{"id":171,"date":"2012-08-31T10:16:23","date_gmt":"2012-08-31T14:16:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=171"},"modified":"2012-08-31T10:16:23","modified_gmt":"2012-08-31T14:16:23","slug":"zervakan-free-fantasy-novel-chapter-40","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=171","title":{"rendered":"ZERVAKAN – Free Fantasy Novel – Chapter 40"},"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 40<\/h2>\n

When Taran, Edoss, and his men rounded a bend in the road, Taran saw several scarlet-sashed priests milling about near a fallen tree off to the right side, one of them with her hand raised and a shield surrounding them.\u00c2\u00a0 Ten Tuathan Heshmen leaned on their spears, all watching the forest in different directions.\u00c2\u00a0 The dark pine trees were closing in on either side of the road so that it was no more than ten paces from the muddy track.\u00c2\u00a0 The priests started murmuring when they saw Pomar in the arms of one of the Shadarlak, and the Heshmen assumed a more alert posture with their spears held at their sides.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Pomar Wielded too much,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran called out as he approached them.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She needs help.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Several priests rushed forward, along with some of the Heshmen, who had returned their drawn spears into the quivers on their backs.\u00c2\u00a0 One of the men took Pomar from the Shadarlak and carried her to a spot on the side of the road beneath a low hanging branch, which made the ground beneath it relatively mud-free.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran noticed that Melahara and the priests who stayed behind, including the Heshmen, all stared at him.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran decided to get his apologies over with.<\/p>\n

Three priests tended to Pomar, while Melahara and five other priests\u00e2\u20ac\u201done of which maintained their shield with a dreamy look\u00e2\u20ac\u201dfaced Taran.\u00c2\u00a0 The red-bearded Heshmen watched him, all keeping a tight grip on their spears.\u00c2\u00a0 Once Taran was within the radius of their shield, he released Ahura.\u00c2\u00a0 The fatigue was non-existent now, but the despair that came with losing Ahura\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s peace was as terrible as it had always been.<\/p>\n

Taran glanced at the priests tending to Pomar.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Will she be all right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Melahara said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Although she might never Wield again if she recovers.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran sighed.\u00c2\u00a0 He could not imagine never being able to touch Ahura\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a chuckling from the dark voice in his mind.\u00c2\u00a0 So much for that \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll never Wield again after I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m home\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 promise,<\/em> it said.\u00c2\u00a0 You will never let it go.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ignoring the voice, Taran said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was my fault.\u00c2\u00a0 I should have watched her more\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Where did you go?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Melahara asked.<\/p>\n

Taran decided it was best to tell her as much of the truth as possible.\u00c2\u00a0 He would leave out the part about calling on Angra.\u00c2\u00a0 It was something he did not even want to admit to himself.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I saw my daughter,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Or what I thought was my daughter.\u00c2\u00a0 It turned out to be a harrower trick.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Obviously,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Melahara said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And what were you doing out there for an hour all by yourself in woods crawling with Tainted and harrowers?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I looked for my daughter.\u00c2\u00a0 But the harrower responsible for the trick attacked me, and so I killed him.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And who was this harrower?\u00c2\u00a0 Was there only one?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I did not know him,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran snapped.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And yes, there was only one.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Melahara looked at Edoss and asked, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How did you find him, Edoss?\u00c2\u00a0 Was he fighting this harrower?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Edoss stepped between Taran and Melahara.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Say what you mean rather than continue with this interrogation.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Very well, Speaker,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Melahara said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Taran Abraeu abandoned us.\u00c2\u00a0 He left several hundred innocent people to die just as the harrowers attacked in earnest.\u00c2\u00a0 That is quite a coincidence, yes?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Edoss laughed.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you suggesting that Abraeu is a harrower?\u00c2\u00a0 From what I know of your powers\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand it is very little, I grant you\u00e2\u20ac\u201dno one can Wield Ahura and<\/em> Angra.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Melahara gazed at Taran with an icy stare.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That is true.\u00c2\u00a0 For the most part.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I am not a harrower,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran said.<\/p>\n

He said this mostly to Melahara, but partly to silence the quiet laughter in his mind.\u00c2\u00a0 The laughter only increased.<\/p>\n

One of the priests tending to Pomar said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mother Seat, she is awake.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Melahara glanced back to where Pomar lay.\u00c2\u00a0 Then she looked back at Taran, and said to the priest, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ask her how many trails of Angra she saw when she found Taran Abraeu.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

They got you now,<\/em> the dark voice whispered in Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mind.\u00c2\u00a0 Kill them all now before they kill you.\u00c2\u00a0 Angra will show you how.<\/em><\/p>\n

Stop<\/em>, Taran screamed in his mind.<\/p>\n

The priest asked Pomar Melahara\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s question, then leaned near Pomar\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mouth.\u00c2\u00a0 When Pomar had whispered her answer, the priest stood and said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Two.\u00c2\u00a0 Pomar said she saw two Angra trails.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Melahara said to Taran, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I thought you said you only faced one harrower?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Kill them now,<\/em> the voice screamed, its urgency so painful that Taran almost did call for Angra.\u00c2\u00a0 Instead he fell to his knees and grabbed his shirt with both hands to keep a hand from reaching for the black ring in the sky.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he screamed back to the dark voice.<\/p>\n

When he looked up, he saw the priests all had their hands raised and were Wielding Ahura.\u00c2\u00a0 The guns from all five of the Shadarlak flew into the outstretched hands of the priests.\u00c2\u00a0 The remaining Heshmen had sprung forward and had their spears at the necks of Edoss and every Shadarlak before any could draw their sabers.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran felt a tingling sensation all around him, as if he were encased in static electricity.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We are not your enemy, Melahara!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Edoss yelled.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe you<\/em> are not, Speaker,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Melahara said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But Taran Abraeu is.\u00c2\u00a0 He has Wielded Angra.\u00c2\u00a0 I could smell the Taint on him as soon as he was within five paces.\u00c2\u00a0 He cannot be allowed back among my people.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re just going to leave him out here?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Melahara\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face grew hard.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He cannot be freed either.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

I told you,<\/em> the dark voice mocked.\u00c2\u00a0 To silence the voice, Taran shot his hand up to Ahura, seeking to disarm the Heshmen just as the priests had disarmed the Shadarlak…but nothing happened.\u00c2\u00a0 Ahura did not respond.<\/p>\n

Seeing Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s confusion, Melahara said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That tingling you feel is similar to what the Barrier was, albeit on a vastly smaller scale.\u00c2\u00a0 While it surrounds you, you cannot Wield Ahura.\u00c2\u00a0 Or Angra.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Edoss growled, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you do this, Melahara, if you kill a Compact man in cold blood, your people will never be welcome in my country.\u00c2\u00a0 You need us.\u00c2\u00a0 Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t throw it away.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Melahara pointed to Taran.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This man is a danger to both our peoples.\u00c2\u00a0 He can Wield Ahura and<\/em> Angra with a strength that has not been seen since before the Barrier.\u00c2\u00a0 We cannot trust him, therefore he is too dangerous to be allowed to live.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

There was a rustling in the forest on either side of the road, and then twenty Shadarlak, ten on the left and ten on the right, emerged from the woods with their revolvers aimed at the Tuathans.<\/p>\n

Captain Laesh yelled, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If I see one hand go up, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re firing.\u00c2\u00a0 You men, drop the spears.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 When none of the Heshmen moved, Laesh screamed, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Laesh strode forward and aimed his revolver at Melahara\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s head.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tell them to drop their spears, madam.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can kill me if you want, Captain,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Melahara replied in a serene voice, her hands tucked into cloak.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But my men will take your Speaker with me before you can shoot them all.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Taran knew Laesh had not touched the Crucible bowl, so the Shadarlak captain had no idea what Melahara just said.\u00c2\u00a0 When Laesh cocked the revolver, Edoss cried, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wait, Captain!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Laesh never took his eyes off of Melahara.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What are your orders, sir?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Melahara,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Edoss said, this time in more conciliatory tones.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We are surrounded by harrowers and Tainted who could attack us all at any moment.\u00c2\u00a0 Must we do this now?\u00c2\u00a0 Can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t we resolve this once your people are out of harm\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s way?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Melahara\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lips tightened as she considered Edoss\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s plea for compromise.<\/p>\n

See how they barter for your life as if you weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even here,<\/em> the dark voice said.\u00c2\u00a0 Trust none of them.\u00c2\u00a0 They don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t deserve your help.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Stop,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Taran whispered, shaking his head.\u00c2\u00a0 The voice was growing stronger by the moment, and Taran was starting to doubt his sanity.\u00c2\u00a0 He focused all of his concentration on Melahara, as she stood silently, considering Edoss\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s words.<\/p>\n

After an eternity, Melahara said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here is the compromise.\u00c2\u00a0 Taran Abraeu will be taken into our custody while we march to the sea.\u00c2\u00a0 Once my people are safe, he will be judged.\u00c2\u00a0 I will not make any promises on the outcome of that trial, but it will be fair.\u00c2\u00a0 This is my only offer, Speaker.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Edoss glared at Melahara a moment, and then nodded once.<\/p>\n

The Heshmen took hold of Taran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arms and marched him toward the center of the Tuathan column.\u00c2\u00a0 Though he was now a prisoner of the Tuathans, he was relieved that their personal Barrier surrounded him.<\/p>\n

The temptation to use Angra to kill them all had become too hard to resist.<\/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-171","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\/171","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=171"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=171"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}