the real one only during extreme battle. I turned toward him and floated in the air so that I was directly in front of him and said, Is it so important to you, Master Ortherntus, that you and all your guards would be willing to die to see my face? I assure you that I can and will protect myself.

The captain slowly drew his sword and asked, Is not showing your face worth killing all the guards, mercenaries, and Master Ortherntus?

I thought for a moment and said, No, it is not. Then again, neither is staying around here. I teleported to the front of the caravan and started walking. It had been nice riding for a while. When I was clear of the circle the caravan was making, with a quick hand movement and a few choice words of power, I made my own place to stay, called a protection hut, and walked in. I was getting much better at making the hut-like shelter. The hut is always magically made of materials close at hand. This one was made of rock with a stone door. There was a fire in the fireplace and food on the table. The bed was stone, but it had a stack of freshly brushed bear pelts for cushion and comfort. All in all, it was a nice place to stay for the night. I could hear the mercenary captain outside, and he was not happy.

The captain said, I know she is in there. Leave her alone, but set a watch. I don’t want her coming out before morning.

As if they could keep me in if I wanted to leave. Fools! They should have known better. I couldn’t have cared less. I ate dinner, magically removed the leftovers, and went to bed.

I awoke an hour before sunup. I needed to prepare for battle, and that meant preparing spells. Normally, I didn’t have to prepare, but today I would need some fast spells, and I couldn’t create them on the fly. Fast spells are created ahead of time and leave the last word hanging, to be said at the time of need. However, you need to be careful and not say the final word accidentally at the wrong time. When you’re a master mage, it takes even longer because you know so many spells to use that it’s difficult to pick them out ahead of time. In addition, there are other particulars to take into consideration—shaping, lengthening, and stuffing to name a few. Being a sorceress makes it impossible to do fast spells, spells that take almost no time, but my ancestry gives me the supernatural ability. I only have to take time to think it out first and ensure none of the other planned spells have that final word in them. After preparing, I left the hut.

The guard said, Good morning, my lady. Have a nice sleep?

I answered, Yes, thank you. I hope your night was good.

The first half was. I had the Lady Watch for the last two hours.

Tell the captain that I said thank you for the protection, but I did not really need it. I can easily protect myself. I raised a hand and said a word, and the hut disappeared. I started walking toward the city, and the guard ran to the captain to report.

It wasn’t long before the captain rode up. Hello, little lady. I see you have decided to come out of hiding but are still wearing the cloak.

I said, Captain, I am not anywhere near your caravan. Why are you hounding me?

Curiosity.

People die of curiosity, Captain. That is not a good trait.

Curiosity has gotten me through life so far. You will be walking toward the city for most of the day. You could be riding.

I looked up at the captain riding his big warhorse and said, I am not wanted near the caravan. I do not go where I am not wanted.

My wizard has heard about the spell you used to make that hut last night. It is beyond him to do such a spell.

I chuckled. Then I truly hope you are not planning to use him to tackle the dragon. If he can’t do a simple Protective Hut, then he is no match for an ancient red dragon.

My thoughts exactly. We were told it was a young adult dragon.

I nearly choked on that bit of information. Someone lied to you, Captain. I would have his hide on a pole. If you prepared for a young adult, then you are way underprepared.

The captain laughed. Going by the looks of the devastation, I would have to agree. You do not seem to be worried.

I smiled. I am not worried. If the dragon is foolish enough to attack me, then it will die.

The captain let his horse slow, and I walked past. He continued to watch me for some time, allowing the caravan to catch up with him, and I listened and watched him magically. Master Ortherntus met up with him and asked, Learn anything?

The captain said, That child is more than she looks. I found out this much. She is not afraid of the dragon, but the dragon should be afraid of her. In her voice, I heard a near challenge when we talked about the dragon. It was as if she welcomes it. The problem is I don’t think she cares if a battle between her and the dragon destroys everyone and everything around her.

Master Ortherntus said, You think I should order the wagons to stay behind her?

It matters not. A fight between those two will destroy leagues of land. We are too slow to pull ahead that far, and she is too slow to allow us to create a gap that large. Our best hope is that the dragon does not show up two days in a row or that she meets him out in the fields.

And if that does not happen?

The captain earnestly answered, Run for your life.

Can’t we talk her into being a little friendlier toward us?

After your threats last night? The captain turned to give orders to his men while thinking, Fool!

When the road widened at the bottom turn, one wagon turned out and sped up, passing all the others. Master Ortherntus yelled out for the driver to stop, but the driver sent him a dirty look and continued. He pulled up next to me and asked, Want a ride, my lady?

I looked up and smiled. Sure. I floated up and sat on the seat next to him. Thank you.

He smiled. No thanks necessary. I’m still hopping for that protection.

I laughed. You shall have it.

We drove on for some time. The caravan pulled up directly behind us. Master Ortherntus took the time to apologize to me and try to make me more aware of the need to protect his goods.

My lady, I am sorry about last night. It’s just that I am very nervous about getting this order to the queen safely. The city needs this food badly, and I am trying my best to ensure that they get all they need. This may be the last caravan through here for months. Many will starve if we do not make it intact.

I turned to him in such a way that he could see part of my face and said, I know.

His eyes widened, and he quickly sped his horse back to his caravan. The captain, who I was still magically watching, came up to him. Find out anything?

I think I know why she is hiding.

Do tell.

She is the most beautiful female I have ever seen. I think she is a princess or something. She is wearing a diadem. And …

The captain took this in. And?

Master Ortherntus looked at the captain. "Power. I felt such power in her eyes. Both eyes glowed blue. They glowed!"

The captain laughed. Don’t worry, my friend. I have seen that before. Higher-level magi use that spell to permanently see magic. She seems prepared for something. I hope it’s to fight.

It was near high noon when things became interesting. Over the city was a dark speck, and from it came fire. The dragon was there. It started a pass over the road and used its breath up the line of the road until it came to my wagon. Its breath did nothing to the driver or the wagon, though he cringed and tried to drive out of the way. I was free to act.

I could see that the dragon was looking back, and he appeared to be upset that his breath did nothing to the