SEEKER’S
REVOLUTION
Book Three of the Seeker’s Trilogy
Cassandra Boyson
Copyright © 2016 Cassandra Boyson
All rights reserved.
Published by Kingdom House Press
ISBN 978-0-9906080-8-0
Cover design by Mirela Barbu
CassandraBoyson.com
Dedicated to
God, the love of my life
Contents
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
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Era’s Epilogue
Prologue
“The time draws near,” said a large winged creature with five piercing eyes.
“When it will be determined whether for the next thousand years the Greater Archipelagos will be cursed or favored,” said another creature of the assembled group who always finished the winged creature’s sentences.
“Yes, I have seen,” said one with a long, brilliant green beard and glistening bronze skin. He knelt over a time-line on the floor of the Great One’s throne room. “Something must be done.”
“Someone must be sent, of course, and soon,” said another matter-of-factly. This being had a gift for stating the obvious in such a way it sounded an entirely new and brilliant idea.
The Great One, sitting on the throne in the center of the room, closed His eyes and drew a long, deep breath as if He smelled something sweet. This evoked the attention of the others who looked to Him for an answer.
“Who shall we send?” asked the Great One. “Who will go for us?”
But the group knew even as He asked, the Great One had already selected His Chosen One.
“He has looked over the whole of the Greater Archipelagos,” said the matter-of-fact creature.
“He has found one willing to go when comes the time,” said the winged one.
“Who will aid in the decision that must be made by the people,” said the last’s counterpart.
The creature of the bronze skin stepped forward. “Whom have you chosen, Eternal One?”
The Great One stood from his throne to join the others, then crouched low over the transparent floor. He looked over the planet in question as it turned at His command amid the glittering stars. The others drew near and crouched as well, looking to where He would cast His eyes that they too might know the one He had chosen.
But as they encircled the planet, the Great One looked over the group, smiled confidingly and snapped His fingers that another planet in another realm would take its place in their view.
“You will choose one from another universe, Majestic One. Surely your ways are wondrous,” said the factual creature.
As this one spoke, their view of the planet Kaern drew closer and closer until they could see one of their own, a creature of Paradise, standing before the door of a small cottage in a green wood. They watched as the winged creature spoke with the human woman at the door, who opened it wide for their comrade to enter.
“It is Viijelyk,” said the being with the piercing eyes.
“He is already setting the wheels into motion,” said the second.
When at last Viijelyk stood over the cradle of a two-month old baby girl, he laid a sword beside the child and vanished.
“This child is the one you have chosen,” said the bronze being.
The Great One’s smile drew the sweet fragrance of an innocent babe into the throne room. “Ivi,” He said dreamily.
1
Era
Era sighed as she peered at the clock for the tenth time in the last five minutes. This lecture was lasting far longer than was her preference, but most did. She preferred to be moving. Of course, listening to the same lecture she’d heard a hundred times by various instructors was technically doing something, but it made her restless even so.
Once every few months, the leadership of the hidden Isle of Atlantyss called the youth together to remind them of their purpose beneath the sea and of what was to be expected when the day came that their island would rise to the surface of the ocean and join the entirety of the Greater Archipelagos once again. The only details omitted were what it would really be like up above. She supposed those who had actually been there could not understand what it was like for those who’d been born after the island was concealed beneath water and had never been allowed to leave.
Era did know they had little to no technology on the surface. They didn’t even have clocks such as the one whose face she kept wishing would tick faster. She knew, too, they had things she did not such as forests, sunshine and swimming. Though she had grown her whole life within the cover of water, protected by the sparkling transparent dome that kept the ocean out, she had never learned to swim. Most didn’t, as swimming might encourage some to venture up to nearby islands, leading to Atlantyss’ hiding place being discovered.
When she was young, Era had suffered from nightmares of Atlantyss’ semi-transparent dome tearing and the city filling with water. She had since grown out of such dreams, but that didn’t change the fact she was dying to get out of her bubble and explore the world above. When Iviana, the woman Era had heard prophesies about her entire life, had been reported to have arrived in the Greater Archipelagos, it had been an answer to prayer. If Iviana the Chosen One was alive in her lifetime, that meant she should be free from the cage of her city before she passed away, unlike many before her.
Her parents and teachers often reminded her how ungrateful she was in her longing to leave their great city—the favored island of the Great One—and she knew this was somewhat true. She loved nelepyres, running water and freedom to create (though she wasn’t altogether creative). She appreciated clocks when they weren’t moving too slowly, awakening to the glistening light of the clear dome over the city and the sea creatures swimming gracefully around it in colorful array. Her parents were understanding, loving people and she had a plethora of friends. But that did not change her heart’s desire—her dream. She wanted to leap upon the back of a dragon and fly over the world.
Of course, if the least she wished to do was fly, there were always plenty of dragons within the dome, but she had never been brave enough to venture up to one. What if they didn’t know any better and tried to take her outside the dome? Then there were the flying nelepyres, but nelepyres did not breathe. They weren’t alive and wild. The wildness of the dragons was half her fear of them... but it was also what intrigued her, that and the fact they breathed fire. Still, even with such vessels as nelepyres at her disposal, she couldn’t get far before hitting the dome and far was truthfully what she wanted.
Iviana was not only her ticket out of the ocean’s depths, but her inspiration, her idol. She had heard the Chosen One was from another universe and had traveled to the Greater Archipelagos through an unguarded portal in the sky. This was done on the back of her own personal dragon who happened to be Tragor, the Great Dragon of the Ages, famous for his acts of power and bravery in the war against the dark dragons.
Iviana had visited Atlantyss some months ago and Era had been disappointed that not only had she missed out on meeting Iviana, she had not even known the Chosen One was there until after her depart
ure, when she was reported to have simply disappeared before Era’s best friends, Aedis and Merrick, who had been Iviana’s guides. What she wouldn’t have given to witness such a sight! Moreover, it would have been wonderful to meet the only other person on the planet who shared her Great Gift: seeking.
Era was discovered to be a Seeker at the age of five when her mother had lost her favorite heirloom, a necklace that had belonged to her great, great-grandmother. The moment the issue had been spoken of, Era had felt for the first time a fire burning in her veins and her feet began to move almost without her consent until she had discovered the necklace in a neighbor’s home, stolen.
Things had changed for Era after that, at least for a few years. She remembered the way the city leaders used to watch her when she passed, the conversations her parents whispered in the evening when she could catch only a word or two. Then, of course, there was the day when it had been discussed she might have to be taken to the surface.
It seemed there was a shortage of Seekers in the realm and more than likely she was the only one. It also seemed Seekers were considered a prized commodity above and perhaps they should not have to be without one if it could be helped. Luckily, taking a child from the island under the sea and releasing her above was not only dangerous to their security, but was against the will of the Great One. That had been the day Era placed her unfailing love in the Great One Who had rescued her from being separated from family, friends and home.
The issue had not been breached again until a little over a year and a half ago, when their spies above had sent word the Greater Archipelagos was soon to be in need of a new Realm Leader and they were lacking a Seeker to locate one. She had come so very close to being taken to the surface that by that time she so longed to see. But then Iviana had been the Great One’s answer when she was revealed a Seeker as well.
Era had hidden her disappointment well, but disappointed she had been. Though sending her may have been dangerous, she would have been relieved. She was fourteen and it was expected she decide upon her place within the city. But the only thing that interested her was becoming one of the spies who integrated themselves within the populace to gain information. Unfortunately, she could not qualify as a spy, for they were only selected from those thirty years of age or older—not to mention they were generally Swimmers, as it would be simpler to escape a difficult situation at any moment if one could breathe underwater.
Often, Era had asked why it was so important Atlantyss remain hidden. Of course, it was imperative no one mar the mysterious plan of the Great One, but some danger had often been alluded to. The historic texts read there was to be a time when the council above would become obsessed with power and control and the people would lack certain freedoms. That was why Atlantyss was kept hidden beneath the sea. But what happened to those who did not fall within the rules and guidelines―the approval―of that council?
Era sighed and checked the clock a final time before she heard the instructor utter the most glorious words in her vocabulary, “All excused.”
2
Iviana
The trotting of hooves sounded over the golden plain. Winter was just beginning to creep upon the bronze and scarlet of autumn, its frosty fingers making the ground sparkle. Crisp grass crunched beneath horses’ feet as cold, misty breath escaped their lips and those of their riders.
Iviana sat upon a brilliant black stallion between two brown horses. Marquen and Darist were with her. The sight of them riding on either side reminded her of another journey, but that one had been a good deal longer and more painful, as well as enlightening and wondrous. This journey was to be short and... she could not decide what else, because, though she felt optimistic, she did not know their destination.
When she turned to ask Marquen, he smiled reassuringly and that was enough. At least he knew where they were going. One could always count on Marquen.
Before long, they caught sight of a group of mourners clothed in ebony. The people looked to the three as they approached and a familiar young woman rushed to Iviana in tears. She was wailing something, but Iviana could not hear the words she spoke. Only the sound of her own heartbeat played in her ears as she saw the urn in the crying woman’s arms.
The young woman took notice of what caught Iviana’s attention. Opening the urn, she proceeded to spill the ashy remains into the frigid breeze.
“He’s gone,” she whispered.
“No, he’s not,” informed Iviana.
The ashes that had been carried away by the wind returned in black swirling tendrils, gathering themselves into the form of a man.
“Sorry, brother,” spoke Iviana to the ashes, “we weren’t done with you yet.”
Next thing she knew, she was racing through the tunnels of the cannibal island, the cannibals right on her heels. Just as their grasping hands reached the skirt of her torn gown, the sound of arguing yanked her from slumber.
Iviana quickly sat up, grateful to be pulled from the familiar nightmare. It took her a moment to recall the reason she was sitting outside the back door of the council chamber, the one directly behind Flynn who sat in his marble chair on the other side.
The council was in session and though her usual impulse was to avoid anything that had to do with the council, she had made an exception to eavesdrop on this particular day. This day, they were to discuss the upcoming marriage of the Realm Leader.
Iviana couldn’t help smiling as she recalled the evening Flynn had proposed to Brenna. It had been some time since they had returned from their journey in Kierelia, but Iviana had known since before their return what was to come between her friends. Flynn had surprised Brenna by asking for her hand in front of the whole of the island at banquet. Brenna had not been the only one surprised, however, for unbeknownst to Iviana prior, it seemed the council had expected to be asked their permission before the leader of the realm chose his bride.
This thought drew the smile from Iviana’s face and replaced it with the rolling of her eyes. Even with Kurnin (a man whom Iviana detested for personal reasons) removed from their company, they were still the council. What had rather surprised Iviana was Flynn’s willingness to submit to their discussing the issue before the engagement was officially sanctioned, as Brenna had replied with a gleeful assent herself. This had piqued Iviana’s curiosity, thus her presence outside the door. She had not known, however, that they would be discussing a number of other far less interesting subjects before they came to the one that interested her. This had resulted in her unintended slumber.
Regrettably, Iviana realized they must have come to the matter while she’d been passed out, for Brenna’s name was uttered a number of times before she had fully awoken to the remembrance of her reason for waiting there.
“I personally don’t believe our Realm Leader could have chosen better,” muttered one of the council who often traveled from another island to be present for the meetings. “She is of good, notable family and acts a lady in her own right, though she has shown tendencies to speak out when it was best she kept quiet. I think with a little tutelage from our council, she would be the finest companion for a Realm Leader in our history.”
Flynn responded with, “No, Cinos, I don’t want to change―”
“The point is, our Realm Leader ought to have given us months to look into the matter before the girl was even made aware of his intentions, let alone announce it before the island.” This was from an older woman named Grandia, whom Iviana knew to be friends with Kurnin. It seemed Kurnin’s influence was to plague the council whether he was in its ranks or not.
It was statements like the ones she was hearing that made her blood boil. How could Flynn stand it? He is supposed to be Realm Leader and they talk over him as if he were a mere boy, she thought. It seemed Flynn had grown in patience that was beyond her.
“I understand this has been the way of the council in past, but Brenna is by far an exception to such rules. She is kind, intelligent and unselfish and I think it our place to respec
t our Realm Leader in his choice.” This came from Nimua’s mother, Naii. The woman never failed to support Flynn in his difficult position.
There was a good deal of back and forth, but this statement changed the tone of the conversation that followed and by the end it had been agreed Flynn would have his bride. Iviana was not entirely pleased, however. She had wanted to hear Flynn put the council in their place, insist it was none of their business who he married. Still, their consent had spared much agitation.
Suddenly, the door Iviana was leaning against flew open and she found herself sprawled over the feet of her friend.
“Ivi?” Flynn stated, surprised. He bent to help her up.
“Hi,” Iviana said with a smirk.
“You were eavesdropping? You shouldn’t be doing that.”
Flynn sounded more upset than she would have expected, but Iviana laughed at him. “As if I would go spilling the secrets of the council to the realm. Don’t be such a worry wort, Flynn.”
He relaxed. “Of course. I was just surprised to find you here. You don’t usually take interest in the council.”
“Well, this matter was different. I wanted to hear you defend your lady love. I must have been asleep during that part, though, because what I heard was utterly unromantic.”
Flynn took his turn to laugh. “I usually just sit back until they’ve spoken their piece. The topic of conversation can change ten times in moments, but they eventually come to a conclusion about something when they get hungry enough.”
“I believe it. I don’t know how you manage, though. It would drive me mad sitting in there for hours every day.”
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