The Allseer Trilogy

by Kaitlyn Rouhier

  Swirls of ink appeared on the blank page, barely legible. His handwriting hasn’t improved any, she mused. Despite her hesitation, the words flowed out of her soul, stories that had been locked away so tightly suddenly set free. She told him of her time with Samira in Korinth, how they’d helped keep the peace in a society stripped of their very identity. They’d helped Keha’ro relocate the Orgol to their ancestral home, freed after so many years. And how they’d blossomed, withered flowers finally planted in fertile soil.

  She spoke of rebuilding Val’shar, an act Garild himself had helped with. Lillana had become queen, well loved by her people and far more capable than any could have imagined. She still ruled, raising a daughter filled with her strength and courage that would one day take her place. A statue of Elfrind stood in the center of the city, and in her personal study, a painting of a man and mentor she’d been unable to save.

  She spoke of Mirin, the mother she’d never had a chance to know, the woman that had fled once again, unable to face the demons of the past. She’d left to start a different life elsewhere in the world, forming a new mask to replace the one she’d left behind, a new identity so she’d never have to face the burden of her choices. The bitterness of never knowing the truth, of never having answers, still haunted Kirheen, but she’d learned to live with the mystery, to respect her decision even if she’d carry that pain to the grave.

  Small interludes of happier memories were scattered throughout her stories; the union of Burk and Abby, her own union to Tomias, how they’d celebrated and danced until the morning light. Sorrow followed, time snuffing out bits of the past, a flickering candle growing dim, the light in her world fading with each death, with each fading memory. The world had aged, friends withered, all while she stood still, bound by her choice, by her duty to the world. Guardian. Savior. Undying pawn of the gods.

  Tomias had fallen to an illness with no cure, a joy and light in her world darkened far too soon. After his death, life had become a maelstrom of events, ripples in a pond ever demanding her attention. She’d grown distant, watching and surveying, ever waiting for the next ripple that would pull her away into more chaos.

  When would she know peace, the sweet embrace of death that she now craved? How many years before someone else could take her place, could bear the burden she’d carried for so long? She fell silent, listening to the chirping of birds greeting the morning light. The flames of the fire had died down, the logs crumbled to ash.

  Garild watched her intently, eyes filled with tears, quill hovering over the page. “That’s enough, my friend,” he urged, setting aside his work. He must have sensed her melancholy, the fading of her words as her spirit slipped back into a turbulent realm she found harder and harder to escape. “We should get some rest before we find your apprentice.”

  “You’re right,” she agreed. Garild settled off to sleep while she spread out her bedroll, his breathing deepening, turning into soft snores. Kirheen tried to rest, tried to file away her scattered thoughts, but it was useless. Her heart ached, her stories conjuring up painful memories she’d wanted to keep buried, and ancient fears that would forever haunt her.

  No one was meant to live forever.

  But now there was hope, the promise of an end. Wandering the ruins of Sanctuary, her apprentice studied the place Kirheen had once called home. Her studies had taken her all around the world, and she’d learned all she could of the people and places she’d someday be called to protect.

  Soon, she’d take Kirheen’s place, would bear her burden, and the cycle would start anew.

  But the world would be safe. It would be protected, and in that solace, Kirheen finally found rest.

  Garild woke her far too soon, shaking her awake. The sun had shifted in the sky, shining down through the canopy of trees, nearly blinding as she blinked away the remnants of sleep. “I’m sorry to wake you,” he apologized. “I tried to let you sleep as long as possible, but any longer and Nia’la will come looking for us.”

  “It’s okay, Garild,” Kirheen agreed. “We shouldn’t keep her waiting.”

  They packed up their camp and set out into the forest, weaving through an ocean of blue and green. So much had happened in Sanctuary, secrets buried in the earth with friends and lovers alike. Strange that it all seemed so small when compared to the trials she’d faced after leaving.

  Her surroundings began to look more and more familiar, old trails bringing them closer to their youth, to those distant memories. Ahead, she could see a wraith wood tree looming higher than the others, and she was brought back to a night many moons before, when she’d sat next to Garild and dreaded her fate. It had been the first night she’d laid eyes on Tomias, on gentle brown eyes and a playful grin, his glowering brother at his side.

  “When will it happen?” Garild asked carefully, drawing her out of her thoughts.

  “What do you mean?”

  He gave her a knowing look, his lips pressed tightly together. “I can see it in everything you do, hear it in every word you speak. You’re tired, Kirheen.”

  “I am,” she admitted. “More than you can ever know, but it isn’t time. Not yet.”

  “And when will that time be?”

  “When the last of the light fades from this world,” she said, and reached for his hand. He looked surprised as her fingers slipped between his. “You are one of the few left and-”

  “- I can’t live forever.”

  “No. And when that bond breaks, Garild, that is when I’ll go.”

  He squeezed her hand tightly, brought it to his lips. “You aren’t implying I speed things up, are you?”

  Despite her melancholy, she smiled. “Never, friend. You live as long as you see fit. I can be patient.”

  He chuckled, a warm sound that filled her heart with joy. “I just hope you don’t change your mind.”

  They drifted away from the wraith wood tree, turning themselves down another familiar path, choked with foliage, reclaimed by nature in the years of disuse. Along the path, a small hut sat off in the trees, covered in ivy. It had been years since she’d last seen Trista. She wondered what her life must have been like, constantly out at sea with Barog at her side.

  The path brought them to a clearing, a ring of houses edging the encroaching forest. Kirheen’s heart beat frantically as she looked at the symbols emblazoned on the doors, a flood of memories drowning out her thoughts. From symbol to symbol she looked, until at last, her eyes landed on a mark she still bore on her skin to that day. She raised her hand, flipped it over, looking to the symbol that had been etched into her skin by Tomias, a mark that had been the start of everything.

  Garild looked to his own mark, half destroyed by the operation that had saved his life but robbed him of a hand. “Was it really so long ago?” he mused out loud. His dark eyes looked over the house, and she could see him remembering, memories of nights spent training, the hours of conversation on the steps of the porch. “Are you ready for this?”

  “I think so,” Kirheen whispered. Hand in hand, they approached their old home, eyes filled with tears, struggling to grasp what had been and what now was. As they climbed the steps, the door opened, and Nia’la stepped outside to greet them, her smile overtaking her face. Short and petite, with glimmering golden braids piled atop her head, she looked quite the scholar in dark robes, a satchel resting against her hip, brimming with scrolls.

  Kirheen had met her in Korinth, a bright and inquisitive silver-eyed youth that had been orphaned in the upheaval after the populous of Korinth found themselves without powers. Despite her circumstances, she’d dedicated her time and energy to restructuring Korinth and had been of great help to Kirheen and Samira both. Their interactions had stuck with the girl, and she’d begged to be made an apprentice, to be given the chance to learn more than what her small slice of the world had to offer.

  Even knowing what it might cost her, Nia’la hadn’t hesitated for a second. She’d devoted years of her life to traveling the world, learning all she
could of every land she walked through. People were her joy, and she helped everywhere she went, teaching the lost to tread a better path through a changed world.

  Seeing her devotion all those years, the kindness she showed in the face of such adversity, Kirheen had held little doubt of her ability to lead, to guide, to teach, and to continue protecting their fragile world without power consuming her. And now the time was fast approaching for Kirheen to pass on her powers, for the girl to take over once and for all.

  “You’re finally here,” Nia’la exclaimed, but she reigned in her excitement as she took in their expressions. She knew what Sanctuary meant to them, knew the feelings conjured by walking down those old paths. “Come in, please.”

  Kirheen followed her inside, holding her breath as she crossed the threshold into memories of old. It was just as she’d remembered it, a ring of chairs bathed in blue light, a fire dancing in the hearth. Long nights spent around that very fire, laughter and tears, the close warmth of friends, the smell of spices lingering in the air.

  “This place is truly beautiful,” her apprentice said in awe, eyes soaking in the blue light of the fire. “You’ve told me the story before, but it’s hard to believe this is where you grew up, that you both lived here, that it was all you knew.”

  Garild smiled, but he sniffled as he looked around the room, fighting back tears. “We thought this was all there was. The last bastion of humanity. Our Sanctuary.”

  “And beyond…so much more than you could have ever imagined.” She took a seat, motioning for them to join her. Kirheen crossed the room, keeping her steps light, afraid to disturb the memories of old friends no longer able to join them. As she lowered herself into her favorite chair, tears began to flow freely and she quietly sobbed, all too aware of the silvers eyes of her apprentice watching her, glowing with compassion, with understanding.

  Garild too was overcome with emotion, and he reached out to take her hand, squeezing it tightly as he stared into the fire.

  “Will you tell me the story again?” Nia’la asked softly. “Will you tell me how this all started? I’d love to hear it once more.”

  Garild considered her request, his silence stretching into minutes while he stared into the fire. With a shuddering breath, he began to tell a story, their story. “Well, our tale began long ago, that much you know. We were bonded in the Temple of Union.”

  Kirheen smiled. “In the heart of a glowing wraith wood tree.”

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS – THE BONDED

  Writing this novel has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I’ve had in life. From the first spark of an idea to the rigorous writing/editing/designing process, I’ve had so much support making this novel one that is worth sharing.

  To my parents - thank you! I’ve received nothing but love and support from the two of you as I’ve worked through this process. You’ve both been there to pick me up and brush me off when the going got tough. Thank you for pushing me to realize my dreams. This wouldn’t be a reality without you both.

  To my aunt Kim - thank you for putting up with me and letting me pay rent in chapters. I promise for the next book, I won’t make you wait so long. Thank you so much for all you’ve done to push this project along.

  To my amazing little sister - you are my star, the light in my world when I need a laugh, a hug, or someone to sing obnoxiously loud with in the car. You’ve grown into such an amazing young lady and I can’t wait to see you pursue your own dreams. I’ll be there to support you along the way.

  To Meghan - words can’t express how much I appreciate all the hard work you’ve done helping me make this book a reality. Your never ending support and dedication to this project, and to our friendship, is a true testament to the wonderful person you are. Thank you for everything. Ready for round 2?

  To everyone else near and far - whether it was a kind word, a helping hand, or just good times, you helped shape this novel into what it is today. For that, you have my thanks.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS – THE CURSED

  Writing is an interesting thing. After my first book, I fully expected light to shine down from the heavens, making the process of writing book two, dare I say, easy. I was proven so very, very wrong. Writing the second book in a trilogy comes with a whole slew of challenges, and if not for some very special people in my life, I may have fallen into a pit of despair and cheeseburgers.

  To my mom; thank you so much for your love and support, even after I betrayed you and moved two thousand miles away. I’m glad you still love me. Thank you for being my number one fan and for making everyone else fans too. Your ability to sell books in the strangest places still amazes and inspires me. Agents, shmagents. Who needs ‘em when you got mom.

  To my dad; thank you for all the laughs, food, and herrrrooowws. Thank you for encouraging me to do what I love and supporting me along the way.

  To my sis; thank you for being you. I miss you more than words will ever be able to describe. Thank you for still being my friend, my partner in crime, and my confidant, even though we’re hundreds of miles apart. You’ll always be my adorable, goofy, whale. Don’t you forget it!

  To Megster; thank you for all that you do. Between the postcards, random gifts, encouraging text messages, and horrible puns, you’ve really helped keep me sane through this rollercoaster ride we call life.

  To my dear readers; thank you for continuing the journey. Your love for the world and characters I’ve created means so, so much to me! This book wouldn’t exist without your support!

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS – THE FATED

  Years ago, I started working on a story that would later be given a name, and that little story would grow to become so much more than I ever imagined it could be. That story took root, grew words, and flourished into a trilogy that I can finally, finally share with you all in its entirety.

  There are so many people to thank, so many of you that have supported me through this process, that have lent me your enthusiasm and kindness, your patience and your constructive criticism, that have pushed me through the times where I wanted to give up, where I didn’t feel like my words were enough.

  So many of you have been here from the start, have watched this project grow and change, have nourished it and helped it flourish in ways I never thought possible.

  I have learned so much on this journey, and I can’t wait to take that knowledge and carry it into new worlds, and into new stories.

  To all of you that shared in this experience, thank you.

  I could not have done this without you.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Kaitlyn Rouhier is a fantasy author, nerd, gamer, and avid reader.

  After surviving the destructive and terrifying storms of North Texas, Kaitlyn returned to the land of her birth and now resides in the fire prone mountains of Southern Oregon.

  Kaitlyn loves to interact with readers and writers alike.

  You can find her online at:

  Facebook.com/booksbykaitlyn

  Twitter.com/kaitlynrouhier

  www.rouhierwrites.com