Broken Arrow by Azaria M.J. Durant - Book Tour + Giveaway
Broken Arrow
Azaria M.J. Durant
(Darkened Destiny Saga #1)
Publication date: July 29th 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Azaria M.J. Durant
(Darkened Destiny Saga #1)
Publication date: July 29th 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
An ancient power long kept dormant stirs in the shadows once more as one boy embarks on a quest to earn his freedom and the freedom of his world!
Magic has turned to myth, the Vaelhyreans of old to legend, and the power wielded by the ancients has long been forgotten. However, with Ealdred, a mere half-breed slave boy, myth becomes real, the forgotten remembered, and the power of legend is reborn within him.
Ealdred is merged into a world of mystery, brimming with deceit, where the remaining Vaelhyreans are in a desperate fight for their very survival. When Ealdred is kidnapped by the power-mongering dark lord Zeldek himself, he must make a choice; to commit his newfound magic to Zeldek’s service or die. But when he meets Bellator, clever yet treacherous servant of Zeldek, an alternative is presented to him: to escape from Zeldek’s stronghold and embark on a quest to find a cursed arrow and free the Vaelhyreans from the spell that keeps their powers at bay.
Yet how can he survive in a world where magic is illegal, half-breeds are hated, and the four countries are on the brink of war?
Excerpt
“That time is
already upon us,” the Master stated, rising to his feet. “Many nights now, my
gaze has been turned to the stars. The constellations Heroi and Retsu are
aligning for the first time in two and a half millennia. Prophecies connote
these coming years as the last of mankind. This is the opportunity I have been
waiting for. I must not fail!”
His eyes glowed with the passion his
words expressed, and murmurs of agreement echoed through the room.
“Our toils have been rewarding and
our preparation has been long,” the Master went on. “Yet we must not deceive
ourselves into thinking that our position is secure.”
The murmurs fell to silence. The
Master had never spoken so freely of such things before. The most this council
had ever discussed were the brief updates concerning the progress of each
respective country and its assets. There was the occasional new order from The
Master, but such a thing was rare, and was always followed by a long, tedious
discussion concerning the politics of the task, and thus was never interesting.
“It has been predicted that there is
one who has the potential to stand in my way; one who may have the power to end
my supreme rule before it has begun.”
“My lord, who could possess the
power to rival you?” Valamette asked, bewildered.
The Master lifted his gaze to glare
at Valamette from beneath the shadow of his hood. “You of all people should
know.”
Understanding dawned on Valamette.
He nodded slowly. Bellator glimpsed the other figures, looking to find a shred
of understanding among them. But they too turned to look at Valamette, hoping
to glean what they could from his bearing.
“The boy, my lord?” he asked.
“Yes,” the Master replied. “The
boy.”
Bellator was intrigued. When had a
boy ever entered their conversation?
“But my lord, how could he be a
problem? Didn’t we do away with him as an infant? How is it possible that he
still draws breath?”
“Does it matter how?” the Master
snapped. “What matters is that he lives and that he will pose a threat if we
aren’t careful to hone his abilities to our favour.”
“I can do it.” Valamette took a
breath. “I can kill him, if you wish it. I will not fail you.”
“No!” The Master’s fist slammed on
the altar. “If I wanted him dead, I would have let him die! I wouldn’t have
kept him safe all this time.”
Valamette recoiled. When he dared to
speak again, his voice came as a whisper. “You kept him safe?”
The Master raised his chin. “I will
have his allegiance.”
“Forgive me, Master,” Zandelba
interjected eagerly, “but won’t you allow me to capture this boy? I’m the best
man for such a task.”
“Fool,” Bellator scoffed so suddenly
that all around the altar started. “If His Majesty refused Valamette, do you
really think he would accept you?”
“I suppose you assume he’ll elect
you for the task?” Zandelba retorted.
Bellator’s voice turned to steel.
“Your head would be at the end of my sword if my master elected to give the
order.”
The Master’s eyes blazed crimson
from beneath his hood. “Be still, Bellator!”
“My lord,” Bellator said, stepping forward,
“just give the word, and this boy will be at your feet by morning.”
“As much as I appreciate your
enthusiasm, your request is denied. This boy is unknowingly under the
protection of the Council of Buentoak. Their skill in the art of magic is unparalleled
by all present but myself.” The Master slowly lowered back into his chair. “No,
I must be the one to retrieve him.”
Exclamations of alarm were stifled
around the room, and Bellator stepped back, confused.
“You, my Master?”
“Yes, me.”
Zandelba cleared his throat,
choosing his words carefully. “Do you think it wise, my lord, to venture so far
from your sanctuary? If you were to encounter any difficulties—”
“Ha!” the Master scoffed. “Do you
think me so weak that I cannot hold my own in the world of mortals? Or perhaps
you believe I have only survived this long because of your cautionary tales?”
“My only concern is for your
well-being, my master,” Zandelba muttered, ducking his head.
Valamette fidgeted uncomfortably.
“My lord, once you have the boy... what will be done to him?”
The Master considered the man before
him. When he spoke, his voice was determinedly cold. “Whatever it takes to
persuade him of where his loyalties should lie.”
“And if he isn’t persuaded?”
Bellator sensed the
smile that almost imperceptibly altered the Master’s features. “One way or
another, he will be.”
Author Bio:
Azaria M. J. Durant is a young, passionate writer of fantasy with plans to branch out into sci-fi and dystopian. She enjoys writing stories with action, adventure, unexpected plot twists, and fleshed out characters that challenge gender roles and expectations.
Azaria lives in Atlantic Canada with her family, cats, and dogs, and her big dreams to travel the world. In the moments when she isn’t writing, she is sketching concept art for her stories, participating in community theatre, or curled up with a good book and a bag of mint chocolates.
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2 Comments
Thanks for being on the tour! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! :)
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