The Monk's Habit (The Disinherited Prince Series Book 2) Read online

  “Gray? I’m just a Fourth Level.”

  The Abbot waved the list of Pol’s ten tests that Searl had insisted he pass before they could leave the Spines. “This is a set of Seventh Level attributes.”

  Pol looked a Vactor. “Tell them it isn’t so,” Pol pleaded.

  Vactor shrugged. “It is. In addition, you can color your hair and create your own spells.”

  “Val made disguises,” Pol said.

  “I would hope he could. Val is Eighth Level.”

  “A Black?” Pol glared at Val. “You lied to me.”

  Val looked back with emotionless eyes. “So?”

  Searl raised his hands to calm things down. “Steady boy. Listen to Val.”

  “Yes, listen to him,” the Abbott said.

  “Actually I told you that I didn’t ride all the way to Deftnis just to accompany Searl back to the monastery,” Val said. “The Emperor is concerned about South Salvan and King Astor’s ambitions will not end with the death of his daughter. I had intended to find a suitable Second Level magician, but with your improved health, you are the ideal candidate to help me fill a vital mission for the Empire.”

  “I just returned.” Pol said. “I spent the last three months finding a way to stay here, and now you want me to leave? King Astor wants me dead, and you want me to go to Covial, the South Salvan capital, to spy on my worst enemy?”

  “Yes. Except you won’t be going Covial, but Tesna,” Val said.

  “After Coram, the Tesnan spy tried to kill me three times!”

  “You won’t be going as Pol Cissert, or Poldon Fairfield, but under the guise of a young noble’s son, already accepted to Tesna. He is sixteen, but now that you are growing, you’ll be able to take his place.”

  Pol frowned. He didn’t want to leave the monastery when he had fought so hard to return. “I still want to stay here.”

  “As much as I enjoy seeing you learn, Pol, you present problems at your age,” the Abbot said. “Your education is still somewhat of a patchwork. The next youngest gray is twenty-two years of age, and he is considered a brilliant prodigy. You are adept at many spells and have no idea of what else you can accomplish. Your previous ill health prevented you from even attempting some basic Third Level spells—”

  “Like magic lights?” Pol never could muster the energy to tweak the pattern of air that would generate a cold white light. He agreed with the Abbot. “So, that means I need to spend more time learning. That’s what Vactor and I were doing before I had to leave last Spring.”

  “Val can help with that as you travel,” Vactor said.

  “But I don’t want to go,” Pol said. He felt like a child that had been given a new toy, only to have it confiscated by his parents. “I looked forward to coming back.”

  Silence met his comment. Pol looked at the faces, all of them reflecting back some level of disappointment at his reluctance.

  “I’ll be doing more Seeking?” Pol said, looking at his former Seeker teacher nod. He knew he couldn’t back out of this task, so he reluctantly said, “I’ll do it. I suppose I have plenty of time to return, now that I won’t be dying anytime soon.”

  “At least not from your formerly bad heart,” Searl said, with a sly grin.

  ~

  Pol felt uncomfortable walking around Deftnis Monastery wearing the gray cord of a Seventh Level magician around his waist. He still slept in the dormitory, but the Abbot told him that would end when he returned from Tesna, no matter what happened. He withdrew from his classes, since he was months behind.

  Paki, his companion from Borstall Castle and Kell, who accompanied them to retrieve Searl, took his elevation in stride as Pol sat down with them for dinner. They had already gotten together with Darrol Netherfield and Searl Hogton to talk about what went on after they had left Pol with the Searl, the addicted Master Healer.

  “There is talk about you leaving us at Harvest Break,” Kell said.

  Pol could only nod. “It’s a secret mission, but I’m heading east.”

  Paki squinted as he worked his brain, probably thinking of what Pol’s mission could be. “Is it dangerous?”

  Even now, Val had been closed-mouth about the details other than the fact that he would be headed for the monastery at Tesna, and that it would, indeed, definitely put him in peril. “I don’t know much more than that,” Pol said.

  “Can we go with you?” Kell said.

  Pol shook his head. “I don’t know yet. I do know that I won’t be going to Borstall. I’m learning a few of things that I’ll probably never use.”

  Paki made a face. “More political stuff, huh? At least you don’t have to finish all of your classes like Kell and me. I feel like I’m in jail.”

  “Life always changes,” Pol said. He didn’t tell them that politics wasn’t what Val was drilling him on. “Anyway, when Harvest Break starts, you can go down to Deftnis Port any time you want.”

  Paki grinned. “That’s right. I can hardly wait, but that might not happen.”

  “Oh?” Pol said.

  “I’m going home to see my mother.”

  “Borstall Castle might not be a welcoming place.” Pol worried about Paki returning to where they both had grown up. Even though Pol wouldn’t be with them, he worried about vindictive siblings.

  “Not to worry. I’m taking Kell with me,” Paki said. “He has an uncle who has a family trading office in Borstall. They have ships that go back and forth from Volia.”

  “Yeah,” Kell said. “My father won’t mind me visiting Uncle Wester. He’s always wanted me to know more about the family business. We can stay with him.”

  Pol smiled. They would be all be headed east, but to different destinations. “I’d be a little uncomfortable in Borstall.”

  “So you’re mission works out for everybody,” Paki said. “We’ll miss you, but then you’ll probably miss us.” He laughed.

  “Probably,” Pol said, knowing that he envied them their freedom.

  ~

  When Pol walked into the little classroom off the Monastery library, Darrol stood and greeted him.

  “How are you, Pol?” Darrol said. “We haven’t gotten together very much since you returned.”

  “What are you doing here?” Pol said. “Are you going to join my classes?”

  The former Borstall Castle guard nodded. “I am. Val asked me to come by and listen in. It looks like we are going to do some more traveling together.”

  Pol raised his eyebrows. Val didn’t say they would be accompanied on their trip, but Pol was glad of it so he broke into a smile. Val continued to intimidate him, since the Seeker was full of information that he seemed reticent to divulge, so Darrol would leaven awkwardness that Pol was sure to feel traveling alone with Val.

  Val walked in and told them to sit. He looked at Darrol, and then at Pol. “Now that Darrol is coming along, let’s summarize the mission. You are already accepted into the Tesna monastery as an acolyte from a noble family in Boxall. Your mission is to find out how King Astor intends to use the monastery to rebel against the Empire.”

  “But Darrol—”

  “Darrol’s coming along to keep me company. I’ll be camped close by, and you’ll be sending me messages on your progress.”

  Darrol narrowed his eyes. “I’m going to be your nursemaid?” he said.

  Val turned up a corner of his mouth. His smile always looked like more of a sneer to Pol. “I need someone to fetch and carry, Darrol.”

  “I’m happy to do that, if it will help Pol,” Darrol said. A year ago, he had become Pol’s sworn man, no matter if Pol wanted him or not.

  After nodding, Val said, “It will. I’ll need you to fetch messages. We haven’t yet determined how that will happen, since I’ve only been to the Tesna monastery once, and that was years ago.” He looked at Pol.

  “I’m ready,” Pol said. He said it, but Pol was still a reluctant participant.

  “No you’re not. Now that you know all about your new family in Boxall, we concent
rate on Tesna. I’ve got the latest plans of the place. I want you both to listen carefully…”

  ~

  Searl looked down on Pol as he lay on the familiar examination table in the Deftnis infirmary. “Everything looks stable to me,” Searl said. “I do good work. You’ve already started to catch up on your growth and you’ll be seeing more changes in your body, so don’t be too alarmed that you begin to grow as tall as other fifteen year olds.”

  Pol took a deep breath and jumped off the table. “No chance that your changes will reverse themselves?”

  Searl mirrored Pol’s sigh. “We can all die tomorrow. I can’t be certain, but there isn’t any deterioration, and it’s been weeks since I did my work. You are feeling better, aren’t you?”

  Pol nodded. “I feel stronger every day.”

  “You’re smart enough to look out for yourself.”

  “Just like I looked out for you?”

  Searl smiled and nodded. “Same thing.” He put his arm around Pol. “I owe you more than I can say. I knew I was wasting away in the cabin, and you arrived to save me.” He kept nodding his head. “Now I have better things to look forward to than to lay back on my bed and welcome minweed oblivion.”

  “I’m happy about it too,” Pol said.

  “Come back safe and sound, Pol. You have lots of friends who are looking for you to succeed.”

  Pol smiled. Indeed he did have friends, even the Emperor had helped him, and now he went on this mission to pay back Hazett III, the Emperor of Baccusol for saving him from certain death in his former home, Castle Borstall. Now he would have to go into the heart of the enemy, Tesna Monastery.

  At least he wouldn’t have to worry about running out of strength in a critical situation.

  ~~~

  Table of Contents

  Map of the Dukedoms of Eastril

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter thirty-three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Epilogue

  Excerpt From A Sip of Magic

  Copyright Page

  Author’s Note

  A Bit About Guy

  Books by Guy Antibes

  The Monk’s Habit

  Copyright ©2016 Guy Antibes. All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without the permission of the author.

  ~

  This is a work of fiction. There are no real locations used in the book, the people, settings and specific places are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblances to actual persons, locations, or places are purely coincidental.

  Published by CasiePress LLC in Salt Lake City, UT, October, 2016.

  www.casiepress.com

  Cover & Book Design: Kenneth Cassell

  ~

  ISBN-13: 978-1539483632

  ISBN-10: 1539483630

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  ~

  This is the second book in the Disinherited Prince series. In order to survive, I have Pol taking a more active part in his life. There are still mentors to be found, but Pol develops a different relationship with them. The story contains plenty of action, but Pol is confronted with challenges that he would never confront at Borstall Castle. I liked writing this book and seeing it develop. I hope you enjoy reading it.

  I’d like to again thank Judy for her editing and Ken in the interior and exterior design of the book.

  — Guy Antibes

  A BIT ABOUT GUY

  ~

  With a lifelong passion for speculative fiction, Guy Antibes found that he rather enjoyed writing fantasy as well as reading it. So a career was born and Guy anxiously engaged in adding his own flavor of writing to the world. Guy lives in the western part of the United States and is happily married with enough children to meet or exceed the human replacement rate.

  You can contact Guy at his website: www.guyantibes.com.

  †

  BOOKS BY GUY ANTIBES

  THE DISINHERITED PRINCE

  Book One: The Disinherited Prince

  Poldon Fairfield, a fourteen-year-old prince, has no desire to rule since his poor health has convinced him that he will not live long enough to sit on any throne. Matters take a turn for the worse when his father, the King of North Salvan, decides his oldest will rule the country where Pol’s mother is first in the line of succession followed by Pol, her only child. Pol learns he has developed a talent for magic, and that may do him more harm than good, as he must struggle to survive among his siblings, now turned lethally hostile.

  FANTASY - EPIC / SWORD & SORCERY / YOUNG ADULT

  ~

  POWER OF POSES

  Book One: Magician in Training

  Trak Bluntwithe, an illiterate stableboy, is bequeathed an education by an estranged uncle. In the process of learning his letters, Trak finds out that he is a magician. So his adventures begin that will take him to foreign countries, fleeing from his home country, who seeks to execute him for the crime of being able to perform magic. The problem is that no country is safe for the boy while he undergoes training. Can he stay ahead of those who want to control him or keep his enemies from killing him?

  Book Two: Magician in Exile

  Trak Bluntwithe is a young man possessing so much magical power that he is a target for governments. Some want to control him and others want to eliminate the threat of his potential. He finds himself embroiled in the middle of a civil war. He must fight in order to save his imprisoned father, yet he finds that he has little taste for warfare. Trak carries this conflict onto the battlefield and finds he must use his abilities to stop the war in order to protect the ones he loves.

  Book Three: Magician in Captivity

  After a disastrous reunion with Valanna Almond, Trak heads to the mysterious land of Bennin to rescue a Toryan princess sold into slavery. The Warish King sends Valanna back to Pestle to verify that the King of Pestle is no longer under Warish control. The Vashtan menace continues to infect the countries of the world and embroil both Trak and Valanna in civil conflict, while neither of them can shake off the attraction both of them feel towards each other.

  Book Four: Magician in Battle

  Trak quells the rebellion in Warish, but is forced to leave to return the Toryan princess. He reunites with his father, but is quickly separated again. Circumstances turn ugly in Torya, and Trak returns to Pestle to fight a new, unexpected army. Valanna’s story continues as she struggles with her new circumstances, and is sent on a final mission to Pestle. The Power of Poses series ends with a massive battle, pitting soldier against soldier and magic against magic.

  FANTASY - EPIC / SWORD & SORCERY / YOUNG ADULT

  ~

  THE WARSTONE QUARTET

  An ancient emperor creates four magical gems to take over and rule the entire world. The ancient empire crumbles and over millennia. Three stones are lost and one remains as an inert symbol for a single kingdom among many. The force that created the Warstones, now awakened, se
eks to unite them all, bringing in a new reign of world domination—a rule of terror.

  Four Warstones, four stories. The Warstone Quartet tells of heroism, magic, romance and war as the world must rise to fight the dark force that would enslave them all.

  FANTASY - SWORD & SORCERY/EPIC

  Book One: Moonstone | Magic That Binds

  A jewel, found in the muck of a small village pond, transforms Lotto, the village fool, into an eager young man who is now linked to a princess through the Moonstone. The princess fights against the link while Lotto seeks to learn more about what happened to him. He finds a legacy and she finds the home in her father’s army that she has so desperately sought. As Lotto finds aptitude in magical and physical power, a dark force has risen from another land to sow the seeds of rebellion. It’s up to Lotto to save the princess and the kingdom amidst stunning betrayal fomented by the foreign enemy.

  Book Two: Sunstone | Dishonor’s Bane

  Shiro, a simple farmer, is discovered to possess stunning magical power and is involuntarily drafted into the Ropponi Sorcerer’s Guild. He attracts more enemies than friends and escapes with his life only to end up on a remote prison island. He flees with an enchanted sword containing the lost Sunstone. Trying to create a simple refuge for an outlawed band of women sorcerers, he is betrayed by the very women he has worked to save and exiled to a foreign land. There, he must battle for his freedom as he and his band become embroiled in a continent-wide conflict.

  Book Three: Bloodstone | Power of Youth

  When usurpers invade Foxhome Castle, Unca, the aging Court Wizard of the Red Kingdom, flees with the murdered king’s only daughter, taking the Bloodstone, an ancient amulet that is the symbol of Red Kingdom rule. Unca uses the Bloodstone to escape capture by an enemy and is transformed into a young man, but loses all of his wizardly powers. Unca must reinvent himself in order to return the princess to her throne. Along the way he falls in love with the young woman and must deal with the conflict between his duty and his heart, while keeping a terrible secret.