Change of Chaos

by Jacinta Jade

Deson had moved up to Siray’s side and was peering outside. His now-familiar voice sounded inside her head, and she barely registered the fact that they were now communicating this way in their normal forms.

  We’ve got to get clear. No way this is just a random attack.

  Siray nodded and thought back at him, Agreed, and kept an eye on the darkness outside.

  Deson turned back to the others, raising his voice so they could hear him over the din. ‘It seems like most of the action is still at the front of the tent. We should get clear now. Stay in groups of two or three as we move and keep together.’

  Deson twisted back to peer outside, and a moment later, Siray heard him think at her, Now.

  They sprinted away from the meal tent together to the first of the lodging tents and paused there as the next pair, Tamot and Kovi, joined them.

  Then Deson moved again, and Siray followed, looking around at the camp even as she tried to stay low during their sprint from the side of one tent to another.

  What she saw during her quick glimpse shocked her. A large fire was burning near the camp headquarters, and the screams and roar of battle could be heard growing behind them.

  She ran faster across one particularly large gap between a set of tents and sunk gasping to the ground next to Deson.

  By the flickering light of the fire behind them, she could make out the outline of the thicker tree line ahead, which they were making for.

  It looked dark and quiet there. Safe.

  Siray felt adrenaline kick through her, knowing that they were so close, and she was tempted to just risk it and sprint for that dark cover.

  Then something Wexner had once said to her popped into her mind.

  Know your enemy.

  Siray looked again at those dark trees, and a doubt entered her mind.

  As Tamot and Kovi reached them, Deson rose to move.

  Siray put her hand on his arm. Wait.

  Deson twisted impatiently to her. ‘Siray, we need to keep moving!’

  She shook her head, repeated her silent communication to him, and twisted to face the male squatting next to her. ‘Kovi—if you were going to attack this camp, would you attack from just one side?’

  Kovi didn’t hesitate. ‘No. I’d surround it and drive my enemies to where I wanted them to go. I’d corral them into a particular area.’

  Siray spun back to look at Deson, raising an eyebrow pointedly.

  He, in turn, glanced across to the dark and silent trees in consideration before wheeling decisively about to view the others. ‘Right. Trees are a death trap. New plan?’

  Siray contemplated their options for a moment. ‘We head that way.’ She pointed off to their left. ‘Can’t go back, can’t go forwards.’

  Loce, Rowp, and Jorgi had caught up now and crouched as they joined the group huddle, breathing quickly.

  Deciding it was time for her to take the lead, Siray stood and, keeping bent as low as possible, turned at the edge of the closest tent and began running down the row. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Deson right behind her.

  As she faced forwards again, she saw a dark shape stand up in the shadows to her right.

  ‘Down!’

  She yelled out the warning to the others as she dove forwards, and she heard something whiz by close to her head as she hit the ground. Scrambling on all fours, she moved to place her back against one of the nearby tents, attempting to conceal herself at least momentarily in its shadow.

  As she did, a menacing growl sounded from behind, and then a dark blur shot out from another shadow close by. It sprung quick as thought across the gap between the tents, landing on a two-legged shadow that managed to elicit a brief scream before it fell silent.

  A moment later, Deson hurried back across the gap to Siray in his normal form, a dark wetness staining his shirt and mouth. Yet it was the smell of the stain that told Siray what it was.

  ‘They’re coming,’ Deson said, pointing back behind him.

  Siray looked.

  From the direction of the dark trees, more shadows were beginning to move rapidly into the camp.

  Running feet sounded close by, and then the others had arrived next to them, their faces stunned as they beheld Deson’s state.

  Kovi recovered first. ‘We need to get out of here. Stealth is not going to be much good to us if they manage to block off our last escape route.’

  Siray agreed. The light of the fire was growing, and the sounds of battle was getting closer. ‘So we run,’ she said, glancing at Deson and the others.

  They all nodded.

  ‘Run, and keep running, until we’re clear. Then we’ll plan our next move,’ Deson said.

  They all nodded again, and Deson, peering around the edge of the tent, led them, sprinting for the boundary of the camp.

  Siray followed closely, pushing herself as fast as she could across the ground. As she darted past another gap in the tents, she actually saw people fighting in the next row—some fighting in normal form; most fighting as animal.

  Chaos.

  Her group was close now to the last line of tents, and Siray forced herself to run even faster.

  Then a cry of pain from the rear of their group.

  She looked back.

  Rowp had fallen to the ground, an arrow protruding from the side of his thigh.

  Siray braked her forwards momentum instantly, turning with the intention to rush to him, but the next moment Tamot had caught her arm and was forcing her away, Kovi joining him to push her onwards.

  Loce and Jorgi were right behind them.

  ‘There’s nothing you can do!’ Kovi shouted at her.

  Siray pushed at their restraining hands but then stopped protesting as she saw Faction soldiers emerge from the surrounding tents to converge on Rowp.

  She swallowed and, letting out a sob, spun away, sprinting with the other four to catch up to Deson, who was anxiously waiting for them at the last tent.

  His face became grim when he saw who they were missing, but he resolutely wheeled around again and led them at speed from the camp.

  Siray’s grief at the loss of Rowp threatened to overwhelm her, but she forced the emotion deep down and into her stomach, concentrating solely on her feet.

  Together, the six of them hastened into the forest, racing along, one behind the other. They ran until they could no longer hear the sounds of battle or see the flare of light from the fire consuming the camp.

  And then they kept running.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

  WHEN THEY had begun to stumble from exhaustion, and not one of them could summon the energy to tell the others to keep going, they began looking around for a safe place to rest, Tamot signalling the group when he spotted a thicket of closely growing trees.

  Moving up to it, they all scrambled in, sinking down on numb legs to sit side by side, huddling closer as their tired bodies cooled and the chill air made itself felt.

  No one spoke. Siray didn’t know if it was because of the shock of what had happened or from exhaustion, but as they leaned against each other, they seemed to forge a silent agreement to not speak until after they had all gotten some rest.

  Siray’s hands trembled as she thought on what and whom they had just lost, and her grief rose up again. When she glanced up at the others from time to time, she thought she could see her own exhaustion, anguish, and shock mirrored on their faces.

  Over and over, her mind replayed the image of a bleeding Rowp struggling on the ground as the enemy converged on him.

  Imagined what he must have thought when he looked up and saw them escaping without him.

  Then she imagined how many others the Resistance must have just lost.

  Siray shook her head, trying to will away the images that filled her mind.

  She had lost another home. Another family. Another friend. A life she had just settled into.

  And slowly, bit by bit, her grief died away.

  To be replaced by something else.

  Blazing hotter
and hotter within her, it grew until her shock was consumed and her cheeks were almost heated by it.

  White-hot anger.

  It burned across her skin, in her muscles, in her stomach, and in other deeper and unknown places within her.

  Her anger seemed like that of the forges that helped to shape metal, the inferno within reshaping pieces of her and hardening other parts, altering her more swiftly than anything yet had.

  Siray turned her face to the dark sky, allowing the night air to cool her searing cheeks as she attempted to take deep breaths.

  It seemed to help reduce the fire in her mind, although her shaking hands still showed its effects.

  Peering up through the canopy of leaves above, Siray was just able to make out several stars shining dimly in the early-evening sky. Her eyes narrowed.

  They will pay for this, she vowed to the sky, projecting her thoughts at those stars. She would make them pay.

  A thought pushed its way into her mind.

  We will make them pay.

  Siray’s eyes shifted from the heavens above to find a familiar pair of brown eyes staring hard into hers. She nodded slowly. We’ll fight them together, she agreed.

  Deson gave her a single, sharp nod in return. Together.

  END OF BOOK 1 - CHANGE OF CHAOS

  TO BE CONTINUED...

  (Read excerpt from Book 2 - Change of Edict after Acknowledgements)

  KASLON ANIMALS

  Asret: Small, plump winged creatures, can’t fly, but camouflage to escape predators, normally have green and blue flecks.

  Bullide: Large grazer, but with a serious temper if threatened.

  Cripwof: Four limbs, long snout, both predator and scavenger, fast.

  Blirrus: Ferocious, small, can drive off larger predators through its tenacious and vicious attacks, skin thick & lose.

  Eudagona: A strong, reptilian beast, digs and climbs trees for insects, pebble-like skin, club-like tail.

  Fiorify: Four-legs, a large golden/orange winged creature with feather, large wingspan that ignites if angry, immune to flame.

  Gedoni: Thickly furred creature that likes to do everything in its own time and which can hold a dangerous grudge against perceived threats, massive claws that match its large size.

  Glow bug: small beetle with the ability to emit light to attract other beetles.

  Hiclum: Creature that sleeps lightly and can have mixed reactions to being awakened, depending on the season.

  Hopul: Six limbs, red and furry, bony armor on legs, arms, and torso, strong, intelligent, a natural climber, lives in small intimate communities of its kind.

  Kahurana: Large water dwelling creature that can live to be many hundreds of cycles old and is a nomad once it reaches maturity, except for when the species mate once a year.

  Kilften: Scaly, barbed tail, low to ground, claws, multiple eyes and a cunning mind.

  Kitespray: winged creature that soars at high altitudes using its magnificent eyesight to spot its prey before dropping down to snatch it up.

  Krynton: A lot remains unknown about this creature.

  Limret: small creature, considered cute by Kaslon standards.

  Munder beast: Moderate size, compact beast, bulky with muscle, not intelligent, perfect for domestication, loves company of its own and other species.

  Nowri: Loves water, builds sphere-shaped habitations by lakes, is loyal to its family, shy, will hide from most other animals.

  Oreto: Four-legged, skeletal thinness, strong neck, two long sharp horns, predator, deceptive looking.

  Oxy: Thin and whip-like creature, highly intelligent, fleet footed, with two tails.

  Pondif: Odd, smallish, six-footed grazing beasts that love high places, but there is something unique about them…

  Quison: Small, scavenging animal, like to eat glow bugs.

  Rilander: Big, passive grazer; six legs, tips over trees, grey-green colour, sleeps on feet, dangerous if it gets angry.

  Sandiota: Body like one thick muscle, hard chitinous plates, pointed teeth, two large claws on end of main limbs.

  Saluni: Winged creature known for its graceful flight.

  Seagliders: Winged creature that uses breezes to travel long distances with minimal effort, long, sharp talons, and a purple body.

  Sand vepton: Desert creature, leathery and long, glides through sand, predator.

  Sevonix: Large, feline type animal, highly revered on Kaslon, black & silver predator.

  Udun: Intelligent, generally foul-tempered and intimidating, purple underside to wings.

  Vicousery: Fierce, proud, clever, long claw on feet, fast, lean, pebbled skin.

  Wefron: Gentle, dumb, long necked, furry, four-legged creature with a stunted snout, comes in a myriad of colours.

  Wynceen: Enormous animal, four legs, segmented and armoured body, largest animal on Kaslon.

  Yeibon: A horned steed with a ridged back. Red Yeibons have straight, splayed horns and are fiery in nature to match their dusky red coats. Black Yeibons are milder, with curled horns and darker coats.

  Dear reader,

  Thank you for purchasing my book! I hope you enjoyed reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it for you and that you are already hungry for the sequel which is available online now for your enjoyment. The best way you can show your appreciation is to leave a review online. Reviews of any size and shape help me to make the next book even more amazing for you, because that’s why we writers do this, to entertain, shock, amaze and surprise you.

  So click the link below and rate your experience, throwing in a word or two to capture your thoughts :)

  I generally respond to each review over time as a thank you to each reader, so keep an eye out for my response!

  Leave a review for Change of Chaos

  And really, this first book sets the stage for everything that is to come. Yes, you had to learn a lot of animal, place and people names in this first book – it is, after all, a whole new world sprung from some weird, deep place in my mind – but the next book picks up exactly where this one left off so you can keep going on with the journey to discover what is really happening on Kaslon. Plus, the quick reference guide at the end of this book and at the beginning of the others will help refresh your memory as you join with Siray on this adventure.

  To come...

  What does the prophecy actually mean?

  Why is Siray being targeted by the Faction?

  And who are the people watching her every move from the shadows?

  Take a breath and dive into the sequel to start finding out the truth in Change of Edict.

  Happy reading,

  JJ

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  When they—those more wise in the way of the publishing world than I at this time—say that to write and publish a book requires an army of support, they really mean it. So many people (and some animals) helped to inspire and encourage the writing and publication of this book, the first in my emerging series, that I can’t thank all of them, but I would like to make a few special mentions.

  So, to:

  My parents—I wouldn’t be the person I am today if you hadn’t pushed me to read so much, nor would this book have ever come about.

  Lisa—so much hung on the first words you uttered upon reading the first (tolerable) draft of this book and you are a key reason why this book was allowed out into the world at all.

  Min and Damo—it’s for people like you that I write this book. Your enthusiasm, love of adventure and ability to devour a long novel in a matter of hours continue to amaze and drive me.

  Shane—always open to a conversation about where I’m at in the production process and ready to test theories and poke holes in a plot.

  Michelle Hope—my brilliant editor, whose talent and passion helped to transform my story into something amazing, and whose comments make me smile even when buried in work.

  My Beta readers—thank you for helping me make this story the best it could possibly be.

  Al—who ins
pires me and makes me believe anything is possible.

  And finally, to you—thank you, dear reader, for your love of adventure and for joining me on this journey.

  JJ

  EXCERPT - BOOK 2

  CHANGE OF EDICT

  CHAPTER ONE

  ‘SIRAY …’

  A gentle hand shook Siray’s arm, and she grunted a little at this intrusion on her rest but otherwise chose not to respond.

  ‘Siray, wake up.’

  That voice. She knew it. She opened her eyes, blinking a little as she dragged herself from sleep.

  Deson knelt before her, the glow from the morning sun lighting up his features.

  Siray’s blue eyes widened further. Dirt clung to Deson’s clothes, and his forearms and the right side of his face showed scratches where unseen branches had reached for him during their flight through the forest last night. Deson looked tired, but his fatigue appeared to come from more than just physical exhaustion—each plane of his body spoke of some deeper ache, and his mouth was fixed in a straight line.

  She knew why, of course, and could feel a similar tiredness that seemed to originate from her bones. But it was the lingering traces of blood around Deson’s mouth and on his hands that made her come fully awake.

  She sat up quickly, giving Deson a speedy examination to see where the blood came from. But then she paused as she recalled the flow of events the night before, and Deson’s part in their escape.