Fantasy World: The Explorers Vol 1-3: Fantasy World Bundles, #1

By J Clair and Julius St. Clair

"It's like the Lord of the Rings meets Star Trek." - Book Reviewer

Prince Tristan of Latere has been summoned to a mysterious Kingdom in the hopes of courting the King's daughter for marriage, but for Prince Tristan, his motives are less than sincere. Uninterested in the princess, he seeks answers to the power behind the King's rising influence and the mythical creatures that attack his enemies but leave his castle unscathed.

As the truth behind the monsters is revealed, a series of events unfold that will determine the fate of Tristan Thames, his loyal warriors, and the world of Naropa at large.

Fantasy World takes place on the planet of Naropa, containing stories written by multiple authors. This is the flagship series - a group of explorers that seek out the mysteries of its world, naive to the fantastic beauty and the crippling terror they will soon face.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kingmaker Press
• Release date: Apr 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224568383

Book preview

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Fantasy World Bundles

Fantasy World: The Explorers Vol 1-3

Fantasy World Earth Anthology

Fantasy World Earth Anthology Vol 1

Fantasy World Earth Anthology Vol 2

Fantasy World: The Explorers

Fantasy World

Fantasy World Vol 2 - Expedition One

Fantasy World Vol 3 - The Protectors

Fantasy World Vol 4 - Desertion

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Angels of Eden

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Depression Vol 1

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Fantasy World: The Explorers Vol 1-3

Fantasy World Earth Anthology

Fantasy World Earth Anthology Vol 1

Fantasy World: The Explorers

Fantasy World

Fantasy World Vol 2 - Expedition One

Fantasy World Vol 3 - The Protectors

Fantasy World Vol 4 - Desertion

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World War Baby: Day Two

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Champion #2: Family Reunion

Champion #3: Broken Promises

The Weather Brothers

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The Weather Brothers Vs Champion

The First and Last Kiss

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The Last of the Sages

The Sage Academy (Book 1.5 of the Sage Saga)

The Dark Kingdom

Hail to the Queen

Of Heroes and Villains

The Legendary Warrior

The End of the Fantasy

Rise of the Sages

Ancient Knights

The Last War

The End of an Era

Hail to the King

The King's Apprentice

Sage Saga Bundle

The Sage Saga: The Complete Five Kingdoms Trilogy

The Sage Saga: The Complete Bastion Trilogy

The Sage Saga: The Complete Sorcerers Trilogy

The Sage Saga: The Complete Time Travel Trilogy

Sage Saga Collection

The Complete Sage Saga Collection

The Complete Sage Saga Collection Vol 2

Sage Saga Duologies

The Last of the Sages Book 1 and 2

The Last of the Sages Book 3 and 4

The Last of the Sages Book 5 and 6

The Last of the Sages Book 7 and 8

The Last of the Sages Book 9 and 10

The Last of the Sages Book 11 and 12

Seven Sorcerers Saga

The Sorcerer's Ring

The Sorcerer's Dragon

The Sorcerer's Blade

The Complete Seven Sorcerers Trilogy

The Rest Die Tomorrow Miniseries

The Rest Die Tomorrow - Ascension

The Rest Die Tomorrow - Judgment

The Rest Die Tomorrow - Killbox

The Rest Die Tomorrow - Endgame

The Rest Die Tomorrow: The Complete Collection

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Wrythe and Witches

Stone of Wrythe and Witches

Standalone

My Immortal Playlist

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The End of Us

The Romance Collection

Fantasy World Vol 1-3

Fantasy World, Expedition One and The Protectors

By

J Clair

Copyright © 2024 by Julius St. Clair and Henry Fleiss

All rights reserved. This story or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

These volumes contain violence, mature themes and some language.

Table of Contents:

Vol 1 – Fantasy World

Chapter 1 – Unexpected Guests

Chapter 2 - Priorities

Chapter 3 – The Princess and the Sorcerer

Chapter 4 – Pawns

Chapter 5 – Vision

––––––––

Vol 2 – Expedition One

Chapter 1 – Tristan of Musgrave

Chapter 2 – Amy of Comida

Chapter 3 – Momo of Hearth

Chapter 4 – Decisions Are Not to be Made Lightly

Chapter 5 – Plans in Motion

Chapter 6 – Alone

Chapter 7 – Fool’s Journey

VOLUME 3 - THE PROTECTORS

Chapter 1 – It’s Alive

Chapter 2 – We Are the Rain

Chapter 3 – Maiden Voyage

Chapter 4 – The Biggest Threat of Them All

Chapter 5 – Ants vs. God

Chapter 6 – The Explorers

In an unknown solar system,

On an uncharted, nameless planet the size of Jupiter,

Past the Wind River Mountains,

And behind the Lasting Wall,

Lies a society composed of three distinct communities:

Musgrave

Hearth

And Comida.

A society that has outgrown its boundaries and now seeks more:

Purpose,

Unidentified life,

Treasure,

Fame,

Love,

Adventure

And hope.

Two expeditions are quickly formed,

With crews that are willing to risk their lives for greater aspirations.

Crushingly naïve...

To the fantastic beauty,

And the crippling terror,

They will soon face.

This is their incredible story.

VOLUME 1: FANTASY WORLD

Chapter 1 – Unexpected Guests

The screeching roar erupting from the dragon’s massive maw cracked the air like a siren. Yet, Tristan Thames could only roll his eyes and look incredulously at his servant. Unlike the woodland animals and the insects that populated the forests nearby, he was annoyed, not afraid. Again? he asked Cameron, staring straight ahead as he bobbed up and down on his horse. How long has it been since the last sighting?

Cameron narrowed his eyes and tilted his head to the side. How am I supposed to tell time? he asked, fidgeting in his tight leather pants. He sighed in frustration and pulled at the collar of his shirt as if he was being choked.

Tristan adjusted his posture as the horse beneath him began to scrape its front hooves across the stone pathway. Can’t you tell the time based on the location of the sun?

It’s cloudy.

You’re useless, Tristan huffed as another roar filled the air, closer to them than before.

How far away are we from the village? Cameron asked. It’s not too late to turn back.

That’s not why we’re here, Tristan said. He surveyed the area and looked for a place to hide if necessary. Currently, they were out in the open, traversing down a long, pristine, stone path with statues of the King on each side, depicting various poses and emotions. Sitting as a monument of wealth in the distance, the castle was three times the size of the village they had passed on their way over. However, now it was covered by fog, appearing to hover in the distance like a mirage. Tristan grumbled under his breath as the dragon roared again, and then he looked back from where they came. The village had to have been equally as far away.

We need to make a decision, Cameron said, scratching his coarse hair. Though if I had any say in the matter, I’d opt for the castle. We can’t save the villagers, as terrible as that is to say.

The creatures are getting bigger, Tristan said. A dragon now? This is getting out of hand. We have to end this quickly.

Cameron flashed him a weak smile. The castle, it is. Pulling up on the reins of his horse with one hand, Tristan adjusted his squire top hat with the other, just as the horse beneath him decided to take off. Tristan fell backward, twisting in mid-air and landing hard onto his stomach. The tailored coat he wore was now caked in mud, and he wondered if anyone else had fallen in their travels. He made a mental note to ask once he could join the noblemen inside, now enjoying the festivities inside the King’s majestic home.

You wouldn’t have a change of clothes, would you? Tristan asked, climbing to his feet.

Servants can barely afford their own, sir, Cameron smiled smugly.

We don’t have time for your sass. Move over. We’ll both ride on yours.

And have us both fall? Cameron said, climbing off his horse. Not likely.

You’d have us walk the rest of the way? What if the dragon appears?

The creatures appear to favor larger groups. I doubt that we are in any kind of... Cameron’s voice trailed off as a ray of sunlight broke through the gray clouds above. He squinted his eyes and frowned as he noticed that the dark pall above was moving faster than he had ever seen before.

Those aren’t just clouds, Tristan said. Something’s pushing them away.

Behind a statue, now! Cameron barked as he could hear the flapping of the dragon’s wings approaching, sounding like two massive blankets being whipped for a dusting.

It won’t help, Tristan said, running behind a statue of the King playing the flute.

Where’s Momo? Cameron shouted as the sound of the wings flapping got louder.

Captured, Tristan said. We needed someone on the inside.

Couldn’t it have been someone else? Cameron shouted.

Wait, Tristan said, grabbing the lapel of Cameron’s multi-colored coat. Hear that?

Cameron smiled. Yeah. A stampede of horses approached from the castle area, and after a few seconds of waiting, the troop burst through the fog like desert bandits. Donning full bodies of armor, a dozen knights headed towards them, raising their spears and swords high into the air. The dragon flew in a circle above them, wriggling and snapping its head up and down.

What is it doing? Cameron asked.

No idea, Tristan said, but we can’t stick around. We’ll have one of the knights escort us to the castle. Once the knights were close enough to them, Tristan stepped out and began waving his hands in the air like a distressed hitchhiker. Help! Help! I’m a prince from the Kingdom of Latere! I need safety!

Don’t forget me! Cameron snapped.

My servant and I need safety! Tristan shouted.

The lead knight pointed at two of his men behind him and then pointed towards Tristan. The two knights in the rear broke off from the pack as the rest remained on course towards the dragon, starting to fly away from them.

Sir, the two knights said in unison as they halted their approach and climbed slowly off their horses.

Take these, one of them said. Our horses will take you straight to the castle. Were there any others with you, or did you see any behind you?

No, Tristan said, grabbing ahold of the reins, and thank you!

No problem, sir.

Is this standard around here? Tristan asked. Getting attacked like this?

That is a conversation you’ll have to have with the King.

Incoming! someone shouted nearby.

The dragon shrieked high up in the sky, and then it went limp. Its body began to fall from the clouds like a meteor. Its wings slapped together, with the tips resembling fingers as if it was praying for help from the gods. Though the fall of this titanic creature was a magnificent sight to behold, Tristan’s gaze fell upon the knights in puzzlement, and he quickly examined their armaments. It appeared as if they had not thrown a single spear, and from what he could devise, no arrows had been flung, and no balls of fire had been catapulted from the castle. What could have possibly taken down this massive beast?

The dragon slammed into the ground like a declaration of war, causing a dirt cloud that rained upon them violently with pebbles and debris. It sounded like an explosion, surely garnering the attention of anyone within the castle walls. Shielding his eyes from the soot, Tristan tried to pierce through the smokescreen, waiting for answers, and finally, it came.

As the dust settled and clarity came back to the world, something separate from the dragon moved from atop its head. The dragon was clearly dead. Its eyes were now listless, black orbs. Its snout, comprised of cave-like nostrils, did not flare, and its tongue, slimy and thick, rolled beyond its jagged teeth.

A girl stood triumphantly on top of its head, raising her fist into the air. She gave out a cry of victory as she ripped a sword out of its head. Her hair was in a pixie cut and as red and orange as the sun falling over the horizon. Thin but toned, she wore a leather vest and pants for horse riding. On her belt hung a sheathed dagger, but it was what was in her hand that concerned the knights the most.

Her sword was not normal.

It was ablaze, from the tip to the hilt, and somehow, she could handle it as if it was an extension of herself.

She did this? one of the knights said aloud. How could she do this?

She sure made an entrance, Cameron whispered, walking up beside Tristan. Though I think based on the way the knights are slowly surrounding her, she may be in more trouble than the dragon.

Don’t worry, she said to the knights, jumping down to the ground. I don’t need a hand. She stuck her sword into a mound of mud, dousing out the flames. But I am hungry. Is there a chance that I could get something to eat?

She’s a witch, one of the knights shouted.

What? the girl said in disbelief. She whipped her head back and forth. Where?

It’s you, one of the knights said, drawing his sword.

Whoa! the girl cried, sheathing her blade. Wait! Wait! I just killed a dragon for you!

It was your dragon to begin with! Stand down and come with us, or we will be forced to attack!

This is ridiculous, the girl said, dropping down to her knees. Fine. Fine. I’ll let the dragon eat you next time.

Poor choice of words, Cameron muttered to Tristan.

One of the knights moved in from behind her and knocked her on the back of the head with the pommel of his sword. She slumped and fell face-first into the mud.

Secure her, the head knight ordered as one of his men walked over to Tristan and Cameron.

Are you two okay? he asked them.

Yes, Tristan said, clutching a fistful of his garment. But that was terrifying. What will you do with the girl?

She will have an audience with the King, who will decide her fate.

What did she do that was so wrong? Tristan asked. Didn’t she save our lives?

Witches are not to be tolerated. She may be behind all of this.

"All of this?"

I’ve said too much, the knight huffed. Please accompany us back to the castle.

The girl was wrapped in chains and draped over a saddle while her sword and dagger were handled by the head knight. Walking slowly down the stone path, Tristan sighed as the castle slowly materialized through the fog and solidified. From inside the windows, he could see the chandeliers were lit and music was playing without restraint. Laughter of various forms could be heard along with pockets of light conversations and the clanking of glasses and silverware.

Upon entering through the castle’s main double doors, opened and closed by four muscle-bound men on each side, the knights retrieved the mysterious girl from the saddle and dragged her inside by her arms. Butlers closed the doors to the rooms on both sides of the massive hallway so that the guests inside would not see the commotion.

One of the knights in the rear paused and held up a hand