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THE ELF MAGE
Clan Elves of the Bitterroot (Book III)
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Twenty-five years ago, Daven Talvi chose to serve the Bitterroot Elf Clan by allowing its Circle of Elders to send him and a few other warriors into suspended animation until their queen could be rescued. In doing so, he gave up his mate and his newborn son. It had been a mistake. With the clan now in chaos and a new young queen in hiding, Daven must take responsibility to set things right. Can Daven combine his innate magical abilities with human computer technology in order to defeat evil elf mages threatening the clan?
THE ELF MAGE [©2012] Clan Elves of the Bitterroot (Book 3) by Lyndi Alexander | Urban Fantasy (PG) 318 pages / 103,000 words | Available in ebook and print from the DFP Books label of Dragonfly Publishing
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PAPERBACK [EAN 978-1-936381-35-7 | ISBN 1-936381-35-4] 5.5 x 8.5 trade trim or 6x9 library trim (318 pages) | Average Price: $13.99
HARDBACK [EAN 978-1-936381-34-0 | ISBN 1-936381-34-6] 6x9 casebound (318 pages) | Average Price: $23.99
EBOOK [EAN 978-1-936381-36-4 | ISBN 1-936381-36-2] Available in EPUB and Kindle MOBI (103,000 words) | Average Price: $3.99
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READ AN EXCERPT
CHAPTER 1:
DAVEN Talvi awoke to blackness.
His head hurt. His cheek lay against the cool soil floor. The air was still and silent. Too silent.
As he pushed himself upright, his left foot kicked a chair. The screech of wood on wood echoed in the darkness.
"Daggaha," he whispered.
Lights powered by elven enchantment flared into existence. He was inside the queen's tree house, the place he had built for her with his own magic.
The last moments before unconsciousness filtered into his mind. His son Astan had been there. Elf Queen Jelani stood by the table, tearful, angry, and accusatory. Astan and Jelani's child was missing. Jelani blamed Daven. Astan attacked Daven with a chair. Daven struggled to remember more.
It wasn't my fault.
Leaning on Jelani's handcrafted bentwood rocking chair, Daven got to his feet. The change in altitude from the floor made his head throb. He took a drink of spring water from the hollowed gourd on the side bench. Laying a hand at the base of his skull, he marshaled his healing powers to control the pain enough to allow him to think.
Astan, it wasn't my fault.
At the time the child was taken, Daven had been with the Circle, the ruling body of their elf clan hidden away in a forest glade of the Bitterroot Mountains in the land the humans called Montana. Daven had assured the matriarchs of the Circle that, though Jelani's behavior might seem somewhat erratic and overly possessive of her son Elliun, such actions were reasonable in a new mother, particularly one who was half-human. The infusion of human blood into the clan rattled many traditions and expectations, bringing effects both good and bad. The old neris, wise females of the clan, agreed not to remove Elliun from the queen's care.
I did everything I could to help you.
Astan had followed Daven to the meeting of the Elders, leaving Jelani at the tree house with her human friends. The queen and her child had been easy targets.
Grigor seemed the most likely culprit. Since the queen had come to live in the forest with the clan, Astan had often voiced concern that the banished Grigor would return to avenge his dead master, Bartolomey. Daven counseled his son not to take action, but to wait and watch. Although Astan had disagreed, he had obeyed his father as duty required.
And look what that has brought me.
Had Daven underestimated the evil Grigor held within him? A sense of blackness still pervaded the atmosphere inside the queen's home. As a full-blood elf well trained in the ways of divination, Daven perceived several mental voices lingering, several personas who left behind the barest impression of menace and ill will.
Something about that felt familiar to Daven. Something he had not felt for many years. Something so vague he could not put a name to it. Yet. But he would.
At one time Jelani and Astan had asked him to set a protective spell on the door, something to keep out uninvited guests. But he had refused. The Circle worried that Jelani would use the spell to keep them from the elf child. Instead, Daven's omission may have enabled someone to take the infant who was so dear to them all.
I failed you, Jelani. I failed you.
He had lost so many who were close to him in his service to the elf clan. Friends and family. Astan's mother, Veraena. Each loss carved a small chink from his determination to persevere for the greater good. The chinks added up. Knowing this tragedy could be laid at his door broke Daven's strong heart.
The hearth fire was cold in more ways than one. It was too late to join the search for the elf child now. Daven's fate lay on a different path.
He took a small sack of runes from his pocket. "Lady of the Forest, show me the way. I need your guidance."
For several reverent moments, he held the woven brown bag in his hands. Then he plucked five runes from it. Shoving aside balls of yellow yarn and the remains of cake, he laid the small colored stones on the table and assessed the import of each singly and in combination with the others.
The first stone, kala, foretold betrayal.
The next, pag, division, separation.
The third, daka, the Outcast.
The fourth, les, the Great Battle.
And the last, gran, a champion, but a champion with a shadow on him, one who did not know fate had chosen him.
Daven stared at the sinister forecast for several long seconds before he picked up the runes and returned them to the bag. Dark times awaited the clan. He must retreat to clear his mind and set his path straight once again.
Somehow he had lost his way, failed to choose the true lines of responsibility. He saw this now. A deep breath cleared his system and drove him toward the door. His duty was to correct the mistakes he made.
"My pride, my mistakes, my fault, Astan. I will make it up to you. I will bring your son home. I swear it."
Daven opened the door. As he stepped outside, snow blew in his face and wind whipped through the trees around him.
He hesitated, wanting to tell the others he was leaving. Jelani's human friend Iris, the pretty blonde social worker, awaited him back in his tree dwelling. But he could not stop to bid her goodbye. That would only create complications. She would find out about his actions soon enough. Perhaps she would not forgive him for the hurt he brought to Jelani. She would find her way back to the city. She did not need him for that. Perhaps none of them needed him. Better to begin.
Daven broke into a run, passing lightly over the snow and headed north, away from the clan grounds and everything he knew, praying he would find a path to redemption...
[Copyright ©2024 Lyndi Alexander | No unauthorized reproduction or distribution]
READ REVIEWS
"I loved the first two books in the series, but THE ELF MAGE is even better. The new characters are well-developed and interesting. The stakes have increased and the tension is high from the opening to the nerve-wracking showdown toward the end. I love the bits of humor sprinkled throughout and the creativity of the magic world the author created is fascinating. THE ELF MAGE is a great read. Looking forward to the next in the series!" ~ reviewed by T.P. Warren at Goodreads [FIVE STARS]
"THE ELF MAGE, the third book of the Clan Elves of the Bitterroot series, shows the evolution of Daven Talvi from an elf warrior to an elf mage. Struggling with a past that haunts him, Daven must find a way to protect his clan from a group of evil elf mages. As he works to sharpen his rusty magical powers, he realizes he cannot fight all of those mages by himself. He needs help. In desperation he turns to human friends with serious computer skills. THE ELF MAGE is a delightful and heartfelt blend of magic and modern technology. Highly recommended for urban fantasy readers!" ~ reviewed by Amber Sparks [FIVE STARS]
"THE ELF MAGE is my favorite book in the Clan Elves of the Bitterroot series. The first two books in the series established the family relationships between humans and elves in Queen Jelani and Astan Hawks woodland elfin kingdom. In this book we see those relationships explode in an out-and-out magical civil war between elf factions when evil mages threaten the clan. Astan's father Daven regrets his past negativity and works to rebuild his relationships with the family. Queen Jelani gains her self-confidence. And the true secrets within the clan are discovered. My favorite part of the book is all about the overweight, nerdy, gamer addict Lane and his discovery of the powers he has within himself. Definitely the best book of the series so far, I can't wait to delve into book four." ~ reviewed by Shawna Coronado [FIVE STARS]
"The Clan Elves of the Bitterroot are really messed up. Queen in hiding, evil mages threatening, allies scattered. Daven must exorcise his past and combine his magic with human technology to save the day. Or will it? Lyndi Alexander wields her own magic in this third book of the Clan Elves of the Bitterroot, THE ELF MAGE." ~ reviewed by Todd Main [FIVE STARS]
"THE ELF MAGE written by Lyndi Alexander, the third in a series of the Clan Elves of the Bitterroot, is a wonderful tale of love, friendship, and duty to the clan. Lyndi weaves the tale of life lessons through characters so real you wish you knew them in real life. THE ELF MAGE makes you realize what you can accomplish by being given that little push we all sometimes need to get out of our comfort zone. Amazing!" ~ reviewed by P. Micosky [FIVE STARS]
"THE ELF MAGE, third book in the Clan Elves of the Bitterroot series by Lyndi Alexander, is the best yet! In the tradition of Brian Mull, this fantasy about elves and their interaction with humans, both positive and negative, will delight young adult readers and adults as well. I loved it! The characters are strong and realistic, the action pulling the reader in, eager for more. How long will I have to wait for the next one?" ~ reviewed by Dr. Jane Nixon White [FIVE STARS]
"Every aspect of THE ELF MAGE, like the ones before, is intriguing. Readers will stand behind (Daven) and wait with anticipation for their hero to emerge from his loneliness. The beginning is swift and draws the reader in immediately, and the full circle ending for Daven is extremely memorable." ~ reviewed by Amy Lignor for Feathered Quill [FIVE STARS]
"THE ELF MAGE was packed with action and excitement! My favorite book of the series!" ~ reviewed by Pamela Cummins [FIVE STARS]
SERIES
THE ELF QUEEN (I) • THE ELF CHILD (II) • THE ELF MAGE (III) • THE ELF GUARDIAN (IV) • Watch Series Video