Alder

By Derek Dyer

Small and surrounded on all sides is a country named Gyges. Magic is known by everyone, but the title of mage is only given to those who have a slight mastery of the arts. Alder is a young man who has always been second best to a girl known as “the prodigy,” who Just so happens to be his teacher. Here, we follow them on a magic-filled adventure as they try to reach for their own personal heights while trying not to be consumed on the path to power. Though in the kingdom of Gyges, dark clouds loom in the distance. Hopefully, Alder has what it takes to overcome any obstacles that come his way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796053807

Derek Dyer

About the Author Derek Dyer entered the literary world just like many others out there, with his parents reading to him before sleep. While Derek grew up, he was naturally attracted to fantastical stories, adventures, and exploring nature. This led to an overactive imagination. From there, Derek began to write short stories that, for the benefit of the public, should never be revealed. During high school, Derek was able to write out his thoughts clear enough to show others. Thanks to encouraging teachers, family, and friends, Derek never gave up the desire to share the worlds he created, thus leading to the decision of publishing Alder, the first of many to come.

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Copyright © 2019 by Derek Dyer.

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.

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.

Cover by Maria Coger

Rev. date: 08/19/2019

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CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Epilogue

To my family, friends, and random

encounters with fascinating people. Without

these precious connections allowing me to

grow, I would have never been able to put

words to paper in a story-like fashion.

PROLOGUE

B ravery, compassion, courage, knowledge, and strength are just some of the ingredients needed for the use of magic. Magic is said to be the basis of life. Life is the gift given to us by our parents and their parents before them. So if you cherish the life you are given and grateful for how you came to be, then you can truly master magic. Remember this, Alder, if you are to truly learn. This was the first real lesson Alder’s teacher ever taught him. He believed it to be the only thing he would never fo rget.

As he stood before the task that he had taken on, these were the only words that ran through his mind. Well, that and the smell of manure burning its way into his brain.

Oi, Older. Would ya hurry up already? This shit ain’t gonna move itself now, is it?

Oh uh, sorry, sir! I’ll have this finished as soon as possible, sir! responded the young man with black midlength hair. His features more sharp than hard, he had a stubble beard that looked more or less like a five-o-clock shadow. He wore a tan jacket over a charcoal T-shirt and ashen pants that had seen better days.

Good. It’s about time ya finished up. At this rate, I’ll have to hire someone else to plant the seeds! Alder shoved his shovel deep into the muck that had become his task at hand. While doing so, he constantly reminded himself, This is for my future! This is a learning experience! This will make me better with my magic!

The kind gentleman who kept giving Alder manly words of encouragement was a local farmer who asked for help every year. Even though he called Alder as Older, Alder respected him as he was an elder. He was a tall man but round enough to make him appear shorter than he really was, with short curly brown hair and weathered features. One could tell he spent most of his time outside.

By the way, Older, why don’t you just use yer magic to move that shit? Everyone else that comes by does it. I understand yer doin’ this for free, but you’d be done a lot faster if ya used yer magic.

I agree, sir, but my teacher says that I shouldn’t rely on my magic for things that can be done by hand. If I’m not strong enough to do it by hand, then I’m not worthy to use my magic on it.

Oh, I see. That’s some teacher ya have. Can’t say I fully agree with it. I like my work done fast and easy, he finished his statement, and Alder looked up to see his grin as he sat back to watch Alder work some more.

Yeah, he mused to himself. I can see that.

Karma struck immediately for his well-placed thought. Some of the manure splattered as they hit the ground, making contact with his face just below the nose but just right above his upper lip. The nose hairs that had been there before were now singed.

Alder could feel his eye twitch as the muck moved slowly down his face.

The air around him had grown quiet. The hairs on his arms and head stood on end. Blue lights started flickering around his body as if jumping from one spot to the other. A crackling sound like that of a fire started around him.

I am pissed—pissed for doing stupid work that I didn’t have to do, pissed that I was still doing it, and pissed because there was shit on my face, Alder thought, getting fed up.

Oi, ya all right there, Older? Ya want me to get ya a tow— he moved too fast to hear the rest of his words, ripping through the wind with the shovel in hand. Moving as fast as he could, Alder spread the rest of the manure.

In an instant, the field was done, and Alder had returned to where the farmer stood. As he stopped, the air that followed him pushed the farmer a couple steps back, but Alder didn’t notice or care. He raised his arm and slammed the shovel into the ground so it would stand on its own. Releasing the handle from his grasp, he also released the breath that he had been holding.

IT’S FINISHED! Alder barked with a wild look in his eye and an almost psychotic grin on his mouth.

The awestruck farmer looked around with his hand rubbing the back of his head. He brought his gaze back to Alder, jaw slightly slack.

Well … uhh … okay. Thank you, I guess?

Alder replied with an ecstatic You’re welcome! while he rubbed his arm across his face to get the manure that had gotten there.

CHAPTER 1

W indows were closed to leave the chill of the wind outside. It was a two-story house, old and made of oak. The walls were lightly decorated with tapestries that depicted people picking apples from a tree or a lone man trudging his way through a forest. The outside gave it a modest look. A porch crept its way around the front but no further. Three wooden rocking chairs and a stool gave the porch its life.

In the dimly lit room, three adults consulted each other over the future of the young man named Alder. They sat around a small wooden table with faces deeply locked in thought. The smell of coffee and spice hung around the room. Each member of this crew took turns sipping their beverages.

A man with a gruff voice spoke. I think it’s about time we told him … The other two looked up from their drinks and nodded.

The man wasn’t very big, but his arms were that of a hard worker. He had black smooth hair pulled back into a ponytail. His facial features were hard, and his neatly trimmed beard complemented that. With his arms folded, he let out a deep sigh waiting for a reply.

Upon hearing the troubled sigh, the lady closest to him spoke. But, dear, we can’t force so much responsibility on him all at once. He is still so young and doesn’t know the way the world works yet. The lady who had her hands clasped around her cup not only had a soft voice but also soft features. Her deep brunet hair wrapped its way over her shoulder.

Finally, the last of the table’s inhabitants spoke. If I’ve taught Aldy anything, it’s how to survive on his own! I understand your worries as parents, but I believe he’s ready for this, she said with a vibrant smile. She had stormy gray eyes that saw everything. They went perfectly with her sandy blond hair that even when in a ponytail cascaded down her shoulders and back. Her face beamed with energy as she nodded in agreement to her own statement.

If you really believe so, then we have no reason to hold back, the man said with an eager smile.

Elea, if you would, could you stay and help us tell Alder? said the mother of the boy in question.

Of course! I was going to ask to stay anyway, Elea said after downing what was left in her cup. Then she raised it and asked for more.

*

Alder was slowly walking home when the chill ran up his spine.

The wind caressed the trees ever so lightly as Alder skimmed the area. The thick forest that connected his house to the farm had a very thin trail, almost overgrown in many places. The trunks of the trees seemed to act as a fence between the trail and the darkness that the forest concealed.

Using his peripherals, Alder watched his sides, and he continued forward with caution.

Man, I bet she’s at the house again, the mooch. Alder started his usual chats with himself on the way home. Maybe she’ll finally show me something new today—if she’s learned anything else. Alder chuckled to himself while thinking of his partly incompetent teacher.

The way things are now, she’s more of a tutor than a teacher. A sly grin grew on his face as he put that thought in his arsenal for later.

The grass rustled to the side of him, and immediately, the air turned dry as a crackling sound surrounded him. He moved toward the grass deliberately and tranquilly. His eyes scanned the area for more movement.

The grass parted as a rabbit making a mad dash passed Alder.

Alder smirked and said, Dinner!

The rabbit was almost to the other side of the path when it was cut off by the figure it was trying to elude.

Don’t worry, Mr. Rabbit, I’ll cook you up with lots of vegetables.

The rabbit had nowhere to go.

Back on its haunches, it prepared to bolt in any direction, but the pursuer anticipated this. Right as the rabbit’s muscles spurred into action, sending it forward with a jolt, it was met with a wall that immediately wrapped its way around its neck.

Alder stood from a crouch, with his hand gripped around the rabbit’s throat.

Just you wait, little buddy. My family is gonna be happy to see you!

Alder looked at the pouch he carried on his waist.

I think I’ll just skin you at home. For now, wait in here. Alder then proceeded to stuff his prisoner into the pouch.

After securing his treat for the night, Alder continued on his way. The path started to widen as he neared his destination—a house in the middle of the woods.

The trees huddled around the house, acting as a natural barrier, even though its smoking chimney poised as a beacon for anyone to see while also complimenting the romantic nature of the house. Wood piles were lined on one side and a clothesline with clothes fluttering in the breeze on the other.

Alder stopped for a second to take in the sight of his abode.

After all these years, he still couldn’t shake the feeling of content he got when seeing it. Letting out a nice long sigh and taking in a new breath filled with tree sap and burning wood, Alder pressed forward to the front steps of the porch.

Knocking his boots off over the edge, he reached out for a stool on the porch. Sitting on the stool, Alder took off his crap-covered boots and tossed them to the side with a disgusted look on his face.

You know, when you make a face like that, you come off as a tad bit more attractive.

Alder sat up quick and gave the owner of the voice a mean glare.

Though there really isn’t much that can be done for a face like that, anyway.

Turning his glare into a smug grin, Alder replied, I thought you would be here when I got home. It’s not like you’re ever at your own home anyway.

Alder watched for a reaction out of the corner of his eye. He was disappointed when all he found was the sandy blond-haired woman just smiling at him.

She was wearing her usual clothes—an ashen gray jacket that went over a white long-sleeve shirt, with olive green pants meant for a man and black leather boots to top it all off.

She noticed him looking her over and decided it was time to interrogate him.

So, Alder, you’re back pretty early. You didn’t use magic to do that miniscule job, did you?

Her eyes peering into him, Alder felt his pulse heighten. Looking over to where his boots were, he searched drastically to find any means to use as an excuse.

Nothing.

The sweat started as his right hand went instinctively to the back of his head, trying to rub an idea into it.

Well, you see, by the time I had arrived at the farm, the farmer had already started without me. So with what was left, it barely took me anytime at all to finish. Alder looked over to Elea with his most convincing smile, hoping she would believe his pathetic attempt at a lie.

She looked at Alder with the same smile as before and said, Impressive! I’m surprised that after spreading all that manure around, there was still enough to bring home to spout here. She looked him in the eyes. If you didn’t catch that, I’m calling you on your shit excuse.

The sweat became profuse at this point.

But seeming as I’m in a good mood today, I’ll punish you another time. With this, she moved to head back inside.

Alder felt the blood drain from his body. He knew it would only be a matter of time before she came at him with a verbal or physical attack, both were equally painful and always unexpected.

Looking up at the sandy hair and seeing it cascading down her back, it reminded Alder that she may be known as his teacher, but she was only about a year and a half older than him.

The reason she had come to be known as Alder’s teacher was simple—she was a child prodigy, better than anyone in the surrounding villages. She was put into a self-study at a very young age.

Not too long after Alder heard about her, he sought her out, not to learn but to beat this so-called prodigy.

Alder got his ass handed to him mainly because she had already mastered all kinds of elemental magic. Alder, on the other hand, had only learned how to use beginner lightning magic.

In the end, he only had the balls to face her once. After losing so bad, he went home hoping to never see her again. Sadly for Alder, the next day, she found him, asking if he wanted to play again. Still looking at her now, all he can think is, The nerve of this girl.

As if sensing Alder’s reminiscing, Elea smiled softly to herself as she rested her hand on the doorknob, listening for Alder to stand up and follow.

On cue, she heard the boards creak under each step as he approached. The smile faded as she remembered the task at hand. Eyes peering through the door, she turned the doorknob and stepped in.

*

Following the smell of coffee and spice that wafted to his nose, he moved inside behind Elea, carefully watching her back, with his senses on high alert. After being warned about being punished, he wanted to be ready for anything.

With all his focus on her, he had yet to notice the other two occupants in the room.

Welcome home, Alder. The voice came from the table in the center of the room. Alder had nearly gotten whiplash from looking so fast.

Hey, Mom, good to be home. You wouldn’t believe what I had to go through today, Alder said with a quick sigh of relief, only to have his tensions raised again when Elea gave him a look. She could be mean, but she wouldn’t tell his parents he was slacking off on anything.

Getting a real job would make days like that seem easy. The gruff voice came from the kitchen doorway. Alder looked to see his Dad coming into the room with a new pot of coffee. Alder forced a smile and agreed with his Dad because anything else would end in conflict.

Alder moved along the edge of the room, trying to make himself as small as possible on his way to the hallway. Past the hallway were the stairs. If he made it to his room, he could be spared from a lecture from his parents or Elea.

Just as