Rise of the Halfling King (Tales of the Feathered Serpent #1). David Bowles

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      ALMAH

      THE WITCH OF KABAH

      Trained since she was young to be a healer for her people, Almah is

      selected by the aluxes for a very special task: raising Sayam.

      SAYAM

      THE HALFLING BOY

      Able to speak the moment he hatches from an egg, this fun-loving

      and kind halfling boy was created by the aluxes to bring peace.

      KINICH KAK EK

      THE KING OF UXMAL

      The first king of Uxmal in a hundred years, Kinich Kak Ek is an

      ambitious and cruel man who will let nothing stand in his way.

      ZAATAN IK

      THE CHIEF SORCERER

      Knowledgeable in all the dark arts, this wizard helped put Kinich Kak

      Ek on the throne, but he would much rather unleash chaos.

      MAAX

      A CLEVER SPIDER MONKEY

      Smart and agile, spider monkeys were revered by the Maya. Maax is

      one of the smartest, if not all that agile.

      CHULUL

      LEADER OF THE ELFIN ALUXES

      When humans arrived, aluxes retreated into jungles and caves, led by

      wise ones like Chulul. She watches humanity, hopeful.

      LOBIL

      OLD SHAMAN OF THE ALUXES

      The ancient aluxes have great magical lore. Lobil has lived thousands

      of years and remembers it all.

      A thousand years ago, the lowlands of the Yucatan peninsula were dominated by the

      bright and bustling city of Uxmal. Nestled in the forests of the Puuc Hills, Uxmal was

      home to 20,000 Maya people.

      Twenty kilometers south stood its sister

      city, Kabah, center of worship and healing.

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      On the outskirts of Kabah, there lived an apprentice x’men, or witch, named Almah.

      When she came of age, Almah

      traveled into the Puuc Hills

      to complete her training.

      To become a witch, she needed a magical

      object only found in the Grottoes of Loltun.

      But Loltun was home to the aluxes—

      mystic elfin beings

      who wield great magic

      to protect nature—

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      And the aluxes seldom welcome human visitors to their realm.

      I cry your

      pardon, Ancient Ones.

      Who are you?

      Why have you come?

      I am Almah, apprentice witch.

      I’m searching for a magical stone.

      Hmm... I am Chulul, leader

      of Loltun. There is goodness in

      your heart. We will guide you to

      the right sastun.

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      I am Lobil, priest of Loltun.

      This sastun calls to you.

      Wield it well.

      Take this drum as well. In the

      right hands, it will announce

      the true king of Uxmal.

      There had not been a king in Uxmal for a hundred years, but

      Almah said nothing. One never questions the word of an alux.

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      Almah was valuable to her community, calling on the rain gods to ensure bountiful harvests.

      Goddess, pour your

      love into this flower.

      Help it grow.

      Thank you, Almah!

      She earned her witch’s shawl and began

      creating potions for the good of her people.

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      Time passed. A king arose in nearby Uxmal.

      Kinich Kak Ek’s coronation had been foretold.

      The sorcerer Zaatan Ik, chief advisor,

      announced another prophecy.

      No man born of a woman

      can usurp your throne.

      There is more.

      “When the Kingmaker Drum

      sets the kingdom a-thrum,

      A rival you must best with

      three impossible tests.”

      A rival?

      Not born?

      Kingmaker Drum?

      Foolishness!

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      Uneasy at the strange prophecy, the king immediately set out to conquer the

      surrounding cities. The leaders of Kabah, Almah’s native city, surrendered first.

      As his domain expanded, the king built a

      white limestone road, a sakbe, from Uxmal

      to Kabah, setting an arch at either end.

      Down the sakbe flowed

      new goods and new rules.

      It also brought—

      You no longer need aluxes or witches!

      The king’s priests.

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      The king grew powerful, but also cruel. Laws were strict. Punishments severe.

      Almah grew older. Many folks shunned her

      out of fear of the king and his priests.

      Goddess Ixchel, I gave up

      marriage and children to serve

      my community. But I’m so lonely.

      As she wandered the Puuc Hills one day,

      Almah found an unusual egg in her path.

      She took it home and placed it near the hearth

      where she had hidden the Kingmaker Drum.

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      Every day she watched for signs of its hatching.

      But she was quite surprised at

      what finally emerged.

      It was a little boy, not much bigger than her hand.

      Familiar with magical beings, Almah realized he

      was a gift from the aluxes.

      Who are you?

      Why,

      I’m your grandmother,

      precious child!

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