GENRE: Gay Fantasy Spicy Romance
LENGTH: 55,789 words
RATING:

Sequel to A Quest to Find a Sorcerer

As soon as Niall is fully trained as a mercenary by his lover Renard, they, as well as the blacksmith's apprentice Merek and healer Aymer, journey through the mountains from Dorraine to the home of Tybout where the powerful sorcerer Symounde has been in exile. They join with Symounde, novice sorcerer Janot, Tybout, and his wolves to travel on to Wildemere. The plan, if they can come up with a viable one, it to destroy the evil sorcerer Huguenin.

When they arrive at Symounde's home, they learn Huguenin has used blood magic to bespell many of the inhabitants of Wildemere. They are his eyes and ears as he spies on the city's citizens, looking for those who oppose him.

It will take all of the companions' ingenuity, plus Symounde's powerful spells and Janot's lesser magic, in the battle they know is coming. Can they defeat Huguenin, who will surely send his enthralled minions to fight them, as well as use his own powerful battle magic against them? If they do, how many will survive?

EXCERPT:
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

"Alright. We have a plan to get us there," Renard said. "What next?"

"We need to find out what has changed while I have been gone," Symounde said. "Has Huguenin reinforced his control over the province, and even the king if we are correct, beyond what had been when I left?"

"He might well have if he believed the story you had run for your life. He would have realized you were no longer there to forestall him," Tybout replied.

"Not that I did much other than observe prior to my leaving," Symounde said with a rueful sigh. "As I told you previously, unlike Huguenin I abhor the use of magic as a destructive tool. Nor do I approve using it to control others unless absolutely necessary."

"Necessary, how?" Niall asked.

"I will use my powers to stop physical or emotional damage by one person against another when they refuse to listen to reason. For example, against a man who abuses his spouse or children or tries to use fear to control them."

"That certainly fits what we know of Huguenin," Renard said. He scowled. "While I'm not certain it can be called abuse, I have personal knowledge of him from when he threatened to arrest us and throw us in the palace dungeon if we didn't leave Wildemere, or if we tried to meet with Symounde, again."

"Using fear as a motivator is abuse as far as I am concerned," Aymer muttered angrily.

"Agreed," Renard replied. He focused his attention on Symounde, again. "To return to what you said a few moments ago, how can we find out where things stand now when we have been banned from entering Wildemere? As have you from what you told us when we first met."

"I was only banned from using my magic within the city, not from visiting, although I suspect it is irrelevant at this point. I do, however have a few friends, or did before I left Virlandia. Mostly farmers but a few city folk as well." Symounde tapped his fingers together. "I have an idea which may be worth considering. Unlike you, Renard, Niall and Merek had no contact with Huguenin and he may not have been aware of them except as your traveling companions. It has been a few months since they visited the city so I doubt anyone will remember them. It may play in our favor in trying to ascertain where things stand now within Wildemere if they were to act as spies for us."

"No," Renard instantly replied. "I will not put them in danger like that."

"If you're trying to keep me safe," Niall said tightly, "forget it."

"Both of you," Renard retorted.

"Uh-huh."

"Niall, do not presume to know my mind," Renard said scathingly. "Yes, you're important to me, but so is Merek in his own way. We can't afford to lose either of you if things went wrong and Huguenin were to figure out what you're doing. He undoubtedly has eyes and ears everywhere."

"Tyrants usually do and he is nothing if not that, or so I believe," Symounde said.

"I'm good enough to be a mercenary, which is a dangerous profession," Niall said, glowering at Renard, "Yet you don't trust me to do a little spying to find out where things stand."

"What if you were caught? Either of you? Do you know what it's like to be a prisoner in a dungeon? Do you know what Huguenin would do to you to find out what our plans are?"

"Well ..." Niall looked away, biting his lip as he envisioned what might happen. Then, he took a deep breath. "Isn't it worth the risk if we're going to rid Virlandia of him?"

Tybout clapped his hands before Renard could reply. "It is late, we are tired and stressed. I suggest we get some sleep. We can continue this conversation in the morning."

"He is correct," Symounde said. "I would suggest, in the interests of keeping the peace for now, Renard can have Janot's bed for tonight and he can join Merek and Niall sleeping out here beside the cabin."

"I will as well," Aymer said. "I doubt there is a bed for me inside." He pointed a finger at Renard. "Do not say I am too old to sleep rough. I have been doing it during our entire journey up here."

Renard appeared as if he would argue before giving a nod instead. When everyone stood, he took Niall aside. Embracing him, he said softly, "It's not that I don't think you're capable of what they want of you."

"I know. You're worried what might happen." He brushed a kiss over his lips. "I can do it, I promise, and come back in one piece. We both can. We'll just have to figure out the details come morning."

"And a million other ones," Renard said dryly, getting a smile from Niall.

They shared a deep, passionate kiss, and then Renard got his knapsack and went into the cabin. Niall joined the others who were sleeping outside, laid out his bedroll, and soon, because he was exhausted, fell asleep.