Druan Episode 11: Release

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 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370842254

Book preview

Druan Episode 11: Release

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

Green treetops covered the earth for as far as she could see, broken only by the glittering oval of the lake some distance to the north. Thin clouds hung over the village, becoming darker and heavier as they moved west toward the tall grey mountains. The low evening sun turned the horizon to deep orange.

Jayenna floated just below the cloud layer, watching tiny specks of colour dart and wheel above the canopy. Gusting wind ruffled the leaves of the tallest trees, though she could not feel it.

A ball of fizzing light drifted beside her glowing body, its sparking energy somehow sombre. You shouldn’t spend too long in spirit form, said Savat. It is dangerous.

Jayenna glanced at the light. So you keep telling me. Shouldn’t we go to your dream?

Dreams take a long time to build. I never had reason to make one.

But I thought…

You thought all spirits had their own little dream worlds? The light wobbled, spitting energy. You’re not even close to the truth. A lot of spirits create dreams, yes, but there are many others who choose not to, for many reasons. Some prefer to explore the real world, like those two near the mountains. Others have no interest in the world and have launched themselves out into the black void above us. There is an allure to being surrounded by nothingness.

So why did you not create one?

Dreams are fake. If I made one myself I would know it was fake. He faltered. You can’t lose yourself in something you know is fake.

Jayenna paused. She watched the light, unsure of what to say.

Savat shook himself. In any case, that is not why you are here.

That got her attention. You spoke to Keili?

Finally. It took a lot of coaxing to even persuade her to let me into her dream.

But you talked to her?

It’s a mess in there. Rotting trees, dark clouds, rain.

I know.

Whatever the dream was before, her grief has twisted it. Turned it into the nightmare it is now.

What did she say? pressed Jayenna.

Despite having no breath, Savat gave an audible sigh. She won’t speak to you. I told her you needed help, but she doesn’t care. She still blames you.

I need to talk to her, said Jayenna. I need her help to learn about the life chant.

I know, Jayenna. I tried.

Something screeched below her. Jayenna jumped, floating upward to the thin clouds. She spun and looked down as something huge skimmed the trees. For a moment, she considered fleeing for her body, but soon realised the animal was in the real world and could not harm her. She relaxed and watched it pass.

Leathery wings stretched wide from a body bigger than a man, and a snaking neck led to a wedge-shaped head. Blue and green plumage circled its throat, and ran in a feathery line down its spine and to the end of a long tail. It screamed again, loud enough to be heard through the muffle of the spirit world, flapped its huge wings twice and glided away toward the setting sun.

What is that? she wondered aloud.

Wyvern, said Savat behind her. They nest in caves in the mountains.

Pavandar’s chant created them too?

It seems so. I wonder what else hides in the jungle?

What if it attacks the village?

It won’t. They are solitary creatures, and only attack if threatened. Besides, look at the size of it. It’s an easy target for an offensive chant.

"How do you know all