Sorcerer's Magick

Also By

Erik Kristofer Lucero

Novels:

Heroes of the Prophecy

The Keeper’s First Book

The Goddess Trials

Loroke

Vampyr Hunter

Poetry:

Life to Me

Children’s Chapter Books:

The Looking Glass

Last of the Dragon Age

Children’s Picture Books:

Tell Me a Story

My Abuelo and Me

Little Emybug: Treasure Hunter

Ky-Ki the Cat children’s picture book series:

Ky-Ki the Cat

Ky-Ki’s First Halloween

Ky-Ki and the Moon

Sorcerer’s Magick

Erik Kristofer Lucero

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2024 by Erik Kristofer Lucero

Cover design by Erik Kristofer Lucero with craiyon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information, address: eklucero@hotmail.com.

First paperback edition

Book design by Erik Kristofer Lucero

ISBN:

DEDICATION

To my family who believe in me.

One

The mountains towered over the valley below as the sun began to settle down toward the horizon. The light of the setting sun painted an orange, red, and yellow glow over the land. The treetops swayed to the breeze coming from the northern skies. The sounds of the birds beginning to quiet down for the evening echoed softly though the valley.

Jarith Southgard stared out at the village nestled below. His shoulder length black hair tussled in the wind as it traveled. His deep blue eyes scanning the valley below. He pursed his lips as he stood on the edge of the precipice of the mountain. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath before leaping off.

The wind rushed over his body as he opened his eyes to see the ground approaching quickly. Taking another deep breath, he focused his mind. A flash of bright light followed a soft crack as Jarith shifted. Out of the bright light he flew as his arms transformed into wings of a falcon. His leg tucked in as his feet shifted into talon claws. A beak replaced his nose and mouth as he let out a thunderous caw that echoed over the valley.

Using his wings, he pushed against the air and rose out of the dive, nearly reaching the clouds before he straightened and soared over the valley. His sharp golden eyes allowed him to see clearly for miles. He flapped his wings a few more times causing him to rise higher. With a quick glance, he looked to see the edge of the village. With a quick check of his speed, he tipped to his slide, pulled his wings tight to himself and began to nosedive toward the valley floor. Several feet from the ground he flicked his wings back open, threw his legs out and began to slow his descent.

Just as he was about to touch the ground, there was another flash of light and a soft crack, and he emerged human once again. Walking toward the village his dark brown robes rustled around him with each step.

Melton, the small village on the southern end of the valley, was nestled between Lake Hale at the mouth of Kingod River and the Tekoda Mountains. The forest that covered the valley from the edge of the village to the mountains was the chief source of income for many of the families. Thus, making them one of the best communities of Woodworkers and why Jarith was here.

It was the smaller villages that usually held the best of the Workers Guild. Big cities like Gathol had many of the Worker Guilds but were not skilled for their prices. Through his travels he learned that. Bigger cities tend to be full of people from the upper society or part of the Traders Guild with numerous shops. While smaller towns and villages held more people from the Worker Guilds

He strolled down the main street of the village toward the business district. In small villages like this one most of the business districts were at one end away from the residential. With the mouth of the river at the far end of the village the elders regulated the businesses near it.

As Jarith walked down the street many of the residents would stop and look at him. Sorcerers were not seen much in the smaller villages, but everyone knew them when they saw them. His dark brown robes warned them he was a fully trained sorcerer. Most people would be afraid of him, but his wide smile told them he was not there to cause trouble.

Once he reached the business district, he stopped at the head office.

Hello good Sir. How may we help you? A woman said with a smile.

Could you tell me where the best home builder is. I would like to ask some questions about a home I would like built. He replied as he walked up to her.

Handel Fosters is who you want. His shop is located on the south end of the midway near the docks. He is one of the best but can be expensive.

Thank you, mam. he said, tipping his head before turning and leaving. As he exited the building, he bumped into a woman hurrying past. She fell to the ground with a thud as she grunted. The bag she was carrying hit the ground and scattered its contents over the ground. She looked up and the anger across her face changed to worry when she saw his robes.

I am very sorry mam. He said with a big smile across his face. My apologies. I should have paid attention as I was leaving this store. He said as he held his hand out for her. She tentatively slipped her hand into his and he gently helped her to her feet.

Thank you. She said smiling. He bent down and picked up the fruit that fell out of her bag. She thanked him again then walked away smiling. He continued toward the shop thinking about the woman’s reaction.

He understood some people's fear of dealing with sorcerers. Many in the past have used their powers to rule or destroy rather than help. While most villages have worked with sorcerers, there are some that still fear those with magick. The woman’s fear changed once she realized that he was helping her. It was still progress, to change the fear in those villages, but every time he helped people it made them see that not all sorcerers were bad.

As he got closer to the docks there was a scuffled noise coming from a nearby bank. Turning he saw four men run out of the building each carrying a sack of marks. He watched as they started to run toward the shipyard just as law enforcement officers ran by. Not wanted to just stand there watching, he proceeded to ran after the men. He took two steps before shifting into a falcon and taking to the air. There were screams of surprise as the puff of smoke dissipated and he emerged from it in falcon form.

He soared quickly into the air looking for the men as they ran down alleys. They ran between several buildings darting in and out of various alleys. The law enforcement officers did not see him flying over their heads as they chased the men. The men began to gain some distance on the officers so when he watched as they darted down a narrow alley, he flapped his wings gaining more speed. Flying to the end of the alley he nosedived, shifting a hand span away from the ground startling the men.

I don’t know who you are, but you better get out of the way. One of them said in a gruff voice. Another took a switch knife out of his pocket and pointed it at Jarith. They slowly walked toward him, each flashing a knife. Jarith just smiled as he held out one hand, palm up. The second his hand was up a small flame burst from his hand which grew. The men finally realized what he was and dropped the sacks of marks and their knives. The law enforcement officers ran up behind them.

Stay there and put your hands up. You are under arrest for theft. The men each slowly raised their hands as more officers flanked the alley and ran in to bind their hands. The chief officer watched as his men bound them. He walked over to Jarith with a big smile across his face.

I would like to thank you on behalf of the village. Your help was much appreciated.

I do what I can to help. Now I need to get back to my business. After shaking the chief’s hand, he began to walk back toward the docks. While he walked, he looked around missing the small village life. It had been nearly forty years since he left his birth village to become a sorcerer. Though he had been back to visit over the years he spent most of his life in the bigger cities. Over the course of the years, he traveled to new countries, seeing nearly every size village, town, and city. Spent time with native tribes in various locations and learned far more than he had ever imagined.

Yet in the end he never felt at home anywhere he went. Which is what brought him to this village. He learned several months ago that one of the best builders lived in this village. It was then he decided that he no longer wanted to live in the city but outside a small village. When he found a house located where he wanted, he set about fixing it up. The only problem was his lack of knowledge about such things. Though he has learned many different subjects he was not very handy with tools of woodworking. Magick could have helped him, but he learned that objects made with physical labor were far superior then ones created from magick. He figured if he wanted it done right, then why not have the best do it?

He looked at the signs outside the shops until he found the one, he needed. Fosters were carved into the rectangular wooded sign that hung above the shop. In the window of the shop stood a dresser, two hat stands, and several small bedside chests.

He walked into the shop and chuckled as he watched a lively older woman swaying her hips and whistling a folk song. Her light red hair was pulled up into a bun on the top of her head. She looked to come up to his shoulder and was an ample woman. Her back was to him as she danced about the small area used to show the Woodworker’s ability. He leaned back against the front wall watching her until she turned around. As she saw him, she jumped back slightly putting her hand to her chest then smiled at the way he was leisurely leaning against the wall. Putting the rag in her hand down, she walked up to him.

Hello sir, how may I help you?

I was told this is the best Woodworkers in town.

I wouldn’t say we are the best but thank you for the complement. He smiled at her as he moved away from the wall.

Well, I need some help. I bought a house and would like to fix it up a bit. I’m not very handy when it comes to woodwork. I would like some furniture and the house could use some work put into it. I’ve been around the world many times and I know this village has some of the best Woodworkers. What I’m saying is I would like to hire someone to help me.

You have come to the right place. My husband and son are both excellent Woodworkers. Let me show you some of their work. She beckoned him as she turned to walk to some furniture. This bed was made by my son. She smiled as she as he knelt to inspect the work. He had never seen anything like it. The wood was smoother than anything he ever felt with a natural sheen to it. Sliding his hands over the wood, he could feel the magick within. He looked closer and could barely see any tool marks.

This is very exquisite. He said as he ran his hand over one of the posts. Out of the corner of his eye he could see her wide smile at his complement of her son. I would like to discuss business with him. Standing up he faced her.

I’ll let him know when he gets back for the day. They are out in the woods gathering wood. My husband always says, ‘It’s better to get the wood yourself so you can choose the right tree to attain it from’.

A smart man. Well then, I would like to meet him tomorrow, say early, just after sunrise. I don’t want to take up too much of his time gathering wood.

I will let him know... She paused.

Jarith Southgard.

Mr. Southgard. We will see you in the morning...

Damara Fosters. He bowed and left the shop. As he walked back toward the residential side of town, he found an inn with a restaurant. After eating the house stew, he paid for a room for two nights. In the room, he waved his hand over the trunk bench that all inns had for travelers and his small trunks appeared. All sorcerers learn to vanish some items to carry with them. Size and amount depend on the strength of the person. His strength allowed him to carry many things including two small trunks full of clothes and other needed items.

He slipped out of his robe, hung it in the closet, then changed into night clothes then pulled a book from one of the trunks. He sat on the bed and opened the book and started to read. It was not long before he fell asleep as his head fully hit the pillow.

Two

The rhythmic sound of his axe chopping into the wood of the newly felled tree seem to compete with the others that echoed through the forest. It was almost like a musical beat played by musicians. As his axe came down on the wood, others would come only seconds later as each chopped into the trees. Added to the rustling of the wildlife and it would sound like the symphonies his mother loved listening to.

Emerick Fosters spent much of his time in this forest chopping and collecting the wood needed for his family’s woodworking shop. Though most of the other woodworkers would buy their wood from many of the foresters, his father always believed that woodworkers who gather their own wood have a better understanding of what it should be made into. Emerick especially had an intuition about the trees he would chop down. He would place his hand on a tree and know if it was the right one for the project his family was commissioned for. His ability to understand the wood showed in his work and for that reason, his family has always chopped the wood for themselves every third week.

When his family first moved here, they had to compete with several woodworking families. Emerick was just barely past his toddler stage of life. His father would get enough work for them to survive. As Emerick grew, his ability emerged when he first went to the forest to watch his father work.

Since that day, the family became the best woodworkers in the village, earning them numerous wealthy customers. Now they have many customers requesting their work.

As Emerick chopped, he could hear the nervous giggles and whispers of the forester’s daughters as they watched him. Every time he swung his axe down, his muscles would ripple under his skin. Having already shed his shirt earlier, the girls could see every inch of them move. He entered true manhood last month as his body filled out properly enhancing his tall physic.

His shoulder length blond hair was pulled back from his neck with a small leather tie. This helped keep him cool in the humid forest. Eyes that mimicked the trees with their green and brown hues stared at the log as he chose the best spot to chop. He quickly wet his lips with his tongue before plunging the axe into the log. He could hear the girls gasp as his axe hit its mark. He loved to show off to these girls.

Most of them would swoon or gasp at every chop. He heard giggles and could hear them talking. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he had an idea of what they were saying. After a while, he could no longer hear them. When he turned to them, they had left. Most likely to swoon over some of the other boys that had come into manhood.

It never took him long to chop the logs into the sections he needed. Once he finished the final chop he stepped back and grabbed his water container from the tree stump it was resting on and took a quick swallow. Just as he put the container down, he noticed something off toward the mountains. He saw something leap off the precipice. Moments after it leapt there was a puff of smoke then a falcon shot straight over the valley. He watched as it took flight with quick speed. Drifting with the winds that carried over the valley. Soon it rose to the clouds before it folded its wings and dove for the village.

Seeing birds do that was not unusual around the village as there was a river and a small lake. Seeing a falcon this far south, this time of the year was. Especially one that was big as that. Watching it disappear as it reached the treetops, he wondered what he was going to do after. Picking up his axe he walked back to the wagon.

He opened the lid to a small box attached to the side of the wagon and placed his axe in before grabbing a couple bundles of rope. He laid them on the edge of the wagon then walked over to the logs. Picking one up he lifted it on his shoulder then walked it over to the wagon, placing it in the back with the other logs he gathered earlier. The sky was turning reddish orange of sunset as he finished with all the logs that he had chopped. He tied them down into the bed of the wagon then slid his shirt back on, hopped into the driver’s seat and nudged the horse forward.

It was nearly dark when he reached the storehouse next to their shop. The lamplighters were out doing their jobs as he pulled the wagon up to the building. His father was waiting at the open doors when he steered the horse and wagon into the large building. His father took the reins and led the horse to the dockside of the building. Once Emerick set the break, his father unhitched the horse and led it to the stall used to house their horses.

That’s a good load you have today. His father Handel said as he walked around the wagon. Much more than mine.

Today’s load should do for the dresser and the bed for the Mathers, plus whatever else comes our way.

That it should. I have some regular pieces I want to create for the shop. His father said with a gleam. Come on boy, let’s get home for dinner. He said clapping Emerick on the back. They closed and locked up the storehouse before walking toward the residential section of town.

As they walked into the house, they heard the cheerful humming of his mother coming from the kitchen. She came out carrying a baking dish as she danced smiling at them while they entered the dining-room.

Dinner is ready. She said placing the dish on the table. They washed their hands before they sat down to eat dinner. As he was washing his hands, Emerick could hear his sister bounding down the steps from her room. He smiled as she kissed his cheek.

Hello brother. Have a good day? Linzelle said

I had a great day. He replied smiling.

Yeah, teasing all the girls watching you. Handel said with a sly grin causing Emerick to blush. Well, you are my son. I know those girls all giggle and swoon when they see you. His father clapped him on the back. What’s for dinner? he asked, turning his attention to Damara.

Fresh baked chicken, with wild stew and steamed tricaflower.

Mm, perfect. Let’s eat. The four of them gathered around the table and held hands closing their eyes. Thank you, Great Mother of All, for bringing this meal to our family and allowing us to work for what we have. They sat down and began placing food on their plates

We may have a new commission. Damara said.

Really. Emerick looked up from his meal.

A sorcerer came in today and was admiring the bed you made. His mother said, looking at him. He inquired about some furniture and work done on his new house. He will be at the shop just after sunrise.

A sorcerer. Well then, we must meet with him. Handel said. It would be a great honor to have his commission. Just think of what it will do for the business. He looked at Emerick. Son, I think it is time you took the lead on a commission. Emerick perked up as he stared at his father. "It is part of the business, and you will need to learn it one day. I think you can do it