The Brothers Jade

By Don Thomas

The world of Mythas is in transition.

The old gods are near forgotten and a palpable tension hangs in the air. This is especially apparent to two young magic casting brothers, Lawrence and Hesikiah, raised by a father who was a War Mage of the highest caliber and a mother whose shrewd diplomacy helped to forge the alliances of the five great nations to the West. Even with a lineage such as this, neither brother could have imagined the role they and the other valiant heroes soon to join them would play on the world stage. Or that their coming had been foretold in a series of ancient prophecies.

Pro Se Productions presents THE BROTHERS JADE, an exciting tale of fantasy and magic by author Don Thomas. Set on the landscape of his own imagination, Thomas creates a cast of characters that not only stand sword to shield with other fantasy creations, but also carry humanity in their every action. THE BROTHERS JADE is as much a story of family and heroism and loyalty as it is of monsters, mages, and battle. Both a quest tale and a rousing adventures, THE BROTHERS JADE brings out another aspect that is often overlooked in Fantasy works. It is also a coming of age tale sat against the stark backdrop of intrigue and adventure, action and danger. A rousing adventure for any fan of Fantasy.

THE BROTHERS JADE by Don Thomas from Pro Se Productions, the leader in New Pulp and Genre Fiction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pro Se Press
• Release date: Jan 23, 2014

Book preview

THE BROTHERS JADE

by Don Thomas

Published by Pro Se Press at Smashwords

The story in this publication is fictional. All of the characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing of the publisher.

The Brothers Jade

Copyright © 2014 Don Thomas

All rights reserved.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1—THE BINDING

CHAPTER 2—ANDAR AND RAIST TROLLKILLER

CHAPTER 3—THE HERO OF HAMLIN

CHAPTER 4—THE TRENTONIA EMISSARY

CHAPTER 5—FIRST DAY IN THE BIG CITY

CHAPTER 6—ONWARD TO THE THEATER

CHAPTER 7—DRUSILLA’S SECRET

CHAPTER 8—TRAVELING THROUGH THE CITY

CHAPTER 9—MEETING LAWRENCE AT THE WIZARD’S COLLEGE

CHAPTER 10—A LATE NIGHT CHAT

CHAPTER 11—BACK TO ANDAR THULE’S ESTATE

CHAPTER 12—ANDAR TALKS WITH HIS MOTHER

CHAPTER 13—THE NEXT MORNING

CHAPTER 14—DRUSILLA AND SYLVAN AT THE COLLEGE

CHAPTER 15—ANDAR, RAIST, AND THE HEAVENLY HORSES

CHAPTER 16—THE BROTHERS JADE AT THE TAVERN

CHAPTER 17—DRUSILLA AND HESIKIAH

CHAPTER 18—JOHN DERLANE, SYLVAN, AND THE ROYAL SEA

CHAPTER 19—HRETH AND THE THIRD PROPHECY OF MICHAEL CRUCIBLE

CHAPTER 20—BACK IN TRENTONIUM

CHAPTER 21—SYLVAN AND HRETH AT THE SHRINE

CHAPTER 22—PREPARING FOR THE HEROES’ BALL

CHAPTER 23—AT THE BALL

CHAPTER 24—THE CONFESSION

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER 1—THE BINDING

The Brothers Jade were the offspring of Leopold Jade and Amelda Pinkett.

Leopold was a war-mage who traveled to the west, offering his services to the ‘civilized republics’. He helped defend them against their hostile neighbors, such as the giants of the Scorched Mountains further west near the Western Sea, which was also called the Edge of the World. Leopold also protected them from the rogue goblin and orc factions that hid themselves as they fought for control of the easternmost mountains of that chain. It was profitable work for the mage and he was highly respected among the Western Alliance.

Amelda Jade was also a spell caster of some renown. She was a half-elven enchantress who used ‘terra creatia’—a form of earth magic; and an established diplomat who helped to create the Western alliance that included Staverlarium, the country that had been established by the elder god Michael Crucible in his youth. Then there was Goldenleaf, which was a country that had been the main home of the elves for centuries. Somnia had originally been part of Staverlarium, but had split off because of differences in their worship of The Crucible. Rockhome had been the land of the dwarfs even before the elves had ended up in Goldenleaf. Finally, there was the newly established Republic of Kalor, which is where the couple eventually made their home.

They had two sons, fraternal twins. Hesikiah was born first, and then his slightly younger sibling Lawrence.

Their estate was comprised of a two story brick structure with a wooden roof. There was a barn and Leopold’s Tower. The house had a good sized living area that included a kitchen and a den with a library that Amelda used, and various vanities throughout the estate. Not only did both brothers enjoy individual rooms, but there were two additional bedrooms as well. The basement was used as a makeshift laboratory. Amelda had summoned Jensen, a humanoid stone servant that tended to the minor housekeeping duties and helped her with the boys. The tower lay to the north of the estate and held Leopold’s private library and lab.

Because of his devotion to her, Hesikiah had decided early to follow his mother’s training, not only in the arts of enchantment, but also in diplomacy. Although he almost always wore a copper skullcap, he liked to keep the top of his head shaved, and the rest long and straight in the back. He tended to dress in expensive green robes. His face was clean-shaven and he anointed himself with imported oils.

Hesikiah was a bit vain and would take great steps to keep his hygiene up. He quickly gained a reputation for having somewhat of a silver tongue. He was very logical and subtle in his use of magic, and even at an early age had a very practical outlook of the world. Although he was tall for his age, he was still a little thick in the middle.

Lawrence grew up wanting to be like his father and study the arts of a war mage. Over the years he had read every book his father kept, even the ones not pertaining to magic. He was brash and quick to make decisions. Lawrence was immature and slightly cocky. He had been a much healthier child than his brother, who was prone to the occasional bout of sickness. He wore a leather jerkin with blue pants and a blue hooded cloak. Lawrence was slim and stern and had a more rugged look about him than his sibling.

The two brothers tried to get along, but the truth was that their devotion to the very separate worlds of their mother and father often made it easy for their personalities to clash.

Lawrence was convinced that he would always do the right thing. His father had served the causes of good, as had his grandfather. To think that he would be anything but the next generation servant of righteousness to come from that mighty stalk of war mages had never even occurred to him.

Hesikiah was altogether different. To him a person’s destiny was something that they made up along the way, with each individual choice. He was quick to remind his headstrong brother of a cousin of theirs who had been killed in a border skirmish along the Scorched Mountains when his camp had been overrun. Hesikiah knew that the young Lawrence had looked up to the older cousin and his unexpected death had been something of a blow to Lawrence’s concept of what being a war mage was. Hesikiah secretly relished the ability to instill a bit of self-doubt in Lawrence, who seldom was uncertain about anything.

There was no denial about their cousin’s death. Hesikiah pointed out that he had been much more skilled and experienced at being a war mage than Lawrence was, but still died relatively young. Lawrence redoubled his efforts and training, determined to prove Hesikiah wrong for questioning his abilities and making him feel insecure.

Perhaps Hesikiah appeared jealous of his brother, but the truth was he genuinely worried that Lawrence’s pursuit of the war mage’s path would lead to his serious injury or death. Whatever Hesikiah wanted in life—that was not it. Consequently, the brothers were constantly testing each other with riddles and other games of strategy and memory. Neither one would have been half the young wizard that he had become, if it wasn’t for their continual competition.

Hesikiah had recently started working with his mother in her greenhouse. Amelda was something of an expert when it came to exotic plants, and began teaching her son some of the finer points of breeding certain types of flora to be used for research and analysis. She had been glad to see her son so readily take up another of her specialties.

One of the things that Amelda had been known for in her community was growing some of the highest quality leaf for pipe smoking. In fact, she had bred one of the largest varieties of plants that produced pipe smoking leaves in the entire country of Kalor. Part of the funds that the family used for general upkeep of their home was taken from the money that she made selling plants to farmers who specialized in that particular crop.

One day a messenger brought word that an aunt of Amelda’s was sick and that it did not look good. Although she was not a healer, Amelda did know how to ease the pain of the ill and possibly dying with her vast knowledge of various plants and herbs. Before the end of the day, she had packed up her things and was ready to set off to see what she could do.

Before she loaded the last of her supplies into the wagon that messenger had driven to their home, she gently kissed both of her sons on the forehead. She squeezed them tightly in a motherly hug and told them that she would be back as soon as she could.

She reminded Hesikiah that it would be his job to care for her plants while she was gone, and began to quickly explain to him the plants that needed extra attention. Most of it he already knew, but he felt a bit proud that his mother could depend on him for such things.

***

The two brothers and their father got along as well as they could. Their mother’s servant Jensen had never fully grasped how to cook and so, after several burnt and foul tasting meals, all three of them wished even more for the rapid return of Amelda.

Hesikiah did as he was told. He made sure to take the best possible care of the plants in the greenhouse. He even made a point to continue the logs of accumulated data that his mother had kept on the various specimens. But at the end of the first month, Hesikiah was starting to get frustrated. Every day, Lawrence spent time with their father learning more about being a war mage, while he kept himself busy reading various books and doing other chores. Hesikiah worried that without his mother there to teach him, his brother would quickly become superior to him in the ways of sorcery.

That was why he had been thrilled to find some of his mother’s things in a wagon that was waiting outside when he got up one morning. He hurried to the greenhouse, noticing someone had left the door open.

Mother, is that you?

Yes my dear, I have returned.

Hesikiah approached his mother, but there was something odd about her. She seemed a bit distant and did not immediately embrace him as he had expected her to.

Is something wrong, Mother?

No, of course not. I am just tired from my long journey.

I am glad you are back. As you can see, I made sure to take special care with all of the plants, Hesikiah said. He pointed out the particular care he had given each individual shoot. As he showed her around, she seemed to take in each word with an intense interest. From her reaction, it seemed as if she had forgotten about some of her plants altogether while she was gone. When he was done, she opened up a bag that was tied to her belt.

Go find your brother and share some of this rare tobacco with him. I bought it especially for the both of you. I’ll let your father know I am back.

Yes, Mother, Hesikiah answered.

After a couple of minutes of looking around, he came across Lawrence standing with his eyes closed, appearing to be concentrating on something.

Are you still practicing that lightning strike spell? You have been at it for a week now. Hesikiah walked casually to one of the burning dummies and used a stray twig to light his pipe.

Lawrence breathed in the smell and immediately reached for his pipe. What is that? I don’t recognize it. Where did you get it?

Mother gave it to me. It was a gift for all my work tending to her greenhouse. If you want, I could share some of it with you, Hesikiah said as continued to stoke his pipe, offering some to Lawrence, who then started to prepare his own pipe. Hesikiah offered the burning twig to Lawrence.

Humph, please brother, I was taught early in life to invoke fire. Lawrence gave Hesikiah a scolding look and his brother tossed the twig to the ground. Lawrence ignited the tobacco in the pipe with a minor display of his mystical power.

This has an unusual flavor, Lawrence commented as he started to breathe it in. His usual anxiety seemed to melt away.

After getting his fill of the pipe, Lawrence continued with his practice. Just play along with me. Let’s say you’re the enemy and you try to ambush me.

Hesikiah put his pipe away, and did as Lawrence suggested. He pretended that he was sneaking up on his brother.

There are ways to prepare your spells so all that’s left is to say a single syllable. You can hold your tongue until you need to cast it. He motioned for Hesikiah to continue. Then, when you are attacked, all you have to say is the last bit of the incantation.

Is Mother calling? Hesikiah asked.

What? Lawrence said, as he turned his head in the direction of the farm. Looking back, he saw his brother had disappeared!

Hesikiah leapt at Lawrence from the side, trying to grab him. Startled, Lawrence whirled quickly and blurted the last part of the spell, which he had kept on the tip of his tongue. Instantly lightning forked from his fingertips, hitting the scarecrow behind his brother.

Lawrence! Careful, someone could get hurt!

Lawrence looked at his brother and suddenly his stomach seemed to be reacting badly to something. He summoned up what little coherence he could in an attempt to warn Hesikiah, but it was too late.

Hesikiah had already inhaled more than enough of his pipe’s smoke for him to be fully affected too. Both brothers quickly collapsed into each other’s arms, each desperately trying to support the other.

Some time passed as they lay on the ground unconscious, adrift in strange euphoric dreams. Not surprisingly, Lawrence was the first to recover, as drops of rain started falling on them.

What was in that stuff we put in our pipes? Lawrence said as he stumbled to his feet.

Something’s not right. We’ve been drugged!

What about Mother and Father?

They ran as fast as they could to the atrium, but the effect of the exotic leaf left them uncoordinated, and their faces contorted. Getting to the last hill, they both stumbled and fell, with Hesikiah taking a nasty head wound.

Lawrence helped his brother up and they limped on to the atrium. An eerie chill came over both of them.

Did you feel that? Lawrence asked.

Yeah, it felt like…

…Somebody just walked over my grave, both brothers said together.

As they got closer to the atrium they could see their father, but the other person looked blurred and unlike their mother. Then lightning flashed, illuminating the interior of the building and shattering several panes of glass. The lightning revealed their mother’s features warped to a fanatical looking darkhelven mad with rage.

Leopold Jade was knocked off his feet, but due to various contingency spells protecting him, he was still alive. The dark elf pulled out a dagger to finish Leopold with.

Hesikiah reacted by casting a spell that he had created with his brother. It produced a fly out of blue magical energy. It immediately buzzed towards her face and head, distracting her, causing the darkhelven to take her eyes off of Leopold for just a second.

Strike! Lawrence commanded, setting the assassin’s clothes on fire. His father used the opportunity to come to his senses, grabbing his staff and focusing his power. Reaching out with his hand, he sent bolts of force into the assassin, obliterating her.

Father—where is Mother? Hesikiah asked, looking at the remains of the darkhelven with disregard. Their father shook his head and spoke.

An assassin sent to kill the lot of us. Not surprising. You see, you boys are mentioned in the Prophecies. I’ve known it for a while; the Elven Priests secretly gave me the first volume a while back as an award for my help, Leopold added. He started reciting the verse he had memorized from the prophecies:

A dark and stormy day-

Will bring about the Brothers Jade.

One burning with the passion for fire.

The other dances with desire.

With the shattering of glass-

They will find histories past.

For the sparrow to awake-

Death’s hand must take.

Now that the bard has arisen.

So begins the new transition.

For they will go where no one trods,

Their path is to the Drink of the Gods!

The brothers took a look around at what used to be the atrium, now a pile of shattered glass and mangled wood. Sweat beaded down their faces, confused by the events that had just occurred. The scene made their hearts stutter and minds go blank. They knew their mother would be heartbroken.

Leopold, still dazed from the attack, tried to stand. The brothers helped him up and all three headed into the tower. As they climbed the staircase, he explained to them he had kept a journal of notes behind his desk. He told them in the notes there was a reference to both of them.

As the three of them entered the room, Leopold quickly retrieved his journal and turned to a page that he believed referred to his two sons.

While in Goldenleaf I came upon prophecies concerning ‘Brothers of Jade’. The elven king Aplipiscopes made mention of their coming not six months before you were born.

He grabbed a dark green book from the nearest bookcase and opened it to a certain page. That book was the second prophecy of Michael Crucible. He read, The path of redemption is a long quest. Two wizards give an elven gypsy another breath and the Historian will rise. With her, they head to my kingdom, and there they should show my seal.

Sons, he paused I believe you are meant to quest for the Drink of the Gods.

Leopold began gathering all their belongings and Lawrence went to help. Meanwhile Hesikiah searched through the wreckage of the atrium. Finally, he came upon the dried leaf they had smoked earlier, as well as several less potent varieties, and began to fill his bag with sufficient tobacco for the journey ahead.

Lawrence paused at the door and looked back at his father. Is this our last goodbye?

I don’t know, my son. I hope not.

With that they turned and headed down the stairs.

Lawrence hesitated and looked up at the sky. He could see no sign of the moons because of the dark rain clouds overhead. He felt destined to preserve the land and be its protector. In his thoughts he was concerned for his mother and wanted to forgo the quest to ensure she was safe. This decision was tearing him up inside.

Father, after hearing your words I feel compelled—as if I have started down some path.

I think the elves were right, you are the ones from the prophecy. You have no choice. They know more about Amelda’s disappearance than they let on. If I have need for you, I’ll send out a messenger. Lawrence, you must journey to where your heart leads. Go now and seek your quest to set things as they should be.

I can’t help that my brother is bewitched, but mother is in danger and charms seldom work on me. I’m going with you father.

Leopold grabbed Hesikiah’s shoulders. Hesikiah, I believe your mother was tested recently in Goldenleaf, but Lawrence needs your help. Go with him and see to his safety.

Hesikiah pointed at the green book his father read earlier. That book has the taint of magic.

I’ll hear no more of this. You have to go, Leopold told Hesikiah as he embraced him and then Lawrence to bid them goodbye. He checked their supplies, and advised them on the best route to take.

They both headed to the stables to saddle their horses. Hesikiah had a swift red chestnut that had been taught how to jump. His brother had a large horse, a tan and white palomino with the stamina of an ox.

Humph, I’m going eastward to Goldenleaf. Perhaps I can find some answers there, father. Hesikiah hesitated for just a moment and then headed into the rain with his brother.

***

It rained on the two brothers for the next few days. They were surrounded by thunder and lightning but Lawrence was committed to the quest, despite the constant pleas of his brother. Finally, too weary to go any further, they retired for the night.

The next morning they were surprised to see a single elven warrior in black spiked armor. It seemed the entire camp had packed up and moved on sometime in the middle of the night.

Hesikiah complained about it still being dark out. Lawrence whispered, Strike! and lightning sparked from his hand, igniting the remaining wood from their fire.

They had never seen an elf dress in such a manner. The armor appeared to have been made of