Bones of the Earth (The Equilibrium Cycle Book 1)

by Jason A. Gilbert

  "Connor!" she whispered harshly, fearing her own voice in the dark.

  She heard him stir near her and then heard a sharp intake of breath. He must have been sleeping, so he had not seen the light go out. "What's going on?"

  "I don't know. I just woke up."

  "Bugger. I fell asleep too," he said. Laila heard Connor shuffle; he must have been trying to climb to his feet. "Where's the light?"

  "I told you, I don't know," she answered, her voice rising in pitch from fear. She fumbled in her robes, looking for the other half of her stone. She stopped her rustling when she heard the distant echo of footsteps down the tunnel.

  "Did you—" she started, but Connor hissed at her to be quiet.

  The fear must have been enough, as blue light flared next to Laila, and she could see Connor outlined by his blade. The footsteps stopped briefly, but then they picked up again, this time at a quicker pace, drawing closer.

  "Get ready!" Connor whispered sharply.

  "For what?" Laila asked, standing up from her bedroll.

  "To run."

  "No. I'm not going to leave you too," Laila whispered back harshly.

  "You will. You have to." Connor's eyes never left the darkness of the tunnel.

  "I won't."

  Connor did not respond. They both stood and waited for the footsteps to reach them. Time passed; the footsteps grew louder and louder. The source must have been farther away than either of them had guessed for how long it was taking. Slowly Laila could see another light coming from the direction of the footsteps. But it was not torchlight—there was no flicker from flame, the illumination was steady and solid.

  Finally a form became visible in the combined light of Connor's Sword and the pale earthlight. It was Icarus. His heavy robes were covered in more dirt than usual and a substance that looked to be blood was splattered across his front, but he appeared to be uninjured. He came rushing toward them.

  "Put that away, boy," he said to Connor. Laila found that she was relieved to hear the old man's rough voice echo through the tunnel.

  The Sword disappeared from Connor's hands, and the earthlight from the stone in Icarus's hand took over, lighting up the tunnel. The Magus reached them and stood for a moment, looking them up and down.

  "You seem to be doing well," he stated, a half-smile crossing his mouth.

  "You too," answered Connor.

  Relief washed over Icarus's face, the mocking tone in his voice gone. "Oh, I am glad I found you. This was not an experience I care to repeat." He laughed softly, hesitantly. Laila was relieved to see him, but she could not bring herself to join in his laughter.

  "What happened?" she asked.

  A shadow briefly passed over his face. "Not now, child. I will tell you when we reach Grimmere. For now, the experience is too close at heart. But the door to the tunnel is closed. That's why the light went out," he gestured at the walls, "and we are safe, truly safe, for the time being.” Laila felt a weight evaporate from her shoulders with his words.

  "Gather your things," he continued. "It's nearly dawn. If we hurry, we can reach Grimmere by the end of the day. Then we can finally rest."

  Laila and Connor quickly gathered what was left of their belongings, slinging them over their backs, and then they headed off, continuing deeper into the tunnel. As they walked, Laila studied the engravings that covered the stone walls. Many of them seemed to be written in the ancient script of the books, but there were other languages and images carved. Crashing waves, tall mountains, creatures roaming the earth. They all seemed to be telling a story. Icarus noticed her as they walked.

  "Do you know what that is?" he asked.

  "They remind me of the old stories we used to hear as children, about the early times of the world, when all kinds of dangerous monsters and animals hunted people." She shrugged. "I didn't think I'd ever see something like that carved into stone."

  "Legends and stories are often based in truth, child," responded Icarus.

  Laila turned back to the wall, trying to discern what story was being told by the carvings. Before she could reply, Connor jumped in. "Do these tell a story?"

  Icarus smiled, and Laila thought he had been waiting for her to ask a similar question. He turned to Connor. "They do."

  "Of what?" Connor asked.

  Icarus made a show of studying the walls. "The early days of our world, as the young Magusari said." He winked at Laila. "What do you know of the legends?" he asked her.

  "Only what my parents used to talk about, and a couple of stories from Clara. All kinds of dark creatures walked the earth. I don't really remember the specifics."

  "There were creatures, but I would not call them dark. Different, though, at least different than us. But not dark," Icarus explained.

  "Are you talking about elementals?" asked Connor.

  Icarus nodded. "I am. It seems the Phoenix Clan has held onto more of their knowledge than even I had given them credit for."

  Connor smiled self-consciously. "I don't know that much."

  "What are elementals?" asked Laila.

  "The embodiment of the elements. The Manders that attacked our camp are remnants of those ancient legends." With mention of the Manders, Icarus's face grew dark, but he continued. "Long before humanity arose, the earth was in a constant state of change. The elemental races vied for dominance against each other. Earth against air, fire against water. Their struggles shaped the world."

  As they walked, he pointed to a large image depicting huge figures casting down mountains, burning through forests, flooding valleys. It all seemed very apocalyptic to Laila. Icarus continued.

  "Manders, or fire-wolves, existed in a much greater form then, intelligent and cunning. Unlike the creatures we met before. There were also the Ondine," he pointed to a picture of a woman whose feet flowed seamlessly into the waves of the ocean, "the Volos," he indicated one of the towering figures on the mountains and spoke the word with a tone of reverence that was reserved for the earth elementals alone, "and the Aurai, the air elementals." He gestured to a lanky figure dancing through the clouds. "Their battles wracked the earth for untold time. In the end, it is said, the Prime Aspects came together to contain the raging of the elementals, thus creating humanity."

  He pointed to another image. Three huge figures, representations of the Prime Aspects, seemed to be molding a smaller figure from the ground, a human-shaped figure.

  "Humanity was not as strong as the elementals, but they made up for their primal weakness in numbers and intelligence. Over time, the elementals were pushed to the brink. The Volos retreated back into the earth, giving up their form. Manders, the most cunning and violent of the elementals, were stripped of their intelligence, although there is no tale regarding how or when. I had never before seen any on this continent, but there are packs of Manders in the north, near the Dragonlands. The Ondine and the Aurai simply disappeared, and none of their kind has been seen in millennia."

  "What happened?" asked Laila.

  "No one knows."

  After Icarus's tale, they continued on through the tunnel for hours until they finally reached another door, much like the one they’d encountered at the beginning. Icarus approached without hesitation, pulling a stone from his own bag, lighting it up, and placing it in the center. The same grinding sound accompanied the rise of this door. Once they were on the other side, Icarus placed his hands against the wall and the door emerged from the ceiling, sealing the tunnel once again. He motioned for them to lead the way out of the small cave.

  As they did, they walked out onto another shelf and saw a wide lake stretching out a hundred feet below. It was not as large as Lake Artus, but it was clear, smooth, and blue. Tall mountain trees lined the edges, reflected clearly in the crystalline waters. Icarus stepped out of the cave behind them and spread his arms wide toward the lake.

  "Welcome to Grimmere, my home."

  Part Three: Trials

  Twelve

  Training

  Laila sat at th
e edge of Grimmere, staring into the still, mirror-like waters. Her legs and feet still ached from her and Connor's march, but they had spent the last day and a half recovering. After their exit from the tunnel, Icarus had led them down to the shore of the lake where he had a small hut, hidden just off the water. The three of them had eaten and immediately fallen asleep after Icarus had assured them that they would be safe. Laila had slept through the entire day, waking briefly in the evening to walk to the lake, wash, and eat a small meal before falling back asleep. The rest had been sorely needed. They had made it to Grimmere with the books Icarus had wanted from the library in Balon, but now she wondered what was to happen next.

  She spotted Connor in the trees to her left. He had left early that morning to do some hunting. As he came closer, she saw him carrying a string full of small rabbits. Laila had never eaten rabbit before leaving Terus, but after the last part of their frantic journey, the fresh meat was welcome. She slid off her rock and met him in the trees, falling into step next to him as they made their way back to Icarus's hut.

  "I thought you weren't a good hunter?"

  "Not big things. Rabbits are easy. A few well-placed snares and they pretty much come to you." He smiled back, brushing off the comment.

  "I see."

  "Have you talked to Icarus today?" asked Connor.

  "No. He's been stuck in the hut all morning. I think he's still reading."

  Connor nodded. Although they hadn’t been awake much of the last two days, it seemed that Icarus had buried his face in those books from the moment they’d arrived, oblivious to their activities and largely unresponsive to the world. They still had not even heard the story of how he had dealt with the Manders, nor had they been able to share the knowledge of Torin's rise to power and the strange military movements near Ester. When Laila had attempted to speak to him that morning, he had brushed her off, mumbling that they would talk later.

  "How are you feeling today?" asked Connor.

  "Better. You?"

  "Good," he said, raising the rabbits slightly. "Feels good to be doing something productive, instead of just constantly running. This place reminds me a lot of Custos. It's too bad no one ever comes here."

  "Didn't you say your people think it's haunted?"

  Connor chuckled. "Aye. Story is that Grimmere is the resting place for fallen clan members from an ancient war. They supposedly haunt the shores of the lake, seeking their forgotten enemies." He looked around at the peacefulness of the lake. "Though, now that I'm here, it's probably just a way to keep people from getting too close. I think Custos is a week to south, through some harsh mountains and forest. None of my people ever come this far north. So it's always just been a story."

  "Maybe we'll see some ghosts," Laila said, pretending to look behind a tree fearfully.

  Connor smiled and shrugged.

  They reached the hut and slipped inside. Icarus looked up from his book, finally acknowledging their presence.

  "Ah, good. You're both here. It's time we spoke."

  Laila felt a rush of anxiety wash over her. Finally. Maybe we can move forward now, she thought. Connor strung his game up near the small fire pit in the center of the hut and came to sit next to Laila, his own anxiety showing in the quickness of his movements. They both watched Icarus intently.

  "Now that I have your attention," he laughed, his rough voice scratching along his throat, "you asked what those creatures were."

  "The Manders?" said Laila.

  "Yes. As I explained the other day, they are elementals. Embodiments of fire."

  "Why were they after us?" asked Connor.

  "That I do not know for sure. As I told you, I am not the only one who might be seeking the Magusari." He glanced at Laila. "The signs that I have seen are not exclusive to me. Others, with the right knowledge, could read the same, and not all want to see a Magusari come to power. Whoever may be behind the Manders’ movements, it means that the pieces have been set on the board, and now the game has begun."

  "Game?" asked Laila.

  "A game, in a sense, yes. A game where not all the players are known yet. But the most important one is you. The entire thing revolves around you."

  "I didn't want this," Laila reiterated.

  "I know, Laila. And, were it my decision, I would not have chosen this life for you. It will not be easy, as you've already seen, but I will help you as I can. You won't be alone.” He smiled reassuringly, but Laila wouldn’t meet his eyes.

  "Speaking of such things, it is time I explained what everything means." He turned to Connor briefly. "Would you mind boiling some water, Connor? I think I'll make some tea while we speak."

  Connor nodded, grabbing the small pot near the fire and stepping out of the hut to head to the lake. Icarus turned back to Laila.

  "I know you don't believe me, child, but you are the Magusari. Even had I not read the signs as I have, you have already demonstrated too much potential and power to be anything but. Between your manifestations in Terus and your breaking of the illusion in Balon, those events alone show you for what you are."

  "How? I don't understand."

  "We spoke, the day we first met, of the Prime Aspects."

  Laila nodded.

  "And beneath the Prime Aspects, what makes up the foundations of our world?"

  Laila considered for a moment. "You mean the elements?"

  "Yes," answered Icarus, waiting.

  "Fire, water, earth, and air."

  "Good. Though there are actually five elemental aspects. The fifth is the void."

  "The void?" Laila thought back to her conversation with her father all those weeks ago. She had been curious about the fifth element then—now she knew.

  "It represents both a combination of the four elements and the absence of them. It can represent creativity and creation, but also death and the end of all things."

  Laila looked at Icarus, clearly confused. But he brushed off the look.

  "It is complicated, child, but you will learn. Nevertheless, the Magi, or a Magus such as myself, cannot manipulate all five elements. Each Magus dedicates themselves to a single element and order."

  "That's why you mentioned the Earth Magi before."

  "Yes. That is my order. I am an Earth Magus. That is why I could not have broken the illusion in Balon. That barrier was made up of earth and water, and it was beyond me.”

  He shrugged. "But it was not beyond you. You were able to sense it and then dispel it. This ability marks you as something different, something beyond a Magus. The Magusari. The one born to power who can manipulate all five elements. Through the Magusari, balance can be restored."

  Connor returned with the pot of water and began making a fire.

  "You keep mentioning balance. What do you mean?"

  "A good question." He turned, looking around the hut for something. He grabbed a small stool with three legs. "Connor, bring that water over here." Connor stopped building the fire, glanced at Laila with a questioning look, and then carried the heavy pot over to Icarus. Icarus motioned for him to place the pot on the stool. "Thank you. Now, imagine that these three legs are the Prime Aspects. They support the world we live in, the pot. The elements are what make up the pot. Earth." He tapped the pot itself. "Water." He dipped his hand inside. "Air." He waved his hand just over the water. "Fire." He pointed to the fire pit. "Not a perfect example, but you understand what I mean."

  Laila and Connor both nodded slowly.

  "Good. Now, if any one of the Aspects gets too strong," he gently lifted the stool onto one of the legs, causing the entire pot to shift and wobble precariously, "the world begins to falter. So balance must be restored." He placed the stool back on the ground. "Usually, it’s best if this happens before it is too late. This grave of an imbalance has not occurred in thousands of years. But I fear it is happening now. Otherwise, you would not be here," he finished, looking at Laila.

  She did not respond immediately. She had heard similar discussions about the structure of th
eir world through her teachings growing up. Nothing so...basic, but similar. The way Icarus described it made much more sense than the often esoteric ways her teachers had described things. The explanation still did not satisfy her questions, however.

  "What does that mean for me, though? What am I supposed to do?"

  Icarus nodded, handing the pot of water carefully back to Connor, who resumed starting a fire. "Honestly? I don't know."

  Laila's jaw dropped. "You don't know?"

  Icarus shook his head. "I know that you must learn to control your powers, to master the five elements. But, beyond that, I'm not sure how the balance can be restored. I don't even know how it's been disrupted in the first place."

  He looked dejected. The confession had come easily, but now Laila could see that it made him feel as inadequate as she did. A part of her sympathized, but another part of her raged.

  "All of this, and you don't know!"

  "I don't know what you need to do," Icarus began, raising his hands to Laila, trying to calm her, "but I can help teach you about your powers, help guide you. I will stay by your side, and together we will figure out what must be done."

  It was not a real answer, but Laila was tired of being angry. She hunched down into her seat, feeling despondent. "So, now what?"

  "Tomorrow I'll start teaching you about magic and what it means to be a Magus. When you are ready, you'll climb Mount Obrussa and complete your first task."

  "First task?" she asked.

  "It is something that the Magi have done for centuries. It is the only thing that I can think of to start your training." He turned and grabbed one of the books from the library. "It's also something that I've confirmed through my readings. My order has always known that Mount Obrussa was important, and we've used it as a final testing place, but here it's mentioned quite frequently. I still don't understand what it is that you are to do at its peak. But we will come to that in time."

  "What is the test?" she pushed. She had already been through enough tests; she did not enjoy the prospect of another.