Solace of Time: Enaya, #1

By Justin Trout

Nile Whitman thought he had withstood the test of time, but when he discovers an ancient artifact known as Enaya, his life will change forever.

 

Enaya, a powerful and magical stone, alters time by bringing a futuristic city into Nile's time period. The leader of this city, Norcross Kenneth, falls in love with Nile's world and the magic within it, and he will stop at nothing until both their worlds are united. After Nile's kingdom is destroyed by this new unknown force, he sets out on an adventure to send the future back into their dimension.

 

It's not just this new threat that opposes Nile; the Lucian Empire has risen, and the Snake Queen wants Nile all to herself. When Nile forms a resistance with an unlikely band of heroes, he is forced to come to terms with his past and with the decisions that will affect his future.

 

Nile will have to embrace who he is if he is going to protect the people he loves, and in doing so, he will have to depend on Enaya, the element of time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Justin Trout
• Release date: Mar 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393775553

Book preview

To Every Beginning

The music tore the heart of a lonely Nile Whitman.

Everyone stood up, even Nile, as they turned toward the castle. The oak arched door opened with the help of two maidens, and an angel appeared. Her dress sparkled in the sunlight, and her bouquet of pink roses reflected off her cheeks. Nile gulped as she took that first step into her new life. If only her new life were with him.

The music continued—a slow symphony accompanied by the violin. The August breeze swept through the angel’s hair as she walked down the center of the grassy aisle, smiling. Nile remembered that this was her dream wedding, with the whole kingdom gathered outside, watching her before sunset. All of Woodlands had turned into a festive parade for this day. Long splints of oak were placed on two bales of hay, which provided seating for the guests. The flower girl scattered white roses across the aisle, painting a scene that only heaven could muster.

Nile watched as the angel made her way closer to him. Nile sat on the edge closest to the aisle. He wanted her to see him as she passed by. He even wore his best—black. Nile rarely wore black. The last time he wore black was the day his mother and brother were buried. However, Nile wanted to charm the angel that day, so he wore a black vest over a stainless white jerkin and black britches that came over his long black boots. His dark hair pushed back with the stroke of his hand, and he forced a smile. 

The angel passed by him without acknowledgment. The music continued, and Nile wondered why she didn’t see him. She walked down the aisle toward the altar, sculpted into the earth before a setting sun. Nile looked at his feet and took a deep breath.

A hand fell upon his shoulder and squeezed. Nile turned to see Leo, smiling at him. Leo had been Nile’s friend for so many moons that they’d lost count. Leo was more like a brother, whose wit was as bare as the fruit on a tree, and his charm was only shown through his humor.

Nile whispered, I dread when she says, ‘I do.’

She may say, ‘I don’t,’ Leo replied.

Nile forced a grin, hoping Leo was right. Nile had longed to be with Princess Dywnwen ever since he could remember.

The princess made it to the altar and stopped before Roland, who was tall and broad with the smile like a dagger. His long blond hair waved in the wind, and his armor was as pure as the sunset. He smiled at the princess, knowing that he would inherit one of the kingdoms in the Northern Realm.

Jealousy raged inside of Nile, but he knew he’d never stood a chance. Rumors circulated outside of the kingdom that Roland Enmore had slain two dragons in one day and that he saved a sinking ship of peasants caught in the middle of one of the most vicious storms that ever came to the Northern Realm. Nile scoffed at the latest story that Roland Enmore himself had come face to face with the greatest of enemies—Seraph.

After the Great War, Seraph was sent to the Forbidden Islands, where he was imprisoned all by himself. Seraph was as wicked as they came, and only one person had faced Seraph and got away with their life. Nile had no idea who, but he knew that it was not Roland Enmore of the Crywharn Kingdom. Or perhaps it was, Nile thought. Maybe it was out of anger and jealousy that he refused to believe any of the stories about Roland.

The priest looked upon the two with a brilliant smile, as if this wedding was written in the scriptures, and began to speak. Nile couldn’t hear everything he had said, nor did he care. He was just here to see her in a wedding dress. She stood straight, her waistline curving with the aid of a corset. Her peach skin glowed with radiance as excitement forced her to lean closer and closer to Roland.

The priest smiled at the crowd. Love is not written in the stars, nor is conquered in war. Love is never forgotten. Love is and shall always be the foundation of life.

The priest lifted his head. When you love, you are telling that person that you desire that everything you have is theirs. This love is sharing the kingdom, the land, and the throne.

The priest jumbled words together, and Roland repeated after him. There was a moment when the priest made a mistake, and he had to redirect his tongue back into the religious formality that became accustomed to every wedding in the land of Sienna. Dywnwen smiled at Roland. Even Nile couldn’t help but smile. Her snicker was one of the things he loved the most about her.

And now you, Dywnwen. Repeat after me. I, Dywnwen Leyona, allow our bond of love to be the bridge between our hearts.

Dywnwen repeated, crying toward the end. Roland reached over and wiped away her tears. He giggled as he stared into her big brown eyes. He placed a hand upon her cheek and held the pose, allowing Woodlands' commoners to make sounds that encouraged their romance. Roland then slid his hand gently upon her face, where he massaged her chin with his thumb. Nile’s cheeks burned.

The priest placed his book upon the quartz pedestal, then brought forth a silver goblet with a red gem encrusted in the middle. The priest held the goblet between the newlyweds and looked upon the crowd. This is an act of love. You will each dip your fingers and sprinkle each other with the magical water, allowing your souls to become one. Dywnwen, you will be first.

Dywnwen dipped her fingers into the goblet and then sprinkled Roland. The water fell upon his armor and glimmered green before it vaporized. Roland did the same to Dywnwen. Nile leaned forward, nearly holding his stomach as their souls were about to become one within the heavenly realm of kings and queens. The water fell from Roland’s fingertips and glowed green, raining down her face.

Nile looked over at Leo, who was staring at him with a half-grin. Nile gently nodded, and Leo frowned, patting Nile on the back. The priest announced the royal family and sent them forth. Everyone stood to their feet and watched as the couple marched down the aisle and disappeared over a knoll filled with white flowers.

Nile stood up and walked over to the stream, watching the candles on top of the lilies float with the current. He flicked a pebble at the candle, knocking one of them off. He snorted. He glanced back at the ceremony; everyone circled the couple as they danced to the music. Nile was contemplating returning home and sleeping. Sleep would spare him pain.

After a few minutes of talking himself into getting a drink, he found himself at a table and filling a glass of red wine imported from the Western World. It tasted like a rusted coin, but Dywnwen was in love with this particular brand. Silver platters filled with fruit adorned the table. A large stem of grapes forced Nile to hunger after them. When he reached for the grape, another hand slid under his.

Nile’s eyes followed the hand up to the rightful owner, only to be greeted by the brown eyes of Dywnwen. Nile’s forced smile became a hefty laugh as he sat his glass of wine down on the table. He turned to her with open arms.

Congratulations, Nile said, embracing her.

Thank you, she said. She scratched her head. Did I look like I had been crying all morning?

No, Nile said. He hesitated for a second. You looked beautiful, Dywn.

Thank you, and you look handsome today, she replied. I thought you didn’t like black.

Only on special occasions, Nile said, weddings and funerals.

Dywnwen burst into laughter. Only Dywnwen would understand his wicked sense of humor, but Nile’s chest tensed with pain after he thought of his comments. He shouldn’t have said it like that, as if it were a joke or that he was fine with everything that had happened in his past—including the murder of his brother and mother by the Lucian Empire. Not a day went by that he didn’t think about what had happened. He looked around the kingdom as Dywnwen caught her breath, forcing herself to stop laughing.

Well, Dywnwen said, I hope you’re having fun.

Nile shrugged. I’d be having more fun if you married me.

Stop it. She playfully slapped his arm.

I’m only jesting, Nile said while rolling his eyes.

Roland came up behind Dywnwen, and without saying a word to Nile, he pulled her away.

Nile took a sip of his wine. If only you knew how serious I am. He placed his glass on the table and glanced across the kingdom once more. Everyone was dancing and laughing, and Nile’s heart filled with the melancholy. This could have been his wedding day. He hung his head and disappeared into the sunset.

The Moon Song

There had never been a song as beautiful and sad as the song the moon played that night. The stars sparkled in the universe, grieving with Nile Whitman. He lay on the roof of his little cabin and watched the atmosphere around him as he inhaled what might have been one of the most painful breaths he had ever taken.

The August air was cold and crisp, warning Nile that winter was on the horizon. He placed his hands behind his head and watched as the most beautiful sky mourned with him; then, he snapped his head toward the window. A figure, squared in size, stumbled through the opening.

I knew I’d find you here, Leo said, crawling over to Nile. He lay next to him.

What did you think? Nile continued to gaze up at the sky.

It was beautiful, Leo replied, placing his hands behind his head. You should have stayed.

I couldn’t, Nile mumbled.

You could have.

Nile took a deep breath. The moon glowed warmly, soothing him. This was Nile’s favorite time to heal when he could lay under the radiance of the moon. The deep black sky swirled with Nile’s forgotten dreams.

I watched her during the ceremony, Nile said. She was beautiful.

Of course, she’s beautiful.

She’s been beautiful since I first laid eyes on her.

At the young age of three, Leo joked.

Nile smiled at him. He knew he was right. Ever since they were little, Nile was in love with her. As time passed and they grew, he would sneak up into her tower to be with her. Her father—King Aidan—never knew this, but since Nile’s father was the king’s most trusted knight, he probably wouldn’t have cared. This gave Nile the freedom to enter the castle at will, and Dywnwen adored Nile and his childhood friend Leo.

They often spent nights wondering if they would ever leave this small kingdom in the woods. Nile remembered a particular conversation the three of them had when he was thirteen. He and Leo had begun to train as knights, which was taught by Nile’s father, Alexander Whitman. They confessed to Dywnwen their servitude and wondered if they would ever leave the kingdom. Nile heard his father's stories about meeting the wizards and the elves, the dwarves and the fairies, and wondered if it was all true. He remembered spending time with Dywnwen and Leo in the library, reading about all the wars that took place, all the prophecies. They admired all the drawings of the old world, the new world, and the forgotten world.

Nile read that the Forgotten Age was when a great continental shift broke the land apart and separated the nine kingdoms. During this time, a conflict arose—the Great War. The kingdoms fought over the broken land, and after nearly twenty years of bloodshed, a peace treaty was forged. This declared that the land would remain one and that the nine kingdoms would rule it together. The rulers called this new country Harved’ Ul, meaning Honor and Valor. And this world became known as the New Age or the New World.

Nile remembered the nights spent in fear talking about Seraph—the dark lord. Nile read that Seraph was crafted out of the magic from the stars and was created to love and be loved by Polydorus Nectarious, one of the last wizards from the Forgotten Age. Seraph was always eager to learn from him, but out of jealousy and hatred for Polydorus’s other creations, he killed him.

Then, he fled from the north. History recorded that during this time, Seraph visited the graves of those who died during the Great Extinction, a war in the Forgotten Age that nearly depleted the dragon riders and the elves. He raised them from the dead, changed their appearance, and called them Ard’Ols, meaning in the Old World language, devil feeders. Seraph and his army of Ard’Ols became known as the Lucian Empire.

Seraph took his army and conjured the Northern Realm. This began what was called the Magic Wars. Dal’Narmu and Reul gathered their armies and fought Seraph for three hundred years. However, Seraph was far too strong, and when two wizards, Darchin Cardall and Edward Welsh, obtained magical gems with unlimited power, they used it on Seraph.

They bound Seraph in chains and molded a steel trap over his mouth so that he could never speak magic again. He was imprisoned in a temple on the Forgotten Islands, where he was chained a thousand times to the walls. Seraph was left to rot there for all eternity.

The kingdoms forced the Lucian Empire to retreat into the Agorith Hills, and in honor of Darchin and Edward, they built two giant steel gates that continue to be guarded until this day.

Not much more of Seraph’s history has ever been recorded.

There was so much to his world that Nile wanted to see. He wanted to go beyond Darchin’s Gate and Edward’s Gate. He wanted to see the Crystal Kingdom or the Latira Wall, a shrine of all those who fell during the Barter Wars. He wanted to study the moon's magic under the wizards and eat from the forbidden tree in the Forbidden Islands. All this he wanted and more with Dywnwen. This was their dream together—a dream shared with her husband.

Nile sat on his house, facing the galaxy, and wondered where the time went. He was twenty-one, still young enough to marry and start a family, but it wouldn’t be with her. How did he end up here? How did she end up with Roland? The more he tried to answer those questions, the more shattered he became.

She asked me why you left, Leo said.

And? Nile asked, starving for him to continue.

Nothing, she just asked. I know she wanted you there on the most important day of her life.

On her wedding day, Nile whispered, almost as if it were hard to believe.

On her wedding day, Leo repeated, as if he, too, was finding it hard to believe.

Nile turned and looked at Leo, noticing his round face, high cheekbones, and deep sullen eyes. He forced a smile and said, I’m glad you’re here.

Leo smiled back. Me too.

There was a long pause as Nile took a deep breath. He sat forward and stared out over the kingdom as it bathed under the moon. The decorations had not been removed. Candles were still dying down on several of the tables. Nile loved this view of the kingdom. Although the castle was out in the distance, he could overlook the kingdom by the way his house was built—perched on top of a slanted knoll.

Have they left? Nile asked.

No, they leave tomorrow, Leo replied.

Nile took another deep breath.

You should see her off tomorrow, Leo said, trying not to look Nile in his eyes.

I may, he mumbled softly.

In the bustle of the wedding, Nile had not noticed all of the decorations. He did, finding it easier to concentrate. The arch at the end of the aisle was made of wooden roots that had been soaked in the magical waters from the Walsh Kingdom as a gift to symbolize undying love. Pink roses had been placed in the crevasses of the arch. Nile couldn’t tell they were pink, but he had noticed them when she walked down the aisle. The stream that harbored lighted lilies floated sweetly under an arched bridge of the castle, where the stream would eventually meet the ocean, several miles out. Nile had a thought; I wonder if the lilies will get there. Even though he knew they probably wouldn’t, he entertained the idea for a second longer.  

Nile leaned forward, resting his arm on his knee. He surveyed the land; then, his eyes moved to the castle that sat gallantly upon a hill. On another day or night, the towers would poke through soft layers of worldly cotton, but on this clear and majestic night, they helped to light the night sky. The stone structure always seemed welcoming.

How was the music? Nile asked.

Beautiful. Sinstad orchestrated the ceremony, Leo answered.

Nile opened his mouth to say something, but he gulped.

Go on and speak, Leo said.

"I stood there and watched her walk down the aisle. This was the wedding day that she and I had planned. This was our wedding day. She walked past me and didn’t even look me in the eyes. I felt like a nobody, so what else was I to do? I wasn’t going to stay around and pretend to be happy when I’m not. When we finally talked, it was just friendly gestures. She never acknowledged that we had a past."

Maybe she didn’t know you still felt that way, Leo commented.

She knew, Nile said.

Well, perhaps she was nervous as well.

I was hoping in my heart she would say ‘I don’t.’ Nile cracked a smile and looked at his friend.

Leo stood and edged toward Nile. They both stared out over the kingdom. Somewhere out there is your princess.

Something Ancient

Nile woke up alone.

He cracked open one eye and discovered the sun smiling warmly outside his window. He tried to go back to sleep, but the sunlight would not be denied, so he grudgingly rolled over onto his back and yawned. He stared at the ceiling and wished he were anywhere else than Woodlands on any other day than this one.

He used the sheets to help pull himself up and glanced out the window. He could hear the children playing. A smile found its way across his face. Nile threw the sheets over him and sprung from the bed, fumbling to the window. The wedding decorations were still intact, and children played with the pink ribbons strung across the courtyard. Nile watched for several moments before turning toward the small nightstand he and his grandfather had built. He traced the lines, uneven but beautiful, as he tried to distract himself from the pain brewing in his heart.

A pitcher of water and a bowl stood on the nightstand. Nile poured the pitcher into the bowl and rinsed his face. He reached for the towel, resting over the arm of a rocking chair and patted his face dry. He looked at himself in the mirror and forced himself to breathe.

Hanging on his bedpost was the outfit he had worn to Dywnwen’s wedding. He slid on the shirt and rolled up the sleeves. He stretched as the sun warmed his body. He found his way to the front entrance and lifted the plank that held the door locked.

Here goes, he said. He opened the door and stepped outside to be greeted by the universe.

Nile stood on his porch and overlooked the kingdom. He always said that he was far away from the castle but close enough to touch it. Nile moved forward and noticed the villagers preparing for their days. He could smell the baked bread coming from the marketplace. He inhaled the scent of toasted wheat rye, and he remembered that he’d forgotten to eat breakfast. He walked to the edge of the porch and glanced at the sky.

It was blue.

He stretched out his right foot, over the grass, as his left remained glued to the wooden porch. He knew that if he took that step, then the day would continue. Oh, how his heart hurt, and as much as he wanted to retreat into the shadows of his house, he knew he must press forward. Nile stepped off the porch and looked back at his home.

He lived by himself for several years since his mother and brother died. Nile had no idea where his father was, perhaps still fighting the Great Pursuit. The Great Pursuit was a constant conflict with the Lucian Empire.

Nile assumed his father had died since the rest of the knights had found their way back to the kingdom of Woodlands. Nile tried not to think about his father. It would keep him awake more often than not.

Nile, said a familiar voice.

Nile turned to see Leo stumble through the swarm of children. Nile rolled his eyes, realizing that he wanted to be alone today. It was just like Leo, though, always looking for something to do, and every day provided a new opportunity for him to do so. He never hesitated to go after Nile to join him in his adventures around Woodlands. He had spent most of his childhood living with Nile and his family anyways. Nile had to remind himself that they were forced, brothers. Leo’s childhood was just as dark as the telling of Seraph. That’s probably why he was so light-hearted and found simple pleasures. Leo was always looking at the bright side.  

He came to Nile in broad steps. And you thought you were going to get away.

I almost did, Nile said, surrendering to a friendly smile.

But you couldn’t get rid of me, no siree, Leo said. Where are you heading to?

Nile shrugged, looked toward the forest surrounding the kingdom, and walk onward. Leo followed him, unaware that Nile was bound to get him in trouble. As they passed through the kingdom, they were greeted by everyone, from the blacksmith to the baker and the merchant and the gardener. Nile attempted to keep the conversations short, not wanting to engage in a lengthy conversation over the wedding, but as fate would have it, he found himself just on the edge of the alley, ready to make that first step when Mrs. Spoonfell stopped him.

She was a short, round lady with dry gray hair. She had the heart of a court jester, friendly and smiling. Nile always enjoyed Mrs. Spoonfell, but he had no interest in talking with her today. He tried to push his way through, but she asked the one question he didn’t want to answer.

How do you feel about the new prince? Mrs. Spoonfell’s cheeks were as red as the rising sun.

Nile swallowed. She will be happy.

Oh, she said, how beautiful she looked yesterday.

Nile smirked and glanced at Leo, who was standing behind her. He was mocking her with wide mouth gestures. Nile tried not to laugh.

She looked beautiful, Nile agreed. He turned toward the forest.

Have a nice day, Leo called over his shoulder.

Nile left Woodlands and made his way into the forest. He stopped. He stretched his neck back, staring at the sky. The canopy of trees shaded his face. He held out his arms and closed his eyes. Several leaves fell around him.

I come out here to forget about back there, Nile said.

I remember, Leo commented.

This is where she brought me, Nile said, staring at the sky.

Dywnwen? Leo asked.

No, my mother, when she was alive.

Leo said nothing. It was depressing to speak about Nile’s mother and brother. In fact, it was depressing to mention anything relating to that day. Anytime it was brought up, Nile would shut down and disappear. Leo knew that he would blame himself for what had happened, but that wasn’t the case. To keep the sadness from growing, he only waited for Nile to continue with his words.

Something moved in the woods. A deer. It leaped through the forest.

He turned around and saw it run through its home. Nile felt that. It was nice to have a home to run wild through. He could feel the happiness resonate in him when he thought about his idea of home. Nile glanced at Leo and for him to follow him.

They walked for several minutes, passing towering trees. The leaves had begun to change color. Nile loved that. He came to a clearing beyond the trees, almost circular. In the middle were the remains of what appeared to be an angel statue. The head was severed, and the wings detached, lying around the base of the legs.

Here? Leo asked. You wanted to come here?

Nile nodded.

Why here?

Nile hesitated, finding it hard to speak. He wanted to tell Leo all his memories of this fond place, but he couldn’t. Not all the strength in the world would allow Nile to discuss what had happened here.

All he could say was, My mother and brother came out here often.

You never brought me here, Leo said.

I never had a reason to.

Nile sat down against the statue's standing remains and leaned his head back against the fractured knee. Leo sat on the ground across from him. He ran his fingers through the grass and pulled up a handful at a time. He went through each blade of grass and tossed them to the side.

Sorry you came out here, Nile said.

Don’t be, Leo said. I wanted to be here for you.

I can’t believe she married him! Tears filled his eyes and streamed down his cheeks.

Are you being fair? Leo asked.

Nile shook his head and glanced at Leo. It just hurts.

Leo quickly stood to his feet. Get up.

Nile furrowed his brow, bewildered.

I’m not joking, get up, Leo said again.

Well, Nile said, getting to his feet.

Now, scream.

I’m not screaming.

Scream, Nile. You’ll feel better.

I’m not screaming.

Do it.

Nile realized Leo was serious. So, he took a deep breath and screamed. His voice carried through the forest, and birds left their nests, fluttering through the leaves. Nile stopped and laughed.

Feel better? Leo had a confident smirk upon his face.

Nile looked around the forest, stunned. Yes, I do.

Now push over that statue, Leo demanded.

I’m not doing that, Nile stared at the crumbled remains.

Do it, Leo said.

No, that’s all that’s left from . . . you know.

Here, I’ll do it, Leo said, charging toward the statue.

No! Nile jumped in his way.

How can you move on if you don’t accept change? Push that statue.

Nile bit his lower lip. He looked at the statue as if he were looking deep into his past. The torso was lying nearly six feet away, covered in vines and moss, the wings stuck up from the ground, and the head was lying near a pile of rocks. Nile approached the statue and placed his hands on what remained.

If I do this, Nile said, I can’t go back.

You can never go back, Leo said reassuringly.

Nile pushed on the statue, and the base slid in the dirt. Leo watched. After a few moments, Nile pushed again, this time arching his back and thrusting his hips forward. The statue began to give way and was lifted inch by inch. Leo rushed to his aid and helped pushed the statue over. When it landed, the legs shattered and crumbled into hundreds of pieces.

Leo dusted his hands as Nile’s heart raced.

How do you . . . Leo started to ask.

Nile looked down and saw something mysterious hidden by the statue.

A chest was buried in a hole in the ground. Nile fell to his knees and wiped away some of the dirt that kept this chest buried within the earth. As the dirt smeared away, the symbol of a dragon with its tail wrapped around a phoenix revealed itself. This was the current symbol used during the war with the Lucian Empire. Nile recognized the symbol from the stories his father told.

What do we do? Leo asked, his knees shaking in excitement as if they’d struck gold.

We open it, Nile replied.

You open it, Leo repeated.

Nile placed his hands around the seal and tried to lift it, but it was too heavy for him alone. He signaled for Leo to help. They set their hands under the rough edges and pried it open, little by little.

Whoosh!

The lid popped off, revealing a cloud of smoke. Nile waved his hands through the cloud. Then he reached into the dark abyss, fingering the rough texture inside the chest. It felt like dry clay. His curious hands came across a leather texture. Nile grabbed it and weighed it in his hand. It wasn’t heavy, but something hard was inside it. Nile pulled the item out, revealing a leather pouch.

What do you think is inside? Leo asked.

Nile didn’t reply. He quickly untied the pouch and allowed the flaps to fall over his hands. His eyes glowed, for the sight of this beautiful object had him mesmerized in a trance, and it was as if time stood still.

Leo leaned over Nile’s shoulder and gazed at the blue oval-shaped gem. The object looked like a marble, with scratches and smears etched across it. Time had nearly withered this object away, but the ancient beauty captivated their hearts, and they were lost for words for what they were holding.

The gem began to glow, a deeper blue than the ocean. The gem reflected the passion of Nile’s heart as if it were reading his emotions. Then, suddenly, everything grew silent and still. The wind seemed to seize, and the only thing heard in the wilderness was the loud thumping of Nile’s heart.

Something New

Nile had a sense of floating. He looked to his side and saw Leo’s feet. He realized that Leo was upside down, hanging in the blue haze that surrounded them. Woodlands had disappeared, and Nile suspected it was somewhere far below them, hidden beyond the blue mist and, somehow, they were flying high in the sky. He expected a sense of fear but instead was amazed at the calm that overwhelmed him. He felt a tug on his ankle and looked down at Leo,