Souls of Aredyrah 3 - The Taking of the Dawn

by Tracy A. Akers

  “If the clans moved in the direction Dayn told ‘em to, we should meet up with ‘em by nightfall.”

  “If the clans moved in the direction Dayn told ‘em to,” Brenainn added.

  “They’d have been fools not to. The first rumble of the mountain would’ve alerted ‘em. And that happened hours ago.”

  “Yer right,” Brenainn concurred. “They’ve been preparin’ for the possibility of it fer weeks. Wouldn’t make sense fer ‘em to ignore the signs.”

  Peadar walked toward them, then stopped and squatted next to Dayn. He grabbed Dayn’s hand. “How are ye feelin’, lad?” he asked. “Ye well enough to travel?”

  “Yes,” Dayn replied.

  “Gather the men,” Haskel said to Peadar. “I’ll get Dayn settled.”

  Suddenly there was a commotion behind them. The pounding of horse’s hooves could be heard in the distance, galloping full speed in their direction. The clansmen pulled out their weapons and planted their feet. They hadn’t gotten this far to be stopped by a Kiradyn vigilante.

  The rider appeared over the horizon of the road and slowed his pace but did not stop. Whoever it was was clearly not afraid of the well-armed clansmen standing in his path. As the stranger drew nearer, Dayn realized that this was no vigilante. “Jorge!” he cried with joy.

  Jorge dismounted and rushed toward him.

  “Thank god you’re all right!” the old man said. He ran his eyes over Dayn, then settled them on the charred boots. “Ye’ll be needin’ a new pair o’ boots I see.”

  “I never liked these anyway.”

  “Good thing.”

  “We were just leavin’,” Haskel said. “We need to make time while there’s still daylight.”

  “Reckon it’s time I rejoined my clansmen. Figured ye wouldn’t mind,” Jorge said. He tilted his head toward Sheireadan, who was waiting by Brenainn’s horse. “Seein’ as you’re takin’ in strays and all.”

  Peadar smiled. “We’d be happy to have ye.”

  * * * *

  They did not meet up with their kin by sunset as they had hoped. At first they were concerned that the Aeries and the clans that had stayed with them had not evacuated at all. But they held out hope and camped for the night, determined to continue in the agreed upon direction in the morning. At the rise of the sun they headed out, and before long they came upon a rarely used mountain road. It was rutted by horses’ hooves and wagon wheels—a sure sign that they were on the right track. They hastened on, and by late morning found the caravan within their sites.

  Shouts of joy resonated down the line as word spread of the approaching clansmen. Wagons stopped. Women rushed to embrace their returning husbands. Children tugged at their father’s pants legs, clambering to hear of their victory.

  Vania hustled toward Haskel who was riding toward her. Falyn was at her side, Dayn realized, and his heart nearly leapt from his chest.

  “Oh Dayn…Dayn,” Falyn cried upon reaching them. She grabbed his leg, then leaned her forehead against it and wept.

  Dayn reached down and stroked her hair. “I’m all right,” he said. “Just need to get these cursed boots off, that’s all.”

  Falyn looked at the boots and began to cry even harder.

  “Brought ye somethin’ that might cheer ye up a bit, girl,” Brenainn said, approaching.

  Falyn looked up to see Sheireadan walking at Brenainn’s side. She flew into his arms. “You’re all right,” she cried. Then she realized the somber expression on his face. “What happened to—”

  “See to Dayn first,” Sheireadan said quietly. “He’s the one that needs you right now.” He turned and walked away.

  Haskel helped Dayn from the horse and lifted him onto the bed of the wagon. “Where’s Eileis?” he asked Vania. “The boy needs tendin’.”

  “She’s at the front of the line. Morna’s gone to fetch her.” She looked toward the reunion of clansmen and their families, then stood on tiptoes, her eyes searching.

  “Not to worry,” Haskel said to her. “Everyone made it back. Even brought a couple o’ extras with us.”

  Vania sighed with relief. “He found ye then,” she said.

  “Who?” Haskel asked.

  “Reiv,” she replied.

  “Reiv?” Dayn and Alicine cried. Dayn struggled from the wagon bed and landed on his feet, but the pain forced him to sit back down. He gripped the side, trying to regain his breath.

  Vania’s face grew worried. “He didn’t find ye then?”

  Alicine rushed toward her. “He was here?” she asked anxiously. “Reiv was here?”

  “Well, not here,” Vania said. “Eyan found him in the forest this mornin’. Thought he was a demon.” She laughed nervously. “Anyway, to make a long story short, we brought him to the cabin and it was then that he learned about Dayn.”

  “And?” Alicine pressed.

  “Well, when he learned you and the others had gone to fetch him, he tore out to help.”

  Dayn gasped. “He—he went to Kiradyn?”

  “We have to find him!” Alicine said. She wheeled toward Haskel’s horse, but Haskel stopped her short. “Don’t be a fool, girl,” he said. “Kiradyn’s gone.”

  Dayn slid from the bed of the wagon and hobbled a few steps toward him, biting back the pain in his feet. “Just because the city’s gone doesn’t mean Reiv is!” he insisted.

  “Dayn,” Haskel said firmly. “Ye know as well as I do that if the boy made it there, he didn’t make it out. If the mob didn’t get him, the mountain did.”

  “No!” Dayn shouted. “I refuse to believe it! I’m going to find him, with or without your help.”

  “So am I!” Alicine said.

  Haskel nodded toward Brenainn who was standing nearby. Brenainn walked up to Dayn and with a great lift deposited him in the back of the wagon. “Yer uncle says ye’ll be stayin’, so that’s what ye’ll be doin’.”

  Alicine was tossed in next to her brother. They opened their mouths to argue, but Haskel and Brenainn stood their ground.

  “Now you listen to me, the both of ye,” Haskel said. He motioned to the mountain behind him. “Ye see that?”

  Dayn and Alicine turned their eyes reluctantly toward it.

  “That there’s the sister of the peak that’s havin’ the temper fit. And if one siblin’s riled, the one next to it’s probably riled, too.” He glanced between the two of them.

  “Now as ye well know, right as we hightailed it out of Kiradyn, the mountain sent a cloud movin’ straight for it. We escaped only because we had a moment’s head start. If Reiv arrived in the city, he arrived after we left. Otherwise we would’ve seen him. And if he didn’t arrive, then he was still on the road headin’ in that direction. Either way, there’s no way the boy escaped.”

  Alicine buried her face in her hands.

  “I’m sorry,” Haskel said. “But there’s nothin’ you or anyone else can do for him.”

  Morna hurried toward them. “Eileis will be here shortly,” she said. She stepped toward Dayn and gave him a grateful hug.

  Dayn turned his face away. “Let’s just go,” he said bitterly.

  Vania climbed into the driver’s seat of the wagon. "Come, Morna," she said softly, and Morna settled in beside her. Falyn, who had already slipped into the back, wrapped her arms around Dayn. Haskel mounted his horse and positioned himself behind the wagon, no doubt to prevent Dayn and Alicine from trying anything foolish. Sheireadan, however, was nowhere to be seen. And neither was Eyan.

  “Where’s Eyan?” Dayn asked, realizing he had not yet seen him.

  “Oh, he’s here…somewhere,” Vania said, looking around. “Don’t worry.” She flicked the reins.

  Dayn and Alicine swayed in their misery as the wagon lurched forward. Falyn leaned her head on Dayn’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for all that’s happened, Dayn,” she said sadly. “I’m to blame for most of it, especially Reiv.”

  “What do you mean, especially Reiv?” Alicine asked.

  Falyn lowered
her eyes. “Vania didn’t want him to go to Kiradyn. She wouldn’t tell him how to get there. So I did.”

  Alicine scrambled to her knees. For a moment it looked as though she were going to strike the girl. “You told him how to get there? How could you be so…so—stupid!”

  Falyn’s eyes flashed. “I did it because I love Dayn!”

  “And I love Reiv!” Alicine shot back.

  Alicine looked at Dayn guiltily. “I love you, too,” she said. “You know that.” She huddled next to him and wept into his shirt.

  Dayn reached for his sister’s hand and gave it a squeeze. He hated seeing her cry, but seeing her do so now made him want to weep with her. He turned his eyes to Kiradyn, grieving for Reiv and for the role he himself had played in leading him there. But then his heart filled with determination. He wrapped his arm around Alicine.

  “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll find him. No matter how long it takes, no matter how far I have to go. I promise you. I will find him.”

  Back to ToC

  The Saga Continues…

  Look for

  The Shifting of the Stars

  Book Four of the Souls of Aredyrah Series

  Coming Soon!

  Back to ToC

  Glossary

  Aeries (AIR-eez)—Clan located in the southeastern region of Kirador along the mountain range. Clan color is green. Chieftain is Peadar.

  Aredyrah (Air-uh-DEER-uh)—An ancient island world, divided by mysticism and a forbidden range of volcanic mountains.

  Agneis (AG-nee-us)—Goddess of Purity. Supreme deity of Tearian culture.

  Alicine (AL-uh-seen)—of the Aerie clan. Daughter of Gorman and Morna of the Aerie clan. Sister of Dayn.

  Basyls (BAZZ-uls)—Rugged clan located in the northeastern region of Kirador along the mountain range. Clan colors are red and brown. Chieftain is Brenainn.

  Ben—of the Aerie clan; Seela’s son; adopted son of Nort.

  Brenainn (BREN-un)—Chieftain of the Basyl clan.

  Brina (BREE-nuh)—Tearian. Sister of Queen Isola. Birth mother of Dayn. Maternal aunt of

  Ruairi (Reiv) and Whyn. Widowed wife of Mahon who was the Commander of the Tearian Guard.

  Cinnia (SIN-ee-uh)—Tearian. Deceased. Former queen and wife of Whyn.

  Cora (KOR-uh)—Shell Seeker; young woman who befriends Reiv.

  Crests (KRESTS)—Clan located in the northwestern coastal region of Kirador. Clan color is blue. Chieftain is Ionhar.

  Crymm (KRIM)—Tearian. Deceased. Former bodyguard to Ruairi.

  Daghadar (DAG-huh-dar)—Also called the Maker. The one true God of the people of Kirador.

  Dayn (DANE)—of the Aerie clan; also Tearian and Jecta. Adopted son of Gorman and Morna of the Aerie Clan of Kirador. Brother of Alicine. Only child of Brina and Mahon of Tearia. Cousin of Reiv and Whyn. Believed by some in Tearia to be “The Light” of the first Prophecy.

  Eben (EH-ben)—Jecta. Deceased. Childhood friend of Jensa and Torin. Former husband of Mya. Father of Farris, Nely, and Gem.

  Eileis (EYE-luss)—Kiradyn. The Spirit Keeper (healer and spiritual guide) of Kirador.

  Eyan (EE-yun)—of the Aerie clan. Son of Haskel and Vania.

  Falyn (FAL-un)—Kiradyn. Daughter of Lorcan. Sister of Sheireadan.

  Farris (FARE-iss)—Jecta. Son of Mya and Eben; brother of Nely and Gem.

  Gair (GARE)—Jecta. Blacksmith of Pobu.

  Gem (JIM)—Jecta. Daughter of Mya and Eben. Sister of Nely and Farris.

  Gitta (JIT-uh)—Reiv’s horse.

  Gorman (GOR-mun)—Of the Aerie clan. Deceased. Adopted father of Dayn. Father of Alicine. Husband of Morna.

  Haskel (HASS-kuhl)—of the Aerie clan. Brother of Mahon. Husband of Vania. Father of Eyan.

  Ionhar (EYE-o-nar)—Chieftain of the Crests clan.

  Isola (Iss-O-luh)—Tearian. Deceased. Wife of King Sedric. Mother of Ruairi and Whyn. Sister of Brina.

  Jecta (JEK-tuh)—The name given by the Tearians to anyone considered “impure.” The Jecta primarily live in the city of Pobu, but many work within the walls of Tearia as slaves or servants. Their impurities include (but are not limited to) dark coloring, scars or other bodily imperfections, tainted blood, family ties, and criminal activity.

  Jensa (JEN-suh)—Shell Seeker. Sister of Torin and Kerrik.

  Jorge (JORGE)—Kiradyn. Blacksmith in the city of Kiradyn.

  Keefe (KEEF)—Dayn’s Tearian birth name.

  Kerrik (KARE-ik)—Shell Seeker. Adopted younger brother of Jensa and Torin.

  Kirador (KEER-uh-dore)—Region northwest of the mountains on the island of Aredyrah. Home of four clan regions and the city of Kiradyn.

  Kiradyn (KEER-uh-din)—Primary city in the region of Kirador. Also refers to any person living in Kirador.

  Konyl (KON-ul)—a hero of ancient clan lore; believed to have saved Kirador from demonic invaders.

  Labhras (LAB-russ)—Tearian. Wealthy land owner. Father of Cinnia. Best friend of King Sedric.

  Lorcan (LORE-kun)—Kiradyn; father of Falyn and Sheireadan; Head of the Vestry, the governing board of Kiradyn.

  Lyal (Lile)—Shell Seeker; former love interest of Jensa.

  Mahon (MAN)—Tearian. Deceased. Former husband of Brina. Uncle of Ruairi and Whyn. Birth father of Dayn (Keefe). Was Commander of the Guard.

  Meirla (MEER-luh)—Shell Seeker village on the southern coast of Aredyrah.

  Memory Keeper—A historian. The term generally refers to members of a covert group that came into being after the Purge which banned all documents belonging to the Jecta. The Memory Keepers are dedicated to preserving all forms of writing.

  Morna (MORE-nuh)—of the Aerie clan. Dayn’s adopted mother. Alicine’s birth mother. Wife of Gorman.

  Mya (MY-uh)—Jecta. Widow of Eben. Friend of Jensa and Torin. Mother of Farris, Gem, and Nely.

  Nannaven (NAN-uh-vin)—Jecta. Elderly Spirit Keeper of Pobu. Was the daughter of a Memory Keeper.

  Nely (NELL-ee)—Jecta. Youngest daughter of Mya and Eben. Sister of Gem and Farris.

  Nort—of the Aerie clan; brother of Gorman and Haskel.

  Olwyn (ALL-win)—of the Sandrights clan; daughter of Uaine (chieftain of the clan.)

  Oonayei (EW-nie-ay)—promised land spoken of in the Jecta prophecy of Kalei.

  Peadar (PAY-uh-dar)—Chieftain of the Aerie clan.

  Plenum of Four—the official gathering of the four clan Chieftains for the purpose of business.

  Pobu (PO-boo)—Jecta city to the south of Tearia.

  Priestess—Title of the supreme leader of the Temple. Known by no other name. The Priestess is the true power of Tearia.

  Quillan (KWILL-un)—of the Crests clan; courting Olwyn.

  Reiv (REEV)—Jecta. Name given to Ruairi when he was disowned by his family.

  Ruairi (Rue-AW-ree)—Tearian. Reiv’s birth name. Means “Red King.” Was believed to be the second coming of a king of old who carried out the first Purge. Ruairi’s name was taken from him when he was disinherited.

  Sandrights (SAND-rites)—Clan located in the west-central region of Kirador. Clan color is burnt sienna. Chieftain is Uaine.

  Sedric (SED-rik)—Deceased King of Tearia. Husband of Isola. Father of Ruairi and Whyn.

  Seek—The term used for hunting shells beneath the waters.

  Seela (SEE-luh)—of the Aerie clan; Nort’s common-law wife; mother of Ben.

  Seirgotha (Seer-GOTH-uh)—Legendary sea serpent. The Shell Seekers believe the slayer of Seirgotha will gain great knowledge from the gods.

  She—formerly known as the Priestess; an evil parasitic entity that has been in control of Tearia since the reign of the Red King.

  Sheireadan (SHARE-uh-den)—Kiradyn. Dayn’s nemesis in Kirador. Son of Lorcan. Brother of Falyn.

  Shell Seekers—A community of Jecta who live in the coastal village of Meirla. The Shell Seekers are known for their skills at diving and hunting the waters for food and shells. They are also excellent craftsman, using shells to make jewel
ry and decorative vessels.

  Spirit Keeper—Title given to a healer and spiritual advisor. This title is consistently used by all the residents of Aredyrah.

  Taubastets (TOUW-bas-tets)—a tribe of “cat people” driven out of the mountains during the War of Konyl.

  Tearia (Tee-AIR-ee-uh)—Great city-state to the south of the mountain range of Aredyrah. All navigable land on this side of the island is known as Tearia. The city itself is a walled metropolis of elegant architecture, fountains, colorful gardens, and art. It is home to a race of people who strive for purity, as dictated by their gods and defined by Temple law.