Limit of the Timewalker

Limit of the Timewalker tells the story of a teenager named Eldric who had a rough upbringing until he learns time magic from an ancient wizard. He embarks on a quest to defeat a dark and controlling wizard, encountering and befriending companions such as a vampire mercenary, a non-binary elemental wizard, and a charming wizard of the liberal arts. Along the way, he learns the beauty of uniqueness and what it costs to live a fulfilling life.

Limit of the Timewalker is Nathan Berglas’s second full-length fantasy novel, written from May to August of 2024.

Provided is a short preview. This scene takes place the day after Eldric met his wizard mentor, and they begin their trek to the wizard’s tower.

Limit of the Timewalker Preview

    That morning, Eldric awoke early to the wizard knocking on the door. He got dressed in a flash and was out the door. The blizzard had subsided, leaving behind a layer of fresh snow. The pair had a small breakfast and left the inn, off into the city. The wizard walked, Eldric following along. They reached the eastern edge of the city and continued walking. Walking through the snow was difficult work, and after a few hours, Eldric’s legs were cold, wet, and aching.

“You are tired. We will pause,” The wizard said, turning to Eldric.

“Thank you, Master. I’d like to ask a question,” Eldric said, sitting on a rock and shaking the snow out of his shoes. “Why did you save me? I’m a simple, unskilled boy. Surely one with the resources you have, you could pick anybody to have as a servant.”

“Specific or not, I dislike questions. They insinuate a lack of trust in my judgment. I choose what you get to know, and your asking of questions attempts to defy my choice. That said, you deserve to know your reason for summons.” The wizard said. He waved Eldric up, and the two continued walking.

“I need your help understanding something. That is only part of the answer, and you have asked a complex question, but one you must understand in time. Firstly, my primary profession is a scholar. I spend much of my time doing research, reading documents, and writing, and you will aid me with these tasks in the short term. Secondly, there is a topic in which I can never fully understand, not in a way that is possible by you.”

Eldric furrowed his brow and stopped walking. “You want me to understand something for you? I’m sorry, I think you have the wrong person. My aunt Agnes said the only thing I was good for was my back and muscles, and Shopkeeper Thomas told me I was good for nothing. If you want help understanding something, I’m afraid I’m much too stupid to help you.”

The wizard sighed and kept walking. “Perhaps I should have done this earlier.” Eldric ran to keep up. “Listen, boy. Rid from your mind any preconceptions you may have. Most of everything you have not learnt from me is useless knowledge and a hindrance. For this job as my apprentice, a job that you will complete, I must reconstruct you from the ground up, and it is up to you to provide me a workable surface. You are just like any other young boy — you are not worthless, you are not stupid, and if you put in the required effort, you can do anything. Your only limit is yourself.”

“You mean it, master?”

“I do, boy. Now hurry, it is a long journey and we mustn’t dally.”

The pair continued their walk, taking breaks every so often for Eldric to rest his legs and warm up. The snow went up to Eldric’s ankles and slowed his pace considerably. Despite his age, the wizard walked briskly and Eldric often had to jog to not fall behind. Every time Eldric felt a twinge of hunger the pair would turn a corner and on the side of the path would be a perfectly prepared meal in a basket or a grove of trees bearing fruit in the dead of winter. At first Eldric was confused, but he soon accepted it.

During their walk, Eldric eyed the wizard. He’d made far too many mistakes in life to trust a complete stranger, and as they walked further from the city this discontent only grew. Between his mysterious intentions, the unanswered questions, and his gratuitous generosity, something was afoot, and Eldric was going to find out what. But so far, Eldric could not notice a single slip up. Without any other options, Eldric decided to trust the man, for now.

As the sun started to set, the mountain range came into view. They had been travelling west from U.O.A. the entire day and were approaching the Feparian Spine. The Feparian Spine was an immense mountain range that descended the entire Feparian peninsula dividing the left half from the right. Zeitturm lay on the left half, a bit south, and on the border of a forest and swamp.

After the sun had set, the wizard led Eldric a few minutes off the path up a hill to a grotto. Inside the grotto was all sorts of supplies. There was a fire pit prepared with dry wood, two bedrolls, food, drink, and more. Once inside, the wizard lit a fire and roasted a rabbit for dinner. After eating, the pair set up their bedrolls and sat watching the embers of the fire die.

“There are more things you must know, and in time you will learn. This may be overwhelming for you, but you must concentrate, and you must understand. You may not trust me right now, and you may be wary of what I offer you, but I am not like your previous masters.”

Eldric sat cross legged. He looked down at the dying embers dancing. “How can I trust you, when I don’t even know your name? How can I trust anything you say?”

“The truth is, you cannot. It is fortunate for you that I am good, but it is life that others are bad.” The wizard gestured around the grotto. “Please, see my gestures of food and warmth not as tricks, but as recompense for your eventual service.”

“You’re not the first to have said this. You say you know everything about me, so you’d know that when I ran away from Aunt Agnes, I met Shopkeeper Thomas. He told me what you’re telling me now, and in the end he was just like her. That cannot happen again.”

The wizard nodded. “Then why did you follow me?”

“I don’t know.” Eldric leaned back and looked at the grotto roof. “Curiosity? Because I was going to die if I didn’t? Maybe because without someone to be my master, I’m nothing.”

“No, Eldric. It is because you have ambition. Everybody has ambition, and you are no different. You will be my apprentice. You will learn things you never thought possible. You followed me for the chance at a great life because you care. As long as you promise to continue caring, I will protect and guide you with my life.”

Eldric sat up and looked at the old man. His face and brown eyes were as solemn and sincere as ever. Eldric’s breath shook, and he bit back tears.

“You promise, master?”

“I promise on my name. I am Azeiterath the wizard, and I shall be your master.”

Read the rest of the first chapter, and the rest of the novel when it releases!