Fantasy Romance: Defiance Box Set (Belstrom Chronicles)

by T. K. Chapin

  “I’ll call you whatever you want to be called, regardless, you are my sister!” Nejik said jumping up from the dirt and embracing her with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I’ve missed you terribly all these years!”

  “You’ve been to town Nejik. Don’t be so over dramatic,” Illadari said.

  “Hi Illadari,” Nejik said with a slight nod. “I’ve been to town, yes, but I haven’t been able to talk to my sister and visit with her as my sister!” He exclaimed hugging Tessla again. “Wait… where is Kessler?” Nejik asked looking around beside the two of them.

  “He’s gone...” Tessla said as tears filled her eyes. Covering her mouth, she said, “He just up and vanished.”

  “Ohhh…. Because of the illusion being broken? It took him?” Nejik asked.

  “Yeah… We need to find him!” Tessla said.

  “Ada’s been captured,” Nejik said with fear in his eyes as he covered his mouth. Tessla ran into Illadari’s arms and dug her face in his shoulder as she began to sob.

  “What do you mean captured?” Illadari asked.

  “I was out making…” Nejik began to say before Illadari interrupted.

  “How does the most powerful witch in all of the Darkwood Forest get captured?” Illadari asked with a slight trembling in his voice.

  “Like I was saying…” Nejik said. “I was out making my rounds in the Darkwood Forest for any Kobold activity in the area and when I arrived back to the glade, she was nowhere to be found. Whoever took her left this behind.” Nejik retrieved an empty vial from his pocket and handed it to Illadari.

  Tessla pulled away from Illadari’s shoulder as she calmed down and looked at the vial as Illadari held it up. As Illadari tilted the vial to one side, he could see a drop of liquid pool at the bottom.

  “What’s in there?” Illadari asked.

  “Not a clue,” Nejik said with a sigh.

  “I know someone in Silvermeer that is an alchemist, I bet she could tell us what’s in here,” Illadari said confidently.

  “Mya?” Tessla asked.

  “Yes,” Illadari said with a nod. “She’d be able to figure it out.”

  “Sure, but she hates travelers…” Tessla said. “She would never give us the time of day if we approach her.” Illadari began to pace around the ash that was left over in Nejik’s campfire as he appeared to be thinking.

  “What about Haden?” Illadari asked, as he stopped pacing.

  “He hasn’t seen you in ten years… You think he’ll just help you out like that?” Tessla asked.

  “I don’t know, but he’s our only hope I can think of,” Illadari said. “He’s a good man and he has helped us before.” Smiling at Illadari, Tessla noticed Nejik behind him sitting on a log looking down at the dirt between his feet as he kicked it.

  Walking up to him, Tessla rested a hand on his shoulder and asked, “What’s wrong?” Nejik glanced up at her for a moment and then away.

  “I’m worried about Kessler,” Nejik said.

  Tessla looked towards Illadari and said, “We will find him.”

  “Then what? I’ve missed you… and you are going to find Ada and fix all this back to the way it’s been for a decade. I don’t want to lose you again…”

  “That’s not true. Illadari and I spoke about it and we are going to find a more permanent solution for us.” Tessla rubbed his shoulder. “I’ve thought about you daily Nejik… You’re my big brother and I want you in my life.”

  Smiling at her, he turned and hugged her.

  “We need to find Ada and fix this all. Have you had any other leads or anything?” Tessla asked.

  “Well, I have a buddy, named Thomas, that lives in the northern part of the Darkwood Forest. He says the Kobolds have been growing more aggressive with their attacks and have been attacking travelers out in the open.”

  “I had some adventurers that ran into the Kobolds,” Illadari said walking up to the Tessla and Nejik.

  “They killed adventurers?” Tessla asked concerned.

  “Yes. They even managed to kill Olesk,” Illadari said. Tessla covered her mouth as she became frightful.

  “Who’s Olesk?” Nejik asked looking at the both of them.

  “He’s one of the veteran adventurers that have been around for a long time… He rarely ever dies,” Illadari said.

  “Oh wow!” Nejik said. “Those kobolds are stronger than they use to be I fear. I haven’t had to fight any in quite some time with Thomas keeping me informed of their movements.”

  “Do you want to come with us to speak with Haden?” Tessla asked placing her hand on Nejik’s arm.

  “No, I better stay here. I can keep looking in the Darkwood Forest for any signs of Ada or the ones who took her. If she’s with the kobolds under captivity, Thomas and I will find out.”

  “If you or we find her, how can we let each other know?” Illadari asked.

  “Here,” Nejik said as he stood up and went over to his pouch. Retrieving two purple potions, he handed them both to Illadari. “These are teleport potions. They will teleport you back to the Great Tree no matter where you are in Belstrom. Once you are back at the tree, there are more on the shelves. If you find Ada, teleport back to the tree and send a parchment note attached to her crow Davo. It will fly to whomever you wish if you just give the bird the name you wish to deliver the message to. Ada made those potions back a few years ago with a plant she had found in the Rocky Plateau.”

  “How on earth does a witch this powerful get taken?” Tessla asked standing up.

  Shrugging, Nejik said, “I don’t know… It’s bizarre.”

  Chapter 10

  Illadari became weary from standing idly by as Tessla and Nejik exchanged goodbyes. Helping push them along, he stepped forward and shook Nejik’s hand.

  “We best be on our way,” Illadari said clearing his throat.

  “And I as well,” Nejik said looking Illadari in the eyes. I can’t help but dislike this man, Illadari thought as he looked into his eyes. His disdain for Nejik reached back to when he had first encountered the man, it was deep within these same woods, back with Tessla,when they were running away from the King and Queen. He was helpful, but being choked almost to death, was sure to initiate Illadari’s inability to like him, but Illadari felt that it reached deeper than that. He was sure there was not something right about the guy, but Illadari respected the sibling relationship between him and Tessla. After all, he hadn’t done anything to be distrusted.

  Leaving Nejik at his encampment, Tessla and Illadari ventured back the way they had come from the west. As they came to the path that would lead back to Silvermeer, they were greeted by a man with a wooden peg leg.

  “Hello there ye travelers!” the elderly man said scratching his head. His hair was short, fuzzy and white and his peg leg looked to be made of richwood-grain wood.

  “Greetings,” Illadari said extending a hand out. The man adjusted his pack that sat on his shoulder and reached out quickly shaking his hand.

  “I’m Wesley, the traveling salesman,” the man said smiling to reveal a few teeth missing.

  “I’m Illadari, and this here is my wife Tessla.”

  “I see,” the man said looking at the both of them. “Could I interest you and your lady friend in some exotic oils? Maybe you can let the candle burn a little longer this night?”

  Tessla blushed as Illadari shook his head. “Don’t be uncouth stranger,” he said. “What else do you sell?”

  “My apologies if I offended you,” Wesley said pulling the pack from his shoulder. He opened it to reveal an assortment of scrolls, gems and other keepsakes. Spotting a neon blue stone, Illadari pointed to it.

  “What is that?” he asked curiously. He had seen plenty of stones throughout his years, and yet he had never seen one quite like that. The blue stone appeared to be covered in some sort of layer of electricity, and the blue the stone had was vibrant and appealing to the eye.

  “That ye is a wizard’s stone,” Wesley said quickly. Glanc
ing behind him he looked towards Silvermeer, and then behind Illadari and Tessla, as if he was making sure nobody was in sight. Getting closer to them, he leaned in and said with his eyebrows pointed up, “This here wizard’s stone is said to be one of only five stones like it to exist in all of Belstrom!”

  “Come on… only five of those stones exist?” Illadari said shaking his head.

  “That’s absolutely correct good sir!”

  “What are they from?” Tessla asked excitedly as she kept her eyes fixated on it.

  “It’s from the Wizard’s of Khazar grandmaster staff, Emalia.”

  “Never heard of it,” Illadari said looking to get out of the conversation. Tessla on the other hand was hooked into the story that Illadari suspected the old man was using to sell them on the stone.

  “What did the staff do?” she asked.

  “It’s rumored that the staff has the power to control the Ethereal Planes. Which is a place that holds captive giant monsters that Belstrom hasn’t seen since its beginning.”

  Pulling Tessla away from the man, Illadari said, “Look, he’s just trying to get us to buy that stupid stone. He’s talking nonsense,” Illadari glanced back at him for a second.

  “I guess I’ve never heard of the Ethereal Planes before…”

  “I haven’t either, I don’t think this guy knows what he’s talking about. The stone is just a stone that he’s trying to peddle for a quick couple farthlings.” Tessla nodded in agreement before returning to Wesley.

  “Thank you for your time,” Tessla said with a polite bow. “We are running terribly late for something we need to do.”

  Wesley remained silent while nodding as he closed up his pack and tossed it back on his shoulder. “Not a problem at all,” he said with a smile. Turning, he continued northward on the path.

  They continued on their path to Silvermeer and were stopped by the guards. “State your business,” the guard on the right side of the gate said with a firm tone. His outfit was a standard issue guard uniform, a complete silver appearance from his shoulders down to his toes. Almost shiny enough to see your own reflection in when close enough.

  “We are here to see Haden in New Haven,” Illadari said. The guard broke his focus that was directed forward, and looked over to Illadari with an eyebrow raised.

  “What business do you have with the Arena’s master?” The guard asked with a suspicious tone.

  “We are friends from his past, come to visit him,” Illadari replied. The guard looked him over as if he was trying to size up Illadari.

  “Fine, be off with you,” The guard said directing his focus back to in front of him.

  Proceeding through the gates and into town, Illadari and Tessla became slightly uncomfortable at the town’s people they’ve known for years looking at them as if they had never known them.

  Grabbing onto Tessla’s hand, Illadari leaned into her ear and said, “I love you… I promise it will be okay.” Illadari knew how much Tessla loved the people of Silvermeer and how uncomfortable she had to feel as some of her closest friends looked at her as if they never known her.

  Making their way through town square, they headed right past their old home and to the docks that separated New Haven and Silvermeer. A skiff was tied to the end of the docks; it was used for travel between New Haven and Silvermeer. While it was only twenty feet of water separating the two towns, the only way to get to New Haven was the skiff. Nobody in town was quite sure why a bridge was never built, but nobody seemed to care enough to bring it to the mayor of Silvermeer’s attention.

  Arriving on the opposite side of Silvermeer, in New Haven, Illadari helped Tessla out of the boat and onto the docks. Tying the skiff to the dock’s post, Illadari grabbed Tessla’s hand and led her down the trail. Overgrown trees lined the dirt path on both sides as they made their way into the small town of New Haven.

  With only a general shop, armory, trainer and the arena, New Haven had very little residents and foot traffic, unless of course it was the annual arena battles. When the battles would be going on, people would set up tents in the fields just to the north, and overcrowd the small streets of New Haven. Luckily, Silvermeer was rather close and only a few minutes away, allowing for much of the overflow to drift into the town.

  Coming to a fork in the center of town, Illadari and Tessla saw combatants standing around on the path that led down to the arena in the east. Peering for a moment to the northwest, Illadari could see the homes of all the residents’ of New Haven. While there were indeed only a few local residents of New Haven, those few individuals enjoyed to be off the beaten trail slightly outside of the town.

  Chapter 11

  Coming to a small cottage, Tessla immediately noticed the roof was sloped to one side. Once at the door, Illadari gave a stern knock and turned to Tessla with a smile. Placing his arm around her, Illadari kissed her cheek as they could hear footsteps moving about inside.

  Swinging open the door, Haden paused for a moment, and looked Illadari over before breaking into a deep smile. “How are you?” Haden asked as he lifted Illadari up from his feet in an excited hug.

  “I’m okay Haden…” Illadari said as he fought for air from the intense embrace. Setting him down, Haden turned and ushered them inside.

  “Come in,” Haden said leading them over into the living area. Illadari and Tessla took their seats on a makeshift couch that was fashioned from a large wooden log that appeared to be made of Ashwood, from the Ashwood Forest that lay in the Southeast of Belstrom. As they sat down, Haden asked, “Where have you been? I haven’t seen or heard of your names since Elvark!”

  Illadari grasped Tessla’s hand and made eye contact with her for a moment’s time before looking back at Haden. “We’ve been right here in Silvermeer.”

  “No, no, no… I haven’t seen you around town at all. I run the arena out here in New Haven and frequent Silvermeer often. I would have seen you by now,” Haden said confidently nodding in his ignorance of the truth.

  “You have seen us,” Illadari insisted. Haden began to rub his unshaven chin, as he raised his eyebrow in suspicion.

  “Preposterous!” Haden exclaimed slapping his knee.

  “No, listen,” Illadari said. “We are Illadari and Tessla.”

  “No,” Haden said shaking his head. “They are nice folks and all, but they have been here longer than I have. Trying to impersonate a High Priest is a little low, even for you Amon.”

  “How would I know you got that cut above your right eyebrow from trying to fight the cave bear in the arena?” Illadari asked.

  “You could guess something like that. You did after all know about me coming to New Haven and the cave bear.”

  “That’s true,” Illadari said. Tessla became worried that Haden might not help nor believe them, and her boy could be lost forever. Her heart began to race with the fear, and she quickly thought of what they could say.

  Leaning into Illadari’s ear, Tessla whispered, “The chicken…”

  Illadari began to laugh heartedly and looked up at Haden. “Okay Haden. How about the time over at the Limestone Shore with the chicken?”

  Haden’s look of suspicion turned into one of embarrassment. “Okay, okay! I believe you!” Haden exclaimed stopping Illadari from telling the story. “Wait, you told her about it?” Haden asked with a glare and a sharp smile.

  “How could I not?” Illadari asked.

  “I’m sure this guy’s story was horrible compared to what actually happened!” Haden said to Tessla.

  “You ran from a chicken in the labyrinth and didn’t stop until you got to the boat?” Tessla said.

  “Well that’s a cheap way of saying it,” Haden said with a glare over at Illadari.

  “That chicken was no normal chicken at all! I can promise you that!” Haden said confidently while Illadari laughed. “No… he was no normal chicken at all. It was ten feet high and he was going to kill me,” Haden said raising his hand up to help illustrate his point.

  “Oh
come on!” Illadari laughed. “It was maybe 5 feet high. It was shorter than you!”

  “No, it wasn’t. Did you see him try to peck me with his beak? That chicken was ferocious!”

  They both laughed for a moment and then Haden broke his laughing. “So if you are Illadari… why do you look different and how the heck do you guys have a history in Silvermeer? He was here before I arrived. I’m not a wizard of math, but that doesn’t add up.”

  “Silvermeer has an illusion that was casted over it by a powerful witch out in the Darkwood Forest. She helped us hide from the King, and Silvermeer was where we went,” Illadari said.