Pardon Starshield: Pardon Starshield, #1

By Charles Eugene Anderson

Pardon Starshield is a young woman with a dark past. She was once a Tracker of the Snowfort's Home Guard, but her lover has been killed, and she must find the murderers.

But the mountains around Snowfort are dangerous, and Pardon is not the only one looking for the killer. Pardon must use all of her skills and cunning to survive in the mountains and find the killer before it's too late. But even if she succeeds, she may not be able to escape the dark secrets that haunt their past.

Pardon Starshield is a fast-paced, action-packed fantasy novel with a strong female protagonist. It is sure to appeal to fans of Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, as well as anyone who loves a good adventure story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mad Cow Press
• Release date: May 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223459576

Charles Eugene Anderson

Charles Eugene Anderson lives in Colorado. Chuck is a former teacher. He now spends his time writing, hanging out with his pup, Champ, and learning how to bake. More about Chuck at http://charleseugeneanderson.com

Book preview

Pardon Starshield

Pardon Starshield

Charles Eugene Anderson

Mad Cow Press

Contents

Map

Snowfort

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Afterword

The Cast

Places

About Chuck

Mad Cow Press

Found a Typo

Copyright © 2023 by Mad Cow Press

Pardon Starshield is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events, places, incidents, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved.

For Denise E Dora

Thank You For Being A Friend!

Chapter One

It wouldn't take a palm reader to tell Pardon she was in for a pleasurable evening. A messenger had brought her a note with only one word written in a familiar hand. It said, 'Lovely.’ That's what her lover called her. She felt excitement when she opened the letter and broke his wax seal, knowing they would soon be together. 

Her mysterious lover had written to her, and she expected him tonight. Ralnor Trarie, a Queen’s Ranger, always called on her when his travels took him back to Snowfort. 

Pardon opened her wardrobe, still holding the letter. She remembered the last time she saw him. Ralnor Trarie knew how to speak gently, whisper sweet words in her ear, kiss her on her neck, and give her gentle bites before they made love.

That hadn't always been the case. Pardon Starshield's human husband had never treated her as well as her elven lover. 

She changed her mind. What she would wear for this evening would have to wait. A bath would be a better choice.

Water flowed from two brass seahorses into her copper tub. One for cold water, and the other brass sea creature brought hot water from the thermal springs below Snowfort. A jar of Salty Bower sat next to the tub, and she sprinkled a small scoop into the flowing water. She also added oil of the Yellowcress Flowers with the lavender, and appreciated the aroma. 

She hoped she had enough time to prepare for tonight, but Pardon wanted to ensure she washed off the day's dirt and smelled suitable for her lover.

The tracker closed her eyes and sighed deeply as she sank into the fragrant water. Her thoughts drifted to Ralnor, and she felt a delicious warmth spreading throughout her body. She couldn't wait to see him again. After soaking for a while, Pardon got out of the tub and wrapped herself in a soft, fluffy towel. She dried her hair and applied some lavender-scented lotion to her skin. Then she went to her wardrobe and picked out a simple yet elegant dress in a deep shade of green. As she was getting dressed, there was a knock at the door. Pardon's heart skipped a beat. She knew it was Ralnor, and hurried to finish dressing. 

It wasn't who she had expected when she opened the door. It was a Queen’s Ranger, but not