The Making of a Valle

By T.M. Nielsen

**This book runs alongside books in the Heku Series and may contain spoilers**

The war with the Ancients, initiated by a sole Valle, led to decades of war. The death and banishment caused by the fighting deepened the distrust between those with Ancient’s blood. Once the Ancients were banished for eternity, the Old Ones were forced to work together to rebuild the factions and continue their plight to strengthen the heku, without the wisdom and power of the Ancients. Once the factions were again stable, most Old Ones chose to permanently retire to avoid seeing their loathed enemies in power.

The Valle quickly rose to be the strongest of the factions, until a lone mortal woman was found with powers that threatened to upend the entire heku species. Aided by her abilities, the Equites became the largest of the heku factions, leaving the Valle to struggle to keep from finding themselves obliterated. To save their faction, a beloved Elder was banished, and the Valle had to re-work their entire faction to compensate for losing an Old One.

• Language: English
• Publisher: T.M. Nielsen
• Release date: Dec 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311877550

T.M. Nielsen

T.M. Nielsen doesn't necessarily consider herself an author. She's an every-day woman who had a story to tell. Never intending to let anyone else read it, she decided to put it all down on paper. What she ended up with is a fascinating tale filling books full of drama, adventure, action, romance, and excitement.When asked why she decided to publish, she stated, "I want for others to be able to forget about problems in life and to lose themselves in my world... the world of the heku. While I write, I laugh, cry, grin, gasp, and my heart races. I want others to experience that too."T.M. Nielsen is a computer tech by trade and lives with her husband and two beautiful daughters. She's the author of Amazon.com's bestselling series The Heku Series and the Dimensions Saga, along with a Heku Series spin-off book called Return of the Encala. She's been listed numerous times on Apple's Breakout Books and on Amazon.com's top 20 in Fantasy.**** From TM ****I updated my books all the time! Check back often for new, cleaner versions. I can't afford an editor, but any time I hear of an error, I fix it immediately.

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The Making of a Valle

By T.M. Nielsen

Published by T.M. Nielsen at Smashwords

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http://www.hekuseries.com

Copyright © 2014 by T.M. Nielsen

Digital Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Epilogue

The pain was immeasurable. He had been in a fight. Someone attacked the migratory caravan that he was traveling with. He remembered grabbing his spear to face the enemy hordes, but they kept coming. He’d been injured, and he was having a hard time breathing. He was a farmer, not a fighter, but he’d defended himself as best as he could.

Utapumzika, the soft voice said from beside him.

He struggled to open his eyes and look up at the man who was speaking. The man was large, and his skin was as white as the sands of the Namib.

Jina lako nani? he asked as he pulled a blanket over the injured man.

Gamba, the man finally managed to whisper. The pain was becoming more intense.

We should turn him. The large man stood up to face three others that were in the room. They all had silver hair and eyes, and their muscles were apparent beneath the robes they wore. He doesn’t have long to live.

We can’t turn him. He will die, another man said. He moved forward to look down on the thin, dark-skinned man.

He’ll die anyway. If we turn him, he could serve us well.

How do you figure? He’s a nomad. He’s been migrating across this dry continent for years.

He faced those enemies head on to protect his caravan.

So? He also lost to them. Had we not intervened, he would be dead.

We need bravery.

The third man finally stepped up to them. I agree with Milos. He’s what we need in the coming fight.

You two are convinced that the others will attack? the second one asked them.

Milos nodded. He was taller than the other two. His dark hair and angular features were common in the Slavic lands he lived in. Of course they will attack.

It breaks the rules for three of us to turn this man.

So? Who is going to stop us? Milos asked him. We’re Ancients, and we can do what we want.

That is true, the other replied with a broad smile. Let’s turn him then. If he doesn’t live, we’ll find another.

He’ll live. He’s strong.

We should get his permission.

He can’t give it. He’s too close to death. I can smell it already.

We had better hurry then.

***

Milos watched the man on the ground. He was fading in and out of consciousness while his body transformed. The once small man with visible ribs and a swollen abdomen was slowly becoming taller and more muscular. His muscles contracted as they grew, and Milos was pleased that this man was becoming such a well-built and large member of their species.

While Milos watched the transformation, the other two spoke to the unconscious man at once. Their lips moved inhumanly fast, and their words were barely audible. They were facing him and speaking as quickly as they could.

The man finally quit growing, and his dark eyes opened and looked up at the ceiling of the cave. The two that were talking moved back to stand beside Milos.

He looked over at them and sat up. His clothes were shredded beneath him, but he didn’t seem to care that he was now naked. He stood up and looked down at his powerful arms and massive hands. His chest was chiseled and no longer bore the ravages of famine and fights. His once dark skin had faded somewhat, but he was still much darker than the men who’d done this to him.

Welcome, Milos said, watching him.

Niko wapi?

Speak the other language. We taught it to you, so use it.

The man frowned slightly and spoke the strange language, Where am I?

You are still in Egypt.

What happened?

The massive man beside Milos answered, You were dying. We brought you here and made you a heku.

A what?

We have given you the gift of immortality.

I am not dead?

No, you are not.

I don’t understand.

Milos motioned him into another cave room and the men all sat down once he’d slipped on a thick, gray robe. I will try and explain. I know this is all new and maybe scary, but you’re safe here. We saved your life.

The man looked down at his abdomen where a spear had been driven through him, but there was no sign of the wound.

We are heku. Actually, we are heku Ancients. We live among the people of this land, but we’ve been here far longer. We do not die. We drink only blood and live our lives protecting ourselves from other heku who are enemies of ours.

So, I’m an Ancient.

Milos seemed offended. No, you are not. We are Ancients. You are merely a heku.

The man nodded.

We as Ancients can turn your people into heku. We make you immortal, so you may serve us and act as warriors in our army. When you were attacked, we saw inherent abilities in you that we need.

I will fight?

Some, yes.

The man nodded. He was still looking down at his brawny hands.

You will learn more over time, Milos explained. We normally would have taught you about us before turning you into a heku, but we didn’t have time. We had two choices. We could either let you die, or we could make you a heku.

Thank you, the man said.

Your name is Gamba?

Yes, where is Delu? Gamba asked.

Your wife?

Gamba nodded.

She was killed by the enemies. We couldn’t save her. Milos looked briefly at the other two Ancients.

Gamba lowered his head into his hands.

You couldn’t save her. There were too many enemies.

When you are recovered, we have to leave, another Ancient told him.

We aren’t leaving, the third said.

Yes, we are! I’m not staying here in this desert.

I’m not leaving.

Would you two stop arguing? Milos yelled. His booming voice made Gamba jerk slightly and look up at them.

I don’t have to take orders from you, the Ancient said angrily. He then stood up and disappeared from the room. Gamba was shocked. He left so quickly that he hadn’t seen the man even move.

Good riddance, Milos whispered.

When the two Ancients began speaking about places he’d never heard of, he studied them. They both had angry eyes and harsh features. They had light colored skin, something he hadn’t seen before. There were rumors of light-skinned people north of the Namib, but he hadn’t ever been near one of them before.

It’s settled, Milos said, standing. Bertalan and I will take you north to our home. We will train you to fight and will teach you the laws and rules of the heku.

My family, Gamba whispered.

They are all dead. All you have now are the heku.

He nodded solemnly.

Gamba followed Milos and Bertalan out of the cave. He was able to keep up with them, even though they moved so fast that the scenery blurred beside them. He felt an immense power in his limbs, and he pushed himself to find his own limits. He kept expecting to get tired or winded, but it never happened.

It was weeks later when they stopped moving north. The land looked foreign to him. There were green grasses and colorful flowers for as far as he could see. From what he could gather from listening to his two companions, they had left the arid Africa and made their way deep into Scythia.

When the massive stone structure came into view, Gamba stopped to study it. He had seen only rudimentary buildings built out of dirt, clay, and the occasional animal skin. This building stood taller than the mountains near his home, and it looked formidable. There were heku moving around it.

In their travels north, Gamba quickly learned to tell the heku from the humans of the world. They all had different scents, and the heku were tall and muscular. He also learned that the Ancients he traveled with liked no one, even the heku they encountered. He wondered why they were tolerating him when they so badly hated the rest of the heku.

We have to go talk to the others, Milos said when they reached the front door.

Gamba nodded.

Stay out here and don’t speak to anyone.

Milos and Bertalan disappeared into the building. Gamba turned to look around. The heku were all busy. It looked to him like they were building onto the already large building. No one really spoke, and they moved so fast that they were all but a blur.

It was two days later when Milos returned. He was angrier than usual, but he seemed pleased that Gamba hadn’t wandered off in his absence. I see you can follow orders. That will come in handy.

Gamba just nodded.

You don’t speak much, do you? Milos asked.

There is so much to learn. Speaking would only inhibit that.

True, but we usually can’t keep new heku quiet. I like that about you. You don’t bore me, Milos said. He started walking forward, so Gamba caught up with him and joined him.

They walked in silence for a few hours before Milos sat down and motioned for Gamba to join him.

You have questions?

Gamba nodded.

Now is the time to ask. We will separate soon, and I may not see you for a while.

Where will you go?

He shrugged. Away. I don’t know how you new heku live with one another. I prefer to be alone. Of course, the more heku we turn, the more I’m seeing that they are starting to get on each other’s nerves. Before long, the new heku will hate each other too.

I will stay here?

You’ll do whatever you want, but I’d stay close. You see, this place is home to the Valle.

I’ve heard you say that word.

There are three groups of heku. The Valle, which is our group, is the biggest, strongest, and most civilized. We all live around here, but some heku are branching out. I don’t know why, but they want to expand the reign of the Valle.

You don’t?

No, I don’t. I want the Valle to stay here and keep away from the other two groups.

What are they called? Gamba asked.

The Equites and the Encala. The Encala aren’t too far from here, but they aren’t smart enough to be dangerous yet. The Ancients in the Encala don’t turn as many as we do, so there just aren’t that many Encala.

And the Equites?

Pesky bunch. They are months travel from here though. They grow fast also but so far have kept to themselves.

Are they enemies?

Yes, they are. Stay away from them.

Gamba nodded.

As a heku, you need a new name. It can be anything you want. Gamba ties you to your old life, and it’s gone now.

Any name I want? Gamba asked.

Yes, any name. I don’t really care what it is, but choose carefully. You will need to keep it for the next thousand years or so.

Gamba took a deep breath before speaking. It still visibly pained him to speak of his wife. Delu always dreamed about calling our first son Abasi.

That one’s stupid. Choose another, Milos said. He was now looking around the area and not really paying attention to Gamba.

Gamba frowned slightly and thought for a few minutes. I will be Gatimu.

Milos’ nose wrinkled. You don’t look like a Gatimu. Keep trying.

Why don’t you just pick a name for me then?

I don’t want to pick one, and I don’t care what you choose. Just don’t make it a stupid one.

Gamba wondered how long this process was going to take. Then what about Dashi?

What’s that?

I don’t know. I made it up.

It’s worse than Abasi.

I like it.

No, you can’t have it.

Soto

I don’t like it either. Try not to mar the very power of the heku with boring names.

Soto means swamp. It’s where I’m from.

No

Gamba shook his head and thought long and hard before speaking. Okay, how about Razi.

Razi, eh? Milos said, watching him. You like it?

Gamba just shrugged.

I do. You will now be known as Razi. Milos said, and then he stood up. I’m off. Stay here and do what you’re told by the Council.

Council? Razi asked.

Yes, they are in charge of the Valle.

Where do I find them?

They’re back in that stone building. Do as they tell you, and you’ll be fine.

Okay

I’d also write down everything you remember about your past. I taught you how to write, so do it.

Why?

Your past will begin to fade. In fact, it probably already is fading. Before you forget it, write it down so you have a reference later.

Did you write yours down?

Milos leaned his head back and laughed before answering. I’m an Ancient, my dear boy. I have no past, because I have always been, and I always will be.

Razi wasn’t sure what he meant, so he just nodded. Where will you go when you leave here?

That’s none of your business, Milos said before walking off.

Razi watched him and then started to follow a ways behind him. He tried to be as quiet as he could, and he kept to the trees and shadows. It was late into the night when Milos stopped walking. The Ancient stood outside of a tiny village and appeared to be studying it.

Razi could hear people speaking in a strange language. There was laughter, talking, and the sound of children playing. With the keen hearing of the heku, he could even hear a couple in the farthest hut arguing in whispers.

Surprising Razi, Milos suddenly disappeared into the closest hut, and screams could be heard. Razi didn’t know what to do. He could clearly hear the people pleading for their lives as Milos went hut to hut and killed them. He moved with such stealth and anger that the people didn’t stand a chance.

Some were killed and left to rot, while others satiated the Ancient before being haphazardly discarded on the floor of their small homes. Razi debated trying to stop Milos, but he had learned that the Ancients were more powerful than the heku they created. Razi couldn’t stop an Ancient from the bloodbath before him.

Not able to stand it any longer, Razi turned and started running toward the Valle building. His movement was so fast that even the animals he ran past didn’t notice him. Razi liked the feel of his powerful legs propelling him forward at uncanny speeds.

He arrived the next morning. His spirits were low, and for the first time, he had doubts about this new life he had. All of a sudden, the heku seemed evil and uncaring. He’d watched Milos slaughter an innocent village. Razi had fed from enough of the humans to know that a heku could feed and still leave the human alive, so he wasn’t sure why Milos killed with such abandon.

You saw it, didn’t you? a heku said from off to Razi’s side.

Razi looked over at him.

The heku smiled. You saw how mean the Ancients are.

An entire village.

They do it all the time.

Why?

The Ancients feel they’re superior to the humans. They don’t care at all about them.

Razi sat down on the grass.

Don’t let it get to you.

Those people…

They are dead, the heku said, sitting down beside him. None of the heku like it, but what can we do? The Ancients are in charge, and we do as we’re told.

Ancients are on the Council?

Ancients run all three Councils. I take that back. The Equites have a non-Ancient on their Council.

They do?

Yeah, that evil Equitis is on their Council.

Why is he different than the others? Razi asked.

Equitis is vile, vindictive, malicious, and completely heartless. He hates mortals as much as the Ancients and has earned himself a spot on their Council. It’s disgusting how he plays their unfeeling games. He was a mortal too, you know? He just doesn’t care.

Do all heku speak this language?

Yeah, the Ancients teach it to us while we recover from the turning, the heku explained. I’m Vlad, by the way.

Razi

It’s good to meet you. How old are you?

I was turned three months ago.

Wow, you’re young. I’m already almost 50 years old.

Razi just nodded.

Well, you’re young enough you should stay here. I’m headed south though.

To do what?

I haven’t been there. I’m going to get out of here before the Encala or Equites attack.

Are they about to? Razi asked.

No one knows, but if they do attack, it’ll be here in this area. I don’t want to be anywhere near it.

Razi watched the over-anxious heku blur away. He sat in silence and thought over what Vlad had told him, and what he’d seen Milos do. He had been excited for his new life, but now he wondered if he’d inadvertently become a demon.

***

When did you gain a conscience? Milos asked, seemingly disgusted.

Razi faced him, no longer afraid. I’ve chosen to appreciate human life, not waste it.

I didn’t turn you into a life of mortal loving!

I’ve had a hundred years to learn and watch, Razi said, slowly circling him. I know that humans are inferior to us, that can’t be denied. However, I see no reason to torture them or to needlessly kill them.

They are nourishment! They are here to fill our needs, nothing more.

I realize that’s how the Ancients see them. The heku though have decided that it’s too dangerous to torment them. They are growing faster than we ever can, and they will, one day, outnumber us.

They will not! Not if we keep their numbers under control.

It won’t matter what we do. They reproduce faster than we can turn others.

You are turning mortals into heku? Milos asked him.

Some, Razi said. It was well-known that the amount of turnings the new heku performed was to remain a secret.

How many?

Just one, Razi lied. I turn a woman that I befriended.

See! If you used the humans correctly, you wouldn’t need the burden of a woman.

Your ideas are disgusting!

A slow smile crossed Milos’ face. Mortal women are so soft and fragile. Just once you need to experience the excitement their terror brings. They are ours to do with as we please. Embrace your new life.

I am embracing it, Milos, Razi said. I’m a proud heku, and I will forever be indebted to you for turning me into this life. I won’t, however, exert my power over the weaker species.

Why not?! Take them! Feed from them. Love them, and then kill them and relish in the feel of their blood pooling at your feet.

Razi slowly nodded. I see that we cannot agree.

Because you are a disappointment! I gave you power, and you won’t use it.

I use it when it’s needed, but I will not take advantage of the humans. I was once human.

You are lost, Milos said, faking sadness.

As are you, Razi said. He wasn’t surprised when Milos growled angrily and then disappeared.

Razi slowly walked back toward the Valle homeland. He’d hoped that Milos had come to his senses. He didn’t want to destroy his master, but the Ancients were getting reckless and putting the heku in danger with their games.

Razi turned when he heard someone blurring toward him from the trees south of the Valle Council building. He waited to see who it was.

He smiled when she came out into the clearing. Her muscular body was still smaller than his, and her long red hair fell down and brushed her shoulders.

You have returned, she said, and moved into his arms.

I told you I would.

I was afraid for you.

Razi tightened his strong arms around her. I didn’t think he would kill me.

He would if he knew.

He doesn’t know. He can’t know. I’ve been very careful who I’ve spoken to about this.

I wish you would just let it go, she said, looking lovingly into his eyes. It’s too dangerous.

We can’t let the Ancients get away with this behavior. The humans are going to take notice.

So? Nothing’s happened yet.

They are growing. Even over the last 100 years they’ve made significant advancements and their population steadily grows.

They’ll never be able to beat a heku.

Not in strength, but in sheer numbers maybe.

She reached up and kissed him. My dear Razi. I’m afraid for you if you do this.

I have to do this. We can’t let them harass the humans. They are getting bolder, and their games are treacherous.

No one is backing you.

No one yet. I see their minds changing though. The more the Ancients do, the more the heku are taking notice. We outnumber the Ancients now.

I know, but they’re more powerful than we are, she whispered.

He kissed her forehead lightly and then let her go. I’ll be careful. I have to see which other heku are thinking like I do.

She leaned her head against his hard chest. It’s so dangerous. Those of us turned by the Ancients are more powerful than the ones we turn. If that pattern keeps going, the heku will get weaker and weaker without new Ancient blood.

I know that’s a common theory, but I don’t think we have to destroy the Ancients. We just have to learn to control them.

They can’t be controlled!

Calm, my dear, Razi said, kissing her again.

She whispered even softer to him, hoping to lessen who could overhear them. They are afraid.

Who?

The others. They are afraid you are seeking to destroy the Ancients. If you do that, then the weakened heku blood line will be our demise.

We’ve seen no proof that heku are weakening.

There aren’t enough to tell yet. The Ancients made us, and we aren’t as strong as they are. We make heku that are weaker than us. What will their turnings create?

I promise that I won’t destroy the Ancients, Razi told her. They are our past and our future. I simply need to stop them from destroying what we’re trying to accomplish.

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