Skullforge: The Destined One (Chapter 3)

By James Garvin

After the E'al'mar ends with an amazing display by Desi, her aunt, Dinah is feeling uneasy about the outcome. Is this a rift between them that can't be repaired? With her success, her mother is able to strike a deal for Desi to have a chance to learn a new skill that will change her life forever. We view her life through the eyes of a mysterious stranger who provides insight into the world, the people, and the events that lead to her birth and the tragic events to come. This prequel to the upcoming video game Skullforge: The Hunt will span ten chapters and take readers through a gripping tale that is sure to be engaging.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Garvin
• Release date: May 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005671037

James Garvin

James Garvin was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He has always been an avid reader and creator of strange stories since his youth. After moving to Texas, he got into playing AD&D and creating worlds and characters for his players to enjoy. His goal was to write fiction and make video games. The first story, Blood City Chronicles: The Black Petal, was well received by readers and is a good stepping stone into the character driven worlds he creates. His first game, Skullforge: The Hunt, will be released in 2015.

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Skullforge: The Destined One (Chapter 3)

by

James Garvin

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

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Skullforge: The Destined One (Chapter 3)

Copyright © 2022 by James Garvin & OMC

All rights reserved.

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Skullforge: The Destined One (Chapter 3)

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3. New Skills

Magic is dangerous and scary.  When I tried to learn it, I spent many days frustrated as manipulating it is counterintuitive.  The days and nights I spent in that hellhole trying to gain a skill I didn't know if I needed was worth it, though I wouldn't have said that at the time.  My choice to gain this skill came at great cost.  One that I would pay for forever.

– Desi Conerstone from The Annals of Lyra

Hello again, Lyra.  It's hard to believe that it's been two months since our last session.  I know that HE wants me to do this, but I have so many other obligations.  I'll just have to discuss my current situation with him and hope he understands the situation I'm in.  How's Desi?  As well as to be expected.  Her thirst for revenge has perhaps clouded her judgment.  She believes that killing those who have done wrong will somehow make everything better.  You and I both know that revenge solves nothing.  It's a death spiral that leads to Hell.  It will take more convincing to get her to see reason.  As I've said many times, she's a lot like my sons, yet even more focused on justice.

Oh well, we can only do what we can do, right?

Anyway, please provide me with a mug of that excellent ale and I will continue the story.  Ahhh.  Thanks.  That really hits the spot!

So where was I?  Oh, that's right, the end of E’al'mar.

The days after the event were festive.  Party after party and lots of attention was given to Desi and her performance.  Desi, being the loner she was, didn't appreciate the attention she was getting and made a point to escape whenever possible.  This led to a lot of scoldings from her mother and sometimes Drach as well.  It was paramount to the organization that appearances be kept.  Jiana understood this as well as Drach, however, Desi was not interested in the attention she was getting and was not interested in joining The Mavers, either.  Among the high-ranking guild members, it was all but official that Desi would be joining them and changing their minds would be difficult at best.  Having such a strong fighter amongst their rank would strengthen their already fierce name and it was clear that a K'le'Maver who passed the ritual would automatically grant them a lot of prestige.

There was one thing they were uncertain of and that related to Desi's ban from the Westmorland court.