Stones of Fraine (Legacy of Fraine Book 1)

by Amy Morris

  “No, I won’t if it comes up, but for now I’ll keep my head held high and carry on.” She pulls a small smile to hide her pain that at least I can see through.

  “A very noble act, just the thing you need to protect you along the way, princess,” a voice I don’t recognize interjects into the conversation.

  Turning towards the mouth of the cave, I see a withered old woman now standing at the entrance. “Who are you?” Angel asks noticing her standing next to him.

  “Thank gods you’re alright Verona,” Rabble exults wrapping the stranger in a hug.

  “I’m alright,” she bats at his arms when she’s done with his embrace. “Did you think some ruffian's could take me out, young man?”

  “I worried once I realized that they had found us. They may have possibly harmed you first,” he answers.

  “No such luck with the likes of me. I knew when they would attack, kept my door bolted until I sensed the fight was over.” Her attention shifts to me, “I knew you would be safe princess or I would have interceded, I promise that.”

  “You’re Verona, aren’t you?” Talia asks.

  “Yes, you might as well come inside for the rest of the answers you have questions for,” as she proceeds back into the shadows of the cave. “And before you ask Angel, I am Vernet’s sister. It’s nice of you to notice the similarities, young man.”

  At that Angel stares, unable to speak. “Yeah, she’s full of surprises.” Rabble pats him on the shoulder as he passes, following her inside.

  “What did I miss?” I ask.

  “Don’t you remember? She’s the most powerful seer from Fraine,” Goss throws over her shoulder as she walks by.

  “Yeah,” is all I can muster as I follow, unsure of what I’ve now gotten myself into. Once inside, I notice her abode is very similar to Kermit’s. I wonder if they both modeled their homes from what they had in Fraine.

  “No, my child,” Verona says, looking my direction. “In Shyne my home was much more opulent, but sometimes you have to make do with what you have as you can see.”

  Rabble holding her arm helps her to sit in an armchair in the living area of her small home. He asks if she needs anything before coming to my side. “She’s abrupt but means well, Abby. If it wasn’t for her, I would have had no formal training after my mother passed. You can trust her I promise.”

  “What can you offer me?” Slips out of my mouth before fully thinking it through.

  A snort of laughter escapes the old woman’s lips, “there are so many answers you still seek my child. I’m probably the only person alive who can answer them. So really what can you offer me?” She levels with me as I take the spot on her one sofa closest to her.

  “I have nothing to offer,” I admit.

  “Ah, but you do,” she takes a mug of what smells like tea from Rabble, who then joins me on the sofa. “You, my dear, can restore the magic before I leave this world, and for that nothing can be secret to you,” she takes a sip of her drink.

  “Those are high expectations of someone who just learned they have magical powers, who can’t even use correctly or doesn’t really understand the prophecy they fulfill. Lofty goals,” I add to make more of an impression with my statement.

  Verona snorts into her mug, “My dear, you just did something no one but your father has ever achieved. I just snorted tea out of my nose,” she laughs again. “You do not understand what you’re capable of, do you?” she turns serious with this question.

  “Obviously not,” I shrug.

  “Again, so much like your father with your words and mannerisms, yet so much more power than him.”

  My father has two dominant powers that course through him, I barely can shoot blue sparks. So how could it be that I’m more powerful, I wonder to myself. “Easily young lady, you’ve had no training and no guidance in the world of magic. What this world has to offer you, has yet to show itself to you.” She offers without speaking aloud.

  “Is everyone capable of magic able to just speak with their minds?” I ask without realizing I just did. “Holy hells, I did it.” I exclaim, looking around the room at my confused friends. “Never mind,” I offer while deep in thought about what I’ve just done.

  “Ah now, just some of effort and it will happen,” Verona smiles.

  “I’ve tried a few times to speak telepathically since I found out, but it never works.” I mutter to her, embarrassed.

  “On the contrary, it has worked. I just chose not to respond to what you asked,” Rabble offers. Seeing the look on my face, he quickly continues. “It’s not that I was playing tricks on you, just that I didn’t think you wanted those questions answered.”

  “Assuredly not, I’m sure from how I raised my boy here,” the old woman motions to Rabble. “He knows better than to answer when things might not come out right.”

  “You still could have acknowledged it,” I reprimand him.

  “Sorry, it won’t happen again,” he takes a long sip from his mug.

  “Let’s leave that in the past, just know the young Prince Kevon is on your side. Destined to be a protector since birth, Abigail.” She offers as four faces turn to Rabble, looking for an explanation before she continues. “Ah, I see this is news to you. I’ll leave the explaining to you boy, I have far too much to cover before you depart.”

  “What? You’re Prince Kevon, the heir to the throne of Fraye?” Goss asks.

  “Let’s discuss this later, we’re here now to find out where to go next.” He tries to pull the attention away from himself.

  “I agree,” I interrupt. “But you have a lot of explaining to do when we leave understood.” The glare I give him is enough to get my point across, it seems.

  “Yes, princess, you’re right,” Rabble now really known as Prince Kevon answers me. “I never meant to hurt you,” he speaks to just me, but I’m in no mood for more lies.

  “Whatever you have to say can come out of your mouth from here on out, prince.” He nods his agreement to my statement before Verona continues.

  “Ah, how I miss young love,” she crows before setting her mug down. I’m certain she has picked up on my feelings for the prince, but still not entirely sure I say nothing. “I know you’re here for the Crest stone. I won’t hold it hostage from you, it’s yours, my dear.” She offers a little too freely for my comfort. “But there are things we need to discuss, preferably alone before you leave tomorrow if you accept that?”

  I nod quickly my acceptance assuming that at some point tonight she and I will speak alone, like I did previously with Kermit.

  “I still can’t believe that old con artist is still alive,” she mutters after obviously reading my thoughts. “He should have rolled over and died after his betrayal, but you can explain his current condition to me alone later.” She winks and from what I’ve gathered they were at least lovers in Fraine before they banished him. “Now open your bedrolls for I fear I don’t have enough bed space for everyone this evening,” she chuckles lightly.

  We all comply, I notice Angel takes special care to keep Rabble as far from me as possible when we position ourselves on the floor. I surmise it’s because of the revelation from Verona, but a part of me feels its jealousy. Which is worse from what we learned from Goss not long ago. The last thing I need is for my best friend to be angry with me for the person she’s in love with for showing me too much attention. “You’ve got that right,” Rabble offers from across the room.

  “You and I need to have our own conversation shortly so don’t act so superior.” I remind him, and from the cowed look now present, he definitely heard me this time. I don’t even feel guilty about the look on his face as I turn away to lie down, if anyone has an ass chewing coming its him I remind myself.

  I finally drift off to sleep, but am awakened before I can even dream by Verona poking at me with her cane. Wordlessly I follow her, knowing that the conversation that lies ahead might be the most important one of my life. Especially given what my mother has told me about her j
ust a few days ago.

  We exit the cave, raising her arms to the sky and throwing them back down as a large fire appears. “Come sit my child,” patting a large pillow next the one she occupies. “You must excuse these old bones of mine, I leave sitting on the cold hard ground to the young,” she explains.

  “Do you know how this all ends?” before thinking my question through.

  “I do, but I can’t share that part with you I’m sorry,” as she pats my hand. Any confidence I had to this point is shattered by the familiar gesture. “Don’t worry though it’s the journey, not the outcome that’s coming that has me concerned my child.” She grips my hand now with assurance which gives me back some confidence, just not much.

  “So what can you tell me?”

  “I can tell you that hard times lie ahead, your journey to me has been easy compared to what may happen before you’re able to complete your task.”

  “That doesn’t sound ominous at all,” whining at the prospect.

  “Do not fret, I have seen that you will persevere, but not without sacrifice. There’s always a sacrifice to make in any prophecy, yours is no exception, I’m afraid. Don’t look so startled by that Abigail, that’s the role of a hero, mind you.”

  “You don’t mean human sacrifice, do you?” I ask, needing to know.

  She takes a moment to think her words over. “It’s not always human. Yours will be personal, I can tell you. Now on to more unpleasant topics. Do you have feelings for Angel, my dear?” I shake my head no because truly I don’t. “Good, but let him down gently and you may salvage the destiny of the two young lovers.”

  “Goss and Angel?” I ask.

  “You cannot interfere, but know that what will happen will, do you understand?” Nodding my assent, she continues. “Now that you have half the stones needed for the amulet, you may feel your power grow. Do what you can to contain it, even I am unsure if you can pull back what it spends from them. You will need all the magic you can use to restore the amulet.”

  “So I know something magical will happen when I try to merge the stones with the amulet. Any suggestions on how to merge them?” Verona shakes her head no. “Great, moving on then, how will I know how to find the other three stones?”

  “That one is simple to answer. Each guardian should be able to point you toward the next one. You’ve been able to find three with the help they have given you along the way, it’s much the same for the rest.” She smiles, it gladdens my heart to think it’s true. “Ask the last question you have for me right now.”

  “If you already know what I’m going to ask, why not just tell me?”

  “Alright, I will. Yes, you can trust Prince Kevon or Rabble whichever you prefer to call him, trust him with your life. As for what is truly your last question, the answer is no. He does not possess the same power being a half blood. Only full-blooded descendants inherit the ability to zap or paralyze, as you put it.” And with that, she stands and stretches along the ledge. “Now go get some sleep before you depart, I’m going to put together a special pack for you all to take, now go on.” And with a wave of her hand I’m shooed away, my mind working overtime on what little she could tell me.

  Curling back under my blanket, my gaze catches on Rabble who offers me a quick wink. I’m still not sure what to do about him, if nothing else I trust him, even if it goes against my better judgement at just this moment.

  15

  I’m the first to wake the next morning, having slept like a rock after my late night conversation with Verona. Wondering now if she had anything to do with my dreamless sleep, but am interrupted by Goss shyly taking a seat across from me at the table.

  “I’m better today before you ask Abby,” she gives me a small smile while jamming a muffin in her mouth. “And I could definitely get used to the spread we receive each time we collect a stone,” she even laughs.

  “What’s so funny?” Angel comes out of nowhere and takes the seat next to her.

  “The food each time we collect a stone,” and I can’t help but giggle about it this time.

  “Let’s take more fresh items this time along with the dried ones, I’m willing to carry a heavier pack just for these muffins,” Goss mumbles with a full mouth.

  “I’ll second that Goss,” Rabble takes the seat next to me. It’s easy to see why he chose that location from the look in Angel’s eyes.

  Angel snorts, “I’m not sure you should accompany us anymore, if I have my say you won’t be.” Pushing back from the table abruptly then heading towards the cave entrance.

  “Nice to see you made a friend,” Verona takes her place at the head of the table. “Do not worry, he will come around… In more ways than one,” she gives Goss a sly glance.

  Goss is jostled on the bench as Talia plops abruptly just inches from her. She too is giving Rabble a similar stare down. “I’m going to have to say I agree with Angel on Prince Kevon’s status in this group, no offense your highness,” giving him a rude gesture as she digs into a plate of eggs.

  “Now, now,” Verona tries to cut the tension at the table. “Young lady, Prince Kevon was born to be one of Abigail’s protectors. How he came to be should not matter now.” She sighs, taking in Talia’s glare at him. “But I can see it will take time for some to accept that.”

  Talia snorts at the last comment, while Goss reprimands her some. “Remember, we thought you were a menace before getting to know you. So don’t judge him too harshly after how rough you treated us on the road to Renolt.”

  “I did nothing to you,” she defends herself. “Not speaking to you all fancy and briskly giving you instructions along the way is not rough. At least as far as I’m concerned.”

  Popping one last piece of muffin her in mouth, Goss rises from the table facing Talia, “You’re allowed your opinion then.” Turning to Rabble, “It will be a pleasure to have you along for the journey. Now if you all will excuse me, I’m going to freshen up and change before we leave.”

  “I like her,” Verona grins as Goss heads to her pack across the room.

  “She’s always been confident, but during this trip it’s definitely escalated. I kinda like it,” I offer with a grin. “So where to for the next stone? We didn’t discuss that last night, Verona.”

  “I knew if I told you last night you might not sleep, even with the help I could offer.” She smiles at me. So I was right, she did aid in my restful night.

  “Well, don’t keep us in suspense,” Rabble pipes up from my side.

  “Your father has it,” she plainly puts it.

  “Why would my father have it? Does he know he has it?” Rabble asks while staring at his food.

  Shaking her head, Verona levels her gaze to mine. “Yes, you will receive the Sun Stone from your father.” I’m so shocked that I can’t form any words to respond to this revelation. No one speaks for some time. Goss has overhead us from the living area and has stopped packing her pack even.

  “What the hells is going on in here?” Angel walks towards the table. “From the open mouth on Abby’s face, to Goss so quiet, I can only assume some important information was just discussed. So what happened, Abby? Three-headed dog we have to face for the next stone?”

  “We’re headed to Calisle Monastery,” Rabble answers for me since I still don’t seem to be able to.

  “Your point, prince?” Angel angrily throws back at him.

  Without speaking I leave the table and head towards the cave’s entrance, Goss reaches for me but I shoo her away. “I need a moment, sorry,” as I make my way towards daylight to think.

  “Asshat,” Talia hisses. I can only assume it’s meant for Angel as I hear a “shit” from his mouth shortly before I reach fresh air.

  Resting on a pillow Verona must have brought into existence for me, I survey the scene in front of me. Gone are any remnants of a fight or the deaths that took place just a day ago on this ledge. The view is breathtaking, I must admit if you look either direction along the canyon walls, but the better view is bel
ow. Standing near the edge, my mind churns over this new information. I never planned on having my mother, now I’ll also have a father. Not some adopted parents, but my real ones. My heart lightens at that, I take a deep breath coming to terms with my place in this world for now. Knowing what our next step is along this journey helps me reconcile the severity of what I must accomplish. For now, we’re not doing too bad of a job, so there’s some hope for us yet.

  “Please don’t jump, princess,” comes a voice behind me.

  “Wasn’t planning on it, prince.”

  “Good, it would be a waste of my talents to only be a sacred protector for just a few days,” I turn to see the smile on his face. “Are we back to poking fun at each other again, then?”

  “Not yet,” I whisper, turning back to face the expanse before me.

  “All jokes aside, are you alright Abby?”

  “I’m good Rabble, just needed a minute to think. Too much at once, I guess. So did you pull the short straw?” I ask, noticing no one else is with him.

  He snorts, “No, they all wanted to come speak to you, but Verona suggested it be me. They went along with it, unhappily I might add, especially Angel. But after much apologizes on my part, they are packing up. Including an extra pack stuffed with muffins Goss is planning to carry.”

  I smile at that and realize I needed him to be the one to pull me back in. His personality alone helps snap me out of any negative thoughts that might occupy my mind. “Come on then, let’s go help. Get this last climb knocked out before it’s too late in the day to get far.”

  Angel rushes towards me as we enter Verona’s home. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to make jokes, I didn’t know what was going on.”

  “It’s fine. It wasn’t the joke, just needed to sort things out for a moment. Like you did earlier, did you settle anything while you had your hissy fit?”

  “I’ll trust him if you do Abby, but know this. I’ll end him if he hurts you.”