GENRE: Gay Fantasy Spicy Romance
LENGTH: 69,034 words
RATING:

When an old man at the tavern suggests someone who could rid the province of Dorraine of its eternal winter would be a hero, it gives Niall, an apprentice carpenter, an idea. All he needs to do is find such a man, a sorcerer of great power, he thinks.

It means traveling over the high mountains in search of such a person, if one exists. Something he knows he can't do alone. So he persuades three of his apprentice friends to join him. They need to find a mercenary to escort and protect them, as their Masters are unwilling to allow them to make the quest without one.

Renard enters the picture. It takes a fair amount of persuasion, and the willingness of the merchants to pay his fees, but finally he agrees.

Once they have everything they need -- clothing, food, weapons, and mules and a cart to transport all they had -- they set out.

As they fight snow and wind-blown blizzards through the canyon leading to their destination, or so they hope, Niall and Renard form a bond which might go beyond friendship, despite the disparity in their ages.

Can they make it to the other side of the mountains alive, with the weather, wolves, and brigands to contend with? If so, will they find a land with all the seasons, and most importantly, a sorcerer willing to help? They pray it’s possible but only time will tell.

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

"I had an idea," Niall said. "It might be a crazy one but hear me out."

"This sounds intriguing," Petyr replied.

Niall chuckled. "I hope so. Do you remember what the old man at the tavern said last evening?"

"You mean about finding someone who can control the weather?"

"Yes. A sorcerer to be exact, although that was my idea, not his. Anyway, I thought why not try to."

Petyr cocked his head, looking at his friend. "You're serious, aren't you?"

"Very much so. It would mean a long journey through the mountains and there is no guarantee when we reached the other side things would be any better than they are here."

"One could hope they are or the journey would be for naught," Petyr replied, frowning. "Whether there's a sorcerer there who could help us ... Well, it would be a gamble for certain."

"You think it's possible, though, and worth finding out?" Niall asked.

Petyr didn't reply immediately. Niall could tell from the expressions flickering across his face, thoughtfulness, interest, worry, that he was seriously considering the idea.

Finally, Petyr said, "You didn't ask me because you only wanted my opinion, did you?"

"That's part of it."

Petyr chuckled. "I think you're right, it is a crazy idea, but it could be ... an interesting journey and what would we lose by taking it? Well, other than our lives, of course."

"Yes! I mean, there is that but you would be willing to try from the sound of it."

"I am. It will take a great deal of planning and it has to be more than just the two of us, of course."

Niall heaved a sigh of relief. "It will. Master Ilberd already suggested we ask Renard, the mercenary, to be part of it."

"Good luck with that."

"Maybe he will. Master Ilberd said he's a relative and he might be able to persuade him."

"Ah, so you've already talked to him about it. Well, naturally you have. He's like a second father to you."

Niall snorted. "He's the only man I would call father, although yours comes in a close second. You know that."

"I do." Petyr rapped a finger on the table. "Who else should we ask?"

"A good question. Perhaps Janot, Mage Aymer's apprentice, because we should have a healer with us, I think."

"Absolutely," Petyr agreed. "I like him. He's very down-to-earth, if rather shy."

"He is. Then, umm ..."

"Merek," Petyr suggested. "He's big and brawny, which isn't surprising as he's the blacksmith's apprentice. He would be good to have along in case of trouble."

"I hope you mean like moving trees that have fallen across our path or boulders on a mountain trail," Niall said.

"That, and who knows what sort of ruffians we might run into."

"That's why we want Renard with us. I mean, I can wield a dagger, I'm sure you can, too, but they wouldn't do much against highwaymen or brigands."

"As if there are many of those," Petyr replied in derision. "Who would spend time waiting for a rare passing merchant or lord?"

"There must be some, at least here in Dorraine to hear Renard tell it."

"True, I suppose." Petyr leaned back against the wall behind him. "I do hope my father will let me come with you. I also wonder if Janot and Merek's Masters would give them leave to join us."

"First, we have to find out if they're interested."

"We're really going to do this?"

Niall nodded adamantly. "We are, even if it's only you and me and, the gods help us, Renard."

"And maybe not him. He might no want to be the caretaker of some young fools who have never left Misthaven, to say the least Dorraine, to travel through the mountains to who knows where."

"I suppose we'll know soon enough." Niall stood and went to get his cloak and gloves. "We should see if Merek is at the tavern. He does spend some evenings there. We'll probably find Janot at Mage Aymer's home."

"Because he lives there and rarely ventures out." Petyr frowned as he put on his cloak then picked up his gloves from the bed. "It may make it hard for us to speak to him alone."

"I guess we'll find out."