Knights of Excelter
The Intourim Affair
by
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"He's coming at you again!" yelled Neil as the eagle began his next assault tactic on Brandon. "Look out!"
"I can't find any foothold! There's nothing to step onto here!" Brandon began to panic, not sure how to get down. He grasped a small bush, but the roots were not deep enough, not nearly strong enough to hold his weight. "I can't hold on, it's going to break!"
The roots of the small plant pulled free, causing him to fall down the side of the cliff for several meters. But Neil neatly locked arms with him just as he went tumbling by.
"Hang on, Bran! Get your footing, I've got you!" Loose rock pummeled them from above as they struggled to regain control of the situation. The eagle broke off his attack, seemingly satisfied that the intruders were no longer a threat. Brandon and Neil made their descent down the steep cliff without further mishap. Reaching the base, they sat down on the grass to rest and to calm their frayed nerves.
"Think I've had quite enough fun and excitement for one day," remarked Brandon.
"I agree! Let's have a look at that artifact."
Brandon removed the gem-like artifact from his vest pocket, turning it about in the sunlight.
"It's making an odd noise," noted Neil, "and a light seems to pulsate from inside."
"The power of the Intourim," Brandon softly replied. "A very dangerous weapon to possess, and even more threatening in the wrong hands. No wonder Dad hid it so discreetly."
"So, what happens now?" asked Neil.
"Only Mervinstone knows for sure. I'm not certain what Mira knows or what she's capable of, but I believe this weapon is useless without the other artifact."
"What's that piece of parchment you found with the Intourim? Is it a message?"
"Yes, but it's in the form of lyrics."
"What does it say, Bran? Let me see."
Turn your gaze wherefrom you came, Complete the task to win the game. Once together, now apart. Halfway there, now time to depart. Convergence lies near dragon tame, His flameless breath guides to reclaim The Centaurs' gift to loyal Knight, Honor bound to keep the Light.
"We had better get this, and the artifact, back to Lockharst!" Brandon exclaimed.
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About the Book
Chivalry is not dead. It exists in another realm. Influenced by an enigmatic monk, Mira Ellwerth, the Chosen One of Excelter, is placed on a path that will lead to her destiny. She is invited to reside in Lockharst Castle by the elderly wizard, Sylas Mervinstone, so that he may unravel the meaning of her recurring visions. Disruptive events cause Mervinstone and Ellwerth to form a military unit to safeguard the surrounding villages of Scotwold. Brandon Chadler, a Favored One appointed by the Excelter Council, is placed in command. His close friendship with Neil Zutherlan is put to the test by the incomparable and unpredictable Mira, whose complex character and unstable emotions range as far as bolts delivered from her sorcerer's crossbow.
There's plenty of action and intrigue in this romantic/fantasy/adventure novel! Romantic liaisons change at a moment's notice as young men of Scotwold lay claim upon their territorial women. Mystic illusions conjured by Mira and Mervinstone emerge throughout the story. Fantastic creatures abound due to Lockharst's enthused Biology/DNA professor who takes his research to the far reaches of the imagination; from saber-toothed lions that lurk in the far western region, to creepy crawlies that proliferate in the Black Woodland. The underlying mystery of where Brandon's father, Allen, concealed the artifacts of Excelter is solved, unleashing a chain of events yet to come in this new series by S. D. Verlindau, entitled, 'Knights of Excelter'.
About the Author
S. D. Verlindau has written and published poetry over the past two decades. Her works include: 'China Clipper', 'Eye of the Turtle', 'Heavenly Rapture', 'The Ancient Ones', 'The Mermaid', 'Timeless Existence', and many others.
Her varied interests are evident in that her subject reflects descriptive imagery of the sea, of nature and animals, astrology, ancient history and archaeology.
Published by the International Library of Poetry, 'Lost Bengal of Runthambhor' won Editor's Choice Award in 1996 and 'Haven for Jade' also won Editor's Choice Award in 2004.
Upon several requests to publish her poetry in one collective work, S. D. Verlindau decided to write stories incorporated with her poetry. Her latest works are a series of action-packed novels collectively entitled, 'Knights of Excelter'. Poetry and song lyrics are plentiful throughout these books. Her stories and imagination are inspired by her life, past experiences, an interest in ancient cultures, her travels throughout the U. S. and Canada, her love of animals, and even her dreams.
She is strongly influenced by great and eloquent writers such as Edgar Rice Burroughs and Henry David Thoreau. Like Thoreau, she is moved by nature.
She says, "Living in Everett, Washington, where resident eagles and ospreys make this city their home, never ceases to amaze me. I am thrilled that a pair of ospreys are nesting at the very top of a lofty light post overlooking the football field where my son, Wesley, goes to school! The parent ospreys fly overhead, in plain view, to fish in a nearby lake. It's totally awesome!"
S. D. Verlindau is currently working on a fourth novel to complete the 'Knights of Excelter' series.