Rise of the Citadel (The Search for the Brights Book 2)
Read Rise of the Citadel (The Search for the Brights Book 2) Online
Authors: Aaron Thomas
Rise
of the Citadel
Book 2 in, “The Search for the Brights”
Copyright © 2016 by Aaron Thomas
All rights reserved.
Cover design by Sabrina Sherman
Book design by Aaron Thomas
No part of this book may be
reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including
information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from
the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts
in a review.
This book is a work of fiction.
Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s
imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living
or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Aaron Thomas
Visit my website at
www.kylan514.wix.com/weapon-bearer
Printed in the United States of
America
ISBN-978-1515312772
Thank you to everyone who has read
The Weapon
Bearer
. Without that book’s success, I do not know that I would have found
the joy I have come to feel in writing. My fans, friends, and family have
certainly inspired me to continue to make improvements in my writing. I have
many worlds yet to explore, and hope that as I learn I can convey them on the
page to you better each time.
The following have given hours listening to my dribble
and working hard to make sure I produce the best work I could. They deserve
more thanks than I can give.
Thank you.
Dawn Thomas - Wife/inspiration
Brent Parker - Technical consultant
Cory P. and Kirstin G. - Editorial/proofreading
S. Sherman - Cover art
Follow
my writing online at www.Kylan514.wix.com/weapon-bearer
Chapter 5 - Businessman's Blight
Chapter 12 - Control of the Wind
Chapter 25 - News of the Battlefront
Daniel was
finally able to catch all of the colts who escaped from the holding pen. He was
trying to get them all to walk back after tracking them down. They had done
everything they could to keep out of his reach. He knew today was only one day
of many he had left chasing the horses. He grew up taking care of them and
helping his father train them. Some day, he knew he would inherit the family
business and the stables.
Normally he
would have asked Kilen and Bowie to help him track down the runaway horses, but
they were off on an adventure. The horses were pulling Daniel away from his
farm and into the woods as he slid down the dirt path trying to stay on his
feet. He pulled and the horses pulled back. Daniel really wished he had a full
grown horse to help him retrieve these four young ones. He was able to start
running with the line in the direction the horses were going and wrap the rope
around a tree. The horses tugged and Daniel sat down to put his feet against
the tree, making it harder for them to gain any ground. They yanked at the
ropes around their head and Daniels strong arms gripped the rope without
faltering. Eventually, the horses calmed down. He acted slowly and
deliberately, to tie each rope off onto the tree. With all four horses tied
down, Daniel laid back in the grass to catch his breath. His bare chest was
slick with sweat. His brown leather vest hung open to let the breeze cool him
in the summer heat.
Daniel lay
breathing slowly and enjoying the small amount of shade he had found as the horses
all grazed on the grass underneath. He held his hand up in front of his face to
see where the blisters were sure to form from holding the ropes. A movement
caught his eye in the sky. Smoke was trailing off from the direction of Kilen’s
house.
Daniel knew the
horses would be safe under the tree and he needed a bit of time to regain
control of himself. He started to make his way to the house to get a drink from
their well and find out who had returned.
The day after
spring fest Daniel heard the news that all three of the Everhearts had taken
off in a haste during the night. First Kilen, then Kara, and finally his mother
left. He hoped that Sahera had returned with Kara safely. Daniel had always
liked Kara. She was like the little sister he didn’t have. He even taught her
to ride a horse in the absence of her father. She was always following after
Kilen, trying to be another one of his friends. Kara had refused to grow up
doing the things girls typically do. She instead spent her time trying to
impress her older brother. Daniel wished he had a younger sibling to look up to
him. His two older sisters had already married and moved away.
Daniel walked
into view of the Everheart’s house and saw three horses in front. One was
saddled to ride, the others had travel bags laid out beside them. He made his
way through the stone wall encasing the home and yard. He picked up one of the
bags on the ground, putting it on his shoulder. His muscles were always welcome
in the Everheart home. He picked up an extra bag so whomever was inside would
be able to relax after their travels.
Out of the
corner of his eye he thought he saw someone disappear into the barn. He called
out, but didn’t hear a reply. Walking to the barn, a familiar voice came out of
the house.
“Daniel! Come inside,
won’t you?” Sahera sounded as pleasant as ever.
He always
thought Sahera was a nice enough woman, but the townspeople often thought of
her as scary. It wasn’t her looks that made her scary, but the job she did. She
had a pleasant voice and a gentle nature that proved helpful when loved ones
passed on. She would often come to the home and talk with the family. She would
ease their pains and help the loved one find peace before leaving their world.
The families would find comfort from her and they would always remember their
loved one’s last breaths were shared with Sahera. She charged nothing for the
service and offered condolences to the family whenever she was around.
Daniel and Kilen
were present the day Bowie’s mother died. Daniel remembered the love Sahera
gave to the family. This is how he chose to view her; as a gentle heart when
needed most. He tried to help others see her this way, instead of a symbol of
death.
Daniel came past
the front door and put the bags on the floor, “It’s nice to see someone in this
place, ma’am.”
Sahera stopped
and saw the bags, “Oh Daniel, I wish you wouldn’t have brought those inside. I
am only staying as long as it takes to eat and pack a few things. But thank you
for being so sweet.” She quickly stuffed a black cloak with matching feathers
into a leather satchel as if she were in a hurry.
“Oh, sorry. I
can help carry them back out when I leave. Is Kara with you? Or Kilen?” He
said, looking out the window towards the barn.
Sahera moved
about the room, packing things and emptying jars into bags. “No, those two fool
children have gone their ways and I am unable to bring them back. They’ve
gotten themselves into as mess with the king of the Earth Realm. It is
something only their father can get them out of. I am leaving for the Wind
Realm to get him to come help.” He noticed a small black sheathed dagger with
ornate metal work on Sahera’s hip before she covered it with her riding cloak.
Daniel scratched
his head, “They haven't been gone that long to be in that much trouble, have
they?”
Sahera turned
around to face Daniel, “I’m sorry, where is my mind? Kilen has vowed his
father’s sword to protect the Earth Realm in order to protect Kara.”
“Protect Kara!?
What did she do? She’s only a little girl, how much trouble can she cause?”
Daniel said looking out the window at the barn.
Sahera placed
her hands on Daniels thick shoulders, “Kara has had an awakening as a fire
wizard. She raced after Kilen on the night of Spring Fest. When she caught up
with him, he was fighting with Chit. She grew angry and awoke as a wizard. She
is now kept in the dungeons of Deuterium. Kilen has given his oath to serve the
king until Kara can be trained to control herself.” She let her hands slip from
his shoulders. She turned away, but Daniel saw a tear leave her eye before she
could hide it.
She continued to
work around the house packing items. Daniel helped her retrieve a trunk from
atop a wardrobe. She pulled from it a few pieces of armor. From beneath a
floorboard, she pulled a small sack and poured out two pieces of gold onto the
table. “What has been happening here, Daniel?”
“Well, the same
as every other day. The year’s new foals were born and seem to be better at
escaping than previous years. I have them tied to a tree on the edge of the
property. The town is much more pleasant since Chit has gone. Master Crescent
is still a bit upset at the letter he got from Bowie saying he joined the army.
He wished Bowie would have told him was leaving.”
“Bowie… I didn’t
think to check up on the boy when I got into Deuterium. Tell the others what
has happened, will you Daniel?” Sahera took a bite of bread before going into
the bedroom where she removed a floorboard from the floor. She hefted a leather
bag out of the hole, it made a clinking sound like rattling chains when she
dropped it on the floor.
“Of course,” he
picked up the packs she filled and started to head for the door.
“Daniel, I will
need someone to look after the house while I’m gone.” She leaned on the table
looking over the packs and around the inside of her house. She sighed, “It’s no
use Daniel, we will never be able to live here again. I want you to take the
house. You have come of age and need a place of your own. Please live here,
it’s a good home will serve you well. If Kilen comes back, tell him where I
have gone.”
Daniel was so
surprised by what she said he dropped the bags. “You are giving me the house?!”
He said.
“This home was
just as much yours as it was ours. I don’t see why it should sit unused.
Besides, I am sure you will be looking for a suitable wife soon enough and you
will need a place to stay.” She ran her hands down the beam supporting the
roof, “It was a good home.”
Sahera started
to pick up the last of the bags but Daniel reached for them first.
“Can I buy it
from you?” he asked. “I’m sure I can get something from my dad, if you let me
go get it.”
“I wouldn’t
think of it, Daniel. Helping me with my things is enough. I just hate to see
such a good home go to rot.”
She gave a
slight smile to Daniel who smiled back and took the rest of the bags outside.
He loaded Horses and watched as Sahera glaced a couple times at the barn.
Daniel continued to pour out ‘thank you’s’ as he loaded the horses with the
packs.
Daniel was tying
down the last pack and started to stare at it. Sahera must have noticed the
deep thought on Daniel's face.
“What is the
matter Daniel?”
He snapped out
of his thought and tried to pick up the leather bag making the chain sounds.
She reached for it and picked it up before he could. He shrugged and confided
in her. “Well, I was thinking about what you said. I
will
be starting to
look for a wife soon. My dad…”
He hesitated
before continuing, “He has been talking to Mr. Jarred. I think that since Kilen
left town they were looking into his daughter and I getting married. Jessica is
a good woman, but I knew Kilen was supposed to marry her someday. Mr. Jarred
always talked about how it was going to improve his family's lives; Kilen and
Jessica’s marriage. It’s just... I suppose my father and Mr. Jarred will be
wanting us to get married, now that I have property,” Daniel said.
“You just said
she was a good woman. Do you not want to be married with Jessica?” Sahera asked
as she climbed into the saddle tying on her leather bag.
“It’s not that.
I just always thought of Kilen marrying her. If Kilen does come back, he will
be upset about me marrying Jessica.”
Sahera let out a
small laugh, “Daniel, you have much to learn about the world. Kilen made his
choice and he suffers the consequences. Go and enjoy your new home and tell
your father that the Everhearts approve of this marriage. If Kilen does return,
you tell him I said he owes you a wedding present as well as a heartfelt
congratulation.”
She looked again
at the barn, prompting him to look as well, and he thought he saw someone go
inside.
She cleared her
throat, “You had better get the good news and those horses back to your father.
Here is the key to the house.”
Sahera turned
the horse towards the road, leading the other two. She waved to Daniel, who was
still turning the key over in his hands watching her leave.
“Goodbye Sahera,
and thank you!” He noticed that she wasn’t looking at him, but at the barn.
**********
The smell of
mildew and hay filled the small dungeon cell. Kara had done her best to bathe
out of the small washstand she had. Each new possession in her room truly had
become her most prized possessions, all of which she would trade for a day in
the sunshine. In her head, she listed off the items she earned: washstand, hay
mattress, box of candles, small wooden stool, and two extra sets of leather
clothes. These were the possessions that the guards knew about. Inside a small
crack in the wall was a rolled up note from her friend, Bowie. The note brought
her hope, which inspired her to learn how to control herself and never return
to the cell again.
She had almost
forgotten what she looked like. She hoped that soon she would be allowed to
have a mirror. She closed her eyes as if it would make it easier to picture
herself in the dark room. At home, Kara’s mother had a large enough mirror that
she was able to use to look at her hair in it’s full length. The pure black
hair was a trait that had come from her mother. She wore it proudly in the
middle of her back. Each day she tried to comb it with her fingers, but trying
to clear every knot would often set her aflame.
Recently, most
minor annoyances had been able to set her aflame. Even letting her mind wander,
as she was doing now, could turn her into an inferno. She tried to think of how
to control her anger before she erupted, while still calm.
Kara sat up with
an epiphany about something Mary had once told her. Mary told her that fire
wizards were not really filled with anger, but instead with passion. This
simple, yet profound thought changed her perspective on learning to control her
magic and emotions. Kara set her mind to being passionate about controlling
herself. She sat in the small room, no longer focusing on her breathing or
temper, instead focusing every effort on memorizing her room. Knowing it so she
could feel the heat reflecting off every surface, knowing it so that she could
remember it wherever she went. She focused so hard that when she was done, she
would remember the way she felt in this dungeon cell, this empty box of a room.
She focused her mind to not give in to anger so she would never return to this
cell again.
When she
opened her eyes, she saw her cell as a focal point, instead of a prison; the
way the others perceived their confinement. It was now something to push all
her passion into so this room would no longer cause her enough anger to burn
the castle to the ground. Passion was the key.
Be passionate about getting
out of this cell. And staying out.
Kara knew now
she was no longer a danger to anyone. All she had to do was prove it to others.
Today, her training would truly begin. She tried to calm herself, and with a
nervous hand, placed a candle on the wash stand. She then provided a small
amount of heat to the wax so it adhered itself to the stand. She stepped back
and focused on the wick. A small spark popped and a tiny, natural, candle flame
filled the room with light. She smiled for the first time in what seemed like a
month. She had been trying to perform this task for the last week, failing time
and time again. Now, with her new perspective, the flame ignited easily.