Alfwin Moonsmy

Alfwin Moonsmy

Elf, archivist at Aruam Castle, first appeared unnamed in chapter 14 of Shadows in the Stone

“The end is only the beginning of something great,” mumbled Alfwin Moonsmy, leaning upon the desk. He tilted his head and thought of the remaining lines. A fog clouded his memory as he peered across the archives. “The end is…no…the end begins with…” He dropped the book he held, and the loud bang shook him. “Apologies.”

The room lay empty. Who had jumped? He stood straight, grasped the book and prepared to return it to the shelf when he noticed a slight odour. Holding it to his nose, he smelt parsley or was it anise seed? A slight breeze circulated the air, diluting the smell further.

“The scullery maid.” That was it. She had paused on her journey to the next floor with snacks for him. He glanced around and found no food on the counter. “I must have eaten it.”

Alfwin placed the book on the proper shelf, then began for the counter. The site of the large bookcase containing perfectly bound books with blue covers stopped him. The books of magic glistened beneath his view. He saw what no one else had the privilege to see, not even the lords.

Placing an open hand gently across several volumes, he received their slight pulse and allowed it to freely travel throughout his body. These books were his books until his last breath, and then another guardian would protect them.

The image of an old scroll came to mind, and he glanced over it. “The end begins with a hauflin step, the passing of one breath, the delivery of two.” He smiled as he righted the backwards pendant hanging around his neck.

“Lilja, you are safe, and your return will be our triumph.”

Alfwin withdrew his hand, gawking around the empty room. His breath slowed, and his mind grew peaceful.

Castle Keepers Vignette: Almost five years has passed since Isla was kidnapped and Bronwyn left Maskil in search of her. In many ways, not much has happened; the inhabitants of the Land of Ath-o’Lea have continued their daily routine. But if you look deeper into the individual lives you’ll see much has changed in little ways.

The Castle Keeper vignettes provide a glimpse into the time betweenShadows in the Stone and Scattered Stones. You’ll have already met many of the characters, but some you will meet inScattered Stones.

These vignettes won’t be complete stories, only 300 words of a moment. I consider them exercises in writing and editing. I hope to write two a week and post them on Mondays and Thursdays as we lead up to the release of Scattered Stones, the second fantasy novel of the Castle Keepers series, on May 6, 2016.

The collection of vignettes will be organised on the Castle Keepers Vignettes page. On the first of each month, I will post the schedule of the characters I will write about that month.