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Astrid V.J.'s series of novellas to accompany The Apprentice Storyteller
Wordmage's Tale Series
The Wordmage's Tales is a series of stand-alone books that present the tales the apprentice learns in The Apprentice Storyteller and performs in Finding the Way. Each of the tales illustrates one of the fundamental principles of human transformation.
The Sewing Princess
Calathea's world is turned upside down one night when her country is invaded and her father murdered. Calathea and her sisters will be married off to the new king's closest supporters, to legitimise his rule. Her sisters resign themselves to their fate but Calathea will never give up. She starts sewing and formulates a plan of escape, but can she pull it off? Can she dupe her captors into believing she is a harmless woman they can ignore? And what of Azwan, the soldier she meets who shows her kindness and consideration when everyone else holds nothing but contempt for her? Can she really abuse his kindness and then leave?
This is the Wordmage's Tale dedicated to the principle of "defining the dream".
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The Artist and His Muse
It is dawn. One man stands upon a ladder, putting the final touches on his greatest work, smiling at the addition of a woman, huddled in a red cloak. With a flourish, he makes the last stroke of his brush and steps down to admire his masterpiece. The character he added draws the eye into the world of trees and hills. It is perfect and he knows his career is made.
He glances around but the woman who inspired perfection isn't there. Only a folded red cloak rests on the rock where she sat earlier. Picking up the cold fabric, the artist sighs. He must find her because he knows his life, and his creativity, will never be complete without the mysterious woman's presence. But first, he must meet a duke and receive his reward for achieving the impossible.
This is the Wordmage's Tale dedicated to the principle of "testing the dream".
The Last Warrior
Cynthia has struggled for years against the powers guiding her life. She wants to take back control. She wants the freedom to marry a man she loves and, more than anything, she wants to live up to the expectation she's been saddled with. In her own mind she is far from worthy of being the head healer of her people.
Can she overcome her self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy? Can she expand her awareness and become kinder to herself? Or will she allow everything that ever brought her happiness to slip through her grasp and turn to ashes?
This is the Wordmage's Tale dedicated to the principle of "increasing one's sense of deserving".
Warring Lions
Alanna’s way of life is facing collapse. The Léon clan is at war with the Haldrian Empire and faces complete obliteration. Add to that the darkness invading Alanna’s dreams and draining away her power, she’s certain there’s no way to survive. Sahara, the clan diviner, has spoken: if Alanna doesn’t come into her powers, more than the clan will be lost.
Warring Lions is one of The Wordmage's Tales accompanying Finding the Way. The apprentice has learned from master storyteller, Viola Alerion, and now he performs these classic tales from the Haldrian Empire in his own right.
This is the Wordmage's Tale dedicated to the principle of "befriending your fear".
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The Destitute Countess
The count is dead and his daughter has inherited his debts. With her friends dwindling away and faced with losing her home, the new countess sets out to restore her family’s fortune and good name. Being plunged into poverty brings with it a whole host of new experiences that terrify the young countess, and she promises herself she’ll do anything to find financial freedom, but can she really do it alone? And what of the man she loves? Would he help her or reject her for the misfortunes that have befallen her?
The Destitute Countess is one of The Wordmage's Tales accompanying The Apprentice Storyteller. The apprentice has learned from master storyteller, Viola Alerion, and now he performs these classic tales from the Haldrian Empire in his own right.
This is the Wordmage's Tale dedicated to the principle of "the Law of Attraction".
Silvana's Trial
Silvana, crown princess of Oruna, is faced with a task that most would fail. She is ordered to accompany her mortal enemy, the man who tried to murder her father when she was seven years old. The imperial prince wants to tour her nation and Silvana is the only person of high enough station to do perform this task. Can she do this impossible task to keep her people safe?
On a journey that brings painful memories with every step, Silvana must maintain appearances and keep her secrets safe from the imperial prince. Can she overcome her hate? Or will she succumb to the festering desire for vengeance that is threatening to make her as evil as the imperial prince she despises?
Silvana’s Trial is one of The Wordmage's Tales accompanying Finding the Way. The apprentice has learned from master storyteller, Viola Alerion, and now he performs these classic tales from the Haldrian Empire in his own right.
This is the Wordmage's Tale dedicated to the principle of "forgiveness".
Dragons' Daughter
Life in Aeco-city is hard. No one knows this better than Fernanda, the orphaned half-elf. Shunned by her mother’s people and disowned by her father, she is left to the bitterest of existences after escaping the orphanage. But even the hardiest of pickpockets and shoplifters must have a refuge, and Fernanda’s is at the heart of the city, in a location where she must always stay hidden for if she were ever discovered, she would be put to death. One night, Fernanda is woken by a pair of thieves wanting to make away with the consecrated jewels of her sanctuary. Can she stand by and watch as they plunder the last haven she has?
Dragons' Daughter is one of The Wordmage's Tales accompanying Finding the Way. The apprentice has learned from master storyteller, Viola Alerion, and now he performs these classic tales from the Haldrian Empire in his own right.
This is the Wordmage's Tale dedicated to the principle of "Intuition".
Forthcoming titles in the series
Divine Choice (2024)
The Showgirl (2025)
The Shiptrader's Tale (2026)
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The Companion's Tale
Elaine is thrown in the deep end and her life unravels before her eyes when the princess she serves dies in a tragic accident. All of a sudden, Elaine doesn't have a purpose. Alone and drifting, she realises the princess' death wasn't an accident at all, and things spiral even further into chaos. Can Elaine find herself in the midst of it all or will she let the stream tug her into yet another life not of her choosing? And what of Raymond Dart, the royal investigator with a reputation for being the hardest, most intimidating man in the kingdom? Is the kindness he shows Elaine real or is he acting to get her to confess to the princess' murder? Elaine doesn't know what to believe and her life could be on the line if she misses a step.
This is the Wordmage's Tale dedicated to the principle of "finding the seed of the dream".
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