Illera's Darkliete: A Coming of Age Fantasy

by Gail Gernat

  At his signal, Illera knelt and felt the literal weight of Queenship for the first time. The priest muttered over her head, and as she arose, a giant white griffin plunged from the sky and hovered behind the platform. Many of the crowds fell to the ground, fearful of the huge predator. Illera smiled and walked towards it. She sang a thanks to it for its support and appearance at this special time. Throwing its head back it warbled a high and wild cry, then it flapped into the sky, disappearing into the sun. An awed whisper ran through the people.

  Raven knelt before the priest and received his crown. Moving to join her in front of the thrones, they sat down together. The rest was an ordeal of endurance. Every person present passed before the couple, the Madeans offering fealty, the foreigners friendship. The crown weighed heavier and heavier as the hours passed and their cheeks grew fatigued with smiling.

  When the last person had passed, and the torches lighted to show the way, for the night had fallen, the feasting and dancing began. Illera and Raven consigned their crowns to the keeping of Orille and ate and danced with the rest of the giddy crowd.

  Looking for her mother, to introduce her to Raven, she found only Cantrell.

  “Where’s our mother?” Illera asked, towing Raven behind her.

  “She left. She told you she could only stay for the day. You see, over there the rules are kind of crazy, so unless she was going to stay forever, she had to leave before sundown. Told me to tell you she’d be back when your first son is born.”

  “But I never got to know her, to visit with her,” mourned Illera.

  Cantrell shrugged her shoulders as Lark materialized out of the darkness. He was grinning from ear to ear.

  “So, now Illera, who is this lovely young thing and why have you been hiding her from me?”

  Raven snorted with laughter.

  “This is my sister, Cantrell. My mother has already left, but Cantrell is going to be staying with Raven and I.”

  “Not for long judging by Lark’s smile,” Raven whispered into her ear.

  Throughout the night, Illera noticed that Cantrell was shadowed by Lark, as well as by Ashera’s unmarried brothers. The girl enjoyed the attention, flirting and dancing with an abandon Illera could never attain. She knew Raven was right and Cantrell would not be with them very long.

  The long day and night finally drew to a close. As they retired to the king’s and queen’s chambers for the first time, Illera’s heart thumped, and she felt fear picking at her nerves. Raven took her in his arm, and she placed an ear on his bare chest, over his thumping heart.

  He whispered down into her hair, “Don’t worry, it’s going to be all right. Everything’s going to be all right.”

  Illera knew within herself, with the certainty of her inner feelings that never let her down, that he was right. She moved her head and lost herself in the sweetness of his kiss.

  Epilogue

  The commotion in the camp woke Illera. She turned on her side to greet Raven for the morning, but he was gone, only a lingering trace of his scent still on the pillow. Leaping from the bed, Illera hurried into the outer chamber of the tent seeking the services of her maid. Today they would welcome home her first and second born sons from their yearlong visit to Rejoicing in Sorwelk. With a pang, she also remembered that Raveena and Alora, just sixteen and fifteen respectively would be leaving on the ship that brought her sons home.

  “Regain my sons and lose my daughters,” mused Illera as the maid hurried into the tent and prepared her for the short trip through the town to the ship.

  Owl and Jay, the younger boys, interrupted her toilet. At ages ten and nine they were a handful, and she didn’t recall Ian or Eagle being as rambunctious.

  “Mom are you ready yet?” asked Jay with his usual irrepressible grin.

  “Not quite yet, my darling. Do you know where your father is?”

  Jay laughed. “It was supposed to be a surprise, but I can’t wait to tell you.”

  “Tell me what?”

  “Daddy is letting me ride Blackness,” Jay babbled on, nodding his wise dark head.

  “No!” breathed Illera, pretending to be horrified. “You are much too small to ride such a big war-horse.”

  Unable to contain himself Jay bounced up and down crying, “Yes, yes, yes Daddy said I could ride him to the quay to surprise Ian and Eagle. I can’t wait. Won’t you hurry?”

  Illera smiled and tousled his black hair as she turned to the older boy. “And what about you? Do you have a shocking revelation for your mother?”

  The golden head dipped, and Owl peered up at her with his shy, hesitant smile.

  “Well,” he drawled, “Daddy did say I could ride Night if I wanted to.”

  Illera clapped a hand theatrically to her forehead and collapsed into a folding chair.

  “No, no not my two precious little boys, forced to ride on giant, fierce war-horses. I can’t abide it.”

  Jay giggled and launched himself into her lap. She tickled him mercilessly, reaching out and snagging Owl into the play. They all ended in a heap on the floor, rolling and tussling.

  Raven pulled the curtain aside and strode into the tent.

  “Ah, a fine picture I see here,” he exclaimed in a mock rough voice. “Here I am letting my youngest sons begin their training as Knights of the realm and what do I find? A free for all on the floor of my own tent. I never…”

  With those words, Raven launched himself into the pile and tickled the boys until they were screaming for mercy. Laughing, he caught his wife and planted a kiss on her lips. The boys made gagging noises and ran from the tent. Raven stood and pulled Illera to her feet.

  “Are you ready my dear?”

  Illera permitted the servant girl to tidy her hair and then, arm in arm with her beloved, they left the tent. The royal encampment set on the crown of a hill, looked down into the town of Ocean Perch. The tall peaked roofs of the town lay below like patchwork quilt. The long finger of the sea was just visible as a narrow thread of gray framed by the jutting cliffs.

  The town and its people looked fat and prosperous, as indeed it should. Did not all of Madean prosper in the twenty-five years since she and Raven had ascended the throne? The alliance with the Shul had proven more beneficial than just an end to raiding their food stores. King Frak’s young wind singers found employment in every community, thereby ensuring the ideal weather for their type of crops. The Shul also prospered, their population increasing to the point where King Frak felt safe sending scouts to the west to open new lands.

  Illera sighed with pleasure as Raven slipped his hands around her waist and kissed the top of her head.

  “Where are you off to in your mind my love?”

  “I was thinking how far Madean has come these last few years. Our lives have been wonderful.”

  He released her and turned away muttering, “Except now our girls are going off into the unknown.”

  Laughing, Illera moved to him, circling him with her arms and laying her head on his back. “You didn’t mind when my boys left.”

  “No, but Ian was twenty-two at the time, and Raveena is only sixteen; Alora a year younger. I don’t think they are old enough.”

  She could feel the tenseness of his muscles.

  “But doesn’t it make sense for them to go now? Lark’s and Cantrell’s Sparrow is going, and she’s twenty. She’ll take good care of them.”

  He turned to her with a frown between his brows. “Maybe it makes sense, but I don’t like it. It sounded okay at first, but, now, I wish I had said no.”

  “Raveena wouldn’t like that. She has her heart set on going.” Illera laughed. “You know how much success you have in forbidding Raveena to do anything.”

  Raven gave her a wry smile and took her arm.

  “We’d best be going, or the ship will be docked. Ian and Eagle will think we’ve forgotten them.”

  Illera nodded and followed him to the middle of the encampment. The boys were already mounted on the tall black horses, excite
ment shining from their eyes. Alora also waited on horseback, her pale head the color of her palomino’s mane and tail. Her long blue cloak blew back from her shoulders in the strong breeze of the hilltop. Porters started out, carrying the luggage to the docks. Raveena’s gray palfrey danced impatiently, as Raven and Illera mounted.

  “Where is that girl?” Illera shifted in her saddle, anxious to be off.

  Raveena emerged from the tent she had shared with Alora, wrapping the thick blue cloak more tightly. Of all their children, Raveena was the only one with Raven’s midnight blue eyes. The rest carried the violet elf eyes of their mother, but Raveena resembled her father, tall, slim, dark, a strong face with prominent bones and those piercing blue eyes that dominated her face. The instant she entered a room, she automatically becomes the focus of everyone’s attention. As now, all eyes watched as she glided to her horse and into the saddle. She was away without a word, the rest of the party trailing behind her.

  The ship was just completing its last tack to the dock as the entourage arrived. Raven lifted Illera down from her horse and escorted his wife and oldest daughter to the pier. Alora and her little brothers trailed behind. Respectful crowds babbled and murmured at their backs, wanting in their small way to watch this homecoming and home leaving.

  Eagle hung from the prow as the ship slipped up beside the bollards, throwing lines to the waiting dockmen. Tearing her eyes from her second born, Illera spied Ian, standing with regal dignity beside the rail, his eyes boring into her own. She felt hungry for the sight of him; a year like eternity when a loved one is gone. She feasted on her boys, eyes darting rapidly back and forth between them. How she wanted to scold Eagle for hanging from the front of the ship that way, exposing himself to danger. But the wind was ruffling his curling light brown hair and bringing bright spots of color to his cheeks. He was grinning, the same convivial smile that charmed her on his father’s face.

  Ian, of course, looked solemn, wrapped as ever in his massive dignity. It seemed odd to see a face so much like Raven’s in such a serious mien. Illera smiled and waved to him. He replied with a gracious nod of the head.

  The ship snugged to the dock and Eagle bounded down the gangplank. Seizing his mother, hugged her until she was almost suffocated. Then he moved to his father and repeated the exercise. Illera moved to greet the waiting Ian. He bowed to her, reddening slightly when she hugged him in front of the watching townfolks.

  “How are you? I’ve missed you so much. I’m so glad you’re home.”

  “Thank you, mother. It was an experience I shall treasure forever. Grandmother is an amazing person.”

  He turned to indicate Rejoicing, just descending the gangplank. Illera held out her hands and Rejoicing clasped her in a tight embrace.

  Porters loaded the girl’s luggage, and the dock was crowded with bodies. Rejoicing pulled Illera and Ian to a less busy section.

  “So, are my granddaughters all ready to go?” she asked with a wide smile. “The boys were an enormous pleasure, but now, I am ready for girls.”

  Illera smiled as Raven hurried over, throwing his arms around his mother and lifting her off her feet. Rejoicing laughed until he set her down.

  “How have you been Mother?”

  “Busy, busy, busy. And we are in a rush right now. The captain wants to catch the tide to return to Sorwelk, so he wants to leave right now. Are the girls ready?”

  Illera noted Raven’s stricken face.

  “I think their baggage is being loaded now,” Illera answered for him.

  Raven frowned and turned away. “But Sparrow isn’t here. You can’t go without her.”

  Ian pointed, and there, coming through the crowds was Sparrow, a thin, fragile girl with light brown hair and pale, almost colorless eyes. Her face was pale, the wide-set eyes terrified and the delicately pointed chin quivering. Lark helped her down from her stolid mount and wrapped the thick red cloak more firmly around her shoulders. Porters streamed from behind them, carrying crates and chests to the waiting ship. Lark steered Sparrow over to the four of them.

  “Lark,” cried Raven thoroughly thumping him on the back.

  “Raven,” Lark exclaimed returning the thumping.

  Lark placed a brief kiss on Illera’s and Rejoicing’s foreheads. He bowed his head to Ian.

  “I don’t know if this is a very good idea, Rejoicing. Sparrow has changed her mind about wanting to see Sorwelk.”

  “Nonsense Lark,” the priestess dark replied, “It will make for an excellent education for her. She is your heir after all, and she will need a knowledge of other lands.”

  Lark’s face furrowed into a mighty frown. “You don’t understand, Sparrow, she isn’t like your other girls.”

  Ian laughed, a tightly controlled explosion of breath. “Uncle Lark, don’t worry. They take excellent care of you in Sorwelk. It’s absolutely fascinating.”

  Rejoicing edged away. “Do get the girls now. It’s time we were boarded.”

  “But we never got to visit.” Raven strode after her.

  Rejoicing took his hands. “Next time. I promise. For now, Ian and Eagle can tell you all about my doings during the last year.”

  Eagle teased his younger brothers, straightening up as they approached. He became quiet and turned to his sisters, giving each one a warm hug and stepping away. Illera reached Alora first. She felt the tears forming in her eyes but forced them away. This was a happy occasion; her girls were going out to learn of the world. Alora smiled at her and Illera kissed her goodbye. Alora moved to her oldest brother and father, and Illera stood looking up at Raveena. The girl stooped down, hugging Illera with unexpected strength.

  “Do be good Raveena. Remember your father and I are counting on the both of you to be true representatives of Madean.”

  Raveena grinned and moved to her father. As Illera turned to watch, she could see how hard it was for him to let her go. Rejoicing tugged at one hand and pulled her from her father’s embrace. They ascended the gangplank and turned. Sparrow crept up behind them.

  The plank was pulled up, and the sails zipped to the top of the mast, catching the breeze. The ship wallowed a few minutes then turned, becoming graceful as the sails filled with wind. Illera waved and waved to the three figures standing at the rail. Raveena, Alora, and Sparrow waved back until the ship was too far away to make out individual people. Illera turned to Raven, understanding his stricken face and taking him by the hand. She willed comfort down that bond of flesh.

  “Let’s go to the encampment. Ian and Eagle can tell us all about Sorwelk.”

  They turned from their daughters and started home.

  Message to the reader

  To all my readers: I hoped you found pleasure in the adventures of Illera and her band of companions. I can and do write for myself, but it feels so much nicer to know that you are reading along with me. Thank you for your time, and I hope you will continue to read with me. Daughter of Darkliete is in the process of being written, so if you have enjoyed this adventure, I most sincerely hope you will join us in the next one. The world is out of balance without you dear readers to read my words, and I appreciate every single one of you.

  About the Author

  Gail Gernat lives in Northern Ontario, in the country with her beloved husband, Norman, a crazy dog and two aging tom cats. While being involved in many projects, this award-winning author enjoys being very close to nature. Gail is also living with lymphoma and these factors inform much of her writing.

  LERA’S SORROW - (Darkliete Book 1)

  Lera and her cousin have completed their long childhood and their training as healers. Sent to their grandparents back in Madean, they must negotiate the strange new world, attain their werwinstans. Fate intervenes in the shape of handsome young Ian, very human and very poisonous to the elven. Trying out her independence for the first time in her life, what will Lera decide? Where will she discover her loyalty to lay, with love or with duty?

  SHIPWRECK

  Fiery-haired Bridgit
has a temper as hot as her hair, so when the colony transport gets into trouble in deep space she must work with the only other person awake; the man she most despises. Despite their best efforts, the ship crashes on an unknown planet. Bridgit is forced into impossible situations in order to survive and protect the remaining colonists.