Read Darkness Falls (Tales of the Wolf) Online
Authors: A.E. McCullough
Darkness Falls (Tales of the Wolf) (43 page)
Epilogue
On a remote island in the Crystal Sea, three great beings came together for a meeting. It had been several millennia since all three had been together in the same place at the same time.
Hyperion bowed his head in greeting to his two sisters, Terra and Nox.
“The plan is moving forward splendidly.”
Nox, the Lady of the Void, drew a circle on the hard packed dirt and spit in it. The circle disappeared and became an ebony portal that showed a lone warrior sitting on a cliff next to a grave. He was surrounded by death but the Trôika only had eyes for the One.
“Where he walks, death follows close behind. It is his curse and his gift.”
Terra touched the portal and the image tightened up on the warrior’s face.
“He cries for those he’s lost both now and in the future. He knows his path will lead to more death and destruction.”
Hyperion nodded. “Yes, the mortal will be the catalyst of change.”
Terra added, “It is darkest just before the dawn. The days are dark for the mortals, yes…this is true. But soon, the darkness will feed on itself and the light shall begin to shine once more.”
Nox shook her head. “I am not a fan of your light but I agree we must restore the balance.” She pointed at the young warrior. “He is not yet ready. He is learning, yes, but into his life more darkness shall fall. How will he survive without the aid of his friends?”
Hyperion rubbed his chin in a very mortal fashion. “Very good question sister, very good indeed. How can he lean on other mortals when it is their destiny to die?”
Terra looked up. “I have an idea.”
Both Nox and Hyperion grinned as Terra explained her plan.
Nox tapped her twisted staff on the ground three times and disappeared into a puff of black smoke. Hyperion just shook his head and clapped thrice. A bolt of lightning came out of a clear blue sky and poof, he was gone.
Terra picked up some sand and tossed it into the air. “Come Spirit of the Wild, come to me.”
From all over Terreth, the nature god that embodied all of the wild creatures appeared before her. “Yes mother? You called?”
“I have need of your services.”
“You have but to ask.”
Terra pointed at the dark portal. “He needs a special protector and friend to lean on over the years.”
The Spirit of the Wild gazed down and recognized the warrior. “We are already bonded to the Chosen One. What more do you ask of us?”
“I know of two spirits that wish to aid him but will need a host on this plane.”
“Command me.”
Terra clapped her hands and two spirits appeared. One was of a tall dark haired Highlander with broad shoulders and grey eyes. The second was of a beautiful elf maiden with
fiery red hair and flashing green eyes.
“I need a wolf and red eagle.”
The Spirit of the Wild grinned. “It shall be done.”
The End
Author’s Notes:
Wow. Another novel complete. Although, I do feel I owe my avid fans an apology for the delay in this novel. I had planned on writing this story several years ago but life got in the way. In fact, this tale was the catalyst which started the whole ‘Tales of the Wolf’ saga. I always knew that Gray would be captured and spend the majority of his childhood as a slave. However, much of the story evolved as I wrote it. I stopped worrying about this fact and have learned to ‘go with the flow’ – when my Muse is whispering, I shut up and write.
I also want to apologize for not having a map of Terreth and a glossary of terms. Both were in the works but my computer’s hard drive crashed. Fortunately, my manuscript was saved in the ‘cloud’ but neither the map or an update glossary were. I could rebuild both but then, this novel would be delayed again. For ease, many of the strange terms used in this book are basically Latin. Not every term, some of the Elvish words I used Google Translate…typed in what the word was to mean and scrolled through dozens of translations until I found something I liked. Not super scientific but easier on the author when finding time to write is sometimes the hardest part of the day.
Many of you will be happy to hear that I have already begun the preliminary work on the next novel in the series –
Grimstalker
. It will primarily focus on Gray’s departure from the Dark Alliance and the beginning of his quest to gather the Nine. I am sure that I you will see some of your favorite characters in
Grimstalker.
I have also started scribbling on a series of ‘Companion’ stories, focusing on some of the supporting characters as a way to flesh out their history, backstory and set the stage for some of the upcoming novels in this saga.
Similar to what I have done in my
Last Spartan
series.
If by chance you enjoyed this novel, please do two things for me. One, take a moment and post a review on Amazon. It doesn’t have to be much, just your opinion on my novels. Believe it or not, reviews (good, bad or indifferent) help. Two, pass the word about my work. As a self-published author, I rely on the oldest form of advertising….word of mouth.
And lastly, thanks to my test readers for all their valuable input.
Drew McCullough
December 2013
Drew and Felicia McCullough – circa 1996
Andrew was born in Munich, Germany while his father was stationed overseas with the US Army. Growing up a military brat, Drew became an avid reader with Fantasy, Science Fiction and Detective Thrillers being his favorite genres.
Drew served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1982-88 and began training in TaeKwonDo in 1985. In 1994 he moved to Louisville
, Kentucky to open his own TKD studio and taught for 11 wonderful years where he met and married his wife, Felicia, and gained a great step-son, John Michael. In 2005, he closed his studio and switched careers.
He currently works as a Corrections Officer with Louisville Metro
Corrections and writes in his spare time. Unable to live on the beach, he resides on a farm with his wife and animals: 5 cats, 3 dogs and 2 horses.
N
ovels by A.E. McCullough
Available on Amazon in print or eBook
format
Tales of the Wolf Saga
The Coming of the Wolf
Enter the Wolf
Darkness Falls
The Last Spartan Series
The Last Spartan: Different Paths
The Last Spartan: DJ’s Mission
Coming Soon
The Last Spartan: The Great Hunt
Coming Soon
Lost Lands: the Game
Atlantis (Book 1)
A different kind of fantasy novel.
DEDICATION
This novel is dedicated to my loyal fans. There is a small group out there that have bombarded me with e-mails and posts on Facebook asking for the next installment in the ‘Tales of the Wolf’ saga. Honestly, Deb, Phyllis and Amanda have been the most vocal. But for all my readers, this novel is for you.
Copyright Information
Copyright © 201
3 by Andrew McCullough
This book is a work of fiction. Names, character, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author, except by reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.
Cover Art by A.E. McCullough
Cover
Layout by Phillip K. Aiken – [email protected]
Back Cover Photograph by Dreamstime®
First Edition:
December 2013
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