Altors

By Nas Peters

An underground war is taking place, kept hidden from the public eye by those called the Altors and Regius. Although unaware at first of what their involvement brings to the people of Zinc, Calycanthus' close proximity to the Altors allows him to uncover parts of the truth, creating an important turning point that may just be the kick the Altors need to beat the Regius. But it is Solenum who will find the possible key that can lead to a peaceful future.

Is Galax an exception to the rule that says all Regius are cruel? Will Solenum be able to show him that he may just be the example everyone needs in order to end the hidden turmoil? Meanwhile, can Calycanthus figure out the intentions of the mysterious man named Datura?

New friendships are made and love is found as the two best friends work hard on finding their way back to one another throughout a world they'd always lived in, but was a mystery up until now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nas Peters
• Release date: Feb 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301010158

Nas Peters

She was born in the Netherlands, 1989. Her mother is French and her father Dutch. At age fourteen she moved to France and became fluent in French, Dutch and English. It's also then that she started to illustrate.Behind every illustration is a story and after experimenting with short stories, it seemed like a logical step to move into the world of Zinc. It took some time, and a lot of planning, but she finally completed her book. Which today are four installments in the Zinc Chronicles.Currently Nas works for a graphic media website and does freelance work. She recently moved away from France and now resides in the UK.

Book preview

If there is no question, why dig for an answer?

Zinc was a world shaped out of three islands: a small one, a medium one, and a large one. The sea surrounding these three islands was so vast, it led the population to believe Zinc was a world of its own, not questioning what lay beyond the horizon as those who had left, never came back. Although Zinc was definitely not impressive in size, its problems were. This world had issues so grand, three of the four types of people felt the need to keep the other clueless.

It all began when the people now known as the Regius were granted the gift of blue blood. Legend has it that they lied to those who created Zinc in order to obtain this power. Now, stronger than all other people, they conquered Zinc's regions and overthrew its peacefulness. As their blood was now blue, it poisoned their compassion and many aspects of their humanity.

Had the Regius not lied to obtain the gift of strength, maybe it would not have come to stab them in their backs. And it was not how their inner systems had changed that was considered to be the punishment, but instead it was the new species that came into being. Children, part Regius and part Civilian, were born. Although not as strong as the Blue Bloods themselves, these hybrids had not lost their compassion or humanity, thus gaining the respect and love of those weaker.

The hybrids sought one another out, creating a rebellion to remove the Regius leader, the King of Zinc, from his throne. They wished to restore this world to its former glory, regaining peace, and installing a lifestyle where the Civilians would not have to fear bringing new children into the world.

Did the war between the Regius and the hybrids start because the rebellion tried to remove the Blue Blood ruler from his throne, pushing out the cruelty that he harbored within? Or did the war between the two clans begin because the Regius King lied in the first place, creating the rebellion by accident as a consequence to his bad deed? While the second, of course, seemed more likely, another question needed to be asked. Who or what had dangled such great power before the eyes of a man, whose greed for more was so overwhelming, it compelled him to lie and obtain said strength?

Maybe the entity who'd enticed the people now known as Regius was the one to blame. Of course, those three questions weren't asked among the people of Zinc any longer. The war's origin had fallen into the category of 'unknown' throughout history. It did not matter who had started it and why; what was of importance now, was who was going to win.

While the Regius wished to keep their reign over the regions of the world, the rebellion never relented in trying to keep all those living under the Blue Bloods safe, and hopefully one day, free from the cruel crown. Although the war had not been won, both parties realized that as they fought one another, the collateral damage that was done to the Civilians became far too important. Thus they came to an understanding. While neither wished to bow down to the other, they agreed that they could no longer fight their battles whilst involving the Civilians. The war was moved underground, out of sight and not to be spoken off.

As the years went by, the veil they had fashioned to keep the Civilians safe turned into a well-constructed lie as the weaker believed the war to be over. The Civilians were told to believe that both parties had lost, the war having died out on its own, centuries ago. If the questions are never posed, than nobody will feel compelled to find the answer.

The Map of Zinc. You could find Lithium village in the far north and the Meadows of Serenium in the far south. Connecting these two were Corium Desert, Cobalt City, Iron Island and Copper Town, in that order. Placed in parallel to these regions were the Wastelands of Xenon. The only city within these wastelands was called Iodin City.

But it all begins in Lithium Village, a small town on the outskirts of Corium Desert within the world of Zinc. As there are no neighboring cities, Lithium Village, or LV to those who reside there, had everything it needed within.

Gold as currency was not something the people of LV knew much about. They worked through trade. And because of its small size, everyone knew everybody.

There are two ways to enter Lithium Village; one through the gate of Corium Desert and the other is over the waters of Zinc Sea. While traveling by boat took longer, it was definitely the better option.

Corium Desert, the only ice scape and place without rain in Zinc, was brutal to travel through. The temperature was always freezing. Only those prepared and well equipped could travel through the icy planes.

The Civilians living in LV led relatively mundane lives to those on the outside. There were no vast changes in the seasons, and the people going about their day to day routine did not have grand dreams. But these Civilians did not feel the need to have larger dreams, as they were more than content with dreams the size of a pea.

* * * *

Chapter 2 – Solenum Everhart

We’re in this together

My nights were spent sleeping and my days were spent sleep walking. I was aware, but didn't pay attention. If I was still breathing it was only because I didn't want to die. Speech was mainly used to talk to the dead. Since I had no other family besides my parents, I'd been placed within the care of social services after their death. The man who'd been in charge of me had found a home in a boarding house that was in a small town called Lithium Village.

Acacia Jacoby, the lady that worked in the boarding house and was now my guardian, hoped that in time I would come out of my shell.

Every last Sunday of the month, foster parents came to visit the boarding house. Sometimes they left with children to take care of, sometimes they didn't.

Part of my routine was to go to the end of the street where the boarding house was located. The road continued for a short distance, the edge sticking out far away enough for it to resemble a balcony looking out over the sea waters. A beautiful black wooden railing had been placed around this edge to keep people from jumping into the ocean. The railing created a pattern of swirls, curling into each other; something I had stared at for many hours.

Lithium Village was separated into two islands and connected with two bridges. The houses and shops were small and narrow with straw roofs and clustered together to make up for the lack of space. All the buildings and streets were made out of wood and concrete, sewn together with wire, creating a large patchwork. The vegetable that grew best here was pumpkins; so many gardens were filled with them, their green ivy branches climbing up the walls and framing the windows. There were lanterns hanging from each rooftop to light the small streets and a man would light the candles inside every evening.

Lupinus Jacoby, my other guardian, had shown me books that talked of solar powered devices and vehicles that could carry you places. There was nothing like any of that in Lithium Village. We walked everywhere and everything we needed we had to obtain by putting our backs into it. Light was by fire, water was through the well, food was mostly vegetables and fish as that is what we could grow and access. Meat from a land animal wasn’t something I’d tasted before. Not even before being moved to the boarding house. With my parents, I had lived on a fisher’s island called Iron Island.

I enjoyed the view ‘Edge’ had to offer. Whether it was sunny or rainy. Today was my tenth birthday and I had come up to Edge to spend it alone.

Hey! It was the bully of Lithium Village, Brass Farrow. I let my eyes take him in discretely before returning my attention to the sunset. He was maybe two years older than I was, and he had brown hair. Hey! He repeated the shout. I could see him walk over from the corner of my eye, and I wished very hard for him to simply leave. Deciding that ignoring him might make him take the hint, I turned my gaze to the sky again, watching as the yellow turned into a vivid orange.

Speak! He shoved my shoulder, but I managed to keep my balance. Why are you ignoring me?

Let it go. She's stupid, is all. I heard his friend call out. Brass chuckled without humor and I felt fear rush through me when his hand grabbed my shirt so he could drag me up onto my feet. I’d expected him to be laughing or angry, but instead he looked confused and scared. That's when I realized that he didn't like the unfamiliar.

Let her go! A new voice shouted. I saw Brass frown before he dropped me, then spin on his heel to face the new presence on Edge. Falling to my knees and ignoring the pain, I lifted my eyes and focused on the person who had come to my rescue. I didn't know this boy. He looked my age and had the same black with red streaked colored hair like I did. It was very messy though, as if he hadn't combed it in days.

Get away from her! The boy shouted as he stepped in front of Brass.

The bully laughed. Who are you?

I'm nobody. Step away from her now. If he knew of Brass’ reputation he might not be this brave.

And what if I don't? The boy's eye twitched before he pulled up his hands in a fighting sort of stance.

I'll fight for her. I swear I will!

You think you can take me? Brass laughed, but was cut short when he heard me speak.

Don't hurt him. My voice was very scratchy and hoarse. I hadn’t used it in so long. He only sneered in response, kicking his foot out of my hold before walking over to his friend. With one last look, both boys walked away. Watching them carefully, scared they might change their minds and come back, I sat up. When I looked over at the boy, he was walking over so he could crouch down, our eyes now level.

Are you okay? I felt surprise wash over me when I saw that his eyes were yellow, just as mine were. Why didn't you fight back? I shrugged. You don't talk much do you? I shook my head and he laughed. That's okay, I don't either. He confessed, sitting down beside me. I just arrived today.

He gave me a tentative smile as he waited for a reaction. I blinked and then frowned. His smile grew and then he simply looked up at the sky that had taken the shade of a deep blue.

That was how I met my best friend.

Later that evening I found out that he was living at the boarding house as well. He was new. He hadn't known me at all, hadn't known I even lived at the boarding house when he stood up for me.

Over the next couple of weeks he simply waved but never pushed me to react. He never really spoke, just kept me company even though I didn't ask for it. I was getting used to his presence and I felt myself getting excited when I was near him.

I grew panicked as the last Sunday of the month arrived. What if the boy was chosen by one of those people who came to foster lost children? He wouldn't be around anymore. Walking out of the boarding house, numbly at first, I made my way to Edge. I started walking faster as the panic made my stomach grow tight. When I started to feel nauseous, I ran, blinking the tears that threatened to fall down away.

Everything stopped. The tears and panic and my running steps as I saw the boy sitting at Edge already. He must have heard me as he turned to wave, smiling as he patted the ground. I made my way over quickly, overjoyed that he hadn’t left me alone.

You didn't think I would leave without you, did you? He asked, grinning. I looked nervously his way and then gulped. This was it, he had given me all the time and patience in the world. If I didn't answer this very moment I knew I wouldn't be sitting next to him anymore the following end of the month.

I did. Although the smile remained plastered on his face, his eyes had widened as he heard me speak. Inching forward then, he pinned me under his gaze, forcing me to lean back, which made him laugh.

What's your name?

Solenum Everhart. What's yours?

I am Calycanthus Esquivel. I smiled tentatively at him and he beamed back at me. This was strangely easy and difficult at the same time. Swallowing the nervous lump down my throat, I turned my gaze to the brilliant red sunset displayed before myself and Calycanthus.

Thank you, Cali.

We're in this together now, Sol.

* * * *

Chapter 3 – Calycanthus Esquivel

It’s not as bad as it seems

I stared up at the sky with hooded eyes, feeling a bit sleepy. It couldn't get more peaceful than Edge. The sound of waves crashing into one another was surrounding us, and the clouds changed colors as the sun made space for the moon to rise. It wasn't cold because it never got cold in LV.

Solenum was lying next to me, one leg crossed over the other, bouncing it up and down because she could never sit still. She was very impatient, especially in school. Acacia said that was just because we were fifteen. Maybe it was. Solenum had been so reserved and skittish when I'd met her five years ago, I had no idea if she had turned into her regular self again or if she'd just changed completely from who she was before coming to the boarding house.

I tilted my head to the side, pulled out of my thoughts at the sound of her light chuckle. It made me smile because she hadn’t always laughed so easily. Although Sol had allowed me into her life that day on Edge, she hadn't just become happy all of a sudden. It had taken a lot of work and imagination on my part. At first I had tried to make her tell me about her parents, but I soon came to realize that pushing resulted to nothing at all. I'd resorted to pranks instead.

We’d moved all of Acacia’s tools in the kitchen around in hopes she might think she’d gone crazy for a split second. Of course she’d instantly known it had been us. But it’s when we’d switched sweetener and salt that she’d scolded us pretty badly. Her morning tea with a teaspoon of sweetener was relatively sacred. She’d not been our target of that particular prank.

What’s so funny? Solenum asked curiously, interrupting my thoughts.

I looked at her, smirking. Remember the salt and sweetener switch?

That was a beautiful day. The punishment was totally worth it considering Brass' face.

I snorted at that. Even when he chased us through town, shouting he'd kill us when he’d catch us? I asked.

We were both laughing at the memory when we heard Acacia shout for us from down the street.

Solenum Everhart, Calycanthus Esquivel! Get back here right now! I grimaced as her voice echoed through the street, always managing to reach our ears at Edge. A second voice began scolding me shortly after the echo died out.

Cali! Sol shoved me. You have got to stop setting the foster documents on fire! Our punishment is no dinner cause of that. She grabbed her belly, looking at me wide eyed. Can you hear my stomach, Cali?! Can you?! I rolled my eyes as she whined dramatically at my side.

What was so funny about her huge appetite, besides the fact that she probably ate more than most boys in the boarding house, was that she was a bit on the skinny side. Kind of like a wooden plank as she had no curves; although she did have plenty of muscle, so she wasn’t delicate or fragile. The only real feminine thing about her was the way she tied her hair into two little pony tails, letting them dangle behind her ears. Otherwise she wore boy clothes. Whenever Acacia asked her to wear a dress, she’d wrinkled her nose which made me laugh because it was tipped in that direction naturally; as though someone had pressed their finger against the end of it.

She also had heart-shaped lips, the pink tint to them managing to bring out the red locks in her hair that twined with the midnight black. She had these huge eyes that sort of reminded me of a fish staring at you with curiosity. They were a warm yellow with tiny specks of gold mixing through them to outline her pupil; they matched her skin tone really well. It was matte, darker than my own, but definitely lighter than the Jacoby's. They were a dark brown, while Solenum was more light brown and I was somewhere between there and white, I guess.

Acacia will kill us if we take too long, She mumbled. Once we were both standing, we simultaneously wiped the dirt off our clothes, and it didn’t take her long to start running off Edge to get to the boarding house.

As we entered the courtyard we could see our roommates, Holly Winfrey and Delph Riddle, playing a game of cards while sitting on top of the picnic table.

Delph looked up, grinning at us wickedly.

Did you burn shit again? Delph was just a bit taller than me, which wasn't really hard to do because I was quite short. Solenum and Holly were actually taller than the both of us. He had jet black hair, very similar to my own, and you could tell he rarely brushed it as there were large knots settled at the base of his neck. Acacia tried to run a comb through it from time to time to no avail. Those mornings sucked. Delph could belt out notes I'm not sure were supposed to be possible for a dude.

Turning his head back to his card buddy, he said, Pay up, Blondie. Holly handed him her last candy bar, shooting a glare in my direction. She was a pretty girl, tall and with a set of bright blue eyes and freckles.

It’s when I was about to point out to Holly that Delph was shamelessly cheating by leaning over to check out her cards, that Acacia made her presence known by throwing the kitchen door open.

Now! She barked, staring myself and Sol down hard as we obediently followed her.

Don't forget practice tomorrow! Delph yelled after us. We are finally old enough to enter The Ring tournament and I need you two on my team!

Wouldn't miss it! Solenum shot back over her shoulder. Delph, Holly and our neighborhood friend, Helix, were probably our only friends.

* * * *

"I'm calling a conference." Delph said sternly, as we sat down on our bedroom floor while he paced the floor. The conferences didn't happen often. The first one had occurred when Delph had been beaten to a pulp by Brass. Now every time we needed to discuss something important, we would call a conference and assemble in one of our bedrooms.

"We are twelve years old and not one of us knows how to ride a bike," He stated very seriously.

"We don't really need to know how, Sol pointed out. We can walk everywhere in LV." Although that was true, now that he had pointed it out I realized it was weird.

"Lupinus can teach us," I suggested.

* * * *

If my life had been a bit simpler, I probably would have been the best of friends with Delph instead of Solenum. But that was not the case; there were many things that made us different. Different enough to not understand each other at times. Solenum understood those things all too well and shared the same complications I did. It mattered.

* * * *

Delph pushed me off the bike, making me fall down onto the ground.

"You lied to me!" He shouted angrily. I checked my palms and knees to see if I'd scraped them.

"I didn't know."

Delph scoffed. How could you not know you already learned how to ride a bike? Why didn't you just tell me?! He pulled a face. I can't believe you'd do that. Nobody can learn to ride a bike that fast. He kicked the bike we'd all been using for emphasis. I narrowed my eyes, needing to swallow the lump in my throat in hopes that would stop me from crying.

"I didn't know!" I screamed out in frustration and then stomped off in the boarding house's direction, knowing that if I didn't walk away this would end up with a broken nose on Delph's part.

"He doesn't remember, Delph. I heard Sol explain. He doesn't remember anything from before he came here."

* * * *

The boarding house was made out of dark wood with small straw eaves sticking out. The courtyard was rather plain, a couple of picnic tables in every corner. In the far back was a bath house and was about the size of a small shed. I could stand in it fine, but Solenum, who was taller, needed to tilt her head to the side so she didn’t touch the ceiling. Once in the bath though, height didn’t matter.

Inside the boarding house there were two large areas on the first floor beside the kitchen. The dining area and the living room. The furniture was the cheapest you could find and decoration was lacking. The second floor had all the bedrooms.

Acacia had made strict rules and Lupinus was always present in the hallway during the times we got up and went to bed.

Among all the 'lost kids', as we named ourselves, there was a lot of competition. Sol and I got along with everyone, except Brass and his friends. Yet, we all had one thing in common; Acacia and Lupinus. If anyone dared blacken their reputation, Sol and I would happily fight alongside Brass and his gang to make sure it stayed as white and pristine as it should be.

Pulled back into the present, I saw Acacia in the doorway, her foot impatiently tapping on the floor.

She was a curvy, thirty-six year old woman with pitch black curly hair that shaped itself naturally into a bob on top her head. It was decorated with a colorful flower printed scarf settled neatly against the edge of her hair line and the long skirts she wore matched it in print. Her skin was dark and she had a wide and full mouth with high cheekbones along with a round nose and dark grey eyes.

Her face screamed comfort and care; her entire demeanor was very motherly. Not right now though, as she was scowling at me and Sol.

Solenum didn't do anything, I said.

Acacia gestured for us to get in. She may not have helped start the fire, but neither did she stop you. I sneaked a glance at

Reviews for Altors

[maryann12_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Nastasia Peters has delivered a delicious read. This is a classic. One of those 'can't put it down till I'm done' books. I love the intermingling of characters, the fast pace of the intrigue. Thanks Nastasia...I love your book! Please keep up the great work. I look forward to the next one.I would recommend this for any one that enjoys suspense. Excellent! Fast read, great story line. A mature Peters with depth and complexity from an accomplished writer. One of my favorites.