The Runestone Guardians: Secrets of Sølvefalske

By A.L. Exley

..the Wolf who chased the Sun created a Tenth Realm for them, the Realm of Sølvefalske...

The best part of Shifting into a wolf for Ylvana Mikkelson was connecting to the world like no other human could. The worst part was getting kidnapped by her kingdom’s worst enemy, the Crows, and threatened to do their bidding. Escape has left her miles from safety somewhere in a treacherous mountain range. Traveling with adorable red fox Pine, watchful barn owl Månen, and mysterious lone wolf Jay, Ylvana fights one danger after the other to get home. But how can she run when her people need the Wolf Princess to save them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.L.Exley
• Release date: May 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781653933426

A.L. Exley

In 2020, A.L. Exley first published book, The Runestone Guardians Secrets of Sølvefalske, was released on Amazon after finishing their second year of college. Inspiration stems from their Wildlife Biology major, mythology, and history. Along with horror, fantasy, and short stories, they create digital artwork including the covers for the Runestone Guardian Series, as well as pencil and watercolor pieces.

Book preview

-Grímnismál

Part 1 The Kidnapping

Chapter 1 Last Day

Sølvefalske

Morning mist curled off the glassy lake surface. Ylvana listened to the frogs and birds chirp, pinpointing every creature. In the distance, the creak of wooden wheels got closer, but she ignored it, focusing on a loon paddling across the water. Her fingers traced the rough wood of the dock, savoring each memory.

When the wheels stopped rumbling, she knew time was up.

The carriage driver smiled when he spotted her. This must be the Wolf Princess! Let me help you with the bags, miss.

Ylvana cringed at the name. Indeed, as the King’s niece she was a princess, but living in a little cabin with her mother, she was far from royalty. It was a title she’d have to get use to while at the castle.

As she loaded her bags, she overheard the draft horses bickering.

You’re always going too fast! one whined. If we don’t pull together, the leather rubs against my shoulder. I’m getting a bald spot!

It’s not my fault you walk slow! Besides, don’t worry about losing a little hair, there’s no way you can get uglier.

They snapped at each other’s noses until the driver pulled their bridles apart. Easy boys! Just one more trip!

I can’t stand pulling next to him for another second!

Whine all you want, he can’t hear you, the other huffed.

Ugh, where’s a Shifter when you need one?

When all was packed, Ylvana climbed into the carriage next to her mother, immediately turning to the window where she could see their home. Their little log cabin looked sad and empty. Her mother’s soft hand massaged her shoulder as the carriage pulled away. 

Rolling along the village road, farmers, vendors, and school children carried on their day as usual, like Ylvana had just yesterday. Yanking herself away from the window, she stared at the wall of the carriage instead, afraid that she’d jump out.

Thick forest swallowed the wooden buildings, then the sound of laughter and music faded, and last to go was the scent of fresh baked goods. The trail snaked uphill and across a long bridge, ending in a cul-de-sac at the castle’s front door.

There was no doubt the castle was beautiful, with high arched ceilings and towers too tall to see up close. Green, flowery vines reached from the bushes to the white bricks. Inside was light by stained-glass windows, and tile floors carpeted with elaborate rugs. Out of spite, Ylvana kept her amazement to herself, staring at her feet as she followed her mother.

They entered an open hall, lit by a row of floor-to-ceiling windows. A burgundy carpet cut the room in half, ending at a stage with two occupied thrones.

The King’s blank stare was void of warmth. Gwen, he said with a stiff nod.

She forced a light smile. Albin, you look well.

He focused on Ylvana, who shrank under his gaze. Good to meet you. Albin turned to the girl sitting to his left. Show her around, Miria.

Rising from her seat, Miria’s rigid poise made her appear older, but her calm smile assured Ylvana they’d get along during the time stuck together.

All day, Gwen had worn a stoic face to not worry her daughter. It wasn’t until Ylvana left the room with her cousin that she let her shoulders drop. This is wrong. She’s still a child.

Child or not, she’s a Wolf, and therefor needs to learn the responsibilities of her powers. It’s only training, Gwen, not fighting at the front.

She shivered at the idea of her little girl in armor wielding a bloody sword. For years, the only sedative for her nightmare was knowing Ylvana would never see battle. Even supervised training at the castle was too close for comfort.

If you disliked this so much, why did you let Aaron give her the potion? Albin asked.

I didn’t know he did it. She didn’t know anything her husband did that night until it was too late.

You have nothing to fear. Both you and Ylvana will be safe behind these walls. Once she finishes her training, you’ll be free to return home, Albin said, rotating the wedding ring on his finger.

Gwen didn’t notice, but then, Albin couldn’t pick up on her lie either.

The question of Ylvana’s power resurfaced over dinner, after a tour of the castle. Miria had shown them the training room, filled with sweaty warriors wielding spears and blunted swords. The deafening ring of metal alone made Ylvana nervous. How could she ever fight someone?

Why did dad ever give me the potion? she asked as she poked her food with a fork.

To protect you. A warrior’s life is short, and he suspected he wouldn’t always be around for us.

He made a mistake. I suck at this.

Gwen took her hand. You don’t.

It terrifies me just watching it.

"It’s alright, kjæra. This looks intimidating, but they’ll start you off easy. It’s only to help you learn your powers. I promise you’ll never see a battlefield."

Her nervous energy crept through her words. Ylvana, like all Wolves, could sense it easily as sunlight. Is everything okay?

Yes, she said, forcing a smile. This will be over soon.

Chapter 2 Sweet Dreams

Three years later

My heart pounded, throbbing under my skin, struggling to keep up with my paws. The pads hit the ground with painful force. Loud cawing behind me got closer, hotter, so I ran faster. Gnarled branches raked my ribs, pushing me deeper into the blackness. My mind had one thought: don’t let it get you.

Bramble weaved into a trap, leaving me nowhere to run. I pinned my ears back, but the cackling burned into my head. My tail wrapped around my legs as I cowered. The crow dived towards me with talons outstretched. 

Ylvana!

A face stared at her and something clutched her shoulder. Her sky blue irises faded to gray, realizing she was in her room and it was her mother who woke her.

Are you okay?

Yeah, I’m fine. It was a simple nightmare, nothing but her brain going a step too far. Why was her heartbeat still so rapid?

Sitting up, her body was stiff. She had fallen asleep while drawing, using the wall bricks as a pillow and the windowsill as a mattress.

Have you slept there all night? Gwen asked.

I guess so. You’d think Miria would have woken me. She glanced at her cousin’s perfectly made bed.

She must know by now she has a better chance waking a hibernating bear.

Hey, at least I’m getting the full eight hours!

Yes, straight through breakfast.

Both hands of the grandfather clock pointed to the 11, meaning the dining hall closed until lunch. As if having a horrible nightmare wasn’t bad enough!

Ylvana stretched away the sore crick in her back. She depended on these days off to heal the strain of training, but sleeping on a window made it worse. Maybe a walk would help. Do you think we could go to the village today?

Outside, evergreens poked the blue sky, hiding the thin layer of snow beneath their branches. Warm sun streaming in gave the illusion of summer. As gorgeous as the day was, the crisp air and spring breeze had to wait.

Albin warned us to stay indoors. There’s been recent Crow activity.

Ylvana slumped against the bricks. He can’t keep us locked up like this.

He wants to protect us, especially after what happened to your father.

We were living fine on our own without him. Plus, I’m not completely helpless, I know basic defense stuff.

"Basic defense isn’t always enough. I promise this won’t last much longer.

Three years felt like forever, and it wasn’t over. No one mentioned she’d have to train at the castle until she was eighteen.

Gwen gave her a firm hug. Just hang in there for me, okay? We’ll be home in no time.

When she left, Ylvana tried going back to sleep despite the awkwardness of the windowsill. Then someone tapped on the glass, scaring her so bad, she fell to the floor. Her room was a hundred feet above the reach of any person.

"Jævla, Månen! Ylvana growled, opening the window. Don’t scare me like that!"

The barn owl swooped in on golden wings, landing on Ylvana’s nightstand. I’m sorry, dear, I thought you were awake, but I should have known better.

Hey, I wake up on time on training days! She held up her newest sketch. I got late-night inspiration, and before I knew it, it was four o’clock.

Wow! Månen said. Beautiful, as usual! This is the first black wolf I’ve seen you do.

Ylvana set it on her desk. I guess my self-portraits were getting old.

If only I had that talent. Månen attempted to pick up a pencil but could only hold it in her beak a few seconds.

Did you come by to throw my stuff around? she laughed, picking it up off the floor.

"I had to escape that fox