Destiny

By Susan Noble

Destroying Quietus should have stopped the destruction to the Land. But it hadn’t. Slowly, the barren areas continue to grow destroying everything in their path. None of Lina’s Elemental powers can repair the damage while the Land remains contaminated by magic.

But there is an ancient scepter created by a Learner that may lift this magical barrier. Before Lina can claim it, the scepter is stolen. Now Lina and Val must race to find the scepter and end the destruction to the Land once and for all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Noble
• Release date: Nov 25, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301607891

Susan Noble

Susan 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. "Summoned" (Book One) and "Quietus" (Book Two) are already available. The third and final installment of the series will be released in 2012. In addition to writing, Susan Noble spends her days taking care of her two young children and husband in Texas.

Book preview

He ran a soft cloth over the crystal-like blade. The sword was the finest he had ever crafted. He had infused it with magic he had never done before. Powerful magic that he hoped would be enough. But the future was so unclear; there were too many variables to plan for every contingency.

Ever since Elden had the vision of the Land in despair, the rest of the Order of the Guardians had done what they could to ensure what he saw would not happen. At first when Elias, Elden’s brother, had come to him, Barton hadn’t believed Elden had seen the future. However, he and the other members were able to use a spell to share Elden’s vision. In it, the Land became a barren, desolate wasteland. It had glittered with the traces of magic. Barton had been shocked. How could a Learner have allowed this to happen?

He shook his head as he thought about it. As impossible as it was to believe, he had seen it and knew it clearly would come to pass if they did nothing. The Order had spent many hours discussing it, and now they had their plan: a plan they hoped would save the Land from this destruction. There were so many things that could go wrong. If any part of the plan failed, then the Elden’s vision might become reality.

Barton ran through the checklist in his head: Thane had already sent a vision to Lars, the Last Elemental; Kiana had contacted the dragons; and Reed had worked on the spell that would be cast when all the preparations were in place. It was the spell that would be the end of the Learners; it would suppress their desire to Learn magic.

In case the spell failed to work, they had scattered hints in their journals of how to reverse the magic. Now with the sword crafted, and the spell that would allow Elias to pass on the message already infused into the blade, he had one more thing to do.

Barton, it is late, Rena said, her hands running across his shoulders.

He hadn’t heard her come in. Not yet, he said as he turned to look at her. His hands instantly went to caress her swollen abdomen. He could feel the baby moved inside her. His son, he thought, his son who would pass the sword on down through his line.

Barton Lonce, it can wait until morning.

He shook his head. I have one more thing to do, he said as he turned back to the table. He picked up the quill as Rena sighed. She kissed his cheek. He heard her soft footsteps as she crossed the room. She closed the door softly behind her.

He began to write: The barrier must be lifted. Any magic done on the Land can only be reversed with magic. Use the tool provided. The two that are separate must be together in order to work. Only after the magic is removed can The Elemental become one with the Land. For this is the only way to stop the destruction and return the Land to its former glory.

Barton took the paper and folded it in half and then in half again. He slipped it into a small pocket on the inside cover of his journal. Then with a whisper, he sealed it up. Now he only hoped it would reach his descendent when the peril the Land would face had come to pass.

Chapter One

The wind blew her long honey-colored hair away from her face. Lina watched as the green canopy of the leaves whizzed by below her. Suddenly, Zoot dipped his wing to turn and Lina clutched the ridge in front of her. Her eyes traveled over the trees seeking out the area destroyed by Quietus.

She still couldn’t imagine the amount of destruction those devastatingly hungry bugs had caused on the thick forests of Carna. She had been shocked to see what they had done to her own homeland but knew the contrast would be even more noticeable here. Quietus had feasted on the trees for twenty-two days before Meric and his team of Elementals had arrived.

Lina sighed. The Elementals had done what they set out to do. They had eliminated Quietus from the Land and Selda, the Learner who had created them, had been stripped of her power. That meant everything should be fine. But it wasn’t. The desolate areas Quietus left behind remained barren. Nothing she or the other Elementals tried made any difference. And worse yet had been the realization that the areas were still slowly growing. If they didn’t find a way to stop it, all the Land would become infertile.

Suddenly, she caught sight of the barren area. She gasped at the amount of forest that had been destroyed. She felt the arm around her waist tightened, and she leaned back to rest on Val, who rode behind her. As Zoot flew over it, she estimated the area had to be as large as the desolate area in Zena had been when she first arrived there seven months ago. So much Land lost she thought as she stared at the dry, barren ground surrounded by tall luscious trees with their brilliant green leaves. Lina spotted the red dragon, Kset, who watched over the area. Zoot land beside him.

In the shadows of the nearby trees, she saw Drake Porter, the chief advisor to the High Council of Carna. He sat upon a black stallion that nervously pawed the ground as it eyed the dragons. Next to Drake, there were three other men also on horseback and two horses saddled for her and Val.

Lina slid to the ground, instantly feeling the void of power she had come to expect from the Land that had been attacked by Quietus. The power she usually received from the plants and even the ground was noticeably absent here. It was like losing a sense, she thought. When they had first arrived at the area in Zena, Lina had noticed the stark difference in the Land and hadn’t liked the feeling, so she spent only a small amount of time in the barren area. It wasn’t until after they had eliminated Quietus that they found out what happened when an Elemental stayed too long there. While Lina had searched for Selda, Calla and Wren had stayed and tried to repair the damaged Land. One day, Calla collapsed after a long day of working in the barren area. She had been near death because she had been cut off from the power the elements usually provided. If Wren hadn’t found her, Lina shuddered to think what would have happened. From then on, she had issued an order that no Elemental was to stay in the desolate area for over an hour.

I hate even looking at it, Drake said as he walked toward her.

Lina nodded, unable to speak or to take her eyes off the barren area.

Val slid down from Zoot and approached Drake. It is disturbing to see, he said, shaking Drake’s hand in greeting. Hard to believe there are four other spots like this in Carna.

Good to see you Val, Drake said and turned toward the Carna guards behind him.

This is Keenan Wright, Royce Asher and Cole Gray.

Each man gave a curt nod as he was introduced.

We should get going, Drake said. I estimate it will take us most of the day to reach the area where those creatures were spotted.

Lina hesitated. As much as she wanted to check out the possible existence of creatures created by Learners, she also wanted to attempt to repair the Land. It broke her heart to see it like this.

You can try later, Tosh said.

She glanced down at the grey cat by her feet. You don’t think it will work, do you?

No. I think we will need Val’s help to solve this problem.

She sighed. Her idea to purge the area of any magical trace left by Quietus with fire had been tried before on a smaller area. She thought attempting the whole area at once might make a difference. But the apparition that had appeared to Val had suggested only Learner magic would be able to remove that barrier which left the soil infertile.

Val led a black mare and a smaller grey mare toward her. Are you ready?

Lina nodded. She stared at the grey horse wishing it could be the little white mare she had ridden months ago on her trip north. She didn’t like riding but at least she had begun to trust the small horse. As she placed her hand on the grey mare’s saddle, her stomach tightened. She would give anything for there to be another way for them to travel. However, the dense forest would not provide Zoot any place to land. And even if they could travel by dragon, the green treetops would hide any activity below.

She took a deep breath and mounted. Tosh leapt up and settled in front of her. She looked out at the desolate area. She would find a way to fix it. She was sure of it. Then she kicked the horse and followed the others into the forest.

***

The path was narrow, forcing them to ride single file. There was no way Val could speak with Drake or Lina. Not that anything he would want to talk about could be spoken of in front of the guards. He and his father had decided it would be best to keep his ability as a Learner a secret for the time being. The people were distrustful of Learners after what Selda had done. And Val couldn’t blame them since the Learners had not existed for centuries. Until Ben Dar appeared ten months ago that is. And after he was killed by Lina, his daughter Selda created Quietus and wrecked havoc on the Land in her quest for power.

Val shook his head. He could still vividly remember the day he found out he too was a Learner. He had panicked when he saw Lina crumpled on the ground and Selda about to unleash a spell that would take Lina’s Elemental power. Doing that would kill her, and he couldn’t let that happen. His only thought had been to save Lina as he extended his sword. It had repelled the spell back onto Selda. So instead of taking Lina’s power, it had been Selda’s that had been taken and absorbed into his sword.

The scene that followed still boggled his mind. He could hear the apparition’s speech that it was his sword, the one handed down through his family for centuries, which had awakened his Learner powers and had allowed him to save Lina. And a few weeks later more secrets had been revealed when he met with his father at their home in the Blackwick forest. Not only had his father known about his potential but he and Drake were both descendents of a secret group within the Learners. The Order of the Guardians were a group of what Lina had called Natural Learners, men and woman who could do wield magic at will rather than by uttering the long complicated spells the original Learners needed.

It was a member of this group that had had a vision of the Land in peril. He foresaw that a full Elemental with control over all five elements would be needed to save the Land. At the time of his vision only one full Elemental, Lars, still lived. It was Lars who had set the STACs, telepathic cats with the ability to sense Elemental power, with the task of finding this savior. For centuries, they had searched for The Elemental, the one with the powers of old until they found Lina. And though Lina was destined to save the Land, the apparition that had appeared to Val had declared that she would need his help.

Right now, his brother, Dallen, was scouring some of the Order’s books and journals for more information on what they needed to do to save the Land. Messages had gone out to the other members of the Order and their journals were being sent to Harmony. In the meantime, the damage to the Land brought on by Quietus continued to spread.

The day wore on, and Val knew soon they should be near the area where the beasts had been spotted. At first, he dismissed the reports of strange creatures in Carna. Not a single report had been able to name the creature or provide a clear description of it. But Drake had pieced together some of the details and with the dragons reporting Learner magic being used in the vicinity, it seemed clear the creatures spotted here in Carna were creatures of magic. Val thought they sounded like Gunns, a creature created by the Learners to do their bidding. He was curious how that was even possible since Selda had no power, and Ben Dar was dead. While waiting for Dallen to complete his research, he and Lina decide to meet with Drake and investigate the matter.

When they entered a clearing, Drake suggested they stop for a break. Lina smiled at Val as she passed by. Her horse wandered into the open area.

We should be close, Drake said, dismounting. We might want to go on foot from here.

Val dismounted and gave the reins to one of the guards. Lina’s horse jerked its head back. Lina reached forward, murmuring softly to the mare as she stroked its neck. The mare shied away from the edge of the forest, and Lina tightened her grip on the reins. Suddenly, the mare reared up sending Tosh and Lina to the ground.

Lina! Val cried, taking a step toward her as he pulled his sword.

A huge, shaggy beast pushed its way out of the brush a few feet from her. It towered over her, snarling and showing off its sharp brown stained teeth.

They had found the Gunn.

Chapter Two

The young woman walked through the forest, her boots barely making a sound on the dried leaves and twigs. She pushed back her long black hair as she stopped to catch her breath. Her feet ached from the hike from the Alley. She only hoped she was heading in the correct direction. The old man at the tavern had said the cabin should be no more than a day’s journey into the forest. When she hadn’t reached it by nightfall the previous day, she had camped out and started walking at first light. She had already been walking for a few hours when she began to doubt the old man’s word. Maybe she had missed it, she thought.

She wasn’t even sure this trip would be worth it. However, the stories she had heard of the strange creatures roaming the forest had been circulating on the Alley for the past month. From the description of their size and slow moving nature, she suspected they were Gunns. There was speculation that the Learner, who had created Quietus was responsible for these mythical beasts. She had almost laughed when she heard that. They certainly weren’t her creation at all. That meant someone else was using Learned magic.

She trudged on, praying the cabin was close so she could rest. As the trail began to narrow, she saw it. The small cabin was nestled among the trees. Smoke rose from the chimney so it was obvious the cabin the old man had claimed was empty was now occupied. Selda stepped forward. Something tightened around her ankle. Suddenly, she was hoisted into the air. She screamed as her long black hair fell like a curtain around her face. She dangled above the ground, her heart pounding. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself but her heart beat faster as she heard the crunching of leaves as someone approached. Then she heard something else. It sounded like someone murmuring words softly. She struggled to turn and caught a glimpse of a tall man approaching. His words got louder. The deep voice sounded familiar.

Ben Dar? she murmured as her eyes grew heavy and began to close.

***

Lina stared at the black-haired creature towering over her. The beast snarled, showing off sharp brown teeth. Its stench made her eyes water and her stomach queasy. The Gunn reached toward her. She stared in horror at the extended sharp black claws, too scared to move.

Suddenly, an arrow struck the Gunn in the neck. The creature roared, jerking back in pain. Another arrow followed the first and then another. Lina took this chance to scramble away. She saw a woman riding toward her, her bow drawn and another arrow already ready to be released. Lina recognized her instantly but couldn’t believe her eyes.

Darnel? she said in wonder as a hand grabbed her and roughly pulled her away.

She turned to look at Val, but he was already advancing on the beast with his sword swinging. The slow-moving Gunn had enough speed to move just out of the sword’s range. Lina took a step backward almost stepping on Tosh. The STAC stood beside her, puffed up to twice his size. Then movement out of the corner of her eye caused her to turn in time to see a second Gunn enter the clearing. Drake and Keenan immediately ran to intercept it.

Lina didn’t have time to watch them. She turned back toward the Gunn before her. It swatted at Darnel as she rode by on her roan horse Blaze. She circled the beast, distracting it as Val moved closer. The beast turned at the last second and saw Val. It opened its mouth. A light-green liquid shot out. Lina didn’t even think about it as she sent the wind to whisk the venom away.

Darnel shot another arrow. This one bounced off the Gunn’s thick hide.

Aim for its neck, Val yelled as he swung his sword. It grazed the beast’s neck, splitting the skin. Dark purple blood oozed from the wound.

"Tosh," Lina said. Make sure Drake and the others know to aim for the neck.

She spied a thick vine hanging down from a nearby tree. She called forth her Elemental powers. The vine dropped from the tree and snaked across the ground. Slowly, it wound around the Gunn’s legs, tighter and tighter. The beast howled. Val swung his sword. The blade cut into the Gunn’s neck, slicing all the way through. The creature’s head sat upon its body for a second before toppling off. Purple blood gushed from its neck as it crumpled to the ground.

Lina stared at the creature’s head for a moment, but the sounds of the nearby battle drew her attention to Drake and Keenan. She watched as Drake swiftly swung his sword, barely missing the Gunn’s neck as the creature turned toward Keenan, who had been slashing at the creature’s tail.

A loud crashing sound behind her caused Lina to whirl around. A third Gunn entered the clearing. Val ran to confront it with Cole right behind him. Cole swung at the beast. His battle ax bounced off its thick hide. The Gunn swung at him, but the guard danced out of the way. Val worked his way behind the beast as Darnel distracted it by shooting an arrow into the beast’s vulnerable neck.

Watch out!

The call came from behind her. Lina swung around in time to see the Gunn open his mouth to spew his deadly poison right at Drake. Without a thought, she sent a swift wind toward him, directing the poison harmlessly toward the ground. She didn't see Royce running to Drake's aid. The poison hit the man in the face and shoulder.

Royce screamed. It was a gut-wrenching cry of sheer agony. Lina watched in horror as the green liquid melted away his skin. Royce clawed at his face as he fell to his knees. Suddenly, the horrible sound of his scream died away as he fell to the ground.

No! Lina cried, falling to her knees in disbelief. Tears streamed down her face as she looked at the lifeless body on the ground; the body of the man she had killed.

Chapter Three

The Gunn howled as the arrow sunk into in its neck. The creature reached up, its arm breaking the shaft. Val slowly made his way around the Gunn as Cole swung at the creature’s backside. His battle axe bounced off the creature’s thick hide. The Gunn took a step toward the nimble guard as Darnel swiftly shot another arrow into its neck. Val swung his sword, the blade barely nicking the creature as it suddenly lurched forward after Cole.

No!

He recognized Lina’s cry and momentarily took his eyes off the creature. He saw a look of horror on her face as she crumbled to the ground.

Watch out, Val!

He turned in time to see the thick arm of the Gunn coming straight toward him. Sharp claws tore into his flesh as the Gunn hit him, sending him sailing backward. He landed hard on the ground, staring up at the massive creature that slowly advanced toward him.

Lina!

He heard Tosh’s call even as Darnel shot another arrow in an attempt to distract the Gunn. Cole leapt forward, swinging his battle axe. The Gunn paid no attention to the man’s blows as it stalked toward Val.

No! Lina cried.

Suddenly, the ground before the Gunn shifted. Faster and faster the dirt parted. Val scrambled backward as a massive hole opened between him and the beast. He scurried back even more as the hole continued to grow. Suddenly, the Gunn plunged into the opening. Its head was level with the ground. It pounded the sides of the hole as it threw back its head and screamed in frustration.

Val struggled to his feet as Darnel rushed to his side. She pulled a piece of cloth from her bag and pressed it to his chest. He inhaled sharply as he glanced down at his ripped, blood-soaked shirt.

Cole stepped forward toward the struggling Gunn. He swung his battle axe and the blade cut into the Gunn’s neck. Deep purple blood gushed as the Gunn tried to howl. The straggled sound was cut short by another blow of Cole’s axe.

Val, Lina cried as she rushed to his side. Are you all right?

He nodded, inhaling sharply again as Darnel placed a wet cloth on his wound.

Let me help you take your shirt off, Darnel said.

He raised his arms, muttering an oath as pain ripped through his chest. He wobbled slightly as Darnel pulled the shirt over his head.

Sit down.

As she examined the four long, deep scratches, Val looked at Lina. Her eyes held a haunted look, and he could see the streaks her tears had made on her dirty face.

"Tosh, what happened?" he said silently to the STAC.

The Gunn shot its venom at Drake. She whisked it away, but it hit Royce as he was running to help.

Val glanced over to where Keenan stood over the fallen Gunn. He could see Drake kneeling next to Royce’s body. Drake’s eyes meet his for a moment before he looked away. Cole covered Royce’s body with a blanket. Drake rose, walking toward Val.

How bad is it? he asked, gesturing toward Val’s wound.

Just a few cuts. I am sorry about Royce.

Me too, Lina whispered as she stood a few feet away with her arms wrapped around her chest.

Drake looked over at her. He reached out and put his hand on her arm. Lina, it was an accident. If you hadn’t done something, I would have had the same fate as Royce. You saved me.

Lina shook her head. I should have seen him coming.

Lina, Val said. You saved both Drake and I. You did what you could. You couldn’t have known the poison would hit him.

She didn’t answer. He remembered how hard it had been for her when she had used her Elemental power to defend herself on their journey north to Ben Dar’s fortress. She had accidentally killed a warrior. Even though they later learned he was more of a drone and not a living, breathing man, Lina had still struggled over her use of her powers in that capacity. Even the taking of Ben Dar’s life had haunted her.

Darnel finished wrapping up his wound. That should hold for now.

Thanks, Darnel, he said. Drake, this is Darnel Darlin, a friend of ours. Darnel, this is Drake Porter, Chief Advisor to the Carna High Council.

Darnel smiled. Oh yes, I remember your name. It was on the papers that got me released from Mendel’s jail. I can’t thank you enough for that.

Drake smiled. Not a problem.

Val looked at Darnel. What are you doing here?

She shrugged. I was checking out the story about unusual creatures in this part of the forest. I kept hearing people talk about large hairy beasts. My home is only a few days ride from here. She looked at the creature in the hole. What are those things?

Gunns.

She looked at him in surprise. Does that mean Selda is in the area?

Val shook his head. She doesn’t have any power anymore. These have to have been created by someone else.

There is someone else Learning?

Drake nodded. Two of the dragons who patrol this area said they have felt someone using Learner magic here recently.

Cole came over. He tossed a clean shirt at Val. Where do we go from here?

There used to be a cabin back that way, Keenan said as he joined them.

Drake turned to him. I didn’t know you knew this area.

Keenan shrugged. My village is a day’s ride away. No one has lived in the cabin, for as long as I can remember. It was a good shelter when we were out hunting.

Sounds like a good place to start, Drake said as he glanced over to the blanket covered body. As soon as we take care of Royce.

Lina stepped forward. Let me help.

Val took her hand. He could feel her tremble slightly as they walked over. He noticed she didn’t look at Royce. Instead, her eyes focused on the ground beside him. Slowly, the soil parted. It continued to pile up until a deep opening formed. Cole and Keegan carefully lowered Royce into the hole. Then Lina pushed the soil back on top of him as Darnel and Drake placed a few rocks at one end for a headstone.

He was a good man, Drake said.

Val gave Lina’s hand a gentle squeeze. She stared, dry eyed at the grave. He gently led her toward the horses.

It was an accident, he said.

She didn’t respond as she mounted the mare. She looked straight ahead as he placed Tosh on the saddle in front of her. She automatically began stroking the grey cat. Tosh gazed up at her, and Val realized he must be speaking to her. He hoped the STAC could help her through her pain. It was always hard to lose a comrade even if you were a trained warrior which Lina definitely wasn’t. He glanced up to see Darnel walking toward him, leading