The Warped Forest Read online

  "I don't think it's something they can duplicate, but I'll take a trip to Mt. Vernon General when I get some time this summer," said Alex.

  "Daughter of mine. What you did was a darn miracle, even if it was magical. The doctors said so themselves. If you can do that, think of what else you can do?"

  The look of adoration brought heat to Alex's cheeks. "I'd rather not talk about that right now, Mom. I'm just glad you're okay and that I'm at home. It was a long year."

  Her mom patted her hand, before returning to icing the other layer.

  "Fair enough," said her mom, then with a tilted head, she said, "What are you planning to do this summer?"

  Alex glanced out the window before returning her gaze to her mother's face.

  "A little hiking, some knitting with you. Plus I have some notes to take from last year. But mostly I wanted to spend it with you," said Alex.

  Her mom's forehead knotted. "What? No gaming? I figured you'd be racing to get back online after a year at university."

  Alex laughed, holding her hands up.

  "No games for me for the summer. I've had my fill."

  Her mom dropped the spoon into the icing and placed her hand against Alex's forehead.

  "Alexandria Duke. Are you okay? Has someone put a curse on you?" asked her mom.

  Alex glanced at the bowl of yarn on the living room table, her mother's black bowling bag in the corner, and the two halves of the partially iced chocolate cake between them.

  "No, Mom. I'm good. Really good. It's good to be home."

  ###

  Purchase the second book in Gamemakers Online Series, Gladiators of Warsong, on Amazon.

  If you haven't yet read it, try the first book in the completed Hundred Hall series, Trials of Magic.

  Or try the first book in the other completed Hundred Hall series, The Reluctant Assassin.

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  Special Thanks

  As always, it takes a good raid party to successfully slay all the gremlins hiding in every manuscript. So to all those people that helped make this possible: thank you! People like my wife Rachel who was the manuscript healer for this adventure, Ravven the red-headed bard who conjured the covers with magic, my editor the Tamara Blaine the fighter who deftly slayed the errors in the manuscript with her mighty pen, the beta readers (Tina Rak, Carole Carpenter, Paula J. Fletcher, Patty Eversole, Debbie Davis, Joseph Zygnerski, Thad Moody, Alyssa Washburn, Lana Turner, Bill Huey, and Andie Alessandra Cáomhanach) who provided the DPS for the raid, and to the Vanguard (Phyllis Simpson, Jess Churchfield, John Foster, and Elaine Stoker) who played crowd control on all the adds.

  Your time and effort have helped bring to life this moment of joy in readers' lives. Thank you!

  The Hundred Halls Appendix

  Glossary Terms

  Merlin Trials - The entrance exams to the Hundred Halls that can only be taken during the ages seventeen through nineteen. There are three stages to the trials.

  Faez - The raw stuff of magic. Faez is the energy that when shaped by spell or other means creates magical effects. Faez is dangerous to humans, but a tolerance can be built up over time if somehow protected. The patronage system of the Hundred Halls is the most common method.

  Patron - The founder of a hall within the Hundred Halls. The patron extends their magical protection to students, keeping them safe from faez madness, and teaching them a specific skill set within the magical world.

  Faez Madness - Prolonged use of faez without protection results in irreversible damage to the user's ability to understand and interact with reality.

  Invictus (person) - The Head Patron and founder of the Hundred Halls. Presumed dead around 2003. Known to have lived a very long life.

  Invictus (city) - The city of Invictus was founded by its namesake in 1836. The school that would later become the Hundred Halls was founded officially in 1867.

  Spire - The administrative center of the city of Invictus. The Merlin Trials are performed here.

  Second Year Contest - These games require cross-Hall teams to compete against each other for a grand prize.

  Maetrie – Commonly called City Elves, though they have no relation to the Fae. Their home is the Eternal City, a realm closer to Invictus than any other.

  Diamond Court – The court of maetrie ruled by Lady Zaire.

  Ruby Court – The court of maetrie ruled by Lady Amethyte.

  Jade Court – The court of maetrie ruled by Lady Kikala.

  Liebereisen – The Journey of Discovery that young maetrie experience during their coming-of-age trip

  Eternal City – The endless city that is home to the maetrie

  Major Halls

  Arcanium

  Nickname: Arcanium

  Patron: Semyon Gray

  Est: 1867

  Motto: Knowledge is Power

  Description: Arcanium believes in the value of gaining knowledge, not only about the world around us, but of ourselves. Before we can master magic, we must hone the tool the magic originates from, because a poorly trained mage will not only be a danger to themselves, but society at large. Once a student is capable, they may learn the art of changing spells on the fly using lexology, or how ancient runic languages are the key to solving the world’s most difficult problems. Join Arcanium and be a part of the solution.

  Coterie of Mages

  Nickname: Coterie

  Patron: Malden Anterist

  Est: 1867

  Motto: Limitless

  Description: Anything is possible. Here in the Coterie of Mages, we don't believe in limits. If you can imagine it, you can do it. We push the boundaries of what magic is capable of. If this frightens you, then Coterie is not the Hall for you, but if this elicits a sense of excitement and wonder, then apply to the Coterie of Mages. We are the elite.

  Academy of the Subtle Arts

  Nickname: Assassins

  Patron: Priyanka Sai

  Est: 1867

  Motto: Anyone can be persuaded

  Description: Human connections make the world go round. We at the Academy of the Subtle Arts strive to bring people, companies, and countries together. Our mages are the world's most effective diplomats and heads of state. If you seek to join the interconnected world of politics, then the Academy is the right Hall for you.

  The Order of Honorable Alchemists

  Nickname: Alchemists

  Patron: Celesse D'Agastine

  Est: 1867

  Motto: Perfection is Achievable

  Description: The human vessel is a sacred thing. We believe in maximizing our potential through better alchemy. Our potentials cannot be met if we rely on the ordinariness of humanity.

  Protectors

  Nickname: Protectors

  Patron: Bannon Creed

  Est: 1867

  Motto: To Protect and Control

  Description: Order requires commitment. Protectors are committed to the value of human life. To being the shield against those that would tear down society, and create chaos. The Protector Hall teaches the ultimate defense, not only for yourself, but for the world at large. If being on the front lines of the world's conflicts appeals to you, then Protectors is your Hall

  Acoustic Architectural Institute of Design

  Nickname: Stone Singers

  Patron: Ester Starwood

  Est: 1891

  Motto: Building through song

  Description: A song is made up of many notes, just like a bridge is made of many stones. Society cannot function without the infrastructure to hold it together. The Acoustic Architectural institute of Design teach
es how to shape the world with only a song.

  Society for the Understanding of Animals

  Nickname: Animalians

  Patron: Adele Montgomery

  Est: 1945

  Motto: We Are Not Alone

  Description: All life is sacred. From the industrious dung beetle to the majestic horned dragon. We at the Society believe that Earth must be shared with all her children and when we do we will truly unlock her endless possibilities.

  Holistic Institute

  Nickname: Aura Healers

  Patron: Sir William Jenner III

  Est: 1875

  Motto: Health Starts in the Soul

  Description: When someone gets hurt, are you the first to run to their side to tend their wounds? If so, then the Holistic Institute is for you. We'll teach you how to mend even the most grievous wounds.

  Minor Halls

  Gamemakers

  Nickname: Gamemakers

  Patron: Aldophus Dimple

  Est: 1961

  Motto: Life is a Game

  Description: Life is a game to be perfected. We at the Gamemaker's Hall know the importance of games as the training grounds for life.

  Metallum Nocturne

  Nickname: Night Metal

  Patron: Edward Canterbury

  Est: 1908

  Motto: Strike. Spark. Surpass.

  Description: When the hammer hits the forge, great energies are released. Metallum Nocturn is that hammer against the forge of your soul. Join us, and find out what possibilities we can make.

  The Daring Maids

  Nickname: Palimaidens

  Patron: Alice Hayword

  Est: 1908

  Motto: Stand

  Description: The world is filled with unspeakable cruelty. We seek justice for those who cannot protect themselves, no matter the place. Join us in our fight against oppression.

  The Hundred Halls Universe

  THE HUNDRED HALLS

  Trials of Magic

  Web of Lies

  Alchemy of Souls

  Gathering of Shadows

  City of Sorcery

  THE RELUCTANT ASSASSIN

  The Reluctant Assassin

  The Sorcerous Spy

  The Veiled Diplomat

  Agent Unraveled

  The Webs That Bind

  GAMEMAKERS ONLINE

  The Warped Forest

  Gladiators of Warsong

  Citadel of Broken Dreams

  Enter the Daemon Pits

  Book Five

  Also by Thomas K. Carpenter

  THE DIGITAL SEA TRILOGY

  The Digital Sea

  The Godhead Machine

  Neochrome Aurora

  GAMERS TRILOGY

  GAMERS

  FRAGS

  CODERS

  ALEXANDRIAN SAGA

  Fires of Alexandria

  Heirs of Alexandria

  Legacy of Alexandria

  Warmachines of Alexandria

  Empire of Alexandria

  Voyage of Alexandria

  Goddess of Alexandria

  THE DASHKOVA MEMOIRS

  Revolutionary Magic

  A Cauldron of Secrets

  Birds of Prophecy

  The Franklin Deception

  Nightfell Games

  The Queen of Dreams

  Dragons of Siberia

  Shadows of an Empire

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Thomas K. Carpenter resides near St. Louis with his wife Rachel and their two children. When he’s not busy writing his next book, he’s playing soccer in the yard with his kids or getting beat by his wife at cards. He keeps a regular blog and can be found on twitter under @thomaskcarpente.

  To learn about new releases from Thomas K. Carpenter, and receive free books and gifts on occasion, sign up for his newsletter.