by NAK Baldron
Contents
Title
Copyright
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Author Notes
Acknowledgements
Author Bio
Apprentices' Library
Chronicles of the Seventh Realm
Ren's Tale Book 4
By NAK Baldron
Apprentices' Library by NAK Baldron
Published by Aconite Cafe
P.O. Box 63
Marble Falls, TX 78654
www.AconiteCafe.com
www.NAKBaldron.com
© 2019 NAK Baldron
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions contact:
[email protected]
Cover by Aconite Cafe.
PROLOGUE
A WALL OF WHITE LIGHT blocked Goban's way.
Enter and Remember, Nicholi transmitted directly into Goban's mind.
Remember what?
Goban wasn't sure what he was expected to do, but already, he worried he might have made a mistake. His father had warned him about the Amethyst Nation wanting to control all of Fencura. Goban was expected to hide the secrets of the Ruby Nation. Was that what he was to remember? His nation's secrets?
Enter, Nicholi transmitted.
How? Goban transmitted.
Walk forward.
Respecting his father's wishes wasn't going to be as easy as he had thought. His magic was the strongest ever seen in his family. Goban could trace his lineage back over fifty generations—back to Brogan Ironfist. His father, and his father before him, and so on, going back over 1,300 years had been master smiths. Their steel was coveted by all of Fencura. No one else in the Ruby Nation could fold steel the way his father could. Because just as the Ruby Nation had its own magical secrets, Goban's family had their own—his inheritance.
Goban closed his eyes and walked into the wall. Where there should have been a solid form, was only light, and warmth. He crossed the veil and a cold chill ran over his body. The room he'd stepped into was devoid of any door or windows. A perfect cube, with all six faces made of solid black marble. Four Amethyst lamps hung in the center over a white marble table, just large enough to seat two. On one side sat an old man in black robes, his gray hair was pulled back and tucked into his robe's hood, and on the other side sat a matching marble chair, waiting for Goban.
Please sit, and remember, Nicholi Transmitted.
It was the chronicler sitting before him. The one who'd directed their actions since their arrival to the Amethyst Nation.
Goban didn't move.
The whole scene made him uncomfortable. Every aspect of his survival instinct yelled run, but instead he found himself frozen solid with hesitation. Nicholi waved his hand and in one smooth motion the free white marble chair slid back from the table offering Goban a place to sit.
Sit!
Goban's body moved of its own accord without conscious input from himself. For the briefest of moments, he tried to resist, but a hot sting—like touching the edge of the kiln—erupted inside him, and he ceased his resistance instantly.
What now?
Remember.
Remember what?
Everything...
And so, it came to pass that Goban found himself sitting on a cold marble chair betraying his father, and the whole of the Ruby Nation. He fought the inquiries, and resisted the details, but it was beyond his strength, and soon he was recalling everything Nicholi requested.
How did you come to be master smiths?
The one question he feared the most.
A little over 1,300 years ago, the Ruby Nation was a small nation of mountain dwellers. The royal family kept them safe by banning outsiders, and ordering cities built into the heart of the mountains. They dug deeper and deeper, soon there were generations born inside the mountain core who'd never see the source-light.
Brogan Ironfist was one. As a young boy he'd sneak away from his studies at his father's kiln to go spelunking with his friends. It's said that Fencura's core called to him—forced him to fulfill his destiny.
From a boy to a young man Brogan grew broad and stout by working the kilns. He took pride in his craft each day but by night he'd slip away to seduce the young noble women. Which is how he managed to find himself in bed with the queen.
The next morning—upon being discovered by the queen's maid—the queen pleaded for Brogan's life. His family was well respected, and they had many allies, so it was decreed that Brogan Ironfist was banished, rather than outright execution. Everyone expected him to leave south, climb out of the mountain, and join the rest of Fencura who lived above ground. Instead Brogan left north, to the caves he'd explored as a child.
It's said that for three days Brogan climbed deeper and deeper into the core of Fencura.
On the morning of the fourth day, Brogan stepped through the mouth of a tunnel to find the most wondrous vision. A cavern—even larger than the one which held the city—it contained wild birds and trees, things he'd never seen. In the center hung a glowing red orb which bathed the whole of the cavern in warm light. Under the red orb sat a large lake where all the animals gathered to drink.
But the greatest sight of all, was dragons!
Hundreds of them.
The cavern was so large they could fly to the top, dive into the water, while Brogan had time to scale the rock face of a larger bolder for a better view before the dragon pulled out of its dive. Sprinkled throughout the forest canopy were large stone spikes—like micro-mountains—where the dragons laid their nests, just as birds do on cliff faces.
Brogan Ironfist knew he'd found his destiny. For two weeks he hunted small game: rabbits, squirrels, etc. . . and ate wild berries to stay fit. The lake was so vast, it was never more than half a day's walk from him. It took two weeks to reach the opposite side of the lake from where he entered, though most of that time was spent scouting.
Eventually he found a way to sneak into a nest while the mother was away. Either she had died, or was off feeding in preparation—because inside were three massive eggs—twice the size of Brogan head. Acting quickly, he slipped two eggs into his pack—he would have taken the third, but feared it would have broken in his pack, as he only had enough clothes to wrap two—and climbed down the stone spire as fast as his feet would carry him.
For four days he carefully made his way back to the tunnel entrance he'd entered, avoiding the loud screeches from an enraged mother dragon. Brogan never saw her, but every time he slept, he'd wake to her screams. On the fifth day he was forced to take a long way around, for the forest directly between him and the tunnel was on fire.
Using the smoke as aerial cover—which lingered behind as the last embers died down—Brogan slipped through the mouth of the tunnel and proceeded to climb back. The trip that had taken him three days of twists and turns, and dead ends—took him less than a day when returning home, thanks to his excellent memory.
Yet, Brogan was banished. Exiled from his
home and people. Just beyond the borders of the cities gates he set up camp. Using the lava stone and bit a magic, Brogan Ironfist started a large fire and waited, and placed the dragon eggs near to keep them warm.
The next morning a sharp nip woke him. Two dragons sat before him, screeching for food. Brogan fed them what food he had left, and when they finished each belched a long stream of flames.
Brogan attempted to contact Flann, they'd been closer than brothers since birth. Flann and he had explored the tunnels together more times than either could remember. Brogan knew if he could get word to Flann he'd help.
It's said that Brogan Ironfist camped outside the city walls for a month and a day before the senate agreed to meet with him and see what he had to show them. The king forbid the men from going, but it was agreed the king had no authority outside the city walls.
Twenty men, representing nearly all the wealth of the city came to Brogan's tent. They'd taken so long to agree to a meeting, that Brogan's tiny camp had developed into a small home outside the walls of the city. A clear sign he intended to say, regardless of their decisions.
The king is said to have watched from atop the walls all day, until well into the night when the senate emerged from the tent followed close behind by Brogan.
The next day, three things changed forever. First, the king was deposed by the senate—turned out he was a cruel man and beat the queen in the privacy of their rooms. Second, the senate became the ruling body, and each year a new king and queen would be elected by them to serve a one-year term. Third, smelting and metal working would never be the same, now that they had dragons.
Brogan kept the male, a red dragon which he named Torin—for the way he carried himself like a king. The blue dragon Brogan Ironfist gifted to Flann Truesteel for his loyalty, which Flann named Meallan—for the white flames she erupted.
Well done, Nicholi transmitted. Every sorcerer from the Ruby Nation has recalled that tale as part of their initiation. You can rest easy knowing your secret is safe here.
Goban collapsed into his hands to hide the tears which poured from his eyes.
CHAPTER ONE
"WHAT DO YOU SUSPECT THEY will have us do next?" Ren asked.
"We'll have to wait and find out," Shaya said.
The four of them lingered in a spacious room, with a central fireplace—filling the chamber with the scent of an oak forest. It reminded Ren of home, with the cozy fire and plush leather chairs. The far stone wall curved in on itself ever so slightly, and in the center of the wall sat a massive window, wider than Ren was tall, higher than he could jump. Through which was a glorious view of clouds as they got the last remnants of the source-light.
The twins sequestered themselves to a corner of the room by the window, where they continued to whisper to each other. No doubt wondering if their secrets were safe after the chronicler was finished with them. Ren had nothing to fear, for his secrets weren't overly shameful. The worse the chronicler forced Ren to recall, was the debt he owed the Belfry's, but that wouldn't be due for many years.
A stone wall adjacent to the window slid aside, and the young boy from the Ruby Nation joined them: eyes red and puffy from crying. The next moment another hole appeared on the opposite side from the window, and a tall woman with fair skin glided into the room.
Where are the doors?
"I'm Master Nadia, and while you're here, you'll do as I say."
Her voice was scratchy, and each word sounded as if she were trying to cough up a bit of food stuck in the back of her throat.
"You've all passed the initial exam and are now fully recognized apprentices. Welcome to the Amethyst Nation. No doubt you have many questions, but I'll ask that you keep them to yourselves until tomorrow. For now, I'll show you to your rooms."
The section of wall she'd walked through slid aside again—stone disappearing into itself.
Ren followed the group into a narrow stone hallway which gradually curved and every twenty feet or so they'd come to another set of stairs. They were slowly climbing down what had to be the stone tower he'd seen upon their arrival.
Occasionally he'd hear a voice of another sorcerer, but for all practical purposes they were alone as Nadia led them down what was beginning to feel like a never-ending staircase.
When they reached the bottom floor, the walls stopped curving and turned into traditional squared off sections. The top of the tower was fifty floors up. Ren suspected it took them over a quarter hour to walk from the top to where they stood now.
"This way. Keep up."
Nadia kept her brisk pace and expected them to follow close at heel. Two massive wooden doors on the bottom floor opened, unassisted, to a large courtyard broken up by small stone walls into small sections. As Ren entered the courtyard, he was able to note that each section was about the size of the university's back home.
Stone buildings of all sizes surrounded the courtyard, the sprawling grounds were more impressive than those of the Sapphire Nation's emperor. Some only three floors tall, and others were towers, stretching twenty floor high into the clouds. But none stood as tall as the tower they'd just left.
Following Nadia's lead, they made their way across the courtyard of well-trimmed grass, making sure to stay on the white stone path. One of many which crisscrossed through the grass. In the center of the grass field stood a circular water fountain, wide enough that Ren could swim across, and tall enough that the water arch created a faint mist in the air overhead as the group wound its way around it.
On the opposite side of the courtyard from where they'd started, stretched a short but wide building.
"This is the Apprentices' Wing," Nadia gestured to the building before them as she glided toward a set of doors. "You'll call this home, until such time as a master chooses to take you on as their personal pupil."
This was news to Ren. He knew nothing of the actual educational process of becoming a sorcerer. Brandon hadn't known much, other than the process was strenuous and made the university back home look simple by comparison. Rumors persisted that the Amethyst Nation had access to every bit of information one could ever want. Essentially the greatest university that ever was, or ever would be. And the only place in Fencura where you could learn real magic. The kind which could shape the fabric of reality, not just the ability to use magical artifacts like Captain Kaito had shown him.
"This is a private section of the city for the five of you during your apprenticeship."
The double doors swung out on their own accord—as if welcoming its new apprentices into a warm hug—and Nadia led the way inside the oversized building, for just the five of them.
Nadia pointed straight ahead through another set of double doors, "In there, is your dining hall. Three times a day you'll be able to order off the menus provided."
They made their way to the right where a large staircase—wide enough that all six of them could share a stair—filled the area. The second floor looked much the same as the first with a set of double doors halfway down a long hallway.
"That's the library. You'll spend your days there unless I or another sorcerer escort you out."
The third floor offered a wide hallway with doors on either side spaced ten feet apart.
"These are the apprentice dorms," Nadia said. "Women on the right. Men on the left. You will find each room has two sets of bunk beds. You are free to share, or you can claim a private room. The class before you have all moved on; the whole floor, for only the five of you."
She was half way down the first set of stairs before Ren realized she was leaving, "Wait. What are we supposed to do? What about classes and learning?"
"Settle in. You can attend the dining hall for a meal," Nadia began to descend again. "The menus are on the tables."
"What about my wardrobe?" Abaze demanded.
Nadia was out of sight but she called back, "Your personal effects will be here in the morning. Relax."
They were alone.
The halls, like everywhere in the Ame
thyst Nation, were lit by amethyst lanterns. Ren hadn't seen a single torch. It gave the whole floating city a twilight glow.
"Scrawny peasant," Abaze said.
Ren turned to find Abaze holding Goban back with his arm while he examined something he'd taken from the boy.
"Give it back!" Goban's voice cracked at the end. "I'm no peasant. My father is a noble blacksmith, and if you don't—"
"If I don't what?"
Abaze pulled the boy by the shirt and brought back his fist which clinched the metal pendant he'd taken, threatening to punch the boy. Adaku stood by silently pleading with her brother to let it go and drop the boy. Shaya looked inside the room behind the first door, ignoring the struggle between the boys.
"Let the boy go," Ren said.
Abaze turned his head back, "Or what?"
Ren stepped closer, "Or I'll make you regret it."
He didn't feel as brave as he acted. Abaze had already beaten him once, but he couldn't stand by and watch as he bullied Goban. Sometimes, people like Abaze needed to be taught a lesson. Shaya stuck her head out of the room, and Ren nodded toward Abaze. Shaya silently slid behind Abaze to back up Ren if he really chose to follow through with his crazy idea.
"Abaze. Please." Adaku pleaded.
He turned to face her and found Shaya standing within striking distance. "Fine. I'll leave the little peasant alone. Besides, I have new rooms to explore. No doubt they'll be of inferior quality to what I'm owed."
The last was said more to Adaku than the rest of them.
"I'm sorry," Adaku said. "He's not always like this. Most of the time he's a nice person. I think all the traveling has made him irritable."
She left them to follow her brother and find her own room.
Ren didn't care why Abaze was an asshole, only that he was bullying Goban. After surviving his own hell under the constant bullying of Johnathan, there was no way he'd stand by and watch someone else bullied.
"Thank you," Goban reached his arm out to Ren.
"You're welcome," Ren said. "I might not be there next time, but I don't think he'll be in any hurry to pick on you again. I'm Ren by the way, and that's Shaya."