These are chapters from an old manuscript, chapter one is available here. The chapter and my annotations are paywalled for people who actually love me and also love freedom and puppies. So. Time to prove some stuff.
Enjoy the first few paragraphs for free!
Chapter 29: Puk’s Gambit
All of this super soldier business was quite tiring. Either that, or Puk had finally gotten used to the burden of the amulet and remembered how it felt to be happy again. Whatever the reason, when the convoy stopped for the final time on the road to the NetherFortress, Puk stretched out under a tree and took a little nap.
Prateva’s ghost was waiting for him.
“I’m trying to rest,” he protested, planting his paws on his hips.
Prateva glowered at him, then softened, a gesture that was out of place while she still wore her spiked armor. “You are asleep. I thought we should speak in a setting where no one can hear your side of the conversation.”
He checked his surroundings. Sure enough, there he was, snoozing in the shade a few feet away. The convoy was still in the woods, but the trees were thinning out. This was the edge of the Darbit territory. Technically the NetherFortress crater wasn’t in Korbadell, but those borders had changed recently. He and Prateva floated slowly away from the convoy, drifting above the trees. Down below, Puk saw Captain Brimstone and Trinnia at the edge of the crater, looking into the distance with their special scopes.
“You’re going to ask me the same thing, and I’m going to give you the same answer. I think you should just go,” Puk said.
“I am impressed by your bravery, Puk. Perhaps your Matron Star granted your wish after all. Your adventure with the porcupatamus was rather entertaining,” Prateva said.
I like the trees.
Puk’s ears stood up. “Who said that?”
“Ignore her.”
“No, I don’t think I will. Redd was right, someone else is trapped in the amulet. Who is it that likes the trees?” He looked around, and a ways off to his right he saw the faint outline of a woman illuminated in green, but every attempt to focus on her only made her flicker and fade.
“She’s a ghost of this forest. She likes trees. Don’t worry about her,” Prateva insisted.
“If she’s bound to this forest, why did I hear her in Fainor?” Puk demanded.
We remain, Prateva, the ghost said.
“Quiet!” Prateva raised a hand toward the ghost. Puk sensed the magic before it happened, almost unconsciously, and as if by instinct he slapped his paw to the amulet and felt its power waiting for him.
“Stop!” Puk commanded.
Prateva froze. The green ghost made a content little sound.
Free me, Puk. Free us.
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