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    Wandmaker
    Wandmaker
    Wandmaker
    Ebook114 pages1 hour

    Wandmaker

    By Amber Kell

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    Cebrus had thought his quest would take him to new parts of the land. He didn’t know it would lead him to the prince of his dreams. When Prince Silvan catches sight of the sexy wandmaker it’s love at first glance. However, it takes a battle, a journey and an encounter with a fantastical beast before the two lovers can find their middle ground.

    Silvan is determined to do anything to marry his mate even if he has to go against a king and give up everything to keep the man he has claimed for his own.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAmber Kell
    Release dateJan 14, 2015
    ISBN9781310774836
    Wandmaker
    Author

    Amber Kell

    Amber Kell is a dreamer who has been writing stories in her head for as long as she could remember.She lives in Seattle with her husband, two sons, three cats and one very stupid dog. To learn more about her current books or works in progress, check out her blog at http://amberkell.wordpress.com.Her fans can also reach her at amberkellwrites@gmail.com.

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    Reviews for Wandmaker

    4/5

    15 ratings3 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Not your ordinary quest. The twists keep coming but they aren’t quite what you expect.
    • 5/5
      Really good story can't wait for a sequel novel in this world
    • 5/5
      love it

    Book preview

    Wandmaker - Amber Kell

    Wandmaker

    Amber Kell

    Wandmaker

    Amber Kell

    Copyright 2015 by Amber Kell

    Smashwords edition

    Cover design: Meredith Russell

    Editor: Jason Bradley

    Proof Reader: Beany Sparks

    ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer-to-peer program, for free or for a fee. Such action is illegal and in violation of Copyright Law.

    Dedication

    For those who appreciate magic in their stories.

    Chapter One

    Cebrus Starn strolled down the road with a small pack strapped to his back, a stick of wood in one hand, and a knife in the other. He whittled as he walked, flicking bits of wood behind him like a trail of breadcrumbs. The soft wood began to take shape beneath his nimble fingers as he continued to chip away at the outer bark to reveal the brighter wood hidden beneath. Several minutes later, he stopped by the side of the road to examine his work.

    Perfect.

    The rough column now fit the needed size and shape for a good-sized wand. He slipped his bag off his shoulders and set it on the ground. Crouching down, he opened his pack, pulled out a leather sheath, and slid his knife inside. He’d been taught young the value of keeping tools in their proper place and the harsh penalty for losing one. Small scars decorated his fingers, tiny reminders of his painful learning curve.

    Clutching the stick in one hand, he used the other to search the bag’s inner pockets. After a few minutes of feeling through the contents, he wrapped his fingers around a shaping stone. A fond smile curled his lips as he pulled it out. One of a set of three given to him by his father, each piece helped smooth and conform the wood to create a plain, blank wand ready to be bonded to its new owner. It always served him well to have a good variety of wands prepared when he entered a new town.

    Pleased he had found the right stone on his first try, Cebrus straightened, refastened his pack, then returned it to his shoulders, the soft sound of wood clattering together followed his movements.

    As a wandmaker, Cebrus traveled from town to town trading his skills for food and shelter. Most wandmakers stayed in one place, plying their trade to the locals and merchants who traveled into town for their services. Cebrus’s itchy feet didn’t allow him to settle down in one location, despite his family’s disapproval of his nomadic ways. He tried to make sure he visited them once a year during festival season to help out with the influx of additional customers, but this year he’d miss it. His quest didn’t allow for backtracking or returning home halfway through his travels. If he’d even gone halfway.

    He’d never met another traveling wandmaker. A shame since their specialized abilities were needed in every town and there were too few wandmakers to serve everyone. Most places had to use standard wands mass-produced by apprentice wizards and not properly matched with their new owners. Shabby bits of wood that most people didn’t realize were a step below their potential. Only high-level wizards bothered to have their wands correctly bonded because of the time and expense involved in traveling to a wandmaker.

    Cebrus had no idea how close the next town might be, but the beautiful weather didn’t prod him to be too concerned about distance. There was no need to hurry, and he enjoyed the journey as much as his possible destination.

    The sound of hooves had him looking up from his task to discover a team of five soldiers in full uniform riding toward him. Their large, powerful horses stirred up dust and thundered like an oncoming storm against the dry ground. He didn’t bother to hide his surprise when the men pulled to a stop before him. What could they possibly want? He didn’t have the wealthy appearance of a successful merchant or any discernible luxury about him. Stories of soldiers preying on unwary travelers drifted through Cebrus’s mind. He braced himself for possible confrontation.

    Halt, stranger. The leader of the group blocked Cebrus’s path with his horse, his face stern and commanding.

    Is there a problem? Cebrus examined the soldier with great interest. He’d never been stopped before. In general, people left wandmakers alone. Their special jurisdiction allowed them to travel wherever they chose.

    We’ve heard rumors a wandmaker is traveling this road. Are you that man?

    Cebrus looked at the wand in his hand, then back at the soldier and raised an eyebrow.

    The soldier blushed, but quickly rallied. Under the command of the king, I order you to accompany us to the royal palace.

    Cebrus sighed, then shook his head at the soldier. I’m on a quest. I don’t have time for spoiled royals.

    Stepping to one side, Cebrus moved to go around the soldier’s horse. He grinned when the officious guard pointed his wand at Cebrus and muttered some garbled words Cebrus assumed created a spell.

    Of course, nothing happened.

    The soldier paled.

    Why was it that people were never aware of the primary skill of a wandmaker? Taking pity on the confused man, Cebrus paused to explain. Maybe the soldier could pass on his knowledge to others. People were woefully uneducated these days.

    Magic doesn’t affect wandmakers. You can wave that thing all day, and it won’t do anything to me. Besides your wand doesn’t suit you. Whoever you got it from was an idiot.

    Nothing irritated Cebrus more than people who bought whatever stick someone offered to sell them under the assumption one wand was as good as another. Only a properly trained wandmaker could correctly calibrate a wand. He didn’t blame the soldier for his inferior tool. He likely had nothing else to choose from.

    To Cebrus’s surprise, the soldier got off his horse to approach him.

    I’m Trelfan Fairwen, King Minr’s captain of the guard, the soldier introduced himself.

    Cebrus bowed at the introduction. Cebrus Starn, wandmaker.

    How can you tell my wand doesn’t suit me? Trelfan asked.

    Cebrus never knew how to explain to someone when they had a bad wand, but he gave it his best try. Part of my ability is I can see the magical connection between wand and user. It’s a talent of mine. Most wandmakers shared that skill, but not all. Cebrus didn’t like to brag, but his family considered him the strongest wandmaker ever born into their clan.

    What kind of wand would suit me? The soldier obviously wasn’t going to let the subject or Cebrus go without a more thorough explanation.

    Tilting his head, Cebrus focused entirely on the soldier, he let his power pour over Trelfan and waited for his magic to give a proper answer. Pulling his pack off his shoulder, he opened it again. He tucked his current blank in with the others as he searched around until he found the wand he sought. It was long, heavy, and made out of a grainy hard wood he’d come across during his travels. Perfect.

    This one.

    The soldier gave Cebrus a cynical look. And what will it cost me to get a wand like that?

    Your old wand. I would like to give it a home with someone who can use it. I will siphon the absorbed magic from your old wand into your new one and take the empty one with me. Cebrus hated to waste a wand, and even though the poor quality of Trelfan’s wand offended him, Cebrus could salvage the piece.

    Interest sparked in Trelfan’s eyes. Really? That’s all you’d ask for?

    Cebrus never understood why his fee always surprised people. "My father gave me a bit of advice before I started out on my

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