Excerpt: The Secret of Arking Down

Prologue

The man coughed, a large black handkerchief held to his mouth as it racked his lungs, harsh and unforgiving. A light shone on his face in the darkened room, emanating from the screen in front of him.

"If you would just return, your condition could be cured." a voice said from the screen.

"You know why I cannot return," the man gasped, blood flecking his lips. He wiped them with the handkerchief.

"A few days would not delay your search too much and then you would not have to seek out an heir."

"My search is all important. It is the thing that could change many timelines and worlds. It must be found." the man began to cough again.

"Have you found an heir yet?"

The man smiled, "She has not arrived here yet. But it will not be too long. And she has power within that could speed the search exponentially."

"Be careful. Power that strong could also be dangerous."

He laughed, a drop of blood splattering the glass of the screen, "I am not a neophyte. Save your cautions for your students. Now I must go."

"I will contact you again in one Moon's time. Be Well."

"Fare thee well also." The screen darkened and the man disappeared.