Enimnori: Discovery

By Jeff Webber

A man from the modern world, Scott Hathaway, an electronics engineer with a penchant for martial arts, has been transported to another world where magic is real. He becomes friends with his accidental summoner, Brandon, and Brandon's mentor, master magician Morgan. The two magicians become embroiled in a battle to protect their home. Scott, not wanting to see his new friends killed or enslaved, teaches them how to make gunpowder. Grateful, they organize an expedition to find more of the special crystals that enhance their power in an attempt to send him back to his own world and family. Now they must brave the dangers of an almost unknown wilderness and face whatever they find at the end of their journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9781684983056

Book preview

ENIMNORI

Discovery

ENIMNORI SERIES—BOOK 2

Jeff Webber

Copyright © 2022 Jeff Webber

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2022

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, etc. are products of imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to places or people living or dead is purely coincidental.

ISBN 978-1-68498-304-9 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68498-305-6 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars… I think Enimnori: Arrival can be enjoyed by everyone who likes complex and intricate stories that are also easy to follow and understand.—OnlineBookClub.org

…a suspenseful adventure with the main characters Scott Hathaway, and Brandon,—whose magic and skills bring them to the battlefield determining the best course of action…—Diane Calabrese MS, CTRS-professor/author of Mind, Body, Spirit and Discovering the Purpose of Life

…I was sort of reminded of Yankee in King Arthur’s Court with this one in a way as it was really fun to see Scott use his modern knowledge to influence the battles of a Medieval-type society.  It was fun going the other way, too, and exploring Webber’s world of magic and sorcerers’ battles!…—DiabolicShrimp.com

I dedicate this book in loving memory of my mother, Carolyn Perkins Webber, whose kind words of enthusiasm and encouragement helped me on this journey. Also, I would like to thank my family and friends for considerable encouragement and valuable feedback, most especially my daughter, Lily Webber, for her help in creating and editing it.

The story up to now:

A man from the modern world, Scott Hathaway, an electronics engineer with a penchant for martial arts and medieval reenactments, gets accidentally transported to another world where magic is real. In the course of learning their language and customs, he becomes friends with his accidental summoner, a powerful but very young magician named Brandon and his teacher, master magician Morgan. The two magicians become embroiled in a battle to protect their home from an ambitious baron who was planning an attack with overwhelming force. Scott, not wanting to see his new friends killed or enslaved, teaches them how to make gunpowder and the weapons that use it, thus saving their home. Grateful, they organize an expedition to find more of the special crystals that enhance their power in an attempt to send him back to his own world and family.

Contents

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

Preview of Book 3, Enimnori: Challenge

Chapter 1

Geon Mason put on his cloak and checked both his weapon and scout gear before adjusting the goggles that would protect his eyes from the hellish glare of Outside on a bright day. He walked slowly up the ramp, past the massive door, and through the screen of bushes that concealed the entrance of Home. It still freaks me out out here, but this is so important. I can’t let one of those kill everything that moves jerks do this. He carefully scanned the horizon as he started his rounds. It always seems so quiet. Not like Home at all. Movement in the distance caught his eye, and he raised the distance viewer in time to see a large flier soaring on its leathery wings. According to the numbers displayed, it was about seven kloms away and moving about forty kloms per mark. He sighed. Even after centuries, it’s still pretty barren out here. About halfway through the lonely patrol, one of the six-foot-long lizards started toward him, its tongue flicking nervously in and out as it tried to decide if he was good to eat or not. He raised his weapon. Pressing the sighting stud, he centered the small spot of red light on the spot where the lizard’s heart would be. Fortunately, a slight rustling in the bushes caught the predator’s attention, and it lumbered off in search of smaller prey. Geon lowered the weapon with a sigh of relief. Even you deserve a chance. Go in peace. There was no other incident during the four-hour patrol, and after pressing the green OK button on his tocsin (always issued to those on patrol), Geon quite happily reentered the huge sloping passageway.

Anything new out there today? the young man currently on guard duty asked with a smile.

No, just one lizard that was almost too brave for its own good, he answered with a smile as he slid the tocsin into a slot on the wall. The large flashing green light went out, to be replaced by a much smaller red light. Geon looked at it in surprise and said, That’s a little odd, they usually aren’t that hungry after only four hours. I wonder if there’s something wrong with it? Getting a disinterested shrug in response, he then proceeded down the corridor leading to the nearest storage room, pausing at the door long enough for its unseen guardian to recognize his badge. The dusty spot above the door glowed a faint green, and he pushed the door open after hearing a faint click. Leaving the room after storing his gear and weapon, he thought he heard a faint buzzing sound from inside the wall. What? Is this another dying guardian? I hope not. That’s been happening far too often lately. As he turned down the short hallway leading to his temporary quarters, he glanced longingly at the longer corridor he would be taking in another few days. This IS important, but I miss being home. Entering his room, he removed his heavy cloak and exchanged the heavy boots for his lighter inside shoes before heading down another hallway to the dining area. The evening meal today was a rich meat broth laden with hearty vegetables, and a large chunk of fresh bread accompanied by a brimming mug of very good beer. This may be a lonely, boring job; but the food is great!

Later, as he settled in for the evening, he spared a moment’s pity for the first scouts. I can’t imagine having to walk a patrol in that heavy antipoison armor. True, they were supposed to have some kind of carriage that moved by itself, although how could that be possible without the rail system?

The next day, the corridor seemed a little dimmer than usual, although not as bad as it had been the last time he was here. Geon just walked a little more carefully on his way to the exit.

Hey, Geon, don’t forget to keep your eyes open for that ‘special scout.’ He’s due back any day now. The entrance guard today was Ernest Chemiston, one of Geon’s oldest friends. They always tried and usually managed to be assigned entrance duty at the same time.

Yeah, I remember. Hey, what’s up with that guy anyway? he asked while pulling a tocsin from its slot. Noting the green light, he tucked it carefully into an inside pocket. I was on duty a couple of years ago when he went out with three horses carrying large sacks, and now this is the second time since that he’s gone out alone. What kind of scout always goes out alone for a long time like he does…and how come we never see any reports or new maps or anything?

Ernest glanced around and said quietly. Well, the rumor is that Franz Serif is trying to set up some kind of alliance with someone on the Outside, and this guy is his messenger. He lowered his voice even further. If you remember, Martin had a few things to say about Franz and his ‘We should rule the world’ crowd at the last meeting. He chuckled and poked his friend in the ribs. Or did you sleep through that part?

I wasn’t sleeping! It had been a very busy day, and my eyes were tired. Give it a rest, will you!

Alright, alright, I’m sorry. Don’t be so touchy. He raised his voice. Have a safe patrol.

Thanks. Geon continued up the ramp. This time the scout he was relieving was still waiting at the entrance, looking nervously out through the bushes. Be extra careful today. There must be a storm brewing or something. The animals are really twitchy! With a last glance, he trudged down the ramp and out of sight.

Thus warned, Geon was on his guard, and he quickly noticed the enormous lizard that had apparently marked him as dinner. As before, the red spot of light centered on the creature’s body, but this time the creature charged. As it drew closer, he pulled the trigger, and the beast staggered a few more steps before collapsing with a smoking hole in its chest. Geon sighed. Sorry, brother lizard. At least your death was quick and merciful. He moved on. I’m glad these weapons are silent. He was almost done with his patrol when he spotted a dusty figure approaching on a very tired-looking horse. In accordance with standing orders, he pressed the yellow Alert button on his tocsin and concealed himself while carefully scanning the area for others. Not finding any, he waited patiently for the figure to come closer, and as soon as it was clear that it was heading for the entrance, Geon rose from cover and called out, Please halt and identify yourself.

The man wearily raised his hand to display a scout badge with the red trim that indicated special duty. Scout Jorgen Hallson returning from a special mission.

Geon stepped aside and saluted. The man smiled slightly and returned the salute. The two of them fell in step as Geon escorted the visitor to the entrance. He accompanied the visitor to the guard (as required by regulations) and stated evenly, Scout Mason, escorting Scout Hallson returning on special mission status.

The man presented his badge again, whereupon a small light on the guard station turned a welcoming green. Ernest stood and, carefully saluting, said, Welcome back, Scout Hallson. I trust your mission was a success? He raised his eyebrows hopefully, but the only response he got was a polite nod and a tired smile as the man continued on.

Ernest took his seat, muttering something under his breath, of which Geon only caught the words tight lipped. Geon hid a smile as he slid the tocsin into its slot, pressed the Reset button, and waited for the large flashing yellow light to go out before retrieving it and turning away to finish his interrupted patrol.

Finally, it was time for Ernest and Geon to return to Home. Packing the few things they had brought for their two week duty, they walked the half klom to the transport room. After storing their bags and climbing aboard the carriage, Ernest said slowly and distinctly, Two…returning to Home. They both presented their badges to the eye in front of the vehicle, and, after a brief pause, it began moving along the rail into the long tunnel toward Home. The journey took about ten minutes, much of it in total darkness as the majority of the light panels here had either died or been salvaged for usage elsewhere. The two of them retrieved their bags and hurried up the ramp to the main corridor.

After greeting their friends and unpacking, the two young men went through the serving line in the great hall for the evening meal. Geon stretched and spared a glance at the twelve-foot vaulted ceiling with its subtle shading of different colors. It always seems so spacious in here.

One of the servers caught and held Geon’s eye while saying quietly, Eat hearty. You wouldn’t want to waste a full plate of good vegetables. Glancing at the plate, he said casually, Are you sure eight carrots is enough?

Geon smiled. I’m sure I’ll have everything I need.

The server nodded. Well, we’ll see, I guess. Have a good meal, and don’t forget to turn in your dishes. I don’t want to have to clean up after you.

The two found seats in a quiet corner. After a leisurely dinner, Ernest stretched and, yawning hugely, said I’m for bed. It’s been a long day. The two rose and left quietly. Several hallways down from the great hall, they ducked into a little-used side corridor after carefully checking that they were alone. A short way down, they met several others. The group proceeded carefully until coming to a rusty, seemingly unused hatchway. Entering and continuing along shortly brought them to yet another rusty door, whose cracked surface seemed to clearly indicate not only long disuse but a dead guardian as well. They paused, and soon the door opened. The group entered, and seated themselves among the large group of people already there.

A short while later, a figure rose to its feet and stepped to the front of the room. A respectful silence fell as he began to speak. Good evening. Most of you know me, but for the benefit of our newest members—nodding at a young man and woman sitting in the second row, he smiled—my name is Martin Dener, and we—a sweep of his arm included everyone in the room—are the Preservers. Since the war, we have preserved as much as we could of our history, our science, and our culture in the hope of being able to share this with our brethren outside when the time’s right. His gaze swept the room. I am going to go into more detail than is usual for a welcome meeting. Many of you have already heard part of the story, but some may not know all of it. I believe that the time for which we have been waiting is growing near, and it is more important than ever that all of us understand so we may stand together. He took a small sip of water. Over a thousand years ago, a group of people had a dream. They had just concluded a terrible war and dreamed of living in peace and harmony. They lived on other worlds circling other suns a very long way from here. The man was a gifted orator, and he spoke with such passion that his listeners felt themselves transported to another time and place. Even those who knew the story were once again spellbound.

He spoke of a large group of people from different backgrounds, different professions, and even differing ways of life, all bound together by a common purpose. How they searched until one day a survey report of a new and unusual world gave them a direction. The new planet was rich in raw materials and teeming with life, yet due to a strange space-time anomaly, it would take significantly longer than usual for a starship to reach, making it unattractive to the great trading companies. At first it had seemed that the dream would only be realized by a select few. The first thing standing in their way was the lack of enough starship hulls to transport more than a few thousand at best out of a group numbering almost a million. Then…the inspiration! One of the group was a visionary who conceived a mad scheme to convert an entire asteroid (owned by several members who were space miners) into a giant transport ship. It still would have been impossible except that others of the group owned a salvage business and could supply a vast array of parts and material—everything from life support and weapons to hydroponics and furniture. One thing the society had plenty of was labor, including many highly skilled craftsmen, and progress from then on was slow but sure! While hundreds of miners bored immense caverns in the rock, first dozens then hundreds, and finally thousands of engineers, electricians, and builders constructed a fully self-contained city, built and installed the great engines, and helped gather the supplies they would need. The project took more than twenty years to complete, but finally the day came when the Society of Peace, now numbering over 1.5 million, launched the largest and most unusual ship ever constructed on its epic fifteen-year journey to their new home.

His listeners could feel the trepidation and boredom of