{"id":175,"date":"2012-09-07T10:03:55","date_gmt":"2012-09-07T14:03:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=175"},"modified":"2012-09-10T10:18:26","modified_gmt":"2012-09-10T14:18:26","slug":"zervakan-free-fantasy-novel-chapter-42","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=175","title":{"rendered":"ZERVAKAN – Free Fantasy Novel – Chapter 42"},"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 42<\/h2>\n

Melahara resumed the Tuathan march an hour after Taran’s capture.\u00c2\u00a0 Fatimah still held the shield when the call ran up and down the column, and Melahara forced her to relinquish control of the shield to another priest.\u00c2\u00a0 Just as Bessi was disappointed to give up the shield, Fatimah reluctantly gave the shield to a priest older than her, who took it with an eager gleam in her eyes.\u00c2\u00a0 When Ahura left Fatimah, she slumped against a priest who was there to support her.\u00c2\u00a0 She was able to stand on her feet within minutes, but her body still wanted nothing more than to lie down.\u00c2\u00a0 She chose to stay with the priests holding the shield.\u00c2\u00a0 If one of them should lose her concentration, perhaps she would have a chance to Wield again and forget about Taran.<\/p>\n

She gave an involuntary glance back at the covered wagon that held Taran.\u00c2\u00a0 Eblin still rode on the front seat with the Heshman driver, but the remaining Shadarlak flanked the wagon, including a sizable contingent of priests and Heshmen.\u00c2\u00a0 As the column started its march, the two sides began to eye the forests on either side of them more than each other, a development that gave Fatimah hope their alliance was not dead.<\/p>\n

After a few hours of marching, Melahara came forward and walked among the shield priests.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I have received word through Ahura from Brya Lueng.\u00c2\u00a0 General Myndehr arrived safely in Markwatch, and Lord Ven Demeg has already dispatched four ships.\u00c2\u00a0 They should be awaiting us when we arrive at Tsall.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Relieved whispers spread through the ranks of the priests, and the news traveled fast along the column of weary Tuathans.\u00c2\u00a0 The news seemed to make the column move a little quicker toward the seaside village of Tsall.\u00c2\u00a0 Even Fatimah felt her sadness ebb a little.\u00c2\u00a0 At least her people would soon be safe.\u00c2\u00a0 Relatively speaking.\u00c2\u00a0 For there was nowhere her people would be truly safe from the Fomorians and harrowers.<\/p>\n

As the night wore on, priest after priest held the shield, none for more than an a half hour, before being relieved by another priest.\u00c2\u00a0 Fatimah herself eagerly took another turn at maintaining the shield, and each time experienced the torturous process of giving it up to another priest at the end of her turn.\u00c2\u00a0 All of the priests experienced the same fatigue that she felt afterwards, but all were growing strong enough to remain standing after giving up the shield.\u00c2\u00a0 Also, as each turn passed, the priests could Wield much sooner after a previous Wield.\u00c2\u00a0 Though still terribly difficult, they were becoming much more disciplined about giving up Ahura when their turns were over.\u00c2\u00a0 None wanted to suffer Pomar\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fate.\u00c2\u00a0 Better to experience the loss of Ahura for a little while than forever.<\/p>\n

When the night sky turned purple in the east, Fatimah spotted seagulls in the sky, and even smelled the saltiness of the sea.\u00c2\u00a0 Others began to notice the same thing, and excited murmurs raced up and down the bone-weary column.\u00c2\u00a0 Mothers whispered encouraging words to older children, while fathers carried young children too tired to walk.\u00c2\u00a0 Many parents looked as if they needed to be carried themselves.\u00c2\u00a0 It took most of Fatimah\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s concentration to put one foot in front of the other.<\/p>\n

The sun broke above the tree lines as Fatimah began to hear the faint crashing waves.\u00c2\u00a0 The smell of the sea was stronger now, and a breeze had picked up.\u00c2\u00a0 Within an hour, the column rounded a bend and stared at the abandoned huts and stone piers of the Tuathan village Tsall.\u00c2\u00a0 The village had been deserted two decades ago after a terrible hurricane destroyed most of the town.\u00c2\u00a0 Without the resources to rebuild, along with a dwindling population, the survivors simply moved to different villages inside the Beldamark.<\/p>\n

Beyond the decaying huts, Fatimah saw the dark blue sea.\u00c2\u00a0 White waves crashed on the crumbling stone piers and a narrow strip of sandy beach that stretched north and south beyond sight.\u00c2\u00a0 The red sun hung just above the sea\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s horizon, making the water look like sparkling diamonds and rubies.<\/p>\n

It was one of the most beautiful sights Fatimah had ever seen.<\/p>\n

The ragged band of Tuathans behind her surged forward to stand on the sandy beach, as if being near the sea would make them safe forever.\u00c2\u00a0 Fatimah also wanted to walk in the surf that pounded the sand.\u00c2\u00a0 It had been years since she had seen the sea, and the salvation from the harrowers it promised made her want to touch the water.<\/p>\n

The first inkling Fatimah had that something was wrong was that the promised ships were no where in sight.\u00c2\u00a0 That concerned her, but she was not too worried since the vessels could be called by communication through Ahura to the priest on the ship.<\/p>\n

What scared her were the two harrowers who emerged from the forest and walked beside the lead Tuathans, just outside the shield.\u00c2\u00a0 They also had a shield of their own, although theirs made everything within it distorted, as if viewed through an unevenly cast window.<\/p>\n

As they approached, Fatimah could make out two men.\u00c2\u00a0 One wore the same buckskin and woolen clothes of a Tuathan, though much shabbier and muddier than even the marching Tuathans.<\/p>\n

Fatimah was even more shocked by the other harrower.\u00c2\u00a0 He wore Recindian clothes\u00e2\u20ac\u201dblack breeches, white shirt, black coat, and a black tri-corner hat.\u00c2\u00a0 He had a thick, white mustache that hung over his lips.\u00c2\u00a0 Fatimah recognized him as the man who had shared a tent with Taran during their march from Markwatch, but she could not remember his name.\u00c2\u00a0 She wondered why she had not smelled the Taint of Angra on him when she first met him, then realized she had never come within five paces of the man.\u00c2\u00a0 She had only smelled the Taint on Taran when she was less than a pace from him.<\/p>\n

The Recindian bowed, and said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We come under a flag of truce.\u00c2\u00a0 Please excuse the fact we have no flag.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The second man next to him, a little older than Fatimah, gave a high-pitched maniacal laugh.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who are you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Melahara said, striding toward the two harrowers, but staying within the shield.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Kumar Ladak, proud Fomorian at your service, my lady.\u00c2\u00a0 And my associate is…well, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really know his name.\u00c2\u00a0 Forgot to ask when I turned him into a harrower.\u00c2\u00a0 Anyway, our names are not important, but our offer is.\u00c2\u00a0 Give us the Zervakan, and your people may live.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Zervakan, the Zervakan,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the younger man repeated, his grin showing yellow, rotten teeth.\u00c2\u00a0 He hopped around like a dog eager for a treat.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What makes you think we have him?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Ladak snorted.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who else could have created this grand shield?\u00c2\u00a0 Quite impressive, I must say.\u00c2\u00a0 We know you<\/em> do not yet have the strength to create one.\u00c2\u00a0 Which means you have a Zervakan among you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Zervakan, Zervakan,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the younger man chanted.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Even if we did have the Zervakan among us, you know we cannot give him to you.\u00c2\u00a0 You will only use him against us.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And you would not use him against us<\/em>?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Ladak shook his head reproachfully at Melahara, as if scolding a young child.\u00c2\u00a0 Melahara\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s frown said she did not appreciate it.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Whether or not you believe this,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ladak said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153our fight is not with you, Holy Seat.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Melahara raised an eyebrow.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And I suppose the attack on our Heiron and the harassment along our journey was your idea of opening diplomatic relations?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Ladak pointed a finger at her.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We were prepared to leave you in peace, but you forced us to act by allying with our true enemy\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe Recindian Compact.\u00c2\u00a0 They represent the greatest threat in this world to my people and<\/em> to yours.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ah, so we should band together to fight the Compact, is that right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Melahara laughed.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We may lack your Wielding strength\u00e2\u20ac\u201dfor the moment\u00e2\u20ac\u201dbut we are not fools.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Think about it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ladak said patiently.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve lived in the Compact for generations.\u00c2\u00a0 Their Pathist priests have corrupted the people with their teachings against \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsupernaturalism.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00c2\u00a0 They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve fought two wars against Mazumdahr, a country that has strong \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsupernaturalist\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 beliefs, simply because the Compact fears those beliefs.\u00c2\u00a0 Do you really think the Pathists in the Compact will just let you settle on their lands?\u00c2\u00a0 Even if their government believes you, the people will not.\u00c2\u00a0 They have been conditioned too well.\u00c2\u00a0 You know this.\u00c2\u00a0 It will be just like a thousand years ago, when you were chased into the Beldamark by mobs with pitchforks and nooses.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Melahara regarded the Fomorian with a smirk, but Fatimah saw her eyes begin to narrow, as if Ladak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s words had struck home.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153This world has forgotten the powers that created it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ladak said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153that keep it strong and enable it to survive.\u00c2\u00a0 Given time, the Compact\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fear of \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsupernaturalism\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 will make them try to destroy you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Eblin approached Melahara, leaning heavily on her staff.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Since when do harrowers think of the welfare of others?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fomorian,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ladak said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the harrower.\u00c2\u00a0 And I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care about your people.\u00c2\u00a0 Look at you.\u00c2\u00a0 You can barely hold back four harrowers.\u00c2\u00a0 What are you going to do when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re attacked by true-blood Fomorians?\u00c2\u00a0 No, we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see you as a threat.\u00c2\u00a0 But we will if you proceed with this doomed and misguided alliance with the Compact.\u00c2\u00a0 We will defeat them regardless of whether you help them.\u00c2\u00a0 It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll just be easier, quicker, and with far less loss of life if you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Then he turned to Melahara.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Give us the Zervakan and we will destroy the Compact within weeks.\u00c2\u00a0 You can go back to your Beldamark homes and live peaceful lives like you have done over the last millennium.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Melahara said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And after the Compact is defeated you will come for us.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fatimah was shocked more at the tone of Melahara\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice rather than the statement.\u00c2\u00a0 It sounded more like a question, as if the Holy Seat was actually considering the Fomorian\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s offer.\u00c2\u00a0 Fatimah did not allow her face to show her confusion, but she hoped that Eblin noticed the undertones.\u00c2\u00a0 If Eblin did, though, her face did not show it.<\/p>\n

Ladak smiled.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153As long as your people stay in the Beldamark, you have nothing to fear from us.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Melahara considered this for a moment.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And what assurances can you give us?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fatimah could not contain her outrage any longer.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mother Seat, do not believe anything\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Eblin hissed, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Silence, girl!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fatimah stared at Eblin, but her old Master said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do not interrupt the Holy Seat.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The younger harrower gave a high laugh while staring at Fatimah.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Turmoil and trouble, hee, hee.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So much for Tuathan discipline,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ladak said, grinning at Fatimah.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I said,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Melahara repeated, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153what assurances can you give me that you will not come after us once the Compact is gone?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Ladak turned his gray eyes to Melahara.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Because I know how the Barrier fell, and I can help you raise it again around the Beldamark.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Ladak took a gold pocket watch from his black coat, glanced at it, and said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be generous and give you one hour to talk amongst yourselves.\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-175","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\/175","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=175"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/175\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=175"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=175"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=175"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}