The Death Witch: After Life, Age of the Gods: Donn's Chosen, #1

By Samantha Stillman

The world was destroyed by angry gods at the end of the 22nd century, but humanity survived. Now it's AL 1040 and the world is a very different place…

Abertha Keir, high level witch of the Guild, and her companion, the ever-snarky Fer-Doirich, have been assigned the task of finding out what lurks beneath the waters of the San Francisco Ruins near Oakland. Yet, they soon discover that not everything is as it seems. An even bigger puzzle begins to unfold and it pushes Abertha to use skills that she keeps under wraps. What could be lurking within the ruins and just how far will Abertha have to go to stop it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Samantha Stillman
• Release date: Sep 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393857860

Samantha Stillman

Samantha Stillman has spent her entire life writing stories. She enjoys the worlds of fantasy, especially Urban Fantasy, and science-fiction. She attended the Western Washington University where she received a Bachelors of Arts in English Creative Writing. She especially enjoys writing things that are a little different from some of the others, such as the world of After Life. She just wants to share her world with others and hopes that they enjoy them as much as she does. She currently lives in Washington state with her two pet cats.

Book preview

Chapter 1

My hands slammed against the ground as I closed my eyes. I breathed out, feeling the air pass my lips like a wave of heat.

Belenus, God of Light, grant thy power to mine hands. Let thine light spread throughout the land. To heal the taint from the land.

I opened my eyes to see a golden light, similar to the rays of the rising sun, spread from my hands and over the ground. Screams of pain rumbled from beneath the earth as the ghouls that hadn’t surfaced were sent to their eternal rest, at least for the time being. A slow, sarcastic clapping met my ears. I turned towards the sound and came face to face with Fer-Doirich.

And yet another parcel of land purified by the witch Abertha Keir, said Fer-Doirich, who was generally known by people as Dior, in a rather hoity voice. His auburn hair was brushing his cheeks from where it had escaped his braid during our fight with the ghouls. I looked around at the evidence of our battle. All around us were patches of deadened grass and mutilated body parts from the ghouls that we had fought.

I brushed my sweaty black hair from my face with a sigh. The exertion of the battle, and then purifying the land, had taken quite a bit of my energy. I spun on the heel of my black combat boots and looked into the fading darkness. Your sarcasm is as appreciated as a ghoul’s kiss, I said. My voice was harsh to my ears, but he had been speaking as sarcastically as his clapping had been. I looked over my shoulder at him. He had his very pale hands held up in the traditional ‘hey, I surrender’ gesture.

I began to walk in the direction of the town that had hired the Guild to take care of their ghoul problem. Hurried footsteps met my ears as Fer-Doirich caught up to me. I didn’t pay attention to the man I had bound to me through Mórrígán’s oath. My eyes fell onto the small town that had likely scrimped and saved every single bit of money it could get to pay the Guild. I could see the sunrise over the rooftops. Why do people even bother with the Guild? Fer-Doirich asked.

I’m pretty sure we have been over this. It’s because they don’t have anyone to take care of the dangers. All magic users are either grabbed by the Guild or claimed by a temple, I replied without any thought to it. I then shook my head as I thought about how many times we had gone over those simple facts. We walked towards the small village of stone and wood houses. The town looked like it was from out of a picture. The kind of picture that one would find in a book that had survived the end of Past Life.

A portly man made his way over to us. His walk was one that gave off a sense of overwhelming self-importance. It was the kind of walk I often saw the politicians back in Seaport use when they wanted to intimidate people. I stopped and looked at the man. The man had a mustache that didn’t pass the edge of his lips and sideburns that were so thick I had briefly thought he had bushes sprouting out of the side of his face. He was scowling at us with his round face. The scowl was so firm that his eyes were scrunched up to the point that I had no idea if he was able to see clearly. Took you long enough. I requested that the Guild send someone experienced and quick, the man said with a voice that seemed to squeak like a startled squirrel. It went well with his appearance.

I apologize, mayor, I replied with as much diplomacy as I could muster.

The man snorted. Humph... At least you took care of it. He said the last part quietly, almost like he didn’t want to admit that the job was done. I would have thought the Guild would have taken care of this sooner. We paid them enough. The derision in his voice was evident. Now, if I could make you, I would love for you to leave. Unfortunately, a member of the Guild is waiting for you in the temple of... Amaethon. The man said the name of the Welsh god of agriculture like it was an insult to him. To a man like him, being in a small farming community was probably a fate worse than death. The man grumbled and waved his hand quite dismissively at us. I looked over at Fer-Doirich. He was scowling at the man and his hands were twitching like he wanted to strangle the overweight politician. I glared at him. He didn’t even move his lips, but I knew that he could cast curses without speaking or suffering the consequences. It wouldn’t do for us to have the politician suffering from whatever Fer-Doirich came up with, especially since it would get back to the Guild and I would be the one dealing with the consequences.

We left the mayor behind and walked towards the temple that was in the center of town. It was a wooden structure. The temple had been painted green and had a grass roof that had recently been reaped to a more manageable level. All around the building were edible plants. I could see various vegetables and even a small patch of well-maintained wheat.

The temple of Amaethon, I stated. I wonder why someone of the Guild would wait here. I said the last part to myself, wondering aloud. The door to the building opened and revealed a man in a black leather duster that was coated in white dirt. I only knew that the jacket was black and neither gray nor white because it was standard issue armor for Guild members. That didn’t mean that people didn’t customize their own jackets, just that it was a basic one.

The man, who I definitely knew, had close cropped brown hair that only the warrior witches used. They were the kind of witches that had to use a weapon to focus their magic. He had a scar that ran from the top of his forehead down to his chin. I had known this man for years, having met him during my second year of training, and he had always had that scar. Abertha, it is good to see you, the man said.

Derrick, I greeted. Why did the Guild send you here? I kept my hands at my sides, though my fingers were flexing in the leather gloves that I always wore.

Derrick frowned. The scar on his face seemed to stretch against the frown. As always, you are too abrupt. I didn’t bother to reply. He sighed at the fact that I didn’t play his game. The Seaport Guild needs you to head straight from here to Memento.

I crossed my arms under my chest. I wasn’t about to go into a rant. I was a mature 30-year-old woman. I was determined to hide my distaste for Derrick. He had spent much of his time during our training trying to grope me. It was supposedly his way of asking me out on a date. All it left behind was that I couldn’t stand him. Is there anything else I should know? I asked, raising an eyebrow.

If there is, they didn’t tell me, Derrick said. He then snapped his fingers. Oh yeah, I was told to make sure you go there by airship. He then smiled at me. His smile was wide, but his eyes were focused on all the other parts of my body. I repressed a shudder at the obviousness of his raunchy leer.

I turned away from him and began to walk away. I caught the look on Fer-Doirich’s face. He was glaring with a scowl so deeply etched into his face that his lips nearly disappeared. Come on, Dior, I said. He spun away from the man and followed after me.

☆

The least they could have done is provided transport for us, Fer-Doirich complained yet again. He was speaking under his breath, but I still heard him.

I grit my teeth, which I was pretty sure wasn’t good them. Especially not after the few hours we had been walking. For the millionth time, it wouldn’t have made a difference. Derrick would’ve been the one providing the transportation, which would have been dubious at best. The other problem is that the transport would have only applied to me. Remember, you are not a member of the Guild. That means either you or myself would have had to pay your way. So stop complaining. We’re nearly to Tanis anyway, I said. When we get there, we will get transport to Memento. My fingers clenched as I tried to avoid gritting my teeth in pure annoyance at the whining former druid.

A ‘humph’ met my ears from the man’s position behind me. I didn’t acknowledge his noise, as he was being purposefully childish. Fer-Doirich had been alive since Ancient Times. Yet, he still didn’t seem to understand that the world wouldn’t, or couldn’t, bow to the man who had turned Sadhbh, the mother of the great poet Oisín, into a doe. I continued to walk in silence. And at least Fallon wasn’t so far out on its own that the nearest city was too far to walk to, I pointed out.

Fer-Doirich grumbled under his breath in a whisper that was too low for me to hear. I got to the top of the hill that was the final boundary between the open fields and what marked the beginning of Tanis’ territory. I looked down the tall hill and saw the city of Tanis. The city had once been the area that Past Life had called Orange County. Now it was a conglomerate city that encompassed many smaller towns and cities in the southern area of Pacific Reach. Pacific Reach used to be the West coast of the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The city’s entrance was a single road that went around the large hill, as people avoided building roads on hills as much as possible. That route was the long way around and so I avoided using it.

Geez, we could have taken the road. Maybe run into someone with transport, Fer-Doirich grumbled. I glanced at the man that still didn’t seem comfortable in modern clothing, even after months of being in this realm. He tugged at the collar of his tunic and then adjusted the sleeves of the duster he wore. I had gotten that for him, despite the fact that he could be, and more often than not was, an ungrateful asshole and not a member of the Guild.

It would have taken longer. Now stop talking. We need to get to the airship building and make our way to Memento as fast as we can, I snapped and made my way down the hill towards Tanis.

☆

Years ago, the world ended abruptly... Sort of. The gods of Celtic lore invaded the planet. The people at the time had practically forgotten about the gods. They only believed that they were myths and that the tales were just stories. It was the same with all the gods, though I understood that was just their different incarnations for other cultures.

However, the gods got tired of this ignorance and rained down their fury on the world. Civilization was destroyed and humanity left in a sort of quasi state of limbo where they had no control and people with magic were appearing. It also didn’t help society that those creatures from myths began to enter the world from the realm of the gods. It was this insanity that caused the world to end and become what we term as Past Life. Some of the knowledge from that time still exists. Much was lost and only tales handed down by family members still exist. Most of the tales tell us about fantastical things, such as portable communication devices.

People call the current age After Life, which came around 400 years after the end. Those years were known as the Lost Age and humanity worked hard to recover from the disaster caused by the gods. After Life is the world we now live in and it is all we know.

Chapter 2

Ilay back against the airship’s seat. The ship was a huge structure made of metal and held aloft by a balloon filled with gas. I had once been told it was based on a Past Life design that had resurfaced 100 years ago called a Zeppelin. The airships had made travel a bit more interesting, though people still preferred boats for sea travel. Boats were cheaper. Of course, being a member of the Guild had its advantages. I was able to get basic accommodations for myself at a reduced cost. I only had to pay full price for Fer-Doirich, but it was cheaper to share a room with him. That reduced the overall cost, though there was a downside to saving money like that. Fer-Doirich, despite what people would think, was a horrendous snorer. His snoring sounded like the bellowing of an enraged cow.

Shaking the thoughts about Fer-Doirich’s snoring away, I looked around the airship’s lounge. An airship was a melting pot of sorts, as people from all walks of life used the useful vehicles. Near one of the windows was a young man that looked like he was from a farming community. He wore a pair of beat-up trousers with a dirt-covered tunic. He was likely flying from the eastern part of the Oragin Province. That area was mostly filled with farm communities. I continued to scan the crowd and saw a man over at the lounge’s bar. This man was wearing a suit that looked like it was made from high-end materials. I took my eyes off of the suit that looked like it belonged at some sort of rich person soiree and saw a woman. I couldn’t even get to the woman’s face, as my eyes were drawn to her dress. She wore a risqué dress that plunged so far down that I was afraid her breasts would fall out. It was a good thing I couldn't see any kids in the area. The woman’s outfit was not family friendly.

I looked away from the people to instead stare at the ground from my window. Airships didn’t really travel very fast or that high up, but everything still looked tiny. The ground was a patchwork of farms with little blocks that I was certain were houses. I could even swear that I was able to see the little lines that had to be fences between the farms. Here and there were forested areas and roads that led between towns. There were even small patches of debris that hadn’t disappeared from the end of Past Life. Based on what everyone was taught, the gods had certainly done a number on humanity. The more I thought about it, the more I was amazed at the fact that humanity had survived.

Were you planning on leaving me alone in that miserable room? said Fer-Doirich. He had apparently entered the lounge when I wasn’t looking. I turned my head to look at him. I pursed my lips together and returned to looking out the window, giving myself the time I needed to think.

I continued to remain silent, which I knew would annoy him. I then said, I figured you could use the sleep. You were tossing and turning all night. I looked at him again. Were you uncomfortable? Was the bed too hard for you? I know you’re used to luxury, I finished sarcastically, rolling my eyes as I did so.

Fer-Doirich scowled back at me. I’ll have you know that I’m not a delicate daisy. He crossed his arms and humphed. The noise was more like he was snorting than what he meant it to be.

Listen, I need to make something clear right now. You’re going to have to go into the Guildhall with me, I said. You need to remain quiet and respectful. We do not want them to suspect who you really are. A witch having a companion isn’t unusual. Having you, on the other hand, would be. That means be quiet and respectful, got it?

He held up his hands. Yes, I get it. I’m not stupid. Now can we do something about food? I stared at him. What? Even I need to eat, he declared. I shook my head and waved for one of the tuxedo-wearing servers and requested two meals. The waiter didn’t take long to bring us the meal of the day, which was chicken and vegetables. Fer-Doirich scowled at the vegetables. One thing I had noticed in the past few months was that he didn’t seem to like veggies, or at least the ones that were often served. The ones that had been served with the chicken breast were turnips and carrots, which even I thought was an odd combination. He started pushing the vegetables as far as he could from his chicken breast. I rolled my eyes and began to eat.

☆

We made our way into the large building that was Memento’s Guildhall. While Memento was a large city full of brick buildings, some of which were ten stories tall, the Guildhall looked like the ones I generally frequented. While I had heard of Guildhalls that weren’t like the others, most were the same. The entrance hall was a large, rectangular, room that had plaster coated walls and exposed wood. The ceiling traveled far into the sky. I had once heard that it was twenty feet up. Art decorated the walls. They were all done by painters that had appeared in the last 1040 years, or since the beginning of After Life. The paintings depicted major scenes from After Life’s history. The works showed other witches in supposedly epic battles against dark gods, major monsters, or even evil witches in a few cases. Unlike the walls, the floor was spotless and made of polished white marble that was nearly blinding with how well cared for it was. The place was meant to be an impressive display of order, which was something the Guild provided to the world. Instead, I found that it was more frightening and oppressive to the people who needed the Guild. The Guild may have existed to help people, but even I had to question how it could. An oppressive place made it difficult to even get people into the entrance hall.

A whistle met my ears. I turned my head towards Fer-Doirich. Your Guild does have a sense of grandeur. Do all the Guilds look like this? He was looking at the walls, paintings, and floor.

I sighed. The majority of Guilds are all similar. There are a few Guilds that are different, but they mainly look like this. The main differences are minor things like the paintings or the floor. Memento’s Guildhall is one of the largest in all of Pacific Reach. Only the Oakland and main Seaport ones are bigger. Now be quiet, I ordered, I need to find the person we have to talk to. I walked over to the reception desk at the far end of the hall. A young man sat behind the desk. He didn’t wear the standard issue duster, which meant that he wasn’t a Guild witch or trainee. He was mostly likely a normal person that the Guild had hired to take care of guests. It could have been that he was recently hired... Or working off a debt to the Guild. That was how it worked. The Guild kept the front desk manned at all times, but whether it was an employee, a debtor, a Zeta class witch, or trainee witch didn’t matter.

The person from behind the desk looked up at us and jumped to attention. The young man’s hair was as blond as they came. If it wasn’t for