TJ Amberson hails from the Pacific
Northwest. With a love of writing in several genres, TJ strives to provide
well-written, age-appropriate, & original novels for tweens, teens, and new
adults.
Dark times are upon the land of
Nereth. Centuries have passed since the rightful heir to the throne was
banished. The people are losing hope in ancient legend, which foretells of one
who will rise up, overthrow the evil king and queen, and restore peace. Like
all others in Nereth, Edlyn has suffered greatly. Orphaned as a child, Edlyn
grew up as the serf of a drunken lord. Now a spirited seventeen-year-old, Edlyn
works to buy her freedom while fighting off the unwanted advances of Sheriff
Hurst. One morning, Edlyn discovers a young man hiding in the stable. He is
fleeing from Sheriff Hurst and inflicted with a sword wound that will surely be
fatal without her help. In a split-second decision, Edlyn conceals the young
man from Sheriff Hurst and begins nursing him back to health. As the young
man's strength returns, Edlyn learns that his name is Maddock, and she is
stunned to find that he has come from the mysterious land to the north. Maddock
soon comes to Edlyn's aid, rescuing her from Sheriff Hurst. Suddenly declared
outlaws, both Edlyn and Maddock must escape for their lives to enchanted
Ravenshire Forest and then the desolate mountains beyond. As their adventure
unfolds, Edlyn and Maddock discover that their meeting may have been more than
chance, for their lives prove bound by a fate that neither of them could
possibly have imagined.
Snippet:
Edlyn slowly turned to Maddock. "I
presume this is about you."
Maddock
did not respond. Wincing, he reached out with one arm to brace himself against
the wall while keeping his other hand pressed on his abdomen.
"I
could be imprisoned for helping a fugitive, or killed," Edlyn went on
frankly, shutting the stable door. "It depends on what you have
done."
Maddock
found his voice, "I will not put you in danger."
He
made another move to leave but swayed and began to fall. Edlyn lunged forward,
catching Maddock in her arms. Staggering under the weight of his limp body, she
lowered him to the dirt.
"Help
me leave. I must get away from here," Maddock begged, attempting to get
up.
From
the sounds outside, Edlyn knew that the riders were nearly upon them. She also
saw that Maddock's breathing was growing shallow and the life in his dark eyes
fading. He would not escape those who hunted him. For one moment, Edlyn
hesitated, looking between Maddock and the stable door. Then she spoke upward,
as if to the sky:
"This
young man might be an outlaw, but may the spirits of Ravenshire Forest curse me
for eternity if I ever help Sheriff Hurst."
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