Tales Of Nevaeh: The Trilogy and Backstory of the Epic Sci-Fi Fantasy Series Tales Of Nevaeh: (The 4 Book Bundled Box Set)

by David Wind

  At this point, everything changed. Afzal Mahmud Tarek organized his followers into an army of destruction. Wave after wave of fanatical soldiers battled everyone they met, fighting them into submission. Nuclear weapons rained horror on those able to resist their armies. By the twentieth year of the new century, the world had begun to change. The nuclear weapons caused massive land shifts; the earth’s plates moved and radioactive clouds turned the inhabitants of the earth, its people and animals, into something far different than they had been.

  They watched millions of people die and witnessed the deaths of countries. Roth guided them through his memories until he reached the point when the starship left Earth’s orbit and started on its three thousand year voyage. From his memories of the messages from Earth to the starship, they watched land masses shift, new mountains rise from the oceans, and continents change. Then his memories became leapfrogging visions of himself watching the giant screens on the bridge of the starship, during the duty periods, when he had watched the dwindling reports sent to the ship during the first three hundred years of their travels.

  They lived Roth’s memories and learned what Nevaeh had once been. There were images of earthquakes cracking open the Earth’s crust. They saw the western part of the American continent sheared off by earthquakes and consumed by the fast rising oceans and saw too, how Europe and Asia disappeared beneath dark clouds refusing light to pass through.

  Roth stopped.

  Areenna’s gasp was loud in the quiet room and following the sound, the light died. Still caught within Roth’s memories, Areenna could only stare blankly ahead.

  Mikaal, holding Areenna’s hand, shook his head slowly. “I feel sick,” he whispered.

  “Hold that feeling. Never, ever lose it! Your enemy will never stop and if we do not end this, Nevaeh will not survive—not as we know it.”

  He echoes the eight, Areenna said silently to Mikaal.

  “We understand,” Mikaal said.

  “Good,” Roth said. Shifting and shaking off the grip of his memories, he leaned forward and pointed to a map. “There is another route, if necessary, but it makes a wide swing through the frozen badlands and adds more distance. Even taking into account the time you will have to spend crossing the Frozen Mountains, the mountain crossing will be faster than going around them.” When he paused, Areenna leaned forward.

  Mikaal’s brows knitted. “It also depends on the terrain, does it not? When we go uphill, we will make less time and put more strain on us but traveling downhill will be easier.”

  Roth waited a moment before shaking his head. “Not on snow and ice. Going downhill will be even more strenuous than uphill because of the footing.” He shifted the maps, drawing out one that had been beneath the others. This one was different, almost as if it were not hand-drawn. The lines were thin and complicated. “This is the mountain range.”

  The intricately drawn map held many swirls, lines, and varying numbers. While Roth did his best to explain about how the mountains were geologically set, Areenna studied the lines and numbers.

  “Can we not simply follow along the eastern side of the mountains, here, where they are the lowest?” She traced the range with her finger, showing him the path she meant.

  Roth watched the path her finger took and after a moment shook his head. “This,” he said, showing her a broken line, “is a deep canyon. It’s most likely a trench created by an earthquake. You’ll not be able to cross it. But,” he hesitated, “if you go this way, and then go into the mountains here,” he added, pointing to a spot just before the trench, “you can cross to the western side to here,” he said, his finger tracing from the trench to the other side of the range. “You will only be in the high mountains for a short time, perhaps a week. It is narrow at the western tip and the mountains touch just before the sea. There, I believe you will find a way across.”

  “The first leg of the journey, from Tolemac to the Frozen Mountains will take at least two to three weeks. The next leg through the mountains can take triple the time or longer. It will take another week, possibly two to reach your final destination.”

  Silence followed his last words as Areenna and Mikaal digested his words. A few moments later, with Areenna’s hand still entwined with Mikaal’s, she said, “It matters not how long it takes; what matters is our reaching the mountain and accomplishing what we must. In this, there is no choice.”

  CHAPTER 4

  The stars filled the sky with pinpoints of light so strong, moonlight was not needed. With only a few pale gray strings of clouds floating above, Areenna leaned on the balustrade and gazed upon the houses and lands of Tolemac.

  The night sped by, yet she could not sleep. So much had happened in the past months and she was constantly wrestling with herself, trying her best to understand why everything was falling on her shoulders. Had it only been a few months since they had gone to the Island?

  So much had changed in so short a time. She missed her home and her father and the people who lived in Freemorn. When will I be there again? she wondered, already knowing the answer. Possibly never. The future was not open to her, and the knowledge of what she must do was the only future she could allow herself to consider.

  Her complement, as the Eight called Mikaal, was the only other person who could understand. What of her and Mikaal? A burning grew deep within her, not of her powers but of a need she could not define, which twisted inside with a fire unlike those created from her abilities. She pushed the feeling away, knowing such emotions could not be allowed to grow, not yet, even though she knew he had the same emotions as she. All she could hope for was that they would both be alive when the right time came.

  A call from Gaalrie interrupted her thoughts. She opened her eyes just as the giant treygone appeared near the keep, her wings spread wide, the triangular head held high and her narrow tail flowing behind her. The giant bird landed on the stone in front of her. Welcome, sister.

  Gaalrie pushed forward and pressed her beak to Areenna’s cheek. She stroked the bird’s head with two fingers and received a rush of warmth. As she had done every night since Gaalrie reached full growth, four years before, Gaalrie had flown the night patrol. Now was her time.

  Go little sister, hunt.

  Gaalrie gave vent to a short cry before lifting from the stone and darting high into the night sky. Moments later, she was gone.

  Areenna searched the cloudless late winter sky until she found the constellation Mikaal had taught her about, the Belt of Orion. She gazed at the belt, wondering how so much beauty could be contained in such perfect order.

  Staring at the stars, she asked the question she had asked herself a thousand times already, why me?

  The stars wavered as a shimmering mist grew before her eyes. The answer will you find, daughter of Nevaeh, when the time is right, came the too well remembered single voice of the sorceresses of the Eight.

  <><><>

  Mikaal awoke an hour before sunrise. Ten minutes later, he entered the stables and went to Charka’s stall. His aoutem welcomed him by pushing and nuzzling his chest. Mikaal led the kraal out of the stables and without saddle, mounted him. He rode to the southern gate, where two guards stood on the last hour of their shift. The gate was open, except at times of conflict.

  When they saw him approach, they stood straighter. “Your Highness,” said the guard on the left, a man Mikaal knew well for they had grown up together. “A long night, Tomsa?” Mikaal asked the guard.

  “And almost done, my Lord,” Tomsa replied. “It is early for a ride, you go alone?”

  “I do.”

  “I—”

  “It is alright, I will not go far.”

  “Yes, My Lord.”

  Mikaal shook his head. “Tomsa, we grew up together, we are friends and now all you can call me is ‘My Lord’?”

  The guard favored him with a momentary smile. “Yes, My Lord. I am on watch, not at play.”

  “Have you put your name in for the ‘Six’?

 
; Tomsa nodded. “It was done a month ago. I wait to hear word.”

  “Do not be concerned about the selection. You will make a good Six, Tomsa, of such I am certain.”

  “Thank you, My Lord. Ride safely,” he said, stepping aside and motioning the other guard to do the same.

  When he was far enough away from the outer walls of Tolemac, he turned south and rode for another ten minutes until he reached a small grove of trees he had long ago claimed as his own. Not by ownership, for no one owned the open unoccupied lands of Tolemac. Anyone could build upon it and grow food there, for all Nevaeh owned the lands of Tolemac.

  He dismounted and let Charka range on the tall grasses within the grove. He walked to the center, removed his sword, laid it on the ground, and sat cross-legged. He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath of the cool dawn air. Bands of pink blended into the dark purple of the horizon as the day rose upon Nevaeh. He lost himself in the quiet of the grove, with only the sounds of insects welcoming the new day.

  When he at last opened his eyes, he drew in several deep breaths, stood, and removed his shirt. The cool air flowed across his skin; the muscles of his abdomen and chest tightened in response.

  He exhaled sharply. He was troubled by all that had happened and even more so by their future. A sense of danger lingered in a corner of his mind, so cloying he could never quite shake it away. Had it been only six months since Areenna had arrived at Tolemac for the council meeting that had changed everything?

  Since that day, they had been apart only once. Her absence of only a few weeks had reinforced his understanding of how much Areenna meant to him. Moreover, as much as he had taught her of swordplay and fighting, she had taught him how to access and use his abilities and even more so, of who he was and who he would become. But beneath all, hung the emotions of which he must constantly keep locked away.

  Shaking his head, he bent and picked up his sword. He inhaled deeply and set his legs in preparation for the exercises he had learned as a young boy. He lifted the sword up and out, lunged forward, turned and repeated the movements. Then he stepped sideways, holding the sword cross body, bending his knees and striking with a curved blow as if there was an opponent to his left.

  He repeated the same set of movements for a quarter hour until a sheen of sweat covered his chest, arms and face. Then he moved next into the set of movements, his sword flying so fast the metal blurred in the light.

  Moving, weaving, striking, feinting and defending, he repeated it until his labored breathing forced him to stop, his head bent, his hands resting atop the sword’s pommel for support.

  So lost was Mikaal in what he had been doing it took until he regained his breath to realize he was not alone. Turning, he found a rider astride a kraal. Recognition was instantaneous. “Your Highness,” he said.

  “My Prince,” Areenna’s father, King Nosaj replied as he dismounted and started toward Mikaal. “That was a treat to watch.”

  Mikaal smiled, “Have you been there long?”

  “A few minutes. Long enough to know my daughter will be well protected.”

  Mikaal laughed as he stepped forward to meet Nosaj and grip his forearm in greeting. “Trust me Highness; it is usually she who protects me.”

  Nosaj echoed Mikaal’s laugh with a short one of his own. “Yes, she does seem to have that ability well mastered.”

  When they released each other’s arms, Mikaal bent and picked up his discarded shirt, drew the sword from the ground and sheathed it. “I am surprised to see you here.”

  “I could not let my daughter leave on this… quest without saying goodbye. You go when?”

  Mikaal held King Nosaj’s gaze and said, “The day after tomorrow.”

  “Then I am in time. I was afraid I might miss her. I had planned to be here two days ago, but there were problems at home.”

  “Bad?”

  Nosaj shook his head. His silver hair flowed with the movement. “Nothing bad, just issues within the domain. My niece watches over Freemorn in my absence.”

  “It is good you are here,” Mikaal said as he pulled on his shirt. “Areenna has missed you and Freemorn.”

  “As I have missed her. She is well?”

  “She is. Come, it’s time I returned and supervised the supplies.” He paused. “You came alone, no guards?”

  “Should I need such between our borders?”

  “No, but the times are strange… The line between friend and foe is wavering.”

  “Perhaps,” Nosaj said, “but not badly, not yet.”

  <><><>

  Sunlight streaming through the windows of the bedchamber awakened Areenna, who had slept later than usual. As she lay in bed, she became aware of Mikaal’s absence from his chamber. Where?

  Sitting up, she used her senses to search for him. As soon as she found him and knew he was safe, she withdrew. Leaving the bed, she began to prepare herself for the day. Her maid entered a few minutes later carrying a simple long tunic, at which Areenna shook her head.

  “I have too much to do today,” she said, “pants and a short tunic.”

  By the time she finished brushing her hair, the girl had returned with the right clothing. Minutes later, she descended to the lower level of the keep where she found Enaid entering the small dining hall.

  “Good morning,” Enaid said, dressed almost the same as Areenna. “You slept late, that’s good.”

  “It was not intentional,” Areenna replied, “and yes, it was good—one of my few dreamless nights.”

  Enaid flashed a warm smile. “Ah, the plague of we women with abilities.”

  Areenna sat down a few seconds before Enaid, and when the High Queen sat, two servants entered the room. One carried a tray of food, the other a steaming teapot.

  The women were quiet until the servants left. “Have you seen Mikaal this morning?” Enaid asked.

  “No, he is at his grove, exercising.”

  Enaid studied her for a moment before saying, “He told you?”

  Areenna shook her head. “No, I… I know.”

  “Is it difficult?” Enaid asked as she poured tea for both of them.

  Areenna knew exactly what Enaid meant. “I didn’t think it would be so. We cannot allow it to be, but yes, for me it is becoming difficult.”

  “There is nothing I can tell you, nothing I can say to make it easier, but both of you are strong. It will work out.”

  “I hope. But, My Lady, I fear for what might happen if we give in now.”

  “Child, you and Mikaal are meant to be. There is no need to do anything but wait until the time is right—and when it is time, you will know.”

  “If we survive whatever is to come.”

  Reaching out, Enaid rested her forearms on the table, her palms up and open. Areenna accepted the unvoiced invitation and gripped Enaid’s hands. When their skin met, a rush of warmth spread from her hands through her body. “In the entire world, with all the people living upon Nevaeh and beyond, I am absolutely clear on this: you and Mikaal are two people destined to be together, but not yet, not in that way.”

  “Because we must first accomplish what the Eight have sent us to do?”

  “Not quite… and yes. In order to do what is necessary, you cannot burden yourself with the emotions that would follow if you and Mikaal take each other as mates. You must remain as the two of you are until this is finished.”

  “I do understand but am afraid it will never be.”

  Enaid gently squeezed her hands briefly. “It will, but only in the manner it must. Your focus cannot be on yourselves. Such will lead to defeat and death, for you and for everyone else.”

  “I know,” Areenna admitted. Drawing back her hands, she picked up her tea. As she raised the cup, Gaalrie’s thought pushed into her mind. “They return.”

  “They?”

  Areenna’s smile widened and she nodded. “Mikaal and my father… I saw that not before. They will be here soon.” With that, the conversation ended and Areenna quickly downed some
food and raced outside to greet them.

  Alone, Enaid sat back and closed her eyes. Strength child, you are the key whom we have been so long awaiting.

  CHAPTER 5

  The warm mid-afternoon sun lent gentleness to the day as Areenna and Enaid rode their kraals out the northern gate. They stayed on the road for almost three-quarters of an hour before turning on a narrow hidden path leading to a secluded place within the surrounding woodlands. As always, the beauty of the area captivated Areenna.

  They guided their mounts a hundred yards down the path, to where a curving and seemingly impenetrable wall of trees and vines blocked their way; the vegetation was so thickly interlaced, it appeared carved and painted upon a solid wall of wood.

  Enaid stopped her kraal and dismounted. Taking the kraal’s reins, she tied it to the bole of a young pine while Areenna did the same for Hero. Gaalrie dropped from the sky to alight on Areenna’s shoulder. Irii, Enaid’s white gorlon padded next to the High Queen. They walked to a spot a dozen feet away and stood before the living wall.

  Grasping hands, Areenna and Enaid stepped forward together and disappeared into the solid wall of vines and trees. Two steps later, they emerged within a small grove.

  As she had each time she entered Enaid’s ‘Haven’, Areenna gasped. They stood in a field of flowers, surrounded by a circle of trees, their branches and vines as thickly interwoven within as they had been on the other side. To her right was an oval pond, perhaps thirty yards across, and its water sparkled iridescently in the midday sun. Gaalrie lifted from Areenna’s shoulder and flew above the meadow; Irii padded to a sunlit patch of grass and after stretching, rolled several times on the blanket of grass ending on her back.

  “Peace, finally,” Enaid whispered with a hint of a smile.

  Areenna breathed deeply of the floral scented air. Finally, her mind and body were calm and relaxed. She thought not on the quest she would be undertaking, only of the peacefulness of this place.