Forest Spirit Read online

Ulec sat in a tree long after Almas and his father were out of sight. He had opened his shoulder bag and let the slime out, which was munching on pinecones at the moment. Ulec decided to call the slime Metal since, while it appeared to be willing to eat just about anything, it seemed to have a special liking to metal, as Ulec had found out upon finding the remains of his small knife in the bag.

  After watching Metal eating for a few minutes, Ulec spoke, “Are you mad?”

  A voice answered from below him. “Mad about what? That you missed a lesson in order to save and help a boy lost in the forest, or that you seem to once again have adopted yet another pet?”

  “I thought I could do it myself, without any help. I almost got us both killed.”

  “Yes. If you had left me a trail to follow I might have been in a place to help you when you finally called for it. There is no shame asking for help when lives are at stake. On the other hand, all your life I’ve been trying to teach you the importance of serving others. Today you have demonstrated that you have learned and understood the most important lesson I could ever teach you -- service. So no, I’m not angry. I’m very proud.”

  “Thank you, Father,” Ulec looked down to where his father was leaning against the tree. “So… can I keep Metal?”

  Ulec’s father sighed and smiled. “Like I really have a choice with you and your pets.”

  Also by Marc Van Pelt

  Lich-el: Lich Lord Wars Book 1

  For four years Aguarius Forest has been Almas' childhood sanctuary where he and his best friend, Ulec, an elven child, have played with little knowledge of the wars that have plagued the world. But now, evil forces had set their eyes on their forest and threaten all that they hold dear. As two families fight to preserve that which is most important, Almas and Ulec begin to realize that more is at stake then they ever believed possible.

  Here’s a quick preview:

  “Almas sat up and looked in the direction from which the arrow had come. Coming out of the woods was a man armed with a bow and the Aguerius crest on his tunic. It was one of his father’s scouts, but something was wrong. Even from this distance he could tell his skin was pale and dry. He could also see running up both arms what looked like spikes. The most eerie thing was his face. It was completely emotionless, blank, like there weren’t any thoughts or feelings behind eyes that appeared devoid of life.

  All those years of his father telling stories of battles against the Undead could never have prepared Almas for meeting his first revenant.

  Revenants were completely lifeless, which meant there was a Lich Lord in the forest controlling it, and most likely more of them. This one was reloading his bow and Almas was just sitting there, completely unable to will his body to move from fear. The revenant pulled back the arrow and Almas was hit hard with the realization that he was about to die.”

  Mathen’s Flight

  Fate’s Foe Book 1

  Chapter 1