The Search

by Susan Leigh Noble

  Tosh stared at her too shocked by her words to respond. How had she known, he wondered as he walked toward her. She bent down, stretching out her hand.

  How did you know I was a STAC? Tosh asked curiously as he sniffed at her fingers.

  “Oh you get to recognize them after you have met a few. I think it is your lack of fear. A wild cat would have run away at my voice or at the very least when I stood up.”

  Power resonated from her as she scratched his head. She clearly had more power than Nolan had. He looked at her speculatively.

  “Oh no,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t need another STAC. Cal and I had a good long life together. Besides, I am too old to be the one you are looking for.”

  You know? Tosh couldn’t keep the surprise out of his voice. He had never revealed The Search to any of the Elementals he had known.

  “Like I said, Cal and I spent a long time together. Nearly fifty years.” She returned to her chair and picked up her knitting. “My name is Rena Ellis, by the way. And you are?”

  Tosh.

  “Nice to meet you, Tosh,” she said directly into his mind. She smiled. “Haven’t done that in a few years.”

  When did Cal die?

  “Oh it was two or three years ago. He was quite old and just didn’t make it through the Chillin that year.” Her eyes welled with tears. “As much as I would love a new companion, I know you have to find that one special Elemental.”

  I’m starting to wonder whether he or she ever will appear. Tosh leapt onto the porch and onto the table beside Rena.

  “I guess it is natural to have doubts. Cal had them too. His father was one of those there when Lars spoke.” She laughed softly. “Dragon’s fire, I had a hard time with that one. Can’t believe how long you STACs live.” She looked at him, her eyes softening. “But I can imagine how hard it is. I lost my husband and son not long after Cal came along. I don’t think I would have made it through those first days if he hadn’t been here. Never is easy to lose someone you love or care about.”

  No, it isn’t, Tosh agreed, thinking of Nolan, Brax and the other Elementals he had known. You said Cal had his doubts too?

  “Hard not to after all those years.” She set her knitting aside and turned her body toward Tosh. “But he always said when he had his doubts, he pictured the Land barren as Lars described it. Kind of like the land to the south of here.”

  I saw that, Tosh said as an image of the desolate area filled his mind. What happened there?

  “Lokee descended upon the area ravaging it of every living plant. The town folk sprayed them with poison but not before they destroyed a good chunk of the countryside.” Rena shrugged. “I went out to see the area after it happened. I imagine it could be what Lars described.” She shuddered.

  Tosh had never pictured what Lars said would come to pass. He had spoken of large barren areas. Rena was right it could very well look like that area to the south of Elwood. The thought filled him with anguish.

  So Cal would just picture the Land destroyed and that would get him through his time of doubt?

  Rena shook her head. “No, it wasn’t just picturing the Land destroyed. He would imagine a young Elemental struggling to repair the Land without any help. He said the image of someone so desperate to save the Land is what made him keeping looking. He didn’t want them to have to face that alone.”

  But what if it never happens?

  “But what if it does? Would you be fine with your decision to give up if you wake one day to find the Land in peril? Would you be fine knowing you could have found and helped the one Elemental that could save the Land but chose not to?” Rena sighed. “I know it is hard, Tosh. I can’t imagine doing what you and Cal have done. And no one may ever thank you for it. But if it saves the Land, then it will all be worth it.”

  Tosh rose, arching his back. He jumped down from the table and turned to look at Rena. You have given me something to think about.

  "I hope so. Good luck with your search."

  Tosh disappeared into the night without a backwards glance.

  ***

  Tosh did as he told Rena he would. He took her words to heart and thought long and hard about whether he could afford to give up The Search. He couldn’t imagine the type of desolation Lars spoke of, but if it was anything compared to what the lokee had caused; he couldn’t sit by and let that happen. He still felt saddened by Nolan’s death, but he now felt a familiar glimmer. It was the anticipation of beginning The Search again. It was something he hadn't expected to feel. He was in no hurry, he reminded himself. He could take his time.

  A week later, they finally arrived at the family’s home in the Blackwick Forest. It had been three weeks since he left Talus. As he listened to the bossy Miya ordering her siblings around, Tosh was happy to bid the family farewell. They had never noticed him traveling with them. He watched the little girl he had saved in the woods laugh as one of her brothers chased her. Helping to find her had been the right thing to do, and it was a choice he would gladly make again.

  As he walked out the gate to the family's home, he once again he mulled over what Rena had said to him. He cared too much for the Land to sit by and do nothing. The image of the destroyed area they had encountered last week was seared in mind. He couldn’t let something like that or worse happen to the Land. He could remember with clarity the feeling of failure when he had not saved the boy from the lake all those years ago. His failure to keep Nolan alive still nagged at him, but he had to put it behind him.

  He would continue on to Zena as he told Agon. That Land was a huge Grassland and would require a lot of walking in the hot sun. His paws hurt just thinking about it. But it couldn’t be helped. He knew he needed to find another Elemental. He had a good feeling about searching in Zena. He disappeared into the Blackwick forest.

  It felt good to be on The Search again.

  Epilogue

  Six Months Later….

  The loose dirt squeezed between the pads on his feet. The sun bore down on him, the heat wilting the tall grass around him. Tosh watched for a break in the scenery, but it was just more of the same. When he finally came out of the grass onto the worn pathway, he was panting slightly. He detested walking but there weren’t many roads in the Grasslands so the chance of catching a ride on a wagon was slim. That left walking as his only choice. He turned down the path, his paws making no sound on the hardened dirt.

  Then he felt the power; the air quivered with it before he saw her. The little girl had long honey-colored hair that hung down to the middle of her back. She skipped down the path away from him. He heard her laugh and then she ran out of sight. Tosh paused only a second before taking off after her. Could she be the source of the power he sensed? It was incredible. It was more than he had ever found within one person.

  He bounded after her, skidding to a stop as he caught sight of her. A large man lifted her up high in the air. The girl giggled, her hand reaching out to touch the man’s beard. Tosh slipped back into the grass to watch the girl. She looked no more than four years old. Her skin was tanned from the relentless sun of the Grasslands. She wore no shoes, and her dress was stained with dirt. Her feet and face were dirty too. The man carried her into the house. Tosh crept closer to the doorway.

  A plump woman with hair almost the same color as the little girl was using a rag to clean the girl’s face. The girl leaned back, but the woman succeeded in wiping the filth away. A baby cried, and the woman turned toward the bundle in the cradle. Tosh watched the family as they sat down to their noon meal. The power radiating from the room was intense. He was almost sure it came from the little girl, but he would have to know for sure before he revealed himself. He slunk back into the grass to watch and wait.

  **

  It was hours later when he woke. He had heard the soft noise of feet hitting dirt. He opened his eyes just a slit and saw the girl wandering down the path. He rose, stretching. He crept closer. Again, the air seemed to quiver with the po
wer radiating from her. He watched as she continued toward him. In a matter of minutes, she would be near where he sat hidden. He quickly made his decision and stepped onto the path. The girl stopped when she saw him. Her eyes were wide, her mouth forming a perfect circle.

  “Hello there,” she said, her voice soft and unsure. “Where did you come from?”

  Tosh watched as she took a cautious step forward. He sat down, wrapping his tail around his front feet.

  “My name is Lina,” the girl said. “What is yours?”

  Tosh.

  The girl jumped emitting a tiny exclamation as his voice entered her mind. Her eyes widened. “Was that you?”

  Yes, he said as he rose. And it is nice to meet you, Lina.

  He approached her. She stayed rooted to the spot, her eyes never leaving him as he advanced. She knelt down with her hand stretched toward him. He moved closer, cautiously smelling her finger tips and then butted his head against her hand. He could feel her body relax as her fingers curved around his head to pet him.

  “Cats don’t talk,” she said with authority.

  I am not a cat, Tosh said patiently. I am a STAC. I can talk to you in your mind just as you can talk to me in yours.

  Lina sat back and regarded him carefully. “How?” she demanded.

  If he could have smiled, Tosh would have. Instead, he thought best how to explain what needed to be done in the terms a child could understand. Say my name.

  “Tosh.”

  He sighed. Not aloud. In your mind. Just think my name.

  “Tosh?”

  Good, he said, delighted she had understood so quickly.

  “Lina!” the girl’s father called. “Karlina Roose, you get home right now.”

  The girl leapt to her feet. She turned in the direction of her father’s voice and then glanced back at Tosh. “I had better go.” She ran down the path toward her father. “I will see you later, Tosh.”

  Tosh watched her leave. He had been right. She had extreme power, but she would have to develop it. But he still recalled vividly what happened when Nolan made his powers known. He would have to do a better job with Lina. He would help her conceal her powers. No, things would be different this time, he thought as he watched Lina skip down the path. He could almost see the power rolling off of her. Things would definitely be different with Lina.

  ###

  The story of Lina and Tosh continues in Summoned: Book One of The Elemental.

  Please enjoy the prologue and first chapter of Book One after the “About the Author” section

  About the Author

  Susan Leigh Noble has always loved dragons and magic so it is no wonder that she became an author of fantasy novels. She began writing Summoned, her first complete novel, many years ago. Summoned and Quietus, Books One and Two of The Elemental trilogy, were released in 2011. Destiny, Book Three, was released in 2012. She is currently working on Alexandria, a stand-alone fantasy novel.

  In addition to writing, Susan Noble spends her days taking care of her two children, three cats and husband in Texas.

  She loves to hear from readers: susannoble@satx.rr.com

  Check out her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Susan-Leigh-Noble/200225396700412

  Follow her on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/SusanLeighNoble

  Or visit her blog, Into Another World: https://susanleighnoble.wordpress.com/

  SUMMONED: Book One of THE ELEMENTAL

  Prologue

  His wings beating softly, the golden dragon soared over the rocky mountain. The heat of the sun bore down on him as he stretched out his wings, tilting them to catch the downdraft. He effortlessly glided toward the valley below. The golden dragon glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of three of the five dragonets that flew with him today. As one, they swooped down into the valley and settled on the dusty valley floor. He slowly folded his wings against his back and turned his graying muzzle toward his charges. Two reds, two greens, and a golden dragonet formed a half circle in front of him.

  Nix studied each dragonet. He tried to gauge their understanding of the lesson. The five-day trip had taken them over much of the Land. Nix had explained how once the dragons did not only live in the mountains of Phila but everywhere. Then they had lived and worked with man.

  The young dragonets did not seem to understand man. Not that Nix could blame them. After all, the dragonets were only two years out of the shell. He sat back on his haunches as he thought of how to explain why they must learn not to hate man for the things man had done to the dragons. He knew through the thoughts and memories of all dragons that had ever lived why this was important but these dragonets had not yet learned to use the power of their minds. They could not yet access all those memories. However, when they came of age next year, they would have all the memories, the good and the bad, of all the dragons. Before then it was important to instill in these young ones the values and beliefs of all dragon kind.

  What was it like, Nix? One of the red dragonets rose to ask, his voice eager as it entered Nix’s mind. What was it like before the Great War?

  Nix looked at Salis. His mind rushed with memories that were not his own as he had been born after the Great War. How did he explain the fall out between man and dragon? The dragons had done nothing wrong. It was man who had changed.

  Man respected us, Nix said, his eyes sweeping over the others. Suddenly, movement caught his eye, and he quickly swung his head. On the cliff above, sat a small dragonet, his black hide gleamed in the sun, his eyes intent on Nix as if he was absorbing every word he spoke. Such an odd one Nix thought. The black dragonet was just out of the shell not more than a couple of months, and already he had taken an intense interest in man. Every time there was a lesson about man, the black dragonet always appeared.

  Did man hunt us then?

  Nix focused his attention back on his students. He turned to Tre, the other red dragonet, who had asked the question. No. He did not. However, the Great War brought many changes, some good, some bad. He paused. So many changes had happened since man had severed their alliance with the dragons. He shook his mighty head in an attempt to clear his thoughts.

  By the time of the Great War, the Elementals were already gone, and the Learners were at their peak. Both the Kings and the Learners wanted power. The common man revolted. They took control and banished the Learners and the Kings. And in that fury, they dissolved our relationship. There was little we could do to make them understand we were different from those who had created us. During that time, man killed many creatures created by the Learners. But they did what they thought was right. They did what they thought they must to bring the Land under better rule. They made it so the Land was ruled with peace, caring, and not the greed of the Kings or the Learners.

  But if they hunt us, why can't we hunt them? The green dragonet, Ral, demanded. It is not worth it to trust man. Or to let him live.

  Ral!

  Nix advanced on the shaking dragonet until he towered over him. The young green dragon stared up at him, his eyes wide.

  Man does not respect us. He will not change. It will never be as it once was.

  No. It will not be as it once was, Nix agreed, the regret evident in his voice.

  If only the Elementals, Salis began.

  If only . . . Ral said with a flip of his head. They are no more.

  Nix lowered his head until his graying muzzle almost touched the young dragon's muzzle. The Elementals will return. His tone was stern. He thought briefly of the legend which foretold of their return. With their return, the breach between man and dragon might be fixed. Some day the Elementals will be needed, and as they did once, they will come to the rescue of the Land. That, Ral, is why we must learn about man. We must be prepared to help. A threat to this Land will affect man and dragon alike. Some day man and dragon will reunite under the same cause – to save the Land.

  Nix stared hard at the little green dragon. He hoped Ral understood. Nix’s bones ached
and he knew he didn’t have many years left. He would never see the return of the Elementals. However, Ral and the others might just live that long.

  The Elementals will return? The dragonets all spoke at once. Why did we not know this?

  When? The black dragonet demanded.

  Nix rose up, glancing at the black dragonet before turning away to study the young dragons before him. All I know is a threat will come to the Land and in the days before this threat, a full Elemental will be born to the Land. This Elemental, The Elemental, will be the Lands only hope. And ours, he silently added.

  Chapter One

  The young woman tossed in her bed, muttering softly. She rolled over, her long honey-colored hair covering her pale face. Her fingers dug into the mattress. She shook her head as she sank deeper into the dream.

  The yellow light cut through the dark. Her eyes stayed focused on it as it flickered before her like a hundred candles dancing in a soft summer breeze, growing brighter as she neared. As she walked, her hands reached out, touching the smooth, cold stone wall. That alone should have warned Lina something was not right. Even as her mind called out that this was all wrong, she continued down the hall toward the light and toward whatever was calling her.

  No one called out her name. No, the calling was unspoken but strong. The urge to respond to it consumed every part of her. She knew she must obey. What was calling her and why were unimportant to her now. All that mattered was she must go.

  As she reached the end of the hall, Lina paused. The bright light hung above a curved stone staircase. She lifted her hand, shielding her eyes. She wished she could block out the light. And the calling. Then she saw the doorway to her right. Without thinking, she opened the door, slipping into the dark room. She heard low voices coming from the adjoining room. She tilted her head as she listened but the words were too soft to understand. She moved toward the room, pausing in the archway. What she saw next made her tremble with fear. Her hand flew to her mouth as the cloaked man before her turned. Suddenly, the floor trembled. The walls began to tumble and the floor collapsed beneath her. She saw her hair swirl around her as she fell. She opened her mouth, a scream on her lips, yet nothing came out. She pressed her eyes closed as she waited for the impact she knew was coming.