The Chronicles of Gan: The Thorn

THE THORN

Book One

The Chronicles of Gan

by

Daron Fraley

SMASHWORDS EDITION

* * * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

Daron Fraley on Smashwords

The Thorn

Copyright © 2010 by Daron Fraley

All rights reserved. Without limiting the
rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication
may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval
system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the
prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above
publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction, and the views
expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author.
Likewise, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the
author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual persons, living
or dead, or actual events or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal
enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to
other people. If you would like to share this book with another
person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you
share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase
it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should
return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for
respecting the author's work.

Addendum for FREE ebooks: Please send your
friends to Smashwords.com so they can download their own copy.

* * * * *

For Jennifer, my dear wife,

and Ashley, Deven, Isabelle,

Audrey, Emily, Aaron,

Abigail, and Jonathan.

I love you all.

* * * * *

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to offer my
sincere appreciation for the tutoring and friendship of these
publishing professionals, authors, writers, and bloggers. I could
not have done this without you: Tristi Pinkston, BJ Rowley,
Danyelle Ferguson, Abel Keogh, Gordon Ryan, Michele Ashman Bell,
Marion Jensen, Kerry Blair, L.T. Elliot, James Dashner, Josi S.
Kilpack, J. Scott Savage, Jaime Theler, Wendy Elliott, John
Ferguson, David J. West, Jeff Olsen, Ali Cross, Graham Bradley,
Heather Moore, and every other person who ever commented on my
blog. Some of these folks may brush this acknowledgement off,
saying, “I didn’t do anything.” Yes, you did—if nothing else, you
were kind.

And to my friends and
family who were my very first readers of The Thorn, I thank you:
Jennifer Fraley, Ashley Bugger, Audrey Fraley, Stefanie and David
Fresques, Christie Hardey, Caroline and Randy Booth, Eric
Schroeder, Monty Thornock, Jessica McAdams, Sherrie Foist, and Jim
Kinkade.

Daron D. Fraley

GLOSSARY

PLACES

“Definition”

Location

Ain

“Fountain”

Southwestern borders of lands of Daniel

Bethara

“House of Gathering”

Lands of Gideon

Bezek

“Lightning”

Lands of Gideon

Gan

“Garden”

The world or planet upon which the three
tribes live

Geber

“Hill” or “Mount” or “Strong”

Between Saron and Ain

Gilad

“Hill of Testimony”

Lands of Gideon, southeast of Ain

Hara

“Hill” or “Showing Forth”

Mountains north of Saron, surrounding
Ramathaim

Hasor

“Enclosed Village

In the hills south of Ramathaim

Karmel

“Vineyard”

In the plains north of the Hara
Mountains

Maharai

“Hasting” or “From a Hill”

Lands of Gideon

Ramathaim

“Place of Hills” or “Mountains”

Nestled in the Hara Mountain borders

Saron

“Plain”

In the plains west of Hasor, north of
Ain

TRIBES

DANIEL

“A judge (is) God”

Mark: A red snake in white circle, generally
on a purple background (chosen because of its relationship with the
Savior).

Representative colors: Purple and white.

GIDEON

“Warrior”

Mark: A black raven with sprig of berries in
its beak (chosen because a raven once fed Gideon when starving,
after his prayer).

Representative colors: Green and white.

UZZAH

“Strength”

Mark: A strong ox (chosen because of its
symbol for hard work, and as a symbol of sacrifice).

Representative colors: Blue and white.

PEOPLE

“Definition”

Tribe

Occupation/Notes

Abigail

“Her Father is Joyful”

Gideon

Wife of Jasher

Abram

“High Father”

Uzzah

Uzzahite Warrior

Amon

“Faithful” or “True”

Gideon

Gideonite Captain

Asah

“Physician”

Daniel-Uzzah

Uzziel’s Steward

Azmaveth

“Strength in Death”

Gideon

Gideonite Captain

Benjamin

“Son of the Right Hand”

Daniel-Uzzah

Danielite Soldier

Boaz

“In Strength”

Daniel-Uzzah

Temple Priest

Daniel

“Judgment of God” or “God is my Judge”

Daniel

Father of the Tribe

Daniel

“Judgment of God” or “God is my Judge”

Uzzah

Boy Soldier

Deborah

“Word, thing” or “A Bee”

Uzzah

Sister of Miriam

Dinah

“Judgment”

Gideon

Mother of Jasher

Eder

“A Flock, or Herd”

Gideon

Goat Herder

Eli

“My God” or “Lifted Up” or “Offering”

Uzzah

Temple Priest, Warrior

Esther

“Secret, hidden”

Uzzah

Wife of Abram

Ezra

“Help, court”

Daniel

Danielite Captain

Gad

“A Band, Troop”

Gideon

Gideonite Captain

Gideon

“He that Bruises” or “Destroyer,
Warrior”

Gideon

Father of the Tribe

Ilan

“Tree”

Gideon

Gideonite Soldier

Izri

“Fasting” or “Tribulation”

Gideon

Gideonite Soldier

Jael

“He that Ascends” or “A Kid”

Gideon-Uzzah

Gideonite Captain

Jasher

“Righteous” or “Upright”

Gideon

Gideonite General

Jeremy

“God will Uplift” or “Loosen Bonds”

Uzzah

Uzzahite Warrior/Captain

Jonathan

“Given of God” or “Jehovah has Given”

Daniel

Heir of Daniel

Josiah

“Fire of the Lord”

Uzzah

Uzzahite Warrior

Kalev

“Heart, Brave”

Gideon

Gideonite Soldier

Levi

“Associated/Joined” or “My Heart”

Daniel

Inventor, Counselor

Manasseh

“To Forget” or “He that is Forgotten”

Gideon

Gideonite Emperor

Mehida

“A Riddle” or “Sharpness of Wit”

Gideon

Gideonite Captain

Miriam

“Rebellion” or “Sea of
Bitterness/Sorrow”

Uzzah

Wife of Uzziel

Noah

“Rest, Quiet, Peace”

Father of Tribes

First Man of Gan

Pekah

“One Whose Eyes are Opened”

Gideon

Gideonite Soldier

Rachel

“Ewe, Lamb, Sheep”

Uzzah

Daughter of Uzziel

Rachel

“Ewe, lamb, sheep”

Daniel

Late wife of Samuel

Rezon

“Prince” or “Lean, Small” or “Secret”

Gideon-Daniel

Gideonite General

Sachar

“Price” or “Reward” or “Recompense”

Gideon

Gideonite Captain

Samuel

“Heard of God” or “Asked of God”

Daniel

Danielite Judge/King

Sarah

“Lady or Princess of the Multitude”

Mother of Tribes

Wife of Noah

Sarah

“Lady or Princess of the Multitude”

Daniel-Uzzah

Wife of Tavor

Saul

“Demanded” or “Asked for”

Daniel

Danielite

Serug

“Branch, Layer”

Gideon

Gideonite Physician

Simeon

“That Hears” or “Obeys, That Obeys”

Daniel

Danielite Soldier

Sodi

“My Secret”

Gideon

Gideonite Soldier

Tavor

“Break, Fracture, Misfortune” or
“Choice”

Uzzah

Uzzahite Warrior

Uzzah

“Strength”

Uzzah

Father of the Tribe

Uzzah

“Strength”

Uzzah

Lost son of Uzziel

Uzziel

“Strength of God”

Uzzah

Uzzahite High Priest

Zev

“Wolf”

Gideon

Gideonite Soldier

* * * * *

THE THORN

* * * * *

“
Again, I did prophesy to
my sons, saying: And in that day when the three brothers make war
with one another, and a great evil arises in the land which
threatens to destroy all peoples, the Holy One shall be born upon
the footstool of his creations, and the sign of his coming shall be
given in the heavens. But upon Gan, he shall not be born, for upon
the footstool of his creations he shall perform his great work to
save all his peoples, and then shall he visit his kingdoms, which
are many, each one in its hour, and in its time, and in its season,
beginning at the first and so on unto the last, until every servant
beholds the joy of the King’s countenance. And when he comes, a rod
shall be his scepter, and light shall be his sword. And the King
shall rule in righteousness.”

—
Writings of Noah, First
Man of Gan, Father of Nations

“I have searched the writings of my fathers.
I am now convinced. Even though it appears that the span of our
time has been much shorter, at least three thousand years less,
this I still know: Gan was created first. And Gan was a garden,
long before it was peopled. Noah wrote it.

“We do not know the name of the world where
the Holy One will be born, but his world is not far away. Or at
least it does not feel far away. Perhaps mine eyes have even seen
the place where it rolls upon its wings in the heavens. But no
matter where it lies among the stars, I am amazed at both the
similarities and the differences between our two worlds. I have
seen his time. He stands under a single yellow sun which is close
to his world, hot and bright. And yet that sun does not overshadow
him. He shines brighter than all creation. I have seen his face. I
yearn for the day when I can look upon his countenance. Here, upon
Gan. As he rules as my King.”

—
Journal of Samuel, Chief
Judge and King of Daniel

* * * * *

Chapter
1

Clamor

A
nother rumble of thunder, this one closer than the last,
caused the final bird near the garden fountain to take flight.
Without rustling a single leaf, the bird skimmed past a pruned
olive tree and glided across the wheatfield to disappear in the
direction of the forest beyond. The warm afternoon rain fell more
steadily. Each head of wheat, laden with moisture, drooped closer
to the ground. A gentle and constant breeze made the stalks sway
back and forth. From the olive garden, the grain had the appearance
of misty, swirling water. Other than the sound of rain and the damp
rustle of wheat, the field was very still.

A Danielite soldier watched from atop the
southwest garden tower. He noticed the birds leaving and sensed the
unnatural quiet that settled around him. With one hand on the
pommel of his sword, he scanned the field for any sign of movement.
He reached up to brush a trickle of sweat from his brow.

Where did all the birds go?

He opened the brown leather case of his
spyglass and placed the sight to his eye. Seeing nothing in the
field, he trained his eye on the edge of the trees. With intense
scrutiny, he searched the wooded border, running his sight from
right to left and left to right. He waited for even a single branch
to be disturbed.

Must be the
thunder
. He collapsed the spyglass. The
flap on the leather case snapped when he shut it. In his peripheral
vision, he noticed a bush straighten.

Did that branch just
move?
He again yanked the spyglass from
its case and zoomed in on the suspicious vegetation. A sharp, fast
whistle from the direction of the bush was all the guard heard.
Clutching an arrow in his chest, he fell across the tower bench
with a thud.