{"id":169,"date":"2012-08-27T10:29:02","date_gmt":"2012-08-27T14:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=169"},"modified":"2012-08-27T10:31:23","modified_gmt":"2012-08-27T14:31:23","slug":"zervakan-free-fantasy-novel-chapter-39","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=169","title":{"rendered":"ZERVAKAN – Free Fantasy Novel – Chapter 39"},"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 39<\/h2>\n

Taran thought Edoss and his five Shadarlak were another illusion when they emerged from the forest into the clearing.\u00c2\u00a0 Little Pomar Aliin led them, the blue-white bubble of a shield encasing them all, a tendril of Ahura caressing her uplifted hand.<\/p>\n

Taran instantly Wielded his own shield.\u00c2\u00a0 The joy of Ahura came freely to him now, without the lengthy incantations or loving visualizations.\u00c2\u00a0 He did not know if he had to concentrate less to receive Ahura, or if he was just getting better at it.\u00c2\u00a0 Regardless, the shield sprang into existence, and he stood to face the potential threat.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you real?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran asked, knowing the words sounded foolish as soon as they came from his mouth.\u00c2\u00a0 But he did not care.\u00c2\u00a0 Ahura took away his anxieties and left only peace.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Taran,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Edoss said, approaching him cautiously.\u00c2\u00a0 Pomar walked alongside to keep the Speaker within the radius of the shield.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What happened?\u00c2\u00a0 Are you hurt?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran was silent a moment, for he was still unsure if the improbable sight of Edoss was real.\u00c2\u00a0 But then he felt the Aspects of Ahura emanating from Pomar\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shield, and he knew that at least they were real.\u00c2\u00a0 The harrowers might deceive his eyes, but they could not deceive his heart.<\/p>\n

Taran slumped back against the downed tree, and then released Ahura.\u00c2\u00a0 The Aspects fled him, and he was left with his previous misery, guilt, and shock.\u00c2\u00a0 He felt a little light-headed after releasing Ahura, but it passed within a few seconds.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Pomar saw two Angra trails this way,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Edoss said, scanning the clearing.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We thought you were under attack.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran had been thinking about what he was going to say to the others when he returned to the Tuathans.\u00c2\u00a0 Would they believe that he saw his daughter?\u00c2\u00a0 And what would they do if they found out he had Wielded Angra?\u00c2\u00a0 Would they believe that Kumar Ladak was a harrower?\u00c2\u00a0 Taran decided that the best answer was to lie.\u00c2\u00a0 They would never take him back into the fold if they knew what he had done.\u00c2\u00a0 What he was.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I saw a girl,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153On the road.\u00c2\u00a0 She ran into the woods…but I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t find her.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Edoss glanced down at the remains of Kumar Ladak and grimaced.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What happened here?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Without looking down, Taran said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was a harrower.\u00c2\u00a0 He attacked me, but ran into my shield just as I raised it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Really?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Pomar said, looking down at the remains.\u00c2\u00a0 Her voice had a dreamy quality to it that Taran knew was due to her holding Ahura.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They just explode into vapor, yes?\u00c2\u00a0 All Tainted do this when\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Apparently the harrowers don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran snapped.\u00c2\u00a0 Pomar closed her mouth and her cheeks turned almost as scarlet as the sash around her waist.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran regretted snapping at the young priest, but he said no more.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Edoss said, watching Taran.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d better get back to the others.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Edoss turned to Pomar and asked, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can you hold the shield until we get back?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Pomar\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes still had that faraway look.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Much yes.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She then turned and led them out of the clearing and into the forest.\u00c2\u00a0 Edoss mouthed the words, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Watch her,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to Taran, and Taran nodded.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran would be prepared to take over the shield if Pomar should falter.\u00c2\u00a0 He wondered if she really could Wield long enough to get them back, or if it was just the confidence that Wielding gave her.\u00c2\u00a0 He knew the feeling of thinking anything was possible when he held on to Ahura.<\/p>\n

Taran now also understood the wild and chaotic sense of release that Angra gave him, that the whole world was his and all he had to do was think what he wanted, and the world would do his bidding.\u00c2\u00a0 He tried not to think about Angra.\u00c2\u00a0 He would never use it again.<\/p>\n

But that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what you said about Ahura.<\/em><\/p>\n

He was startled by the change in tone of his inner voice.\u00c2\u00a0 He had heard it all his life, but the knife-like edge to it made him uneasy, like being growled at by a beloved dog.<\/p>\n

Angra<\/em> and Ahura<\/em>, Taran declared to himself.\u00c2\u00a0 After I get home, they will be nothing more to me than strange rings in the sky.<\/em><\/p>\n

Taran could almost hear the sharp voice chuckling, but it did not say more.<\/p>\n

He had been so lost in thought that he was surprised when they finally reached the road.\u00c2\u00a0 Pomar stumbled over a fallen branch, but quickly righted herself.\u00c2\u00a0 She turned to Taran and said in a distracted voice, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I fine.\u00c2\u00a0 I hold shield a bit longer.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

But Taran saw that her eyes were becoming bloodshot and that her shoulders were hunched.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve done enough, Pomar,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let me take over.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She shook her head weakly, her jaw set.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, I hold longer.\u00c2\u00a0 Please, just little longer…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Her eyes rolled up into her head, and Taran caught her before she fell to the ground.\u00c2\u00a0 She convulsed in his arms, and he held her tight to keep her from thrashing about on the muddy road.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wrong?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Edoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Wielded too long,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran said.<\/p>\n

Pomar suddenly stopped convulsing.\u00c2\u00a0 Her eyes shot open, she let out a deep sigh, and then was still.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran put his cheek to her mouth.\u00c2\u00a0 He checked her pulse on her neck.\u00c2\u00a0 It was faint.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s alive,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran said.\u00c2\u00a0 He shook his head and growled, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s my fault.\u00c2\u00a0 I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t pay attention to her.\u00c2\u00a0 I should have\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s enough, Abraeu,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Edoss said.\u00c2\u00a0 He did not shout, but his words were like a slap across the face, making Taran pay attention.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We need to get her back to the others, and you have to shield us.\u00c2\u00a0 Doctor, are you with us?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran realized that they were on the muddy road, with lightning craters on either side of them, and without a shield to protect them.\u00c2\u00a0 The Shadarlak looked about nervously, watching for signs of movement in the woods.\u00c2\u00a0 The sky still roiled with black clouds, but the rain had stopped and the humid air was still.\u00c2\u00a0 Up the road, Taran saw a large, multi-colored tendril of Ahura touching the ground on the other side of a hill, maybe a twenty minute march away.<\/p>\n

He nodded to Edoss, and then stood up, picked up Pomar and handed her to one of the Shadarlak.\u00c2\u00a0 He then raised his hand to Ahura and asked for the shield.\u00c2\u00a0 As the shield sprang into existence around them, he noticed again that he had not said the incantation to focus his thoughts.\u00c2\u00a0 All he had done was ask Ahura for the shield, and Ahura had given it to him.<\/p>\n

Angra will do the same,<\/em> that sharp voice said in his mind.\u00c2\u00a0 And more.<\/em><\/p>\n

Taran ignored it, and started up the road.<\/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,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,28,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-169","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\/169","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=169"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/169\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=169"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=169"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}