The Sea of Valour
Ocracidia Series 1
By
Lottie F. Yinka
Visit me on line at www.lottieyinka.com
Amazon.co.uk
Cover images © Shutterstock.com
Copyright © L.F. Yinka August 2015
Copyright
This book is copyright 2015 Lottie F. Yinka
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author.
Contents
Chapter 1 –Time Before
Chapter 2 – Deception
Chapter 3 – Zedia
Chapter 4 – The Volunteer
Chapter 5 – Zedia’s Ring
Chapter 6 – Leaving
Chapter 7 -The Sea of Valour
Chapter 8 –The Challenge
Chapter 9 –Clawrion
Chapter 10- Adonijah
Chapter 11 -Freedom
Chapter 12– Gills and a Fish Tail
Chapter 13– One Eyed Monsters
Chapter 14– Kantang
Chapter 15– On My Way
Chapter 1 - Zedia
Three years had passed since Diagus; the god of war attacked the Land of Ocracidia and took the goddess Zedia captive.
Zedia was now imprisoned in the darkest dungeon of the land of Goreloth; a dark, evil land formed deep within the abyss. The key to which was hidden in the belly of the evil beast of Goreloth.
Most of the houses in Ocracidia had been burnt by thunder and lightning leaving only black, sooth filled, half collapsed structures. But one building stood tall and untouched amongst the ruins. It was the Temple of the goddess Zedia - an enormous, gorgeous building decorated in red and gold precious stones and interlaced with medium sized white and purple orchid flowers. It stood firmly balanced on twelve tall purple and white stony beams a stunning and compelling presence to all that entered into or left the land of Ocracidia.
Most said the temple of Zedia had been left untouched because Diagus wanted it to be the last thing in the land that he destroyed; but others claimed that it was because the power of Zedia still lived in the temple and was too great for Diagus to overcome.
Diagus’ evil spirit soldiers still paraded the land; they were dark, ferocious, shape changing spirits which deceived anyone they could into captivity. They took on forms both of humans and animal and sometimes even birds and struck the people with terror and fright so much so, that the people of Ocracidia hid underground and only came up to gather food and water.
It was during such a time that a young boy named Cezar emerged to secretly do some fishing. Cezar loved being near the sea because he loved to fish. He had not been allowed out since the land had been attacked because his parents told him it was not safe for him to be. They warned him to stay away from open land but on this day, his parents were away at a meeting of the elders to discuss strategies to defeat Diagus, and Cezar felt he would sneak away, do some fishing and return before his parents got back.
Cezar was very careful to avoid Diagus evil spirit soldiers; he stayed in the shadows but as he approached the blue green sands of the shore, his fingers tingled with excitement at being so close to the water. He glanced up at the Temple of Zedia and was amazed by how alive the temple seemed to be today. Cezar walked forward and touched one of the beams holding the temple up; it felt warm and smooth.
The lower part of each beam had the soft beautiful face of the goddess Zedia deeply etched into it. Cezar stared at the face of Zedia; he felt an energy he couldn’t explain pull him closer.
He had been to Zedia’s temple many times, but today something was different and he couldn’t put his finger on. He began to walk away from the temple when a strong energy field surrounded him. Cezar looked back at the etched face of Zedia.
The eyes of the carved face of the goddess narrowed and blinked at him, a smile formed around the mouth of the carved face and then the face signalled him in the direction of the temple.
The face is alive? It can't be! Cezar thought to himself. He shook his head to get rid of the image before him. ‘I must be imagining things.’ he said and blinked. The face smiled and blinked back at him.
This time Cezar knew he was not dreaming. The face motioned him towards the entrance of Zedia's temple, again without speaking any words.
But Cezar had not been invited to the Elders meeting which was taking place there and he wondered how his father the high priest of the goddess Zedia would react if he suddenly walked into the meeting. He knew his father would not be happy; Cezar turned and began to walk away from the temple. He had fishes to catch.
After taking only three steps a warm, sweet, female voice stopped him.
‘The temple is the other way,’ the voice said.
Cezar immediately turned towards the etched face but he saw no one. A few moments later, a bright shining light appeared before him. It sparkled and shone in red and gold - the colours of Zedia and though the light was very bright it didn't hurt Cezar’s eyes.
Cezar watched the light expectantly. For moments nothing happened then a soothing feeling came out of the light; it enveloped and caressed him all over. Reminding him of times when he was upset and his mother would sooth his fears away.
At that moment Cezar felt happy, at peace and without a care in the world; he didn’t want the feeling to stop. But then an image stepped out of the light and though Cezar had never seen the goddess Zedia in the flesh before, he knew the moment the image appeared before him, that it was her.
She wore of a flowing grey robe, her hair was bright red like fire and around her head she wore an onyx crown which had dazzling precious stones and shinning pearls; her eyes were blue-green like the colour of the sand on the shores of Ocracidia and she smiled the most beautiful smile. In her left hand she carried a long red and gold trident.
Zedia took a couple of steps towards Cezar leaving behind her was a trail of purple and white orchid flowers. Cezar was certain it was the goddess; he felt apprehensive not because he was afraid but because he knew that it was something important when a god or goddess appeared to a human. Aside from his father Oscar, Cezar had never before heard of Zedia appearing to anyone.
Cezar took a number of steps back and almost tripped but Zedia stretched out her hand and caught him. Her hand was warm, light as a feather and her fingers felt very delicate. Zedia helped Cezar gain his balance, she steadied him then let him go.
‘Thank you,’ Cezar said.
Zedia smiled. She touched his forehead right between his brows and a tingling feeling travelled down Cezar’s spine and into his fingers and toes. His head felt light and his whole body burnt with an excitement he had never before experienced as each part of his body came alive. It was as if all his senses had come alive. His eyes became clearer as he saw how beautiful the goddess was. His ears heard the gentle rustle of her gown on the ground and her scent which was gentle, surrounded and filled him with a feeling of love. Cezar felt a strong surge of power in his head which he felt came from Zedia’s trident. It made his eyes widen with delight and left a sweet taste in his mouth. His palms and feet felt a little warm and he felt fuzzy. Cezar’s eyes twitched and for a moment he closed his eyes; when he opened them, Zedia was gone and on the ground before him was one purple and white orchid flower where the goddess Zedia had stood.
Cezar realised he had just had a visitation from the goddess Zedia; he picked up the orchid flower, put it in his pocket, and ran towards the doors of the temple; convinced he had to be in the meeting.
Chapter - 2 The volunteer
> The temple was horse-shoe shaped with dark onyx marble stone steps all around that doubled as seats; the walls were the colour of the blue green sands on the shores of Ocracidia.
Twelve fire torches hung from the walls and two huge marble structures of the beautiful goddess Zedia stood beside a pulpit from which Oscar, Cezar's father spoke. Everything in the temple was beautiful. Though Cezar had been visiting the temple all his life, it was as if this was the very first time he was seeing the place because he saw everything in a new light.
Still trembling from the encounter with goddess Zedia, Cezar sat down at the back of the temple gathering. He did not want to call attention to himself nor did he want his father to see that he was present.
He was convinced that Zedia only wanted him to listen, after all what contribution could a thirteen year old boy make to an elders’ meeting about fighting or defeating a god.
Oscar's voice was loud and clear.
‘The only way we are to save our land, is to break Diagus' spell and free Zedia from the land of Goreloth,' Oscar said. He took two steps forward stopped and looked at the elders sitting in the front row of the temple with piercing grey eyes before he continued. 'She is the only god whose power can defeat that of Diagus.'
‘Aye.’ echoed all the elders.
Oscar was a six foot tall man, with huge shoulders and strong muscles, his presence filled the room as his spoke. His long blue green hair was held high in a bun at the top of his head, and he wore a long, dark brown tunic over his clothes. He took more steps towards the fifty seated elders who sat listening to him.
Cezar shifted uneasily where he sat fearing that his father would notice him but Oscar did not seem to.
'Everything in Ocracidia has changed since Zedia was captured,' Oscar said. 'And that is because her spirit no longer feeds the land.' Oscar turned and pointed to the two marble structures of Zedia. 'We must free the goddess,' he urged emphatically.
Cezar looked to the two marble structures of Zedia wondering if they too would come alive.
Cezar knew Oscar spoke the truth. Everything in Ocracidia had changed since Diagus came down under the pretence of a visit and captured the goddess Zedia. The atmosphere in Ocracidia was now cold, dark and horrible. Everything and anything warm, bright, lovely or beautiful had left the land or been destroyed by Diagus' spell.
Cezar thought about the beautiful fairies that had once taught him how to fly by making wings from tree leaves and tying them to his back as they lifted him into the air. He reminisced over old times, and bit his lip in regret wishing he could see the fairies again.
'We need a warrior to travel to Goreloth and free our goddess by killing the evil beast of Goreloth and break the spell,' Oscar said.
The Elders in the room remained quiet. Their faces filled with dread and anticipation. No one in the land of Ocracidia had ever before fought in battle. Most did not know how. They had been specially bred for peace, kindness and joy and it was even more difficult for them to comprehend fighting a beast.
No one replied and Oscar looked from face to face. He walked to the two marble structures of Zedia and gazed at them as if expecting some sort of sign. Moments later he walked back and faced the elders he had been addressing.
‘Are there any volunteers?’ He asked hopefully.
All around the temple, heads hung low and eyes looked away from Oscar. The smile on Oscar’s face was slowly replaced by disappointment. Cezar read Oscar's expression well. He knew Oscar would have volunteered if his position as high priest of Zedia hadn’t prevented him.
‘Any volunteers?’ Oscar asked again, this time his voice was low, quiet and unsure.
Cezar’s mother Annabel, said nothing; her face showed neither surprised nor disappointment at the silence that followed her husband’s request.
Cezar thought to himself that surely one person in the room would volunteer and he waited. He hoped for just one person but not a single soul did. What Cezar saw were people whose courage eluded them.
Then something stirred deep inside Cezar.
‘I volunteer,’ he shouted. His hand shot up as if a bolt of electricity had run though him. His body trembled slightly and his heart beat so fast he thought it would burst.
Many faces turned to see who it was that spoke. Questioning looks confirmed that not everyone was happy at his boldness to speak at an elders meeting. But Cezar did not let that deter him. If Zedia needed a warrior to help her escape Diagus' clutches then he would perform his duties to her especially when there was no other.
Silence filled the temple and one by one, the elders turned to face Oscar.
Oscar himself did not look Cezar’s way; it was as if Oscar hadn’t heard Cezar speak.
Cezar crossed his fingers, closed his eyes and wished very hard that the elders especially his father would agree for him to go on this quest. He was convinced this was what Zedia wanted of him.
‘I volunteer,’ Cezar shouted out again. This time his voice was louder, more confident and energetic; almost as if daring anyone to challenge him.
All heads turned once again towards the tall, slim built, boy sitting at the back of the gathering with his right arm in the air.
Oscar's eyes travelled to where Cezar sat and held his gaze. Cezar now had Oscar's attention. Cezar grinned lopsidedly; he waited; then he slowly brought his arm down.
Annabel glared at Cezar and he knew she was trying to grasp what was going on in his head. Her outward countenance was composed and cool but when he looked into her eyes, he sensed she was both angry and confused.
Slowly the moment passed, seconds turned into minutes and the shock of Cezar volunteering yielded a relief amongst the elders that someone had indeed volunteered.
The elders looked to Oscar with anticipation. He had asked for a volunteer and now he had one. Cezar waited too!
Would Oscar accept his own son as a volunteer on this very dangerous quest?
Minutes ticked away before Oscar moved or said anything; then Oscar smiled and his eyes lit up. Cezar took a deep breath, he realised that his father was neither angry nor upset with him.
Oscar stretched his hand out to Cezar signalling him to step forward. Cezar came quickly to join his father at the front of the gathering.
‘My Son Cezar, will journey to the land of Goreloth on the quest to destroy the spell that holds our land captive,' Oscar announced; 'and he will save our beautiful goddess Zedia.’ He patted Cezar gently on the back and everyone cheered. Everyone, that is except Annabel, Cezar’s mother.
Chapter 3 Time Before
Later that night, Oscar called Cezar aside and took him into a private room.
Oscar sat down in one of two chairs placed side by side. 'Sit down,' he pointed to the other chair. 'I must tell you the history of our people before you begin this quest,' he said.
Cezar sat beside his father and waited. His father looked into space and began his tale; this was the moment Cezar had been awaiting for a long time.
‘In times gone past, the world was divided into three planes; the heaven, the earth and the Abyss.
The heavens were made of gold, silver, pearls and all types of precious stones. Twelve gods of creation ruled and lived in the heaven; each with his or her own powers and attributes. They were all very powerful in their own right and even without leaving the heavens, they saw and heard everything.
Sitting on their thrones; each wore a crown made of their signature stone and colour. A long magical trident stood upright to the left of each throne emitting a bright light in all the beautiful colours of the rainbow. The light from each trident rose high up and together formed a large orbital sphere through which everything that happened on the earth and in the Abyss could be seen by the gods.’
Oscar paused and looked at Cezar.
‘During those times all the gods stood united as one. They were united in spirit as they were in action but of all the gods, two stood out the most, these were Diagus and Zedia.’
‘Our goddess
Zedia?’ Cezar asked.
Oscar nodded. ‘Diagus the god of war, whose power is thunder and lightning. He is the most wicked, unforgiving and hateful of all the gods. His eyes are black with yellow pupils and whenever he is angry they turned purple.
The goddess Zedia is the complete opposite of Diagus, She is the goddess the peace. She is kind, peaceful and always full of Joy. She never gets angry and her blue green eyes shine with love and affection.’
‘Why were they the most important gods?’
‘Because both these gods were the stabilizing force of all the other gods; their powers balanced out each other’s and kept the heavens, earth and abyss stable.’
‘I see’ replied Cezar.
‘Now the second plane in the world was the earth.’
‘Is that where we live?’
‘Yes,’ replied Oscar. The earth comprised of air, water, and land and was inhabited by humans, birds, animals, reptiles, fishes and all living things. Some parts of earth were warm, hot and sunny but there were other parts which were dark, empty, cold and frightening. All types of humans inhabited the earth; and though they lived closed to each other, most spoke in separate tongues.
‘Now the third and final plane of the world was the Abyss.’
‘That’s where the goddess Zedia is imprisoned isn’t it?’ Cezar asked.
‘Correct my son,’ replied Oscar. The abyss is a dreadful, evil place which reaches into the depth of the world. Everywhere in the abyss is pitch dark and there is always the most dreadful sounds you can think of. It is inhabited by dark, wicked creatures, demons and evil shadows which take delight and pleasure in creating all manner of suffering and pain. No earthling has ever travelled to the abyss and successfully returned; you will be the first.’
The Sea of Valour -The Ocracidia Series 1 Page 1