The Final Installment
Book Six
They've anticipated this time, yet dread it more than any of them care to admit.
A pang of remorse penetrates Alyra’s chest. She should have tried harder, ran faster, done whatever it took to keep her former master, Darnel, from kidnapping the Curian, Katrina. Now poor Kat is all alone, probably locked in a dungeon, in the dark mountain stronghold of Racah.
What plans were being made to rescue Kat? And when would Tarek come back to Alyra as he promised? His last message said he should have already returned…so what kept him away? Jerin, along with his centaur friends, Lotari and Stitch, anticipate the move against Racah, but Prince Issah has delayed. When Jerin is finally able to ask Issah about his battle plans, the prince seems distracted, staring into the nearby fountain with his gaze locked onto the rippling surface. Leaning forward, Jerin looks harder, wondering what Issah is staring at when a vision forms.
A familiar man is standing on a platform with arms tied behind his back. He’s surrounded by an angry crowd. Jerin is curious about the vision until Issah confirms that before they can advance on Racah, they must first rescue Tarek. The Empowered Illuminate is an important component to their success in defeating their enemy.
The final installment of The White Road Chronicles leads Alyra and her friends to the Mountain stronghold of Racah for a final confrontation with the cruel ruler, Darnel.
Chapter One
Alyra
strolled along the narrow corridor in the Halls of Knowledge, past a row of
bright stained-glassed windows, until she reached an open archway. Glancing
over her shoulder, she checked to see if anyone was around before darting out
onto the balcony.
She
pressed against the granite balustrade. Below, a carpet of golden-green grasses
filled the valley surrounded by stately pines and orange-crowned oaks. The
cobalt lake sat in the bowl of purple cliffs that rose up on the distant
shores.
She
stared hard at the glass-like water, willing it to ripple or show any sign of
disturbance. Something, anything, to signal he was coming. She’d waited long enough.
He’d promised.
“What do they say about a watched pot?” Her
brother’s teasing voice came from behind her.
Oh, troll’s breath! Where had he come from?
Alyra
spun around to find Ethan chuckling at her with a shake of his head. His wavy
brown hair hung in his eyes. He wore his usual leather trousers and linen
shirt, tucked in and neat. Except for his unruly hair that needed trimming.
She
wrapped her arms around herself with a huff. “His last message said he’d return as of yesterday. Three new moons
have passed since he left. I’m anxious about—” She stopped herself, knowing her
admitted fear about Tarek and everything else would only bring another lecture
from her brother. Her heart hammered against her chest as dampness clung to her
lower lashes. “And I can’t stop thinking of poor Katrina. Nobody has done
anything to—”
Ethan
moved to her side and wrapped her in a one-armed hug. “Things are being done. Issah is working
out a plan. We need to be patient, Sis. Everything will work out in due time.”
She
blew out a frustrated puff of air. That didn’t help anything. Yes, she knew. But that didn’t keep her from
wishing things would speed up.
The
lost Curians, which she and Tarek had found and led across the land back home,
had allowed her and Ethan to stay in a set of small rooms near Katrina’s library. But the reconstructed area and
assembly hall were now off-limits without a special invitation. Except for a
select few important people, such as her warrior friend, Jerin, and the new
Mayor of Denovo, Roy.
Alyra
missed Katrina and desperately wanted a plan to rescue her. The Curians were
nothing at all like her sweet natured friend who was always kind and generous.
A pang of remorse penetrated Alyra’s chest. She should have tried harder, ran faster, to keep her
former master Darnel from kidnapping Katrina. Now poor Kat was all alone,
probably locked in a dungeon, in the dark mountain stronghold of Racah. Alyra
wanted desperately to know what plans were being made to rescue Kat.
She
also wanted Tarek to return to her as he promised.
Ethan
gave her shoulders one more squeeze. “There’s no point in waiting out here. I know he’ll come find
you soon as he arrives. Let’s go get some breakfast.” He tugged at the sleeve
of her blue shirt. She was wearing a long colorful skirt the townswomen often
wore. Her travel worn boots needed to be replaced soon. Maybe she’d pay a visit
to the town’s Meeting Hall and find the shoemaker. Maybe she’d run into Jerin
there, and he’d have some news for her.
For
the past two months, while Tarek was in Aloblase receiving training, she’d worked with Jerin and the people of
Denovo to rebuild the city that had suffered extensive damage from Darnel’s
minions. The Alburnium warriors, led by General Marcel had chased out anyone
loyal to Racah. The Elderads, which included her guardian Riyah, and Marcel’s
adviser Amici, managed to clear away the years of debris covering the white
stones that lined the streets.
She
chewed her bottom lip, wondering if Jerin would be the one to ask. He’d begun to grow irritated with her
constant questioning about when they’d start heading toward Racah. Anymore, his
answer was generally, “When I know, I’ll let you and those pesky centaurs
know.”
Ethan
gave her arm another tug bringing her back out of her deep thoughts. “Breakfast? Food? I can smell Granny Fila’s
sweet rolls all the way up here. Come on.”
She
shook her head. “I’m
not hungry yet. I’ll join you later.”
He
folded his arms across his chest, narrowing his eyes in a stern warning. “Waiting here is a waste of time. I know
Tare, he’ll come—”
“I’m not waiting here. Promise. There’s a few things I need to do. I’ll join you
for lunch, all right?”
He
hesitated a moment until she gave him a gentle shove. “Go. Fill that bottomless gut of yours.”
She looked down at her feet. “I need to go get fitted for some new boots. I’m
getting holes in these.”
“Fine.” His shoulders sagged in defeat.
“Probably not a bad idea. I have a feeling, soon as Tarek does get here, things
will start to happen.”
“You think Issah is waiting on him to
finish his training?”
Ethan
shrugged one shoulder. “Just a hunch. We can’t very well storm Racah without him. He is
an Empowered Illuminate, after all.”
Oh,
right. He was the one with the ability the Curian prophecy spoke about. The
child from Racah, an Illuminate, who would lead the Alburnium kingdom to Racah’s destruction. And all this time Darnel
had been sure it was her. He’d been so wrong.
Good
thing her former master didn’t know, or he probably wouldn’t have stayed his hand the first
time he’d threatened to kill Tarek.
When
Ethan left her, she returned to her little bedroom down the hall from the vast
library where Katrina had spent many months watching their travels, helping
each of them, using their wonderful Ledge-o-graph books they used to
communicate with each other. Kat’s journal lay on Alyra’s bedside table. They’d found it, along
with some important maps, locked in a wardrobe that only one of the Curians was
able to unlock with a special word in their secret language.
Alyra
had every intention of returning the Ledge-o-graph to her dear friend. Nobody
could see anything but blank pages since Kat hadn’t spoken permission for anyone else to read the letters
contained inside. Didn’t matter. Alyra had taken the book and kept it safe until
she was able to give it back to its rightful owner.
She
dug her backpack from under the cot and slung it over her back. If she needed
to make a trip too far away, Alyra always made sure to bring it along. The bag
was lightweight to carry, completely waterproof and held all her personal
belongings. Including her own Ledge-o-graph. Covering the pack with her cloak,
she headed for the door and peered out into the hall. All was clear as she
slipped outside and hurried down the corridor until she reached a portico that
opened to the valley.
The
weather was clear and slightly crisp. A beautiful day for a short journey.
Hopefully, she’d
be able to figure out how to get the portal to Aloblase to open. Maybe, just
maybe, if she cast her light into the water, she’d get the passage to open like
Issah could do. If not, then she’d need to call for help. Riyah would probably
refuse, but she at least needed to try. Tarek’s delay made no sense. He’d been
so eager to return to her.
She
twirled the ring of intent around her finger with her thumb, pressing the metal
band into her knuckle. They’d planned to be united soon as she reached her twentieth summer
next year. Now that all her memories had finally returned, she knew without a
doubt just how much she loved him and all he’d risked keeping her safe. She
couldn’t imagine her life with anyone else.
When
she reached the shore, she tried a few different attempts to cast her light on
the water, willing a portal to open to Aloblase, and even wishing real hard for
Tarek to suddenly step out of one from the White City. He’d been in training on how to use his light
gifting. Somewhere safe where he’d be less destructive with his tendency to
blow things up.
Drained
and frustrated, Alyra plopped down on a mossy rock and buried her face in her
hands. Inside her mind, she called out, Riyah?
Where are you? Can you please, please, please help me?
“If you think you’ll connive me into
helping you run off, you have another think coming, young lady.” The Elderad
sat on the grass beside her. His billowing white coat spread out around his
crossed legs. A breeze caught up a few strands of his silky long hair the color
of freshly fallen snow. He smiled at her with that familiar expression of
exasperation pressing his lips together in a tight line. “Though I have to say,
watching your feeble attempts was entertaining. Especially when you tried to
kick the water. That was indeed priceless.”
“Don’t tease me, Ri. I know you know what’s
going on with Tarek. Why isn’t he here? He promised.”
Riyah
leaned back on his elbows, tilting his face up to the bright sky. “I came to tell you that Issah requests
your presence in the great hall.” He replied, completely ignoring her question.
“I’ll accompany you to where he is waiting to meet with you, Ethan, and Jerin.
Alas, as I reached the hall leading to your room, I spotted your escape—”
“I wasn’t trying to escape. I just… oh,
never mind.”
“Right.” He chuckled. “Anyway, I followed
you out here. I suspected you would try something when our friend Tarek failed
to arrive yesterday as he promised. I did not anticipate it would be so…”
Alyra
shot her guardian a glare, which of course he also ignored.
“Well, honestly, I’ve not laughed so much
in some time. I do enjoy how you keep life lively, my dear Al.”
“Aren’t you full of jokes today?” She
stood. “Fine then, take me to Issah. Maybe he’ll give me a decent answer.”
Riyah
stood. “Maybe.”
The smirk hadn’t left his perfectly formed face. He was still the most striking
being she’d ever seen. And she loved him despite his teasing. He held out his
hand to her, she was about to take it when a burst of water exploded up into
the air. She spun toward the lake, anticipating Tarek to step through the
portal. Instead, a tiny yellow and green object zoomed through the opening
before the waves settled again.
“Dart?” She held up her hand, palm up for
the lovebird to land on. They’d been using Dart over the past year-and-a-half
to keep in contact since Tarek didn’t have one of the Ledge-o-graphs like she
and her friends did.
“Ah, I see he managed to at least get word
to you.” Riyah’s tone dripped with a bit of annoyance.
She
removed the rolled piece of parchment from the bird’s messenger pack and unfurled it to reveal
Tarek’s scrawling handwriting.
Alyra my love-
Please don’t be angry with me.
* *
* *
Jerin’s boots clomped over the stone floor,
echoing off the corridor walls. A dim light glowed up ahead. The Curians, who
still seemed more comfortable out of the sunlight, tended to work late into the
evening and sleep late into the morning. More and more of the younger ones
spent time outdoors, thrilled to be able to grow food in the fertile valley.
The food they’d survived on, grown in the vast caverns, sorely lacked in
quality and taste compared to what the villagers grew here. With the help of
the Curians, the farmers of Little Delve found their summer crops had prospered
under the Wisdom Keeper’s knowledgeable hands.
If
only more of the remnant would open up to the townspeople, but so far, they
refused and remained clustered in their stone burrows as they’d done for the past eighty years. Perhaps
change wouldn’t come until the newer generation took over.
Jerin
reached the vast assembly chamber. Outside on the grand portico morning light
shone down on the tall stone pillars and gave a yellow cast to the bit of
visible sky. A lone figure stood beside the fountain in the middle of the room.
The fountain was mainly used as a portal for Issah and his Logorian warriors
who often came to aid in training Jerin’s new recruits.
To
think, that far-fetched dream he and his wife, Carah, once had was now a
reality. He loved every moment spent training new recruits here. Especially
since he was able to work with his beautiful wife. Life was almost perfect.
Almost.
Jerin
stopped beside Issah who wore his traveling garb today. He marveled at how the
Prince of Aloblase was able to be exactly where and what a person needed him to
be at any given moment. Issah stared down at the waters of the fountain, his
gaze locked on the rippling surface. Jerin cleared his throat to get the prince’s attention, but Issah neither
acknowledged him nor turned his gaze from whatever he saw in the pool.
Leaning
forward, Jerin looked harder, wondering what Issah was staring at when a vision
formed of a man standing on a platform, arms clasped, or tied behind his back.
Jerin blinked, wondering if he was actually seeing what he thought he was
seeing.
“Did Carah not wish to join our meeting?”
Issah asked, never taking his eyes off the scene unfolding within the waters.
“She’s still sleeping, sir. I didn’t want
to disturb her. And I wished to speak privately if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all, Son. Alyra and Ethan should be
here soon. I’ve sent Riyah to bring them to me. But we have time to chat.” He
motioned to the low wall surrounding the fountain.
Taking
a seat beside the prince. To his astonishment, the vision grew clearer. The man
was surrounded by a group of people. Their angry faces glowed in the torchlight.
What had the man done? Jerin leaned in a little closer, noting the man’s wavy light hair. There was something
familiar about him.
“Son,” Issah drew him from the scene. “What
is troubling you?” Issah was turned in such a way that he faced Jerin, but was
still able to keep an eye on the vision in the water.
“Well, Sire, it’s… Please don’t take this
as a complaint. I so love being here, at the Halls of Knowledge and working
with the folks in Denovo. Why, this is what Carah and I have dreamed of doing
since we met. But, sir, I’m wondering… shouldn’t we…” he wasn’t sure why sweat
broke out over his neck. Alyra never had problem questioning the prince, but
everything in him felt it was wrong to question. Issah certainly knew what he
was doing, right?
Issah’s mouth turned up in a crooked smile.
“Indeed, I do. But Jerin, do you not consider me as one of your friends?”
Friend?
He was the prince, for pixie’s sake. But friend?
When
he was dressed as he was at the moment, in his woolen cloak and cotton shirt
and dirt encrusted traveling boots, he seemed almost normal. Still, Jerin would
never forget the times he’d seen Issah in all his majesty, dressed in his Royal attire,
looking powerful and daunting. Those moments made Jerin’s insides tremble and
his knees week until he felt the need to fall on his face before the King’s
son.
Issah’s hand rested on his shoulder. “I want you
to consider me a friend, Jerin. I care for you very much, and I’m interested in
your thoughts and concerns, even if you think they are unjustified. If they
are, we’ll talk it out. But if they aren’t, then I’ll listen and consider your
concerns.”
“Thank you, sir… uh, Issah. I appreciate
that. And yes, you are a very dear friend.”
“Good.” His smile grew wider. “Then tell
your ol’ buddy what’s troubling you. Though I’m sure I already know. Either
way, I want to hear it from your lips.”
“It’s not just me. Aly is beside herself
with worry—”
“Why does that not surprise me?” Issah
chuckled.
“And the centaurs, they’re concerned, too.
Especially Stitch, who I know has a real soft spot for Katrina. It just doesn’t
seem right, you know? All the hard work she did. Most of it all by herself. And
now that her people have finally returned, she’s… she’s… Oh, Shaydon help me,
but I hope she’s alive.”
“She is.” Issah assured him with a nod. “Uh
oh,” He stopped and refocused his attention on the water scene. The people in
the crowd shook their fist at the man on the podium.
“He reminds me of someone,” Jerin mused
with a shake of his head. “Is he in trouble?”
“You could say that,” Issah answered, his
brows furrowed. “As to your concern about our Katrina, as I said, she is alive
and safe for the moment.” His breath caught as someone from the crowd hurled a
rock at the man on the podium. Issah held out his hand as if the rock was aimed
at him. To Jerin’s shock, the projectile veered off to the side, narrowly
missing the poor fellow. Issah’s hand gave a quick jerk at the same moment.
Jerin
blinked and then rubbed his eyes. Did he really see what he thought… he saw? Impossible.
Another
older man hopped up onto the platform, arms outstretched as he stood between
the younger man and the agitated crowd.
“About time!” Issah said, his annoyance
evident. He squeezed his fingers closed into a fist as he pulled his hand to
his chest. His startling intense gaze met Jerin’s once again.
Nervous
sweat trickled down Jerin’s back. Issah didn’t seem in the mood to be trifled with. Yet, still, he’d given
Jerin permission to speak his mind. With a resolute nod, he continued, “Sir,
Alyra fears what Darnel will do to Kat. I do too. Now that Aly is starting to
share some of what she endured in that horrible land, my fear only grows. What
will the Dark One do to her? He knows she’s a Curian.”
Issah
folded his arms across his chest, his gaze remaining on the scene playing out
in the water. “He
will not kill her, though he’s killed many of her kind. As he did with Alyra,
he will use Katrina to get what he wants. At the moment, she remains safe.”
“But shouldn’t we do… something? I can’t
imagine Kat having to live… there… in that cruel land.”
“Darsiderus can be a genial fellow when he
wishes to charm someone to his way of thinking.” Issah continued to watch the
events unfolding in the water vision with a slight shake of his head and the
occasional cringe as the man on the platform was grabbed by each arm and
dragged away.
Something
stirred a greater sense of recognition, but that was impossible. Jerin pushed
aside the feeling.
“Son,” Issah’s hand rested on his shoulder
again. “I need you to continue doing exactly what you are doing. Continue to
train new warriors. Soon, we will gather all willing to stand against Racah. I
need as many ready to fight as we can possibly get. Be ready for when I send
word to move. Can you do that for me?”
“Certainly Issah.” He nodded again. “Please
forgive me for prying. I know you haven’t forgotten Katrina.”
“Indeed not.”
“I, and the others are worried about our
friend. That’s all.”
“I’m glad you called for me, Jerin. Anytime
you have a need or concern, you should seek your guardian, or me, for answers.
I’m always here for you and Carah. I love you both very much. You know that,
right?”
Jerin’s head bobbed. His chest ached with the
building emotions Issah’s words stirred in his heart, he had to turn away for a
moment. The man in the water was dragged to a tunnel that lead toward a barred
cell. They threw him inside, none-too-gently. Jerin gasped. The bars and the
way the man sat on the floor of the tiny room reminded him of someone. “It
can’t be.” His gaze darted back to Issah who gave a slight nod.
“Unfortunately, it is.”
Footsteps
shuffled over the floor, heading toward them. Alyra broke free from the others
and ran to Issah who stood to greet her. She wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Are we going to get Kat
now?”
He
patted her head. “Not
yet, dear one. Soon.” Issah’s hand rested on the side of Ethan’s head in
greeting before he faced Jerin again. “Son, will you write Stitch for me? Tell
him that I have a task I need his help with. Let him know the three of us will
meet him in Many Rivers this afternoon. Will you do that for me?”
“Absolutely, sir. My journal is in my room.
Soon as I go back there, I’ll write him.”
Issah
grasped Alyra’s
shoulders. “I’m glad to see you’re ready for travel. Ethan, I’ll need you to
hurry and gather your pack, as well. You will accompany your sister and I on a
little venture.”
“Will we return, Sire?” Ethan asked.
“Not right away. Pack what you’ll need for
a lengthy journey.” He addressed Riyah next. “I’ll ask you to remain here and
continue your work with Amici.”
Riyah
placed his hand on his chest. “As you wish Your Highness.”
While
Ethan left to gather his belongings, Alyra pulled out her own Ledge-o-graph and
wrote Stitch for Jerin. When she finished, the glowing Elderad pulled her aside
to speak with her quietly out of earshot. Jerin returned to the scene in the
water. “Why
do I have a feeling, that guy, who I swear I know, is the reason for this
little trip?”
“So perceptive.” Issah chuckled.
The
man sat on the floor of the cell. The elder gentleman who’d blocked the crowd’s stones now stood on
the other side of the thick bars, speaking, though Jerin couldn’t hear any
words. The younger one held something hanging around his neck. A gold disk
similar to the medallion he wore around his own neck.
“Wait… is that—”
“Where are we going, Issah?” Alyra asked,
rejoining them. If she could see the scene in the water, she hadn’t noticed it
yet.
Before
Issah could answer, a high-pitched voice bounced off the towering walls and
sent a shiver down Jerin’s spine. Try as he might, he’d never, ever, be anything more
than mildly hospitable to that pesky little Okbold.
“Miss is not leaving her DezPierre.” The
tree-like creature hopped as he ran toward them. He only reached Jerin’s
kneecaps, but was more bothersome than a towering troll. “She mustn’t. She
needs her DezPierre. Miss, do not leave me behind!”
“Oh hey, Dez.” Alyra crouched when the
distraught, Okbold stopped before her, grabbing the hem of her cloak in his
twig-like hands. “I guess you can—” she paused and looked up at Issah. “Well,
can he come?”
Issah
sat on the edge of the fountain, resting his elbows on his knees. “I’m afraid you’ll need to remain here for
now, DezPierre. Your Miss and Master Ethan will be traveling to an unsafe
place. Though I will be with them, I would feel more at peace if you remained
here and helped Jerin with training. There are some creatures that will arrive
from Jolly Orchard soon. A few friends of yours. I would be very pleased if
you’d stay and help train them. Can you do that for me?”
Big
tears filled DezPierre’s
round eyes. Jerin couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Or hearing for that
matter. Surely Issah understood how he felt about the little bother.
“F-for Sire?” DezPierre stammered as a
couple of tears slid down his bark face. “Yes. DezPierre is at Prince Issah’s
service.” His fingers wrapped around a Medallion he’d been given when he made
the trip to Aloblase with Tarek. Dez had returned right away, not wanting to be
far from his Miss. Tarek was supposed to be at the Academy. So how had he
managed to…?
“Very good. You will be reunited with your
Miss very soon. I promise you.”
The
Okbold sniffed and blinked away his tears. Ethan had returned with his pack and
cloak in his hand. A sword was strapped to his waist, and he was dressed in his
leather traveling gear. “Is he coming, too?”
“No,” DezPierre snapped. “I must stay with
the big bully warrior, Jerin. But DezPierre will do as the good Prince ask of
him. DezPierre is a good servant, he is. He will tolerate his lot in life and
not grumble about the thick-headed boy with the big stick that hurts
DezPierre.”
“I said I was sorry, over a hundred times!”
Jerin’s hand smacked against his forehead. He glanced at Issah. “Did I make you
mad?”
Issah
laughed and patted his shoulder. “Of course not. I’m doing you a favor, Son. You’ll see.” He
winked. “Trust me.” But his laugh made Jerin wonder if this wasn’t one of the
Prince’s little jokes he enjoyed playing from time to time. “Are we ready?
We’ll travel through the portal to Marya’s cottage.”
Alyra
gave a happy hop. “Oh,
wonderful.” She clapped her hands together.
Now
Jerin wished he could go too. He wanted to ask Issah if his suspicions about
the fellow in the vision were spot on, but decided this wasn’t the time. Not with Aly standing there.
She seemed happy at the moment, and he didn’t want to ruin that. She was much
more pleasant in this mood than when she clouded up and began thundering all
over whoever she was upset with. Which was usually him.
He
glanced at the fountain again. The man was still in the cell, but now another
person stood at the bars. Jerin leaned closer, squinting as he tried to make
out the new figure in the ripples.
“If we’re not going to rescue Katrina,”
Alyra was asking, “Then where are we going?”
The
other person seemed to be a female with the same hair color as the man. The man
that Jerin was sure he recognized. Only, it made no sense. There was no way he….
“Well, my dear,” Issah answered. “We are
going on a little rescue mission.”
“To recuse who?” Ethan asked.
Jerin
gasped. “Tarek?”
The man had finally turned so he could see his battered face clearly. Blood
trickled down from his temple, and his bottom lip was swollen.
“Yes,” Issah sighed. “We’re going to rescue
Tarek.”
More coming soon! I'll have a playlist linked here in the next few days. Be sure to stop back in for more updates and news as the time draws closer for Ablaze's release.
2 comments:
Wow!! I can imagine what happened and I am so looking forward to read it!!!
Hi Jackie,
Almost finished book 5 and so happy to hear I wont have to wait tooo long for the next book! Lovin' it!
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