Tale of the Protectors: Book One in the Hejate Trilogy

By Anna Brio

Lared, a great evil is out to destroy Floria, a world in the Balance, is challenged thirteen year old Aqua and her friends, Jake Keith, and Eve. With the help of the Bracelets, they scale great tests of loyalty and trust. They grow in body and power, but one of them must die.

Brina, the daughter of the Half-Blooded and Leo, the son of a murderer, must restore the Balance. They travel through the worlds, meeting new people and getting closer to their goal. But if they succeed in their destinies, will they have to sacrifice all they love for peace?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 22, 2004
• ISBN: 9781456725334

Anna Brio

Anna Brio grew up on Long Island and is currently living there with her family and her hamster, Belle.  She worked on this story for four years until she finished.  She gets inspiration from her friends and support from her family.  She is now thirteen and working on the sequel to Tale of the Protectors.

Book preview

Part One Prologue

Warba leaned out against her window ledge; the soft harp that wafted from the palace put her in a dreamlike state. She lifted her head to the slight breeze she knew would soon be gone. After a deep breath, she ducked back inside the house. For her, relaxing moments as such were hard to come by. Warba was the single mother of Haej, her son. They lived comfortably, not poor but not rich either. Just having each other was enough.

The Egyptian sun had set and the tiny room was quickly cooling. Warba’s thick hair cascaded in waves down her back after being released from their bonds. Haej was already sleeping as Warba would soon be….

Chapter One Aqua

Aqua you are supposed to look at me when I am speaking to you.

I jerked out of my trance and saw the sneering faces of my classmates. Miss Rose, my teacher, was looking at me with such an annoyed expression that I smiled. She looked so funny!

Thank you for finally gracing us with your presence. Miss Rose muttered.

Your Highness, my seatmate added with a snort.

I began counting backwards from ten, my guidance counselor had ‘prescribed’ this for my temper condition. Then, the whispering began.

She is an awfully bad student…for a princess, I mean.

Ten…

Yo, buzz off.

Nine…

"I heard that her dad bought her way in."

Eight…

I bet she isn’t even in this school for her talent.

Seven…

She doesn’t belong here.

Six…

You don’t even know her.

Five…

Why would I want to?

Four…

"But even her dad can’t buy friends."

Three…

Look at her knuckles!

Two…

You know what? I think that you guys shouldn’t talk about people behind their backs or at least where they can’t hear you. Not that I’m saying you can talk about me! I exploded. I had jumped up and my seat clattered to the floor. Mousey Miss Rose looked panicky and jumpy; I thought she would shake into a billion pieces.

I could feel the fire building inside of me, ready to burn the flesh of ever-single-one of their- no- good- filthy-

What in the name of the gods is going on in here? Miss Rose! Please control your class. Principal Richard exclaimed as he burst into the room. I lowered the arm that was about to engulf the room in flame. His gaze passed over the class, to me, back over the class, and finally resting upon me. A look of realization crossed his features.

Principal Richard, this time it was not completely my fault. They were talking about-about, my father. I said defiantly.

Aqua, come with me to the office. Principal Richard motioned wearily. I trudged behind him with a scowl on my face.

In his office, I sank into a seat that I had occupied more times than I can count; my name was probably etched into it.

Aqua, I know you are touchy on the subject of your father but you have to understand that taking your anger out on your classmates is not the way. He cleaned his glasses on a handkerchief that was one of the many assorted items on his desk. There was a globe shaped like a cylinder, a map without a title, a broken bottle that was still intact, and about a dozen different colored hankies.

But…

You are going into the world of Floria. There is a teacher there who specializes in…gifted students such as your self. Eve shall be accompanying you. He stood to finalize his announcement. Go to the Library. Your things will be sent after you. I was ushered to the door and sent down the hall by one of Principal Richard’s invisible servants. Eve was already standing there, looking as confused as I must have.

Do you have any idea of what is going on? she questioned me. I could only shrug. Principal Richard then swept in and hurried to a nearby closet. He flung open the doors and there was a Void. They were extremely rare and were the only link to Floria. It was a shimmering substance that we could only stare at in awe. I was insulted that he had to remind me what Floria was.

Now, hold hands and walk through. Your teacher will be waiting for you upon arrival. Eve and I squeezed our hands together. After a deep breath, we were inside the Void. It wasn’t so bad. My whole body felt as if it was submerged in water but is was like water in a bath: just the right temperature. Eve must have been nervous; she was cutting off the circulation in my hand.

~ Warba awoke with a feeling of happiness and excitement. She sighed as she pulled herself out of bed. The sun had just struck the sand and it was alarmingly bright.

Mama, there is a riot in the street! Come and see! Haej cried as he ran into Warba’s room. They went to the doorway where they could watch.

In the street, the Pharaoh was with his new sorcerer. Apparently, this ‘sorcerer’ was a fraud. A shining doorframe that was even more dazzling than the desert sand was held up. The bound man was thrown through.

What happened to that man?

Warba was silent. She had seen a similar doorframe in her dream. Mama…

Haej, why don’t you play outside while I start my morning prayers in the temple? The smile reappeared on the young boy’s face.

Warba then retreated to the sanctuary of the temple.

Hejate, why did you choose me? What did that dream mean? Who am I destined to be? Please, give me strength. Warba whispered in prayer.

Usually, she prayed for her husband to return. If only she had looked a little closer at the man holding the mysterious doorframe…

Chapter Two Jake

Father, Lared has launched an attack on our ally. We must send reinforcements to their aid. I am willing to go there and train as a soldier. I said plainly to Father’s back. He answered quicker than I thought he would.

Jacob, if you died on the battlefield I would not have an heir to inherit the throne after me. I will not allow it. You are to stay here and be a teenager. Father finalized.

There is always Devin, Father. You and I both know that he is worthy. I replied.

He is too young and he is not ready. That is another thing I will also not allow. Father snapped at me over his shoulder. I crossed my arms over my chest.

What about Aaron and Jon?

Your older brothers have given up their claim to the throne.

I wasn’t surprised. They had left a few years ago and if the rumors were true, they were battling giants and ogres in the south.

Father, are you willing to let me turn my back on a fellow country? I thought you wanted a son you could be proud of. I am more mature for boys my age. You have said so yourself. It is my duty as a Prince and you as King should know as well as I that I am to protect innocent people from harm.

My father turned towards me and sighed.

I will speak to your mother about it.

He swept out of the room with a motion for the guards to follow.

War: such a harsh word.

As I exited the room, my bodyguard, Sean, was waiting for me.

Jake, I am to prepare the horses. We are being sent to a military camp on the outskirts of Gangshowp. he said as we walked to my quarters. Sean was one of the only people who called me by my preferred nickname of ‘Jake’.

Jake! I have the greatest news! Devin, my ten year old brother, called from the hallway. He burst into my room; his clear blue eyes bright with excitement.

Well, I see the whirlwind has arrived. Sean joked.

Devin acted as if he didn’t hear and he probably hadn’t.

I got into the Academy of Desert Study! he said with as much calm as he could muster. He had worked hard. Remember, he is only ten.

Good work, I congratulated as I tousled his hair. Sean pumped his hand up and down.

Congrats, Squirt.

In all of his happiness, Devin was worried.

What is it? I asked. He bit his lip.

Mother wants to speak to you. Maybe you should bring your sword. I laughed. But he was right. Mother was violent when she was angry. I got off of my bed and went to the door.

You two stay here. I should be back shortly and if I’m not, Devin, you can have my room. Devin looked distressed at my teasing.

Mother was pacing in the library.

Jacob, your father told me of your thoughts of going to the battle in Gangshowp. How could you do this to me? The students should be arriving any day now, she rambled on.

Mother, I shan’t be long. A year or two and I’ll be all yours again. I comforted. I thought that would be enough. Obviously, it wasn’t.

Jacob, if you haven’t forgotten, you are fourteen! It is hardly the proper age to be on the field of battle. I should know; I have seen many young men lying dead and dying when they are trampled on by their enemy. Sometimes the dead would be put on bridges and poles for all to see. I could not bear for that to happen to you. Mother screamed at me, only pausing for breath every few sentences. Do you want to die? she yelled at me before she turned towards the door.

I flinched. I stepped towards her and put my hands on her shoulders. She was crying.

Mother…

She fell into my arms, she was weeping so hard.

I felt a tingling in the back of my mind.

There was a woman, two women, they were walking towards a funeral alter. I was looking out of someone’s eyes, as usual. I threw my knife at a nearby man and fled the scene immediately. I saw from over my shoulder, one of the women turning and falling to her knees, screaming. The other looked at me with eyes filled with hatred.

I shook my head and Mother was looking at me strangely.

I released her and she wiped her red eyes.

Without looking at me she said, You may- you may fight.

I stood there like an idiot. First I have hallucinations of nothing and then, my mother, Queen Patricia the Stern actually lets me go off to war. Things were getting really strange.

That night, Devin helped me pack. The next morning, at dawn, I said my goodbyes. My mother was crying again. She did the same thing when Aaron and Jon had disappeared. When it came to Devin, I nearly changed my mind.

When will I see you again? he asked as tears streamed down his face.

Don’t worry. We shall see each other soon. I promise. Now be strong and learn all you can, I said as I hugged him, here, take this. I want you to have it. I handed him my pocketknife.

I finally turned my back on my family and leapt onto my horse. Sean followed in suit. With one last look at home, I galloped away into my future.

~ Mama, Mama, help me!

Warba scrambled out of bed and ran into Haej’s room. There was a man leaning over him.

The sun was rising by the window and the gold of the intruder’s hair made Warba freeze.

Warba, is anything wrong? one of the neighbors called.

The man jumped out of the nearby window after blowing Warba a kiss. Coming back to herself, Warba went to Haej, who was scared out of his wits.

Everything is okay. I’m here now. Warba soothed as she stroked his hair but her thoughts were outside the window.

Samuel, Warba’s golden haired intruder, walked down the dusty street towards the temple. He remembered the looks on their faces; scared, shocked, surprised… His own son didn’t recognize him!

He had to return as soon as he could or the evil would become too strong to control.

Chapter Three Aqua

We walked out of the Void and into a library similar to the one back at school. A stern looking woman was waiting for us.

My name is Ms. Larden and I am to be your teacher. She had eyes that looked right through me. Now, follow me, you are to meet the king and queen. Ms. Larden led us to what had to be the Throne Room.

Welcome children, the queen greeted with a strained smile.

I am King Michael and this is my wife, Queen Patricia. We are pleased to have you in our home, even at tidings such as these. the king said as he grasped his wife’s hand. I lifted an eyebrow.

Ms. Larden, could you please show them to their room? Queen Patricia choked out. She seemed very upset about something. Before I walked out under the golden archway, I heard her whimper.

Now your names are…

Eve, my friend interrupted. I looked her over, her short, wavy light brown hair, and piercing dark green eyes were an old comfort in such an alien place.

Ms. Larden looked at me expectedly.

Oh, yes, my name is Aqua. I said in an unknown rush. I could feel her taking in my facial features and probably carefree look. Eve shot me one of those bright smiles.

We stopped at a door with strange symbols engraved on it. I was staring at it while Ms. Larden said, This door was made approximately one thousand years ago. It was made by the great Sren the blacksmith. It was made to let only good in. Sadly, a little while later, Sren was murdered. I will be back later after you have settled in. She opened the door for Eve and me to shuffle in.

The room had two beds, two writing desks, two very large windows, two bathrooms, two nightstands, two lanterns, and two wardrobes. There was two of everything!

Well, pick your bed, I said. That was really not much