My 8 E-books written over the years by Alina Udrea - HTML preview

Chapter 1: From cook to warrior

After Gelebron' s defeat and Miiah' s return, all was quiet in the

beautiful and peaceful land of Donn. But as nothing good lasts too long, this state of blissfulness wasn’t too last long either. Threat was lurking from the Northern regions, a land called Loyalis which was ruled by king Dova the Ruthless and his right- hand man, his army' s general, a man as ruthless as himself but with less brains, Jerno.

Meanwhile Scar and Miiah were ruling the kingdom with fairness

and generosity. Scar had learnt from Miiah what true kindness was and what it meant to be generous with the less fortunate. They were surrounded by their loyal friends, Ulo, Mongo, Bratty, Mean, Harry and their newest friend Alyss the archer, or Deadly Arrows as she was known to her enemies. Their friendship was beyond borders, each of them fully trusting the others without a second thought. They used to

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meet all at least once a day, usually having dinner and drinking together in the local tavern where they talked about what had happened during the day. This is how one evening Adi the cook had come into discussion.- Remember Adi? He wants to become a warrior, he said he has nothing to lose, just his life, ha-ha. Said Mongo, thinking with admiration of the brave cook who had accompanied them to Gelebron's tower.

- Yes, he has been training every day with my soldiers, answered Harry playing with his grey beard. He was so skinny and had no strength at all at the beginning, he could hardly pick up the training sword and he used to trip a few times before actually hitting the training dummy!! Ha- ha, such a funny guy!- Is he any better now? He really wanted to accompany us next time we would go on a mission. He said he'd cook for us and also fight with us, such a courageous young man! Said Mongo curios to find out what Harry thought of the cook.

- Yes, finally Adi got some muscles on him now. I think he will make a fine warrior. The more we are, the merrier! Laughed Harry.- Yes, I liked it when he put the frying pan in front of Harry, saving him from the snake's poisonous venom. He is a natural! Alyss also agreed.

- I guess he can come, we need a good cook anyway! And if he's willing to fight by our side, even better, Ulo also agreed with the rest, taking a gulp of ale and looking outside the window at some children playing in the dirt, pretending to be knights and fighting with some sticks.

- Speaking of the devil! Said Harry looking at the front door of the tavern as Adi had just walked in. Come join us Adi! Adi, not sure the king' s general, Harry the Dwarf, was talking to him, turned his head to see who he was talking to but there was nobody else behind him.

-Who, me? Asked Ady coyly, his cheeks turning red. Even the tip of his nose was red.

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-Yeah, you! Come here boy! Have a drink with us! And Harry ordered another round of ale for everybody, including Adi. Adi on the other hand had never tasted ale before, he had come to the tavern looking for Blaryn, his older brother. But as he wanted them to believe that he was used to drinking which in his opinion was a must to be considered a real man, he accepted Harry's invitation and sat by their table.

- Don’t be afraid, the ale won’t bite you!! Laughed Bratty who immediately realized the truth. On the other hand, maybe the cockroach on the rim of the glass will!

-Yuck! And he dropped the glass on the floor, all the ale spreading under the table to everybody's amusement and to his joy as he didn’t have to drink from the reeking liquid anymore.-Want me to order you another drink? Asked Harry patting him on the shoulder.

-No, please don't bother. I got a stomach ache and can’t drink today, Adi lied.

-Ok Adi, if you say so…and Harry gave up on trying to get Adi a drink.

Mean whispered in Bratty's ear, asking her if there really had been a bug in Adi' s glass.

-Nah, but did you see the poor guy? I thought of doing him a favor, answered Bratty, giggling.

- I thought so, answered Mean with a grin.

- So how is your training Adi? Asked Mongo.- Pretty good I reckon. I've been training every day since our adventure together so next time if you would consider taking me along I could be of more help than just cook...and would fight with a sword, not a frying pan… Adi was looking searchingly in their eyes trying to figure out what they thought of him, trying to read their minds by the expression on their faces.- Yes, Ulo mingled in the discussion, we've heard that you have become pretty good at wielding the sword! So I think I am not

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wrong when I say that you are most welcome to join us from now on!

- Wow, I don't know what to say. I am honored by your words and I promise I will do my best to earn your trust and my place among you!

- Amen to that! Said Mean who really liked the kid.