Authors: Gary F. Vanucci
The Beginnings Omnibus: Beginnings 1, 2, 3 & Legend of Ashenclaw novella (Realm of Ashenclaw Beginnings Saga) (120 page)
A burst of light flashed from behind the queen of the scorching drakes and Figit tumbled backward, realizing that he would not get another distraction to get away from her. His heart was beating with fury in his chest and he forced himself to steady his breathing.
His eyes widened as he saw Triniach emerge from the lake, hovering above her once more as he began to overwhelm the drake with bolts of thunder and lighting. Both the waves of sound and the lightning bolts assaulted her and she roared in defiance. It was as intense a storm as Figit had ever seen in such a small area.
Ashenclaw beat her wings once and the ground shook with it as she was suddenly airborne. Debris and rubble flew all about and she opened her maw and the mage disappeared behind the rows of jagged teeth.
Figit could see it as clearly as if it were happening right beside him. He quickly did a tally and realized that they were all dead. All of his companions and the new friends that they had just met were all gone within the span of ten minutes.
Figit's mind raced and panic overwhelmed him. What was he to do by himself against the full fury of an enraged scorching drake that was the size of a small mountain?!
His fight or flight instinct kicked in at that very moment and he decided to hide. He needed to formulate a plan. He found a place within the ruins, a crevice small enough to hide his frame within the piles of debris. He maneuvered to the spot and tucked his tiny body tightly within the space and slowed his breathing.
Ashenclaw made a circle around the ruins of Shalratha and then again around the Shimmering Lake. He breathed a deep sigh and placed a hand over his face.
He happened to see Aimee, the spectral cat of the elf named Sinadow, fading in and out of the plane of Krotto. He winced, knowing she was most likely looking for her master.
A terrifying roar from behind him returned him to his current predicament and he watched as she turned back around in mid-air coming toward him.
Did she see me somehow?!
he thought, rubbing his hands.
A piece of the rubble around him shifted and more of the broken stone and wood fell to the floor as Ashenclaw headed his way.
She passed overhead and he cringed in fear. She circled around for what seemed an eternity as he held on tightly, trying hard not to shift at all. He heard another roar as well as the eerie sound of cracking. He saw one of the eggs splitting in half, a tiny drake paw emerging from the shell.
His heart sank even further as great shadow loomed over him, enveloping the land around him and foreshadowing things to come.
Darkness descended on him.
The last things the halfling saw was a freshly spawned drake emerge from its shell and a cloud of smoke and fire growing larger as it neared him.
He closed his eyes and felt the heat consume him.
Bibliography
Beginnings Series
Book 1
Wothlondia Rising: The Anthology is a collection of prequels that launches the Beginnings series in the Realm of Ashenclaw.
The significant events covered in this book outline these characters and set them on their paths that will change their lives forever! If you enjoy paranormal, romance, undead, demons and action-packed fantasy, you will absolutely enjoy this tome. See details of each story…
Reflections
is an exploration into the true classifications of self-image. This short and sweet tale tells of the half-ogre barbarian, Orngoth, who begins to realize the true picture of what he is and where he comes from. During a raid with his ogre barbarian kin—the Ironskulls—Orngoth has an impromptu meeting that could forever change his own destiny. Will he see his true self in time or will he continue down the path of reckless endangerment?
A Rose in Bloom
recounts the thrilling events of a young Rose Thorne, not yet a woman, who is trying to find her way in the city of Oakhaven. Orphaned and discarded, she finds refuge in a kind madam at a local brothel and eventually meets a man who is more than she bargains for….
Maturation Process
is the telling tale of the high elf, Elec Stormwhisper, who lives in the overbearing shadow of his father, Keryth. Treated as an outcast and feeling alienated from his own people, he exiles himself for a decade, finding a friend in a strange place and begins to accept his own unique destiny. Will this young and inexperienced elf ever find his true calling?
Tears of Blood
is the amazing recount of the attacks on the region of Stonehill by the ancient and malevolent undead that are known as Blood Rot Zombies! Saeunn and the barbarians of both Chansuk and Greymoors must find a way to stop the undead infestation before they spread their miasma all across the face of Wothlondia! It is a tale that will forever change the young barbarian woman in more ways than one…
Strength of Faith
is a tale that places a young acolyte of The Shimmering One, Garius Forge, on a path that tests his spirituality and also places him face to face with a demonic presence that has the power to alter the face of Wothlondia forever! Will his reverence and devotion to his deity be enough to overcome this horrible demon?
Distant Familiarity
is the tale of three legendary figures in the history of Wothlondia, who are attempting to recover an ancient evil that was stolen away from them. Tiyarnon the High Priest, Rolin Hardbeard and Nimaira Silvershade set out to recover the artifact that has forever altered their former companion Sadreth, twisting him into something altogether evil. Can these ancient heroes find and recover the item before it is reunited with its former host?
Covenant of the Faceless Knights
Beginnings Series
Book 2
When a dangerous artifact goes missing from the Temple of The Shimmering One, the high priest in charge of its protection realizes that he will not be able to retrieve the stolen relic without help. Calling upon Garius, the man who was once his own apprentice, Tiyarnon the High Priest enlists the aid of this person who is now an Inquisitor among the Order of the Faceless Knights. Garius, a man of power and prestige, gathers a handful of allies to help complete his quest—but who among them is worthy of his trust? Aided by the mischievous Rose, a rogue among rogues, the stoic and bloodthirsty Saeunn, and a promising but naïve elf named Elec, Garius hopes his training as one among the Faceless Knights has prepared him to keep his small company in check, let alone survive the trials to come. Garius must lead his band of allies into dark regions to recover the artifact before it falls into the hands of the evil being that once held it in order to ensure the continued safety of the Realm of Ashenclaw.
Beginnings Series
Book 3
After Garius and company fail to recover the item they so desperately sought, a chance encounter here and a revelation there leave clues as to its whereabouts once more. Garius Forge the Inquisitor of the Faceless Knights, Rose Thorne, the sassy rogue, Elec Stormwhisper, an elf with a newfound thirst for the martial arts, Saeunn, the stoic barbarian and Orngoth, the half-ogre brute set out to once more try to uncover the whereabouts of the tainted artifact. Their quest leads them to a dark village named Hollow Hill, left vacant since the Reign of Ashenclaw. It is a place rumored to be haunted and they soon find that it is more than meets the eye. The group soon uncovers a clandestine group of highwaymen with knowledge of the artifact and much more as they attempt to uncover the many secrets hidden deep within the ebonite mines!
Novella
Realm of Ashenclaw
Contained within this action-packed novella are the compelling accounts of the heroes who encountered the mighty dragon known as Ashenclaw. Join Azbiel, Figit, Twarda, Jon Veinslay and Triniach along with the countless others as they attempt to rid Wothlondia of the Queen of the Scorching Drakes and her dragon invasion! Will they succeed? Turn the pages of The Legend of Ashenclaw and find out!
Embers of War Saga
Book 1
As Garius and company are charged with securing the return of Princess Amara to her home town of Norgeld, Rose remains behind to focus on her suspected betrayal at the hands of her former lover, Ganthorpe, the Master of Thieves. In Norgeld, the scene is dreary, the ancient Citadel Pridemoon is cast in gloom, and whispers of bizarre figures in the castle windows are mounting. As the mystery within this veritable Tower of Torment begins to unravel, relationships are changed, deceit is laid bare, and tragedy strikes in ways that will forever change Wothlondia’s heroes!
Gary F. Vanucci
Gary Vanucci was born in Pennsylvania in 1968. He enjoys writing, reading, music, art, anything at all that promotes creativity and activities that push the mind beyond conventional thinking. He has spent time as an amateur singer/songwriter and has spent multiple decades creating role-playing scenarios and playing games amongst various genres. Years of reading graphic novels, comic books, fantasy/science fiction novels and the like has led him to discover his true passion—writing!
His education includes a Bachelor’s of Science in the field of Information Technology and an Associates of Arts in the field of Graphic Design.
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." ~Aristotle.
http://www.amazon.com/Gary-F.-Vanucci/e/B005E1EIWQ