Alliances
Page 1
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Lachesis Publishing
www.lachesispublishing.com
Copyright ©2007 by B.T. Robertson
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NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.
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CONTENTS
From Chronicles of the Planeswalkers, Part One: Alliances:
Acknowledgements
Chronicles of the Planeswalkers, Part One:
Chapter 1—Aeligon's Song
Chapter 2—Drothghight Rising
Chapter 3—A Game of Lies
Chapter 4—The Wizard City
Chapter 5—Intuition
Chapter 6—Secrets
Chapter 7—The Broken Isles
Chapter 8—Kelorn
Chapter 9—Drameda's Servant
Chapter 10—The Book of Fire
Chapter 11—Descent
Chapter 12—One
Chapter 13—Blender
Chapter 14—The Bleeding
Chapter 15—Snitch and the Crows
Chapter 16—The Lion's Mouth
Epilogue
About the Author
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Chronicles of the Planeswalkers, Part One:
Alliances
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B. T. Robertson
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From Chronicles of the Planeswalkers, Part One: Alliances:
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Aerinas snapped out of his stupor abruptly when Ithyllna shook him wildly and screamed at him to turn around.
They had moved too slowly. The screeching passed from a paranoid delusion into reality.
The Cray had found them!
It happened so fast they barely had a chance to draw their weapons. The insect-like Cray—using each of their six appendages to grasp the wet cavern walls—sped down the corridors with inhuman speed, some suspended from the ceiling, some to the sides, but each one spaced so as to keep from bunching up. They were intelligent. Hisses and screeches filled the tunnels; the yellow of their eyes penetrated the darkness.
"Aerinas! Form up! Do not let them get behind us!"
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Chronicles of the Planeswalkers, Part One: Alliances copyright (C) B.T.
Robertson. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner
whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief
quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
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Cover art by: Natascha Roeoesli
Map artwork by: Henning Ludvigsen
Edited by: Anne M. Stickel
and David Lee Summers
LIC in progress
A co-publication of LBF Books
& Hadrosaur Productions
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Any similarities to real places or people are purely coincidental.
www.lbfbooks.com
www.hadrosaur.com
FIRST PRINTING
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Acknowledgements
Extending thanks to all of the people who have helped me along the way to publication is very important to me. This list hasn't changed much, but it bears repeating nonetheless.
To my wife, Nicole, for supporting me from the sidelines no matter how good or bad the game gets.
To Gerald Myers, CEO of LBF Books, Inc., Jacqueline “Jake” Druga-Johnston, Senior Editor at LBF Books, Inc., and Teresa Tunaley, Chief of Operations at LBF Books, Inc. Nothing would be possible without your hard work, dedication, and support.
To Anne Stickel, primary editor for Part One: Alliances. As you did with Zero, so also have you done with this manuscript. Thank you for the hard work and effort to elevate Alliances beyond mediocrity.
To David Lee Summers, fellow author and close friend. It came as no surprise to me that you would oversee the final steps of the publication process for Alliances. The final polish you put on the Alliances manuscript was brilliant.
To Gary Tunaley, webmaster for my official website.
To artist Natascha Roeoesli, who invested lots of time to develop the fantastic cover piece for Alliances. You have raised the bar for the fantasy artwork of the Planeswalkers universe.
To artist Henning Ludvigsen, for bringing the world of Vaaluna to life through the redesign of the map.
To Rae Whitfield, Darlene Collins, and the entire Borders Books and Music staff.
To Linda and Jackie at Chapters Books and Music, for being the first to offer me a book signing way back when Zero was first released. Your support means the world to me.
And, finally, to my family, friends, fans, and authors I've met in person and online around the world. To have your acceptance as a writer of fantasy means more to me than words can describe.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chronicles of the Planeswalkers, Part One:
Alliances
B. T. Robertson
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 1—Aeligon's Song
Home.
Where has it gone?
I shiver to think of the day when the world's boundaries were sovereign, when the sun rose and fell in the never-ending twist of time, when life wove its web without a snag or forethought of the spiraling nature of it all. So much I've seen in my time here, so much death and destruction at the hands of those who would seek to destroy that which they can't understand. Yet, burgeoning life surrounds me, unhindered save for the rules binding it to the Planes. I sometimes wonder how it all ties together, death and life in a seamless struggle for control. Sheevos, our Goddess Queen Eternal, bright face of the moon in Her eyes. How does She keep everything from twisting and plummeting into oblivion? Why does She prevent our destruction? If it's the natural way of things, why won't She permit us lowly creatures our folly, and start again?
My thoughts turn to the Planes themselves. The frightful reality of them makes my soul cold. I have never seen any evidence proving their existence. I have never experienced what some call “The Silent Sway,” which the Elderon chronicled long ago in tomes since lost in time. A quiet influence is another way to interpret what they were describing. I, too, have felt it. It lies within my magic, and encompasses every living creature.
I only wish to learn of my fate on this journey. Fate, once again, has determined that I accompany a Krayn elf on his quest to find himself. Maybe by following him to his own destiny, I may finally learn of my own. I feel the pressure mounting inside his heart, much like my own, but I can't fight it, much as I try. The mirror fragment calls to me more often now and with more urgency. It whispers to me in my dreams and nearly burns the cloth covering off with each energy pulse. What does it want me to see? What will I see to help our cause? Will it hurt us? Will it only hurt me?
I meditate less often than I should. Ashinon would be ashamed of me, as would the others of the Order. However, when I pray, the psalms take me to a place about which I dare only dream.
Home.
How I shiver at the thought.
"Aeligon?” Aerinas’ voice broke the stillness of the musty air, echoing off the catacomb walls into nothingness.
Aeligon looked up slowly at the elf, and a smile softened his gloomy visage. He casually closed the book he had been writing in, set the quill down, and folded his arms across the tattered leather cover. “Well, what is it then?” he grumbled af
ter a brief moment of awkward silence.
Aerinas brushed off the wizard's annoyance and answered. “I was just curious as to what you are writing about down here in this dank hole."
"It is of little concern, I assure you, but it will please you to know that
writing, no matter when or where, soothes my weary mind. Interruption causes me to get cranky."
"And not the only thing, mind you,” Pux interjected. Aerinas chuckled, but Aeligon cast a familiar glare at his troublesome apprentice, which was all he could do since Pux's body had been stolen by the Djinn many years before. It would do little good to strike the jesting soul.
"It is beyond your experience,” Aeligon continued, “to understand what I'm writing about anyway.” A forced smile again formed in his unkempt black beard, which was speckled with gray stubble. He had no time to worry about keeping it trimmed. Aerinas twisted his face, disgusted, and walked away. The sound of his footsteps echoed off the broken floor of the passageway, the moisture and slime squishing beneath his soles. Aeligon watched him join Ithyllna at the rearmost rank.
"You know, you could start telling him bits and pieces of the truth,” Pux said matter-of-factly. “It may ease his troubled mind, and yours."
"He's not ready, Pux,” Aeligon sighed, a look of sadness appearing momentarily. “The Planes aren't so much a reality as a theory. Only when I am able to access the information in Lunathar will I begin to scratch the surface. Until then, and until I am permitted what I seek, we are still searching for answers to piece this all together."
Aeligon gazed after Aerinas for a moment, then opened the book and began writing again. Pux fell silent.
Sometimes I wonder if the elf can comprehend what he must learn. He's so young by this wizard's count, and his spirit is wilder than his father could have ever imagined. Clairvoyance was never my strong suit, and I wish that Sheevos would have gifted me the talent for the journey at hand. I've since quit praying for it. There are things not meant for my eyes, and it would be presumptuous of me to think otherwise. Aerinas will have to find out for himself what he must see, whether he welcomes it or not . . .
The Healer stopped mid-sentence. The ink pooled at the end of his quill, making a dark blot on the parchment. He watched quietly, pondering the interaction between Aerinas and Ithyllna.
...The girl. Ah yes, the girl. Ithyllna was the unforeseen addition to this small party of elves, and she may alter the outcome of Aerinas’ decisions from here on out. Even now, her obvious love for him is tearing down the walls he so securely put up around his heart. But, how long will it take for her to get through to him? Even with all of her strength, can she break the barrier?
"Master?” Pux interrupted, with an uncharacteristically serious tone.
"Yes?” Aeligon continued to write and never looked up from the book. The candle sitting next to him flickered in the stale breeze flowing through the tunnel.
"How much longer do we have to wait? I mean, we've been resting for over three hours now, but no one seems to be able to sleep. Why aren't we moving along? Those things may be heading down these tunnels after us."
"Oh, fear not, my worrisome apprentice. We're quite safe for now. Besides, someone is catching a much needed rest.” Without even looking up, he pointed his finger toward the snoring form of Farrin, who was curled up in a tight ball against the wall. Then, he moved his finger to Hrathis. “I'm surprised you were able to drown out Farrin's snoring. It's a miracle he doesn't suck the air right out of our lungs in this place and suffocate us."
Pux chuckled. “That's probably why none of the others can sleep except for the king. His mind was drained beyond imagining; he could sleep in the midst of a thunderstorm."
"Just try to relax your mind, Pux. Even though you aren't burdened with walking, your mental strength will still be needed once we emerge from these tunnels."
"Yes, sir,” Pux answered solemnly.
As Pux's face disappeared into the substance of the staff, Aeligon looked over, smiled, and scribbled furiously in his book.
Obedience? Without argument? What's the occasion? Note: Pux actually heeded my advice for once. Perhaps it's the approaching winter outside. The cold always seems to change the behavior of things in profound ways.
Now, where was I? Ah, yes, the Elderon. For eons, the Elderon have been the acknowledged guardians of the Planes, governing each and every living thing within and without. What little I could find of this force bordered on nothing at all, and Ashinon barred me from searching the libraries of Lunathar during my time there. However, I did stumble upon references to a race of ancient beings named Enath-Hudain. What is the relation between the Elderon and the Enath-Hudain, if any? Aerinas claimed to have been visited by some sort of mystical force in the Forest of Spirits near Lake Fenduin. Was his encounter with the Enath-Hudain? I suspect as much, but if so, for what purpose? Aerinas is flesh and blood, an elf, and a rebellious one at that. Something is stirring in Vaaluna, and forces are at work of which I have no experience or prior knowledge . . . the fragment . . .
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Aeligon stopped writing, realizing that everyone had fallen asleep. The spell had worked.
Finally, he thought to himself.
Quietly, Aeligon rose. Farrin stirred, but a quick flick of the wizard's finger put the giant back to rest. Pux was left behind, still asleep.
Aeligon made his way down the nearest passage, leaving the candle burning so he could find his way back to where the party slept. Under his arm he carried the mirror fragment, still wrapped tightly in its cloth. The enormity of what he was attempting to do went beyond temporary insanity. As a wizard—a Healing Wizard—Aeligon felt bound by the oaths taken upon his admittance into the Order of Light. His action was in stark contrast to his prior methods of dealing with a situation like this. He had deceived the others by putting a sleep spell on them so he could sneak off alone into the darkness.
What am I doing? he thought, fumbling around and feeling along the walls. The air grew damper and smelled fouler the further he went. This passage must open somewhere.
And it did. He walked for what seemed like miles, but finally emerged into a larger room. There was no light, so he called upon his magic. A flame formed in the palm of his hand much like it had back in Mynandrias. The room's secrets were revealed when the light chased away the darkness back down the exit passage to the far side. A small cave stream snaked its way along the middle of the floor and disappeared into a large crack in the wall. The water made an orange line where it flowed. Iron ore, Aeligon knew. The rest of the room left little to desire with its bare walls dripping moisture and slime.
With the flame held out, Aeligon used his other hand to unwrap the shard. He did it slowly, carefully, until finally it rested on the cold floor surrounded by its cloth bed.
"I should destroy you right now,” he said as his reflection stared back at him. The flame caused fractured light to dance around the room, illuminating the clinging drops of water.
Suddenly, the flame in his hand went out. Laughter filled the room and echoed down the empty passageways, lost for eternity.
Aeligon stumbled back to the wall, struggling to reignite the flame in his palm. He failed; the magic wouldn't work. Then, a familiar voice whispered, “But you know you can't, Healer. You never could, and you never will. You need to see me; you need to unlock my secrets. If this is your wish, tell me why I should grant it. What do you hope to accomplish with this foolish game of yours? Do you really believe your precious Aerinas will ever grow up to be the...one you hope he will become?"
Aeligon braced his hands against the wall, still blind in the suffocating darkness. “Why don't you just show yourself, Coward?"
"Do not impugn me, or label me a coward,” the voice roared. “Your insolence will get you no reward in the Afterlife, I assure you. Your obsession with me sickens me. Here I am! Look upon my face, if you dare."
The edges of the mirror started to glow. The jagged outline pulsated light throug
hout the room, casting it all in green light. Aeligon's eyes grew wide as the surface of the mirror shimmered and called to him. “Go on, Wizard, see your destiny."
Aeligon let go of the wall and took a cautious step forward. No, don't do this. This is what it wants. Be strong. He stopped abruptly and winced as he grabbed for his eyes. The voice called to him again, stronger.
"You cannot escape me, Healer. My Voice will destroy you if you do not heed it. Now come closer and partake of your destiny."
Aeligon removed his hands from his face and took another step closer. One step after another, he moved toward the glowing fragment. His heart pounded so hard in his chest that he could hear it in his ears, and the tips of his fingers ached. Fight it, fight it! Aeligon! Fight it!
But he could not. He stood before the shard and screamed in the dark.
"Aeligon!” Aerinas shouted as he awoke with a start. The fading echo of the scream dissipated as quickly as it had come. The others stirred and woke, groggy.
"What is the meaning of this outburst, Aerinas?” Tristandor asked, wiping his eyes.
"Where's Aeligon?” Aerinas threw his blanket off and grabbed his sword. “Pux?"
"Huh, what, who?” Pux's face appeared in the staff, agitated and sleepy. “Aeligon's right...here.” His voice trailed off into silence as he stared at the spot where Aeligon had last been sitting. Only the wizard's leather-clad book was there; the quill rested next to it in the ink jar.
"We must go find him,” Aerinas said. “Something's happened.” He strapped his scabbard to his back and drew a torch from his pack. “I'm going after him.” He set the torch ablaze with fire from one of the other burning candles.
Tristandor grabbed his son by the arm. “You don't know which passage he went down. How do you expect to find him without getting lost yourself?"
"When I find him, he will lead us both back here. Just keep the fires burning, and we will return."
Aerinas gave Ithyllna a hard look. She just smiled and winked, giving his confidence the critical boost it needed. He turned toward the two passageways to determine which one Aeligon may have taken. After studying them both, he chose the left.