Footwizard (book)

* ebook
* Audio

## POV Information

**Gender**
**Char Name**

Male
Minalan

Footwizard: Book 13 Of The Spellmonger Series. Kindle Edition and Audio available now.

## Backcover summary

**A Search For Answers In The Lost Land Of Anghysbel!**

After winning two wars against the Nemovorti in six months, Minalan plans an expedition over the summer to the Lost Valley of Anghysbel, in the far north of his realm, in the caldera of a super volcano at the edge of the tundra. There, he suspects, many of the answers he so desperately need might be hidden. The only problem is that thanks to the anti-magical properties of the jevolar, there, his spells won’t work – he’ll be without magic for the first time since he came into his Talent. On this quest for the knowledge to save the world, however, the stakes are too high to be concerned about such things. Minalan seeks the knowledge he needs no matter the price.

The footwizard Fondaras the Wise has been to the realm of the jevolar four times in his long life and he knows the way – and the great dangers of the non-magical land. He warns that Anghysbel is filled with forgotten creatures and lost races that have hidden from the world for eons. That doesn’t dissuade the Spellmonger – it’s a challenge. So is the deadly poisonous alkali waste that is the only way to the fabled land. So is the fact that his wife, Alya, insists on going with the expedition. So is the company of goblins pursuing him to catch the greatest wizard in the world in a place without magic. And the passage through the alkali wastes is only open for the nine dry weeks of summer, so there is a time limit on his explorations.

But once he’s there, Minalan’s expedition discovers a unique land filled with forgotten secrets: an outpost of the Kasari, where the tribe sends its magically-Talented folk; a colony of Wilderlords existing in seclusion; the exiled clan of Kilnusk Alon, the former kings of the Dradrien and Karshak, alike; a community of Tal Alon left on their own for generations; and an old comrade who has fled the Five Duchies in fear of the Censorate.

That’s just where the mysteries begin. When he opens the Cave of the Ancients, a remnant of the original human colony on Callidore, Minalan starts on a path toward the answers he seeks. He is startled to find that the once-great human civilization once had an outpost in Anghysbel, as did many other races. Armed with new knowledge he braves the dangerous wilderness of Anghysbel with Lilastien and the rest of his friends in search of the ancient Alka Alon vault containing the arsenal he seeks. Along the way he discovers the scion of the Aronin, the half crazed Ameras; he encounters a dragon, learns about a forgotten group of the Forsaken, and is introduced to the mysterious Leshi in search of an immensely important, incredibly powerful artifact. Not even the threat of cyclopses and lizard men, renegade dragons and the pestilent Kurja can stand in the way of his exploration.

But that’s not all he discovers. When a beardless, half-mad Karshak outcast offers them an opportunity to learn the secrets they desperately seek, Minalan and Lilastien are tempted . . . but the price of that knowledge may well be madness, or even death. For dark powers more ancient than the world dwell in exotic Anghysbel, powers that would speed Callidore’s destruction, not work for its salvation. Minalan the Spellmonger has to consider carefully if he’s willing to pay the price to save the world . . . and the cost of that bargain may well be his life!

## Synopsis

**Minalan’s Quest** Minalan organized an expedition to the mysterious land of Anghysbel in the north. His quest had the following goals:
1. Find Ameras, the daughter of the Aronin of Amadia/Angriel and the Alka Alon secret arsenal.
2. Find a possible installation built by the Ancients that may have survived.
3. Find a substance that can help create snowstone.
4. Find the lost Wilderlord domain of Anferny. The expedition party included Alya, Tyndal, Taren, Gareth, Lilastien, Fondaras, Ithalia, Masters Suhi and Azhguri, Natia, Ormar the alchemist, and Forseti, Tyndal brought several gentlemen as guards. Two Kasari rangers and four or five other Kasari also became part of the group.

Alya insisted that she would accompany Minalan, despite the many reservations he posed. The other members of the expedition were Tyndal, Taren, Gareth, Lilastien, Fondaras, Ithalia, Masters Suhi and Azhguri, Natia, Ormar the alchemist, and Forseti. Tyndal brought several gentlemen as guards. Two Kasari rangers and four or five other Kasari also became part of the group.

Minalan had to disentangle himself from the ongoing affairs of state before leaving. He appointed Pentandra to keep the county and magi in line during his absence. She insisted that he and Alya attend the opening ceremonies for Anguin's palace in Verone. There, Minalan conferred with Count Markadine and the Lord Steward Sir Kersal, apprising them of his negotiations with the Gurvani King Ashakarl to cease hostilities. The two Wilderland nobles expressed their guarded support. They also sounded Minalan out for his thoughts on reclaiming those parts of Gilmora that were once Alshari. Minalan assured them that he would never dare to initiate such a policy. “Of course, if a rebellion just happened to arise, I might consider intervention.  Purely to preserve lives and prevent destruction,”  Minalan added. He next spoke a few minutes later with Ishi who expressed her doubts and concerns about his journey north.
> “Be careful, this summer, Minalan,” she added, suddenly frowning.  “You’re going someplace that is not only devoid of magic, but where the gods will have no power.  At least, none that I’m aware of.  That volcano is a big blank spot in the world.  Even the Otherworld.  It has a certain reputation amongst the gods.  That’s never a good sign.  But I know that there are . . . there are things there, Minalan,” she said, her head shaking slowly.  “Things unholy and alien.  It’s a bad place,” she assured me.
>
>

King Rard surprised the Alshari Court by attending the Palace Opening. He sought out the Spellmonger to seek assurances that Minalan would not pursue a vendetta against Tavard for his funding the Count of Nion's ill-conceived invasion of Vanador. The King was amused by Minalan's co-opting of the Gilmoran force but was legitimately concerned that a civil war to pursue vendetta would be detrimental to Castalshar. Min assured Rard that he would not pursue such a course, much to the King's relief. “Sire, I am about to journey into the wilderness for a few months,” I informed him.  “I shall not even be around to respond, should he provoke me.  Nor do I take offense at foolishness when the security of the kingdom is involved.
Later that night, Briga woke Minalan to express her apprehensions.

> “I wanted to warn you, Minalan,” she said, her expression unchanged.  “Anghysbel is dangerous.  Ishi was correct: the gods cannot see into that land.  Or have any interaction with you, while you’re there.  At least nothing overt, that I can tell.  That place . . . it concerns me.”
> Later, Briga expressed her gravest concerns. "There is a kind of dark tangle of fate bound up with your journey.  The fate of everyone.  The Gods.  The Alka Alon.  The Kingdom.  The Vundel.  The Formless. Your Ancestors.  The Forsaken.  The entire human colony.  Life on this world.  Nothing will be truly determined until you come back with the knowledge you seek.”
>
>

Before leaving Vanador, Minalan met Gurkarl and signed the agreement with Ashakarl. The Goblin King led thousands of tribal gurvani in revolt against Korbal, but his power was weak.  Neither Ashakarl, nor Minalan needed another enemy.  It was on this basis they reached an agreement.
Fondaras served as the expedition's guide, as well as the Kasari rangers, who had made the trip multiple time afore.

## References

1. ↑ Mancour, Terry. Footwizard: Book 13 Of The Spellmonger Series . Kindle Edition. Ch. 4.
2. ↑ Mancour, Terry. Footwizard: Book 13 Of The Spellmonger Series. Kindle Edition. Ch. 4.
3. ↑ Mancour, Terry. Footwizard: Book 13 Of The Spellmonger Series. Kindle Edition. Ch. 4.
4. ↑ Mancour, Terry. Footwizard: Book 13 Of The Spellmonger Series. Kindle Edition. Ch. 4.