Druan Episode 12: Departure

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: Feb 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370068159

Book preview

Druan Episode 12: Departure

By Mark Robson

Copyright 2017 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

They built his pyre at the foot of the temple. Logs were stacked in rows and padded with kindling, lifting him high above the crowd on a bed of soft reeds. Despite it being close to noon, the large prayer fire was lit and burning brightly on its wide stone bowl atop the temple.

Aside from several guards to watch the barrier, everyone in the village had gathered to say farewell to the old shaman. The prayer field was packed, its recently renewed grass turning muddy once more under so many feet. Mutters and low conversation rippled through the crowd, remembering his life and his actions.

Jayenna stood at the rear of the field, her back to the encircling stone wall. Her face was blank, but her heart was broken. They had grudgingly permitted her to be present, but she was allowed no part in the ceremony. Jayenna did not blame them. Grief and guilt dragged at her until it was all she could do to stand.

The congregation silenced and Jayenna looked up. Four figures stepped out onto the temple platform overlooking the pyre. Leaning heavily on Varion, Morvadannon shuffled slowly forward to stand by the prayer fire. A thick linen blanket hung around his shoulders. Salinda and Hazaara stood on either side, the latter casting regular glances at the recovering shaman.

Morvadannon set his feet and waved Varion away. The younger man stepped back, but stayed within reach. All eyes were fixed on the platform.

When a student becomes a shaman, began Morvadannon, weak at first but strengthening as his words continued. He makes a vow. This vow is not with other shamans, or with gods or men. This vow is made to himself. I will guide the people, I will help the people, I will protect the people.

He paused, and Jayenna frowned. The words of the vow were supposed to be secret, known only to the shamans and their students.

Morvadannon continued. No one has upheld that vow so completely, so unflinchingly, as Tanivednor.

Today, we say farewell to a man known to everyone in the village. A man who worked tirelessly through the Darkness giving help and hope to those who needed it. And when that darkness lifted, he took it upon himself to gather the survivors together and find a new place to live. He led us through drought and starvation, and he founded this village that has sheltered us to this day.

Only the jungle’s constant calls and hoots broke the silence.

"When we were starving, Tanivednor gave of himself to ensure there was food for the rest of us. He walked into the lake and created life, but not all of him returned. He damaged his mind in that undertaking, and though it saved the village, it was at great cost to himself.

But that is the vow. And I have no doubts that Tanivednor would repeat his actions if he knew the outcome in advance.

Jayenna wiped her eyes. They could not possibly see her amongst the crowd, but she suddenly felt four pairs of angry eyes looking down from the temple platform.

Tanivednor lived on for seven years, his mind broken, as we searched for a cure. But it did not come. He died peacefully in the night.

Perhaps the crowded villagers would not detect the lie, but to Jayenna it was clear on his tongue. Her knees wobbled and she slid down the wall to sit on the grass.

"And so we send him to the sun