The Coming Dawn Trilogy

by Austen Knowles

  “Yes, my Lady, since we were teens. But we knew each other long before that. Parson, Tyrus and I grew up in the City of Sterlings. We were stationed there for a few years before we became studs. We patrolled the tunnels a lot, and ran into each other. Guarding the city you get to know all your comrades well. There were a few of us, but Tyrus, Parson, and I seemed to get along best.”

  “Oh, I like the City of Sterlings the best so far.”

  “It was a good place to grow up. Children are safeguarded well there. Most cities protect their young like royalty, though. Tyrus was an orphan, and had a rough childhood. Orphans are teased, and adults turn a blind eye. When kids don’t know where they’re from they tend to get bullied. For years everyone thought Tyrus was a witch’s son.” Ram chuckled. “Ridiculous what you think as children. But he was teased and tormented. I didn’t like him because of the rumors. Looking back, it shows how stupid kids can be.”

  “Why would anyone think him magical? I’ve never seen him do a charm to save his own skin.”

  “As I said, it’s ridiculous what you think as children. He was simply odd, and too quiet.” Ram twisted to point to the toy warriors. “See those? He made those. Carved them, and took them to the living river. Usually, that is healer’s knowledge to know living water brings things to life. At ten years, he shouldn’t have known that, but he brought them to school one day. Now, I believe him to be incredibly smart. He never forgets anything.”

  “I’ve seen another living doll with a menacing song. Why was that wooden doll evil, while these are docile and only protect?”

  “I never had an interest in sorcery. Ask Tyrus. He never wanted to be conquered by it. All great warriors learn healers’ spells to combat them. Cobaaron is no different. They simply don’t have magical skills to perform magic, but I’m sure Cobaaron could quote spells and ingredients with ease.”

  “So, can those dolls they cast spells? I’m curious how they keep that teetering castle up.”

  “Ask Tyrus. I don’t know.”

  Ambrosia came and sat next to Ky. She overheard some of the conversation and explained, “Cobaaron can wield magic. Anyone can. Like the cloak you’re wearing. You wield the magic; otherwise, it would be nothing more than a scarlet robe. It’s captured magic that anyone can use. Living water makes anything inanimate alive.”

  “Okay, so, the wooden dolls are captured magic?” Ky asked. Ambrosia looked over to her castle, and watched a few warriors dig a moat, while others tried making a drawbridge, but the rest stood around, arguing over structural plans to the point little progress was made. “Why is it they’re good while another wooden doll I saw was evil?”

  “Oh, well, it depends on why you make it. If you want the figure to be evil, it will. If you want it to have a sweet disposition, it will. The person, who made them for me at the time, was trying to be nice. Plus, his protective nature is really strong. It was a peace offering for setting the inside of my father’s cupboard on fire. I wasn’t mad; it burnt the switch that I got lickings from when I was in trouble. Anyway, I was told not to talk to him after that, but he brought the warriors. I’ve always had a rebellious streak and befriended him even after Hyun told me to stay away.”

  “You and Tyrus have a lot of history,” Ky said.

  “Who said it was Tyrus?” Ambrosia asked, and Ky pointed to Ram. “Well, he was trying to be nice, and so, they are nice.”

  “Speaking of being nice, Ambrosia, are we on good terms?” Ram asked.

  “I don’t know what you mean, Ram.”

  “You know we weren’t thrilled with you coming on this mission. You should have stayed in the City of Sterlings, married, and had children. We told you to stay. I’m through ignoring you for disobeying, and if you didn’t turn back in Beryl I see there is no point reasoning with you, either. I’m done bickering. Are we fine?”

  “Huh. I didn’t even notice you stopped talking to me until that night in Beryl.” Ambrosia shrugged. “So, I didn’t care at all. Not one bit. We must be fine.”

  “Is that why I can’t pull my sword from my belt? It’s been stuck since we left the city. Curious, isn’t it? Parson has nightmares of getting pregnant. What man fears that? You’re like a sister to the three of us, Ambrosia.”

  Ambrosia chuckled. “I hardly noticed you all band together as if I wasn’t part of your group. In fact, I was sick of bull headed warriors bossing me around, and I liked the break. Staying in the city wasn’t your decision. You three act like my father. No worse, because Hyun suggested I come.”

  “Seriously, how do we lift the curses? Apologize?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Well, Ambrosia, I’m sorry we told you to stay in the city, and we ignored you for months, and then lectured you in Beryl about going home. You were clearly emotional at the time, so, I’m sorry.”

  “I didn’t care.”

  Ram reached for his sword, tugged, and pulled it out several inches before shoving it back. “I’m glad to see you’re over it.” Ram smirked.

  “I was never mad.”

  “Uh-huh.” Ram nodded, but he wasn’t gullible. “Right.” He winked. “I’ll tell Parson to come talk to you. He hasn’t had a peaceful night’s sleep in some time. Now that you’ve punished us thoroughly, we’re good?”

  “We were always chummy. But if Parson wants to apologize to clear his conscious, I’ll listen. Either way is fine. I haven’t been too concerned, but he’s over by the pond, under the fuchsia Hastily tree.”

  “I’m supposed to stay here until Cobaaron returns.” Ram nodded over to where a door should be. Tyrus was standing in the cave, waiting for Ambrosia to let him in. He had a dead animal resembling a sheep draped over his shoulders. “Tyrus is back. That means the men are not far behind.”

  Ambrosia stood, and opened the door. He followed her in, and when he reached his friend he gave him a nod, before saying to Ambrosia, “You didn’t have me waiting as long as I thought.”

  “Where is everyone else?” Ambrosia asked.

  “They went down a different tunnel.” Tyrus dropped the animal near the fire. He opened his hand and held out what appeared to be small white rocks. “Eggs for your new forest.”

  Ambrosia smacked his hand away, scattering the stones on the ground. “I don’t want apology gifts.” The rocks burst open and small creatures that looked like tiny, dried, shriveled apples with large noggins, big lips and beady eyes popped out. Their little bodies somehow managed to hold up their over-sized heads as they quickly grew a few inches and ran into the forest.

  “They’re healing gnomes. They’ll keep your forest healthy,” Tyrus said. He suppressed a smile, because she didn’t kick them out of her room, but let them run free. She accepted them.

  “I know what they are,” Ambrosia snapped. “I don’t want them.”

  “I’m trying to make things right. Can I talk to you alone?”

  “I already know what you’ll say. You’re going to ask for forgiveness, and I’m going to have to forgive you. I don’t want to yet. I have to get over what you did to me! In fact, don’t talk to me. I’m still giving you the silent treatment. I can’t…Tyrus; you took my chance to have children. I could have had babies, a house full of laughter, and…” Ambrosia began to sob, and stopped talking. Surprisingly, she didn’t pull away when he put a hand on her shoulder.

  “You can cry on me,” Tyrus said.

  “Your touch is too painful,” Ambrosia said, and shrugged his hand free. With a nod from Tyrus, Ram stood and patted her on the head awkwardly, calling her little woman as he assured her all would be okay.

  Minutes later, Cobaaron and the other men came back with more food, and soon the forest filled with the aroma of sizzling, spicy pork. Once Cobaaron sat next to Ky at the fire, the small group with Octavos, Athaya, Wyt, Yulley, Surv, and Onya joined them. Eventually Parson joined them when the meat finished cooking, and the wide variety of vegetables and meat was served on large, edible leaves. The warriors rol
led them like burritos, and everyone followed suit.

  Ky was uncertain how the conversation started, but they started talking about what they would do once they reached the City of Lights. Cobaaron said he would host a tournament for the new chief of the army, but that was well known, and news had already spread about the competition along with a rumor that Tyrus was Cobaaron’s favorite to succeed. Yulley said she would plant a mowlery flower to remind her of home. Athaya talked of making a room for her child. Onya wished for a feast. Noxis vowed to join in building the city. While Octavos wanted to do nothing but sleep for a week to enjoy his retirement from the army.

  By the time everyone spoke their goals, the meal was finished, and Wyt bid everyone goodnight. They separated, resting under different enchanted trees to settle down for the night before sleeping. But Ambrosia was told to stay close, because they would wake early and leave. Whereas Noxis positioned himself by the door, steering clear of Onya, and obviously hoping he would travel with them.

  Once Ky lay on the bed of flowers, with Huntra snoring peacefully near her, the tree shook, and the petals dropped over them in a thick layer for a silky blanket. She slipped into a deep sleep, until she felt small pebbles thrown at her.

  “On guard, ye filthy moss dwellers. Thus ye weapons turn against thee while ye sleep.”

  “Ooh ya call’n ’ilthy, ya sliver of an ol’ stink tree.”

  Ky sat and peered beyond at her feet. The petals from the tree fell away from her. Not inches from her heels were the healing gnomes and wooden warriors, lined up for battle. There were a dozen more gnomes than before and they were also two inches taller. Wooden men stood behind a recently built barrier of stacked small stones. Some ducked behind the short wall to hide, obviously planning a surprise attack to catch the gnomes off guard. This might have worked if they didn’t keep popping their heads above the wall to assess how the battle was progressing. The few wooden fighters that stood, threw rocks at the gnomes, taunting them. The leader of the small platoon had a newly burnt letter T in his chest.

  “Thou shall not intrude upon our lands. Thou mayest leave, or be our enemies for life. Ye fools if ye not turn aside.” The warriors drew little toothpick swords. The gnomes exchanged glances and nods, silently content. “Mine eyes wish to see thee flee into the forest. Never are thee to return.”

  “Excuse me,” Ky said, getting the attention of the small fighters. “But I’m trying to sleep. Would you mind taking this battle over to the castle or away from everyone who is sleeping?”

  “We min’ a lot. We’re settle’n terms of o’nership,” a gnome grunted, and then turned to a warrior. “Ya were say’n we could ’ave the entire ’orrest if we stay off this ’ere patch of moss?”

  “Lest ye care to do battle,” the warrior said as an ultimatum, and lifted his sword higher threateningly.

  “Nah, we’ll ’orm the line ’ere.”

  “Then flee or die by morrow.”

  The gnomes shuffled their feet, digging a long line in the dead moss down to the soil, separating the two sides. And at that, their battle over land was resolved. The gnomes gained far more land, and left happily.

  “Fear not, me Lady, ye are in good hands.” The little warriors left the battleground, waving a victorious flag that displayed their letter T proudly, as they marched back to the castle.

  “That is exactly why magical warriors are never as good as men of flesh and blood,” Cobaaron laughed silently. Ky didn’t know he was awake, but his eyes were open as he continued to lay down with his arm under his head. He reached up, touched her lips, and then sat so he could kiss her. “If I won all my battles like that, we wouldn’t have land anywhere on Caphes.”

  “They mean well,” Ky grinned.

  “Let’s wake young Tyrus and Ambrosia and leave before I have to explain to my brother, once again, he needs to bond.”

  They quietly woke them, and before Noxis knew they passed him, they slipped out of the room with Huntra prancing behind them with Prism and the male pixie on his back.

  “No, Huntra, stay in the room,” Cobaaron whispered, before his paws could touch the miner’s nightmare. “I’d have to carry you, because the rocks will cut the pads of your feet. Besides, you need to rest and I’ll call you out when you’re needed.”

  “Your druse shouldn’t stay in my room anymore. They’ll lay too many eggs.” Ambrosia pointed to Prism. Huntra didn’t move. With a gentle push, Cobaaron scooted him back. He sat on the mossy ground like an obedient dog but kept his eyes on Ky as if hesitant to leave her. Her druse flew to her hair, and began braiding a nest.

  Still groggy and tired, they didn’t talk while they made their way to the next large cave of amethyst. It was then Tyrus said, “I was hunting beyond this tunnel last night and saw a secret door. It’s goblin made, and could take us to the opposite side of the mountain. It could cut out days of our travel. We may even find ourselves near Rathe’s castle.”

  “Then let’s look at it. I’m not sure I trust opening it, but let’s look,” Cobaaron said.

  They followed Tyrus as he led them into a different passageway heading to the south. When the cavern opened to a small six-by-six chamber, they were in a cave of blue aquamarine crystals. Among the rocks were oval stones of every shade dangling from crystals; Ky recognized a couple as the eggs like Tyrus brought back for Ambrosia.

  “So, this is where you got my gnomes.” Ambrosia inspected the eggs on the ceiling in wonderment.

  “I’d have brought more back, but my hands were full,” Tyrus replied, looking down to the next passageway. “Beyond this room is a big belly sheep nursery, and their horned protectors. If we take this door, I wouldn’t mind eating one more time before we leave.”

  “If we’re going to spend time here, I’d love to gather some of these. There are brownie offspring here.” As Ambrosia spoke, Prism easily attached eggs to the ceiling.

  “I wouldn’t take anything red.”

  “Why not?” Ky asked Tyrus.

  “Red reveals its evil nature. Like the kelpie spawn.” After pointing out the kelpies, he then touched a stone, and a jagged blue line formed a tall archway. “This is the door I found. I was fortunate enough to find it while passing through here last night.”

  “It’s hidden well,” Cobaaron said. Then he spoke quietly, “Unless…you can hear the hum of magic, then it’s obvious.”

  Ambrosia summoned her wand, before saying, “But he obviously can’t hear the hum!” She closed her room, drew a big basket in the air, and then waited as the wood wove. Then she took tiny green-and-blue dotted eggs off the crystal walls before adding other colorful soft shells.

  “We will go through this door. Ambrosia, you can make one trip into your room. Do it now before my brother wakes. When you return, we’ll eat. Make sure you come back alone.”

  “Some of these are glowing turtles. I’ll need to drop them in my pond. I’ll hurry.”

  Tyrus put two eggs in her basket and told her to cast a sleeping charm before she entered. Ambrosia cast the spell, and then went inside, leaving the three alone. Cobaaron turned to Tyrus. “As I was saying, this door is well hidden, unless you hear magical hums. Between us three, is there something you wish to tell me? I’ll remind you, I’m your chief, and if you’re to serve under me when I’m king, I need to trust you young Tyrus. I suspect you aren’t telling me the entire truth. I never would have found this door.”

  Tyrus stared at Cobaaron a moment, as if weighing his options. It didn’t take him long to say. “I heard the hum.”

  “Then you’re a healer,” Cobaaron stated, but he wanted Tyrus to admit it.

  “My mother was a witch, yes.” Tyrus pinched his lips together, as if disgusted.

  “Why do you hide that you’re a healer?” Cobaaron asked.

  “At first, I was ashamed of my mother. As I aged, I decided I never wanted the city life of a healer. There is no adventure or honor in that. It’s a waste of talent, and I want to prove my self-worth as a warrior. I’m mor
e than an orphaned healer, and the only son of a witch.” Tyrus glanced at Ky, adding, “No one knows this, except Ambrosia and her parents.”

  “I said this would stay between the three of us. My partner doesn’t delight in spreading rumors.” Cobaaron spoke in Ky’s defense, and then asked, “Have you not told Ambrosia about blessing her womb, solely to see if she would stop sleeping with other lovers?” Tyrus nodded. “Are you in love with her? You court her with gifts.” Cobaaron waved his hand in the direction of the eggs.

  “Women are a distraction. I take my career seriously. I have chosen my life as a warrior over her. She hasn’t forgiven me for leaving. She knows how I feel about this matter. I’ll never bond with her.”

  “You’re clearly torn, young Tyrus, if you separate her from her lovers but bless her womb.”

  “I am, Chief. I have watched you and your partner carefully. You’re not weakened because of her. Ambrosia is right; she’s made you stronger. I see nothing wrong in unions anymore. I don’t see her distracting you. I saw your anxiety when she was in the other realm, and recognized the worry, because I was concerned for Ambrosia. I see no harm in loving someone; women occasionally cause trouble, but warriors are very good at creating messes. We cause half our problems,” Tyrus said. Cobaaron laughed and agreed. “What do you suggest I do? I need to prove myself as chief. I can’t and won’t lay that ambition aside.” Tyrus quieted, earnestly needing Cobaaron’s advice.

  “Are you so focused on her I shouldn’t trust your judgment when fighting?”

  “Ambrosia isn’t weak. She can take care of herself.”

  “Then I suggest you do what will make you sleep well, because during the day you will get no rest. For now, go hunt. Ambrosia will be back shortly.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Cobaaron slammed his fist onto a blue crystal that was in the middle of the hidden door. It snapped in half, and water gushed into the cave from the chipped rock. The two exits magically sealed and the small cave quickly filled. All the blue gemstones drained of color as the cavern filled. The spewing stream was intensely cold, and the frigid temperature pricked Ky’s skin painfully. In seconds, it was to her waist.