Fire Mage (Blacklight Chronicles, #1)

by John Forrester

clenched his jaw, still feeling humiliated at the words. Why did Father’s voice etch in his mind like ink on a page? His brother had hunted with a team of men and only managed to bounce his spear off a deer. Talis was thirteen now and though he’d asked many times had been spurned by every hunting trip his father’s men had pursued. How was he supposed to impress his father if he was spurned at every hunt? Talis and Mara had no other choice but to sneak off and hunt by themselves. Finding nothing all day, he scanned the muddy ground for tracks, kicking away needles and sticks. Off to the side, he spotted an indentation in the wet leaves. He strode over and bent down, flipping his hair away from his eyes for a better look. A thrill raced through him at the sight of fresh tracks. It was a big boar. He

grunted in response and pointed a short spear with a menacing, curved blade at the stream. This was their hunt and even though they’d failed to even bag anything as big as a deer, he swore he’d do anything to bring it back home to father. Mara shook her head, the movement stubborn and terse, her short, brown hair slashing along her neck. “It’s too late. I’m serious, don’t look at me with those oh-please-Mara eyes of yours.” “But the prints are fresh, an hour old at the most—” “What are you trying to prove? We’ve been out here all day and my ass is sore from sliding down that stupid muddy hill. I know I agreed to sneak out here without the rangers, but I’m worried, Talis.” She sighed. “I’m hungry, irritable, and want nothing more than to eat a slice of peach cobbler, steal a mug of ale, and prop my feet up and feel the heat of the fire. Besides, I’m not going

died…” The wind stung from a sudden cold gust and Talis sighed, wishing she hadn’t brought up the subject of his older brother’s death. Talis cursed fate, cursed his family’s bad luck, and memories flooded his mind of his older brother Xhan. His arrogant eyes and proud demeanor. But he was kind, also. And a wonderful brother. Why did the gods allow him to die so young at such cruel hands in the desert? “You know I’d hunt with you to the Underworld and back, I really would. We’re a team, aren’t we? I just hate seeing you go on and on like this. Can’t we try another day?” “Please… it would be amazing if we succeeded. We can do it. We’ve planned this hunt for months.” In his mind he pictured laying the slain creature at his father’s feet knowing he’d achieved something Xhan had never dared. A blur of movement ahead in the bushes caused his attention to jerk up in a quick second. He stopped and searched around trying to spot the source. There, beyond a patch of Elderberry, something fat and filthy waddled down a muddy path. His heart pounded