First Comes The One Who Wanders

By Lynette S. Jones

Leilas Leyson's dream is to become a master crafter in the School of Sky. But she is not destined to realize that goal. Prophecies within Preterlandis have fated her to become the one chosen to find the pieces to the staff of power and to help restore the balance between the light and dark forces of magic, which have become perilously unbalanced. The masters at the School of Sky believe this is to be a battle of men against men, crafters against crafters, but Leilas learns that the prophecy is about much more. Evil that was introduced into the world at the Chasm of Ceryk by an evil crafter has corrupted the pure dark magic and is tearing the world apart. Together with the four crafters who were with the Creator in the beginning, a young warrior and a healer she has never met, Leilas must help restore the balance between the light and dark magic before the light magic is lost forever. First Comes the One Who Wanders is the first book in the Saga of Preterlandis series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lynette S. Jones
• Release date: Apr 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301294237

Lynette S. Jones

I was born in Tucson Arizona, but never really lived there. We moved to Washington State and stayed there until I was five. We then moved to Simi Valley, California where I stayed until I was 19. I was encouraged to pursue writing by a few of my English teachers in high school. I took their advice and began to write. I took creative writing and literature classes throughout my college years and after. I have been writing for many years for pleasure and have just recently released my novels as e-books. The Saga of Preterlandis series is now available in paperback. See my website for details. I hope that my readers enjoy reading my offerings as much as I enjoyed writing them. I live with my husband, and family in Eastern Washington, where the Yakima and Columbia Rivers merge. When I'm not writing I make my living by writing computer applications, designing small customized databases or working as a designer on industrial construction projects. I am looking for people to review my books and submit the reviews to Smashwords.com or to Amazon.com. If you are interested contact me at [e-mail]

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The two orcs closed in as Leilas drew her sword in the narrow alleyway where she’d decided to make her stand. There was enough room for her to move, despite the garbage strewn along the walls and covering the ground. She was counting on the fact that the soldiers would have trouble maneuvering in such a tight space. The ones standing in front of her weren’t her only problem. A group of ten mercenaries were running down the alley to join them. In all likelihood, they were traveling bandits, who'd accepted someone’s money in return for killing her. A year ago, they wouldn’t have dared to attack the Princess of Dirth. The citizens would have risen up against them, but no more. The Dredracians were becoming more brazen as their numbers within the city continued to grow. Every day, it seemed there were more of them in and around the city. The balance that the crafters were supposed to be maintaining between the light and dark magic seemed to be disappearing as the power the Dredracians wielded grew.

Leilas knew how to handle a sword, but she wasn’t a warrior. Usually, the authority of her scarlet and silver tunic, which identified her as a member of the house of Leyhan, protected her. She didn’t think her uniform was going to save her today.

Her opponents stopped just out of reach of her sword, gibbering in some language she didn’t understand. She knew they were waiting for the mercenaries to reach them. Then while they kept her occupied, the others would slip in behind her and finish the job.

Moving into a defensive stance, she pulled her sword up next to her ear, ready to sweep it across her chest if the two facing her drew too close. Then she waited for the others to come into range of her magic. The mercenaries were only ten feet away when she suddenly shifted sideways, dropped her sword and began to chant. Before her enemies knew what was happening, they were lying senseless at her feet and the magic she’d expended began to swirl around her urging her away from the light magic toward the dark.

Leilas sank to her knees, unaware of her surroundings and fought against the tide of darkness, struggling toward the small beacon of light shining through the swirling mists. She had no idea why this happened to her, but she'd learned that she must fight it or she would be enveloped in the darkness forever.

Are you all right, my lady? asked one of the guards who’d come running at the sound of the commotion in the alley. Have you been injured?

I’m not hurt, said Leilas, using the guards’ presence to focus her attention and pull herself back to the present, away from the darkness that was calling to her.

You shouldn’t be wandering the streets unprotected, your highness, chided the second guard, after checking on the men lying in the street. Where are your bodyguards?

Leilas had the decency to be embarrassed at the question. She’d gone to great lengths to ensure that she wasn’t hampered by the bodyguards. She hated having to be escorted everywhere she went. I didn’t tell them I was going out.

That isn’t wise these days, my lady. There are many Dredracians who want you dead. You’re one of the few who are willing to stand against them. Your father does nothing to protect the people of Dirth. If it weren’t for your diligence, Dirth would be overrun by the likes of those lying on the ground and the Jovanulum of Dirth would be gone.

The masters of the School of Sky would never let the Dredracians overrun Dirth.

They’ve already let it happen, my lady, replied the guard. While they assure us that we’re safe, the Dredracians enter the city in increasing numbers. It’s only a matter of time until those who follow the teachings of the light magic have no choice but to leave or be killed for practicing what they believe.

Leilas let him help her to her feet, while she silently acknowledged that what he was saying was true, she just didn’t want to accept it. Why weren’t the masters at the School of Sky, where she was studying to become a master crafter, raising the alarm that the balance between the light and dark magic had been compromised?

The Dredracians were the enemies of those who followed Jovan and the light magic. They were servants of Dredrac, the Dark Lord. They practiced a perverted form of the dark magic. Leilas knew that there were those who did follow the pure dark magic and that it was part of the balance the crafters were sworn to protect, but the magic the Dredracians practiced was nothing close to that form of dark magic. She could feel the magic they used. It was interwoven with unspeakable evil that easily overcame the one who wielded it.

I’ll escort you back to the castle, said the first guard. Draden will take care of this mess. In the future, you should be more careful where you walk, my lady. There might not always be guards around to help you.

Leilas didn’t bother to point out that she’d been more than capable of protecting herself. Under different circumstances, she might have argued with him, but she was happy to have him accompany her back to the castle today. He was one of the few guards who still tried to protect Dirth, rather than sell his services to the highest bidder. She’d had too many encounters with those men to refuse the kindness of this one, especially since the darkness was still clinging to her mind and making her sick. Each time she had such an encounter the darkness seemed to get stronger, last longer and the physical effects worsened. She knew that none of the other students were afflicted by the darkness when they used their magic against the enemy. Why did using her magic against people affect her so adversely? It was a question she hadn’t brought to her masters yet, for fear of their reaction.

If you are ready, your highness? asked the guard, offering her his arm, his eyes filled with concern over her disoriented condition.

Taking his arm, Leilas leaned on it heavily as they walked down the main street of the largest city to the west of the Drakmoth Mountains. Music and smoke billowed from the taverns and mingled with the spices and tantalizing smell of meats and breads for sale from the small businesses that sold their wares alongside the taverns. Gaudily painted signs offered dresses, shoes, tunics, armor, while shady little store fronts with sinister looking signs offered magical cures. Brothels, –where women with dead eyes stood outside, scantily clad, offering their wares– were tucked down the side alleys.

This was all familiar to Leilas and yet not. More dark holes, taverns and brothels seemed to appear every day while the honest merchants seemed to disappear with frightening regularity.

You won’t mention this to my father, will you? Leilas asked the guard as they walked.

I won’t mention it to the King, but I will have to tell the captain of the guards, said the young man.

I don’t want my bodyguards to get in trouble. I did my best to elude them.

That shouldn’t have mattered. It’s their job to protect you.

Leilas shrugged to herself. She hadn’t meant to get the bodyguards in trouble, but it appeared she had. All she’d wanted was to spend some time in the city. When the guards were with her, she didn’t get a good picture of how the city was changing and how the people were faring.

What she’d discovered today hadn’t made her happy. More of the Jovanulum had disappeared. Some had moved away, but many of the people she'd talked with in the city said that people were just disappearing. They left unsaid that they were being killed by the Dredracians. These days, the city had ears and it wasn’t always wise to say too much.

She’d mentioned to her father that people were disappearing, but he wasn’t interested in the people of the city. He was only interested in securing his power and increasing his wealth. She blamed Mandrak, the king’s scribe, for her father’s lack of interest in his people. Mandrak had spent her entire life poisoning his mind. Whatever good might have been in her father, he’d killed many years ago.

Talking with her mother about the problems arising in Dirth hadn’t done much good, either. Her mother had never taken much interest in Dirth, or her father. Lately, it seemed that she’d withdrawn even further, rarely leaving her room and never speaking with the king. The queen’s withdrawal coincided with her sister Catalaina’s marriage to the Lord of Magnus Crog in one of her father’s ill-fated alliances with the Dredracians. Leilas knew that her mother was a good woman, who followed the light magic. Her reticence to involve herself in anything to do with Dirth was a mystery to Leilas. As was her reticence to involve herself in Leilas’ life once she’d learned she was a crafter.

Do whatever you think is best. Leilas could still hear her mother’s standard answer to the masters’ questions about anything to do with her training. She could still see the dismissive wave of her hand and the way her robes swayed as she walked away. Her mother had never nursed her through her fevers or colds, or through any of the after-effects associated with her training. But that didn’t keep Leilas from loving her or wanting her to be part of her life. Once she took her oath and received her master’s crest, she hoped to spend more time with her mother and brother. She prayed it wasn’t too late to develop the love that should exist between a mother and a daughter, a brother and a sister.

When they reached the gates that surrounded the castle, the guard bowed and watched her walk inside before he turned and disappeared back into the streets of the city. Leilas turned to the right and walked toward the door that led to the school, which was housed in the right wing of the castle. The stone walls that made up the hallway had been plastered and painted white, with a scarlet and gray trim near the ceilings. Oil lamps, held in golden sconces shaped like winged stallions along the hallway, brightened the way. The brightness of the hallway belied the darkness that had settled on the castle since her father had become king. She’d heard stories that, in the past, the kings had been good men and that these halls had rung with love and laughter. These hallways had never heard laughter in her lifetime. All they’d known was fear and anger and the need for power, above all the need for more power.

She was in no mood to see her father, who was more than likely drunk since it was after mid-day, nor did she wish to see Mandrak, who would be at his side pouring the wine and whispering poison in his ear. If she could remove Mandrak from Dirthstone Manor, she would do so in a heartbeat. But even the daughter of the king could not go so far as to banish the scribe of the king and murder wasn’t in her nature and she hoped that it never would be. The fact that she’d never killed another human being was what kept her from being evil like her father, in her mind. Her training in the light magic made her well aware that she had his darkness inside her. It had also taught her that it was for her to choose which path she would follow. Still, she knew that she had his weakness inside her, as well as her mother’s strength. Why her mother had married her father was something she’d never understood, nor had her mother explained it to her. Her mother rarely took the time to explain anything to her, or to spend time with her. Leilas often wondered if her mother even liked her, much less loved her. Shrugging her shoulders to slough off her unpleasant and too often present thoughts, Leilas continued through the hallway to the right wing of Dirthstone Manor and the School of Sky.

Reaching the entrance to the school, she spoke the word that opened the door and stepped inside. A staircase led to the upper floors of the castle and to the rooms where the apprentices of the Sky masters lived. She, like the other apprentices called these quarters home, although unlike the others, she had the right to go to her rooms within the castle should she choose. Her mother kept her rooms prepared for her. Leilas almost never left the confines of the school anymore. There had been a time when she lived in the family rooms of the castle and tried to be part of her mother’s world. The effort had only left her feeling more alone. After that, she didn’t try to fit in with her family, had stopped living in her rooms in the castle proper and made the other apprentices and her masters her family.

Of all of her mother’s five children, Leilas was the only one who had been born a crafter. Leilas knew that being born a crafter had nothing to do with who your parents were and that the craft wasn’t a gift that tended to run in families. But there were times when she wondered why she had been singled out and why there was such a great price to pay for being born with power?

Still being a crafter had kept her from her sister’s fate, at least it had up until now. Her sister had been married off to seal an alliance with Magnus Crog. Leilas had argued with her father that Catalaina wasn’t a piece of property to be bartered away. He had laughed at her and said that was exactly what women who were born to royalty were and that she should be glad that she was worthless as a woman and bargaining chip or she would soon follow in her sister’s footsteps. At eleven, Leilas hadn’t understood why he thought she was worthless as a woman, though his censure had made her quite timid and unsure around the boys who’d wanted to show off their new found manhood to her. Now that she had grown into womanhood, she knew that as a crafter, she would never bear any man children. In return for her barren womb, she would be given almost eternal life. She would outlive generations, as long as she didn’t die by another crafter’s hand or expend her life force beyond her limit. These were the blessings and the curses of being born a crafter.

They were perhaps better blessings than those offered her older brothers. Being born the sons of a king, they were expected to fight and die for him and for his kingdom. Like the good sons they were, her brothers had gone to war with their father, when he'd waged war on their nearest neighbors, and had been killed. Since only males could inherit the throne, that left her younger brother Brenth, as heir to the throne. If her father continued his present course of action, waging wars he couldn’t possibly win, he would soon be without an heir. The only reason he still had one now was because Brenth hadn’t yet reached an age where he was expected to join his father in battle. Another year and her brother wouldn’t be protected from his certain death any longer.

Leilas knew that if he thought he could persuade the king, Mandrak would have counseled her father to get her out of Dirth. To him, she was the only one in the royal family who stood in the way of his having all the power of the throne. Hers was the only voice that was ever raised in opposition to the advice he gave her father. Perhaps he had counseled her father to be rid of her and he’d refused. Leilas smiled at the whimsical thought. She'd never seen her father refuse to do anything that Mandrak asked of him. It would be the one redeeming quality he had if he'd actually tried to protect her. Leilas’ smile faded when she thought that Mandrak could have asked her father for far worse, he could have asked him to turn her over to him.

Leilas had heard rumors of what Mandrak did to those who'd been given over to him. The rumors whispered of horrible torture. None who'd been turned over to him had lived to tell if the rumors were true. Shaking her head at the thought, Leilas stepped into the room that led to the School of Sky and stopped to let the feeling of peace and belonging flow into her.

From the first moment Leilas had stepped into this room fifteen years ago, with its diffuse light and ceilings and walls that seemed to shimmer and move with some unknown energy, it had touched a chord deep within her. Master Frey said that was the sign of a true calling. All she knew was that it calmed her when she was troubled.

The School of Sky had been in Preterlandis for almost half a century before Dirth had become a notable city. The masters of the school had offered the castle to her ancestors when they’d ascended the throne. The school had been established, after the Crafter Wars, by Master Greyan. It stood in the center of Dirth because this was the center of their quarter of the earth, a quarter of Preterlandis that was ruled by light magic. Dirth had sprung up around the school, because this was where the King made his home. The School of Land stood in the center of its quarter in the Forest of Furlin, a quarter of Preterlandis that was ruled by dark magic. The School of Sea was housed in the Guild Building at Madras, which was a port town in Sylphia. Of all the islands and continents, Sylphia’s light magic was the purest. The School of Fire was housed in the Guild Building in Darkling Haven. Four sects, two who served the light magic and two who served the dark magic and the balance was preserved, or at least it was supposed to be preserved. Leilas wasn’t certain how true that was anymore. The schools and the balance were Master Greyan's legacy to Preterlandis. He created the sects and the oath, which every master crafter took, that ensured crafters would not use their powers to upset the balance.

Leilas stepped over to one of the many windows that encircled the room and looked out over the need that was now Dirth. Crafters could do much to ease the suffering of these people, but they wouldn't. She didn't understand how they could stand by and do nothing and often, she wondered if she was truly called to take the vows of a master crafter. There was something inside her that told her she had so much more to offer this world than what was encompassed by the oath of the crafters.

Master Frey stepped into the room that seemed to be created from the clouds and the sky. In the ten years Leilas had been coming to the school, Master Frey hadn't changed in the least. He looked to be about twenty-four with golden hair and blue eyes that matched the blue robe he wore. Unlike Leilas' more practical tunic and breeches, he wore the robes of a scholar.

Leilas, his musical tones were a balm to her tight emotions and she felt herself relaxing. I didn’t expect you today. You're on leave until you take your oath, aren’t you?

He knew she was. She had learned everything he could teach her. Before she could learn anything more she had to take the Crafter’s Oath. The most secret teachings of the schools couldn’t be learned by any who hadn’t taken the Crafter’s Oath. But it was a peculiarity of crafters to never presume they knew the truth. She always presumed she knew, perhaps just another indication she wasn't supposed to be a master.

You are supposed to be a master, Gidron Frey answered her unspoken doubt. You are by far the best student I've ever had. When you take the vows, it will become clearer to you.

I hope so, because it isn't clear right now. I'm impatient with my father, with his excesses and manipulations. I want to help, to make a difference in my city, to help my people.

And you can, but only to a certain extent, cautioned Gidron. As a master crafter, you'll be expected to protect the balance between the light and dark magic. There will be times when you'll wish to help the Jovanulum, but by doing so, you would upset that balance. You'd have to refrain from doing what your heart would have you do, for the greater good.

Leilas held back the sigh she felt. Gidron had been telling her this for almost ten years. She was tired of waiting, of holding back because the Sky masters said the balance would waver, when it seemed to her the balance was tilting more and more in the direction of the Dredracians.

The Dredracians grow bolder every day. Today they attacked me in broad daylight, in the middle of the city.

Gidron nodded, seemingly unconcerned with the danger she had faced earlier. You should be more careful about roaming the city unescorted. You know the Dredracians look for those attached to the royal family. Your father has many enemies among them. His alliances are not as strong as he believes them to be.

I won’t become a prisoner in my own home, like my mother. It is only when I roam the city alone that I learn what is troubling my people and what is happening within the city. People of the Jovanulum are disappearing, at a fairly alarming rate. Why haven’t the Sky masters done more to stop the Dredracians from killing the people who follow the light magic?

Gidron smiled sadly. As I said before, there are times when we can’t follow our heart. There is more at stake than we understand.

Help me understand, Master Frey, because that explanation is beginning to wear thin and begins to sound like an excuse for not being willing to stand up and fight for what is right.

Gidron tucked his hands in the loose sleeves of his robe and pursed his lips. Leilas knew what this meant. He was going to offer to teach her a power that he knew she wasn’t quite ready to master. He’d often set her tasks that had seemed beyond her. So far she’d mastered them all, though there had been a few times the outcome had been in doubt. She'd learned the hard way that there was a time for every power and that the quest for power wasn’t necessarily the best path to choose. She'd spent a week in the dark recesses of a madman's mind before Master Frey had been able to summon her essence back to the real world when she’d first tried walking inside the thoughts of others. She'd been confident she was ready to wander in other people's minds when Master Frey had offered to teach her. They'd both been wrong about her readiness and it had hindered her studies for more than a year.

Would you like to look into the mists? Perhaps what you see in the mists will help you understand your destiny as a crafter and why it's so important to measure what we do with our abilities.

Leilas had never been in the mists. She'd been nearby when the Sky masters had called the mists and looked into the future. She'd seen shadows flowing by, but she'd not been allowed to join in the group that studied the pictures reflected there. They'd allowed her to watch the ritual that called the mists so she could learn it, but they hadn't believed she was ready to join them there.

I believe you are ready to look into your future. I'll be here to help you if you get into trouble. A luxury you won't have in the future. I won’t be your teacher for much longer. I should warn you that it's not always easy to interpret what you see in the mists.

What do they show? The future as it will be, or as it might be?

The mists show you what you want to see. That's their power and their weakness.

Leilas moved to the window and tried to understand how seeing what you wanted to see could help. She already knew what she wanted.

How can I explain this better? Gidron moved to a bowl and began to add ingredients from the shelf of potions behind him. If you're seeking truth or knowledge and come to the mists with a pure heart, you'll see a certain truth. If there's more than one person exploring the mists, there will be more than one path shown. That's why the masters always come together as a council to use the mists. This is the power of the mists. The future shown will be only a shadow, because the future hasn't yet been written. But with some study the foreknowledge can be useful. On the other hand, Gidron added ten drops of a green substance Leilas knew to be the juice of the misteria, the essential ingredient of the mist. She'd spent many hours searching it out in the forests surrounding Dirth. If you come to the mists seeking knowledge to use as power, you'll see another destiny, also only a shadow, but a shadow skewed by ambition and darkness. Many who come to the mists seeking power will believe the shadow because what it shows them is what they want to see.

And that is the weakness of the mists.

Exactly. Are you ready?

Leilas nodded, although she wasn’t sure she was ready. Stepping forward to the bowl, she looked down into the bubbling green liquid. With a deep breath, she began the chant that would call the mists. The words of power were in a language no longer spoken in Preterlandis, or anywhere in the known world. Master Frey said they were from a much earlier time, when people were closer to the earth and knew its powers more intimately. The power they wielded now was but a shadow of what once existed.

Drakka porten, drakka nebul, drakka scion. Leilas chanted the words seven times, clearing her mind of any thought except that of seeking truth. With each repetition, the mists rose and became thicker around her and Gidron Frey. As she fell silent, the shadows began to rise. A man swirled around her, tall, bearded, dark hair, dark eyes, and sword in hand. She watched as he battled around her. Others were in the battle with him. Ahead of him, a warrior in golden-colored armor was surrounded by dozens of Dredracians. The man with the sword in hand was battling intently to reach the warrior who seemed destined to die.

Chodra, she heard herself call out. As she called, the man with the sword turned to her, sadness in his eyes.

"Chidra. Where is the one who will save us? Then he turned back to the battle. The picture then turned to Magnus Crog, where her sister Catalaina lived. As she approached the gates, arrows began to shower down on her. Pierced by several, she retreated from the gates into another vision. Gidron stood in the ruins of the School of Land, a book held above his head triumphantly.

Why are you there? She asked of her master.

Because I’m in the mists with you, you also see my future, my truth.

You shouldn’t be in the School of Land, she tried to explain her confusion to him.

But I’m always at the School of Land when I walk in the mists, replied her master. Being here with you, I begin to understand why.

As Leilas tried to comprehend his cryptic comment, the mists swirled back into the bowl and soon all that was left was a bubbling green liquid. Leilas stared into it, wondering if what she'd seen had helped her at all.

Picking up the bowl that held the green liquid, Gidron dumped the potion down a pipe that emptied into the drains beneath the city. A strange smile flickered on Gidron’s lips as he turned to Leilas. I believe we should meet with the masters. It is time.

Time for what? Did what we see in the mists have some meaning to you? It meant nothing to me.

The answers to your future and your questions were there. Surely you understood what was shown to you.

What Leilas understood was that nothing she’d seen meant anything to her and that nothing she’d seen had to do with saving Dirth and the Jovanulum living there. Clearly, Gidron had seen something that was beyond her teaching. Disappointed at the outcome of her trip into the mists, Leilas followed Gidron out of the schoolroom and headed toward the council chamber.

She caught up with him standing before the doors of the meeting hall. He had already pulled the chord of the great gong that called the members together. She could hear them assembling in the room behind the door. She’d never been before the masters. She was supposed to make her first visit behind these doors when she took her oath. Truth be told, she always felt uncomfortable around the members of the council. For some reason, they made her feel as if she had been judged and found wanting. Perhaps she had been judged. After all, her father was one of the most evil kings in Preterlandis and his blood flowed in her veins. Whatever the reason, she wasn’t looking forward to facing them when they hadn’t requested her presence.

The gong sounded deep within the school once again as the doors began to swing open. It sounded twelve times before the doors were resting against their hinges. By this time, several other students, who had taken their oaths and stayed to extend their knowledge in specialized areas, and masters from the guild within Dirth had gathered before the door and entered as Frey ushered Leilas into the massive chamber.

Twelve masters sat on the council for the School of Sky. Today only nine were present. Three were not teachers at the school or associated with the local guild and could not return at such short notice. They would come within the day or would be made aware of the problems presented. No decision would be reached until they had been contacted, either in person or in mindspeak. Crafters had used this ability for many years, but only those blessed with the true gift could send their thoughts to the reaches of the earth and find the crafter they were seeking. Master Manchu, the eldest of the council, was one who was blessed with such a gift.

Master Frey, step forward. Master Manchu motioned to her master after all had been assembled. His voice echoed off the decorative plaster of the domed ceiling of the chamber. The upper tiers of seats were empty this day. There had never been many people invited to attend the council meetings, at least not since Leilas had been an apprentice of the school.

Cedric Manchu was a huge man, typical of the people of the Drakmoth Mountains. His hair was dark and his eyes narrowed upward at the ends. Her father had tried for years to get Drakmothians to join his army, but most of the mountain people were content to stay in the mountains and mind their sheep. Rarely did someone like Master Manchu come from the mountains to make his home in Dirth.

Why have you summoned us? He asked as her master took her arm and stepped into the circle that was surrounded by the seats of the Council. Those who came only to listen sat in the seats behind the masters on the Council. The twelve council seats formed a circle of power. Those who stood within it could only speak the truth, unless they were a very powerful magik and could overcome the combined power of the masters encircled there.

I believe you are all aware of my student Leilas, King Leyhan's daughter. Gidron pulled her forward into their sight. She’d been content to hide in his shadow. She’d felt the power of the masters as soon as she’d stepped into the circle. It had not intimidated her as much as she thought it would, although it would be a powerful force to try to overcome. She felt the intensity rise as the nine sitting there focused on her.

We are to see her at the ritual, not today, Cedric answered softly.

I was leading her through the mists, to help her understand how her actions affected the overall balance in Dirth.

It was probably time to let her see into the mists, although she is young, agreed Cedric. Murmurs of agreement came from the others on the council. What has this to do with the council?

She was identified as the Chidra, stated Gidron, with barely controlled intensity. I saw myself again at the School of Land, with her there. It began to make more sense. Also, the man who named her was Adrian Cheran. He was fighting with Darryl. The time has come.

Murmurs hummed through Leilas' head as the council commented to each other on Gidron's interpretation of the vision. It still didn't make sense to her. Although she began to realize that Chodra and Chidra were titles and not names.

So, she’d been named Chidra by a man named Adrian Cheran. What did that mean? What did Chodra mean? More importantly, why was he asking her where their champion was? She was but a lonely crafter.

The Chidra is the one who will name the Chodra, the Champion, who will lead the Jovanulum against the Dredracians. Master Ren Narwhal addressed her for the first time. He was affiliated with the Sea and had studied at the School of Sea for some years before he attached himself to the School of Sky. Master Narwhal had been chosen to the council because of his unique knowledge of the regions by the sea, as well as his ability to become several of the animals of the sea. He was small, dark-skinned and lithe, and reminded her of a seal. We will reveal what Master Frey has not bothered to tell you. We need time, however, to discuss what this vision means. Gidron’s interpretation is but one conclusion that can be drawn.

I fear time is not a luxury you have right now, my lords. A man stepped through the large wooden door and moved forward to address the council. He was a darkly-tanned man, appearing to be in his early thirties. Leilas was immediately drawn to him, although she couldn't pinpoint a reason why. He wasn't handsome, though he wasn't ugly. He looked weary, as if he spent too much time on the road. Clothed in a dusty cloak, he wore the silver clouds of a Sky wanderer, as well as the gold of a master. Leilas wondered what had brought him to the school. The crafters who chose to be wanderers at the time they took the Crafter Oath very rarely came home. Magiks who wanted family and stability joined the local guild when they took their oath and were assigned to a city, which they soon learned to call home.

Joshuas, it is good to see you, old friend. Cedric's eyes lit with pleasure as the wanderer stepped into the circle. But knowing you, what you have to tell us must be very important, if you have come to address the council.

Leilas slipped out of the circle, relieved to be out of the pull of the power. Standing off to the side, she watched the interchange between this stranger and the council. Unlike most of the students and masters who addressed the council, Joshuas’ thoughts were protected from probing. It was a bit disconcerting to find one who felt the need to protect himself from those in the School of Sky.

I didn’t know I would have the honor of addressing the council, that honor was just a lucky coincidence. I am afraid I bring dire news. Joshuas bent in a slight bow before he continued addressing the members of the council. Jarras has rejected King Leyhan's overtures for an alliance, and has aligned himself with Darryl. Darryl and Jarras are approaching Dirth at this moment with the intent of overthrowing King Leyhan, killing all of the royal family and their servants. Joshuas waited for this news to be assimilated before he continued. Darryl and Jarras have also aligned themselves with the School of Land and intend to attack the School of Sky. They believe that the school has been promoting their own claim for power by helping King Leyhan acquire land and power with the use of magic. They are intent on putting an end to the school's interference.

How can the School of Land ally themselves in this fight? asked Gidron, angrily. The powers are in balance. They must know this. This would be in direct conflict with the Treaty of Greyan.

There are some who don't believe the powers are in balance as do you, replied Joshuas.

Surely you are not one who believes this. Gidron accused him.

I don't think it matters what I believe at this time. What is important is that the school is being threatened and you need to prepare yourselves for battle. I have come as quickly as I could, but I didn't give you much time. I was delayed in Dari by some of the School of Land.

Leilas felt the hum as the Masters shielded their thoughts while they spoke together. This was grim news indeed. Her father was not prepared for war and would surely be defeated. If Darryl was intent on killing the royal family, her mother and brother were in danger. She needed to go to them and get them to safety. Backing away from the circle, she began to slip away to find her mother and brother. She needed to help what was left of her family.

Leilas, please do not leave. Cedric called to her and stopped her in her tracks. His call brought the attention of the stranger upon her. She couldn't read his thoughts and had no idea what he thought of her, though by his expression, she thought he disapproved of her, of her being here and in the limelight. You must stay within the walls of the School. It will be sealed with power and if you are not within the seal, we cannot protect you.

That is a risk I have to take. I must try to get my mother and brother out of the city before Darryl and Jarras arrive.

You will not have time to get them out of the city, Joshuas answered her. But perhaps with Cedric's permission, we can get them within the walls of the school, before the seal is complete.

Are you saying you will help her in this? asked Cedric, to the newly-arrived magik.

Someone must protect her. After all, she is the Chidra. This much I do not dispute.

We have heard your theory on this subject. But this is not the time to discuss it. We have much to prepare. I would speak with you before you leave.

Having turned her over to the care of this stranger, Cedric began giving orders to the masters and students who were assembled. Within minutes, magiks were scurrying to their appointed tasks, preparing for war. Leilas watched the orchestrated motion in amazement. Cedric and the other masters must have practiced for this moment, even while believing it would never come. They knew exactly what must be done in order to preserve the school, magic books protected, scrolls hidden and warded, walls strengthened by spells, weapons woven with power. As she watched, Leilas wondered if she would ever be a master of this school. There was no time to take vows now, and after this battle, should the magiks here lose, there would be no time for many years to come.

Waiting impatiently for Cedric to finish giving his instructions and then summon Joshuas to his side, Leilas fretted at the delay. She needed to find her mother and brother, and every minute counted. She knew how vulnerable her father's keep was to invasion. He'd been overextending himself for years and there was no loyalty to him among the people. Jarras and Darryl would find no resistance from the villagers. Only when they reached the Manor would there be a show of resistance and Leilas wasn't sure how strong that would be. Her father hadn't earned any loyalty with his policies of oppression and fear.

Joshuas bowed slightly and backed away from Cedric, tucking something into his sleeve as he did. Leilas wondered what Master Manchu had entrusted to this scruffy master's care as she turned and almost ran out the doors to the entrance from the school that led to the Manor. Joshuas kept pace with her, even though she knew he must be tired. Chaffing against his presence, not sure why Master Manchu would send one of his obviously trusted masters with her when he was surely of more use in the school, she slowed her pace to one that was less rigorous. Although he said nothing, Joshuas' breathing became less ragged as they followed the turnings of the Manor hallway that led to her mother's chambers.

Mother, I must speak with you, began Leilas as she knocked on the chamber door. May I come in? Without waiting for an answer, she pushed open the massive doors she knew were never locked and entered the large chambers her mother called home.

Queen Daina almost never left these rooms. Knowing it was her brother's custom to visit with their mother at this time of day, Leilas hoped he was here. It would save her the precious time it would take to find him within the castle. Leilas found the two of them, seated at a small table, engaged in a game of rocks. It was a simple game, moving rocks from one carved hole to another. But it was amusing and it helped to pass away the lonely hours that had become Queen Daina's life.

You don't manage to get up here very often, said Brenth, looking up. He was barely in his fifteenth year, tall, fair-complected, gangly, and his nose didn’t quite fit his face. He was not yet a man, but she could see the man he would become in his face now. What brings you here? Who is that with you?

The queen looked up in surprise to find a stranger in her room. Leilas followed her startled stare to Joshuas, who had stepped in the room and shut the door behind them, then barred it. This is Master Joshuas, a magik from the school. Master Joshuas, may I introduce you to my mother, Queen Daina and my brother, Prince Brenth.

Queen Daina, Joshuas greeted her, stressing her title. It is indeed a pleasure to see you again after all this time. Joshuas took the hand that the queen extended to him and bent over it. Leilas thought that he took care not to linger long over it or to touch his lips to it as was customary. He did seem to be a man who followed his own set of rules. She wondered if all wanderers were like that.

I didn't think we would ever meet again, Queen Daina responded quietly to Joshuas' greeting.

Under normal circumstances, I doubt we would have. But these aren't normal circumstances.

What do you mean? asked the queen, withdrawing her scarlet and silver bedecked hand from his, but staying close. Like her son, Queen Daina was fair-skinned with dark hair and dark eyes. She was renowned as a beauty in the region. There were many who wondered why she had married Leyhan, a broad-chested man with gangly legs and an overly large nose.

Darryl and Jarras are on their way to attack us as we speak. They've sworn to kill all the royal family. Leilas broke in. Master Manchu has agreed to offer you and Brenth sanctuary, but we must hurry and enter the school before it is sealed against the attack.

The queen didn't seem at all surprised at her daughter's revelation. She sighed softly and turned to the window. Brenth stood and walked to her side.

Brenth had always been close to his mother, though he seemed to be distant from others. Leilas had done her best to get to know her youngest and only surviving brother, but he seemed reluctant to let her into his world. She'd always supposed it was because she was so much older and so busy with her studies. There were some around the Manor who said he was fey and shied away from him. There were times she thought he might have inherited some of the gifts she'd inherited, but he'd never expressed any interest in pursuing them.

I'm not surprised to find that those around us wish to put a stop to my husband's excesses. Though I know I'll probably lose my life, I can't run away. After all, I am queen.

And that's why you must come with me, argued Leilas. Who will bring the kingdom back together, if you're killed along with father?

Brenth is old enough to take his father's place. Daina turned from the window and faced Leilas with quiet determination. I can't run like a coward.

And I won't leave you, Brenth said with the same quiet. As you said, I'm a man. I'll stay and protect you.

Sometimes it takes more courage to run, than it does to stay and fight. Leilas knew she was fighting a losing battle. Once her mother made up her mind, she rarely changed it. She could count the times her mother had reversed a decision on one hand. Instead of wasting her time thinking up reasons that would convince her mother to come with her, she was already planning how they could best defend this room.

Sometimes it does. I wish I was strong enough to make that decision. I wasn't strong enough thirty years ago. I'm not strong enough today. I will stay.

If you won't do it for yourself, do it for me. Do it for Brenth. Neither of us wants to see you die. Queen Daina turned and faced her young son. Leilas could almost feel the communication between them, but she didn't understand it. Perhaps it was less a thought than a feeling. But whatever mother and son shared, they didn't choose to share it with her.

I'll stay with my mother, said Brenth again. But we both feel you should go back to the school. That is where you belong, not here with us.

I won't go back there without you. Leilas felt them trying to push her away. It wasn't the first time she'd felt her family try to distance themselves from her and what she was. As always, she ignored it. They were her family and despite their feelings, she felt love and loyalty for them and she would until they were no longer alive.

If we're going to stay, it might be good if we could find some weapons to use for protection. Joshuas intruded on the family for the first time since he had been introduced. Leilas had almost forgotten he was there with them.

I don't expect you to stay. Leilas turned to face him, surprised at his statement of intent. This is not your fight or your family. You must get back to the school and help protect it.

There are those better able to defend the school than myself, replied Joshuas. Besides, I was commissioned to protect you. Now, are there weapons somewhere?

In the gymnasium, replied Brenth. I'll show you.

Leilas waited until they left the room before she approached her mother on the subject of leaving again. There's nothing to keep you here, Mother. Can't you see that? Father won't even think of us until it's too late. Our lives will only be tools used to help win the battle. You owe him nothing, certainly not your life.

But I do owe it to my people to die with them. I've given them nothing, when I should have been fighting your father. Perhaps if I had stood against him or been more involved in his life, he wouldn't have fallen into the abyss he is lost in now. It's partly my fault that the people out in the city will die. I'll stay and pay the price I owe.

You owe them the chance at a better life, which you can only give them if you are alive, but I won't argue the point with you. Leilas stepped over to the window and looked out at the blue sky and golden sun. Today is as good a day to die as any.

But you won't die. You can't die.

There are magiks out there mother, who are intent on killing the crafters here at the school. Despite the fact that only a crafter can kill me, today I can die just like you and probably will. I'm not a trained warrior. The only fighting I do is on the streets of Dirth. Master Frey hasn't focused on warrior training. He doesn’t believe it's in my future to fight. I've had only the basics of battle training.

It's not your destiny to die today, my dear, her mother told her confidently.

I won't let you die, not while I live, replied Leilas.

Queen Daina just smiled and joined Leilas at the window. A cloud of dust was clearly visible on the outskirts of the city. Dark spots could be seen coming out of it. Men arrayed in the green and gold of Darryl of Draggor mounted on fighting steeds were leading a column of men ten wide, sprawled back further than Leilas could see. It was an impressive army, twice as strong as it needed to be to conquer Dirth. The people of Dirth were surrendering without a fight as the men rode by. Leilas hadn't expected more from them. Many of the townspeople probably saw this invasion as liberation.

They've arrived. Leilas told Joshuas as he and Brenth returned, laden with swords and crossbows. Joshuas bolted the door and handed Leilas a short sword to compliment her long sword. So far, they've met with no resistance.

How many magiks are with them?

Leilas went back to the window and tried to pick out the crafters from the soldiers. I can't see them.

Joshuas came to the window and stood next to Leilas. The queen and her son picked weapons from among the array they'd collected from the gymnasium and settled in to wait for the inevitable. After studying the invading soldiers for several minutes, Joshuas grunted. Enough. Jayram is leading them. Can you see him? Joshuas stood behind Leilas and turned her until she was looking in the proper direction. Sighting down his finger, she saw the young magik leading the group adorned in the gray and green of the School of Land. Their insignia, a Yew tree, was outlined on their gray tunics in dark green. Remember his face. Don't let his looks deceive you. He is very experienced, very powerful and quite evil. All of these crafters are evil. Don't hesitate if you come face to face with one and remember, your power is stronger than theirs because it’s purer.

But I am not a master, I won’t be much of a match for any master crafter, began Leilas.

"You are a master in every way that counts. You have power and you can use it. I'll be here to help you. With luck, and it usually comes to my rescue, we'll live.

CHAPTER 2

The tower bells began to toll ominously as the guards in the watchtowers caught sight of the army marching toward them. Soon, footfalls could be heard running up and down the hall outside the door. Leilas knew that the barred door would not keep out the magiks, but it would deter the soldiers. It seemed to her, she was the only one in this room anxious about what was to come.

Her mother was calm, resigned to her fate. A wave of anger washed over Leilas toward her mother, for giving up the battle before it had even begun. Brenth was an enigma. He seemed resigned, as her mother was, about the battle to come. Maybe he was under an enchantment as the people had claimed. But right now, Leilas wished she had some of his composure.

She wasn't afraid. She'd faced enemies before and knew what to expect. But her instincts were telling her she should leave this place, now. The noise her inner voices were making was deafening and almost irresistible. Only sheer willpower was keeping her in this room.

Joshuas had taken up his position by the door. For the last few minutes, he'd been chanting an incantation of binding. If he was strong enough, it would keep most of the soldiers and magiks out. If they were lucky, Jayram would take his strongest, most experienced magiks to fight the school and they would be safe for a while. They couldn’t stay in here forever and if Darryl overtook the Manor, they would eventually be taken prisoner and killed. Moving to the door, Leilas joined in with Joshuas chanting the words of binding. Every voice made the spell stronger. She could feel his power and sense his thoughts as she worked with him to bind the room closed. She followed his thoughts as he probed the walls of binding looking for flaws. Wherever she felt a weakness, she spoke the words to strengthen them.

Panting with the exertion, Joshuas fell silent. Leilas let her mind probe the walls once more before she fell silent, too.

That should protect us from most of the haunts out there, said Joshuas, sinking into one of the chairs.

But not from the worst of them. Leilas took up a position by the door. She was going to make every soldier who crossed the threshold pay dearly for their indiscretion. There is still time to find a way out of Dirth. She appealed to her mother once more. I know all the passages out of Dirthstone Manor.

What do you think Joshuas? Should I leave? Queen Daina turned to face the tired, scruffy magik with deference.

Joshuas smiled at the queen's question. It's not my place to say. You must do what is right for you.

As always, you give the proper answer for a crafter, never interfere, never guide destiny. The queen fingered the short sword in her hand. I'm amazed that you would even use your magic to protect us lowly mortals in this room. But then, you didn't do it to protect the mortals here, did you? You did it to protect Leilas. She nodded her head in agreement with her own conclusion. I've known for some time that she was special, that she was one of the Chosen. The Menas have their own special gifts, she said haughtily, even if the crafters don't think they're worthy of notice.

Not all crafters are so callous, my lady. You know I've often called on the Menas for help. Joshuas paused before he added, Brenth would have a good home among them.

You know I can't go back to them. Leilas saw a dark, longing cross her mother's face. Joshuas' comment had reached a part of her mother she hadn't been aware even existed.

They would welcome you, Joshuas disagreed with her softly. Your father is no longer their king. They no longer follow his bannings. Many of the Menas didn't agree with his actions thirty years ago, but were afraid to openly oppose him. They wouldn't consider your return a dishonor. Some would even welcome you as their Queen Apparent.

Even if I did wish to return, it's too late. The soldiers are at the doors and you have spent your magic protecting this room.

I could get us out, Leilas interrupted, if you wanted to leave. It’s not too late. Weaving binding spells isn't very taxing and the effort wouldn't have been wasted if we decide to leave. It's kept us safe while you decided. Leilas barely paused for breath before she continued. She didn't want to lose the opportunity her mother had given them. I know a way under the city that doesn't emerge until we are well out of town. Leilas felt her hopes lifting. Perhaps she would get her mother out of Dirth alive. It might mean leaving her dream of becoming a master behind, but maybe there was a place in Menas for her, as well.

Joshuas tilted his head at the queen awaiting her decision. She turned to face her son, who couldn't keep the hope from showing on his face.

I see. I seem to be the only one who thinks it would be honorable to stay in Dirth. She looked down at the lounging gown she was wearing. I can't go dressed like this, she acquiesced. If you'll help me, Leilas, I'll try to hurry.

~~~

Joshuas held his hand out to keep Leilas from stepping into the hallway until he was sure the way was clear. Leilas could hear the fighting in the chambers below. There had been very little resistance against the advancing soldiers as they descended on the Manor. It hadn't taken them long to reach the King's stronghold and the doors to the School of Sky. Yet, even when her father had known that Darryl was at their door, he hadn't come to see to the safety of his family. He hadn't even sent an emissary to check on them. If she had any doubt that she was doing right by taking her mother and brother away from this place, or any thought that she should stay and fight with her father, his callousness had driven it from her mind.

She'd never been to Menas, but she knew where it was and a little about the people. It had surprised her to discover her mother was Menas. No one had ever said her mother came from a people who were renowned for their uncanny ability to know what they had no way of knowing. There wasn't really a name for it. People called it Menas, –named for the people who possessed it.

If it had been left to her, she'd have taken her mother to Magnus Crog, but maybe her walk in the mists had been warning her against that idea. They could have been telling her Magnus Crog was no longer friendly to her or her family. That suspicion had kept her from protesting when Master Joshuas had suggested Menas as a destination.

Let's go quickly. I hear soldiers on the stair, although I don't see anyone yet. Joshuas stepped aside and let Leilas take the lead. Brenth followed her with his mother by his side. Joshuas brought up the rear. He took a few minutes to mend the spell of binding on the door. When the crafters came