by Blake Vanier
The Orphans of New Lur
Book One of
The Anterra Collection
Upcoming works:
Catalyst
Coming 2020
The Tenebrous Miasma
Malatras
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The Orphans of New Lur
Book One of
The Anterra Collection
BLAKE VANIER
Cover Art: Daniel Kamarudin
Lettering: Hakim Yaacob
blakevanier.com
Copyright © 2019 Blake Vanier
Edition 1.0
All rights reserved.
ASIN: B07XDD6S7L
ISBN: 9781701588752
Dedication
This book is dedicated to my wife, Heather Passe. She has shown incredible patience working on this with me. She has read sections multiple times as I’ve ironed them out and is always there when I need feedback.
Table of Contents
1 Family
2 The Industrial District
3 Isis B.
4 A Second Chance
5 Flight from Home
6 On Their Heels
7 Ferin Forest
8 Blue Horin Bay
9 Captured
10 The Nero Assault
11 Kabel Reikyn
12 Gracie
13 Stone’s Fortress
14 Kiats
15 Exploration
16 Taunting
17 A Stolen Dagger
18 A Disappointing Purchase
19 The Hunt
20 Lepisents
21 The Smoking Boy
22 Odoki
23 The Games
24 Recuperation for Body and Mind
25 The King
26 On the Other Side
27 A Cell of a Room
28 Practice Makes Perfect
29 The Moltrik Corusnigma
30 Now to Execute
31 Getting Out is the Hard Part
32 It Couldn’t Be Worse
Epilogue
Thank You!
Acknowledgements
Glossary
About the Author
‘I have lain with you for a thousand years and yet you still suffer. My first attempt to free you from your burden had been stifled. But now the gears of fate have once again brought to me an opportunity, to which my daughter is the key. She is once again among the living and my slumber is coming to a much-needed end. Though I have slept, I have grown strong. I will not fail you this time.’
1
Family
Fae
The relaxing buzz of the radio mixes with the sounds of clanging pans and running water. The smells of breakfast permeate Fae’s cozy home. A sudden hiss from the radio slices through the beginning of a song. The kitchen noises abruptly stop, save for sputtering oil. A deep, energized voice emerges from the static.
“Hey, hey my fellow Humans it’s Mr. X with a neeeews flash! If you’ve been holding your breath you can let it gooo. As long as Havityn Isidore doesn’t throw any surprises at us, the smaller towns around Sunta should be safe from destruction and thank goodness for that! This is the sixth Havityn in as many months and what do our miniature overlords do about it? Nothing! So, if this makes you upset, tell a Mini about it… Just kidding folks, the Minis don’t care. They hide behind their huge walls and watch as the Humans abandon their homes and flee for safety.”
“But don’t get down my friends. I’ve just heard first hand that the Minis are having serious trouble in Sunta. Who better to short the Minis’ circuits than Catalyst? The resistance group has been throwing extra loads of gravel in the Minis’ gears lately, and for the first time I can smell smoke coming from the higher-ups. Could this explain why more and more Humans are mysteriously disappearing? Are the Minis getting desperate? Regardless of the Minis’ perverse motivation, you can bet this week’s utility credits that Catalyst will rescue our taken brothers and sisters.”
“Now bear with me for a second, because if you’re anything like me, just hearing this name boils your blood, but I can’t let his actions go unnoticed. You’ve all heard about the Human Mini sympathizer, Art Lively. Well, he just made some new agreement with them, pushing for peace. Let me tell you something, Mr. Live-little, if you’re listening. We’ll give them peace when they give us freedom!”
There is a short pause from the radio.
“Well, that’s the latest from Mr. X, the only source of accurate, honest news. I’ll be back tomorrow at the regular random time and remember―always keep a wary eye down.”
With a crackling hiss, the unannounced broadcast ends and the same song snaps back into play. Rapid tossing of the sizzling vegetables brings the kitchen back to life.
Fae looks up from the frying pan to see a young boy walking down the steps alone, holding a bracelet and rubbing it with his fingers. Beads of sweat cause his light, wild hair to stick to his pale face.
“Sam, did you have another bad dream?” she asks. He does not respond. She sighs. “Nero, are you okay?”
The boy takes a deep breath, looking up. “What’s for breakfast?”
“The usual scrambled breakfast. Would you like to help? You can whisk the eggs.”
Nero flashes a smile at Fae, shoving the bracelet, far too big for his skinny wrist, into his pocket. Fae watches him fondly for a moment as he prepares the eggs with practiced skill. They move like dancers, perfectly in sync, quietly whittling away the tasks with smooth efficiency. The eggs, potatoes, sausage, onions, and peppers mingle together in a large steaming pan, carrying up and away a marriage of smells few could resist. Nero spreads shredded cheddar cheese over the top and Fae mixes it in with a large wooden spatula.
A girl yelps from the floor above. A patter of light footsteps follows. A muffled struggle ensues, accompanied by a large thud and flailing limbs banging against the floor. There is another patter of footsteps. A door slams. Nero quickly sits down at the kitchen table, just as two girls in worn pajamas scamper down the stairs, giggling to each other.
Fae looks up at them. “Victory, girls?”
A smile blossoms across Thea’s face. Her eyebrows jump. “Korbin tried to put toothpaste on my face, but I woke up before he could!” Her short blond hair bobs around her head, while a dark, rectangular piece of metal hanging by a silver chain dances around her neck.
“Which was his first mistake.” Iona yawns, affixing her long, dark hair into a ponytail. Her blue-gemmed pendant dangles low on a necklace.
Thea crinkles her nose, baring her teeth. “Me and Iona jumped on him,” she says, imitating a pounce and hopping down a step. She wrestles with the air and pretends to dump something to the ground. “And took him down.”
“Then I pinned him,” Iona says.
“And I smeared toothpaste on his face!” Thea squeezes an imaginary tube of toothpaste. With a sour face, she pretends to smear it all over her victim.
Iona nods. “It was pretty good. He should know not to mess with us.”
Fae shakes her head, smiling. “If only he would learn his lesson. Now come over here and help me set the table.”
Nero jumps up to help set the plates and forks around the rectangular table. Before they finish, an older boy with dark shaggy hair jogs down the stairs. He lands on his toes at the bottom and stretches his arms out, yawning.
“So did you girls finally get Korbin?” Ryder asks.
“Oh yeah, we got him gooood!” The girls say in unison.
“Jinx!” Thea says, pointing at Iona.
Iona throws up he
r arms in protest, sealing her lips with a pout.
Fae brings over the frying pan to serve the steaming hot scrambled breakfast. The children settle about the table. Thea nudges Nero sneakily as she sits down. They eat without hesitation. Not long after, Korbin, who is slightly younger than Ryder, descends the stairs. His brown hair is short, and his face is slightly pink from a fresh cleaning. He sits down without comment and eats.
Midway through a mouthful of breakfast, with bits of potatoes in the corner of his mouth, Ryder turns toward Korbin. “So, I heard you got whooped this morning.”
Korbin takes a sip of water. “Yeah they got me.”
“That’s it, no protests?” Fae raises a grey eyebrow.
“It was fair and square. What else can I say?” Korbin shrugs his shoulders and stabs through a piece of potato with cheese and egg stuck to it. Iona and Thea exchange confused looks.
Fae picks up her fork. “Well, good for you, Korbin. I think we’re turning over a new leaf today.”
Korbin looks at his food, shrugging once more before shoving it in his mouth.
“So, what are your plans for your day off from school?” Fae asks. “Are you going to play outside today?”
Ryder sits up straight, wiping the mess from his face. “Oh yeah, I just discovered some top-secret information this morning. I heard from my informant there’ll be a Mini convoy delivering medical supplies to Sunta this afternoon.”
Thea grabs the edge of the table, leaning forward. “Are we going to take them?”
Ryder gives her a small smile. “Of course, Thea, we wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to get some medical supplies to Catalyst, especially when the Minis are traveling through our turf. It’s our duty!”
Iona raises her hand, smiling politely at Ryder.
Ryder looks at her quizzically. “Why are you raising your hand, Iona?”
Thea lets out a disappointed moan.
“Ha!” Iona sticks her tongue out at Thea then turns back to Ryder. Her eyebrows are knit together, serious. “Is your information clean?” Iona asks sternly. “We’ve been hitting them regularly. They’re bound to try something sneaky.”
Ryder half smiles and nods. “Oh it’s good, trust me.”
The wrinkles disappear from her forehead and her shoulders relax. “What’s the plan and what can we expect for their forces?”
Ryder pushes on one of his front teeth with his thumb. He takes a deep breath before looking up at everyone.
“Okay, so the convoy only has two-hundred―no make that four-hundred and fifty―armed soldiers, but don’t be disappointed. The tricky part with this one is not the number of soldiers, but the timing.” Ryder rearranges some of the food on his plate, making a little road through mounds of vegetables, potatoes, and sausage. He then forms small off-streets here and there. Finally, he positions a piece of egg covered in cheese at the entrance to the main road. “This is the convoy, which includes twenty-three vehicles.” He starts the cheesy egg down the road. “The convoy’s going to be moving fast, making it virtually impossible to intercept, except for here.” The cheesy egg comes to a stop at a small bend in the road. There are mounds of breakfast all around it. “Here, they’re going to have to slow down and clear out the blockade we’ll build. Once they stop, we’ll have a small window of time to hit them and hit them hard.” He squashes the cheesy egg with his fork. He points to a mound of potatoes. “Iona, you’ll be positioned in this building overlooking the ambush and redirecting our forces if needed. You’ll also be watching for surprise attacks.”
Iona nods. “Easy.”
Ryder looks at Korbin. “I’ll need you and your commandos to charge the front, making sure to hold them up and give us time.”
Korbin smacks the table with his fist. “They won’t know what hit them!”
“I’ll take another group and hit the rear guard from the side. This should provide enough distraction and cover for Thea to slip in and secure the medical supply vehicle.” Ryder looks at Thea. She nods back at him enthusiastically. He catches Fae’s eye, then sees Nero playing with the remains of his food. “Nero, I have an important mission for you. Are you up to it?”
Nero looks up, shrugging. “If you think so. Korbin got mad at me last time you made me do something.”
“Well he won’t this time, ’cuz you won’t mess up. Since Thea will be securing the supply vehicle, we’ll need you to drive it.”
Nero’s jaw drops. “But I can’t drive! I’m sure you’d do better.”
Ryder shakes his head. “Sorry, I can’t, man. We’re all going to be tied up, so it has to be you. The driving is a minor detail. You’ll pick it up quick… So, you in?” The color drains out of Nero’s face while he stares right through Ryder. “Okay, excellent. As soon as we’re done with breakfast, we’ll head out.” Everyone but Nero gives an excited whoop.
Fae holds up her wrinkled hands. The children fall quiet. “Just remember to be safe and to be home before dinner. Make sure to listen to Ryder and stay out of trouble.” She sees the excitement wither from the children and pauses, lightening her tone. “Should I make you all some sandwiches for lunch?”
“Yes!” Korbin throws a hand into the air. “Could you pack some chips and snacks too?”
Fae lets out a short laugh. “Of course.” The children quickly cram the last bits of food into their mouths and look hopefully at Fae, their cheeks bulging. “Well, I can see you are all quite anxious to get out of here. Go change. I’ll clean today.” Korbin, Iona, and Thea say quick thanks, bolting upstairs.
“Thanks Fae,” Nero says as he slowly gets up, trudging upstairs after them. Ryder collects the dirty plates.
Fae puts a hand on his shoulder. “Thanks for including Nero. I’m sure he appreciates it.”
Ryder sets the dishes into the sink. “Oh, sure. It’s just tough sometimes since he doesn’t really get as excited as the others. I’ll make sure he has fun today.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to hearing about it tonight. Please make sure to be home before Illi sets and be careful playing in the old industrial district, okay? Those buildings can be unstable.”
“We’ll be safe, especially if we have an awesome lunch to keep us busy.”
“Oh yeah? Well then, I better get on that. I’ll finish up here.”
“You’re the best Fae,” Ryder says, heading upstairs.
Fae clears off a portion of the counter and slaps together a bundle of sandwiches. She fills up a little cooler with ice and drinks. On top of the ice, she sets the sandwiches, a bag of chips, and some fruit. She closes the lid, carrying the cooler to the front door. All the while, feet are slapping the floor above her. Just as she finishes cleaning her second frying pan, the children bound down the stairs, wearing an assortment of clothes and bags. Fae meets them at the door. They exchange quick goodbyes as they grab the cooler and scurry off. She peers through the window, watching her herd of misfits tear down the dilapidated street. They disappear behind a couple of dead bushes. She smiles to herself. As she turns back toward the mess of a kitchen, the smile fades. She rolls up her sleeves and attacks the remainder of the dishes.
2
The Industrial District
Nero
The children hurry up the street, energized by the scent of fresh air and the morning light streaming over the jagged mountains. Fae’s well-kept blue home is an irregularity compared to the other neglected houses they pass. Their shoes crunch over the decrepit streets. The sound bounces off the houses on either side but is mostly lost in broken windows and crumbling walls. Rusted metal and debris litter the lawns of the inhabited houses, hiding the burnt brown grass and dried dirt within the Illi-bleached, peeling fences.
Iona and Thea proudly lead the way through the heart of the small town, where a few stores provide the essentials for life. A lone worker pauses from picking up trash for a moment to watch Ryder and Korbin wobble awkwardly by with the cooler swinging between them.
Just past the stores, the children scramb
le down to the bed of a creek. Its mellow flow of water weaves around rocks of various sizes and a smattering of rusting junk.
On the left side of the creek, a graveyard of abandoned homes overwhelms the horizon. On the right, machinery echoes from the inside of a few grey, water-stained factories of newer construction. A tall cement wall, starting many kilometers away, runs behind these factories. It turns sharply at the creek and continues for a long distance toward the mountains. A smaller, makeshift barrier of chain-link fence and roofing metal juts out from the wall, spans the creek, and continues through the rubble of homes to eventually encircle the town.
The children trek through the loose detritus and rocks of the creek. They stop to peel back an opening in the chain-link fence to squeeze through. Once on the other side, they come to a concrete storm drain that punctures the base of the cement wall.
Ryder steals a quick look toward the town and sets down the cooler. “The coast is clear, let’s move quick.” He drags a rusted metal grate away from the mouth of the storm drain.
Korbin uncovers a piece of plywood with a rope looped through holes in two of its corners and pulls out a flashlight from his backpack. He positions the rope around his waist and crawls into the drain.
Ryder heaves the cooler onto the sled and slaps the top of it. “You’re good to go, Korb!” The wood scrapes against the dirt and concrete as the cooler slides into the darkness. “Alright, Iona, Thea, and Nero―go for it.”
Nero watches as Iona vanishes. Oh, I hate this part. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. When he opens them, he sees the bottom of Thea’s feet moving deeper into the drain. He quickly drops down and chases her silhouette made from the bouncing lights in front of her.
Ryder follows last and pulls the grate back over the drain from the inside. The dirt in the drain ends after a couple of meters, exposing cold concrete where gravel uncomfortably jabs the children’s hands and knees as they crawl down the tight drain. The scraping of Korbin’s sled muffles out the rest of the world.