The Chronicles of Lumineia: Book 03 - Seven Days
Page 29
Glancing at Liri, he smiled. “It’s good to see the forest growing as well.”
Her grin widened as she turned to survey the area around her. Burned to delay the fiend army, the forest of Numenessee had been no more than blackened stumps when they had arrived from their return journey. Now, after several months of painstaking effort from the surviving plant magi, green shoots lifted skyward. The forest of hope would soon reach shoulder height.
Looking out over the field of green, he found it described the people of Lumineia. Healing slowly from their numerous scars, the various races had one by one departed, returning to their homelands. The black elves were the first to go, and had left on good terms with their surface cousins. It was rumored a trade route was to be established to maintain the link, a route suggested by Braon.
The Azüre people had departed soon after. Led by Adaeze, they had returned to their island homes as one people, no longer to be divided in clans as they had once been. Although they had suffered many losses, they were hopeful that their homeland had remained untouched. Before they had departed, they too had promised strong ties with the other races.
The rock trolls, numbering a less than forty, waited long enough for the memorial to be finished. Marking the gathering and its united victory, Braon had worked hard to have one built. On the rocky knoll where King Tryton had given his life to slay War, a black obelisk had been constructed several feet behind the still embedded sword. Fused to the stone, the blade would forever remain, and be an enduring symbol of the people’s valiant effort. A plaque had been placed on the smooth obsidian memorial, inscribed with the words:
For seven days, the gathered races fought the endless night.
United, we prevailed.
Near the top of the dark stone, a small section had been removed. Once a year, on the day they had been victorious, the sun would shine through the hole, beaming down on the buried greatsword.
Even Val’Trisian of the black elves had returned for the ceremony, and along with many others, they had mourned those that had paid the price for their survival. Before nightfall, Solus and the rock trolls had left.
The gnomes and orcs would probably have stayed longer, if the elves had kept feeding them, but Talfer had managed to get them to leave. Taryn chuckled, recalling a rumor about the shortage of food, a tale he suspected had been started by the retired commander.
For their part, the humans had been leaving in groups for some time, but the bulk waited until Prince Graden, who was soon to be crowned King Graden, joined them. Riding south, he had worked hard to ensure that the relations between the various peoples remained in good standing. With less than a quarter of their population alive, the survivors of the eastern kingdom had almost seamlessly joined the people of Prince Graden. For now, there would be only one human kingdom of Talinor. Griffin was no more.
Last, General Onix had left. Although he would likely become king soon, they would wait until they could do a conclave of the clans. Despite his departure, more than half of the dwarves remained behind, helping to rebuild the city. A smattering of the other races stayed as well. Some stayed to help, but most stayed to heal. Their homes had been destroyed, their families torn apart, and so they stayed, seeking some measure of peace.
Liri poked him, yanking him from his thoughts.
“What?” he asked.
“I asked you about Captain Arrow?” Her eyes danced at his inattention. “Did he leave already?”
He nodded and swept his hand south. “He took the last of his men and left with Gaze and Graden. There was talk that Graden would promote him to general, but the men still call him captain.”
Liri sighed. “It’s good for him to be moving on. The loss of both Lieutenant Fisk and Trin hit him pretty hard.”
“I know the feeling,” Taryn said, as the image of Trin’s and Mae’s still forms flashed before his eyes. Both of them were buried on a hill outside of Xshaltheria.
“What about Braon?” Liri asked. “Doesn’t he leave soon?”
Before Taryn could respond, a light elven voice answered from behind them. “He leaves tomorrow.”
Taryn turned to see an elf striding towards them. Although he’d recognized her voice, the blue lightning on her right arm was unmistakable. A man dressed in a dark riding cloak walked beside her.
Liri stepped forward and embraced her. “Good morning, Siarra,” she said brightly, “I thought we were meeting for lunch.”
Siarra smiled and said, “I saw the two of you slip out, and we wanted to join you.”
Jack snorted, “And she wanted to get me out of the city.”
“Just because you wanted to see the queen’s crown . . .”
They all laughed at that, and when the levity passed Taryn asked, “Where is Braon going?”
“He is going with Thacker’s family south. I believe they are traveling with a woman from the southern kingdom. What was her name?” She glanced towards Jack.
“Greatstride, I think. She had a baby and her sister with her, didn't she?”
“Right,” Siarra’s grin widened. “But I think it has something to do with Thacker’s daughter. I have spotted the two going on walks alone on more than one occasion.”
“Good for him,” Taryn said, giving Liri a look. “Everyone needs someone right now.”
The mood became somber, and after a moment Liri said, “I still can’t believe its over.”
“I can’t believe we survived,” Siarra exclaimed, her gaze flashing to meet Jack’s.
Taryn chuckled at the two of them. On the journey home, they had been inseparable. Despite the occasional heated arguments, they always resolved it quickly. Taryn thought the two were perfect for each other.
Turning back to Liri, he pulled her close and kissed her, enjoying her surprise as her lips molded to his. When they felt the ground rumble, he pulled away and glared at Siarra.
“Do you have to do that when we . . .” —then he caught her stunned expression. “That wasn’t you?”
She shook her head and pointed past them. Spinning on his heels, Taryn spotted the moving section of ground. Before he could reach for his swords, something red burst from the ground in an explosion of sparks and flames. Soaring upward, the object spread its wings and banked to the side.
“Reiquen?” Siarra breathed.
Although much smaller than before, the phoenix turned and glided past them, his voice echoing through their minds, And Newhawk.
Taryn started to laugh as the mystery finally revealed itself. They had joined, and in their joining had died as only a phoenix could, to await a rebirth. Like the new life that was just beginning to spread across their world once more, the phoenix glided through the sunlight.
Both had risen from the ashes.
To live in the light.
Author Bio
Originally from Utah, Ben has grown up with a passion for learning almost everything. Driven particularly to reading caused him to be caught reading by flashlight under the covers at an early age. While still young, he practiced various sports, became an Eagle Scout, and taught himself to play the piano. This thirst for knowledge gained him excellent grades and helped him graduate college with honors, as well as become fluent in three languages after doing volunteer work in Brazil. After school, he started and ran several successful businesses that gave him time to work on his numerous writing projects. His greatest support and inspiration comes from his wonderful wife and three beautiful children. Currently he resides in Florida while working on his latest writing and business endeavors.
To contact the author, discover more about Lumineia, or find out about upcoming novels, check out his blog at Lumineia.Blogspot.com. You can also follow the author on twitter @ BenHale8 or Facebook.
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Prologue: The Unseen List
Day 1
Chapter 1: Defiant
Chapter 2: Plague
Chapter 3: Silver Mine
&
nbsp; Chapter 4: The East Tunnel
Day 2
Chapter 5: Behind the Lines
Chapter 6: A Mother's Love
Chapter 7: Pride
Chapter 8: Master and Servant
Chapter 9: Imprisoned
Day 3
Chapter 10: The Sweeper
Chapter 11: The Deep
Chapter 12: Healing and Remembering
Chapter 13: Unbound
Chapter 14: Deep Dragon
Day 4
Chapter 15: Breach
Chapter 16: Reinforcements
Chapter 17: Family
Chapter 18: Allies
Day 5
Chapter 19: Choice and Consequence
Chapter 20: The Gates of Azertorn
Chapter 21: Council of Fire
Chapter 22: Plan of Sacrifice
Day 6
Chapter 23: Healing
Chapter 24: Retreat
Chapter 25: Heaven's Might
Chapter 26: Parting of the Ways
Chapter 27: Secrets
Day 7
Chapter 28: The Essence of Fire
Chapter 29: Diversion
Chapter 30: Hope's End
Chapter 31: Xshaltheria
Chapter 32: The Power of Peace
Chapter 33: An Oracle's Stand
Chapter 34: Mirror's Edge
Chapter 35: A Light in the Dark
Epilogue: From the Ashes
Author Bio