Aelryk’s kingdom is under attack by monsters conjured by a dark sorcerer. His only hope lies far to the west, where a powerful water elemental is rumored to dwell. Along the way, he joins forces with the Wild Elves, who were once his enemy. They alone can lead him through the dangers of the Wildlands. Together, they must journey to a mysterious land of eternal spring and return before the kingdom is overrun by evil.
Excerpt
As she did every morning, Lenora
stood at the riverbank and watched her life mate perform his morning ritual. He
stood naked in waist-deep water at the base of a small waterfall. Despite
watching this ritual for over eight hundred years, she still could not help but
worry. His life was a gift from the river, and each day he offered it back. She
knew that one day the river would claim him.
His long brown hair flowed
carelessly at the water’s surface. Though his back was facing her, Lenora could
see that River had completed his offering and was conversing with the water’s
Spirit. Many times the Spirit had granted him visions to aid their people. They
knew when danger was drawing near and also when the rains would come. The
Westerling Vale was a beautiful and magical place, thanks to the Spirit’s
presence.
River turned and smiled at
Lenora. Coming up from the water, he touched her chin and kissed her softly on
her lips. She welcomed the kiss and enjoyed the warmth of his lips. After
helping him on with his robe and placing a silver ring with a sapphire stone on
his left hand, she put her arm in his and said, “Did the Spirit give you good
news?”
“Today’s news is somewhat
troubling,” he began. “I am not exactly sure what to make of it. It would be
best if I called a meeting of the Elders and discussed it with them. Perhaps
one of them can identify the creatures I saw.” He paused for a second and then
asked, “Have you ever heard of a dark man-like creature with long curving
claws? They seem very unfriendly but have so far avoided entering or crossing
the river.”
Lenora thought about it as they
continued walking towards the village. “I don’t believe I ever studied such a
thing. I hope they aren’t a threat to us.”
River stopped and looked into her
pale eyes but said nothing. “You seem troubled,” she said, breaking the
silence. “What is it?”
“It’s just a feeling. Something
is wrong, but I don’t know what it is yet.” He took both of her hands and
kissed her cheek. “Do not worry, my love. The Elders will know what to do. I’ll
speak with them immediately.”
River was highly respected among
the Council of Elders. He frequently joined them in their meetings to share his
visions and assist in any way possible to better the lives of his people. He
had been feared by many of them as a child. His life essence had been granted
by the river Spirit, imbuing him with great powers. No one knew his exact
purpose, not even River himself. But their fears had all been for naught. The
Spirit of the river was kind by nature and had no malevolence within it.
River headed towards the council
house. It was a huge tree with silver leaves that stood at the center of the
village. Two intricately carved doors opened to the hollowed area inside. The
magic of the forest made the interior much larger than the tree outside would
suggest. Most of the Elders had already gathered inside to discuss daily
matters of life in the Vale.
“River, my friend.” Brandor, a
tall fair-haired elf, strode forward to greet him. “Welcome this fine morning,”
he said. “How are you?”
“I am well, Brandor, thank you. I
have some news I wish to discuss with the council.”
“You are always most welcome
here, River, of course. Please be seated while I gather the others.”
River sat at the oval-shaped
table and waited. His mind swam with the images he had seen in the water. A
heaviness weighed on the back of his mind, and he knew some work of evil was at
hand.
The Elders each took their seats.
“Good morning, gentle elves,” Brandor said. “This morning we are joined by Lord
River, who has come bearing some news for us.” He gestured to River. “Go ahead,
my friend.”
“My lords, I have had a vision
that troubles me greatly. I have seen savage creatures roaming in the
Wildlands. They are unknown to me, and they have a sense of evil about them.
They have not, as yet, attempted to cross the river, but I sense that they do
not fear the magical barrier. I believe they are powered by some unknown magic
of a very dark nature. I cannot see where they are from or where they have
been, but I do feel strongly that they are a threat to us. I believe it’s only
a matter of time before they enter our lands.” River’s sapphire eyes were
somber, his expression grave.
Silence filled the room with a
heavy foreboding. The Vale had enjoyed many centuries of peace, and the thought
of evil at its doorstep was difficult to digest. After a few moments, the
Elders looked at one another. Finally, Rundil spoke. “My Lord River, will your
magic be enough to protect our people from this menace?”
“For a while, I believe,” River
answered. “But some unknown source is giving power to these creatures. I might
be able to determine what they are if I could see them up close. I’m not
completely sure whether they aren't able to penetrate our magic or are choosing
not to at this time. All I know is that the matter is most pressing. We must
determine what this threat truly is.”
The Elders began chattering
amongst themselves just as the doors to the chamber flew open. “My Lords!”
cried Rogin. “There is evil at work in our lands. A dryad was found badly
beaten. She’s been taken to my mother for healing.”
Brandor spoke first. “This is
indeed distressing news. A peaceful magical creature attacked near our very
borders!” The room sounded with agreement and the anxious voices of the Elders.
“I must go to her,” River said as
he stood. “If these were the same creatures I saw in my vision, perhaps I can
glean some evidence from her.”
“I’ll go with you, Father,” Rogin
said. River placed a hand on his shoulder and together they walked to the House
of Medicine.
Inside, Lenora was ordering her
maids to bring herbs to halt the bleeding. She was a highly skilled healer, but
the dryad was severely wounded and near death. She looked up as River and her
son entered. “I don’t know if I can be of much help to her,” she began. “This
is savagery I have never seen. I fear her injuries will prove fatal. All I can
do is try to make her passing as gentle as possible.” Tears filled her eyes as
she looked down at the beautiful creature lying before her. This was a peaceful
fae of the forest. Harming a soul such as this was truly a most vile act.
River took her in his arms to
comfort her, and she sobbed onto his shoulder. Dryads were indeed peaceful
creatures who often assisted those who had lost their way in the forest. They
were playful and good-natured and had no natural enemies.
Lenora wiped her eyes and stood
back over the dryad. She laid her hands upon the dryad’s heart and whispered
words of comfort. White magic flowed through her fingertips and into the suffering
form of the fae. Her face, formerly twisted in pain, changed to an expression
of peace. She let out one final breath. Lenora whispered a prayer to the
Goddess of the forest.
River knelt beside the lifeless
dryad and laid his hand upon her forehead. He closed his eyes as blue magic
spread over the dryad. Within seconds, her body disappeared. “She is at rest
now,” he said. “Her spirit is free. I have seen the creature who did this to
her. I know now what it is we are facing.” He looked into his life mate’s eyes.
“It is far worse than we could have imagined.”
After eight years of jotting notes and building a fantasy world, she has finally begun releasing novels in her Tales of Nōl'Deron series. They will feature many of the same characters, but each novel will stand alone. She hopes to have her second novel completed in Fall 2013.
No comments:
Post a Comment