Excerpt from Marial's Curse (Coming to Amazon Books in October)

[thelufias]

Looks to be interesting indeed.

[Paul]

The sun hung low in the sky, casting elongated shadows upon the emerald grass as Marial stood at the edge of a sacred glade, her heart racing like a wild stallion. For two long years, she had trained under Lady Elora's watchful gaze—years filled with grueling lessons and moments of self-doubt. Today was to be her first true test: the summoning of her Elemental Companion.

Marial closed her eyes, allowing herself to sink into silence. She inhaled deeply, letting the crisp air fill her lungs as she drew upon every fragment of knowledge bestowed upon her by Lady Elora—the chants that echoed like hymns in forgotten temples, the intricate gestures that danced on her fingertips like fireflies at twilight. Her surroundings faded away; all that remained was a singular focus on what lay ahead.

The glade was alive with magic—a shimmering aura enveloped it, thickening as if time itself held its breath in anticipation. The trees stood sentinel around her, their leaves rustling softly, as though they too wished to witness this momentous occasion. And there it lay before her: an intricate sigil carved into ancient stone at the center of the clearing—a circle adorned with runes pulsing faintly beneath layers of moss.

"Elementals," Marial whispered softly, summoning courage from deep within.

With each word spoken aloud came an electric tingle coursing through her veins. She felt an awakening within herself—a connection to something greater than mere mortal existence—as she traced patterns in midair with deft fingers.

"By my will and your essence," she continued fervently, "I call forth my guardian from realms unseen!"

The winds began to swirl violently around Marial's form; leaves danced wildly in spirals while petals took flight like butterflies freed from their cocoons. A tempest brewed above—the sky darkening momentarily as clouds twisted together ominously before parting to reveal brilliant shafts of light cascading downwards.

And then it happened: after several long minutes that stretched into eternity—a being emerged amidst swirling gusts and crackling energy.

He appeared as a muscular humanoid figure bathed in ethereal light blue radiance—his chest bare yet gleaming like polished blue topaz under celestial illumination; his lower half dissipated into misty air that swirled around him like smoke caught in a playful breeze. His presence commanded both awe and reverence; he seemed less corporeal than divine—an embodiment of raw elemental power incarnate.

"Greetings Lady Amaril," he spoke—not merely with words but through sound waves resonating deep within Marial's core—the voice resembling rushing wind cascading down rocky cliffs or dancing among treetops high above. "I am Volodar, Elemental Lord of Air."

For an instant time stilled; reality blurred around them until all else faded away save for this profound connection forged between summoner and summoned—both bound by fate's delicate threads woven through time immemorial.

"Eons I have awaited one worthy to call." His voice wrapped around Marial like tendrils entwining themselves about kindred souls lost across ages past. "I will be your protector and confidant for as long as you may live."

Marial blinked against sudden tears welling up unbidden—the weighty significance unfurling within hearts intertwined sparked recognition far deeper than mere duty or obligation—it pulsed with promise: companionship forged not just out of necessity but of kinship born amidst trials faced together ahead!

With a gentle nod, Volodar held out his hands and closed his eyes in concentration. The forest grew quiet as the air grew thick with anticipation. Within moments, an ancient tome appeared, bound in leather that looked as though it had been weathered by the very winds he controlled. He opened his eyes, and with a knowing smile, presented the book to her.

"Behold, young one," he said, his voice like a soft zephyr carrying whispers of ancient secrets, "The Elemental Codex, a tome that holds the wisdom of the ages. Its pages contain the essence of the Elemental Lords and our ancient laws. As your power grows, so too shall the knowledge within be revealed unto you."

Marial reached out with trembling hands, her heart racing as she took hold of the weighty book. The leather felt cool to the touch, the embossed runes on its cover seemingly alive, shifting with the currents of magic that surrounded them. The pages fluttered open, revealing script that danced with the colors of a rainbow, each letter a glyph of power that sang to her very soul.

Lady Elora, who had been watching from the shadows, stepped forward with a gasp of surprise. "An Elemental Lord!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder. "I have always dreamt of meeting one, and yet here you stand, a mere apprentice, bonded to such a mighty being. You are truly blessed and gifted, child."

Volodar's gaze shifted to Lady Elora, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Your pupil's potential is indeed vast," he said, his voice like the whisper of a gentle breeze. "But beware, for the path she has chosen is fraught with danger and temptation. Guide her wisely, lest she stray from the light."