Devan Chronicles Series: Books 1-3

by Mark E. Cooper

  Julia laughed as he offered her the huge axe. She doubted she could swing it let alone hit her target. She was more likely to cut her toes off than the roots.

  “I’m not laughing at you,” Julia said and daringly squeezed his shoulder. He was all hard muscle, just like Kev. “I couldn’t lift that. I was going to use magic.”

  “Good idea, Lady. These are dangerous,” he said swinging the axe easily and smacking the handle into his other palm.

  “So is magic.”

  Julia gestured everyone back. She was sure stumps had been burned out of the ground on her old world before machines were designed to do it quicker. Her magic could easily provide that and more, but a fireball could bounce. She chose an alternate method. She grasped her magic and sent fire in a controlled stream no thicker than her arm into the hole.

  The roots exploded.

  Julia ducked and scuttled back releasing her magic at the same time.

  “Oooh!”

  “Ahhhh!”

  “Magic is wonderful stuff ain’t it?”

  Lots of nods and appreciative murmurs.

  Julia didn’t tell them that the explosion had been unexpected. The fire was so hot it had caused the moisture in the roots to expand into steam. She would have to be more careful next time.

  “Heave!”

  “And here she goes!”

  And she did go. Julia grinned as the rope teams fell back as the stump popped free.

  “Drag it there,” Julia pointed to a point well away from the next stump. “That one next?”

  “Yes Lady, but she needs to be dug out first,” the gang leader said apologetically.

  “Oh,” Julia said disappointed that she couldn’t help more.

  Julia studied the stump knowing it would be stubborn like the other one had been, and an idea came to her. Back during the war, she had needed to get into a door blocked by fallen stone and timbers. She hadn’t been any good with her magic back then. She had succeeded through luck and desperation. Maybe she could do something here—just like the machines on Earth!

  “I have an idea,” Julia said and grasped her magic.

  She frowned in concentration and stroked the tree stump with an outstretched hand. She nodded as the feeling of the living wood came to her. She had it now, and heaved.

  Eeeeeek! Snap! Crunch!

  Julia ripped the stump out of the ground with ease. It didn’t feel heavy at all!

  “By the God! Did you see that?”

  “I am seeing it!”

  Julia smiled and dropped her burden next to the other one. Her helper pointed to the next and the next and Julia ripped them out the same way. She soon got into a rhythm. Julia and her admirers wandered the clearing ripping out tree stumps and piling them in a central location for burning. It didn’t take people long to get used to the sight of a tree stump floating by.

  “It’s noon, Lady. Time for a meal,” Father Tulley said.

  Julia nodded and released her magic. “I’ll leave the rest for you,” she said to her new friends.

  They bobbed their heads up and down and thanked her for the help. There were hundreds more to do, but it was their town. It wouldn’t be right to do it all for them.

  “That was good of you,” Tulley said stiffly as they walked.

  “Don’t be angry with me,” Julia said with a sigh. “I like helping people.”

  “You are nobly born.”

  “Not really…” she began, but his look stopped her.

  “What would become of us all if the nobles left their castles to work next to their tenants?” Tulley said.

  Might make for a better world, but Julia didn’t say that. “The lords would never do that.”

  “You have.”

  “But I’m different. I wasn’t born here.”

  Tulley frowned. “We each have a place in this world. It is not good to forget that, or try to change it.”

  Julia gaped. “The Church doesn’t teach that view…does it?”

  “No, it’s my own.”

  “It’s the wrong one,” Julia said firmly. “Gideon taught me that the God wants us to learn. What point in restricting ourselves? If we followed your way we would never learn anything new.”

  “We are reborn time and again, Lady, sent back to learn. This is true, but the God sends us where he will, not where we would have him send us.”

  “The point being?” Julia asked as they reached the tables.

  “If He sends me back to learn what a priest knows, then I will be a priest and should not change it. If He sends me back as a lord, then he wishes me to learn what a lord knows. Do you see?”

  “I see where you are heading, but you’re still wrong. Does the God say I must learn one thing at a time? Of course not. As you said earlier, we all learn at a different pace. If I learn all I can in this life, does that not mean I will be by his side that much quicker?”

  Tulley frowned trying to puzzle it out. He still hadn’t answered when Kev sat by her side and reached for the bread.

  “How is Wendell?” Julia asked him.

  “Pleased to have the iron,” Keverin said and poured himself a mug of ale. “It’s good, want some?”

  “A half mug, then,” she said and sipped it. It was good.

  “Wendell has his forge, and now he has iron to work with he can start making hinges and such.”

  Julia nodded. They had brought wagon-loads of iron, but that wasn’t all they brought. “What did he say about the nails?”

  “He nearly wept with delight!”

  Julia laughed. No smith liked making nails.

  “What have you done to Tulley?” Keverin whispered as he leaned forward.

  “Nothing. We did a little stump pulling,” she said and at his raised eyebrow, she explained. “I used magic to rip them out, but Tulley doesn’t approve of me.” Keverin’s brows lowered and she hastily patted his hand. “That came out wrong. He likes me, and I like him. He doesn’t like me lowering myself to help the folk here. It’s this noble and peasant thing again.”

  “Ah,” Kev said and his features lightened.

  Julia breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t want Keverin to upset Tulley by accusing him of disrespecting her. The poor man had enough on his mind without having his lord angry with him.

  “We need more stone, Kev,” she said after swallowing a piece of cheese. It had a strong flavour and she cut another piece. “Tulley says they used it on River Road and Market Square. They can’t do much more without running out.”

  “Wooden foundations won’t last,” Keverin said scowling.

  “That’s what I thought.”

  “We won’t send the empty wagons back just yet,” Keverin mused. “I think we should have a look at the quarry and see what might be done there.”

  “Maybe I can help.”

  Keverin smiled. “You always do,” he said and took her hand for a chaste kiss.

  Julia smiled in pleasure. “I love you.”

  “And I love you my lady. My lady Sorceress.”

  A few days later, Julia and Keverin rode into the hills with twenty empty wagons clattering along in their wake. The trees gave way grudgingly as the hills came into sight and they were able to make better time. The forest had encroached so badly upon the road that at times Julia thought further progress was impossible. Keverin hadn’t hesitated. He and his men had simply dismounted, pulled axes from a wagon, and waded into the forest as if attacking a troop of bandits.

  Quarry Road was a mere lane compared with the high road, but it was adequate for their needs. The large wheels of the carts were wide and strong. They coped well with the rutted lane. The stone that once covered the road was missing in places, perhaps swallowed by the earth in some long ago storm when the ground had turned to sludge. Keverin directed his men to take to the verges to protect their horse’s vulnerable legs. Julia followed suit. Although Ayita was doubtful, she settled down once on a relatively flat stretch of the verge.

  “She doesn’t like this,” Jul
ia said meaning the dew soaked ground.

  “Her Dam never did like getting her feet wet,” Keverin said with a grin. “Temperamental she was, like all women.”

  Julia gave him a dirty look. “Sensible if you ask me. Why walk on wet grass when you can stay dry on a nice stone road?”

  “Ah yes, but we haven’t got a nice stone road.”

  “We haven’t any stone either.”

  “Not yet,” Keverin said.

  Julia nodded. That was why they were riding out here. By rights, they should be on their way back to Athione now, but a little side trip wouldn’t hurt. In time they took to the road again as it made its way between hills somewhat larger than the others they had seen. Keverin sent scouts out wide as the hills closed in and obscured the road ahead. They were in the heart of Keverin’s lands, yet he took no chances. Reports of bandits and highway robbers did filter through to the fortress from time to time. The closer they came to the abandoned town of Dirlston, the better the road’s condition, adding credence to Julia’s earlier thought. The town was at a higher elevation and the ground was dryer—stonier too. Flooding hadn’t submerged the road and the blocks were still in place.

  “It’s quiet,” Julia whispered staring around at the abandoned buildings as they made their way through the town. Many had collapsed under their own weight, but most still clung to their foundations like a stubborn old man clings to a favourite chair. “It’s scary.”

  “There’s nothing to affright you here,” Keverin said, but his voice was hushed also.

  The creaking of harness and the clatter of iron-rimmed wheels over cobbles was the only sound. Even the guardsmen looked warily around. Conversation lapsed as the men touched sword hilts to reassure themselves of their safety. Julia whirled to the right. She thought she'd seen someone at a window. The shadow—if shadow there had been—was gone now. A creaking door had her grasping her magic and jerking Ayita to a startled halt, but it was only the wind. She watched the door swinging playfully in the wind, and waited for her heart to slow.

  God… she was shaking!

  “Julia?” Keverin said reaching for her hand. “Are you well?”

  “I’m well. I thought…” she shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

  Keverin searched the empty windows and doors and stroked the hilt of his sword. He looked back to where his men fidgeted and beyond to the deserted buildings. “No birds,” he whispered. “Scouts out forward! A dozen men on all sides of my lady!”

  “It’s nothing, Kev,” Julia protested over the clip clopping of hooves. “I’m fine.”

  “Something feels amiss. Best be safe,” Keverin said easing his sword in its scabbard.

  Julia bit her lip and said nothing more as they waited for the men to reform the column.

  “At the walk, forward!” Keverin ordered and the column, this time in battle formation, moved out.

  Julia kept her head swinging, constantly looking for threat to Kev, but saw nothing. More importantly, she felt nothing now. The sensation of menace had left as it came—without explanation. She kept a firm hold on her magic all the same. Market Square came and went and bird song returned.

  “Maybe the noise scared them,” Keverin said doubtfully. “That might be it.”

  He didn’t sound convinced, and neither was Julia. “Might it be brigands?”

  Keverin nodded. “What better place to call home?”

  Dirlston was a forgotten town. No one came here. Rather, no one had come here until now. With Morton being built not far away it wasn’t inconceivable for Dirlston to be repopulated. No, what point in opening a mining town without a mine?

  “Who was Dirl?”

  “What?” Keverin said taking his eyes reluctantly away from the empty windows.

  “Dirl’s Town,” she nodded at the buildings surrounding them. “Dirlston.”

  “My many times great-grandfather. He had the gift, you know.” Kev grinned. “You have seen him.”

  “I have?”

  “His portrait hangs in the east entry hall of the citadel.”

  Julia remembered the image of a strong man with a stern expression. He was shown holding a staff barring the way into his citadel, which was rendered in the background in perfect detail.

  “That’s Dirl?”

  “Lord Dirl, eighth lord of Athione and Lord Protector of the West.”

  “Which are you?”

  “I am fourteenth lord. My line is unbroken in lordship of Athione. Few can boast such.”

  Julia smiled at his quiet pride. Keverin was a noble in every sense of the word. He was tall and strong, implacable against enemies of Deva, but just. He was beautiful.

  “Why does Dirl hang in the east entry and not the west?”

  “He ordered it.”

  “That’s it?” Julia said in surprise. “Why did he order it, and how long ago?”

  “The story has it that he commissioned the portrait to thumb his nose at Deva and her king. Dirl’s father married a Hasian woman. When he died, she became regent for her son. The young Dirl was raised by her and idolised her. She was a remarkable woman by all accounts. At that time, King Roderick had plans to strengthen the kingdom. Deva was beset almost everywhere with raiders and rebellious lords. He planned to channel their restiveness into conquest. Dirl was sympathetic with his mother’s people. He stood in Roderick’s way.”

  “Dirl barred his own king’s way into the west!”

  “Ironic is it not?”

  Athione was built to bar the sorcerers from entering Deva. Dirl had switched things around. Talk about irony.

  “If he had let them pass we might not have fought the war last year.”

  “Perhaps, perhaps not,” Keverin said. “The sorcerers had yet to invade Hasa, but would they have stayed out of it? Roderick thought so. Dirl did not. Either way, it is certain you would not be here if not for him.”

  Julia went cold at the thought of losing Keverin. “I will thank him in my prayers.”

  “I doubt he sits by the God, Julia. He was a bit of a rogue by all accounts. He’s probably running around down here somewhere and loving every moment.”

  Julia laughed at the image of a spotty teenager getting into mischief. “You said he had the gift?”

  “Apparently so. There were more mages back then. Dirl ruled Athione four and more centuries ago.”

  “So long?”

  Keverin nodded. “The Founding of the Black Isle was almost twelve hundred years ago. We built Athione in eighty-one AF. Eleven hundred years she has been in my family. Dirl had the gift, but there have been others.”

  “Perhaps our children?”

  Kev took her hand. “Gift or no, our children will be special and we will love them.”

  Julia brought his hand up to her cheek and then kissed his palm. “Soon.”

  “Let it be soon.”

  They rode out of Dirlston and followed the road until a few candlemarks later, they found the mine. The wagons pulled off to one side near some grassy hills that didn’t look quite right to Julia. She frowned at them in puzzlement.

  “Slagheap.”

  “What?”

  “Those mounds. Coal and rock mostly.”

  Keverin dismounted and lifted Julia down to greet Stefn and his three apprentices. Stefn had lived in West Pass all his life. The son of a mason, he had followed his father into the trade. He was in his fifties now, but still strong as the stone he cut everyday. His apprentices were made of lesser stuff. One of the apprentices, Bo, was his son, the other two were volunteers from Morton. All three were young and obviously unused to the heavy labour Stefn took for granted, but masonry was a good trade. They would learn. Stefn had more work on his hands now than ever in his life. He needed the help.

  “Welcome, m’lord,” Stefn said with a bow. “M’lady,” he bobbed his head again then clouted his son’s ear. Bo was gaping at Julia. The boy looked down and bowed quickly. “Have you come for the stone, m’lord?” He said looking beyond Keverin to the wagons. “I a
in’t got near enough for that lot.”

  “We will take what you have my friend, but we came to see what might be done to speed things up. The stocks are dwindling.”

  “Aye, m’lord,” Stefn said running a hand through his hair in a gesture of frustration. “I knew it would happen. I can’t do it any faster.”

  “We shall see,” Keverin said. “Send your lads back to their work and show us what needs to be done.”

  “You heard the lord, be off with you,” Stefn said and his apprentices trotted off.

  Julia and Keverin flanked Stefn as he led them to his work. Julia looked around with interest trying to find the mineshaft. She found it easily, but it was just a hole in the ground. She was a little disappointed. She had hoped to find something worthwhile. She used her mage sight to look below the surface of reality and found what she was looking for. Below her feet, a network of interconnecting tunnels crisscrossed the entire area. They went down hundreds of yards or more. No wonder the miners had trouble with bad air. Julia followed the tunnels to the coalface. The seam of coal didn’t feel or look the same as the surrounding rock and shale. Patterns again. Coal seemed to have a grain quite unlike anything else she had seen. One thing puzzled her—the tunnels worked their way along the seam, so much was expected, but they followed a minor seam. Perhaps two hundred yards further down, there was a huge cavern excavated and a tunnel leading from it. A pocket of coal? Must have been, but why not follow the mother load? The seam they had followed was nothing compared to the one she found with ease. It didn’t make sense.

  “Julia?” Keverin said.

  “Hmmm?”

  “I was just saying to Stefn that we could have some people up here to excavate the rock for him.”

  Stefn nodded. “It would be a big help lady, no question about it, but I can’t do the work any faster. They will just have to wait.”

  “They can’t wait,” Julia protested.

  “Why?” Stefn said looking from her to Keverin and back.

  Keverin grinned and waited for her to answer. Why couldn’t they wait? Well there was… and then… hmmm. They could wait actually, but Julia knew they wouldn’t. That was the reason. Keverin didn’t want a town made of wood. They were building for the generations.