Awakening (Telindell Book 1)

by Darren Lee

  Alrad looked down to Lian. “Off with you both before I kill you here for the whole village to see,” he said as he began walking back towards the healer’s hut.

  Lian glared toward Alrad. “Bastard…” he mumbled as he turned and ran back to Eva, who smiled kindly at him.

  “Now come, Lian,” she said. “I got a special treat for you today.”

  Lian grasped her hand, returning the smile. Rare feelings of excitement and joy began creeping into his heart. “A special treat just for me? I wonder what it is…” thought Lian.

  The pair came upon Eva’s modest home, a building crafted of crude stone bricks ages ago. There were cracks in the mortar large enough to see inside her house, but fortunately, green vines and moss covered most of them. The straw roof looked as if it hadn’t been tended to for over a decade but was still serving its purpose well enough. Eva pulled an old rusty key from her robe and unlocked the large wooden door. Lian followed her inside, feeling the cold wooden planks beneath his bare feet.

  Eva approached her old rickety table. “Now, you come right over here and eat this sweet loaf… It isn’t exactly a birthday cake, but I think you will enjoy it all the same.”

  Lian rushed over to the table and grabbed the loaf. It was nothing more than an old lump of bread covered in an icing concocted of flour, milk and sugar. He quickly took a bite, getting choked slightly. Finally, Lian got the bite of food into his belly. It had been empty for going on two days now.

  Lian looked up to Eva and smiled. “Thank you so much. I was so hungry!” said Lian with joy.

  Eva smiled back at the boy. “You are always welcome here child, you know that!”

  Lian grinned from ear to ear. “This is the best special treat ever!” said Lian enthusiastically.

  Eva chuckled slightly. “No, no, this isn’t your special treat, that comes later. Now, you finish eating. I’m going to start warming your bath.”

  Lian smiled, nodded, and continued eating. Eva walked into the next room and lit a small fire under a black metal caldron hanging above it. She had drawn the water for Lian earlier that morning, planning this all along. Lian finished his sweet loaf and walked into the room with Eva.

  Eva looked at the approaching boy. “Sit Lian, the water will need a few more moments before it’s warm enough.” Eva sat on an old worn stool. Lian sat at her feet, listening as the small fire crackled under the caldron. “You have had a dreadfully exciting birthday so far haven’t you?” Eva said softly.

  Lian looked at her sadly, the thoughts of everything he had heard about his mother plaguing his mind. “Is it true…? Miss Eva?”

  Eva studied the boy’s sorrowful expression for a moment. “What are you talking about, Lian?”

  Lian looked at the floor. “My mother… is it true? That she just abandoned me here and left and the wolves ate her… everything except her face ‘cause she was that ugly?”

  Miss Eva looked at the young boy, sensing the sorrow in his voice and heart. She smiled, and her bony fingers wiped away a tear before it had the chance to run down Lian’s cheek. “No boy, lord no. Why they tell you these things… and harbor such ill will towards you I will never understand. Would you like to hear about your Mother, the truth?”

  Lian’s eyes widened. Unable to muster words, he simply nodded his head.

  Eva sighed thoughtfully. “Let’s see. I first met your mother about 15 years ago. Well before she left you here in our care. She was as clever as she was courageous, and possessed with a beauty that would make most women weep in envy. You share her beautiful blue eyes.”

  Lian smiled at this revelation. “So, my mother never lived here?”

  “No, she lived beyond the Telindells, in a region to the west,” said Eva. “Unlike most of the villagers here, I’ve set foot outside this village on more than one occasion. They are far too fearful of the beasts and dangers that dwell in Shana’s Pass. That is the only route from Dawn’s Grasp Valley to the rest of the world. It’s also the reason we rarely receive visitors from the rest of the world. The last visitor was your mother when she brought you to us.”

  Lian looked at Eva in curiosity. “What’s in Shana’s Pass?”

  Eva laughed lightly. “Many dangers lurk there, but usually the beasts will let someone pass. The ogres are all too happy to avoid conflict as long as someone doesn’t invade their lairs--”

  Lian quickly interrupted, “Ogres? What do they look like? Please tell me!”

  Eva smiled at the boy’s curiosity. “Well, they are tall, very tall compared to you and me,” said Eva. “Most are at least ten feet tall. And they are dreadfully strong. They can sling a boulder bigger than you as far as the eye can see. Most have green skin, but a few have brown skin. The leader of these particular ogres is white, the only white ogre I’ve ever seen, with black eyes that would make the most skilled warrior tremble in fear. They have black stringy hair and a mouthful of fangs to rival any of the pesky wolves here in the forest.”

  Lian leaned in closer. “If they’re so strong, why don’t they attack us?”

  Eva smiled at the boy’s curiosity once again, “They don’t like to leave the mountain, very territorial. They aren’t very smart either. Some can speak in our common tongue, but most just grunt and shout.”

  Lian looked upon Eva, his curiosity far from sated, “If they are territorial and stay in their lairs why is Shana’s Pass so dangerous?”

  “Seems you share your mother’s cleverness, too,” said Eva. “Shana’s Pass isn’t a straight and clear path over the mountains. It’s a network of caves, almost like a labyrinth to someone who doesn’t know the way. Many people have entered and never returned. It’s easy to lose your way and wander into the lair of the ogres. Most never return from an ogre’s lair, and those who do usually lose their mind from the horrors they witnessed.”

  Lian’s eyes widened. He wasn’t sure if he should be afraid or excited.

  Eva shook her head, realizing she had strayed from the subject of Lian’s mother. “Now Lian, back to your mother,” she said. “Yes, it was about fifteen years ago. She was a happy woman, who lived in a small village in the country of Kynlynn. Her village was in the lordship farthest east of the country. It was a pleasant place. She ran a bakery, and your Father hunted game for the village. She’s the one who taught me to make that sweet loaf you just enjoyed.”

  “Tell me more about my mother and father! Please!” Lian demanded in a hail of excitement.

  Eva laughed. “Of course I will tell you about your mother,” said Eva, sighing a bit. “As for your father, I can’t speak of him, for I never met the man. He was always away on his hunting trips when I would visit.”

  Lian’s head dropped a little. “That’s alright. Tell me about my mother then,” said Lian, still excited despite the disappointment about his father.

  “Well, like I said, she ran a bakery,” said Eva. “I met her on my journey back home while shopping for bread to take on my trip. We talked, and she told me of everything going on in the world and how the region was thriving. She said they had more food and stability than they had ever had in her lifetime. She always was cheerful.”

  Lian smiled. “What was her name, Miss Eva?”

  “Her name was Lyssa, the most beautiful name I ever heard in all my years. The only thing to match the beauty of her name was your own,” said Eva.

  Lian’s imagination was running wild. “What did she look like, I wonder…” Lian quickly spoke up, following his thoughts, “Miss Eva, please tell me what she looked like. I want to see her so bad!”

  Eva laughed and leaned down a bit towards Lian. “As I said, you share her blue eyes,” Eva said happily. “Lyssa’s hair was brunette with hints of blonde weaving through it, a truly unique color. She wasn’t very tall, not much taller than you are now. I’d say she was about five feet and seven inches tall. She was slim, had a figure I would have killed for in my youth.”

  Lian’s eyes glistened with hope for the first time in his life. “But Miss E
va, if my mother was so wonderful why did she leave me here?”

  Eva frowned a bit. “Lian, she did not want to,” said Eva. “It hurt her more to leave you than death itself. But you see, things changed her village. The Lord became greedy. He started taking more from the people than he needed. On my last visit to Lyssa, she told me how the lord was imposing debts upon the people if they could not deliver. She had already incurred debt, and you, her unborn child, had incurred debt as well. She was very near to giving birth then. So, I told her of this place and how to get here if things became so dire she must flee.

  “Sure enough, a few weeks later I heard her calling my name in the village square. I remember that night painfully well. There was an awful thunderstorm here in the valley while the storms rain struck the mountain peaks as snow and ice. I invited her in, but she refused and handed you to me. You were only three days old. Lyssa spoke urgently to me, saying, ‘I was pursued. They are at the edge of the forest on the other side of the mountains. They came into the village and started burning everything and taking the children. I had to leave. I won’t let them have him. His name is Lian. Please keep him safe. I’m going to lead them into the pass and try to anger the ogres.’ I hugged her, and she kissed your head and told you she would always love you. She left the village. I stayed with you until morning. Then, I left you with the elder and journeyed to Shana’s Pass to search for any trace of her. All I found were the half eaten remains of the soldiers who pursued her and this…” Eva walked over to a chest and opened it. She pulled out a blue ribbon that matched the color of Lian’s eyes perfectly. “This was hers, all that I could find of her. It is time for you to have it.”

  Lian had tears in his eyes. He was saddened to learn of his mother’s fate, but he also felt pride at the courage she had displayed and the sacrifice she had made for him. “That was my mother…” he thought. “I couldn’t want any better.”

  Eva smiled. “I’ll just keep this ribbon here ‘til we are done with your bath.” Eva lowered her hand into the water, small traces of steam beginning to rise. “This will do just fine.” She grabbed an old wooden cup that was floating in the water and filled it with water. Eva poured the water on the small fire extinguishing it, leaving only glowing cinders. “Now, come on Master Lian. Take those bloody rags off.” Eva walked to the next room. “It would hardly be decent for me to see a young man’s bottom,” she called, chuckling a bit. “I’ll wait here until you are in the bath.”

  Lian nodded his head. He turned around and removed his bloody tunic. His scrawny upper body was pitiful to look upon, covered with cuts, bruises, and dirt from weeks without a bath. He dropped his sack cloth pants to reveal much of the same.

  Eva waited to hear the sound of Lian entering the water, “Now hurry before the water gets cold!” she said sternly.

  Lian nodded and climbed into the caldron. He flinched as the water covered his body up to his chest. “It stings.”

  Eva laughed a bit as she returned to the room, “Now, now, don’t be a baby, Lian,” she said playfully. “What would your mother think?”

  Lian thought for a second and smiled. “You’re right!” he said. “I’ll be strong and brave just like my mother…” he thought. Those thoughts would stay with him for many years to come.

  Miss Eva dumped water over Lian’s head, washing away the weeks of dirt, grime, and sweat that had tangled his hair. Eva smiled. “See there? I told you your hair color was all wrong before. Now it’s the exact same color as your mother’s. More of her in you than you thought. Now get out and dry off, I’ll fetch some new clothes for you.”

  Miss Eva got up and walked into the next room as Lian hopped out of the caldron and began drying himself with a cloth Eva had laid out next to the caldron. “A cake, a story about my mother, her ribbon, and now new clothes? This is the best birthday ever!” he thought.

  Eva entered the room a few moments later. “These will suit you just fine,” she said, handing Lian a new outfit.

  He put on a new white linen shirt, followed by a pair of black trousers, also brand new.

  Eva studied the boy for a moment. “Hmm it’s a good fit, Lian, but the shirt is a bit too long. Let’s see what I can do about that.” She walked back to the chest and dug around in a drawer, pulling forth a belt. “Yes, this will do nicely.” She walked to Lian and wrapped the belt around him, fastening it around his waist “This will hold your shirt down so it doesn’t get in the way because of the length. Looks fairly stylish too, don’t you think Lian?” asked Eva.

  Lian looked down at his new clothes, the bottom of the shirt draping loosely under the belt. “I love it Miss Eva! Thank you!” he said happily. Then he glanced down at his bare feet, wiggling his toes slightly in sudden self-consciousness.

  Eva noticed this. “Don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten those feet of yours.” She handed him a pair of wool socks and then placed a pair of black bear hide boots next to him. “Wear these and your feet will never be cold again.”

  Lian was filled with joy. “Thank you so much, Miss Eva!”

  Eva smiled at him. “You’re welcome child. I hope you enjoy them. Now, let us try and tame that wild mane of yours.” Eva fetched his mother’s ribbon. She pulled his hair back into a loose pony tail and tied it with the ribbon, “Just like your mother used to wear hers. Now, take care of it, Lian.” Eva said sternly.

  Lian smiled once again. “I will…” said Lian, trailing off for a moment, “but I have one more question if you don’t mind.”

  Eva looked at the boy, wondering what else could be on his mind. “Yes Lian?”

  Lian looked at her. “If my mother left me with you… why haven’t you taken care of me the whole time?” asked Lian. “Sometimes I go weeks without seeing you.”

  Eva stayed silent for moment, wondering how to answer this question. “Well I cared for you while you were an infant, but once you started wandering around, I just couldn’t keep you in one place,” said Eva, affectionately. “You were such a free spirit, so I let you go. Before long, you were fending for yourself and doing well. So I thought I’d let you wander. I often leave the village anyway so it was for the best.”

  Lian looked at her and nodded. “I understand, I think,” he said, still a bit confused.

  Eva nodded. “That’s a good lad. Now come. The Elder is waiting for us. I’ve asked him to show you something outside the village.”

  Chapter 2: Legends

  Late afternoon had fallen upon the village as Eva and Lian approached the rear gates of the village where Elder Marrow could be seen waiting patiently. Elder Marrow was an older man. He had a snow white beard and was bald, but his face was youthful for a man of his title.

  When the two stopped before him, Marrow looked down to Lian, a stern expression on his face. “Young Lian, I expect your afternoon was less eventful than your morning.”

  Lian looked up at the man with his brown hooded robe hiding his bald head. “Yes elder it has,” he said humbly. “Miss Eva has been very kind to me.”

  A slight smile appeared on Marrow’s face. “I suspected as much, Lian. She has insisted I take you up the path towards Shana’s Pass.”

  Lian raised an eyebrow towards the Elder. “What for?” he asked.

  “To show you a very old secret, older than the village itself.”

  “What is it?” asked Lian, intrigued.

  Marrow smiled slightly once again. “You’ll see soon enough,” said Marrow with haste. “I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise but keep what I am about to tell you in mind.” Marrow’s tone grew serious as he spoke, “Only Eva and myself know of this. It is a great honor to see what you are about to see, and you must keep this secret.” Marrow glanced to Eva, then returned his gaze to Lian. “We are putting a lot of trust in you, Lian. Don’t make us regret it.”

  Lian quickly shook his head in agreement. “Yes… I mean… I won’t,” stuttered Lian. “I promise.”

  Elder Marrow nodded. “That’s a good boy. Now come. It’s a long walk.
”

  Marrow began opening the gates. The old hinges holding the rickety wooden gates in place creaked as the gates swung open.

  Eva grabbed Lian’s shoulder before the gates could fully open. She knelt down and looked into his eyes. “Lian, the path you are about to walk will be difficult.” Eva smiled slightly as she spoke. “You may not understand, but you must be strong and make it to the top…” Eva paused for a moment. “No matter what,” she concluded seriously.

  Lian thought nothing of her words, and he was quick to agree. “Yes Miss Eva, I’ll be strong,” he said confidently.

  Eva nodded and stood, “Good boy. Now go,” said Eva softly. “I’ll be waiting when you return.” Eva watched as young Lian and Elder Marrow left the village, the gates closing behind them.

  Lian walked just behind Marrow. “How far is it?” he asked.

  Marrow chuckled. “Not that far, boy. Maybe a mile up the mountain path,” he said.

  Lian remained silent “Just a mile?” he thought. “I’m not that weak. Why did Miss Eva tell me to be strong?”

  They turned up the mountain, the dirt turning to rock and gravel. The path began to narrow. Lian looked over the cliff’s edge, seeing the village at the base of the mountain below him. He looked past the village and beyond the forest, “Wow… what’s that?”

  Marrow turned and looked to see a large body of water. “That, Lian, is the Eternal Sea.”

  Lian thought for a second, then responded with more questions. “The Eternal Sea? Doesn’t it end?” asked Lian.

  Marrow shook his head briefly. “No one knows, boy. It isn’t connected to any other body of water. Elders have passed down stories of sailors attempting to cross it through the ages. None who set sail ever returned.” Marrow looked to Lian. “Some believed they found a paradise and never bothered to return. More or less, I believe they sank to a gloomy death. The Eternal Sea might as well be the edge of Zaneen.”