Foxwise

The Legend of Vanx Malic

The Legend of Foxwise Posy-Thorn

Copyright 2013 by Michael Robb Mathias Jr.

All Rights Reserved

Author’s note about the timeline of this story:

This tale starts at about the same time as

The Legend of Vanx Malic Book Two - Dragon Isle does.

It can be read at any time during the series, but will serve readers best

if they read it before they read Book Four, which is due for release Jan. 9, 2014.

This story is not part of the main Vanx Malic tale, but the character Foxwise Posy-Thorn is destined to become relevant, if he can survive this ordeal.

Thank you and enjoy, M. R. Mathias

One

General Foxwise Posy-Thorn, “Thorn” to his friends, had never been as nervous as he was now, standing before Queen Corydalis and her council of elders in the nexus. She was beautiful, and her huge, lavender eyes sparkled with the same fractal sheen as her glassine wings. The cherry blossom scent of her breath and the vibrating tingle of the Heart Tree’s magic had him shivering.

Thorn was the elven delegate of the pixie queen’s court, as well as the leader of her Honor Guard, and General of Defenses. He was around the queen often and somewhat used to all the pomp and ceremony, but the way this evening had unfolded, he knew he was about to be given a task of great importance. The glorious pixie queen had called him and two other elves into the field generated by the root clusters of the Heart Tree. Inside the shimmering energy of the nexus, they could speak without the scores of sprites, brownies, gnomes and skorks milling around in the great central cavern hearing them. Thorn was trying to read her expression, but he found his nervousness wouldn’t allow him the concentration he needed. Then she started speaking, her musical voice full of great sadness and dire warning.

“Thorn, Bristle and Barb, of all my ranks, you are my most loyal, my fiercest, and my sharpest of wit.” She nodded at strawberry-haired Thorn; his lieutenant, stubble-headed Bristle; and the girlish, blue-haired spellcaster, Barb, who could tell you something about everything.

“You need not know why, other than this: the Heart Tree and the future of the Lurr Forest fae is at stake. The three of you must cross the Ice Falls and travel to a lake near where men dwell. There you will find Three Tower Island.”

Thorn tried to concentrate, but the silky, metallic flow of the pixie queen’s hair threatened his ability to listen. Apparently she noticed this, for she placed her hand on his shoulder and squeezed him so hard that it hurt.

“Under the towers there is a series of hidden tunnels and rooms. You must find them and follow them to Falriggin’s hidey-hole. There should be a small chest there with an assortment of valuable coins, gems, and artifacts.”

“What do we need with those?” Bristle asked.

Thorn made to command the insubordinate elf, but the pixie queen smiled at the ornery oaf and dispelled the tension.