Life Beyond the Temple

By Nikolai Joslin

The Fires of Destiny: Book One

Casey Kelley, a powerful young mage, has spent her whole life inside the walls of the Temple. The day she leaves to venture into the real world, the Old Ones task her with killing a dangerous necromancer who is gaining strength. She is joined by knight protector Regan Cartmell. Society may despise mages, but Regan never did, and she has sworn to protect Casey, even at the price of her own life.

Pickpocket Cameron is a mage whose father escaped the Temple, choosing to raise her in secret. After her parents were killed, she was forced to live on the streets, gaining a deep distrust for mages. She wants nothing to do with the Temple or magic of any kind.

The three friends must put aside their differences and defeat the growing evil before it spreads.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
• Release date: Mar 26, 2015
• ISBN: 9781632168771

Book preview

mine.

Chapter 1

TODAY WAS the day. My seventeenth birthday. The day I could finally get out of here. The day when my life could finally begin.

I sat up in the small twin bed and looked over at my roommate Martun, who fiddled with some knickknack of his sister’s. I felt my heart ache at the memory of her, and I could only imagine how Martun felt.

I’m getting out of here, I said, breaking the uneasy quiet. He just nodded. I wondered if he felt like I was abandoning him. He’d be alone in the Temple now, no one to jabber on about classes to.

I know, he mumbled pathetically. Martun was nineteen. He had chosen to stay at the Temple for the rest of his life like almost every other mage. About one in twenty would choose to take the Proving Journey and live among the humans. Most didn’t make it. With about two hundred mages turning seventeen a year, twenty was barely anything, and with only ten making it out there, it was miniscule. The Proving is dangerous enough on its own, and then living out there with those humans? They hate us more than the dark elves. Why would you want to go out there? The Temple is safe and we’re with our own people here. Case, stay here with us. There’s still time to change your mind. He looked up at me with pleading eyes. Don’t leave me, they said, don’t make me spend my life alone, they begged.

He was still trying to get me to stay. He was worried; I wouldn’t be allowed to come back after I left if I succeeded in my Proving. Through the Proving the Elders determined if you were able to leave the safety of the Temple. If you passed whatever mission had been given to you by the Old Ones, you returned to the Temple for one night to tell the Elders what happened. If you failed, you either died or returned only to have your memory erased and you lost your ability to use magic, becoming a janitor or cook in the Temple. It was a big price to pay for the chance to live in the outside world, but I would give everything to step off the island.

I know it’s dangerous, but I can’t stay here. I can’t just spend the rest of my life here, hoping something will happen and getting disappointed. I’ve been training my whole life for this moment. I have to go. I walked over to Martun and hugged him tightly. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be alright.

I know, he said as he hugged me back. Now get out of here before you’re late. He smiled weakly.

I pushed him out of the room and turned to get my clothes from my footlocker. I pulled on my jeans and a plain red T-shirt, then threw on my black jacket, identical to Martun’s. My black leather gloves were on the desk, and I grabbed them and tucked them into my pocket. I was smiling when I grabbed my silver ring with a ruby in the center. Mages weren’t allowed to have many luxuries like jewelry. The Council believed that we would lose our focus for knowledge and become wrapped up in who had more. But this ring was an exception. When someone’s natural element was discovered, they would receive a silver ring with a gem that coincided with that element. The ring was silver to symbolize a mage’s pursuit of knowledge over wealth, and I had a ruby to show that my natural element was fire.

I took one last look around my room and then took a deep breath. I was as prepared as I could be to leave the Temple, and I would either die in the outside world, or I would live, but I wasn’t coming back.

Martun was leaning against the wall outside when I opened the door. His black ferret was on his shoulder, like it usually was. The ferret was Martun’s spirit animal. He was lucky enough to have met his. Most people went their whole lives without even seeing theirs, let alone living with it. I still didn’t know mine. I guess I was a bit behind the curve in that area.

Thought I’d walk you down, he said with a smile. He was trying, and that was enough.

I smiled back and then looked at my watch. We better get going. They won’t be too happy if I’m late.

It was only two levels down, so we took the stairs; the elevator was always busy at this time of day, everyone rushing to their first class and all that.

I was standing in front of the large oak doors in no time, and I felt my stomach turn. What if I wasn’t ready? What if I did die out there? Who would know? Who would care?

Martun rested a hand on my shoulder. He didn’t look at me; he just stared at the door and said, You’re stronger than you think.

I took another deep breath and pushed the doors open. I was as ready as I could be.

Miss Kelley, please, take a seat, Elloberer, the head of the Council (and my grandfather), said, gesturing to the seat in front of the table they sat at. I did as he asked and waited for them to speak again. As you know, the Proving Journey is a mage’s rite of passage into the human world. If you succeed, then you are allowed to live among them.

I know, I said, nodding.

You will not do this journey alone. Like all mages who have taken the journey before you, you will take a knight. He nodded to something behind me, and a woman stepped forward and stood beside me. Regan Cartmell will accompany you. I looked over at her. Her hair was a couple inches long, and she had lightly tanned skin and green eyes with a brown rim around the pupil. She had a gun strapped to her waist and wore a black leather jacket over a white shirt. She wasn’t looking at me; instead she was looking at the Elders. When you are ready, you will take a sleeping potion that will cause the Old Ones to send you a dream explaining your mission.

I didn’t hesitate. I looked back at the Elders, my chin held high, and said, I’m ready.

My grandfather frowned. Think this through carefully. Once you make the decision, you will not be able to change it. You know what happens to those who fail, and if you succeed, you cannot come back. You will be forced to live with this decision. Casey, make your decision carefully.

I’ve been thinking about this for years. I have made my decision. I am ready.

He nodded solemnly and walked toward me. He reached into his dark blue robe and pulled out a translucent purple liquid in a vial. Drink it all, he said as he held it out to me.

It felt warm in my hand. Everyone, including Regan, was watching me now. I unscrewed the top and tilted my head back, swallowing it all in one gulp.

The vial fell from my hand, and I felt dizzy. I started to tip out of my chair, and Regan was there in a heartbeat, catching me before I fell. I looked up at her. She was going in and out of focus, but those green eyes with the brown around the pupils seemed clear as day.

I got you, she whispered, and that’s when the darkness swallowed me up.

I RUBBED my head and looked around. I was in a white room. It was empty and windowless, and there wasn’t even a door.

We wondered when you would come. The voice came from behind me.

I turned to see him, my head throbbing still. He was old with a long white beard and bushy eyebrows. He had light blue eyes and a weak smile. I could tell he was a human or mage; at least he had been while he was alive. The Old Ones are ancient men, mages, and occasionally elves who had done amazing deeds in life and become wise enough after death to help those still living. What do you mean? My head hurt so badly.

A darkness is coming. We have known for eons now, but it still had not been enough. We worried if you would come in time for us to tell you. This is more than a Proving Journey, Casey Kelley. This is the fate of your world. You are the one we have chosen to save it. This world plays an important part in the future of the universe; we cannot let it fall to this evil.

I couldn’t think straight with the pounding in my head. What do you mean?

The old man smiled that weak, sad smile and said, You must save your world before something else destroys it. A necromancer wishes to change this world’s fate. His gaze bored into me. You must not let this happen. Necromancer? They’d been extinct for thousands of years, even the old myths barely talked about them.

But I didn’t argue. What am I supposed to do?

Stop him.

But how?

I cannot tell you that, Casey. You must learn this on your own. Do not tell the mages of your journey, and trust no one but those closest to you. Your world is dangerous and filled with those who would see you harm.

He was starting to fade, everything was starting to fade, and I could feel myself slipping into sleep again. I wasn’t done asking questions; I didn’t know what I was supposed to do yet. I wasn’t done.

I OPENED my eyes to see Regan’s. She was looking down at me, her face showing the worry she was feeling. Are you alright?

I sat up and held my head, which was still throbbing. I’m fine.

My grandfather was watching me curiously. You cannot tell us of your dream until after you have completed what you must do.

I know, I said as I slowly stood up.

You may tell others of what you must do, but leave the mages out of this. They cannot help you anymore. You are on your own now.

Thank you. I bowed stiffly, my long brown hair falling in front of me. I stood back up and started to leave the room, but I could feel my legs begin to shake, and I feared I would fall.

And, Casey—my grandfather’s voice stopped me—don’t let your wall down. It’s best for everyone if you rein yourself in.

My blood ran cold, and I thought about that soft pulsing deep in my chest that surrounded my heart for the first time in almost a year. Of course.

This is something that is best left buried in the past. It may be tempting to ignore that in the future, but remember that the past has a way of repeating itself when it is forgotten.

I know, I whispered.

Good.

I felt an arm around my waist, and I looked over to see Regan, who was a good three or four inches taller, staring straight ahead. I’ve got you, she said and helped me walk out of room.

Chapter 2

I WASN’T allowed to take anything with me other than the clothes I was wearing and the ring given to me by the Temple, so Regan took me outside. It had been a while since I’d gone out those doors. Most of my life had been spent on this island, I had been brought to the Temple when I was only two or three, so I didn’t remember coming here, but every now and then I could find time to make it out to the courtyard in front of the building. As a child I would gaze out to the mainland wistfully and dream of when I would finally leave. Today didn’t feel real.

There was a boat waiting for us. I couldn’t tell you what type of boat. I didn’t know anything about them, but it didn’t look particularly fast. Regan helped me in, and I sat down on the soft leather bench near the wheel. There was a man there. He looked disgusted by me, but he didn’t say anything. Regan sat next to me, still giving me a worried look.

Are you sure you’re okay? she asked again.

I’m fine. I think I just need a drink.

We’ll be in town in about twenty minutes. We can get something there. She looked up at the man who was getting ready to pull away from shore. What has been going on in the mainland? I haven’t been there in ten years.

He refused to look at us, but he did answer her. Dark elves, he spat. I think dark elves were the only thing humans despised more than mages. A mage is human, but we are a different type of human. Our Life Force is stronger, and that is what gives us the power to manipulate the world around us. Nobody really understood everything about us, even with today’s technology. I guess that scared humans. Dark elves, however, weren’t anywhere near humans. They were the outcasts of every known species, hated by all. Their skin was a dark gray with a purple tint, their eyes vivid purple, their hair often white, their skin covered in raised scars that helped them direct magic, and their ears ended in a point. They were similar to elves, but even the elves hated dark elves. Elves were usually fair skinned with light eyes and voices that sounded like song. They were beautiful and flawless, unlike the dark elves with their pale scars. Elves had no power over magic. They didn’t want anything to do with it at all because they had seen how it corrupted the dark elves.

What about them? Regan asked. I didn’t say anything. I felt like I was going to faint or throw up.

They’ve been coming back to the surface in droves. I don’t know why they’re coming back up, but they are. And I don’t like it. He cast a look at me, and I felt myself shrink up a little.

Dark elves. I’d read about them, but I’d never seen one other than the pictures in textbooks. They had originally just been elves, but millions of years ago, they were able to alter their Life Force to give their clan a heightened power over it. No one is certain how they achieved it, not even the dark elves know anymore, but it happened. A few thousand years ago, the humans forced mages to the Temples and the dark elves underground. The elves left on their own accord, not wanting to deal with lesser beings. The humans had the largest population, and so we all tucked our tails between our legs and moved out of their way. It has stayed like that ever since. Well, until recently, I guess. Dark elves coming back. Could that have something to do with the evil the Old One spoke about?

The rest of the ride was silent, which left plenty of time to think about my interaction with the Old One. I must have been in a place in between The Veil, the otherworld. There are different planes in the Veil; the highest one is where the Old Ones rule. They watch over this world, and though they see the future and guard the past, they rarely intervene. The next plane is for the dead. No one is really sure how they get there, but their stay isn’t permanent. After only a short time, they simply disappear. The last plane is of demons. Not all demons wish to do harm, and their realm is not filled with hellfire and screams of agony. It is like the others in its plainness and peaceful quiet. But all planes are different, and this one holds the least amount of food, water, and life in general. While these creatures and planes are of the otherworld, they are not immortal and require certain things to continue their existence.

There were legends that in the beginning all of these planes were reversed, with the Old Ones on the lowest plane. With little food and no luxuries, they were discarded from the prayers of the ancient people and forgotten. The demons held high standing, and they constantly intervened in the world, which was what probably bought the love of the people. Most of them were not evil; they stopped drought and famine, created elegance and light in a world without any, and stopped natural disasters. But there were some who caused disasters and tried to destroy the beauty in the world. This was the explanation for life and death, and summer and winter. But the Old Ones rose against the demons, skipping the middle plane entirely, and sent the demons to the lowest plane. With them they brought science, knowledge, and writing. But they also tried to stay out of the affairs of our lives. From then on, everything was up to us unless our problems were deemed worthy enough to demand the Old Ones’ help. To have gotten a Proving such as this meant the Old Ones saw this necromancer as a threat to all life here, but it also meant they were afraid of something. If it had just been the lives of humans, they would have moved on, which meant this was bigger than that.

I was not excited to face this man. Freedom was no longer my main thought anymore. What this man could mean and the sheer power he possessed to scare the Old Ones was my first concern. I wasn’t so sure I’d be able to handle him alone.

When we got to port, Regan helped me stand up. I was still in fear of falling, and she seemed worried about me, so she once again wrapped her arm around my waist, and I leaned against her. I felt weak. Drained, actually.

Come on, let’s get you some food. She smiled at me and started walking us down the sidewalk.

We stopped at one of the first little buildings we passed. I wasn’t sure how she knew to stop there, but when we walked in, I knew it was a restaurant. We didn’t have any in the Temple; we just had the large mess hall that comfortably fit all residents. I had read about them, though. They sold food. I’d learned a lot about the human world. I wanted to be prepared, but there were some things I couldn’t be prepared for.

I don’t have any money, I whispered as she pulled out a chair for me.

Don’t worry about it, I have some. My parents send me some every month, even though I live in the Temple with you guys. She smiled and sat across from me.

I still couldn’t quite grasp the concept of money. In the Temple money didn’t exist. If you needed food, you went to the mess and they gave you some. Everything you could need would be provided for you: food, clothes, extra blankets, whatever. I understood trade; I’d done it enough times: I’ll perform this spell if you get me this; I’ll tutor you if you give me your candy bar, all sorts of things. Giving paper value and trading it for things didn’t make much sense to me. It was just paper, it didn’t actually have value.

I got some water and two sandwiches and a bag of chips, which I devoured quickly. Mages needed to eat more than the average human because of the higher amount of Life Force coursing through them. Regan, being human, got a smaller meal. I felt a bit better, but I don’t think I was on top of my game quite yet. I probably needed rest or something, but that would have to wait until we found somewhere to sleep.

Regan must have picked up on what I needed. She left one of those pieces of paper on the table and stood up. Let’s go find a hotel to stay in. You look exhausted. My captain told me how the dream weakens mages for a time. You just need some rest.

I stood up and started walking on my own. I had a few shaky steps and a couple moments where I wanted to just fall down where I was standing, but I didn’t ask for Regan’s help. She stood close, though, keeping an eye on me so she could stop me from crashing to the ground.

We walked around the streets for a while, Regan occasionally going into larger buildings without me and coming out looking either angry or disappointed. I figured it had something to do with me being a mage.

Finally she stormed out of one of those buildings looking quite determined, grabbed my wrist, and dragged me down to a slightly more rundown building and went up to the man behind the cash register. There was an exchange of money and a key, and then Regan came over to me again. We’re on the second floor; do you want help?

I probably needed it; I’d barely made it here without falling down. I nodded, and she helped me out of my chair. Though I probably could have done it on my own, I didn’t complain. She felt strong, sturdy in a way, like I could trust myself in her hands.

The hotel was only three floors high, so there wasn’t an elevator. I leaned against Regan the entire way up, and she didn’t seem to mind at all. She took me up the stairs slowly, letting me put almost all my weight on her. I swore that if I put any more on her, she’d be carrying me.

She unlocked the door once we got there and pushed it open. There were two small beds, like the ones they had at the Temple. I wasted no time just falling into one, and I heard Regan chuckle quietly before I blacked out again.

I HAD a dreamless sleep, and when I woke up, I was confused. I couldn’t remember where I was until I sat up and saw Regan sitting at the desk by the window. She was bent over it with a pen in her hand, writing a letter to someone.

She must have heard me moving around because she asked how I felt.

Much better. What time is it?

Nine. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. She opened the curtains, and I saw how dark it was outside. I remembered having lunch before I fell asleep, and it was an early lunch. More like brunch than anything else. You slept awhile.

Yeah, I said after a moment. Who are you writing to?

My parents. She sighed heavily, and I wondered if she had a good relationship with her family.

Do you only write to them? Or do you have other friends here too?

A couple friends. Most of them don’t talk to me anymore, not since I became a knight. I do have one. Her name is Meghan. We were good friends as kids, and every now and then we’ll write to each other. I write to my brother mostly. They’re the only family who will talk to me, and that’s only if I catch them in a good mood. There was a hint of pain in her voice. Having anything to do with mages made you an outcast, and she had suffered for it.

I’m sorry, I whispered, but she didn’t acknowledge that she had even heard me.

So, she said, getting up and sitting on the other bed across from me, what exactly do we have to do?

Save the world, I mumbled, realizing how dumb I sounded.

Sure, she scoffed.

An Old One came to me and said there was an evil that would destroy the world as we know it and that I need to stop it. A necromancer, he said.

I thought they died out, and the Temples don’t teach dark magic. Necromancers had been a race of sorts a few thousand years ago. Like mages are a type of human, necromancers had been a type of mage. They were less human than mages were, almost more like dark elves. A lot of mages who studied them think they got influence from the dark elves. They specialized in the dark magics. Raising the dead was what they were most known for, but they were more than that. They worked magic to kill and instill fear in people. Magic has been used for war, and if it came to it, magic would be used for war again, but the necromancers used magic for malicious causes, war or no war. They used it to create child monstrosities and control another’s will. But, like Regan thought, they had died out, or more accurately put, been wiped out by the humans. Nobody really minded, though. They were one thing the world could do without.

Doesn’t mean they can’t learn it.

That would mean they would have had to alter their Life Force to become more powerful.

I nodded. There are plenty of theories as to how to do that. They may have simply found the right one. Plenty of theories. Most of them deserved to be forgotten. It was a dangerous road, one that no true mage should ever take.

She nodded. I don’t know if she believed me, but I knew she’d follow me no matter what. That was her job, to protect me at the cost of her own life and aid me in any way possible.

My stomach growled, and my face flushed. She smiled.