Druan Episode 10: Sanctuary

By Mark Robson

Darkness consumed the world for centuries, under thick black clouds that blocked the sun. Without light, the plants withered and died, and the animals starved. Few survived in this wasteland of night. With a final, desperate effort, the shamans gathered together to form a great chant. They gave their lives to open the clouds and let sunlight shine back on the world.

When the scattered remnants of humanity step from the dark, with nothing but their wits and the waning power of an old shaman to protect them, they are faced with a cracked, lifeless desert. Led by a child, guided by the spirits, their deeds will become myth.

To survive, they must train a new generation of shamans to face the coming dangers. Thirteen students to guide the people into a new age. And, of those students, two young sisters will grow to stand at the heart of a legend.

Each episode is written as a short story, to be read in a few hours, but together they tell the story of two sisters growing up in a new world and facing responsibilities and dangers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark Robson
• Release date: Dec 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370037919

Book preview

Druan Episode 10: Sanctuary

By Mark Robson

Copyright 2016 Mark Robson

Smashwords Edition

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Cover Art by Alan Mence

Cover Text by James Eden

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Spring

The Age of the Sun, Year Seven

A small fire burned under the boughs of a vine-covered tree. Thick branches glowed in the warm light and created a bright sphere under the shadowed canopy. It was never truly day amongst the trees and even now, with the sun at its highest, the undergrowth belonged to the darkness.

Taya sat on moist grass, her mind completely focused on her meal. Stringy meat, from the corpse of some small scurrying thing, and a handful of berries plucked from a bush. It was not enough.

Mother’s stern gaze kept her from complaining. Ishlae sat beside her, ever alert, scanning the jungle at every sound. The shadowy bushes could hide any number of creatures that might consider them prey.

Taya smiled as she ate. She did not think anything would see Ishlae as prey. Even with her burns, even with her scars, she sat with a poised readiness. Taya had no doubt of her mother’s strength.

She finished the meal and licked her fingers. It’s darker under the trees. Out of the sun. You must like it more.

Mother glanced at her. This jungle should not exist.

Taya blanched. But I thought…

No, you are right. She stared into the shadowed distance. This green ceiling hides the sun and, in that, it does remind me of better days. But it was made by shaman magic. It is an abomination.

What does that make me? Taya could not meet Ishlae’s eyes. I can do shaman magic.

Mother sighed. That’s not what I meant, Taya. The magic itself is not evil. It is just power. And like a strong person having power over a weak one, it is how you use the power that matters.

And this jungle is the wrong way?

Think about this Taya. These shamans sought to raise everyone up, by creating enough food for everyone, by creating wood and other things to build with. Everyone has plenty. Does that sound good?

Yes.

If everyone has what they want, then everyone has power. And if everyone has power, no one does, because we are all the same.

Taya understood. So if no one has power…

Everyone is weak. Do you want to be weak, Taya?

Taya shook her head.

Then be careful how you use your power.

Are you saying I can’t help people?

Not necessarily. Help if you must, but never lift others up so high that they think you are their equal, for that is when you lose your power.

I don’t know how to do that.

Don’t worry. Listen to me, and Pogram. Do what we say, and I promise you will use your power the correct way.

Taya smiled. Do you really think so?

Mother nodded. In time, with the proper training, you will become a powerful warrior of the Daku Thun, perhaps even the most powerful of all.

We should keep moving then, suggested Taya, a little hesitantly. So we can get there sooner?

Ishlae watched her with a stare that Taya could not match. Eventually she smiled. We should. Mother stood and looked away into the jungle. If we hurry, we might reach the sanctuary by nightfall. We could take part in the night feast.

Taya fell in beside her mother and they began walking, picking their way through the dense undergrowth. Ishlae pulled a long stick from a tangle of weeds and used it to beat the bushes aside.

They left the fire burning and travelled west, fighting the jungle every step of the way. Taya struggled on, arms up to ward against whipping branches Mother refused to hold aside, feet carefully stepping on the rough