Tales of Mortivage Book 1 The Six Swords of Cindis

By F.J. Lucas

Jason Thorne and Irene Barlnett are two twelve year old children that have led normal lives in a boring run down town, until a mysterious shadow transports them to Mortivage, the ghost continent. It is when they meet a man named Gilbert Skeltith that they find out the reasons they have come here to this hidden land. Destined to find the Needle to a Sundial that chooses the continent's ruler, the two friends head straight to a place known as Oravine, where they discover startling revelations, from Jason's family suddenly reappearing, to the people surrounding them, such as the living Shadows ( people who reside in a realm parallel to ours) and the Bishops of Vanderard, (law enforcers that may have mysteries of their own). It's a strange new world, full of mysterious places that go beyond the imagination, with equally unusual culture, in which Jason and Irene slowly integrate themselves. Yet it proves easier for Jason as he quickly finds out his connection to the Melders, people who harness the energies of magical objects. Along the way they encounter dangerous enemies known as the Iron Masters (radicals looking to seize the Needle's power led by the dangerous Lacktal Sharps) and make new allies, all the while searching for the elusive Needle. It's an arduous challenge that must be completed no matter how much time it takes and as they progress into their search, it seems as if the end may never come. With Jason learning more about himself, Irene must handle a personal situation of her own and both become further entangled with more than just finding the Needle. As the weeks grow, they then begin to learn of the story of the six swords of Cindis - swords that acted as symbols to the late Lord's reign and all of which were in the possession of his closest servers. And in little time they soon encounter parts of this mysterious story. Thrills and peril await the two in their search and at its end the Needle awaits.

• Language: English
• Publisher: F.J. Lucas
• Release date: Jan 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311774170

F.J. Lucas

Fraser Lucas is an aspiring author and journalist. A lover of fantasy and mystery, he began work on Mortivage at 15, but wouldn't put the ink to paper till he was 16. Today he works towards his goal of completing his mythical series, but all in good time at his home in Nottinghamshire.

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THE SIX SWORDS OF CINDIS

F.J. LUCAS

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 Fraser Lucas

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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TALES OF MORTIVAGE

BOOK 1

THE SIX SWORDS OF CINDIS

INTRODUCTION

It's been believed by almost everyone that all the land there is to find in this world has been found, but what if that wasn't true? The reality is that there is one continent many people have not discovered. The continent in question is Mortivage, the ghost continent, a place that cannot be seen nor touched. It is completely invisible to the naked eye and utterly intangible, therefore not only making it impossible for anyone to venture into it, but also impossible for anyone to venture away from it. Thanks to this strange form of isolation, Mortivage has become very different to the known world, in ways one can hardly begin to imagine. However, it's not always impossible to go to this forbidden land; there are ways to get there, you simply have to know what they are, or more commonly be in the right place at the right time, with the right circumstances, as this tale will now tell.

CHAPTER 1

The Dream Of Oravine

The tale begins, not in a strange city or a countryside with magnificent views but in a small town - an average town that said simply with one glance: 'Nothing peculiar has ever happened here and, most likely, never will' Yet, something peculiar was happening on a small street; In a small terrace house lying in bed one night was a boy named Jason Thorne, dreaming of something so interesting yet so mysterious.

In the dream everywhere was pitch black; there was nothing to see and nowhere to go until suddenly, a strange red light appeared in the distance . The light quickly started to move closer to him; It was so close now, it looked like it was only a few steps away from him. When he looked closer he saw the source of the light. It was one of the oddest objects he had ever seen - it looked like a metal shard. It floated motionless for a few moments until something extraordinary happened - letters started to appear on the shard forming the word 'Oravine'.

With a thud, Jason woke up to a Tuesday morning, feeling startled and mystified. Though he wondered what the metal shard itself meant, the thing he thought about the most was the strange word on it. What did Oravine mean? Was it a place – a person – or something from a different language? Whatever it was, he was determined to find out; but, after looking through the dictionary, he couldn't find the meaning of the word at all. Though he wanted to continue his search, his stomach didn't agree with this idea – due to not having any breakfast yet; so he decided to give up his search – for the time being.

Jason then got dressed and opened his curtains, flooding light into his room. Jason's bedroom was plain and small. The only pieces of furniture were a small bed, a large cupboard - where he kept his clothes- and a bookcase where books and all his other belongings were. Jason put the dictionary into his bookcase and headed down stairs.

His house was not what you'd call 'vibrant'; it was very grey in most of the rooms and there wasn't any piece of furniture or item that looked up to date. Everything looked old, dusty and worn. Jason walked down the stairs while looking at an assortment of photos. He then turned towards the kitchen, which was the most lifeless room in the house - in his opinion, and ate an apple from the fruit bowl.

He then walked to the dining room which was dark and cheerless, but it was then that he realised something was wrong. There was no one in the house but him. Jason then looked all around the house feeling confused and worried. The search did not take long due to the house only being a small terrace. After the short search, Jason went into the living room and sat in one of the chairs - pondering nervously why he was all alone.

While wondering, Jason looked at a picture on a small table next to him. In the photo were three people standing up and looking happy. The first person was a tall boy with short light brown hair that had a certain floppiness to it and a slightly large nose. The second person was a woman who, judging by her slight wrinkles and greying hair, looked past middle age. The third person was an elderly looking man with a thick head of grey-brown hair with a short haired beard and looked proud and kind.

The picture was of Jason and the only family members he knew - his Great Aunt Ava and his Grandpa Floyd. Jason had lived happily with them for nearly as long he could remember, but for some reason, they had seemed to have disappeared today. In many ways, Jason's life was of an unusual sort. He didn't live in a house full of electronic devices, nor did he go to school like nearly all the other children in town.

Aunt Ava and Grandpa Floyd took it into their own hands to educate him. Other than them, Jason knew very few people in his town that well, even though he'd been living here for so long. As he tried to think of where his family might have gone, Jason felt the cold and cruel feeling of loneliness run through his body. Right now the strange word was the least of his worries. Jason now felt he had two choices: Either stay inside and wait for them to come back or go outside to try to find them.

Though he was compelled to go and look for them, Jason knew the wisest choice was to sit and wait. But before he could make any sort of decision the sound of a loud knock on the door broke all the silence in the house. Jason jumped out of his chair the moment he heard it; the sound was like thunder to his ears. His heart was now racing with hope that his Grandpa and Great Aunt were back. Jason ran straight for the door and unlocked it, but as soon as he opened it his hopes sank. Instead of it being his Great aunt and Grandpa standing on the doorstep, it was a young girl.

CHAPTER 2

A Strange Shadow

She had long, dark brown hair and hazel coloured eyes; she looked about the same age as Jason and wore a pair of jeans that were perhaps a size too big. There was a very short silence until the girl spoke. Hi Jason, she said in a very casual tone.

Jason let out a small sigh and replied. Hi Irene, how's it going?

Irene was Jason's closest and only friend, they had known each-other for more than two years and were usually honest with one another, but Jason was not sure what to tell her first; his Great Aunt and Grandpa disappearing, or the strange dream.

I'm fine, Irene replied. I was wondering if you would like take a walk with me, I've got something to tell you.

Jason was now very unsure of what to say, he knew it was best to stay inside and wait for his family to return, but how long would that be? Minutes? Hours? Or never at all? With a deep breath Jason made his choice. Sure, I'll come walk with you, besides, I've got something to tell you too.

The two of them began walking down the pavement; it was a small, old street where hardly anyone would be seen walking down it other than the two of them. It was also the very street that the two first met each other. It would remain a memory the two would never forget. But that's a whole different tale that shall be told later. In many ways the two were polar opposites. Irene was a lot more headstrong and trusting, compared to the logical and cautious Jason. While she went to school, Jason didn't. Yet their personalities made little difference to their friendship. Irene's life was a lot more orthodox as well, which only made it ever more boring for her. She and Jason would usually walk around the nearby streets, talking of their different lives, but now a new subject had arisen. Just as Jason was going to ask Irene what she wanted to tell him, she suddenly spoke. So what did you want to tell me?

Jason thought it would be better to tell her about his Aunt and Grandpa having disappeared first, but for some reason he decided to tell her that later. I had this weird dream last night; It was dark and I saw this floating metal shard, it had the word Oravine engraved on it. I haven't got a clue what it means and it's nowhere to be found in the dictionary. Anyway, what did you want to tell me?

Jason now noticed how shocked Irene looked, she looked like she was going to faint until she finally replied when they stopped walking.

That's exactly what I was going to tell you! she said in a tone of disbelief.

You had the same dream? Jason said with amazement.

Yes! she replied.

Now both Irene and Jason felt amazed by having the same dream on the same night. They had always believed it was a fact that no two people could have exactly the same dream. But now they were no longer sure if this was true.

This is becoming a very strange day. said Jason. First I have the same dream as yours and now Grandpa and Aunt Ava disappear.

They're missing? Irene suddenly said. Do you know where they might be? She continued. Jason simply shook his head, he now felt more sad then anxious about them being gone. Irene felt the same, they had always been friendly to her; so, as far as she was concerned, they were like family. In fact, she preferred staying over at Jason's house, than actually living in her own.

There was a short silence, which was then broken by Jason.

They've never done anything like this before he said in a confused voice. But I'm still not sure whether they've gone out for a short time or something far worse has hap... Wait what's that? Jason pointed to the brick wall they were right next to with an expression of shock on his face. Irene turned around and felt a sudden shiver go down her spine. The two of them looked in awe as something started to appear on the wall. It was pitch black with grey edges and shaped like a spiral. It spun slowly as Jason and Irene tried to acknowledge what they were seeing.

Wha... What do you think it is? Irene asked nervously.

I don't know. said Jason, as they stared curiously at the black spiral.

Then something started to jut out from its centre. It was as black as the spiral itself and was shaped like a hand. Its fingers had pointed edges and tips which were in an open grasp. The hand moved slowly towards them. Jason could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing up while Irene's heart was now thumping.

In a sudden flash the hand grabbed Jason's wrist. With his heart now hammering out of his chest, Jason felt a surge of shock and terror. He was too shocked to even speak. Irene, though terrified, grabbed hold of the hand, trying to get it to release its grasp, but as soon as she got a hold of it, the hand started to pull them in towards the spiral. It pulled them with such strength and speed that, within a mere second, they were pulled off the pavement and went into the spiral.

Jason had his eyes closed the moment they went through, but decided to open them when he felt a sudden chill in the air. He was stunned to find that he was floating, but was stunned even more by where he was. It looked like a dark tunnel. The walls were black with streaks of blue and dots of white light peering through everywhere. There was nothing of what anyone would call a ceiling or a floor - it looked somewhat like they were in space. Jason then noticed the hand was still holding onto his wrist, but before he did anything about it, he realized that Irene was nowhere to be seen.

Irene! He cried out. Where are you?

Jason! Said Irene What's happening?

Jason could tell that she was close by, but he couldn't see her anywhere. I don't know he replied.

Just then a blinding light appeared in front of him. The light soon became so intensely bright that Jason could no longer keep his eyes open. For a few moments he could hear nothing, until he heard a sudden thump and felt pain in his arms and shoulders. Jason opened his eyes to find that he was lying on a cold, hard floor. He sat up to find that Irene was lying right next to him. Irene also sat up and started turning her head to see where they were.

What is this place? Said Jason in a puzzled voice.

The two of them realized they were in an enormous hallway. The floor was covered in red carpet. There was a wall on one side lined with tall windows and the other lined with doors. In between the doors stood chests of draws and wardrobes, while huge chandeliers with lit candles hung from the amazingly tall ceiling.

I think we're in a manor house said Irene.

As Jason got up and started to carefully look around, Irene looked down and noticed an oddly shaped shadow on the floor in front of her. She looked around and saw that it was not a shadow of anything in the hallway. She walked slowly towards it, but as she came near to it, the shadow suddenly moved across the floor towards the end of the hallway. Feeling more curious than scared she burst into a run. Jason, who was trying to open one of the doors to no avail, noticed her running off and sprinted after her.

Irene, Wait! He shouted Why are you running?

I think I know how we got here She called back.

Even though the shadow was fast, and they were tiring, the two friends kept running after it. Turning left and right through different hallways that looked identical to each over, they came to a stop when the shadow went underneath a door at the other end of the hallway. The door was slightly ajar, which made the two of them think that someone was in there. Though she was hesitant, Irene somehow knew that the only way to find out where they were was to go inside the room. She slowly moved forward until Jason grabbed her arm.

Irene I don't think it's safe he whispered.

Oh Jason don't be such a worry wart Irene said with an annoyed tone (as this was not the first time he was protective of her) Besides I think that shadow's been leading us here and I think, if we keep following it, we'll find out where we are and why we're here.

Jason knew he couldn't convince Irene otherwise when she was this focused , so he had no other choice but to agree. Al-right, but can you at least try to be careful?

They crept slowly towards the door - their anticipation building. Irene wanted to look inside the room, but she was smart enough to know she had to be cautious in a place she had no knowledge of. Jason, however, couldn't help thinking that going inside the room was too risky, but he couldn't help the build up of curiosity inside him: despite his fear. They were now right in front of the door; everything was silent. Irene slowly pushed the door open - which made a small creak