Quietus

By Susan Leigh Noble

The Learner Ben Dar had been destroyed by the reluctant use of her powers. In the shadow of his fallen fortress, she had learned the truth – that she was the center of a thousand-year-old prophecy claiming the rebirth of the Elementals – an ancient race dedicated to caring for the Land.

Now Lina and those with traces of Elemental power train in the mountains of South Point in the hopes that they can defeat this unknown danger to the Land. Will her powers be enough to stop the destruction of her homeland?

Quietus is the second book in The Elemental trilogy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Leigh Noble
• Release date: Nov 16, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466035461

Susan Leigh Noble

Susan Leigh Noble has always loved dragons and magic so it is no wonder that she became an author of fantasy novels. As a cat lover, she also had to throw in a telepathic cat to the mix in her The Elemental Series. Her latest book, The Heir to Alexandria, is her first stand-alone fantasy novel.In addition to writing, Susan spends her days taking care of her two children and husband in Texas.

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Quietus

Book Two of The Elemental

By Susan Leigh Noble

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination. Any resemblances to persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.

Original Copyright November 2011 by Susan Leigh Noble

Published by Susan Leigh Noble at Smashwords

Cover design by Donna Casey (www.digitaldonna.com)

Photos used to create the cover were obtained from dreamtime.com

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or retransmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system -- except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the web -- without expressed written permission in writing from Susan Leigh Noble.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

1Prologue

The following is an excerpt from the journal of the Elemental Lars.

It was the middle of the night not five days past when I awoke from something so clear, so real, so disturbingly real, I knew not what to think. My mind whirled with the images I had seen. What could this mean? For surely this strange dream is some kind of sign, a warning of what will happen. But how can that be? I know not the answer. All I know is the Lands must be warned. But whom shall I tell of this dream, for surely they will think me mad. For no sane person would believe what I saw will happen. No one do I dare trust, so I transcribe my thoughts here while they are still fresh in my mind, praying someday this will reach the person who needs to know what I already understand all too well.

It was all so clear not like any dream I have ever had before. The images of this dream haunted my days and nights. I cannot seem to rid my mind of them. Nights I spent in turmoil as I thought about it. Could this be the future I see? I doubted that for days. But now I know what I saw was the truth. I know this for something inside me, something deep within, tells me this is so, that what I dreamed will happen.

In my dream, I saw the Land, but it was not the Land I know. I looked at it, straining to see what was different. Then before my eyes, it slowly faded from sight. When the Land reappeared, it lay dying. Not like after the battles it has suffered through years ago. No, this was different. It had become a desolate place. The land was bare of any living creatures. Not a plant or animal could survive there. I felt overwhelming despair as I watched this happened. I cried out, pleading for myself to wake.

Then I saw the answer: an Elemental born again in this time of need. I know not how this can happen as I am the last of my kind. These past few months I have been saddened by the thought that Elemental power no longer exists as it once did. But now after having this dream, I am relieved this power that once was so vital to the Land will be reborn. I strained to see this individual that could be the Lands’ only hope. No face could I make out, just a form and a sense this person could, nay would, help. Such power this Elemental had. But would it be enough?

Before I could find the answer I awoke, scared by what I saw and yet yearning to know more. Would the Land survive this attack? I needed to know yet the dream has not returned to me in days, so I suspect this is all I am to know. The Land will need the Elementals. I know this now, and the Elementals will find a way to answer this challenge as they always have.

Often, I wonder how this dream has come to me, but I do not find that important. I must make certain this information is passed on; I must do something to save the Land from the destruction I saw. Even though I fear to tell anyone what I have seen, I feel I must. I am too weak. I fear I will not last much longer. I have already called the STACs to me and only pray they will come to me before I die.

Chapter One

Karlina Roose stood before the Emergency High Session, her emotions a tight knot mixed of nerves and fear. The meeting had come much quicker than she expected and not just months sooner but sooner in the day. She had thought she would stand in the hall for hours before being permitted to speak to the High Session. That she, a lone girl who had grown up in a small, unimportant village, was now standing before them was short of miraculous.

Lina, as she preferred to be called, looked at the members before her as Martin Watterson, the head of the High Session, called for quiet. She sat down on the hard wooden chair, glancing quickly at the young man who sat beside her. Val Lonce turned and smiled reassuringly. Lina smiled back. She knew he understood how nervous and overwhelmed she felt about coming before the High Session. And if it hadn’t been for him, she wouldn’t be here now.

Val had worked hard to call the High Session members together for her. The High Session was made up of the head of each Land’s High Council and acted mainly as an advisory board whose primary function was to allow the High Councils to stay in contact with each other. It was the fastest way to provide information to all six Lands at once. When he had first approached the Phila High Council in Nor, they had declared it impossible stating repeatedly that the High Session wouldn’t meet for another year. What about an Emergency High Session, Val had countered. The council members were shocked. That has never happened, they said. And then to convince them of the need for an emergency meeting existed without really telling them what had happened...to put it simply - Val had been amazing.

Karlina.

Val’s father, Jake Lonce, spoke, pulling Lina out of her thoughts. She looked up at him, trying to ignore the other five council members who sat behind the long table before her. The similarity in looks between Jake and his son were obvious. They both had the same light brown eyes and hair though Jake’s hair was slightly darker brown and had a hint of gray. Jake looked around the room now with authority as the crowd quieted down. Lina glanced around the packed room. She hadn’t expected so many people. She had expected to address only the six members of the High Session. But almost every member of each Land’s High Council had rushed to attend the Emergency High Session. Now the other council members sat behind her waiting impatiently to find out why they had been called to Harmony. Her stomach tightened at the thought of speaking before all these people. She turned her focus back on Val’s father and willed herself to relax. If there was anyone here besides Val and Tosh she could count on it would be him.

This is an extraordinary moment, Karlina. You and Val are the only people who have ever succeeded in calling an Emergency High Session. Jake paused. Leaning back in his chair, he looked at the other council members. Val has already told us a little of your adventure and why you two believe there is a threat to each of our Lands, but I think we should hear about it from you.

Lina took a deep breath. She had been rehearsing what she would say for hours. But now, as she opened her mouth to speak, her mind went blank. All thoughts of what had happened to her seemed absurd. Will they even believe me, she wondered.

You must warn them, Lina.

The reassuring voice of Tosh, her STAC, entered her mind. She glanced at the small gray cat sitting on the table between her and Val. Yes, she must warn them of this possible threat to the Land. However, she knew that she also had to tell them of the terrible event that had led up to this knowledge. She had spent the past weeks trying to forget everything.

Just tell them what happened, Tosh said, blinking his yellow eyes.

Lina took another deep breath and looked at Val’s father, who nodded at her to begin. She started with the strange feeling that had begun to consume her months ago. She explained how it overwhelmed her with the desire to go north. She had ignored it for weeks, but it steadily grew until she knew she would have to leave her homeland and follow this strange urge. She told them very little of the others in the group that had accompanied her as they were not as important as what had happened. She watched the council members’ expressions turn to that of disbelief as she told them of the battle with the creatures of lore - the Gunn and the Dakos. She knew the strange mist that had invaded their camp changing the behavior of her companions sounded far-fetched. Everything about her journey north to Ben Dar’s fortress was so hard to believe. As Lina reached the end of her story, she glanced at Val and Tosh. She didn’t want to talk about the final battle. She still had nightmares about it and had only relayed what happened once before. Several of the council members leaned forward in anticipation. She took a deep breath and told them of the event she most wanted to forget: the battle and destruction of the Learner Ben Dar. He had been the center of all the events that happened on her journey. He had been summoning people with traces of Elemental power to him in order to take that energy as his own. But the act of draining the power killed the original possessor. Lina had no choice but to stop Ben Dar or die. And in the end, she had killed him. The members sat silent as her words washed over them.

Lina twisted uncomfortably in her seat as she waited for someone to speak. Her hand reached up, smoothing down her long honey-colored hair. She glanced down at the soft green dress she wore. It had not been her choice. Val’s sister Miya and Lina’s mother had insisted she must appear properly dressed in front of the High Session. And that meant a dress though Lina would have much preferred her leggings and loose white shirt she customarily wore.

And what were you told after the Learner Ben Dar died? Jake promoted her.

But Val rose instead and waited until his father nodded for him to speak. We did not bring you hear to tell you of this battle. We came to tell you what it means, he said. Several members perked up at his words. Many people who have traces of Elemental power responded to Ben Dar’s call. But none of them are like Lina. It was not until after the fortress collapsed that we learned from Lina’s STAC what this meant. The STACs were told one day an Elemental would be born who would have all the Elemental powers of old. Lina is that Elemental. It was foretold that this event would mark the rebirth of the Elementals. The crowd behind them began to murmur. Their voices excited. Val paused and waited for silence. We believe the Elementals have returned because the Land will soon have a need for them. We believe there will be a direct threat to the Land.

Ha! said one of the council members, sitting at a table below and to one side of the High Session members. The heavy-set man squinted at Lina and Val. In one hand, he held a sandwich bursting with meat and in the other, he held a napkin, which he waved at them. Telepathic cats, now there’s a laugh. You still believe in that story, boy? The man looked at his fellow council members as a piece of meat fell from his sandwich. Are we just going to sit here and listen to this children’s tale? STACS don’t exist and neither do Elementals. He pounded his fist on the table. This is all too absurd. No one has used Learned magic in over eight hundred years. I don’t believe a word of it.

Val glanced at Lina. She smiled at him. She had told him people would not believe her. The Elementals had not existed for over a thousand years. There was no reason anyone should believe the Elementals had returned or even that anyone possessed Elemental power. She couldn’t prove Ben Dar existed or that he was a Learner. But she could prove this council member wrong about her own powers. Before Tosh could warn her not to do it, Lina began to gather the energy, her body tingling as it pulsed through her body. She started the wind at the back of the room, pushing it forward, gathering dust and dirt from the floor as it went. She sent the whirlwind onto the table before the fat council member. His papers sailed into the air. He reached out for them, but they darted out of reach, continuing their dance.

Enough! Jake barked.

With a quick thought, Lina returned the papers to the table in a neat pile. The fat council member dropped his sandwich. Grabbing the papers before they could move again, he clutched them to his chest and glared at her in astonishment.

Quite a demonstration, Lina, Jake said smiling. I am sure we can now put the question of whether Elemental powers exist or not to rest. Right, Goldstein? He looked at the man whose eyes still held a terrified look. The man nodded dumbly, and Jake continued. Now what exactly did your STAC Tosh tell you would happen to the Land? What are those with Elemental powers to do?

Lina stared at Val. Tosh hadn’t fully answered these questions. She didn’t know what to say.

Maybe we should let Tosh explain, Val suggested.

All eyes turned toward the small gray cat on the table.

Where to begin, Tosh said, standing up.

The High Session members jumped, gasping as the strange voice filled their minds. Lina smiled as she remembered the first time Tosh had spoken to her. It was an uncanny experience to say the least.

There are many questions I know you want answered, but I am afraid I don’t have those answers. Lina has often asked me what she is to do and what is to happen, but I fear the STACs do not know. Tosh paused, looking at the members and then Lina. Long ago, the STACs were told the Land would one day have a need for the Elementals again. Lars, the last full Elemental, spoke to our ancestors of an Elemental who would possess all five powers. When we found that person, we would know the Land would soon be in danger. We do not know what the danger will be. I am not even sure Lars knew what was to come.

The High Session members sat in silence for a moment. Then Beatrix Longstein, an older woman from Remington, spoke up. And what is it you want the High Session to do?

We called you here to warn you. Something is going to happen, and we must be prepared, Val said.

Prepare? How? asked one of the members of Phila’s High Council, who sat behind Val. We don’t even know if anything will happen.

Val opened his mouth to answer, but Tosh beat him to it. You are correct. We do not know if anything will happen. All we have to go upon is the ramblings of an old Elemental before he died. But he spoke of The Elemental, and she is here now. He was right about that, and he may be right about this danger.

That is true, but what if he is wrong? A young man from the Zena High Council that was sitting directly behind Lina quickly countered. What then? If we believe you and spread the word that a danger will sweep the Land panic will surely take over. We will have every man, woman and child fearing for their lives.

Several other council members nodded in agreement.

But what if there is a danger? Beatrix asked. We can’t just ignore this.

Jake nodded. I agree we can’t ignore this, but I also agree we can’t have people starting to panic. This is not to be discussed with anyone who does not already know what is going on. No mentioning it to wives, husbands, brothers, sisters, children. No one. Jake stared intently at the council members and their assistants. Most nodded their agreement. A few hesitated but under Jake’s stern look, they too finally nodded. Now what will we do to prepare? He looked at Val. You have something to add, Val?

The Elementals are already planning on doing something. They will begin training and developing their talents, so they are ready to fight this danger should it appear. Lina has all five powers but is weak in some of them. Most of the other Elementals didn’t even know they possessed this ability until recently and only a few have ever used them. Lina is going to help them train and strengthen. We can only hope they will be ready for this threat when and if it comes. And if it doesn’t occur then we will have highly trained Elementals that will be able to help the Land in other ways.

Where will you train? One of the council members from South Point asked.

Lina spoke up before Val could. She had made the decision only earlier that day and had not said anything to Tosh or Val. We will return to South Point to the home of the original Elementals.

This is all good, but how will we contact you if the need should arise? Leo Stark, a member of Altron’s High Council, asked. I am not sure I believe any of this. I find most of it too farfetched. But I wouldn’t be doing my responsibility if I didn’t know how to find you if my Land is attacked.

Val and Lina looked at each other. The meeting was going as well as they could expect. But there currently was no fast means of communication between the different Lands and if the Land was in trouble the Elementals would be need quickly.

Use the dragons, Tosh suggested.

A few of the members of the High Session immediately protested, fear evident in their eyes. The dragons had been in exile for over a thousand years. Ever since the Great War, man had had no relationship with the dragons. No one now recalled what had caused the rift between the two but the dragons for centuries had stayed in the mountains of Phila. Fear had swept through the cities when the dragons had appeared with the Elementals. However, the dragons had proven useful in calling the Emergency High Session in such a short time. They had flown to each capital and brought the council members to Harmony. Without their help, this meeting would not have happened.

Jake looked at the outraged members, motioning for quiet. How? he asked Tosh.

Tosh is right, Lina said before Tosh could say anything. I will give you the name of a dragon, and if you need me then he will be the answer. She noticed several looks of puzzlement. If you say a dragon’s name, no matter where you are or how far away he is, he will hear his name spoken and can respond.

Which dragon will we call? Jake asked.

She smiled. Zoot.

***

Tosh heard Lina sigh with relief when the High Session meeting finally ended. He followed her as she hurried down the hall. He saw several people staring at them but Lina stared straight ahead, ignoring the curious glances. He knew she didn’t like being the center of attention. She had never wanted to be special. She was perfectly content to stay in Zena and probably would have not ventured to the other Lands had it not been for Ben Dar. Tosh briefly thought about the day he had discovered Lina. She had only been four years old, and he had marveled at the amount of power that emanated from her. She had rarely had a reason to use it while growing up. It was only four months ago that she had begun using it consistently and her control and abilities had grown.

Lina entered a smaller room, sighing with relief to find it empty. She sank into the closest chair. I am glad that is over, she said. Do you think it went well?

I do. Interesting idea to go to South Point.

I wondered what you would think or if you would try and talk me out of it.

As I have said many times, Lina, you will do whatever you want anyway. His yellow eyes stared up at her. Actually, I think it is a good idea. Maybe being there will inspire you.

He leaped into her lap, and she automatically began to pet him. Tosh could feel her tension start to melt away. So much had happened in the past few months that he worried about how well she was handling it. He took this opportunity to listen to her thoughts. It wasn’t something he did often, but he figured the information he gathered would allow him to help her adjust to the new responsibility thrust upon her.

As he expected, Lina was still torn about her decision to go to South Point. She hoped her parents would understand. And she particularly feared what her mother would say about it. Tosh sighed. Lina’s mother had never seemed quite pleased with any of Lina’s decisions. He was surprised that she took the news of Lina being an Elemental as well as she had. Her mother hadn’t even been upset that Lina’s father already knew of her power having witnessed her starting a fire when she was six.

The door opened quietly breaking Lina’s thoughts and Tosh’s connection with her. Val, his father, his sister Miya and Drake, the chief advisor to the Carna High Council, entered the room. Lina stood up, smoothing the skirt of her dress. She smiled hesitantly. Tension once again filled her body. Tosh knew she was still uncomfortable being in the presence of some of the most powerful people in the Lands.

Lina, you did well before the High Session, Jake said.

Thank you, she replied softly.

Tosh caught the disapproving look Miya gave Lina. It was obvious that she didn’t approve of her or her relationship with Val. Not that that surprised Tosh. Or Val for that matter. Miya rarely approved of anything Val did. That was part of what had compelled him to go with Lina on her journey north.

So you are going to South Point? Drake said.

Yes. I… Lina looked hesitantly from Drake to Val. I hope the place is habitable.

How many Elementals are going with you? Drake asked.

Over the past few days, Tosh had realized Drake was a man with an eye for detail and planning who always wanted to know the full strategy. He reminded him of his own brother Tell.

Of the thirty-four Elementals that were rescued from the fortress, thirty of them have agreed to come with us, Lina said. We have someone searching for more.

Who do you have doing that? Drake asked the surprise evident in his voice.

Tosh hid his amusement. Yes, the man was much like Tell. Wants to know everything, this one, he said privately to