Brian S. Pratt - The Unsuspecting Mage: Book One of the Morcyth Saga

The Morcyth Saga

Book One

Brian S. Pratt

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2005, 2009

Smashwords Edition, License Notes.

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The Fantasy Worlds of

Brian S. Pratt

The Morcyth Saga

TheUnsuspecting Mage

Firesof Prophecy

Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li

Trailof the Gods

TheStar of Morcyth

Shadesof the Past

TheMists of Sorrow*

*(Conclusion of The Morcyth Saga)

Travail of The Dark Mage

Sequel to The Morcyth Saga

1-Light in the Barren Lands

-(forthcoming 2010)

The Broken Key

#1-Shepherds Quest

#2-Hunter of the Horde

#3-Quests End

Qyaendri Adventures

Ringof the Ortux

Dungeon Crawler Adventures

Underground

Portals

The Adventurers Guild

#1-Jaikus and Reneeke Join the Guild

Above all others, this book is for mychildren; Joseph, Breanna, and Abigayle. I would like tothank my brother, who took the time to read the entire workand make critical criticism. I would also like to thank mymother, without whose steadfast belief in me, this workwould never have been completed. And lastly, all my students whopatiently endured my enthusiasm. Thank you.

_______________________

Having your nose in a book may be a greatway to spend your spare time unless you do it to the exclusion ofeverything else. You get up, grab your book, then read until nightcomes when youre forced to put it down for sleep. Oh sure, youhave the occasional interruptions in the pattern like eating andschool but that, I suppose, must be tolerated. James Reese, a youngman currently in his senior year of high school, does just that.Unless something of dire importance demands his attention, he willbe found lying upon his bed deep within a current, favorite book.He sees nothing wrong with spending every available moment reading.Reading to him is grand adventure, new ideas and keeps him out oftrouble. His main interest is fantasy-adventure books, though hedoes dabble in an occasional sci-fi just to not get burnt out withfantastical worlds. Every book he has ever read fills shelveslining his walls. Now pushing over five hundred titles, it is theone thing he takes the most pride in.

An obtrusive knock at the door brings himback from the middle of a particularly exciting battle. James,comes his grandmothers voice from the other side, breakfast isalmost ready. Put down your book and get ready or youre going tobe late for school.

Unable to continue, he reads another threeparagraphs until reaching a break, then carefully inserts awell-worn bookmark and places the book gingerly on his nightstand.Hes read it before. Many of his books have been read several timesover the years, and most are still in very good condition. Thosethat know him best believe that he cares more for his books thanfor anything else. There are times when he thinks they may beright. Some of his friends kid him when they see him deep within abook hes read before.

Dont you ever get tired of reading thesame book over and over?

James just grins and shakes his head.Nope. Then he invariably asks, I suppose you havent everwatched the same movie more than once? Having made his point, theywould leave him alone.

He grabs a shirt and a pair of jeans fromoff the floor that dont look too dirty and gets dressed. Afterslipping on his shoes, he slings his ever-present backpack over hisshoulder and leaves the room.

The mouth-watering aroma of scrambled eggs,bacon and biscuits fills the house. His grandmother is busy in thekitchen where she is putting the finishing touches on breakfast.Have a seat, James. It will be ready in a minute. Hisgrandparents have raised him for the past five years, ever sincehis parents were killed by a drunk driver.

At the table, his grandfather reads themorning paper. So intent is he on an article that he fails tonotice his grandson taking his place at the table. James has sometrepidation about disturbing his grandfather. For the last fewmonths, his grandfather has been encouraging him to find a job.Almost daily, he points out ads in the paper that he feels Jamesmight be interested in.

Its his senior year in high school and thesummers almost here. He knows he needs to make some decisionsabout his future but has never been that great when trying newthings. Some call him antisocial; he thinks of himself as merelynon-social. He doesnt hate being around others, just prefers timeto himself with his books.

The noise of James setting his backpack onthe floor next to his chair draws his grandfathers attention.James silently groans as his grandfather leans over to show himwhat he is sure to be another ad that more than likely he will notbe interested in. To his surprise, what his grandfather proceeds toshow him has nothing to do with finding a job.

Seth Randle, a teen from Haveston, wasreported missing when he failed to return home Wednesday evening.The police have issued an Amber Alert and teams of volunteers arebusy combing the local area. Thus far they have been unsuccessful.He was last seen on Wednesday afternoon on his way home fromHaveston High School where he is currently enrolled as a senior. Ifyou have any information please call 911

Isnt he one of your classmates?

Yes, he is. But I dont know him very well.Hes on the football team and is well liked by everyone. Hope hesokay.

Further conversation is forestalled by theemergence of his grandmother from the kitchen bearing a platterfilled with eggs and bacon in one hand, and a pan holding a dozenbiscuits in the other. James eagerly takes charge of the biscuitsand deftly transfers one to his plate as he sets the warm pan onthe table. He helps himself to a big portion of his grandmothersjam. It won 2nd place at the county fair last year; old Widow Jonestook 1st place. His grandmother claims that Widow Jones puts toomuch sweetener in her jams and that is why she wins every year.About to take a bite, he hears her say, James, lets say gracefirst. She has that look in her eye. Giving her a sheepish grin,he sets the biscuit on his plate, folds his hands and bows his headfor prayer.

His grandfather prays. Dear Lord, pleasebless this food to our good, watch over us and guide us. Andplease help James find a job! In Jesus name,Amen.

Leave the boy alone, John, his wife chidesas she places her napkin in her lap. Hell find one when the goodLord is ready. Turning her attention to James she adds, Make sureto find one that you will be happy with. There is nothing worsethan spending your life at a job that is dull and lifeless. Oneshould come along when the time is right. Now hurry and eat or youwill be late for school again.

Stuffing his mouth full of eggs and bacon,he mumbles, I better eat on the run, then. He tucks severalbiscuits in a napkin and stuffs them in the top of his backpack.Her biscuits, especially when they are warm, are hard to resist.Thanks for another award winning breakfast, he says before givingher a peck on the cheek, then heads for the back door.

Dont forget your lunch, its sitting bythe door.

Got it! he hollers as he stuffs it toowithin his backpack.

Once out the back door and in the garage hegrabs his bike, hops on and quickly makes his way down the roadtoward school. Haveston High isnt much more than a mile away andit only takes him a few minutes to arrive.