Inque

By Joshua Erskine and Taye Nakamura-Koyama

Claire is a writer in a world that is plagued with disease and ignorance. On the day a small black book enters her life everything as she knows it changes. She is thrust into a world of magic and fantasy, and becomes the one person who can save its inhabitants. She must ally with a King and his entourage if she ever hopes to save the world and get back to her family in one piece.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: May 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781483554297

Book preview

Afterward

Chapter 1 - An Unexpected Visitor

Claire Faben’s eyes fluttered open; she blinked several times then tried to move her hands. She found that she was trapped beneath a strange amalgamation of sheets, blankets, and her contorted body. Giving up any attempt of escaping her comfortable prison she rested her head back on her pillow and closed her eyes. That lasted until her peace was interrupted by the sharp rapping of knuckles against the wood of her door.

Claire get up already for heaven sakes, called an exasperated voice muffled both by the closed door and Claire’s sleepy consciousness.

Mphhph! Claire mumbled, wishing her mother would go away. Knowing that her mother, Mary, would refuse to leave her in peace until she was fully awake, Claire surrendered. Opening her eyes she sat up in her bed. She removed her arms from her blankets with pins and needles feelings shooting through them. She rolled out of her bed and got to her feet, yawning as she surveyed her room. It was very small, with barely enough space for her matching wooden bed and a large cabinet.

Wood was a large component of both her room and her house. A blanket of rough wood covered the floor bringing splinters to those foolish enough to walk barefoot. The walls were wood, the roof was wood, and the same was true for most of the furniture throughout the house. It wasn’t expensive or fine wood like what could be found in the capital of Denizen: Ausland. This was wood cut from the gray Kleeg trees that grew all over in the town of Halten. Strong, yet the color gave a dreary feel to the house and the forests which surrounded it.

God help us if a candle ever enters this house, Claire mumbled looking around sleepily. She dressed herself, pulling some pants over pale legs, and a gray shirt over her head. Realizing it was inside out and backwards she redid it, this time managing properly. She ran a hand through her blond hair smoothing it down. Suddenly her door burst open revealing her younger sister, a short, energetic, brown-haired freak of nature. Sophie was carrying a large bucket of water, a crazed gleam in her green eyes. Gah, what are you doing in here Sophie!? Claire yelled, jumping so hard she nearly fell down.

Mom told me to get you up if you were still asleep. I was really hoping you still were, she said, gesturing to the bucket of water, a look of disappointment on her impish face.

Claire contemplated her younger sister for a moment, unable to comprehend how she could be alive, awake, alert, and enthusiastic at this hour. Just give me a minute, alright? she told her, looking a little annoyed. Sophie ran out of the room, deciding there were better things to do than annoy her sleep deprived sibling. Claire looked out of the door to be sure that her mother wasn’t coming, and that her sister wasn’t still in the hall. Now certain that she was alone, she proceeded to open the top drawer of her cabinet. She pulled out a few mismatched clothes then grabbed what had been hidden at the bottom; a small black bottle of hair dye. Claire clutched it tightly in her hand. She knew that her mother would have had to work months to afford the small vial. However, Claire had found it abandoned in the middle of the street, possibly fallen from a careless girl’s pocket. It must have belonged to one of the very few upper class girls in Halten. In fact, Claire thought she knew exactly who: Cornelia Wentyl. Her father was Halten’s newest mayor, which was really more of a token position. Most of Halten’s populace knew that when a politician was sent to one of the backwater towns like this it was the political equivalent of banishment. She had argued with herself for a long time about whether or not taking it constituted theft. In the end she’d decided that Cornelia could most likely afford more if she wanted.

She walked out of her room and quickly entered the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. She took a moment to look at herself in the only mirror her family owned. Claire was fifteen years of age. She wasn’t particularly short but she wasn’t going to be towering over anyone from the village any time soon. Her long and often dirty hair fell to her shoulders and was so blond it was very nearly white. She had a small nose, and glistening gray eyes that often gave her a far off look. Claire looked at her hair for a moment, then sighed and uncapped the bottle. Pouring a bit of the dark liquid into her palm she leaned over the counter and began rubbing it into her locks. She figured that actually dying her hair before her mother discovered her would at least give her a few days freedom from her white locks. Before Claire could even get close to finishing, the door burst open revealing her mother.

Claire, you’re taking forever in there! What are you-? Mary stopped mid-sentence, eyes widening and jaw dropping as she saw what her eldest daughter was doing. For a moment there was silence, surprise etched onto both faces, Claire’s hands frozen in mid air. After one or two seconds the spell was broken by Claire’s mother.

What’s going on? You have such beautiful blond hair! Why would you want to dye it!? How did you even get that? You didn’t steal it did you!? she asked with increasing anxiety in her voice.

No, no of course I didn’t steal it! I just, I just borrowed it from my school friends! Claire replied hastily. Her mother was still making eye contact, expecting answers to her first line of questions. Claire put down the black bottle. Ummm, I just, I guess, Claire paused for a moment, her brain working a mile a minute trying to decide whether a lie or the truth was the better course of action. Her mother’s accusatory glare wasn’t making the decision any easier for her.

Everyone always tells me the same thing in this town. You have such beautiful blond hair just like your father. At first it felt good, but when he left all of us it was painful to be reminded of him every time I go to school and every time I look in a mirror . Instead of remembering how great he was, it was just bittersweet. I, I just can’t think of him anymore and remember anything good about him without remembering how he just left.

Her mother’s gaze softened slightly as she looked at Claire, who was showing an intense interest in the floor. Come here, her mother said, kindly outstretching her arms. Claire walked forward and embraced her mother. Claire you’re beautiful and you are your own person. You’re most certainly not the ghost of your father and you never have to be. It doesn’t matter what other people say. It’s your choice to let it affect you. Just remember all the good memories knowing that you are very like him, okay? her mom said.

Okay, Claire replied. She knew two things. One, that what her mother was suggesting was seriously more difficult than she made it out to be. Two, that her father’s courage and likable personality must have been lost in some cosmic mix up of genes because Claire possessed neither. Umm you’re not mad at me are you? Claire asked hopefully. Her mother gave Claire a slightly bemused look followed by a more serious one.

I’m disappointed that you didn’t talk to me or ask me about anything before you decided to go and do this, she replied, her accusatory tone making its way back into her voice. Claire stared intently at the floor again as her mother’s gaze seemed to shoot right through her. Still, I suppose you can do what you will with your hair the color reminds me of the styles that were popular in my day. she added thoughtfully.

Claire smiled and nodded. Her mother walked outside. Claire stared at the small black bottle. Looking at her image, she started where she left off. Pouring more of the strange smelling liquid into her hands she rubbed it in the lower parts of her hair where it hung down near her shoulders. However, she stopped before it got halfway up. She looked into the mirror, admiring the gradual change in color from platinum to ebony she had unexpectedly achieved. No one would be telling her that she looked like her father now that was for certain. And strangely enough she looked striking, even pretty. Some part of her liked the idea of keeping her blond hair while another liked the transition from blond to black. At least she was keeping some small part of her father with her.

Claire didn’t know why she wanted to remember him. By all accounts she should be furious with him for leaving her mother, for leaving her to take care of both herself and her sister singlehandedly. She just couldn’t forget what an amazing father he had been! His smile seemed to light up the whole house. He had always found time for both Sophie and her. Why would he, how could he, have just left? Perhaps he had gotten tired of it after awhile. Perhaps he simply didn’t love any of them in the same way that they had loved him. Claire realized she didn’t know his reasons but she could never forgive him. Even years later his absence hurt. Every time she saw her mother working twice as hard to bring food to the table for two children it put Claire in a sour mood. It made her wish that she had been able to grab him before he had left and slap some of his old selflessness back into him.

Feeling proud of the way her hair looked for once, Claire walked out of the bathroom and into the dining area, head held high.

You look like you accidentally dipped your hair in your ink bottle again, Sophie said looking at her strangely. Claire’s confidence flooded out of her. There was nothing to eradicate your self esteem like a younger sibling. She sat down, picked up a spoon and began eating her oatmeal. Between spoonfuls Claire looked up at her mother, hoping to glean some approval from her. Her face had a small smile on it, and Claire was glad that she hadn’t decided to dye all of her hair. Hey Mom, Sophie asked looking up.

Yes?

What would happen if I got The Malady? The ladle that their mother had been using fell to the ground with a clatter, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. She looked at Sophie for a moment, her face white. She closed her eyes in pain as if trying to get an unwelcome image out of her head.

Don’t you ever talk about that, not ever! she ordered, her hands shaking furiously. Sophie looked back at her, scared by how fearful she had made her mother. Mary looked at her children and saw how much she had scared them; she composed herself and walked over to her youngest.

I’m sorry. I, I just don’t ever want to think of either of you with that awful disease, she said hugging Sophie.

Sorry Mom, Sophie mumbled abashedly.

It’s okay, she replied.

Umm, I know you don’t want us to talk about it but where did it come from? Sophie asked, hoping she wouldn’t get angry at her.

Some people believe it dates back to the time of the two brothers, Mary replied

Two brothers? Sophie asked.

Yes, haven’t you ever heard that story? I’m sure I’ve told it to you at some point, she replied. Claire took her bowl into the sink and began washing it.

Story? I’ve never heard it, she said confused as she rinsed out her bowl.

Well, some believe it’s just a legend, and others believe that it’s our history, her mother replied.

Could you tell us? Sophie asked excitedly.

Her mother smiled and began, Alright, it began many years ago when-

She was interrupted by a knock at the front door. Claire looked at her mother confused.

Are you expecting anyone today? she asked.

No, that’s odd. I’d better see who it is.

I’ll get it, Sophie said excitedly, running across the room.

Sophie! Stay back! I’ll get it! her mother ordered, concern making its way into her voice.

Their family almost never had visitors, unless it was the person Claire and Mary feared it to be. Their mother opened the door, and immediately Sophie recoiled, getting as far from the door as possible. Mary stood there calmly with as much composure as she could muster, an example to her children. But Claire could see her fists were clenched, as they always were when she was anxious.

The man in the doorway wore a pressurized suit and a black trench coat so long it nearly touched the ground. The coat had numerous pockets and was covered in straps holding various vials and terrifying medicinal equipment in place. It wore thick gloves, and tall boots which had several dials sewn on them, displaying the amount of air and pressure the suit contained. The suit and trench coat looked as though they were made of leather or skin, sealing the wearer off from the world completely. On its back it carried two metal air canisters, a pair of tubes connected from the canisters to the most intimidating aspect of the suit; its mask, white and completely concealing the wearer's face. A long hooked beak protruded from where its nose would be, making it look like some kind of terrifying, avian creature. There were two circular lenses from which it looked out of, both tinted black allowing no one to see its eyes. Shrouding its head and connected to the suit was a black hood.

It was one of the RODMAT, the Royal Officers of Denizen Medicine And Treatment. They were the enforcers of the law and the people who fought The Malady. Every month they would journey throughout Denizen looking for anyone who was infected with the plague. They scared Claire and her family, but especially her sister, in much the way they scared every single citizen of Denizen. They wandered through the smaller towns and the major cities alike looking like great black specters with soulless eyes. There were several assigned to every city and town throughout Denizen.

The man or woman (any traits of gender were hidden under the uniform) stepped into the house taking a long moment to examine each one of them. Then out of the mask came a thin rasping voice that sounded like a strange scratching whisper, Good day, I’ve come for the monthly inspection of this town.

Mary returned the officer’s gaze, her face as white as the flour on her apron. Pressing her lips together tightly, she nodded curtly. Claire felt goose bumps run down her back as the voice crept down her spine. I will begin with you. Then I will inspect your children. Direct us to a room where I may conduct this investigation privately, it whispered in that same rasping voice. Claire’s mother nodded again and led him into her room. She walked in with him after she gave her daughters a small reassuring smile. Claire looked at her younger sister nervously. This same sense of anticipation befell every house in Denizen every year. Part of the apprehension associated with the RODMAT was that The Malady could lay dormant for years in a person slowly invading their body, then overcoming it within a day or two. Because of this, the RODMAT put down any citizen - man, woman, or child they believed had been afflicted by it.

Claire was scared to death of them. Every time she saw one of them in the streets she walked away as quickly as she could. She was about to retreat to the safety of her room when she saw that her younger sister was shaking. She looked at Sophie for a moment, thinking about what she must be feeling right now without their mom to comfort her as she usually did. Claire gritted her teeth; she desperately wanted to prepare herself alone for her own examination, but her younger sister needed her. She turned to Sophie, who was looking at her with fear and uncertainty etched into her face. Claire knelt giving her a strong hug.

Hey, we’re fine, it’s going to be just like every other month, okay? she said putting on an unconvincing smile.

But what if Mom’s, you know? Sophie asked.

Claire knew exactly how her sister was feeling right now. It was absolutely terrifying, feeling the same dread and uncertainty month after month. Shhh, shh shh, that’s not going to happen okay? Claire said reassuringly, not quite believing it herself.

But what if--?

Look Sophie we’re going to be fine. Mom’s going to come out of that room in a minute and she’s going to hug you really tightly okay? Claire said hugging her sister even tighter. Sophie nodded slightly and hugged her back.

They waited for what seemed like hours. Claire didn’t really know what to do. Would this be the day she died? She felt selfish for thinking that as she knew her sister was scared to death about the exact same thing. Claire wanted to say something to calm Sophie down, but she had no idea what. She also felt as if she was the one who needed the comforting. The unwelcome image of the RODMAT doctor exiting the room carrying her mother’s body kept flashing through her mind.

After an eternity the door finally opened and their mother stepped out wearing a weary smile. She’s a lot better at faking a smile than I am, Claire thought smiling back weakly. Sophie ran