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SEARCH FOR THE RED WIZARD

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Contents

Chapter 1 New Beginning.............................................1Chapter 2 The Gifts.................................................10Chapter 3 Into the Woods............................................21Chapter 4 First Morning.............................................34Chapter 5 Journey into the Woods....................................37Chapter 6 First Encounter...........................................42Chapter 7 The Story of the House....................................50Chapter 8 Exploration and Discovery.................................56Chapter 9 Arie Meets the Ladies.....................................63Chapter 10 Search for Arie's Master.................................71Chapter 11 Anna Rebels..............................................80Chapter 12 Meeting..................................................89Chapter 13 Monay....................................................101Chapter 14 Visit to the Farm........................................104Chapter 15 Lessons on History.......................................119Chapter 16 Decision Time............................................127Chapter 17 Their New Home...........................................136Chapter 18 Change in Plans..........................................145Chapter 19 Love is Pain.............................................149Chapter 20 Meeting the Enemy........................................155Chapter 21 The Revelation...........................................165Chapter 22 The Healing Begins.......................................172Chapter 23 Getting Acquainted.......................................185Chapter 24 Plans and Preparations for the Quest.....................188Chapter 25 New Plans................................................196Chapter 26 The Binding/Wedding......................................201Chapter 27 Farewell.................................................207Chapter 28 The Quest Begins.........................................211Chapter 29 Conversation.............................................217Chapter 30 Recruitment..............................................219Chapter 31 Jealousy.................................................225Chapter 32 Mother Arrives...........................................228Chapter 33 Negotiations.............................................231Chapter 34 Krits Join the Company...................................234Chapter 35 Journey to the Krit Mountains............................239Chapter 36 Visit to the Krits.......................................242Chapter 37 Village of the Cursed....................................246Chapter 38 Visit to the Sacred Tree.................................251Chapter 39 New Friend...............................................257Chapter 40 Castle Ahead.............................................260Chapter 41 The Road to the Castle...................................264Chapter 41 Invitation...............................................268Chapter 41 Meeting of the Wizards...................................273Chapter 41 New Relationships........................................279Chapter 41 The Battle...............................................282Chapter 41 After the Battle.........................................290Epilogue............................................................297

Chapter One

Change is a powerful force. This was proven when our new lives began in my kitchen. My four friends and I were going out to the sun porch when a tremendously loud sonic boom and a white sustained flash of light surrounded and blinded us. I raised my hands and covered my eyes to keep from staring into the glaring light. The loud roaring noise continued and the lights flared warmly again and again. It startled us all. Anna shrieked. I think we all five screamed. I mentally reeled caught in a swirling sensation. Then I felt a stupendous wave of nausea which made me gag. This was compounded by the deafening continuous noise which rose in volume while a blinding searing white swirling light encircled us. Then another thundering sonic roar began while a higher pitched sound joined the deafening noise. I was disoriented, confused, blinded and shaking. At this point a rush of icy cold air struck me. The cold permeated my whole body. I felt numb. I had no sense of time or location. It was an empty feeling which was followed by a long period of silence then—nothingness.

During this blankness, my mind churned trying to figure out what had happened to us. Had we been struck by lightning? I remember we were having a party.

A week ago Jill phoned. "We're having a party at your place over Labor Day," Now don't worry, Meg. I will be out Saturday morning. Then Eve and PJ will get there. Anna's not sure what time she'll arrive. You know Anna." (I could imagine Jill rolling her blue eyes upward when she said this. We all knew Anna has no sense of time.) "We'll all be staying until Monday. We'll have a good old fashioned slumber party. We're all bringing something, don't worry about food. We'll help you christen your new place and celebrate," she ended her speech with a giggle. She always answers the phone with a laugh and a giggle.

Around 9:30am today Jill arrived. She's a delicate featured dark blonde whose figure had softened at forty. Once she'd been a petite size 6, now time had added a touch of roundness to her full height of five one. Her dancing blue eyes brightened her smiling face. One would believe she will never suffer from frown marks, such is her cheerful nature. She was celebrating her recent divorce from a domineering man. She's always been attracted to strong older men. They've always wanted to control her because she is so loving, giving and gentle. There is something about her which shouts `vulnerable.' I've always felt a bit protective of her. Besides, we've known each other since we were toddlers. She unpacked several items from the trunk of her Lincoln as I hurried out. It is always wonderful to see her. Today was no exception. We gave each other a hearty hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"You really brought a lot of stuff, Jill. Let me help you take it to the house." We each picked up one sack and carried the box between us as we walked toward the house. It did lean heavily to her side since I'm around 6 feet tall and she's so short and tiny. "I've made up the guest rooms and stocked the fridge."

"I know how you stock a fridge. After all we were roommates in college. Taking no chances I've brought a few more goodies," she smiled and giggled.

Jill had planned the menu. She knew no one liked the same grilled meat. So she'd brought two chicken breasts for Eve, teriyaki sauce, chicken wings and legs for Anna, two pork chops for herself, a T-bone steak for PJ, and a rib eye for me. As an appetizer she'd added three dozen huge unshelled tiger shrimp and a jar of shrimp sauce. She had asked Eve to bring the ingredients for the beef vegetable soup and bread. She was going to bring a nice size pot roast, which she planned on browning and cubing before simmering it for the afternoon. She'd also brought a pint of cream for her coffee.

Since my husband Vaughn's death from cancer over a year ago, she's been a frequent guest and has often taken a soda from my under stocked refrigerator.

We'd almost reached the porch when a blue Chevy pulled into the drive. It was Eve. She honked the...