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eBook Category: Fantasy
eBook Description: Not every quest ends as planned. The Forest of the Old Ones was no place for humans; its guardians were quick to punish and slow to forgive. When he set out on his quest, Prince Rahnnic was willing to dare the wrath of the guardians for the return of his beloved wife, but he's discovering that love and determination may not be enough.

eBook Publisher: Fictionwise.com, Published: Enchanted Forests, 1995
Fictionwise Release Date: November 2005

31 Reader Ratings: Great Good OK Poor

Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [256 KB], eReader (PDB) [46 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [18 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [18 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [82 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [91 KB], hiebook (KML) [110 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [87 KB], iSilo (PDB) [15 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [20 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [66 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [28 KB]
Words: 5502
Reading time: 15-22 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED

Though the rain had passed hours ago, the trees dripped, creating an ominous whisper among the freshly fallen autumn leaves. The loam gave up a fecund aroma--a primal breath as old as the land itself. In his fifty-three years, Oxal had intruded beneath these boughs only twice. This time felt no more familiar or welcome. The Forest of the Old Ones did not lightly tolerate the presence of humans, certainly not a company of fifty armed soldiers, some with axes.

The rider ahead tugged his beard, nervously eyeing a raven that watched from a tall, leafless spar. Saddle leather creaked as he reined back and leaned close to Oxal.

"This is a fool's quest," he murmured.

Oxal raised an eyebrow. "Yet here you are, Yram. Are you calling yourself a fool?"

Yram scowled and nudged his mount back into formation.

Oxal regretted his curtness. Yram's skepticism was warranted. Other men--good men--had failed at this search. Yet the pikeman should not have spoken so. It was disrespectful of the lord who led the quest. Oxal would not be party to such criticisms. He considered it vital to behave as a proper soldier, playing the role right down to the ancient practice of going beardless so that an enemy would have less to seize during combat--though Ayana teased him with spousal goodwill that he shaved only to hide the grey in his whiskers.