An Ominous Book 7, Harlequins

I have some good news! Ever since I've been taking advantage of uploading the unfinished novel on Wattpad and doing some minor editing, I have actually taken the annoyance of writing another 1500 words (a huge feat considering I've left this novel idle for 5 months).

Authors don't make a lot of money and it's really hard to compete against fully established authors when you're barely starting out (and even more if you have a limited budget promote your work). Therefore it's critical that we get reviews and word-of-mouth. Every review on the top gun sites like Amazon and Goodreads count like you have no idea. While jumping into the 7th novel might be huge, I'm certain you'll probably enjoy it if you gave it a chance. Here is the book's plot description and enjoy!

Lord Spaulding has a daughter that nobody knew about. Froylan eventually discovers a secret love letter Spaulding wrote to a woman he had a brief encounter with 94 years ago, and attempts to locate the mysterious woman to no avail. After having a terrifying nightmare, Spaulding decides to confide the truth to his most trusted aide Lord Damantin who manages to locate two siblings in a remote cabin in a faraway nation. At first sight they seem human, but Froylan becomes suspicious when he recognizes Hama's unusual name from Spaulding's love letter.
  
  When Spaulding writes an edict that grants the death penalty to the entire guard if Hama and her brother Ruddy are brought to the kingdom against their will, Froylan comissions Spaulding's arch-nemesis Lord Gerasha with the mission to convince Hama to set foot in the kingdom at all costs.
  
  The problem begins when a new enemy of the kingdom named Gulraj who posesses sorcery that makes him nearly immortal has set his eyes on Hama and wants her for himself. Filled with action, comedy and a trip of discovery, Hama must find the way to come to peace with her elf heritage and accept her new position as the heiress to the throne before Gulraj destroys the Elf Kingdom.

CHAPTER 1

“Are you sure of this Trevilin?”

A youthful Richard was in a palace guestroom in the company of Spaulding and Damantin. The elf seemed unusually eager as he unfastened the familiar green velvet collar from his neck.

Spaulding's face became unusually serious when he saw once again the awful scar he unwittingly caused to his best friend such a long time ago. “I just feel worried that you are setting your hopes too high. Richard healed the battle wounds of countless Äimite guards and he has never been able to undo scars that were caused by sorcery.”

However, Trevilin remained unusually upbeat and smiled at his friend. After he placed the velvet collar in his pocket, he began to use sign language. ”Don't worry dear friend. I have told you many times I am not angry at you for burning my neck. I acknowledge I wasted a lot of time explaining too many things to Nelida and Herb that evening.”

“But if I had only been a better ranger, I would have murdered that idiot mage before he injured you in the first place!” The Elf King clenched his fists feeling enraged.

“Well, I am not even sure I can remove the scar but if we are lucky, I could try to restore Trevilin's voice.” Richard smiled with notable enthusiasm nonetheless.

Damantin crossed his arms and grumbled. “Tavelin you don't have to set yourself for disappointment. All of us can speak sign language and even the state secretaries finally took the annoyance of learning it. Your damaged voice isn't an impediment for working in the Master's palace.”

“I spoke to Secretary Ajarna and I am going on a diplomatic mission for a few months. I would really like to speak to humans.”

Damantin shrugged his shoulders and turned around. “Well, Tavelin has made his choice. As one of the nation's senior guards, I give Richard permission to use sorcery for this purpose.”

“Thank you Damantin.”

Richard summoned his familiar Stütgat that floated idly in his hand. Trevilin closed his eyes with a huge smile on his face. Richard calmly placed the beast on his neck and began to focus. The room suddenly became invaded by a blinding blue light and after a few moments, the beast vanished. Richard's face suddenly became filled with disappointment because the familiar neck scar was still there.

“Did you get rid of the scar?” Trevilin's eyes shot open when he could hear the sound of his voice for the first time in ages. Spaulding covered his mouth with his trembling hands whereas a scant tear was visible from Trevilin's eyes.

Damantin squinted his eyes at the scar. “I'm indeed impressed King Richard. Your sorcery managed to restore Tavelin's voice after all.”

However Trevilin's face became riddled with a certain degree of sadness. He grabbed a small mirror from his pocket to observe his reflection. The scar was still there, but he smiled nonetheless. He bowed at Richard with utter politeness. “Thank you Richard. Believe me, if I had been less careless, I guarantee we would have rescued you that very night.”

“Don't worry dear friend. We'll find a way to remove that scar.”

Spaulding nodded in agreement and turned around. Much to everyone's surprise, a medium height elf with brunette hair that reached the straw mat floor was cautiously standing in the doorway alongside Seiran. The elf caused an even larger impression because he was wearing a light green servant uniform.

Spaulding's face was invaded with a smile at the sight. “Great to see you finally arrived Johan. Why don't you come inside and greet Trevilin?”

“Are you sure I'm allowed inside of here? I don't want to get into trouble with the Äimite guard.”

Damantin grinned at Johan's reclusive behavior. “I am one of Master Sperdin's highest ranked guards and I give you my blessing to come inside. I am certain you are unarmed.”

Johan became sufficiently convinced with Damantin's comment and treaded inside. He seemed to attract a lot of attention with the strange attire.

“I've been to your tavern dozens of times Johan and it's the first time I see you dressed in green.”

Johan blushed from Trevilin's remark and chuckled. “Quite honestly, I was expecting the servants to dress me in a ceremonial robe.”

“If you'd like, I could use my influences as a senior guard and allow you to work here indefinitely.” Damantin commented with a pleased face.

Johan shook his head but he tried to remain polite. “Lord Noeru once brought me to Tesafar Palace a long time ago because he personally wanted to offer me money in order to remodel my tavern. Quite frankly, I felt uncomfortable enough at his palace but here?” Johan frenetically shook his head at the sight of the ostentatiously decorated room. “As much as I enjoy your company Lord Spauls, I like my own tavern. Feel free to go there anytime.”

Damantin grumbled when Seiran began to laugh with notable rudeness. She was once again dressed in elegant blue robes that dragged on the floor.

“I doubt the Äimite guard would feel pleased to do that but I can't wait to eat the feast you have prepared for us tonight!”

“Well, it's a very special occasion. My friend Trevilin is about to set off for an important voyage and we are all going to miss him.”

Trevilin blushed from Spaulding's felicitation. “You don't have to be so formal Spaulding. I'll be thinking of you every day. Hopefully my trip will be a success.”

Tameer charged into the room feeling usually annoyed with everyone's tardiness. After saluting Spaulding, he looked at his clipboard. “Master Lord Spaulding, the assigned guestroom is ready and we would like everyone to begin their dinner before the food gets too cold.”

***

A while later, Spaulding's excitement eating Johan's dishes didn't abate even though he was nearly full.

Seiran became amused when he grabbed yet another avocado tapa. “Keep on eating like that and you are going to explode.”

“You don't know what it feels like having the guard forbidding you to go outside the palace. Even when I was a clan leader, I could wander wherever I desired without having to ask anyone for permission.”

“Well, why didn't you ask the guard to visit Johan's tavern a long time ago? I'm certain Damantin would have found a way to convince Lord Froylan for you.”

Spaulding stared at the guestroom that was teeming with guards. A tint of sadness invaded him because Damantin's shift had recently ended and the only high ranking guard was Tameer. Spaulding sighed with a tint of boredom on his face.

“Things are just different now. I also don't want to give Damantin too much problems. I constantly drive Froylan's patience thin when I leave the palace with Damantin to hunt with my eagle without notice.”

Seiran grinned as she gulped some beer.

Richard studied his uncle's remorseful face and smiled. “Uncle I have an idea!”

Spaulding raised his eyes and stared at his nephew's bright blue eyes with curiosity. “What do you mean Richard?”

Richard without notice retrieved something from his robes and calmly placed the mysterious object on the table. Spaulding and Seiran were slightly curious whereas Trevilin recognized the stack of small papers on the table instantly.

“Are these papers those things called cards that humans like to play with in taverns?”

“That is correct uncle and I'm going to teach you a game I used to play a lot with my knights in Ayrtain.” Richard giggled at his uncle's ignorance of human customs and began shuffling the deck of cards.

Spaulding was awed at his proficiency at work. “Amazing!”

After Richard felt sufficiently convinced that he shuffled the deck, he began delivering cards to the 3 elves and himself.

Seiran's eyes widened as she cautiously grabbed her cards. “Richard, I can see strange drawings and numbers on each card.”

“I'm going to teach all of you a game called crazy eights. Don't let your opponent see your cards or else you might lose.” Richard purposely winked at his bewildered uncle as he continued dealing cards.

Spaulding was obviously the most confused of the group. “Richard, I don't understand these cards. They all look the same to me.”

Johan was casually entering the room while he carried a tray with food and frowned when he noticed Spaulding accidentally grabbed his cards on the wrong side allowing his opponents to see his hand. “It seems like Lord Spauls plays human card games almost as bad as he plays beer coin.”

Spaulding suddenly blushed in utter embarrassment and hid his face. Everyone chuckled at his expense which annoyed the guards standing watch.

“What is beer coin?”

Spaulding was however too utterly embarrassed to respond Seiran's inquiry whereas Trevilin had his arms crossed in deep thought.

Johan chuckled as he served several plates of food on the table. “I guess most elves are unfamiliar with that game. When Spaulding was young, he'd tag along his father Noeru and attempt to play it. He would play the game so poorly his father had to take him to an upstairs guestroom before he ended up blind.”

“Huh?”

“This is embarrassing! This is embarrassing!”

Seiran chuckled because Spaulding was looking increasingly embarrassed.

Trevilin's eyes shot open and recalled something. “I think I remember how to play that game!”

“I'd love to try it out! Maybe we can try out my card game some other time.” Richard said with glee.

Trevilin agreed with a huge smile while Johan nodded in approval.

“I'll bring some glasses and a pitcher of beer from the kitchen. Do you have a coin?”

Richard attempted to dig in his pockets but he shook his head.

Seiran shrugged her shoulders and turned in Spaulding's direction. “Do you have any coins Spaulding?”

However Spaulding didn't feel like answering whereas Trevilin sighed with disappointment.

“I don't have any coins with me and I doubt Spaulding would have any because he has no need to go shopping. What about you Johan?”

The elf shook his head with disdain. “I'm sorry but the guards frisked me and took away all of my belongings.”

“That's a huge bummer because I'd love to try that game!”

A guard approached the table and offered Richard a gold coin. “Here is a coin King Richard.”

“Thank you. Okay Johan, it looks like we have the coin. Can you bring the other items?”

“I'd love to see if Spauls has improved in beer coin ever since he was a kid!” Johan rushed off with a smile and everyone turned in Spaulding's direction.

Trevilin patted his shoulder for encouragement. “Come on Spaulding, I'm certain you don't play this human tavern game that bad. It will be fun.”

***

A while later much to Seiran's amusement and everyone else's dismay, Spaulding was obsessively tossing the gold coin and the second it hit the wooden table, it would always bounce back and hit his forehead.

“Ow!”

“Uncle, you are throwing the coin with too much force. Just try to swing your wrist a little and it's very easy to do.” Richard calmly grabbed the coin and it easily bounced into one of Trevilin's glasses.

Spaulding grumbled with increased annoyance whereas Johan politely chuckled.

“Your nephew is indeed very talented in this human game. Have you played it before in your nation?”

“Not at all. I seldom visited taverns when I was growing up and I had never seen Henry or Owen play it.”

“It's a shame your uncle didn't inherit your talent. Perhaps Spaulding should play knife board.”

“We cannot allow anyone except a guard to bear weapons near the Master!”

Everyone turned around and unanimously frowned at Tameer's protest.

“Dammit, the one tavern game I have true talent and the stupid guards like usual won't let me play with anyone.” Spaulding grumbled once again and gulped an entire glass of beer.

Johan politely served him some more.

“I'm very glad that you managed to visit the palace Johan.”

The brunette elf picked up some empty plates of food with a polite chuckle. “Ever since the word came out that Spaulding was chosen as the new Elf King, Äimite guards began flocking to my tavern in huge droves and it didn't take long for ordinary citizens to discover my tavern.”

Spaulding grumbled as he munched on an avocado tapa in silence.

“Does the place get filled with a lot of elves Johan?” Trevilin asked.

“Let's put it this way Trevilin; I have a 6 month waiting list for reservations.”

“This is why I always liked it when nobody knew about your tavern Johan. Being invaded by off duty guards and countless curious onlookers takes away what I liked about that place.”

Johan was understanding and politely patted Spaulding's shoulder. “I had to ask some relatives to lend me a hand because there is too much work.”

Spaulding grumbled once again. “But your tavern is in the end of a small alley in a residential neighborhood. The people that live right next to your tavern must detest the attention.”

Johan smiled with embarrassment. “The guard purchased all of the surrounding houses and they had them refurbished so that I can serve them with complete privacy. I think it works best for both parties because many civilians wouldn't feel comfortable drinking near guards.” Johan's candidness grabbed everyone's interest.

Richard turned towards the guards. “It must have cost the government a lot of money to purchase all of those houses and remodel them.”

“Don't worry about that King Richard and enjoy your meal.”

Tameer's vague answer merely increased Trevilin's curiosity.

“Have any of you gone there?”

Tameer bowed with reverent politeness. “Do not worry about that and enjoy your meal.”

Trevilin and Spaulding stared at each other and unanimously frowned.

Johan once again began to speak. “I'll bring some of those fruit tarts you like so much Spauls. Keep on practicing beer coin and maybe someday, you might become good at it.”

***

Several weeks later, a group of guards in a medium sized dining room were playing the aforementioned game cheering nonstop.

“Drink it all Harmelha!”

A notably drunk guard gulped his entire glass of beer and nearly belched on the table increasing the sound of everyone's laughter even more.

“What an amazing game! Ever since Tameer began playing it in the Äimite Castle, everyone I know has tried it out!”

“I can't blame him. I was starting to get tired of playing that knife game in Johan's Tavern.”

“I was also getting tired of knife board. There is no point in playing it if we all ace the bullseye on the first try and score a perfect game.”

“I can't believe the Master plays this tavern game so poorly if it's so easy!”

Everyone continued watching how both guards took turns tossing coins on the glasses that were filled with beer of their opponent.

One of the curious onlookers turned around and noticed a lonely guard was seated in the back corner of the room as he ate in silence. “Hey guard, do you want to try this game? It's really fun!”

The guard opened his blue eyes when someone rudely yanked his silver shirt.

“Don't talk to that elf, it's HIM.”

The guard gasped when he recognized the elf's face in the distance that earnestly tried to ignore everyone. “Oh, um... keep on eating guard.”

A medium height guard with black hair that nearly reached his shoulders and thick eyebrows sighed as he stared at his food while he listened to the relentless chatter of amused guards.

***

A while later the elf was inside of his modest room tossing a coin into a glass cup on the table with disdain. The elf would continuously sigh with sadness every time the coin easily landed inside of the cup.

“Yet another thing that the Master cannot do that I can with so much ease.”

The guard crossed his arms, hunched his body on the table and closed his eyes with sadness as his forehead pressed on the lacquered dark wood. Tears began falling from his dark brown eyes.

“I would be glad to teach him how to improve in this game.”

The guard began crying in silence until he fell asleep.

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