Rise of the Ranger (The Echoes Saga, #1)

by Philip C. Quaintrell

These Favoured elves fall and lose their way, as man’s anger devours all dragons’ fire.

Everywhere humans went, they twisted the world to fit around them, forcing the land to pay tribute to their superiority.

“King Rengar rules the region of Alborn from his throne in Velia. It’s the largest city in Alborn and home to Direport, the largest harbour in Illian.

The elves couldn’t hide their sour expressions, forced to inhale the foul combination of the potent human food. "What is their fascination with cheese?"

“Pain leads to anger, and anger never wins in combat. Only when pain feels like an old friend will you free yourself from the shackles that bind so many men. “If you pass this test, pain will mean nothing to you. You will be capable of anything. Nothing will stop you. But you must find a place in your mind where you can let your body go. Allow it to endure while you retreat and wait for your moment to strike.”

Men and elves alike are capable of great atrocities if they can do it in the name of another, be it gods or kings. Duty can give you courage and a sense of honour, but it can give you cause to act without thought.

“Fear can be a powerful tool, son,” Tobin Galfrey had said. “Respect it. Listen to it. Fear will keep your wits about you while others run headlong into peril. But I tell you this…” His father had leaned down and gripped his son by the arm. “When you’re surrounded by enemies and the only option left to you is fight or die, fear becomes irrelevant - it has no use. You give it all you have and you live or give it all and you die. If that day should ever come, just make certain that you have more to give than they do.”