{"id":152,"date":"2012-07-20T08:21:48","date_gmt":"2012-07-20T12:21:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=152"},"modified":"2012-07-20T08:22:13","modified_gmt":"2012-07-20T12:22:13","slug":"zervakan-free-fantasy-novel-chapter-29","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=152","title":{"rendered":"ZERVAKAN – Free Fantasy Novel – Chapter 29"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\"\"<\/a>
Cover by TJ Lomas.<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
\nI’m posting a chapter from my latest fantasy novel for free every Monday and Friday (click Zervakan<\/a> above for a synopsis and to start from the beginning). It’s in a “pre-published state,” meaning you might find the occasional spelling\/grammar mistake. If you do, please leave a comment below or email me at robsteiner01 [at] gmail [dot] com.<\/p>\n

If you’re uncomfortable getting something for nothing, you can hit the PayPal Donate<\/a> button in the Tip Jar section to the right. If you donate more than $3, I’ll send you a non-DRM ebook once the book is published (summer 2012). If you donate more than $20, I’ll send you a printed copy.<\/p>\n

Thanks, and I hope you enjoy it!<\/em>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ZERVAKAN<\/h1>\n

by Rob Steiner<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 29<\/h2>\n

Taran watched dawn break to begin the second day of the harrower siege on the Heiron.\u00c2\u00a0 He sat on a stone bench on a balcony at the tower\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s highest level, watching the cloudy sky turn purple, then gray, and then eventually a brighter shade of gray.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran could not remember the last time he had seen the sun.\u00c2\u00a0 He was beginning to wonder if the sun ever shown in the Beldamark.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, the stone railings blocked his view of the ruined town below and its destruction by the harrowers.<\/p>\n

He yawned, a reminder that he had not slept in almost two days.\u00c2\u00a0 At least not a normal<\/em> night\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sleep.\u00c2\u00a0 He did not count the hour he spent unconscious after he Wielded the first time.\u00c2\u00a0 The Tuatha priests, especially Eblin and the doctor, ordered him to sleep several hours ago after spending almost the whole day drilling him relentlessly on the basics of Wielding.\u00c2\u00a0 But sleep was impossible for him.\u00c2\u00a0 Especially when all he did was stare at the ceiling in the empty priest apartment they gave him and think about what they wanted him to do over the next few days.\u00c2\u00a0 His life had become the worst kind of dream\u00e2\u20ac\u201dhis deepest desire twisted into a nightmare.\u00c2\u00a0 For six years he dreamed of finding the Mystics, and then bringing them back home to make Mara well again.\u00c2\u00a0 To save her from the Blood and the Mercy.<\/p>\n

Instead, the Mystics were telling him he was some kind of prophesied savior destined to help them defeat their enemies.\u00c2\u00a0 The thought of him leading people in battle scared him witless, never mind using the Wielding ways of the Tuatha.<\/p>\n

The Wielding ways….<\/p>\n

Taran wrapped the fur lined cloak around him tighter.\u00c2\u00a0 How could it be that he could Wield like the Tuatha?\u00c2\u00a0 In fact, Wield in ways that no other Tuatha could?\u00c2\u00a0 Did that mean his parents were really his parents?\u00c2\u00a0 If not, where did<\/em> he come from?<\/p>\n

It was all so overwhelming that he wanted to run off into the forests\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe Tainted be damned\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwhen he dwelled on it too long.<\/p>\n

Instead, he tried to turn his mind back to today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s tasks.<\/p>\n

Taran was so lost in thought that he did not hear Fatimah approach until she stood next to him.\u00c2\u00a0 She put her hands on the stone balcony and stared at where the sun would be if the clouds were not so thick.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The sunrise is usually quite beautiful from up here,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Winters get a bit gloomy in the Beldamark.\u00c2\u00a0 I shall enjoy the warmer climate of the Compact.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If we survive that long,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran muttered.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We will.\u00c2\u00a0 For you are the\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t say it.\u00c2\u00a0 For the last twenty-four hours I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve had you and your people look at me with these worshipful expressions.\u00c2\u00a0 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m just a man.\u00c2\u00a0 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m no \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcchosen one.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You are wrong,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153All the signs are there, all the prophecies have been fulfilled in you.\u00c2\u00a0 You are<\/em> the Zervakan.\u00c2\u00a0 And you had better accept it if you want to see your daughter again.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran pointed a finger at Fatimah.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you use my daughter like that.\u00c2\u00a0 If you say something like that again, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll let you all rot.\u00c2\u00a0 Do you understand me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fatimah flinched away from Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s anger, and he instantly regretted his words.\u00c2\u00a0 He needed her guidance more than ever right now, especially in the hours and days to come.<\/p>\n

Fatimah wrapped her cloak tighter around her body, held her chin up, and said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I apologize for my words regarding your daughter.\u00c2\u00a0 It was wrong of me.\u00c2\u00a0 But I do not apologize for what I said before them.\u00c2\u00a0 For most people down there, you are the only thing giving them a small dose of hope.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran sighed.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do not think too long on the meaning of it all,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fatimah said, her face softening.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Only think about what you must do.\u00c2\u00a0 Concentrate only on the task before you, not the many yet to come.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran grinned.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You sound like a Pathist Teacher.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She grimaced, and then put a hand on his arm.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You are more powerful than any Tuatha alive.\u00c2\u00a0 You do not even suffer from the fatigue anymore after you Wield, and you have only been Wielding for a day.\u00c2\u00a0 I have been Wielding for a month and I still want to sleep for hours afterwards.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

After he had awakened from his first Wielding attempt, Eblin had shown him how to Wield several Aspects that would come in handy for their escape plans.\u00c2\u00a0 Each made him weary afterwards, but he did not fall unconscious.\u00c2\u00a0 In fact he felt the same euphoria like the first time.\u00c2\u00a0 He enjoyed Wielding, enjoyed it to the point where it was all he wanted to do.<\/p>\n

And that scared him.\u00c2\u00a0 He was a father, a husband, a son…and all of those roles meant nothing to him when he was Wielding.\u00c2\u00a0 He felt like he could abandon his family if he had to choose between them and giving up Wielding.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran shuddered, and buried that thought.\u00c2\u00a0 Again.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fatimah said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Melahara and Eblin wanted to speak with you before it begins.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

An involuntary surge of elation swept through him when he realized it was almost time to Wield again, but he stamped it down.\u00c2\u00a0 This is only to save lives.<\/em>\u00c2\u00a0 Once I return home, I will never Wield again.<\/em><\/p>\n

They left the balcony, walked through an empty hallway without doors, and entered the circular room at the center of every floor in the Heiron.\u00c2\u00a0 There were no decorations or furniture on this level, other than the stone benches on the balcony.\u00c2\u00a0 Fatimah had told him this level was meant for meditation and reflection.\u00c2\u00a0 Decorations and comfortable furniture would only distract the priests who came up here.<\/p>\n

They passed through the arches that led to the Heiron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lower levels, walking in circles through each floor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arch until they arrived at the large, circular room on the Heiron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first floor.\u00c2\u00a0 When they exited the final arch, Taran saw that dozens of female priests were gathered in the room, along with bearded Heshmen holding spears and bows with quivers strapped to their fur-cloaked backs.\u00c2\u00a0 All of them looked at Taran with mixtures of awe and fear.\u00c2\u00a0 The conversation seemed to stop when he and Fatimah entered the room and walked among them to where Melahara, Ollis, Eblin, several Tuathan priests, and Edoss were standing near the large barred doors.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran felt their eyes following him, and he wanted to shout that he was not their savior…but he could not deny that a part of him enjoyed the attention.\u00c2\u00a0 After six years of being looked on with pity and ridicule, he was finally something he had never been in his life.\u00c2\u00a0 A hero.<\/p>\n

Melahara, Ollis, Eblin, and the Tuathans near the door watched him approach with the same mixture of emotions as the people in the main hall.\u00c2\u00a0 Edoss, Cursh, and Myndehr looked at Taran with more doubt than anything else.\u00c2\u00a0 They seemed to ease his anxiety.\u00c2\u00a0 It comforted him to know that there were some people who still saw him as a man.<\/p>\n

Eblin bowed her head to him.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We decided to add two more priests to your circle, just as a precaution.\u00c2\u00a0 This is Pomar Aliin\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201da thin, red-haired woman a few years older than Fatimah\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u0153and Rosen Lator\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201dalso a thin woman, but with gray in her hair and laugh lines around her eyes\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u0153who were two of my brightest students, once.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Both women smiled at Eblin, then turned to Taran and bowed their heads.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran was growing impatient with all the bowing, but he said nothing.\u00c2\u00a0 He returned their bows with as much reverence as he could muster.\u00c2\u00a0 At the moment, it was not much.<\/p>\n

Both priests joined the six other priests with which he had practiced earlier.\u00c2\u00a0 All six stared at him expectantly, as if waiting for him to say something inspiring.\u00c2\u00a0 Along with his reverence, inspiring words were escaping him at the moment.<\/p>\n

General Myndehr, her uniform as crisp and clean as the day Taran saw her step on the train in Calaman, said to Taran, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153My lookouts have reported these Tainted things have retreated from the entire city.\u00c2\u00a0 There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been no movement among the city for over three hours.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran stared at the barred doors a few paces in front of him.<\/p>\n

Myndehr glanced from Taran to Edoss.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Tainted have left open the main road leading out of the city.\u00c2\u00a0 They want<\/em> you to leave.\u00c2\u00a0 You will<\/em> be ambushed.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If everyone does what they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re supposed to, we should be fine,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran said, slowly wiping his sweaty palms on the sides of his coat.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Regardless,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Melahara said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153we must leave today.\u00c2\u00a0 Our stores of food and water are dwindling fast.\u00c2\u00a0 If we do not leave now, we will not have enough to see us out of the Beldamark.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Myndehr glared at Melahara.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I never said you shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t leave.\u00c2\u00a0 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m just saying you’d better keep your minds open to the enemy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s plans.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thank you, General,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Edoss said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We will proceed with caution.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Myndehr frowned, then nodded to Edoss and walked over to confer with her men, who were checking their revolvers and fastening their saber scabbards.<\/p>\n

When Taran turned his attention to the large, barred doors again, Melahara, Fatimah, and the other priests came and stood beside him.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you ready?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Melahara asked.<\/p>\n

Taran inhaled, and then nodded.\u00c2\u00a0 He found General Myndehr’s eyes.\u00c2\u00a0 She stood near the front of the doors among her Shadarlak.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Open it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said.<\/p>\n

Myndehr ordered the Shadarlak at the doors to open them.\u00c2\u00a0 Two Shadarlak were stationed on each side of the door, and each team began to turn the cranks that withdrew into the wall the large, iron bars that hung in massive slots across the doors.\u00c2\u00a0 The bars retreated into the walls with the sound of metal grinding on stone.\u00c2\u00a0 Once the doors were free, two more Shadarlak pushed the doors open.\u00c2\u00a0 Through the lowered portcullis, Taran caught today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first glimpse of the ground surrounding the Heiron.<\/p>\n

The meager dawn light able to fight its way through the clouds illuminated a trampled and torn field that was once well-trimmed and green.\u00c2\u00a0 The Shadarlak rushed toward the portcullis, revolvers and sabers drawn, and poked their heads through the bars and around the corners.\u00c2\u00a0 All four turned back to Myndehr and declared the way clear.<\/p>\n

Myndehr turned to the arrow slits in the walls next to her to shout at the men in the hidden hallway.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Raise the portcullis.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The old gate rose with the cranking and creaking of the gears.\u00c2\u00a0 The portcullis rose steadily into the ceiling, and the way to the fields beyond was at last open.\u00c2\u00a0 Myndehr turned to Taran, gave him a quick appraising look, and then grinned.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153See you in Markwatch, Doctor.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Three Shadarlak led four saddled horses through the dozens of Tuathans crowding the gate.\u00c2\u00a0 Three were ridden by scarlet-sashed Tuathan priests.\u00c2\u00a0 Myndehr mounted the fourth horse.\u00c2\u00a0 One of the priests guided her horse forward to the edge of the Heiron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s stone steps.\u00c2\u00a0 She then raised her right hand above her head, closed her eyes, and began the incantation in ancient Tuathan that Taran had practiced so much over the last twenty-four hours.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThe Shield of Spirit, protect us.\u00c2\u00a0 May no obstacle stand before us.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She said this several times, whispering at first, until she spoke the words with forceful conviction.\u00c2\u00a0 A tendril of light spiraled down from the swirling colors of Ahura and touched the priest’s outstretched right hand.\u00c2\u00a0 A bubble of bluish light expanded to encompass the priest, Myndehr, and the other three Tuathans.\u00c2\u00a0 Once the shield was in place, all four rode out of the Heiron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s entrance and down the steps toward the main road that led through the center of Fedalan.\u00c2\u00a0 Myndehr rode with her back straight, but her head swiveled about looking for threats from all quarters.<\/p>\n

Taran and several more priests raised their hands, and said the same incantation, ready to call on Ahura if Myndehr and the priests should suddenly come under attack.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran knew that scouts in the upper levels of the Heiron watched their General with eyescopes, along with the surrounding buildings, waiting to blow the whistles hanging from their necks if they should spy any attacks.<\/p>\n

Once Myndehr and the priests had descended the Heiron’s steps and were on the road, they spurred their horses into a quick jog.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran watched them ride up the road until they took a turn to the left and disappeared over the hill a mile outside of the town.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ahura go with you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fatimah whispered from Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s side as she, too, watched the riders disappear over the hill.\u00c2\u00a0 She and the other priests lowered their hands and retreated toward the interior of the Heiron.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran stayed a few moments, continuing to watch the tendril of Ahura get farther and farther away.<\/p>\n

There had been no movement anywhere in the town, nor had Taran noticed any black tendrils from Angra.\u00c2\u00a0 A part of him wondered if that meant the harrowers had abandoned the siege, had decided to take mercy on the beleaguered Tuathans, but that seemed unlikely.\u00c2\u00a0 The harrowers had not gone through the trouble of creating hundreds of Tainted simply to give up after a two-day siege.\u00c2\u00a0 All the harrowers knew how to do was destroy.\u00c2\u00a0 There was no mercy in their twisted hearts.<\/p>\n

The four Shadarlak who had opened the door, quickly shut it once Myndehr was out of sight.\u00c2\u00a0 They replaced the bars, as Taran heard the portcullis creak shut.<\/p>\n

Four more hours,<\/em> Taran thought.\u00c2\u00a0 Then it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s our turn.<\/em><\/p>\n

Myndehr estimated it would take her\u00e2\u20ac\u201dat the most\u00e2\u20ac\u201dfour hours to reach Markwatch by pushing their horses to the point of collapse.\u00c2\u00a0 And what would have been a ninety-mile journey would be cut to forty miles by traveling through the Guardian arches.\u00c2\u00a0 Another few hours to gain Lord Demeg\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s approval of the plan, and another six to implement it.\u00c2\u00a0 They all knew that five hundred men, women, and children walking the ten miles to the sea coast would be a plump target for the harrowers.\u00c2\u00a0 But not as plump of a target as five hundred men, women, and children walking the forty<\/em> miles to Markwatch.<\/p>\n

So in four hours, the Tuathans would leave the safety of the Heiron and march the ten miles to the coast.\u00c2\u00a0 If all went according to plan, the Turician ships would be waiting there to pick them up.\u00c2\u00a0 With any luck\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand the will of Ahura, as the Tuathans would say\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe Tuathan people would be relatively safe in Turicia in three days.<\/p>\n

Until the next Fomorian attack,<\/em> Taran thought grimly.<\/p>\n

Taran suddenly felt very tired, the previous thirty-six hours without sleep catching up to him.\u00c2\u00a0 With Myndehr gone and the potential for a battle averted for the moment, Taran retreated to the interior of the Heiron, ignoring all the stares and whispers as he passed through the Tuathan crowds.\u00c2\u00a0 He hoped he would stay awake long enough to reach the empty priest apartment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cover by TJ Lomas. I’m posting a chapter from my latest fantasy novel for free every Monday and Friday (click Zervakan above for a synopsis and to start from the beginning). It’s in a “pre-published state,” meaning you might find the occasional spelling\/grammar mistake. If you do, please leave a comment below or email me […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,28,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-free-stuff","category-novels","category-zervakan"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=152"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}