SUSTAIN

By Valerie Claussen

A time long past—humans were defenseless and kept at the mercy of powerful beings who controlled their world through natural magic. Sustain is a fantastical tale that follows the lives of the most influential Kastelian family of that age.

Cole, the eldest of three handsome sons, was a strong, arrogant man born into privilege, power and hatred. Raised by his merciless father—a self-proclaimed king—Cole and his brothers were key players in his father's plan to annihilate their adversaries.

The family’s loyalty is tested when Cole brings a mysterious stranger named Arna into their lives. With this new addition to their world—danger follows her—as secrets unfurl around them.

Can Cole learn to distinguish between good and evil, despite his upbringing? Will he defend or destroy the ones he cares about the most?

At its core, Sustain is a story of growth, courage, sacrifice and extraordinary love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781312522749

Book preview

Sustain

Sustain

Valerie Claussen

Copyright © 2021

by Valerie Claussen

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

Lulu Publishing

ISBN 978-1-312-52274-9

Ordering Information:

U.S. trade bookstores and wholesalers: Please contact:

email [e-mail].

Dedication

To my sister Buzz/ Melody, who encouraged me to follow my dreams. Thank you for your continued love, support and faith.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my family and friends who have supported my journey.

CHAPTER ONE

KINDLING THE FIRE

The small village of Blatstar was blanketed with smoke as the small, simple homes of the people burned while the villagers watched in agony. Nearly everything they had worked to build over generations would be only a memory in moments. The inferno was not created by the mysterious strangers who had arrived shortly before the flames were set but by the villagers themselves.

Corwin was a mighty, self-proclaimed King who did not rule any one kingdom but in his mind and with his power, ruled over many lands.  Reacting to mere rumor, he and five of his soldiers—along with his young son Cole—came to the village in search of a rare stone called Ristu that was said to be hidden inside Blastar. The gem held medicinal properties which could heal most any illness or wound by simply holding it in one’s palm. This was a mighty treasure for Corwin as he greatly feared death and old age.

Within minutes of arrival, the men drew everyone out of their homes to the streets to hold a public inquiry. The people encircled the intruders as commanded.

He shouted, If you tell me where it is, I may have mercy on you!

No one spoke. They looked at each other puzzled having no knowledge of the Ristu.

Corwin laughed, What a beautiful little place you have here: cozy homes, plenty of livestock, bountiful crops and an abundance of children to help tend to your chores.

The people frantically pulled their young close to them.

A man said loudly with a shaky voice, I promise you. We know nothing of what you speak. Please leave us!

Leave?! Give me the stone and only then will I leave you!

We know nothing of it. I swear. a woman cried.

Cole who was only five years old pulled on the edges of his father’s cloak and said, Father, maybe they don’t have it.

Greatly disappointed in his son, Corwin nodded to his men. The men rushed upon the crowd and were seen whispering into the ears of the children. They quickly stepped back to show the people they did not harm them.

It is here, Corwin whispered to his son. I can feel they’re hiding something.

Without warning, the children walked together away from the group holding hands with vacant expressions on their faces. Their parents didn’t question it as they thought perhaps the men were letting them go. The villagers watched the children as they disappeared behind the gathering hall smiling and singing softly. The last to disappear behind the building was a blond-haired girl carrying a doll. Unlike the others, she turned around and looked at her parents just before going completely out of view. Corwin and his men did not notice.

The mother of one of the children sighed in relief and said, Thank you.

The men laughed.

Thank you? Corwin chuckled with his eyes set on the gathering hall.

There was an uncomfortable silence that was broken suddenly by an echoing sound of children’s sinister laughter that seemed to be moving very quickly behind the people. They turned around to see flames begin to consume the hall. The people rushed to get pails of water to douse the flames. They threw water at the building with great speed and force until they noticed that there were flames spreading throughout the village.

Stop them! a man yelled pointing to the children who were carrying long torches. The young ones are burning our village!

As the people attempted to seize their torches, the kids swung the flamed ends towards their own people nearly scorching them. The people cried as the children seemed too strong and uncontrollable.

It’s really very simple! Corwin commanded. Give me the gem and I’ll make them stop.

The people shouted, begging them to stop, but the children didn’t listen.

I don’t often give second chances! Corwin shouted. I can promise you this will only get worse. Bring me the stone now!

Corwin’s men each grabbed five of the women, two of which were clearly well into their pregnancies. The women fought them and tried desperately to get away. The women begged for mercy.

Corwin yelled, Is this what you would have me do? You would willingly sacrifice these women and your own young to keep me from my prize?!

The husband of one of the women fell to his knees crying out, Please give us a chance to help you find it! Please! If we knew where it was, it would already be in your hand! Please!

I am not a fool! You’ve made your choice! He paused for a moment and then commanded his men. Get on with it.

The men each pulled a dagger from their pockets and laid the blade against each woman’s throat. 

Within seconds, an elderly man with a long gray beard yelled, Stop! I have it! The man used a cane to hold him up as he walked towards them calling out with urgency. Let them go! I’ll give it to you!

The men maintained their positions but did not move the blades while Corwin approached the man.

Where is it? Corwin asked.

In my pocket, the man answered with a shaky voice. Please let them go.

You’re lying to me, Corwin said angrily. You don’t have it. You think I’m a fool?!

I do have it. I’ll give it to you but only after you let the women go and stop the children.

That’s not how it’s done, old man, he said with humor in his voice. I end this only when I have the Ristu in my possession. You are wasting time. The longer it takes your people to give me it, the more your precious village will burn and soon, one by one my men will dispose of your women.

If you have it, please Rafon, give it to him quickly, one of the pregnant women begged.

He doesn’t have it! Corwin yelled. It is here somewhere but not with this man.

I do have it, Rafon stated reaching into his pocket pulling out a satchel.

It’s a fake. You think I’m a fool? Corwin said grabbing it from his hand. If it were real, you would not need that cane to walk! And you would not appear so sickly. I know of its power.

I haven’t used it yet. I was waiting until my wife and I got away from here so no one would know what treasure we possess. We planned to use it and then sell it.

Corwin looked at his men and smiled. He then told the old man to hold out his hand.

The man grew even more afraid. What will you do to me? he asked slowly putting out his hand.

Corwin smiled a terrible grin, Now that depends. One of two things will happen. If you’re telling the truth, you will walk away a healthy new man but if you’re lying, you will lose everything your eyes can see and then your eyes you will lose.

The old man shut his eyes very tightly and prayed that the gem he had found was truly the Ristu. His put his right hand out in front of him with it wide open. Corwin slowly released the item from the bag while the whole village watched in great fear and with great hope. As soon as the old man felt the gem touch his hand, he slowly closed his fingers around it. The gem felt very warm in his hand but somehow made him shiver. He opened his eyes and looked at Corwin.

The old man’s face changed before their eyes. The reddening of his skin and the dark spots faded.  His eyes became a brighter shade of blue and the yellow of his eyes had become white again.

Corwin looked at his men and nodded. The men let go of the women who then hurried to their husbands.

Corwin cheered, I have it!

The old man dropped his cane and slowly walked back towards his wife who quickly pulled him close to her.

The children dropped their torches and returned to their families confused by what they’d done. Nearly everything was burnt to the ground. It was too late to save their homes. A deep sorrow filled their eyes.

Father, you were right, Cole said smiling. It was here. They were lying to us.

That’s right and they will learn from this. If they had just given me my gem then none of this would have happened, Corwin said patting his son on the head. They chose this.

Then they are lucky too, Cole said smiling.

What a smart boy you are, Corwin said feeling proud of his son.

A woman watching stood with her arms wrapped around her young daughter whose face was covered in ash. Lucky? she asked.

Her husband quickly tried to cover her mouth to stop her from speaking. Don’t.

She looked at Cole’s young face. She stepped forward towards him away from her husband and child and spoke, "We are not lucky. We did not choose this. You and your father chose this for us. Our children would never do such a terrible thing on their own. They did not lie. They knew nothing of this gem as did most everyone here. They did not choose to lose their homes, their place to play, to rest, to eat and to live. They did not choose to lose everything they have!"

Cole looked up at his father and said, Is this true?

Corwin looked at him and said, No, they knew. They were hiding it from us. They are all filthy liars.

Corwin could see sympathy filling his son’s eyes. He bent down on one knee to be at his eye level and spoke to him in a kind voice. That feeling you have now, they caused that. They want you to feel sadness for them. They want you to hurt and suffer. They are doing this to you.

Cole wiped his teary eyes, I don’t understand.

Corwin looked over at the woman who had gone back to stand beside her daughter and husband. He noticed the little girl was holding something tightly in her arms.

Corwin whispered into Cole’s ear, The mother lies. Look at her child. Has she really lost everything? No Cole. They are liars and only want to see you suffer. They take advantage of your kind heart.

Cole looked over and saw. He hugged his father and whispered, Those creatures cannot hurt me.

Cole stepped away from his father and slowly walked towards the little girl. Her parents pulled her closer as they did not trust the boy.

Hi, Cole said looking at the little girl. What’s your name?

Don’t tell him, her father commanded pulling her even further away.

I’m hungry, he asked. Are you hungry?

Yes. the girl answered.

Cole smiled at her and then turned to his father. May I have a piece of bread so I can share with this hungry child father?

She doesn’t need your bread. The girl’s father interrupted.

But I do father. Please. All of our food is gone now and I’m hungry, she said pulling away from her parents and stepping towards the boy.

Corwin handed his son a large piece of bread. He smiled at his son and spoke loudly so everyone could hear, Very good son. You have a generous heart.

Cole handed the little girl the bread. She smiled. She took a big bite and then tore the rest into pieces and gave it to the other children near her.

After a few minutes, all the bread was gone and the girl stepped back towards him and said, Thank you. It was the finest bread I’ve ever eaten. Thank you so much.

You’re welcome. Would you like some more? Cole asked smiling.

Oh, yes please, she replied thinking of her village.

Corwin himself this time handed her a large sack of bread.

Thank you, she said and began to reach into the bag to pass out more food to the people.

Wait, Cole said looking at the old rag doll she held under her arm. What is that?

Her name’s Sarah, she answered raising the doll up to show him.

Where did you get that? Cole asked.

My mother made her for me when I was a baby, the girl said smiling.

You are truly blessed, Cole said. When I was a baby, my mother was murdered. She never made me anything because someone killed her. I bet she would have made me a nice doll too.

The little girl looked at Cole, I’m sorry you lost your mother. That’s so sad.

I bet your mother could make you a dozen of those. I’ll never even have one, Cole said making the saddest face he could put together. I’ll never have a doll like that without a mother of my own.

It’s time to leave, Corwin said. Let’s go Cole. Not everyone can be as lucky as she is.

Cole turned and took a few steps away from the girl as if he were leaving. He stopped almost suddenly and looked back into the girl’s eyes and said, Can you at least tell me your name before I go? You can just whisper it into my ear? I will tell you mine too.

The girl felt no fear about it, so she nodded yes. Young Cole walked up to her and turned his head so she could speak to just him.

My name’s Arna and you’re nice, she whispered but he didn’t really listen.

Cole looked at her smiling and then whispered, "My name is Cole, and you want to give me Sarah."

Cole began to walk away from the girl smiling and waving good-bye. The villagers watched quietly, puzzled but thankful the men and the boy were leaving them.

Good-Bye, Cole said with false sorrow.

Cole looked at his father smiling. I think I did it.

Corwin smiled at him and said, We shall see.

Wait! the girl yelled.

Cole turned around and looked at her with a gloomy face although he was not miserable at all.

She ran up to Cole and handed him the doll. I want you to have it.

You’re giving me this? he asked shaking his head. But your mother made this with her own hands.

I want you to have it, she said smiling. My mother can make more. You said so yourself.

Her mother walked up to her and said, He doesn’t want it. You should keep it. Everything is gone now. How could I make another doll? Out of nothing? It will be a while before I’m able. You must keep it.

No mommy. It’s mine to give, not yours. I want him to have it, she said and stepped back.

Thank you very much, Cole said smiling while placing the doll in his satchel.

Corwin and his group walked away from the burning village with young Cole skipping behind. Just before they mounted their horses and were out of sight of the people, Corwin stopped, reached into Cole’s satchel and took the doll out. He looked at his son and told him to run back and throw it into the fire.

Cole was clearly upset by his father’s command. Why father? I want it.

What does a young prince need of a ragged doll?

I want it because the girl gave it to me, Cole answered.

She only gave it to you because you tricked her. Her mother made that; she didn’t actually want to give you it, Corwin said stating what should have been obvious.

"Why did you make me see the doll if you didn’t think I should have it father?" Cole asked confused.

I was trying to teach you. That village is full of deceitful liars. The doll was proof.

The girl seemed good, Cole said trying to persuade his father.

Look what she comes from. She will be like the rest of them one day. That doll represents all that they are and will be. That’s why I wanted you to see it. I’m trying to teach you right from wrong. As your father, I cannot allow you to carry that trinket with you. It may cause harm to us. We don’t know what sorcery that possesses.

Corwin handed the doll to his son and said, If you do not destroy evil it will consume you. It must be burned.

Cole looked at the doll one last time and said, Maybe you’re right father. Maybe there is evil in this doll. It is making my heart feel sad. His father watched as he ran back tossing it toward the fire with it landing on the very edge. Cole’s eyes stayed fixed on it watching as the flames hovered over the doll’s arm without burning it. He said nothing and went back to his father.

I have much to teach you, but I have faith you will be as great as I someday, Corwin said reaching down patting his son on the head.

Cole smiled at his father and they all resumed their return home. Corwin reached into his pocket and looked at the Ristu and smiled with eyes full of possibilities. After they went about 50 yards, Cole noticed his father’s