Persiana's Journey: The Wayfarer

By Franceen Webb

Persiana Thornehowe, only eleven years old and already an orphan after most of her family is killed by Elves, struggles to find a place where she and her younger brother Liam can find sanctuary. As Persiana and Liam reach adulthood, frightening choices await them. Searching for her promised destiny in a world where Magic is mostly forgotten and the race of Men rule the kingdom of Erwingia requires courage of mind and of heart. Will Persiana rise to the challenge or protect her heart at the cost of a heroic destiny awaiting her at which her elders hinted?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Nov 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483586908

Book preview

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Chapter 1: The Road North

With the spring solstice and her eleventh birthday two months gone, Persiana Thornhowe already wearied of the traveling life. She missed the orchards and fields of her home in the heart of Celageld and the stone farmhouse where she shared a room in the loft with her sisters. She missed playing games under the fruit trees with her seven-year-old brother Liam, the closest of her three brothers in age and temperament. The excitement of the journey had occupied her every thought for weeks before they left their little village of Apple Hill. Persiana had anticipated with delight the freedom of being outside every day and the new sights she would see. Maybe she would have an adventure like the heroes in the old stories or see a princess in a forest glade. She might actually see a magical creature. Every sparkling leaf or vivid flower might be concealing a fairy. Shadowed places in the high rocks on the mountains might be secret doors to a dwarf mine.

Her family had joined a group of settlers in early March heading into the northern mountains where folklore said the Elves had lived for as long as human memory. After the victory of the King’s forces in the Dark Horde War a hundred years earlier, travelers claimed the Elves had left their forest homes throughout the West. The stories didn’t say where the Elves had gone; just that mountains and forests once peopled with Elves were now empty of their presence. Those men who hunted the woods and forests were glad that they no longer had to fear the arrows of the Elves who defended their ancient claims to the wild places. Men acknowledged the courage of Elven warriors who helped vanquish the evil ones during the war, but they believed the Elves who remained to be different, more insular and suspicious, from those great Elven warriors. Men blamed the secretive Elves who remained for the disappearance of many solitary hunters who never returned from the Silver Mountains.

No matter how many hunters vanished over the years, more replaced them as human families prospered during one hundred years of peace. Men justified the push for new lands to farm and greater range for hunting deer and elk by claiming that they had greater need than the Elves whose numbers had been dwindling for generations. Stories abounded of human children living near the mountain forests who disappeared, taken by the Elves to be their own children. Some people even considered Elves to be backward, savage, and blighted by their rejection of civilized ways. For proof they pointed to the lack of lasting stone monuments or cities that would prove Elven superiority, regardless of their legendary magical powers.

When the king proclaimed the Silver Mountains open for human settlement, many human hearts filled with hope of finding new fields for planting, new forests for hunting, and new lands for their growing families. Persiana’s father, Rem Thornhowe, didn’t have enough farmland or orchards to divide among his three sons. If he did, their individual farms would be too small to support their future families. In times of drought or bad weather the Thornhowes starved like many other families in Apple Hill. Other families in the Thornhowe Clan felt the same pinch of expanding families with no room to grow. The people of Apple Hill discussed the king’s proclamation for weeks. Many questioned the wisdom of building homes in what once was considered Elven land. Even though nobody had ever seen an Elf, they knew Elves were dangerous and unpredictable when it came to the lives of humankind. Even before the Dark Horde War, all legends told of the animosity at worst and distrust at best between Elves and humans. More recently, tales circulated about cattle and horses disappearing from homesteads near Elven territory and about crops trampled in the night by unknown creatures. Many people pointed out that the king would not put his beloved subjects in danger, so the opportunity was exactly that: a chance to build a better future for one’s family.

After many debates among the Thornhowes, the allure of fertile land in the north overcame their caution, and Persiana’s mother and father chose to find a better place to raise their children. Persiana wondered what it would be like to live where wide fields of grain grew and food was plentiful as it had been when the elders described their childhoods. Starvation at the end of winter was all Persiana knew because the Thornhowes didn’t have enough good land for growing plenty of grain. Cabbage, turnips and carrots seldom lasted more than five months, even in deep beds of straw in the root cellar.

Persiana’s mother, Fraizey Kyles whose cousins also married Thornhowe men, resisted leaving her orchards and her mother. In a moment of exasperation at Fraizey’s stubbornness, Rem said, I can’t watch my children starve anymore. Not when there is plenty of land for the taking up north. The Kyles clan had nurtured fruit trees in Celageld for hundreds of years, but Fraizey finally agreed to leave behind her trees, her vineyard, and her berry patches. Nobody knew what the village grandmothers said to convince her to change her mind, but after she was summoned to a council of the old women, Fraizey planted fruit tree whips to take on the journey north in the spring

Through the winter, Grandmother Kyles sat close to the fire at night as she knit and whispered legends about magical creatures that once lived everywhere on the earth, not just in distant mountains and stinking swamps. She told her grandchildren all the stories she knew about the family, about Apple Hill, and about fairies and Elves, about Dwarves and sprites, and about the demon-born monsters like dragons, weargs, and orcs which once tormented humankind.

One time she thought she saw fairies looking at her from the tree branches. She told Gidenda about them, but her sister laughed at her and told her only babies believed in fairies. Maybe that’s why she never told Gidenda about the last words Granny Kyles spoke to Persiana before the family left Apple Hill. Sitting on a bench under an old apple tree, the family matriarch motioned Persiana to her side. She took the child by her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. Persiana, I see perilous trials ahead for you. You will save many people from destruction. Remember the lessons you learned here in this family. If you do, you will have a wondrous life.

I will, Granny, Persiana solemnly promised.

As she turned to leave, the old woman drew her back to say, The old stories are true, no matter what Gidenda says. Be wary of the Elves. They no longer feel kinship with our kind, especially now when we are taking their land. They feel closer to the trees and animals than Men do. They are dangerous. She released the girl to go play with her cousins.

With the first true thaw of spring, Fraizey dug up the fruit tree saplings, packed their belongings, and the family joined other branches of the Thornhowe Clan to risk the danger of the empty north lands. Fraizey and Rem hoped that their courage would bring them good fortune in finding a holding before the good farmland was claimed by other families.

Persiana was too old to ride in the wagon with the young children who were protected from the sun by a wicker and cloth tent built above the sideboards. In the first two weeks her legs ached from all the walking, but that soon passed. When Persiana had time to explore, she found interesting rocks, pine cones and tree seeds, but she didn’t get to keep them. Her father said they didn’t have room in the wagon for piles of seeds and stones.

Persiana enjoyed the adventure at first, traveling by day and snuggling with her older sister Gidenda in warm blankets under the wagon at night. Persiana adored Gidenda who rarely spent time with Persiana before they left home because the older girl had so many friends on the other farms around the Thornhowe land. Gidenda hated leaving Apple Hill, but her tears changed nothing. She, too, had been summoned by the grandmothers. She wouldn’t tell Persiana what happened, but she did show her little sister the special box of fruit tree seeds given to her by the old women. They said I have a special mission to bring fruit trees to the wilderness and that I have powers that most women don’t have. Since her meeting with the grandmothers, her sister seemed more womanly and serious.

Persiana wished that she had a special mission. She decided to be a scout, but her eager spirit resulted in stern discipline from her parents. In her eagerness to be the first to see the road before anyone else, several times in the first week she ran ahead of the man chosen as leader. After a childhood protected and nurtured in the safety of Celageld, Persiana couldn’t imagine death lurking around the next bend in the road. Her father took the extreme measure of forcing his daughter to walk beside his horse all day after the fourth time she ignored her parents’ warning. He tied a leather thong from his saddle to her wrist, so she had to stay beside him no matter what she would rather do. Persiana then understood that she must obey her father.

When Gidenda asked her why she didn’t obey their parents the first time she was scolded, Persiana answered, I’m not like you. You have a special mission, but I don’t. I just wanted to be important like you. Tears dripped off her nose.

Gidenda hugged Persiana. You are special to me, little sister. Who else will tell me about all the pretty things to look at as we travel?

Persiana felt better knowing that her older sister thought she was important. In the days that followed, Gidenda paid more attention to Persiana, brushing and braiding the younger girl’s dark brown hair in the morning and helping her stow their bedding in the wagon. In return, Persiana brought her sister wild flowers when she could find them.

The road they traveled at first was easy for the oxen and draft horses, but as they moved into the eastern foothills of the Silver Mountains, progress slowed. Boulders blocked some parts of the way while floods had washed away other sections of the road. Empty ruins where towns thrived ages ago reminded the travelers that this land had been devastated by war many times. These forlorn places seemed haunted to Persiana with their too-quiet ruins reclaimed by trees and dense thorn bushes. Sometimes she sought the company of her father because the land felt tainted with horrors long past. When her father asked her why she was staying so close to him instead of walking with the other children, she replied, Something feels wrong here.

After supper, while the mothers put the little ones to bed, the fathers talked about the day and told stories around the fire to keep the older children quiet. Persiana loved her own father’s stories best, believing him to be the best storyteller in the clan. The children begged him to tell their favorites like the Three Children on the Bear Hunt and the Ghost Who Lost His Crown. All of them had heard the stories many times, but that didn’t matter because Rem Thornhowe changed the stories every time he told them to surprise the children. They listened spellbound for the changes.

Persiana often wondered about the conversation with Grandmother Kyles as she walked toward the Silver Mountains. It was scary to think that she might be in danger, but she thought her grandmother meant the danger would come when she was all grown up.

One evening the travelers camped near the ruins of what appeared to be a village. The children were told to avoid the ruins where wild animals might have dens, but the lure of the stone walls proved to be irresistible to Persiana and the cousins near her age. While the older children nearing adulthood busied themselves with work in the camp, Persiana collected the more daring cousins, mostly boys. They talked loudly of checking the horses on the picket lines then slipped through the underbrush and ran doubled over to the nearest trees. The schemers climbed the slope to the ruins. Persiana led her cousins to some domed buildings which intrigued her when she noticed them during their approach to their camping spot.

The children explored the interiors of the buildings, but they found nothing of interest: no windows, no ledges, and no animal dens. The flagstone floors held sand and dry leaves which had drifted in with the wind. Why would someone build a house with no windows? Persiana asked her comrades.

Willdar, the cousin closest to Persiana’s age, answered, I bet they stored grain in them. That’s why there are no windows.

Another boy said, I think they are tombs.

Where are the bones of the dead? Persiana queried.

Another girl asked, If they are tombs, wouldn’t there be a treasure?

No, replied Willdar. The treasure would have been taken years ago, maybe by a dragon.

Persiana added with a dramatic whisper, That’s why there are no bones. The dragon ate everybody.

The children exchanged frightened glances, pretended to be afraid, then laughed.

Whatever they are, I’m going to climb this one, Willdar announced. Look at the way they are built. Steps go all the way up to the top. Boost me up to the first step, Persiana.

Persiana back away. She had a bad feeling about climbing this ruin.

What’s the matter? Willdar asked. Afraid? You’re usually the first one up a tree or a hill.

Willdar, I don’t think you should climb this. What if it’s not as safe as it looks?

I’ll be careful. I’ll test each step with my hands first, he replied.

Persiana shook her head. Please don’t climb it. I have a bad feeling that something will happen.

You’re the one who wanted to come to the ruins. Why are you suddenly acting like a baby?

I’m not acting like a baby, Persiana protested.

I’ll show you there’s nothing to fear. The boy started up the sloped side of the dome without Persiana’s help. He tested each stone step and was nearing the top when Persiana felt she should pick up a large rock.

Throw the rock at the top. Quick! she heard a voice say. Persiana threw the rock, which skimmed past Willdar’s ear and landed on the apex of the dome. The rocks collapsed, tumbling from the top, and falling inwards. Without the pressure of the curved roof, the whole structure began to shake.

Willdar scurried down like a spider. He tumbled the last three feet as the dome crumbled to the ground. With scraped hands and a bloody elbow, he rounded on his cousin. Why did you throw a rock at me? he demanded.

I didn’t throw it at you. I threw it at the top of the dome.

Why?

I heard a voice tell me to do it.

The cousins looked at each other and commented, We didn’t hear any voice.

If I hadn’t thrown the rock, you would be dead right now, Willdar. Persiana gestured at the rubble. You would be buried under those rocks.

While the children argued, the sound of the rock fall had drawn the attention of the adults. Persiana’s father, coming to investigate, yelled, What are you children doing up there? We told you to stay away from the ruins.

Persiana led us up here, a young boy replied.

Persiana scowled at the tattletale.

The child added, She threw a rock at Willdar, and he almost died.

Rem Thornhowe said, Persiana, come here. The rest of you go to your parents.

Persiana walked down the slope, dreading her father’s anger.

Her father asked, Did you lead your cousins into trouble?

Yes, Father.

Did you throw a rock at Willdar?

No. I threw a rock at the dome. I was afraid for Willdar. I had a horrible feeling that he was in danger. I told him not to climb the building, but he did anyway. And then a voice told me to throw the rock quickly. If I hadn’t thrown it, the dome would have collapsed underneath Willdar, and he would have died.

A voice told you to do it? her father asked.

Yes. Nobody else heard it.

Her father squatted and looked long into his daughter’s eyes. Have you heard this voice before? he asked.

No, but sometimes I get feelings when something is dangerous.

He nodded. My father had those feelings, too. Rem stood. Persiana, you disobeyed me by coming here. What should be your punishment?

Persiana considered saying that she should ride in the wagon and not explore for a whole day. When she suggested that, her father said it sounded more like a reward because she would ride all day instead of walking.

I will collect firewood all day tomorrow.

That sounds like hard work.

It will be because I will have to run to the wagons and deliver the wood then run to find more.

Persiana regretted her disobedience and her suggestion the next day because she was so exhausted at sundown that she was asleep before supper.

Chapter 2: Into the Mountains

Because they traveled at least ten miles every day, there would be no May Day celebration. The older girls lamented that they couldn’t dance around the May Pole. Persiana didn’t care about weaving the ribbons around the Maypole, but she did miss having a new dress to wear for the summer. Looking at the violets blooming beneath the spruce trees, Persiana wished she had a dress just that shade of purple. Her mother sometimes decorated spring salads with violets. Persiana picked one of the blossoms and put it in her mouth, enjoying the sweetness.

Glancing around the grove of evergreens, Persiana saw a flash of dark green out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head and thought she saw a person disappear behind the trunk of a distant tree. She ran to the tree and found no one. As she looked around, she saw the same color and movement on the slope above her near a rocky outcrop. Climbing as fast as she could, she reached the outcrop and clambered on top of it. From that vantage point, she saw a person dressed in green moving through the trees above her on the mountain. He turned and looked directly at Persiana and frowned before he disappeared from view. Persiana knew she had seen pointed ears below his cap. Persiana ran down to the road, racing to catch up to her family. When she told her mother about seeing the Elf, her mother said, Persiana, I don’t know what to believe when you tell me these stories. Nobody else in the family sees mysterious things.

Grandmother Kyles does, Persiana countered.

So she says, but she is old and her memory is not so good.

I’m young and have a good memory. I know what I saw, Persiana insisted.

Sweetheart, I’m sure you think you saw an Elf, but right now I have other things to worry about. We’ll talk more about this later. That evening, her mother forgot about the conversation in the flurry of preparing a meal, preparing beds, and cleaning up after the meager supper. As Persiana fell asleep, she wondered why only she and Grandmother Kyles believed the Elves were still living in the wild places.

By the middle of May, the sojourners reached the southern edge of the Silver Mountains. Several families left the party in the foothills, having found land which suited them. Rem Thornhowe and two of his brothers followed the Stony River upstream, moving deeper and deeper into the heart of the mountains, looking for a long, wide valley for their families. When the river became a small stream, they crossed two ridges to the north, entering the heart of the mountains. The Kyles women insisted that their families build homes together, one of the conditions of Fraizey’s decision to bring her family. The women wanted to be able to help each other with the unforeseen situations they knew would arise in the new land.

Shadows lengthened in the afternoon light, and Persiana was at the end of the line of children following the wagons. Since noon, she felt like someone was watching her. She was tired and had been feeling like something was wrong ever since they passed the two huge standing logs carved with intertwining vines and animals. They appeared to mark the entrance to a long grassy valley with a lake at the upper end. When she told her father that she felt like a weight was pressing on her head and shoulders, he said maybe she had spring fever. Her uncle, who rode guard at the end of the group, urged the children to walk faster so he could help his brothers make camp.

As dusk approached, the Thornehowe families made a tidy camp about a hundred yards from a lake. Large boulders littered the southern shore which was covered with slate pebbles. Persiana sat on a rock by the water, rubbing her temples to try to get rid of the dark feeling she had. Her father chatted idly and threw small stones across the surface of the water, counting each bounce, hoping to distract his daughter. They noticed a large green frog