{"id":159,"date":"2012-08-06T10:44:40","date_gmt":"2012-08-06T14:44:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=159"},"modified":"2012-08-06T10:44:40","modified_gmt":"2012-08-06T14:44:40","slug":"zervakan-free-fantasy-novel-chapter-33","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=159","title":{"rendered":"ZERVAKAN – Free Fantasy Novel – Chapter 33"},"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 33<\/h2>\n

Besides the shuffling of Tuathan feet and their occasional murmurs, Fedalan was unnervingly quiet to Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sensitive ears.\u00c2\u00a0 He wished he could hear something: scurrying animals, open doors creaking in the wind, something.\u00c2\u00a0 The occasional peal of thunder ahead was all that broke the silence.<\/p>\n

Taran kept his hand raised to Ahura, feeling content that the ring\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s power still flowed through him.\u00c2\u00a0 His arm didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel numb at all, as he would\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve expected after keeping it raised so long.\u00c2\u00a0 He had only walked maybe five hundred paces\u00e2\u20ac\u201dalmost half way to the gates of the town\u00e2\u20ac\u201dbefore Fatimah began questioning him on his strength.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Remember,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153tell me as soon as you feel any weariness.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I will.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Blurred vision, pains in your chest\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe desire to sleep, visions\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fatimah,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153you are making it hard for me to concentrate.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ah.\u00c2\u00a0 Forgive me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00c2\u00a0 She remained quiet for another fifty paces before she started questioning him again.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran almost wished for an Angra attack just to distract her.<\/p>\n

But they reached the town\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gates and no attack came.\u00c2\u00a0 The storm, which Taran thought would be on them the moment they stepped onto the road out of town, seemed to stay ahead of them, but did not dissipate.\u00c2\u00a0 It was becoming harder for him to hope it was natural.<\/p>\n

The town gates were breached in the Tainted attack several nights ago, though \u00e2\u20ac\u0153breached\u00e2\u20ac\u009d did not describe their current condition.\u00c2\u00a0 It looked as if the thirty-foot tall wood gates had suffered a barrage from a company of Mazumdahri cannons.\u00c2\u00a0 There was nothing left of the ornately carved gates but splinters and jagged shards of wood.\u00c2\u00a0 The stone walls to either side of the two gates had also crumbled under the terrible onslaught, creating a mound of debris that Taran and the Tuatha would have to climb.\u00c2\u00a0 He could not determine what had destroyed the gates, for there were no scorch marks indicating lightning strikes.\u00c2\u00a0 The wood looked to have been twisted and torn.\u00c2\u00a0 He just hoped he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to face whatever had done that.<\/p>\n

Climbing the pile of debris was a challenge in normal conditions, for the pile of loose wood and stones constantly shifted under Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s feet.\u00c2\u00a0 But climbing the pile while holding onto the Aspects was a nightmare.\u00c2\u00a0 He could only steady himself with one hand, while he held his right hand above his head holding onto the multi-colored tendril of Ahura.\u00c2\u00a0 Several times he almost fell, only to have Fatimah or another priest steady him before he impaled himself on a jagged beam of wood.\u00c2\u00a0 Through the entire climb, the part of Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mind that was not focused on maintaining the shield wondered how Myndehr and the other Tuathan priests had made it over this pile without their horses breaking a leg.<\/p>\n

Once over the pile, Taran continued walking up the road without looking behind to see if all the Tuathans were following.\u00c2\u00a0 There were others who would see after the civilians; he had to focus on maintaining the shield.\u00c2\u00a0 One task at a time.<\/em><\/p>\n

Fatimah again questioned Taran on his strength, but Taran ignored her.\u00c2\u00a0 He still felt more alive than he ever had in his life, more aware of his surroundings.\u00c2\u00a0 He could do anything.\u00c2\u00a0 He was not going to grow fatigued any time soon.\u00c2\u00a0 When Taran did not respond, Fatimah stopped asking.\u00c2\u00a0 For now.<\/p>\n

He walked by small log homes surrounded by plots of overgrown land.\u00c2\u00a0 Stray dogs peered at him from under porches, and some even walked through the shield with wagging tails, sniffing and barking playfully at the Tuathans behind Taran.\u00c2\u00a0 With all the Tainted that had attacked the Heiron, Taran was surprised to see any living animals within the vicinity of Fedalan.<\/p>\n

The sky ahead of Taran kept its black, angry color, and blue-green lightning flashed between clouds.\u00c2\u00a0 The storm still seemed to pace them, staying maybe a half a mile ahead, as if leading them.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gaze strayed to the road ahead, hard packed and dry\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

Fifty paces ahead, a girl stood in the middle of the road, facing him.\u00c2\u00a0 Her hair was black and hung over her face in wet strands, and she wore a tattered white shift.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fatimah,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153is she one of yours?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fatimah asked from Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s right.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The girl ahead of us.\u00c2\u00a0 Is she one of your people?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fatimah was silent, and Taran risked a sideways glance at her.\u00c2\u00a0 She stared up the road, her eyes squinting, but not focusing on the girl less than thirty paces in front of them.\u00c2\u00a0 The girl had not moved since Taran first spied her, and he could not understand how Fatimah\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

And then twenty paces away, just outside the shield\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s reach, Taran recognized her.\u00c2\u00a0 He stumbled a bit, and then stopped.<\/p>\n

It was Mara.<\/p>\n

She looked at Taran with pleading eyes.\u00c2\u00a0 Blood ran from a wound on her forehead above her hairline, and bloody scratches and dark bruises covered her arms and legs.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Taran what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wrong?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fatimah asked from someplace far away.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Taran, the shield is faltering!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mara,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he whispered.\u00c2\u00a0 But how…?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Taran!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fatimah screamed.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The shield!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Mara seemed to be crying, for tears left tracks down her dirty face.\u00c2\u00a0 Then she turned and ran into the forest.<\/p>\n

Taran heard Fatimah begin the shield incantation just as he lowered his hand and released the tendril of Ahura.\u00c2\u00a0 The world of the Mundane crashed into him\u00e2\u20ac\u201dhis reflexes and senses felt muddled and slow, like he was under water.\u00c2\u00a0 His movements were like in a dream, his hearing was muffled, and his sight had become blurry and unfocused.<\/p>\n

He ignored it.\u00c2\u00a0 He charged through the faltering shield and toward the place where Mara had disappeared into the forest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The weight of the shield was crushing Fatimah, but she held it up.\u00c2\u00a0 The Aspects of Air and Spirit threatened to tear her soul apart, all while she reveled in Ahura\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s joyful ecstasy.\u00c2\u00a0 Fatimah heard the priests around her begin the shield incantation.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do not Wield!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she cried through gritted teeth.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I cannot hold this for very long and you will be needed.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The last thing she wanted was her back-up priests unconscious when she inevitably faltered.<\/p>\n

Through Aspect-enhanced eyes, Fatimah saw Taran inexplicably disappear into the forest.\u00c2\u00a0 How could he have abandoned us?<\/em> she thought, struggling not to let her dismay break her concentration.\u00c2\u00a0 What had he seen to make him run off like that?<\/em><\/p>\n

She continued walking forward, as fast as she could make her feet go.\u00c2\u00a0 She was aware of the panicked cries coming from behind her.\u00c2\u00a0 They, too, wondered why the Zervakan had run off into the forest.\u00c2\u00a0 What could she tell them?<\/p>\n

Fatimah heard Melahara\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice behind her throwing questions at the priests.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What happened to Abreau?\u00c2\u00a0 Why is Fatimah holding the shield?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She did not want to break her concentration simply to tell Melahara that she did not know where Taran went.\u00c2\u00a0 But one of the priests explained, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He said something about a girl, and then he ran off into the woods over there.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What girl?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the Holy Seat asked.<\/p>\n

At that moment, the storm that had threatened since they left the Heiron leaped on them like a wolf on a wounded lamb.\u00c2\u00a0 Rain deluged the Tuathans and lightning strikes just outside the shield showered them all in dirt, mud, and shards of trees.\u00c2\u00a0 The thunder was deafening, yet through it Fatimah heard the screams of her people.\u00c2\u00a0 Thankfully, none of the lightning strikes fell within the shield\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s perimeter.\u00c2\u00a0 Priests on either side of the road struggled to keep people from taking cover in the tree line thirty paces from the road, but several dozen slipped through and ran for the trees.<\/p>\n

No!<\/em> Fatimah had time to think before lightning rained down on top of each running group, leaving behind only blackened craters and showers of dirt and limbs.\u00c2\u00a0 That horrible sight kept others from trying the same thing.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Two Angra trails to the right,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Pomar Aliin shouted from behind Fatimah.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you see the harrowers?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fatimah asked, keeping her eyes on the road ahead.\u00c2\u00a0 I must hold on\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, they are in the trees.\u00c2\u00a0 There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s another one to the left…near where the Zervakan entered the forest.\u00c2\u00a0 That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s three trails.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fatimah cast an involuntary glance toward the left, but returned her gaze to the road when she felt a slight weakening in her hold on the shield.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you see the Zervakan?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Melahara asked Pomar, just as a bolt of lightning exploded right on top of the shield.\u00c2\u00a0 Fatimah felt the shield bend dangerously inward.\u00c2\u00a0 But it did not break.<\/p>\n

Fatimah wished she could have held up just as well\u00e2\u20ac\u201dshe fell to her knees, but managed to keep her hand up and her hold on to Ahura.\u00c2\u00a0 The priests around her rushed to pick her up, and she gladly accepted their help.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you need me to take over?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Pomar asked, but Fatimah shook her head.\u00c2\u00a0 She had felt like the weight of the shield would crush her when she first took over, but she was getting used to it, and she even thought it felt a little lighter now.<\/p>\n

What she worried about was more lightning strikes.\u00c2\u00a0 She did not know how long she could hold up the shield if the harrowers decided to concentrate their strikes on it.<\/p>\n

Gunfire from the Shadarlak behind her almost made her lose her hold on Ahura again.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What is happening?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she yelled.<\/p>\n

Pomar started walking backward and craned her neck to get a better view over the Tuathans behind her.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s coming from the Compact Speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s location.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Then she gasped and said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Blessed Ahura…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fatimah asked.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s happening?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tainted,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Pomar said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They’re all around us.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/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-159","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\/159","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=159"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=159"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=159"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}