Monger: Ice, Wood and Nightmares: Early Earth/Monger

By Lee Bell

Book Three of the Early Earth/Monger Series continues the muscular, northern barbarian's search for his kidnapped little sister and only living relative, Binny.

 

Ian Pike Hammer offers three more action/adventure, sword-swinging, swashbuckling tales of epic fantasy and wonder in the stories, "Mons Glacies Magus- (The Mountain of the Ice Mage)", "The Troll of Darkwoods", and the fantastic "The Dream Stalker".

 

The master yarnspinner Eovaldar guides you through a harrowing encounter with the evil wizard Hronix atop and inside the pass at Bortzabor as Monger seeks to cross the top of the mountain before a huge blizzard hits. He must get from Khambatta to Mesin Tora before winter sets in, 'else he will be stranded on the north side and have to winter it out, losing precious time; a commodity he has very little of. This journey will tax him to the very edge of survival, but survive he must to find and rescue his sister in: "The Mountain of the Ice Mage."

 

In "The Troll of Darkwoods", Monger confronts a troll with a powerful majik, so much so, that he controls the Darkwoods and EVERYTHING in it with absolute authority. Bromlug the troll isn't merely in the woods, he IS the woods! With a spell he can turn Monger into wood.

 

The fighter has a deadly supernatural encounter with a soul-snatching being known as the Dream Stalker in the third story of the book and takes a trip to "the other side", a place of mist and darkness... and the evil entities that dwell there in, "The Dream Stalker."

 

Let Ian Pike Hammer take your mind for a ride.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lee Bell
• Release date: May 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201739324

Lee Bell

Lee A. Bell was born and raised in Iowa, United States of America in 1954. He attended Ottumwa High School and graduated in 1972. He is currently widowed. He has been a member of the FourSquare Church in Fairfield, Iowa, and more recently The Word of Life Church, in Garden City, Ks, and has been a Christian for nearly 40 years.

Book preview

"Monger:

Ice, Wood, and Nightmares"

Book Three of the Early Earth/Monger Series

By IAN PIKE HAMMER

COPYRIGHT © 2022,  L. A. Bell

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reprinted, reproduced, distributed, or

used in whole or in part, in any form or format without the written permission of the author.

Protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America and other nations worldwide.

The literary name Monger and the character of Monger the Barbarian are copyrighted and the exclusive property of their owner. Any illegal use of, sharing, or distribution of it shall be considered a copyright infringement, which is punishable by the laws of the United States of America and other nations worldwide.

Cover: Original artwork by Andrija Dreznjak

Cover concepts by L. A. Bell and Andrija Dreznjak

Early Earth scroll and text created and illustrated by L. A. Bell

All maps designed, created, and illustrated by L. A. Bell

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

MONS GLACIES MAGUS,

(THE MOUNTAIN OF THE ICE MAGE)

CHAPTER ONE: THE CORNERS OF THE EARTH MEET

CHAPTER TWO: THE PASS AT BORTZABOR

CHAPTER THREE: THE FROZEN DEAD AND THE ICE WIZARD

CHAPTER FOUR: EOVALDAR LIVES

CHAPTER FIVE: DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN

THE TROLL OF DARKWOODS

A DREAM STALKER

OTHER BOOKS BY IAN PIKE HAMMER

MONS GLACIES MAGUS:

CHAPTER ONE: THE CORNERS OF THE EARTH MEET

CHAPTER TWO: THE PASS AT BORTZABOR

CHAPTER THREE: THE ICE MAGE

CHAPTER FOUR: EOVALDAR LIVES

CHAPTER FIVE: DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN

THE TROLL OF DARKWOODS

A DREAM STALKER

MONS GLACIES MAGUS

(THE MOUNTAIN OF THE ICE MAGE)

BY IAN PIKE HAMMER

––––––––

PROLOGUE: Many years have now passed as the barbarian Monger continues to search the ends of Early Earth for his kidnapped little sister, Binny. Thus he found himself back in the northlands, in Khambatta, on its southern border at the foot of the Purzen Mountains, just outside a small town called Bortzabor. These mountains were not among the tallest in Early Earth, but certainly among the most rugged, steep, and difficult; dividing Khambatta to the north and Mesmin Tora to the south.

It could be that Binny had been moved or resold since her initial kidnapping by slave traders and brought here. Why not? She was nowhere else in Early Earth to be found. Nowhere.

CHAPTER ONE: THE CORNERS OF THE EARTH MEET

The outlander warrior halted at the cross-road to Bortzabor, now just to his right, having spotted another traveler coming slowly toward him from the opposite direction. He was some mile away, just a dark spot on the overwhelming white blanket of thick snow that covered everything in sight. Monger had inquired of ten thousand people, to no avail. Perhaps this fellow had news of his sister, somehow. He would have words with this man, and so, stood waiting.

The barbarian squinted his eyes, not quite sure if they were giving him accurate information about the approaching stranger. The chap trudged through the snow which covered the ground ten inches deep until they were face to face. Both wore thick coats of animal fur; the wild man’s of bear  skin and hide. Both walked in fur boots up to their knees, tied with strong leather straps in criss-cross patterns. The fighter had never seen a person from the Orient, which lies a thousand leagues to the east, on the other side of the world. These were the fabled unknown lands of mystery.

The two looked at each other in silence until the barbarian spoke in the common tongue, You're a funny-looking little man. What's wrong with your eyes? The other pulled off his thick, fur gloves, reached for them, then began touching them all over.

Are they bleeding? Damn glare snow! Upon finding nothing wrong, he replied, What do you mean stranger?

They're all... stretched thin across. Do they hurt?

No, they don't... hey! Why don’t you stop to think about your talk before you open your mouth? You are all muscle with nothing between your ears, ‘else you would not insult the greatest swordsman in all of the Orient. Why do you insult me, wild man? With that, he withdrew his short, curved sword and twirled it about, showing off his skills, which were considerable.

Impressive! the northerner said. But you are no longer in, where?

The Orient, and there we do not speak to others in the manner in which you have spoken to me.

Really? We talk this way all the time in mine. And besides, you insulted me in return.

I most certainly did not!

You most certainly did!

What did I say? he asked, looking up at the warrior in front of him and begging to be proven wrong.

You called me a brainless, muscle-bound idiot.

I did not say that! Monger raised a blond eyebrow as if to remind the other man. Realizing he had indeed insulted the stranger and it was a breach of his honor (such as it was), he conceded the point, albeit without grace, At least not in those same words anyway.

The small man got a puzzled look on his face, thought about all the two had said, then replied, Well, OK then. They stared at each other for a few seconds until the Asian man sheathed his sword, stuck out his hand, and said, I'm Zhang, I can now share your hand.

You mean shake my hand? Monger asked, chuckling.

Why would I shake your hand, is it asleep? With a slight side-to-side movement of his head, the burly one conceded, I like you, where is your home?

Far away to the east, beyond the mountains at the edge of the world. It is called China.

Then you are a long, long way from home. Why did you leave? The shorter man looked down at his feet, a sure sign a lie was forthcoming, I got tired of it, life was boring there. He continued, I'm a free spirit and can not be contained in just one land. I must roam the earth in search of adventure! Monger slowly grinned as he perceived the truth, You got kicked out! he said snickering, told to leave and never return! Zhang was not surprised nor ashamed. He was not a good liar though he was a good swindler.

Something like that, he admitted with a sheepish grin. He continued, To the west of my country there are mountains which are impassable. For ten thousand miles they stretch to the very ends of Early Earth, past the sea and beyond. We call them the barrier mountains. No one has journeyed over them and lived to return. It’s said they are so tall they touch the bottom of the sky and so long they divide the world in two.

The barbarian, with a straight face, nodded, acknowledging the words spoken to him.

"How did you get past them? he inquired. A pinched brow showed the fellow to be deep in thought. Obviously... the gods flew me over them and these mountains you see behind me also. They... put me down just a kilometer or so back and now here I am. He quickly added, I’m surprised you did not see them! Is it your eyes that are wrong? A huge grin showed past Monger’s young, white teeth through his cold, blue lips as he exclaimed, Well then if you have the favor of the gods, you may bring me good fortune! Where are you going? A nod of his head indicated Bortzabor. Then west, he added, Wherever the wind blows me."

Or the gods carry you! We shall share the road if it's alright with you, the uncivilized man offered, sticking out a huge, gloved paw.

I should be honored! came the reply.

No, the honor is mine, he countered with a bow and low sweep of his hand.

And so a new friendship was born in the frigid snow of the north that day. Though it seemed pointless, he inquired as to whether or not the other had seen his sister, pulling off his hood of bear, showing his locks of long, blonde hair. Zhang countered, You are a strange looking man yourself if I dare say so! Somewhat... ugly! Monger chuckled aloud and the two proceeded toward the small town together. They were a contrast in the human body: one large, muscular and wide, the other of a much smaller frame, thin and wiry. Eager to hear more of the tall tale his new friend was spouting, the brutish man of the north asked, How many gods carried you over the mountain? Did you ask their names? What did they look like? In a flash came the vague answers, Just one, no, no names, indescribable to the eyes. With a chuckle, they trudged on.

THE AVALANCHE INN

The "Avalanche Inn'' was the main meeting place in town. Bortzabor and the nearby pass through the mountains; (over would be more accurate), took the same name. It was the last stop on the north side of the Purzen Mountains if one were inclined to take the pass to get to the south, which Monger was. There were, of course, others to take, but the closest one was a good hundred leagues away from the permafrost conditions they now found themselves in.

Two huge fireplaces inside filled the wooden-log establishment with much-needed heat, as winter knocked at the door, but inside t’was warm and toasty. This was the local hangout for most of the entire town, children included. Two short, red-hot pokers were continuously left in the hearths, for to shove into a cold bowl of chicken broth, instantly heating it and providing a warm meal.

Monger had secured food and lodging there for both of them in exchange for providing bouncer duties to the owner. He was a man of slight build and, at first, welcomed the... help. Once there, they became the talk of the town and the life of the party.

Waitaminute, waitaminute! It was the lad Snip, once again hailing the storyteller and halting his progress. Silently, Eovaldar conceded.

Yes young man, may I help you?

You’ve overlooked a very important part of the tale. Now, just how old is Monger at this time?

Well, let’s see, the yarnspinner stalled, he was but a sprout of thirteen when his sister was taken, nearly six months to heal from the raid on his village, two years in the quarries of Stravida, searching for several years after... I reckon that puts him about twenty-one years of age. The boy nodded, temporarily satisfied. Will there be anything else? Just as he was ready to take up his story again, the lad answered, Yes. Folding his arms, he inquired, Well?

How old was Zhang? To the rest of the audience, this was irrelevant, but Eovaldar realized it was important to the older of the twin brothers.

I'm so very glad you asked, he said, putting on a happy face, Why, I believe the man from China was just slightly older than our outlander barbarian, maybe, oh, twenty-five perhaps! The same age as you will be when you finally stop interrupting me. The boy grinned from ear to ear, his curiosity satisfied... for the moment. Though his attempt at humor had passed over the lad's head, the rest of the audience caught it and laughed out loud. May I continue?

Oh yes please! And in an attempt to further validate himself added, And I’m so sorry for not including it, to begin with! Eovaldar turned his head toward the entire audience of about thirty and three and resumed.

A NEW GAME

The next day the smaller traveler revealed a new game to Bortzabor, which dazzled and befuddled all. He would place a very small, round rock under one of three hollow walnut shells, lined up in a straight line and only a short distance from each other, shuffle them around quickly without lifting them, and the victim would then try to predict which shell the pebble was under, for a wager. No price was too small.

OK, who’s next? the barbarian asked, as laughter echoed across the large room. He caught on rather quickly, for an uncivilized man. Zhang had claimed his first victim for a penny wager. Ale for everyone! the loser exclaimed, not a bit sorry he’d lost the coin to a magic hand. I’m buying! he proclaimed with a deep belly laugh. Hooray! the mob shouted, at the prospect of free beer. Singing erupted forth and dancing followed. Someone began to play the lute, while others pounded out a beat on the sturdy, wooden bar. Thank the gods for the newcomers! a toothless old lady proclaimed, as she guzzled down her half-pint, then bellied up to the bar for the free one.

I’ll try! the next fellow said, slapping down two coins. He was pretty sure he could follow the man’s hand movements and discern under which shell the rock was. How difficult could it be, after all?

The Chinaman slowly lifted the middle shell and placed the pebble under it. Where is it? he asked the man. Why, it’s there, he said, pointing to the correct shell. Yes, of course it is, you are absolutely correct, now watch closely! Zhang cautioned. The man bent down, his eyes practically on top of the shells. With speed, he moved and switched the three shells back and forth, left to right, first moving them atop, then below the others. Now where is it?

This one! he said, pointing to the one nearest him. Zhang lifted it high, revealing nothing ‘cept wooden bar underneath. Again, the crowd roared with laughter as did victim number two. What a grand time was being had by all! A third customer, a young lad, a stable boy by trade, announced that he knew the secret and plopped down four pennies, prompting Zhang to set it up. In a likewise manner, he lost his bet as well, which was his entire savings.

Impossible! some chuckled, I saw it moved there my own self! five others said, laughing heartily. Stand aside, stand aside, a hulking man named Atico demanded, as he pushed patrons out of the way. Let a real man show you how to win! He was the local bully and everyone here hoped he’d lose too. He was taller than Monger but had not the muscles of the savage. He dug deep in his leather coin pouch and produced two bits. Once again Zhang placed the rock in the middle, where he always started it from, then the shell atop it. Where is it?

Why, it’s in the middle.

Correct. He then proceeded to rearrange the shells, in no particular order. Upon stopping, he prompted the fellow to voice his opinion. The left! he said, I know for a fact it’s there. I seen it! If it was there at all, it wasn’t under that shell, as he lifted the covering off the chosen