Release date: September 21, 2018
Subgenre: Weird western, Fantasy romance
About Mages' Home:
Once, they were hated and hunted by mage hunters and Plain folk alike.
Now, former bounty hunters turned renegade mages Silas and Lainie
Vendine finally have the life they dreamed of - a home and ranch of
their own where they can live in peace and raise their family, and the
friendship and respect of their non-magical neighbors.
When a company from across the western sea comes to Prairie Wells, bringing marvelous new inventions, Silas and Lainie figure it only means more prosperous times ahead for the town and for them - until an old and vicious hatred of mages rears its head.
As troubles stirred by unseen enemies divide the town, many of Silas and Lainie's neighbors turn on them. When danger strikes at the heart of their home and family, Silas and Lainie must fight to protect everything they love, everything they've worked for, before it's all destroyed.
If you love fantasy filled with romance and adventure in a unique setting, come join Silas and Lainie Vendine in this new tale from the Wildings.
Mages' Home is the first book of Defenders of the Wildings, a follow-up series to the western-inspired fantasy series Daughter of the Wildings. It is a self-contained series and can be enjoyed even if you haven't read Daughter of the Wildings.
Contains language, violence, and mild sensual content.
When a company from across the western sea comes to Prairie Wells, bringing marvelous new inventions, Silas and Lainie figure it only means more prosperous times ahead for the town and for them - until an old and vicious hatred of mages rears its head.
As troubles stirred by unseen enemies divide the town, many of Silas and Lainie's neighbors turn on them. When danger strikes at the heart of their home and family, Silas and Lainie must fight to protect everything they love, everything they've worked for, before it's all destroyed.
If you love fantasy filled with romance and adventure in a unique setting, come join Silas and Lainie Vendine in this new tale from the Wildings.
Mages' Home is the first book of Defenders of the Wildings, a follow-up series to the western-inspired fantasy series Daughter of the Wildings. It is a self-contained series and can be enjoyed even if you haven't read Daughter of the Wildings.
Contains language, violence, and mild sensual content.
Excerpt:
(Amber Bay, Early spring)
“That is the substance?” Dorbiza asked, directing his question to the lavender-skinned man.
The native answered in perfect Chardonikan. “It is, Underministers. A gift from the P’wagimet people in exchange for the Chardonikan Union’s generous considerations in the past and in the future. This is only a sample. Greater quantities are being safely stored in the place where the weapons are being made.”
“Of course,” the wizard added, “because of the difficulties in transporting the devices, they must be manufactured much closer to the Wildings – what you call the Central Territories. And it is more convenient to have the mission’s headquarters there, as you know.”
“Excellent,” Dorbiza said, again addressing the P’wagimet man. “And this material, it works as promised?”
“It has been extensively tested, Underminister,” the wizard answered, edging yet a little further away from the box. “I think you three gentlemen and your leaders will be more than pleased. Miss Dorbiza – forgive me, Madam Commander Dorbiza – looks forward to giving you a more detailed report in person.”
Dorbiza gave him a dismissive glance. “Of course.”
Faced with the reality of the wizard before him – not a legend, not a rumor, not something out of the history books, neither an inhuman monster nor a mindless beast, but a living, breathing human being – Cajali could no longer remain silent. To speak was risky, but his conscience demanded he say something.
“Are we certain this is absolutely necessary?” he asked his colleagues, trying to say what needed to be said in a way that wouldn’t bring suspicion or censure upon himself. “It seems to me that the cost of the devices and the difficulty of making them are far greater than any benefit this tactic might provide. Even considering the generous donation of the key material by this man’s people.” He nodded to the native man.
“If you are having doubts, Mr. Cajali,” Dorbiza said mildly, “please feel free to remove yourself from this assignment and express your concerns to the High Commission.”
Fear twisted Cajali’s stomach. The images of his wife and children, who might yet be within the reach of the Commission, went through his mind. If Dorbiza sent a message accusing Cajali of being less than completely loyal, the message would take months to reach the Commission. But once such a message was on its way, the plans Cajali had made to protect his family would be greatly imperiled. For their sakes, and the sake of his plans, he must not say any more, no matter what his conscience required.
* * *
“That is the substance?” Dorbiza asked, directing his question to the lavender-skinned man.
The native answered in perfect Chardonikan. “It is, Underministers. A gift from the P’wagimet people in exchange for the Chardonikan Union’s generous considerations in the past and in the future. This is only a sample. Greater quantities are being safely stored in the place where the weapons are being made.”
“Of course,” the wizard added, “because of the difficulties in transporting the devices, they must be manufactured much closer to the Wildings – what you call the Central Territories. And it is more convenient to have the mission’s headquarters there, as you know.”
“Excellent,” Dorbiza said, again addressing the P’wagimet man. “And this material, it works as promised?”
“It has been extensively tested, Underminister,” the wizard answered, edging yet a little further away from the box. “I think you three gentlemen and your leaders will be more than pleased. Miss Dorbiza – forgive me, Madam Commander Dorbiza – looks forward to giving you a more detailed report in person.”
Dorbiza gave him a dismissive glance. “Of course.”
Faced with the reality of the wizard before him – not a legend, not a rumor, not something out of the history books, neither an inhuman monster nor a mindless beast, but a living, breathing human being – Cajali could no longer remain silent. To speak was risky, but his conscience demanded he say something.
“Are we certain this is absolutely necessary?” he asked his colleagues, trying to say what needed to be said in a way that wouldn’t bring suspicion or censure upon himself. “It seems to me that the cost of the devices and the difficulty of making them are far greater than any benefit this tactic might provide. Even considering the generous donation of the key material by this man’s people.” He nodded to the native man.
“If you are having doubts, Mr. Cajali,” Dorbiza said mildly, “please feel free to remove yourself from this assignment and express your concerns to the High Commission.”
Fear twisted Cajali’s stomach. The images of his wife and children, who might yet be within the reach of the Commission, went through his mind. If Dorbiza sent a message accusing Cajali of being less than completely loyal, the message would take months to reach the Commission. But once such a message was on its way, the plans Cajali had made to protect his family would be greatly imperiled. For their sakes, and the sake of his plans, he must not say any more, no matter what his conscience required.
* * *
(Prairie Wells Township, Later that spring)
As Silas turned away, Lainie remembered something. “Oh, I meant to tell you, Ap got back from town a while ago. He says there’s going to be a meeting tomorrow with that new foreign company that’s come to town. They’re going to talk about what they’re doing here, that sort of thing.”
“Huh. I’ve been wondering about them, but no one seems to know anything,” Silas said. “When’s the meeting?”
“Three o’clock, at the Thirsty Cow.”
“You want to come?”
Lainie thought about it, weighing all the different demands on her time and attention. “I’ll admit I’m curious. But I figure the hands will want to go too, and if they don’t, they’ll be busy with chores. So I’ll stay with the children and you can tell me all about it when you get home.”
“I’ll do that,” Silas said, then he and his passengers headed back around the corner of the house.
Lainie watched them go, wondering what the new foreign company was planning. Whatever it was, if new companies were coming to Prairie Wells, surely that meant more prosperous times ahead for the township, and for her and Silas.
A hungry squall from Kessie and another whiff of full diaper called Lainie back to the here and now. “Come on, baby girl,” she said. “Let’s get you fixed up.”
As Silas turned away, Lainie remembered something. “Oh, I meant to tell you, Ap got back from town a while ago. He says there’s going to be a meeting tomorrow with that new foreign company that’s come to town. They’re going to talk about what they’re doing here, that sort of thing.”
“Huh. I’ve been wondering about them, but no one seems to know anything,” Silas said. “When’s the meeting?”
“Three o’clock, at the Thirsty Cow.”
“You want to come?”
Lainie thought about it, weighing all the different demands on her time and attention. “I’ll admit I’m curious. But I figure the hands will want to go too, and if they don’t, they’ll be busy with chores. So I’ll stay with the children and you can tell me all about it when you get home.”
“I’ll do that,” Silas said, then he and his passengers headed back around the corner of the house.
Lainie watched them go, wondering what the new foreign company was planning. Whatever it was, if new companies were coming to Prairie Wells, surely that meant more prosperous times ahead for the township, and for her and Silas.
A hungry squall from Kessie and another whiff of full diaper called Lainie back to the here and now. “Come on, baby girl,” she said. “Let’s get you fixed up.”
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About Kyra Halland:
Kyra Halland has always loved fantasy. She has also always loved a good love story. She combines those two loves by writing the kinds of romantic fantasy novels she loves to read, tales of magical worlds where complicated, honorable heroes and strong, smart, feminine heroines work together to save their world - or their own small corner of it - and each other.
Kyra Halland lives in southern Arizona. She's a wife, mom and mom-in-law, proud grandma, and devoted servant to three cats.
