Wave Runners (The World of Lasniniar, Book 5) – Jacquelyn Smith

Wave Runners (The World of Lasniniar, Book 5)

Series: The World of Lasniniar

A dwarf apart. Barlo knows he no longer fits in among the people of Dwarvenhome. His secret past looms over him.

He longs for a chance to set the heavy burden aside. To feel like himself again. A secret journey to make a new home among the elves seems like the only way. And if he happens to stumble into an adventure with his best friend Iarion once he gets there, even better.

But a force more powerful than Barlo also struggles to find a new life.

And the end of the dwarf’s journey lies much farther than the Light Elves’ wood.

The ongoing saga of Barlo and Iarion continues to lead to strange, new places, fraught with darkness and danger, in this fifth novel in the World of Lasniniar epic fantasy series by Jacquelyn Smith.

→ Read an Excerpt

Recommend, rate, and review:

This title is also available as part of the Wave Runners Lasniniar Collection.

Barlo crept through the empty streets of Dwarvenhome on silent feet. He suppressed a smile. Even Iarion wouldn’t be able to accuse him of tromping this time. Barlo was of two minds about his stealthy progress. On the one hand, he was pleased to be able to pass unnoticed, without the customary scuffle and heavy footfall of his dwarven boots. On the other hand… well, it only served to remind him how different he had become.

No other dwarf could match the unnatural silence of his movements. Years of being trained and partially raised by an elf had set him apart from the rest of his kind. It had made him something more.

His peculiar training and upbringing weren’t the only things that set him apart. Of all the dwarves that had ever lived in Lasniniar, he was the only one to ever be reborn. That in itself was difficult enough for him to come to terms with. No, the worst part was that he had to keep it a secret.

As they usually did when confronted with the discomfort of his burden, his thoughts drifted back to that fateful day when he had thought his life had come to an end…

* * *

Barlo found himself in an enormous mountain hall with roaring fireplaces, and a long table piled high with food and drink. Other dwarves wandered the hall, having animated conversations and taking their turn at the table. Everyone seemed in high spirits. Barlo smiled. The First Father’s hall was exactly as he thought it would be.

He heard a low cry and turned to see Narilga rushing toward him. There was no sign of the sickness that had claimed her, and the years seemed to have fallen away from her. She was every bit as beautiful as she had been as a young lass when he had first started to court her. Her dark hair streamed behind her as she threw herself at him. He caught her, holding her tightly. She gripped his beard with both hands and pulled him in for a lingering kiss that left him breathless before looking up at him with sparkling, blue eyes.

“Narilga!” he managed to gasp. “You look wonderful. You’re even lovelier than I remember, and that’s saying something!”

His wife blushed and flashed him a smile. “You’re looking rather dashing yourself.”

Barlo looked down and realized the gray was gone from his beard. He ran his fingers over his face. He could feel no signs of the wrinkles and seams that had become a familiar part of his features.

“There’s someone else who wants to say hello,” Narilga said.

She stepped aside to reveal a large wildcat with gray fur marked with patterns of dull gold and silver. The cat padded forward and looked up at him with unblinking green eyes.

“Sinstari? How is this possible? You’re not a dwarf…” Barlo shook his head in disbelief.

Narilga shrugged. “He wouldn’t be left behind.”

Barlo fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around the giant cat, holding back tears. “You stubborn beast!”

Sinstari licked Barlo’s forehead with a large, rough tongue, looking quite pleased with himself.

Narilga squeezed Barlo’s hand. “There’s something else,” she said. “The First Father wants to speak with you.”

[Copyright © Jacquelyn Smith, 2021]