Chapter One Excerpt from Undetected Secrets

The Riftrider's Return Book 2 

 

 

Standing with his arms folded, he glanced at his mother. “I can do this mom. You don’t have to help me.”

 

The small forest elven woman with dark emerald green eyes and flowing auburn hair turned to him. “You know this will be the last time I see you in a matter of weeks. I want to do this for you, Herrick.”

 

Herrick couldn’t help but laugh at his mother. “I’m just going down the street to the Riftrider area, you know I’m just a walk away. You can always come visit me.”

 

The elven woman sternly stared at him. “It’s not the same.”

 

“But it is, you’re constantly in town.”

 

His mother sat on the window sill and stared out of it. “I don’t want to interrupt your training. Other moms won’t be there to check on their children.”

 

Sitting across from her, he sighed. “Mother, you are more than welcome to interrupt me anytime.”

 

She gave a weak smile, but it wasn’t what he wanted to see. “Herrick. You’re growing before my eyes and will be leaving me. I want you to go, but at the same time I want you to stay. You have been helping me around here, doing chores and the like.”

 

He gave a nod and touched her hand. “Mother, I am more than willing to return once things are finished in the guild. Please don’t be sad.”

 

She patted his hand and then gave another sad smile. “My dear, things will never be the same. You will become a Riftrider then off on missions to protect the country. You won’t have time for me, I’ll be home, alone.”

 

He took a deep breath and hugged her tightly. “You need to get a boyfriend, mom. Find someone who makes you happy. I shouldn’t be the only man in your life.”

 

“I don’t want one.”

 

He raised an eyebrow. “It would do you some good just to see someone. Anyone, rather than just sitting at home moping. Come on, mom. We need to get a smile on your face. I know, I’ll introduce you to the man at the bakery. He’s always had his eye on you and I see how he smiles at you. He’s been flirting. What is his name again?”

 

“Jamart.”

 

“That’s right,” Herrick said with a smile. “Jamart has always had a kind word for you. ‘Elierbe, you are looking beautiful as usual,’ he says.” Elierbe shoved him gently as he began to laugh. “Mother, you need to flirt back. You’re still a spry young elf. I’m nineteen, but you’re not to be alone forever. You need to get out there.”

 

She placed her hands on her hips and stared down at him.  She couldn’t help but smile. He meant well and he did speak the truth. “Fine. I will do as you suggest. I will start seeing someone, if that’s what you want.”

 

He slowly stood up and gave a nod. “It is, mother. You don’t need to be alone because of me. I am different, yes, but now that I’m out of the home you can see whoever you want.”

 

Giving a slow smile, she stood up and helped him up off the ground. Elierbe chuckled. “Perhaps, I could go back to what I was doing before I had you.”

 

“Which was what? You never talk about anything before you had me.” Herrick stared at her in amazement, wondering what she could have possibly done.

 

“I was one of the Dragon’s Riftstalkers,” she said with a wink of her eye.

 

“What?!” Herrick stood in shock for only a moment and then gave a slight nod. “I guess that explains some of it.”

 

“Some of what?” she glanced at her son.

 

“The letters that were in your closet. Targets and missions. I just assumed they were Dragons wanting you to find people and bring them in for their own justice,” he spoke softly. “I had no idea you were a RiftStalker.”

 

“You aren’t the only one who has the abilities of the Dragons, my dear son. I’m sure Aubri would be delighted to hear I’m getting back into it.”

 

He grabbed a few things and put them in his pack. “I’m sure she would, too. You are a young elf not a wilting human.”

 

Elierbe smiled. “When did you get so wise?” She walked over and helped him finish the pack.

 

“I had several great teachers,” he said coyly.

 

Giving a soft chuckle she shook her head. “There’s no way you could have gotten so wise with me as your teacher. I’ve done so much wrong with you.” He put some more of his clothes in and just gave a nod. That made Elierbe glare at him. “So you agree with me?”

 

Jerking his head up and staring at his mother for a moment, Herrick shook his head. “No, mother. You’re a parent, parents always see the flaws. We as children see you as the perfect person who helped guide us to the point of our destination.”

 

“So you thought I was perfect, no flaws whatsoever?”

 

He couldn’t help but grin at her. “Well, now that you mention it. . .”

 

Her emerald green eyes showed a bit of anger and she tossed a shirt at him. “Wrong answer, my dear son.”

 

Snatching the shirt from the air, he grinned then stared in disbelief for a moment. “Well, you asked. I told you what you did was perfect in my eyes, then you get mad for that. I tell you I can’t win,” he said looking up to the sky and shaking his head.

 

Elierbe couldn’t help but smile. “I will go looking for the Dragons while you’re training. I’m sure they would like to have me back and send me out on a few missions. The wicked do not sleep, you know.”

 

He gave a careful nod and paused. “What if we were sent on the same mission?”

 

She chuckled and lifted her head to see his seriousness. “I would tell them I couldn’t work with you. I would be too emotional.”

 

Giving a nod they finished packing together and then Herrick gave a long look at the work. “Well, tomorrow’s the big day. I’m ready. How about you?”

 

Elierbe gave a confident smile and nodded. “I am now. Thanks for reassuring me that things will be okay once you’re gone. I was worried that I wouldn’t know what to do.”

 

“Well, you’re free to do whatever you want. I won’t be here to weigh you down.”

 

She gently shoved him then grinned at him. “You never weighed me down, just made me pause. We’ll get going again and evil won’t know what hit them.”