Rapid Dawn

By TK Steiner

Strange dreams bring two boys from a different time together in a mysterious stone chamber. When they find an old book of encrypted text they soon find out they’ve been selected to save a peaceful civilization from extinction. Joining up with a telepathic young princess from the future, the unlikely trio race to reverse the sands of time and prevent disaster. Along the way they face a sinister foe whose powerful abilities and dark vision of the future threaten all of humanity.

Rapid Dawn is a fast paced young adult adventure for all ages.

“A must-read! Rapid Dawn exceeded my expectations...While the trio was racing through time, I was racing through my book...The plot is unlike anything I’ve ever read.”
- Melanie’s Book Addiction

“The story line was interesting and moved at a quick pace... Steiner created a very unique world that a lot of fantasy lovers and even sci fi lovers will really enjoy.”
- My Guilty Obsession

• Language: English
• Publisher: TK Steiner
• Release date: Dec 2, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465804761

TK Steiner

TK Steiner hails from the Pacific Northwest where he appreciates good coffee, unexpected sunshine, and a large pile of wood to chop. When not thinking of new ways to frighten his children, TK crafts tall tales for them, some of which get published.

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Rapid Dawn

By TK Steiner

Copyright © 2011 TK Steiner

Smashwords Edition

http://blog-tksteiner.blogspot.com/

This book is fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, people (living or dead) are coincidental.

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All rights reserved including rights to reproduce the book in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled or reverse engineered without the express written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law.

For Charlie and Adam

Chapter 1. The Stranger

Tess looked up at the sun as it crested the castle wall, shedding its warm light into the garden. The sounds of footsteps, sweeping, and talking began to fill the large courtyard. On the west side was the garden, where Tess and a few of the castle workers were picking vegetables. Tending to the garden was part of Tess’ early education and, now at the age of fifteen, she happily helped the staff a few times each week.

Looks like these carrots are all coming in at once, Tess said, wiping her brow.

Judy, the head gardener, was picking spinach two rows over. Yes, I’ll have to talk with Chef Frank to see what he can come up with, otherwise the horses might be sharing in our feast.

Hearing a strange voice, Tess looked up. She and Judy were alone, and Tess realized the voice was in her head. The voice was louder than the non-descript chatter she’d been hearing over the last few months. She hoped those impossible to understand voices would stop, but this new intonation was clear, and welcoming. Eagerly, she stood up and dusted her hands off.

Is everything okay? Judy asked.

Yes, I just need to go see James for a few minutes.

Tess’ head was now alive with sensations of happiness and excitement. It was James playing another mind game, a mental test that was a frequent part of Tess’ schooling at the castle. Tess walked from the courtyard into the main hall, slowly at first, as if running might cause the voice to stop, then faster as the voice grew louder. James was hiding somewhere in the castle, broadcasting strong, emotional waves that Tess had only recently learned to ‘hear’. He was a great tutor, capable of tenacious cat and mouse games, the kind of which Tess loved. Finding his physical location was a recent twist, but something that she was getting better at overcoming. Tess ran down the main hall heading for the gatehouse that crossed over the castle entrance. She sprinted full speed through the gatehouse and slid to a stop at the entrance of the stairwell to the kitchen. At the bottom of the stairs she stopped in the kitchen doorway. Something had changed.

He wouldn’t! Tess declared in a scandalous tone. James was changing his location.

Good morning Tess, something the matter? Chef Frank called from across the kitchen.

Have you seen James come through here?

I’m sworn to secrecy my dear, I haven’t seen a thing.

Hah! I’ve got him!

Tess weaved skillfully through the kitchen, and out into the dining area. The room was empty, but her mind tingled with the sensations of being close to James. After catching her breath, Tess ran confidently into the hallway. She slid to a stop at the library where James sat comfortably in a large chair, holding a small device that projected a holograph above his lap. The three dimensional movie was of his wedding, ten years earlier. It was an especially happy time that still generated strong emotions and mental activity, enough to be a beacon for Tess’ lesson. Calling out to her this way was one of his favorite mental challenges for Tess, and one that she was now mastering.

Not bad! James said, raising his eyebrows. Six minutes, twenty seconds. A new record.

And you moved once!

Ahh, good. Yes I did, James admitted. And you adapted quiet well, I might add.

Their words fell away as they watched the holograph of James and his wife, Mary, exchanging their vows. The two had tutored Tess for years. They had never had children of their own, but Tess knew they considered her their daughter, and friend.

The formal ceremony ended, and soon a more casual scene played out in the holograph. Both Tess and her father King Lampton appeared, albeit looking noticeably younger. King Lampton was chasing children, sending them screaming in all directions as he walked with a stilted, mummy lurch, arms stretched out. He had been in the wedding party, but was otherwise free of obligation that day, and it showed.

Father certainly has a way with the children, Tess laughed with unease, realizing that she’d outgrown the kind of play her father so enjoyed.

Yes, he’s a natural. I suppose he learned a thing or two from raising you.

I hope so, Tess teased, considering the gray hairs and wrinkles I’ve surely given him.

When the holograph ended, James set the device down and discretely wiped small tears from the corners of his eyes. Tess admired his commitment to testing her in this way. Mary had become ill and passed away a few years ago, making the holograph of the wedding an especially painful method for James to conjure strong emotions. Yet he continued with the devotion of a teacher on a mission.

James stood up. I declare this lesson complete. Will you join me for lunch?

Yes, but before we go, Tess hesitated. I’ve been hearing things. A hushed mumbling, as though people were speaking in low voices trying not to be heard.

It’s probably nothing, James dismissed. There is enough daily drama around the castle to create a certain amount of, how shall I say it, white noise?

Have you heard it too?

James paused. Yes, but it’s nothing to be concerned about as long as it doesn’t interfere with your lessons.

No, it shouldn’t. I just wish I could hear the voices better. There is an urgency to them that is troubling.

A silence came over the room, lasting long enough to make Tess uncomfortable. Maybe it’s nothing, she said with haste, Let’s get lunch.

During lunchtime, the castle courtyard was used for feeding the workers. Three large tables that sat forty people each were located in the center of the courtyard. They were filling up now as the castle staff, visitors, and the king himself arrived for lunch. Children played hopscotch nearby, stopping every few minutes to come to the table and pick from the food being brought out. King Lampton was dressed in casual attire, nearly blending in except for the bright white shirt and thin gold crown.

I hear the corn in Tilchin is already six feet high, called Chef Frank to King Lampton from down the table. Any word on the crops in the North?

Yes, they’re the same, King Lampton replied. We’ve got the makings of a Harvest Festival for the record books.

Will you be partaking in the talent show this year? a young worker asked.

I’m afraid not. After last year’s incident, I thought it best to retire for a while.

And we thank you for that! a boisterous voice bellowed from the end of the table. Laughter erupted up and down the table, as the festive crowd continued with their lunch.

How are the carrots? Tess smiled.

Hmm, her father crunched. Delicious! Clearly these were grown by someone hard working, and wise.

Correct on both counts! Tess twinkled. I also found James today in under seven minutes.

Poor James is going to have to hide in the stables if you keep this up.

One by one, the lunch crowd disappeared into the surroundings, diligently returning to their jobs and keeping the castle operating. Tess and her father now had the large table to themselves. She looked to the sky. We should have a good crescent moon tonight for our lesson.

Yes, and clear skies to see the stars. It might be a good night to learn about ancient navigational techniques.

Tess looked forward to the night’s lesson. Her father was an avid astronomer, and she relished their time together. Before she could finish her thought, her father interrupted with an impromptu quiz.

How many days in the moon’s cycle?

Twenty nine point five! Tess quipped.

What phase is the moon in tonight?

Waning Gibbous!

What is a blue moon?

A rare occurrence when there are two full moons in a single month!

King Lampton’s barrage of questions ended in laughter. Sounds like you’ve been studying this summer!

Don’t get any ideas, Tess warned wryly. My other subjects can wait until the school year starts.

Ah, okay, King Lampton agreed. I suppose we can stick to astronomy for now.

After lunch Tess went to her room. The voices she’d been hearing continued, and she grew agitated trying to understand what they were saying. Unlike the positive emotional waves that James could transmit during her lessons, these murmurings were distressed, and secretive sounding. She lay on her bed staring at the stone ceiling while listening intently.

What is so IMPORTANT? Tess yelled in frustration. But the voices continued.

Later in the afternoon, Tess gathered her telescope and blankets and made her way down the main hall towards the tower stairwell. The once hard to hear voices in her head suddenly became louder, making it possible for her to pick out words. As she passed the library where she and James had watched the holograph, the voices in her mind melded with the audible reverberations of real people talking.

We need more time! she heard James say.

Tess stepped back, fearing that she would be seen as she passed the doorway.

We’ve got the coordinates. Twenty first and eighteenth century, that should be enough, her father pressed.

Those are approximations, but the Sages haven’t locked in yet!

"But our candidates are locked in. Clay and John are the ones, and that’s not changing."

The preparations aren’t complete. It’s too risky! James shot back.

It’s a calculated risk but we must take action, get started.

Tess was troubled by what she overheard, but dared not risk being caught listening. After the voices stopped she waited a few moments, then continued down the hall as though she wasn’t paying attention.

Upon reaching the stairwell to the tower, she re-adjusted her blankets and telescope for the ascent. The climb was difficult and would take time, but Tess had never asked the staff to help her. She was capable after all, and had never been comfortable with the expectations that came along with the title of Princess. Growing up in the castle had been a grand adventure, an experience she held in such high regard that she feared changing anything at all, even if it meant shunning the role of a proper Princess.

Tess looked forward to spending time with her father on astronomy nights, gazing out into the universe, identifying the constellations of the elders, and looking for new stars. She especially liked coming out on to the rooftop from the stairwell. It was a breathtaking sight seeing the fertile land meet the horizon in all directions.

Tess set her blankets and telescope down and pulled a small spotting scope from her pocket. The miniature telescope had a wide field of view, making it easier to locate constellations. Now that the sun was nearing the horizon, she could probably find Orion starting to show in the East. As she raised the scope to her eye, movement below caught her attention. A stranger was walking through the main courtyard. It was unusual for a visitor to walk freely through the castle, especially at dusk. She spied him through her scope to get a closer look; he wore simple black clothing that was sure to get the attention of the guards. Tan and light brown clothing were far more common among her people. As she peered through the scope, she tried to get a mental ‘read’ on him. James had trained her to exercise her skills whenever the opportunity arose and now, at