Title:
Meadows of Gold
Author:
Christie L. Kraemer
Genre: Fantasy
Excerpt
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at: www.roguephoenixpress.com
Eugene,
Oregon in the 20th century, amid a property feud between the local faeries and
night elves. The conniving faeries from Olde Ireland try to stir up more
mischief. However, a warrior gnome convinces the magic folk to control their
own destiny.
EXCERPT
A gentle breeze sighed, undulating the meadow grass lazily and
whispering past the forlorn figure slumped on the tree trunk, hands clasped
tightly in his lap. Thomas, a forest leprechaun, released a long melancholy
breath between his cracked, dry lips. A single plump tear meandered down his
stubbled cheek.
The sun sent bright shafts of light through the pine boughs and around
the wooden pedestal upon which the morose figure resided. Ignoring the dancing
beams, the leprechaun pulled a shuddered breath into his lungs and stared at a
spot in front of the stump where a crumpled daisy chain necklace lay withering
in the warmth of the afternoon. Another plump tear snaked down his unshaven
face.
In the distance, a lone figure scuffed up the lane, which crossed in
front of the tree stump. Thomas paid no heed to the approaching form, pulling a
thin silver flask from inside his rumpled vest. He blindly opened the lid,
placed the opened top to his lips and pulled a deep draught from the container.
Refitting the cap to the top, he slipped the silver spirit holder back into his
vest. His next shuddered breath was interrupted with a hiccup.
The figure on the road drew closer. Thomas raised his head and squinted
his eyes. Was she coming back? He hiccupped and straightened up. Maybe she had
been teasing him when she ran away and now she realized how much he cared for
her. His eyes brightened and a smile began to touch his lips.
The figure came around the bend and toward him. The last he'd seen her,
she was wearing a diaphanous, thin dress. Had she changed? The form nearing him
was clad in leather breeches, a braided leather tunic, and knee-high, soft
leather boots. A sword blade strapped to the figure's back flashed in the
sunlight. Was Cary so angry she meant to cut him in little pieces? His heart
began to pound in his chest and inside his mouth his tongue stuck to the roof.
The figure stopped two lengths from him and raised a hand to shade its
eyes from the brightness of the day.
Thomas realized he was shaking. This was it…his life was over. He hung
his head.
"Thomas?"
The voice was familiar but it didn't sound like Cary. If it wasn't her…
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