"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
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.
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