Makara's Wish: Lost Citadels of Andrysfal, #2

By K.S. Windsor

A powerful force flows through Andrysfal. The race is on to reach the mage's tower. 

 

Harpyn is well on his way to joining the mage's order, but everything has gone wrong. His traveling companions have brought disaster with them, and now a cursed blade seems intent on destroying everyone it comes in contact with. Just when Harpyn thinks he's got things under control, a magical portal opens up and drags him back into the ancient world. 

Can Anaya and Brugo reconnect with their lost friend? Can Harpyn find the answers to harness the magic in the past? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: K.S. Windsor
• Release date: Oct 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215792841

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The trio dusted themselves off, a somber mood permeating everything around them. Brugo had recognized the men in that hunting party, and Harpyn could see the pained expression on his usually stoic face. Harpyn had an inkling that this would not be the last they heard of the hunting party, and now he knew that there was more to Brugo’s travel than a simple holiday abroad.

Drawing a deep breath, Harpyn checked the bundle that contained the ancient sword before straightening and turning to Brugo.

Who were they?

Brugo frowned, shaking his head. I thought they were friends. He gave a low huff of disappointment from between his tusks and turned to look in the direction that the hunting party had gone. Mabel crawled her way out of his pocket and took up a place on his shoulder, sniffing in the direction that the hunters had gone.

And now? What do you plan to do?

Brugo shrugged this time. Whatever it takes, I suppose. First, to Yaal to find my friends. And then, who knows? Wherever we might find safety in these lands. Or perhaps we will continue to the lands beyond.

Brugo’s words were full of worry, an expression Harpyn never expected to see from the giant man wielding the massive axe. Just a few days back, he’d have thought nothing could shake the Sarizian.

Well, the road to Yaal isn’t getting any shorter, and it’s probably best we get there before that lot sets up a bounty in the capital. When we get there, Anaya and I will look around first and let you know if it’s safe.

Brugo humored him with a gentle smile. All right. If it isn’t safe, you can send word to my friends and have them meet me outside the city.

Grinning, Harpyn held out a hand to Brugo, eager to shake on the deal. For the first time since they’d been on the road together, he was feeling like the three of them were more than just traveling together by coincidence. Now, they’d seen some things, and they’d placed their trust in one another. That had to mean something.

Anaya joined the two of them. Her new dress, already reduced to rags, was tied up above her knees into makeshift leggings for easier travel. She looked from Harpyn to Brugo and gave a nod.

Glad to see you two are getting along. Now, shall we?

Together, the three of them padded along at the edge of the road, keeping a wary eye out for anyone who might spy on them. Already they’d dispatched one group of would-be attackers, and now a second group was running ahead of them, likely to circle back when they realized they’d lost their way. Eventually, Harpyn was sure they’d have to face the hunting party, and from the sounds of it, some of Brugo’s giant friends.

Tell me about your people, Harpyn said, glad to keep pace with Brugo now that they were moving on rough ground. Do they all look like you?

Brugo snorted, shaking his head. Of course not. Does all of Andrysfal look like you?

Well, no… but… Harpyn trailed off.

Sariza is composed of four primary races. My people, the Titania, are the largest of the four. Of course, over the years, the races have mixed and much of Sariza shares ancestry. It is not something we take so seriously these days.

Harpyn nodded along, happy to be learning something new for the first time in days. Honestly, he had missed his quiet tower room and Geor’s dusty old tomes.

What about your family?

Brugo frowned, his brows forming a deep crease down the center of his forehead, making him look quite fearsome. Still, he walked on, thinking for some time before answering.

I do not know my mother or father. But when you say family, I think of my men. The men of my guild. They were my family in the end, the ones I cared most about. We were as brothers, all of us.

As Harpyn watched, he noticed Brugo’s expression softening, and he felt sorry for the man. One can only imagine how difficult it is to begin life as an orphan and then to be let down by the family you have selected in the end. He could scarcely imagine it.

I don’t have much family myself, he mumbled after a while. Ma and Pa didn’t like mages much. They wanted me to go into an ‘honorable’ profession. But what’s the fun in that? Besides, they didn’t know what it was like for me. The other kids in school used to pick on me all the time. I promised myself that one day, I was going to get out of there, and I was going to prove to them that I was destined for something greater! He gave a low, rueful laugh as he hopped over a murky puddle, his boots making a disgusting squelching sound.

They continued walking, listening for the return of the hunting party, until they reached the outskirts of yet another small town, a few dozen buildings mashed together in a long row to form a main street.

They stopped, Brugo taking the time to conceal himself as best he could with the hooded cloak and the armor, and Anaya letting down her dress to avoid questions. Harpyn, at least, had little to do but hold the bundle with the sword and keep an eye on the road, waiting for any sign of intruders.

When they entered the town at last, Harpyn looked around at the buildings on either side of the dusty road. To one side, a wooden sign read Welcome to Honeybarrow: Home of the Sweetest Honey in Andrysfal!

Curiosity piqued, he licked his lips. Honey was a rare treat, and it just so happened that Geor had left him a bit of coin before the tower collapsed. Surely the old man couldn’t fault him for spending a silver or two on a taste of the sweetest honey in all the land. And… maybe he’d buy some for his friends as well.

Mostly, Honeybarrow was much like any other town along their route. Laundry hung out to dry on lines, flapping lazily in the warm summer breeze. Kids ran and squabbled. And, of course, townsfolk popped their heads out of windows curiously to observe the strangers before ducking back inside and returning to whatever duties were left undone.

The trio came to the town’s square, really not much more than a small patch of grass surrounded by worn, dusty roads. There stood a singular market stand, tattered red clothes hung in broad scallops. They probably looked festive once. Now, they just made Harpyn feel a little bad for the old vendor standing beneath them.

Upon spotting the newcomers, the old man swept his arms out in a broad arc, showcasing dozens of glass jars lined up neatly on his table.

Must be my lucky day! Haven’t had this many customers in a while.

However, as the three of them drew closer, the old man’s smile faltered.

He took a step back, glancing sideways before staring hard at Brugo.

I-I’m sorry. I was just about to close up shop, he stammered, dropping his eyes to the jars of honey and quickly scooping them up in a big armful.

Wait, Harpyn said, his voice tinged with the whine of disappointment. We have coin. Rummaging in his robe, he pulled out Geor's pouch and rattled it for the old man.

The man hesitated, then put the jars back on the counter and cleared his throat.

I apologize. It’s just… Well… he leaned forward, lowering his voice to barely a whisper. Did ya know yer travelin’ with a wanted killer? he asked.

Harpyn’s eyes went wide, and he turned to look between Anaya and Brugo.

Them? he asked with a laugh. Oh, no. They’re no killers. They’re just helping me get to Yaal.

Brugo cleared his throat loudly, catching Harpyn’s eye. Harpyn fell silent a moment later, suddenly aware that he might have said too much already.

Anyway, he recovered, putting on a big grin, I’d take a jar of that honey, and then we’ll be on our way.

The honey vendor moved a jar aside and bent down to search for something under the counter while murmuring to himself.

As he ducked down, Harpyn looked over his head, his eye catching on a piece of paper lying on the old man’s cart. He startled a little at the image, a near perfect likeness of Brugo, beneath the word WANTED in jet black ink. He froze, wondering if Brugo or Anaya had noticed the paper. They looked around the town, paying no attention to the old man.

The man wiped the honey jar, tied it with twine, and smiled apologetically.

Here ya go. And, err… remember to drop by on your way back. The old man’s voice faltered at the last bit, and Harpyn got the feeling he didn’t quite mean it.

Harpyn accepted the jar gratefully and then quickly turned to his companions.

Let’s go, he muttered, walking swiftly toward the opposite side of town.

Anaya and Brugo followed, but he didn't glance back. He suspected the old man would report his customers once they were out of sight. Harpyn preferred not to be there when it happened.

Anaya caught up to him and put a hand on his sleeve.

Hey, wait up, she said, her voice full of concern. Why the sudden hurry?

Harpyn let his eyes slide sideways to meet hers, but then they shot right back to the road ahead as he quickened his steps once more.

Whoever is after Brugo is close. I saw a poster with Brugo’s face on it.

Anaya’s expression turned grim, but her eyes glittered with defiance. So what? He hasn’t done anything wrong!

Harpyn stopped and turned to her. How certain are you of that? Remember when I asked him about the hunters? He never said why they were looking for him. What if he’s killed someone?

Anaya crossed her arms over her chest and cocked an eyebrow at him. I don’t believe it. Look, Brugo is one of us, and he’s been nothing but kind to me. I’m not just going to turn my back on him, and you shouldn’t either.

Harpyn frowned, taking a step back. I don’t mean to turn my back on him, he hissed. "We