The Divine Druid: A Contributed Effort - book 3, page 1
The Divine Druid
A Contributed Effort
T D Wilson
Walkaboutkitsune
Copyright © 2022 T D Wilson
All rights reserved
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
ISBN-13: 9781234567890
ISBN-10: 1477123456
Cover design by: Art Painter
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309
Printed in the United States of America
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Thank you for reading my book!
The Divine Druid
Books By This Author
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I’d like to acknowledge the authors that inspired me to try writing & publishing my stories.
Jakob Tanner, Whiskey Flowers, P.S. Power, Christopher G. Nuttall, JL Lahey, T.S. Paul, Michael Anderle, James Haddock, Jamie McFarlane & Aleron Kong.
I would also like to thank Greg Linden and everyone else who contributed for their help.
And to all of you readers that inspire me to continue to write my stories!
Copyright 2022 TD Wilson.
All Rights Reserved.
Chapter 1
The city of Xìngshì looked as if it had never just had a major outbreak of fires. The citizens roaming the streets going about their everyday business as if nothing had happened even though the smell of burnt wood from the buildings laid heavy in the air. Tinker took in the scene of it all thinking how much worse it could have been. The death ritualist luckily again had poorly planned in their attack. Tinker was interrupted in his thoughts by their arrival at the palace of Lady Isamie, well, more of what he knew as a Pagoda. The courtyard entrance way was lined by cherry trees and shrine maidens were all half bowed to greet them. Also half bowed were two five tailed kitsune women dressed in what looked like silk robes who once everyone had exited the carriage asked them to please follow and turned and headed toward the large multi-level building. Tinker and the rest were led into an open court area with white marble pillars, the flooring was a highly polished black marble. At the center sat Lady Isamie upon a large floor pillow seat attended by six male kitsunes with seven tails.
As they entered the court area so did Lord Hunglu, they both arrived before Lady Isamie who smiled and said. “Greetings Prince Asher and Princess Anya. I’ve called to thank you for your aid to my people.” Tinker took a half step back leaving Princess Anya to be the one for Lady Isamie to focus upon. Unfortunately for Tinker the kitsune leader wasn’t about to let the one who battled for her peoples hide behind court protocols, said. “Prince Asher, what boon can I grant you for your efforts in aiding us?” Tinker sighed as he stepped back up beside Anya and said. “Lady Isamie, I came to heal those who battled on the behalf of the forest mother against the death ritualist. If anyone should be entitled to a boon from you, it should be the Lady of the Forest or those who were sent to inform her of the issues here.” Tinker waved his hand toward Junligh and Gwen as he bowed in their direction. Lady Isamie sighed, saying. “Such gallant manners are rare. Know that I have already ordered a caravan of gift goods to be sent to the Lady of the Forest. And that Junligh and Gwen have received what they have asked for. Lord Hunglu, did you find the information on the dragon that gifted the arts of rituals?”
The Lord bowed and handed Tinker a scroll saying. “Yes Lady Isamie, and had a copy made for the Prince to take with him. I feel compelled to defend the dragon in question. Dragon Babymetal gifted an unblessed one to help balance the poor crops due to the power used to move all of us here. And didn’t teach the use of the gift beyond how to help enrich the fields to grow foods.” Tinker had tilted his head at the Dragons name and was about to ask who its parents were when Princess Anya poke up saying. “Lady Isamie, on behalf of the Lady of the Forest, I thank you for the caravan of such gifts, and I’m sure my mother would say your friendship is all the boon she needs.
Though Prince Asher has truly worked the most here for you and should receive any boons.” Tinker side eyed Anya and sighed and said. “Lady Isamie all I would ask for is to be allowed to travel through your lands freely.” Lady Isamie chuckled at Tinker and replied. “You Tinker were granted that right when you freed Bal and our borders from those death ritualists. So I think I’ll follow my friend the Lady of the Forest and leave this boon open until you figure out what you want.” Tinker sighed glad he didn’t have to try and figure what to ask for. At that moment Isabel the fairy, his assigned fey attendant, showed up in a rather upset mood. And not noticing or caring it seemed, that he was in the presence of the ruler of the burning clans ruler and her court. Tinker put a bubble of air around the steamed up fairy which amused the Lady Isamie as she watched the fairy continue to regale her charge over something. Isabel continued for a whole three minutes until she noticed everyone but Tinker looking at her.
Tinker side eyed Isabel until the little fairy folded its arms and pouted at him. Tinker figured it was safe to release her and said before the upset fairy could start back up. “Isabel, you do know that Lady Isamie is the leader of the Burning Sands Clans right? And that she is the Lady of the Forest's closest friend? And that you are in Her Court?” As Tinker said these things the little fairy was looking more and more dejected which just made Tinker more resolved to have her return to her fairy village. This was not the first time she had flown off with disregard of her sworn duty to be his attendant and then get all bent out of shape, he wasn’t where she left him. And he was not her servant. He didn’t need her to be his. He neither asked nor wanted her to be and was about to tell her he was going to release her from his service when the Lady Isamie cleared her throat and said. “Good Fairy Isabel, I apologize for not making sure Prince Asher was given time to check with his attendant. But it's not the Lord or Ladys place to need to wait upon their attendants before they go anywhere.”
Now Isabel was truly a floating droopy doll. Tinker made no movement to boost Isabel up. Junligh stepped up and cupped the little fairy in her hands then stepped back whispering to her. Tinker bowed to the Lady of the Burning Sands Clans and apologized saying. “My deepest apologies Lady Isamie. And Thank You for the information on the silver dragon Babymetal. If it's allowable we will head off and return to the Lady's Forest, once we have gathered our supplies and guardsmen.” Lady Isamie looked sadly at them for a moment then smiled, saying. “Of course Prince Asher known as Mage Tinker here in our lands. Princess Anya, please give your mother a hug for me when you return home. I wish you all safe travels and wished I could travel with you, but I have my duties here to attend to. Lord Hunglu will see you off.” And that was a clear dismissal if Tinker had ever heard one. He and Anya bowed along with his and her attendants then followed Lord Hunglu out and back to the waiting carriage.
As they rode back to Lord Hunglu’s estate Tinker was again looking at the unhurried lives of the kitsunes capital city citizens. Yes, there was class separation clearly here. But he wasn’t seeing it openly being shown. In fact he had only seen it happening within the homes he had been in, which only meant he had no way to know if it was openly done off in the confines of the rural communities or not. They soon arrived back at Lord Hunglu estate and once they had exited the carriage it headed off. Lord Hunglu led them inside to which they found their guardsmen waiting for them. Tinker went to gather his gear and found Bal there guarding it. Tinker chuckled at the idea of anyone wishing to incur this guard's displeasure. Tinker informed Bal they were leaving and did he need anything for the traveling. The Pixiu just smirked and moved out to the garden and jumped into the air and looked like he was going to await for him out front as he watched the winged lion fly toward the front of the estate. Tinker was double checking his room for anything he may have missed when Junligh knocked as she kneeled at his room's doorway.
Tinker sighed seeing her and said. “You” He stopped and sighed to himself as he figured that yes she did have to act so while here. “May enter.” Junligh only then stood as she entered his room and said. “Master Tinker, Please allow me to pack your things” Tinker held up his hand and pointed at the back bag he had on while replying. “Junligh, I’ve already gathered my belongings. But you might check with Princess Anya and see if she could use the help. What about Gwen and yourself?” Junligh sighed and replied. “We don’t require much, I have all the travel food and the cooking pans already packed.” It wasn’t until just then Tinker noticed Junligh had three tails now. Tinker nibbled at his upper lip wondering if it would be rude to ask about it, then sighed and asked. “Junligh, you have three tails now..hmm, is that good or a bad thing?” Tinker almost slapped his forehead once he asked that, of course it was a good thing because it placed Junligh higher within the Burning
Junligh looked happy Tinker had noticed which set his ‘somethings off here’ neck hairs. And was proven so when she replied. “Master Tinker it's a good thing, because only three tails and higher can hide their beast traits.” Which Junligh proved it by her fox ears and tails vanishing while standing before him. Junligh continued saying. “Now I’ll be able to serve you even while in your birth lands.” Tinker's brain was waving red flags to beat the band. Oh he really needed to talk to his great grandfather. Because Junligh was even cuter now without the ears and tails. So he smiled and replied. “That’s great Junligh, hmm why don’t you go see if Princess Anya is ready yet?” Junligh smiled at him then bowed and hurried off to see if she could aid the princess in her packing. Tinker sighed and hung his head as he left his room. And bumped into Lord Huglu out in the hall who said. “What's troubling you Mage Tinker?” Tinker bowed and replied. “Sorry Lord Hunglu, I was lost in my thoughts. Hmm..You wouldn’t happen to have an extra book on ahh” Here, Tinker pondered just how to phrase a request on Kitsune interactions, the can and can nots, what was taboo and what wasn’t.
Then sighed and said. “Never mind, I’ll just ask Junligh as we travel. And if she doesn’t know, she should have an idea of who I should ask my question to.” Lord Hunglu tilted his head as Tinker had started his reply and then backed out of what he had been thinking to know. When Junligh and Princess Anya stepped into the hallway carrying their packs. Lord Hunglu now seeing Junligh with her beast traits hidden got a small smirk on his face as he said. “I see you're all ready to leave, good. I have arranged an honor guard with carriage and wagon to take you and your guards all the way to our border near the Lady's Forest.” He led them all out and waved the escort honor guards commander to step forward and said. “This is commander Gresalt of the Lady Isamie’s travel guards. Commander Gresalt, this is Princess Anya of the Lady’s Forest and this is Mage Tinker. Lady Isamie and myself would be upset to hear that they came to harm before reaching our border.” The commander who looked irked at having to be these two outsiders' guardians, suddenly stood straighter at hearing that and bowed saying. “On my life no harm will befall these two.”
Tinker sighed and said. “Commander Gresalt, No one dies if I have a say in the matter.” Lord Hunglu bowed to Tinker as he said. “Mage Tinker is a blessed healer Commander and a powerful mage of the lands. Heed his advice. Now, Lady Isamie wanted me to pass on a message to you Prince Asher. You are always welcome here. She was hoping you would stay, but understands you have only recently gained your freedom so, just know you have a home here if you so wish.” Lord Hunglu again bowed to Tinker and then to Princess Anya who stepped forward and gave him a hug and whispered in his ear. “Thank you, Tinker now has three homes to come too.” And stepped back and turned and led Tinker, Junligh and Elric within the carriage. Just as Tinker was about to enter the carriage he stopped and sighed asking. “Has anyone seen Isabel? We can’t leave her here.” Junligh sighed and said. “She is within the backpack. Said she couldn’t get lost or cause you further trouble that way.” Tinker rubbed his forehead then sighed and climbed in and shut the carriage door. The carriage headed off with its twenty Burning Sands Clans Guardians. Tinker spent the first hour watching the city and then the surrounding farmlands pass by them.
Anya, Junligh and Elric talked amongst themselves as Tinker wasn’t in much of a mood to talk as he had pulled out the scroll given to him by Lord Hunglu and Lady Isamie. The Dragon Babymetal was a silver dragon and according to what he read back in the Diamondedge castle library, metal looking dragons were peaceful good natured dragons. But still on a hunted list of magical beasts to be slain in the Diamondedge kingdom. This record named one person as the bearer of the dragon's gift of rituals, ‘Samuel’ with no last name. But it does say he was from the area now known as the Greensweld. And it listed the ritual workings he did for the following four decades being to guard off orcs and other such beasts and enhancing the food crops growth during bad seasons of weather, then the death of the dragon almost a hundred years later there.
Tinker rolled it up thinking though it provided some of the information that answered most of his questions. It also opened up more questions. Like why did the dragon stay within the human farmlands? Was it trapped there all that time? And who was Samuel and what became of his family line. The light was getting low which just confirmed they had been traveling for hours as he poured over the scroll seeking the knowledge of who he should be searching for. Tinker rolled the scroll up and placed it back within his hip bag. The carriage soon came to a stop beside a small town's inn. The carriage door was knocked on and when Elric opened it their honor guard commander was standing holding the door open and waved them to enter the inn.Tinker looked around until he saw Bal then entered the inn behind everyone else. Once he reached the table Anya, Elric and Junligh were seated he sighed and said. “Ok, I’m sorry I’ve been a jerk and so lost in thought.” Princess Anya looked up at him and said, “Whatever do you mean Tinker. You have been quiet but you now have the information about the dragon and who it gifted the art of rituals to, correct? And I understand that Isabel's bad behavior in front of Lady Isamie was awful and rude. I’m sure mother will scold her once we get back.”
Tinker moans and replies. “Princess Anya, what am I to do with Isabel? One part of this issue is she can’t help being so short in her attention span as its part and whole of her being. The other is she means well and tries hard to be the fey attendant assigned to me. And I’m going to be going to the southern Diamondedge border to find and help my great grandfather once I have you back home and that will place an unlimited supply of things to cause Isabel to be away from me investigating everything among folk who curse about every problem they have being a fairies or the other sprites fault and more than likely attack her on sight when they see her.” Elric tilts his head as he listens to Tinker speaking. And once Tinker stops says. “So, you're not mad at her? I’ve not brought it up while we were traveling because I thought you were.” Tinker sighs and after placing his order for food and drink replies. “Elric, yes I was mad while we were in the Lady Isamie court. It wasn’t the place or time for her to carry on like that. And yes I have a bone to pick with her about blaming me because she went off exploring and I didn’t wait upon her return before leaving. I’ve had that talk with her twice now. I was about to send her back to her village but Lady Isamie stopped me by chastising her.”
Anya looked sad hearing just how upset Tinker had been over Isabel's attitude of Tinker not telling her where he was going. She and her mother don’t have such issues as they rarely go off traveling further than the home trees surrounding town. And even then they don’t have any single fey that is assigned to attend them personally. And here is Tinker who had been kept and hidden away, controlled by others and now has a personal fey attendant trying to control his newfound freedom. Anya sighs and says.
“Tinker, I understand, I really do. But the only reason Isabel is healthy and still living is because you saved her. She just wants to be with you to pay back the gift of her wings and health to you. I’m sure she has no idea she is being a bother to you by demanding you always tell her where you're going or that you take her with you.” Tinker accepts his dinner plate but instead of starting in on eating it he sits looking at it then sighs and turns to Junligh saying. “Is Isabel still in the backpack?” When Junligh nods her head yes Tinker stands up and heads out to the carriage. Anya, Elric and Junligh still sitting at the table almost at once sigh as they watch Tinker head out the inn to retrieve Isabel. Anya looks over at Junligh and says. “Junligh do you understand the issue here? I’m not sure how widely the story of Prince Asher is known here.” Junligh was still watching the inn’s entrance door when Anya spoke. She turned her attention to the elven Princess and replied. “The first I knew mage Tinker was a prince was after his rescuing Bal and our stay with my aunt Laura. Hmm, is there a story about him? I would very much like to know.” Anya sighed and Elric smirked at her as she replied.
