The Tempo (Elemental Symphony #1)

By Lakisha Spletzer

Water * Fire * Air * Earth
Earth: Keeper of life
Water: Keeper of dreams
Fire: Keeper of heart's passion
Air: Keeper of life's breath
Water * Fire * Air * Earth
Four girls. Four Elements. Four destinies.
Can they work together to save their kingdom before one of their own destroys them?
Book 1 of the Elemental Symphony series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lakisha Spletzer
• Release date: Feb 28, 2012
• ISBN: 9781452408927

Lakisha Spletzer

Where to start? Here are the basics.Lakisha is an internationally selling indie cross-genre writer of science fiction/fantasy/paranormal romance/YA/children’s lit.She started writing stories and poetry at the age of 8 and hasn’t stopped yet. She has always been a writer, but becoming a published author took a lot of work and dedication.That didn’t happen until after she left her home state of Virginia, and moved to Florida in 2004.Finding time to write while being a full-time mother and school teacher, can be difficult but Lakisha always liked a challenge.She learned to not let life’s many roadblocks and speed bumps throw her to the curb. She can’t wait to dive in and continue to share the stories swirling around in her head.

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The Tempo (Elemental Symphony #1)

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 Lakisha Spletzer. All rights reserved. http://www.kishazworld.com

Cover design Copyright © 2012 JD Hollyfield. All rights reserved. http://www.jdhollyfield.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely incidental.

Without limiting the rights under the copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any for or by any means (electronic, mechanical, by photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner and the publisher of the book.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Lyn Ehley, thank you for being the brilliant, blinding force that keeps me focused and on task when writing and for finding all those pesky grammar mistakes I make. Courtney Slagle, thank you for all your love, enthusiasm and for letting me ramble like I have no sense and enjoying every minute of it. Oh, and don't forget about being a world class comma patrol fiend. Without that mad skill of yours, I'd be a mess.

To Alea, Jazmine, Marisa and Tamara, thank you for allowing Miss Kisha to throw you into a crazy fantasy world and go wild with my imagination.

Thanks to all the Citrus County Librarians who were as stoked about this book as I was.

Thanks to R.M. Garcia, Jay Hurd, and my adoptive dad, David Roth, for being proud of this very, very silly writer.

Year 1098 of the Peacekeeper Era

New Life

Chapter 1

Kimaapallon City, West Province

Master Merchant Wayland kneed his tired horse into a faster gait. He had to find the midwife. She had not been at any of the other three homes that he tried and he was desperate. His wife was in labor and needed help.

Elements above, please, help me, he whispered as his mount rounded the bend in the road.

His horse reared and Wayland fought to calm the gelding.

Easy, boy!

The horse snorted and sidestepped nervously. Wayland stared, not completely sure of what he was seeing standing in the middle of the road.

Please, move. I must pass.

He heard the bushes rustle and his hand went to his sword. The cloaked figure had not moved. When nothing emerged from the bushes, he returned his attention to the figure blocking his path. Time was escaping and he needed to be on his way. His wife was depending on him.

I am sorry, but I must pass, he stated firmly. With a tap of his riding crop, his gelding whinnied and shot forward. As they neared the figure, Wayland pulled on the reins, forcing his horse to the left and around the obstacle in the road.

The gelding started to gallop and Wayland turned to catch one last glimpse of figure. He blinked and felt dread. The figure was gone. He shook off the feeling of doom and focused on reaching his destination.

Three hours later, he finally found the midwife, Belena, by the edge of the Libain Forest. He slid down from the saddle and ignored the wheezing of his mount as he hastened to the midwife's side.

Milady! Please, Mistress Belena, I have need of you!

Belena turned and Wayland stopped, his eyes round in astonishment. So the stories were true. The midwife stared back at him with unseeing eyes.

Ah, Master Merchant Wayland, how nice of you to come visit. She walked toward him, a serene smile on her face.

Wayland was afraid. He couldn't seem to get his body to move or his mouth to work. He watched in horrified fascination as the midwife halted before him.

Why should I help you, when you refused to stop on the way here and help me? she demanded.

His thoughts scattered about. He would have done anything to help the midwife if he had come across her sooner. He didn't understand what she was talking about. He had just now found her, not before. He would have remembered if he had.

Belena hissed and suddenly Wayland found himself able to move. He dropped to one knee.

Please, Milady! If I had met you, I would have done anything you asked. Just like I'll do anything now! My wife needs you. Please, have mercy and aid her!

She reached out and placed her hand against his cheek. He flinched. Her hand was cold and smelled of rotting things. He didn't move; he didn't dare.

I will go to your wife, but remember, Master Merchant, my assistance comes with a price that I will one day collect.

I understand, he hastily agreed.

Belena's unseeing eyes seemed to peer into his inner self and Wayland hated that feeling. He held himself still. He couldn't afford to upset the midwife.

She laughed and the hairs on the back of his neck rose. The sound was evil and he wondered if he'd just made the worst mistake of his life.

It is done, she shouted as the ground started to rumble.

Wayland jumped to his feet and flung himself aside as a large crack rent the ground. He covered his head as he heard things snapping and breaking. After a few minutes everything grew quiet and he cautiously raised his head. She was gone and so were several trees.

He rose and hurried to his horse. He had to get back to his wife.

***

Fuocarde Town, East Province

Annmarie stared out the window and fanned herself. It looks like it's going to be another hot day.

True, we could use some rain. Her husband, Ortiguez, walked over and touched her swollen belly. Not long now before our little one makes an appearance.

Anmarie grinned. This would be their first child and she was excited. Ortiguez was sure it would be a boy. She believed otherwise. Some instinct told her the unborn child was a girl. She didn't say anything and only smiled when her husband boasted to his friends about all the things he and his son would do.

She turned from the window and felt a sharp pain race through her lower back. She let out a grunt and grasped the edge of the window sill until the pain passed.

Anmarie? Are you all right?

Ortiguez, I think it is time for you to go get the midwife, she stated calmly, though her heart was beating faster.

His eyes widened and he jumped to his feet, knocking the chair he'd been sitting in backward with a crash.

Silly man, pick up the chair and go get Melena. I swear, if I didn't tell you what to do, you'd be lost, she laughed but it sounded hysterical to her own ears. More pains were coming and she was afraid.

Yes! Melena...have to go get! he babbled and raced for the door.

It took a second for him to remember how to open it and then he was outside and running toward the center of town. From there. He would have to take the road leading from town to reach Melena's house.

Getting to Melena's house seemed to take longer than usual, but finally he caught sight of it as he rounded the bend. Melena was out front cooking something on the fire. Ortiguez stumbled to a stop, his sides heaving as he fought for air.

Melena looked at him with one raised eyebrow. Can I help you?

He gasped for air, tried to speak and failed. He cleared his throat hard and managed to say, Baby...wife...help.

Melena tilted her head to study him. The baby's coming? Well, why didn't you say so? I tell you. Men, they're such a handful. Melena wiped her hand on her apron and walked to the small fence that separated them.

I'll go, but you have to stay and watch my food. Don't let it burn and when it's done cooking, put it inside the house. Then, come back to your home to meet your new child.

He gaped at her. T-t-tend your food? I'm not a cook!

You either watch my food or you can go back to your house and deliver the child yourself.

He could feel his temper rising. Was the midwife out of her mind? Why would he stay to cook? Annmarie needed him there, not here watching another woman's hearth.

Don't think on it too long, Melena drawled, her eyes on his face.

He started to sweat. What should he do? He knew from past experiences that Melena always kept her word and that any who did not, regretted it later.

Fine, I will stay until it is done. Now, please, my wife, Ortiguez implored.

Remember to put it inside once it's done, Melena admonished him before going in her house. She gathered the things she needed and waved cheerfully at him as she got on the road and headed toward the blacksmith's house.

If all went well, the babe would be born before nightfall.

***

Vinfalder, North Province

The young apprentice midwife stood by the bed and worriedly watched the woman laboring to bring her babe into the world. Outside in the hall, the father paced back and forth.

Push, Milady! Your child is almost born! The head midwife ordered.

The woman let out a whimper but bore down. There was a moment of silence and then the wail of the infant filled the air.

Milady, it’s a girl! The midwife stood and held the baby up.

Ah, my child. A tear slid down her cheek as the new mother leaned back and closed her eyes.

Milady?

The apprentice touched the Lady’s hand and jerked back with a gasp. She turned sorrow-filled eyes to her mentor, who had finished cleaning the child.

Mistress Yelena, Lady Parnte has died.

I know, Celena. She was frail to begin with. Now, Lord Parnte must raise this child with love, Mistress Yelena explained. Come, Celena. Let us present the babe to her father.

The midwives, with the babe, walked out to the receiving hall. Yelena watched as Lord Parnte stood, his face draining of all color as he stared at the baby.

My wife? he demanded, his voice hoarse.

Yelena shook her head. I’m sorry, Milord. The birth was too much for her. She has died.

Lord Parnte backed up, caught himself and froze. Anger, disbelief and then grief swept across his face.

Milord, here is the babe. You must find a nurse for her.

No. I don’t want it. Take it away! Give it to someone who wants it! He snarled.

Yelena glared. Milord, please. You are upset. You need to rest. I can take care of the babe until you…

"No! Did you hear me, Woman? I want nothing to do with that, that thing! It killed