The Wizard's Apprentice
About the Book
The Kingdom of Colonodona has been peaceful for years, and a new generation of royalty now flourishes beneath the watchful eyes of Queen Sitnalta and King Navor. Prince Lucas studies magic from his mentor, the Wizard Kralc, while his older sister, Princess Audrina, prepares for the distant day when she’ll take on the mantle of Queen. With the prince and princess preoccupied by the everyday concerns of magic and rulership, the excitement of their mother’s youth seems long past—except for the nightmares plaguing Prince Lucas’s sleep with what he fears are premonitions of a deadly future.
When a young woman enters the lives of the royal family with a story of loss and a request for help, she quickly becomes Prince Lucas’ unexpected confidant and Princess Audrina gravitates toward her in ways that place her in a difficult situation for an heir. As a search unfolds for the young woman’s absent father, the prince’s nightmares become increasingly horrifying, the princess’ feelings grow more complicated, and the newcomer’s intentions are cast into doubt. The royal family must discover the secret of the stranger in their midst before hearts are irrevocably broken and events reveal whether or not Prince Lucas’ dreams are truly prophecy in ‘The Wizard’s Apprentice : Book One of the Children of Colonodona.’
When a young woman enters the lives of the royal family with a story of loss and a request for help, she quickly becomes Prince Lucas’ unexpected confidant and Princess Audrina gravitates toward her in ways that place her in a difficult situation for an heir. As a search unfolds for the young woman’s absent father, the prince’s nightmares become increasingly horrifying, the princess’ feelings grow more complicated, and the newcomer’s intentions are cast into doubt. The royal family must discover the secret of the stranger in their midst before hearts are irrevocably broken and events reveal whether or not Prince Lucas’ dreams are truly prophecy in ‘The Wizard’s Apprentice : Book One of the Children of Colonodona.’
Preview Excerpt
Lucas frowned. His brown eyes crinkled in concentration as he stared at the flame flickering in front of him. Sweat beaded his brow as he listened to Kralc drone on about the power of will, and tapping into his inner energy. The old wizard had made it all sound so simple, but to a ten year old boy, it felt impossible to do. He huffed in frustration, his breath blowing out the candle’s flame, and he groaned, bracing himself for the lecture he was sure would come. He had entered, fully intending to tell the wizard of his dreams, but Kralc had dove right in to the lesson. Seeing the candle, his heart had started racing, and the young Prince had become distracted. He had been supposed to be focusing on the flame, changing it’s colour to one he wished to see, but watching it dance before him, all he could picture was the trunk of the burning tree falling towards him. He remembered the pain of the fire creeping over his body, the smell of the acrid smoke that had filled the air. But it had only been a dream! Or had it? He was no longer so sure.
In the morning light, the dark stains on his sheets seemed minimal evidence at best. He had tried to rationalize it. After all, he had been gardening the day before. Maybe he hadn’t washed his hands thoroughly before bed. Maybe it was soil, not soot. But the repetitive nature of the dream, the fact that he could swear that he had actually felt the heat of the fire, smelled the smoke, felt the pain of his burns. It felt too real.
“Are you even here at all?” The sharp snap of Kralc’s voice jerked Lucas back to reality.
“I… I’m sorry Master Kralc,” Lucas stammered. He turned to see Kralc’s cold grey eyes boring into him.
“I don’t know why I’m bothering wasting my valuable time with you if this is the attention you are giving to your lessons.” Kralc sniffed disdainfully and turned away. The years had done little to take away from his stiff posture and tall frame. He towered over his apprentice, using his height to intimidate.
Lucas studied the wizard. The lines on his face giving him an air of wisdom, the bald dome of his head making him seem learned to the young Prince. He sighed to himself. He wished to prove that he could accomplish greatness. He longed to earn Kralc’s respect, although he was never sure as to why. Everyone spoke about the wizard in a tone of awe, and yet they all agreed that the old man was cantankerous on even his best days. No one seemed to actually like him, except for Lucas’s mother Queen Sitnalta. She was forever telling him that there was more to his teacher than he knew, and that maybe, one day Kralc would share his story. She always insisted that it was not her tale to tell; and Lucas felt that he needed to respect that. And yet… he was impatient to learn his master’s secrets. If there was a story there, he longed to hear it. He didn’t understand why Kralc kept so much of himself hidden away; especially if it would help him be better understood by those around him. He hated feeling as if everyone was keeping things from him.
In the morning light, the dark stains on his sheets seemed minimal evidence at best. He had tried to rationalize it. After all, he had been gardening the day before. Maybe he hadn’t washed his hands thoroughly before bed. Maybe it was soil, not soot. But the repetitive nature of the dream, the fact that he could swear that he had actually felt the heat of the fire, smelled the smoke, felt the pain of his burns. It felt too real.
“Are you even here at all?” The sharp snap of Kralc’s voice jerked Lucas back to reality.
“I… I’m sorry Master Kralc,” Lucas stammered. He turned to see Kralc’s cold grey eyes boring into him.
“I don’t know why I’m bothering wasting my valuable time with you if this is the attention you are giving to your lessons.” Kralc sniffed disdainfully and turned away. The years had done little to take away from his stiff posture and tall frame. He towered over his apprentice, using his height to intimidate.
Lucas studied the wizard. The lines on his face giving him an air of wisdom, the bald dome of his head making him seem learned to the young Prince. He sighed to himself. He wished to prove that he could accomplish greatness. He longed to earn Kralc’s respect, although he was never sure as to why. Everyone spoke about the wizard in a tone of awe, and yet they all agreed that the old man was cantankerous on even his best days. No one seemed to actually like him, except for Lucas’s mother Queen Sitnalta. She was forever telling him that there was more to his teacher than he knew, and that maybe, one day Kralc would share his story. She always insisted that it was not her tale to tell; and Lucas felt that he needed to respect that. And yet… he was impatient to learn his master’s secrets. If there was a story there, he longed to hear it. He didn’t understand why Kralc kept so much of himself hidden away; especially if it would help him be better understood by those around him. He hated feeling as if everyone was keeping things from him.