Icefall (Dane Maddock Adventures)

The bones of the
Magi
have been stolen from their resting place in a German cathedral. When a dying priest whispers a cryptic clue, Dane and Bones find themselves in the midst of a deadly race to solve a centuries-old conspiracy. Danger lurks at every turn and no one knows where the clues will lead... or what they will uncover. From ancient cathedrals, to hidden temples, to icy mountain peaks, Dane and Bones must outrun and outwit their enemies in the thrilling adventure- Icefall!

Praise for David Wood
’
s
Dane Maddock Adventures

“
If you
’
re after a fast-paced read, David Wood
’
s wise-cracking heroes Maddock and Bones will take you on a winter romp through snow-covered cathedrals, ice caves, pagan temples and Christian myth in search of the skulls of the
Magi
. Icefall packs in the fist fights, cipher cracking and ancient secrets that all action adventure lovers will enjoy.
”
J.F.
Penn, author of Pentecost and Prophecy

“
David Wood has done it again.
Quest
takes you on an expedition that leads down a trail of adventure and thrills. David Wood has honed his craft and
Quest
is proof of his efforts!
”
David L. Golemon, Author of
Legacy
and
The Supernaturals

“
Ancient cave paintings? Cities of gold? Secret scrolls? Sign me up! A twisty tale of adventure and intrigue that never lets up and never lets go!
”
–
Robert Masello, author of
The Medusa Amulet

“
A non-stop thrill ride triple threat- smart, funny and mysterious!
”
Jeremy Robinson, author of
Instinct
and
Threshold

“
Let there be no confusion: David Wood is the next Clive Cussler. Wood
’
s latest book,
Quest
, is a tremendous classic adventure. Once you start reading, you won
’
t be able to stop until the last mystery plays out in the final line.
”
Edward G. Talbot, author of
2010: The Fifth World

“
Packed solid with action and witty dialogue, this rousing adventure takes a fresh look at one of the most e
n
during mysteries of the 20th century, David Wood delivers again with
Quest
.
”
Sean Ellis, author of 
Into the Black
and
Dark Trinity-Ascendant

“
An all-out blitzkrieg of a globe-trotting mystery-adventure that breaks from the action just long enough for a couple of laughs.
”
Rick Chesler, author of
kiDNApped
and
Wired Kingdom

“
David Wood just might become the new master of the Biblical action-thriller.
”
Megalith Book Reviews

Icefall

Copyright 2011 by David Wood

Published by
Gryphonwoo
d
Press

This book is a work of fiction. All characters, places, and events are products of the author
’
s i
Magi
nation, or are used fictitiously.

This
eBook
is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This
eBook
may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you
’
re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Works by David Wood

The Dane Maddock Adventures

Dourado

Cibola

Quest

Dark Entry (Short Story)

Icefall
(Novella)

Stand-Alone Works

Into the Woods

The Zombie-Driven Life

Callsign: Queen (With Jeremy Robinson)

David Wood Writing as David Debord

The Silver Serpent

Keeper of the Mists

When I made the decision to write Icefall I planned to make it a short story, about 4,000-5,000 words, and publish it as a Christmas card of sorts to readers in thanks for their support and encouragement. I should have known that so small a story cannot Dane and Bones. The result is this novella- it
’
s shorter than a regular Dane Maddock adventure, but long enough to do justice to the story.

As usual, I
’
ve played with a few facts and details for the sake of the story and, in some cases, applied actual details to a fictional location. I think the end result is another fun, fast-paced adventure.

Wishing you all the best,

David Wood

This place was cold
–
a biting, stinging, run home and put your feet up by the fire kind of cold that soaked through every layer of your clothing. Key West this was not.

“
What are you thinking, Maddock?
”
Jade
’
s sleek black hair was sprink
led with the
powdery snow that float
ed down on the vagrant breeze.
Her eyes sparkled with the reflected light of the lamp-lined street, and her smile outshone the mantle of white that lay heavy on the world.
“
Don
’
t tell me. You are so glad I talked you into this!
”

Dane grinned. He was glad he hadn
’
t answered the question. He
’
d actually been wondering how Jade had extracted him from his well-worn holiday tradition of beer and barbeque somewhere, anywhere the only white thing blanketing the world was sand.
Not wanting to spoil her good mood, h
e pulled her close and kept his thoughts to himself. They
’
d spent too much time apart of late. Jade had been working in the Far East while Dane had been... too many places to count. She wanted this trip and this time together and he was happy to oblige her.

“
Christmas in Germany!
”
she breathed.
“
I
’
ve dreamed about it ever since I was a little girl. The cathedrals! And...
”
she drew the word out like a game show host about to announce the grand prize
“
...the snow!
”
She swept out her arm, her gesture taking in the
city
’
s frosted skyline
.
“
And then we
’
re going to the Alps!
”
She squeezed him tight and bounced up and down like an excited child.

“
Tell me again why we came here so early?
”
He enveloped her in his arms and they looked out across the Rhine River, the light of the streetlamps flickering across its choppy surface.

“
Because the celebration of the Christmas season started the evening of December sixth. I wanted to be here for more than just Christmas day! I
’
ve got tonight all planned out. We
’
ll have our tour of the cathedral and then I
’
ve got a restaurant picked out where they serve some of the traditional holiday treats.
“

“
I hate fruitcake.
”
He knew better, but it was worth it to see the scandalized look in her eyes, though it passed almost immediately.

“
I am not letting you mess with me tonight. I
’
m too happy.
”
She turned back toward the water.
“
And for your information, you are going to try Christbaumgeback even if it kills you.
”
She glanced at her watch.
“
We should probably get going.
”
Her face fell into a frown
and
she
looked up and down the street.

Dane
’
s eyes followed hers but he saw nothing amiss.
“
You never told me how you managed to schedule a solo, nighttim
e tour of the Cologne Cathedral.
”

“
I know somebody,
”
she kissed him on the left cheek,
“
who knows somebody,
”
a kiss on the right cheek,
“
who knows somebody.
”
The next kiss was full on the lips.

“
Get a room you two!
”

No way. It couldn
’
t be who he thought it was. Jade was going to have a cow. Dane turned to see a six and-a-ha
lf foot tall Native American stroll
ing along the river walk. His height and breadth of shoulder drew the attention of everyone he passed.

“
You have got to be kidding me.
”
Jade turned her angry eyes upon Dane.
“
What is Bones doing here?
”

Uriah Bonebrake, known to his friends as
“
Bones,
”
was Danes business partner and best friend since their days as Navy SEALs. He also was not Jade
’
s favorite person, nor was she his.

“
I don
’
t...
”
Dane was dumbfounded. He
’
d only told Bones that he and Jade were going away for the holidays. How had Bones known where they were going, much less where they would be standing at this exact moment?
“
Bones, what the hell?
”

“
It
’
s Christmas, dude!
”
Bones grinned. He wore his black leather biker jacket unzipped, revealing a t-shirt featuring a character from the South Park cartoon garbed in a Santa outfit with
Merry Bleeping Christmas
printed above the character
’
s head. The fact that the shirt read
“
bleeping
”
instead of the actual expletive was unusually restrained for Bones. It wouldn
’
t help with Jade
’
s mood, though.

“
I can
’
t believe you invited Bones on our romantic Christmas getaway.
”
If he
’
d thought the breeze coming across the river was frigid, Jade
’
s words took it down a few degrees.
“
Is he sleeping in our bed too?
”