Legends of Lasniniar: Trial by Fire – Jacquelyn Smith

Legends of Lasniniar: Trial by Fire

Series: The World of Lasniniar

Fire sorcerer. Abduction victim.

Traitor.

The Learnéd One Lysandir bears many titles, given to him by the people of Lasniniar. But only a unique and resourceful elf named Iarion dares to call him by the most powerful title of all…

Friend.

Lysandir can only hope it proves enough to save him.

A stand-alone story of mystery and adventure from Iarion’s past in the World of Lasniniar epic fantasy series by Jacquelyn Smith.

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This title is also available as part of the Soul Seeker Lasniniar Collection.

Lysandir’s raw fingers probed the brick wall of his prison, desperately seeking the hidden latch he had created. Why couldn’t he find it? After countless years of living as a captive, he finally had his chance to escape… His heart hammered in his chest and blood seeped from beneath his fingernails as they continued their scrabbling search.

I don’t have much time! Saviadro will return soon.

As far as the Fallen One knew, Lysandir had become his willing guest and ally. His Forsworn Ones had kidnapped Lysandir from his home among the Light Elves when he was only a child, and Saviadro had raised him as his son. Lysandir had rebelled at first, hoping to hold out until the Light Elves sent a rescue party, but no one came—or at least no one survived to reach him. He eventually realized if he was going to escape, he would have to do it on his own.

Direct confrontation was out of the question. He and his brothers had been created to stand against Saviadro’s Forsworn, not Saviadro himself. Not for the first time, he berated himself for being fooled into entering the Forsworn Ones’ clutches, and for not being strong enough to stand against them. He was older now, and far more powerful, but he was in the heart of the enemy’s stronghold, where Saviadro’s power was strongest. Making an overt move against Saviadro or his minions here would be tantamount to a death wish.

And so he had waited—biding his time by appearing to be won over by Saviadro while plotting his escape. It had taken decades to create the secret tunnel that led outside Mar Valion. Opportunities to work on his escape project unobserved had been few and far between. Even when the tunnel was finally complete, he had to wait for a suitable distraction that would draw Saviadro and his Forsworn from their lair. Now the critical moment had arrived, and he couldn’t even find the trigger mechanism he had created! His stomach performed a nervous backflip.

Does Saviadro know? What if he found out about the tunnel and blocked it somehow? I’ve been so careful…

Lysandir continued to probe the wall with a growing sense of urgency. A bead of sweat slithered down his back beneath his robes. He tried to ignore his rising panic, but he heard a malicious chuckle approaching behind him, echoing off the tower walls as it drew near. He tore at the bricks now, ripping off a fingernail in the process. The latch continued to elude him.

“Looking for something?” an amused voice asked from behind him.

[Copyright © Jacquelyn Smith, 2021]