Tarc: Book 1: Journeys Begin

By Riese Gordon

Tarc a land dancing on the precipice of war. A fairy lands history in the making, fuelled by the clandestine love of a father, an inexperienced queen finding her voice and young warrior who secretly treasures more than his birth land in his heart. Allow Tarc and its inhabitants to sweep you away on a mystical, magical and intriguing journey that highlights their struggle for true and rightful representation of each of the Fay found in this starkly beautiful land of contrasts.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Apr 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496977618

Riese Gordon

Author’s debut book. Author currently in education.

Book preview

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© 2014 Riese Gordon. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse   04/23/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-7759-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-7760-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-7761-8 (e)

Photo courtesy of Gustav Wentzel Photography, South Africa.

All rights to image are reserved by author and photographer.

Model: Tylo Hibbert

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

A Dedication

The Invitation

Prologue

Contrasting lands

Chapter One

The Selection

Chapter Two

Leading Journeys

Enlightened Journeys

Shanitarin’s Journey

Shamraque’s Journey

Hagen’s Journey

Istlor’s Journey

Jordash’s Journey

Chapter Three

Leading Journeys

Darkened Journeys

Marken’s Journey

Marag’s Journey

Chapter Four

Fairy Training

Chapter Five

Ranks and Orders

Shamraque and military life

First orders

New friends

Chapter Six

Planning a Council’s Downfall

Last Days

The gathering

Chapter Seven

A Love for Hagen

Chapter Eight

Unexpected Allies

Chapter Nine

A Council No More

Chapter Ten

Eminent War

Chapter Eleven

Foul Play

Chapter Twelve

Dwarfs Raiding

Chapter Thirteen

Mermaids’ Dance

Chapter Fourteen

Hesitant Warfare

The gathering of warriors

The Ultimate battle

A light within

Executing a new battle plan.

Chapter Fifteen

Unexpected Rewards

Epilogue

The Future grows

Appendix 1

List of Characters and Places

Appendix 2

The Queen’s Marking

Appendix 3

The Map of Tarc

A DEDICATION

The writing of this book has truly been an out-of-body experience. Most of my adult life has seen me as an educator in the sciences and mathematical fields, thus leading me to believe that there was very little or no room for imagination in the day to day dealings of my life. This book has taught me otherwise. I hold a deep thankfulness for the love and support I have received from so many areas in my life.

To the two most precious gifts from God. You have always been the blessings in my life and always serve to inspire me. My son, your life has never been an easy one but you have proved to be resilient, brave and bold. I pray a future that is blessed and filled with success and remember, Mookie loves you no matter what! To my little pixie ears, in many ways, just like this book, you were never meant to be, but yet your tenacious character has ensured your survival. Thanks for all your love and friendship. You will always remain my little miracle. To my other children—Katie, Dixie, Palesa and Nox—you may not be mine from birth but thank you for all the love, the support and belief in this crazy mother of yours.

Our Gracious God has blessed me with a twin sibling and two fabulous slightly off-beat parents. Noldie, throughout life you have proved to be my true and closest friend. My life started with you and I pray that it will reach glorious completion with you by my side. Thank you for your easy company, blind acceptance of my wild ideas and unconditional love, in many ways you are truly my better half.

To Pops and Nermal, after reading this book, many aspects I am sure left you surprised, begging the question Where our sensible daughter is and what have you done to her? Yet your support to this crazy child of yours has been unwavering from the day I entered the world until now, and for that I am truly thankful. I love the two of you more each day simply because of the type of parents you are.

Again our God saw it fit to bless me with a partner in my later life that truly gets me for me and does not question my off-the-wall approach to life. T, I have said this many times but you are and will always be my beautiful blessing. Thank you for your support in this process, for reading and re-reading drafts until they carried the story I wanted to tell most eloquently. Thank you too for enriching my family with your two wonderful boys that lie deep within my heart.

I would like to thank the countless learners that have shared classroom space with me in the many years of teaching. You constantly remind me that even an old dog can learn new tricks. Thanks for all your encouragement and honest critique.

To the colleagues and friends that I spend my working days with, you have in so many ways, both knowingly and unknowingly, contributed to the success of this book. To Christo, thank you for putting the flame of urgency directly under my derrière and keeping it there until this book was completed. You prove that true friendships can still be found in a cold world like this one.

A special thank you must go to Cesar, Mark, Merly, Hannah, Victor, Eugene, Rey and the rest of the team from Authorhouse. Cesar thank you for reaching out to me across an ocean and showing faith in this book and in me. To the rest of the team, even those I am not aware of, your tireless efforts to make this a success is truly appreciated. May I one day be blessed enough to see you all.

THE INVITATION

As darkening light adjourns into first slumber

The fairies fly to dance to the beat of the gnome drummer

Souring on wings of the Golden Pegasus due North

All should adhere to the elves as they call fourth

Your presence is requested in mermaid song

To join the magical eve and be enchanted along

Fantasy and magic will enthral

As the druids guard, please head this call

Cheriese Geddes

PROLOGUE

Contrasting lands

From the bright sun’s reflection on the cool cyan waters to the stark beauty that was to be seen in shifting bleached desert sands, Tarc was a land of great diversity in both the people that inhabited it and the land that was inhabited. It was this diversity that contributed to the land’s unique character and unusual appeal. To the North lay the great Feather Grass Fields and this landscape frontiered into wizard country. Wizards are a people that prize knowledge and quiet diplomacy most. These characteristics made them sought after even in their neighbouring country of Tarc, for Tarc took all its royal advisors from the wizarding community because they possessed an insight that was far greater than that of all other mystical beings. The north was the only part of Tarc that had sea access. Tarc rested in an almost diamond shape on the land it occupied. The sea front was only a stretch of beach of about thirteen kilometres and was of great importance to Tarc. This small narrow gate to the sea offered both trade with other mystic nations and infrastructure to the fairy nation itself. Needless to say Tarc guarded its sea entrance with great vigour.

To the south lay the Forgotten Forests, so named as all who were banished, by own choice or that of the people, from the fairy society sought to eke out an existence there. Although the lifestyle was harsh, the land was fertile and many even succeeded to obtain some margin of wealth from this unforgiving habitat. The Forgotten Forests teamed with different life forms. Fauna and water spirits and those of the winds all dwelled in this green and luscious environment. It was also long rumoured that many ancient forms of magical beasts inhabited the many caves found in this area. Centaurs also lived here, choosing to do so as to remain out of the public eye. They were a shy and withdrawn race which adhered to a strict code of conduct. Centaurs were proud of their history, way of life and traditions that were so much a part of their everyday living. These, strong and mysterious equine-like creatures were mistrusting of most other magical creatures and failed to comprehend how others could live in apparent dishevel without strict rules to govern every aspect of life. Because the Centaurs had chosen their isolation from the fairy folk, a deep rooted suspicion was born and continued to rage between these two mystical races indefinitely. It led to ever increasing dark and deep chasms of mistrust between them.

To the east lay the whispering white sands of the Great Desert. This stark unyielding land was mainly inhabited by sand elves. Living in the desert was a tough life and was only made marginally easier because these elves dwelled underground. They considered themselves to be independent of Tarc because they were not surface dwellers and therefore did not adhere to the rules of Tarc. Due to their being isolated for many years, they did not enjoy representation on the Council. Such was their life underground that they had no reason to surface unless it was to defend their way of life. This had not been a necessity for some time and thus the elves enjoyed and even zealously protected their splendid isolation from others.

Finally to the west were the crystal waters of Inner Lakes. These lakes were surrounded by tropical underbrush and tall majestic trees. The clear transparent waters that glistened in the sun teamed with mermaids. These dolphin—like creatures were always in good spirit and freely lent a hand to all creatures that sought refuge or aid. They had been loyal to the Council of Tarc for many millennia and as such enjoyed some status amongst the peoples of Tarc.

The main inhabitants of Tarc were the fairies. Thin, lithe and exquisite beings, with the male of the species adorned with turquoise wings and their female counterparts with emerald. Their fine bone structure gave an angled look to these exquisite creatures and they were considered a beautiful nation by many other species found both in and outside of Tarc’s borders. Their lives were also governed by a strict code of obedience to ancient traditions, rituals and laws. Every aspect of life was governed by these rituals and were so ingrained into life’s every day acts that fairies felt most distraught if the opportunity to perform the necessary rituals involved in their life were removed. The rituals were good as they helped the fairy folk to focus on their heritage and keep calm in all matters of life. Unfortunately, the current Council had a most high handed attitude towards most other magical creatures in Tarc and thus fuelled the fires of mistrust that had been smouldering for many years.

Tarc is the only Kingdom to be ruled by queens. This is because of all the great wars that were caused when it was under the rule of Kings. The Council that was established after the last Great War voted that from then on Tarc would always be ruled by a queen, as women, being more nurturing by nature would resist war at all costs. The system worked well and had been in place for at least the last twenty millennia. To avoid men exercising their brutal and dominant ways through their children, no permanent mating was allowed on any social level in Tarc. All matings were chosen by the elders that had been appointed by the Council. All men on reaching the age of two hundred and fifty automatically paid tax to the Tarc children’s fund, irrespective if they had mated or not. Children were raised by their mothers and all the men in the villages and cities played the contributing father role in their upbringing. To further ensure that there could be no fathers manipulating any and all aspects through their children; matings never took place between members of the same village or city. This eliminated all chances of males bonding with particular children, but rather ensured that they became protectors of all of Tarc’s children. The women often knew who sired their offspring, but because they enjoyed the monetary benefits from the children’s fund and many men to help lighten the burden in the upbringing of their children, adhered to the strict secrecy as demanded from them by Tarc law.

Nordukai was the dwarf state that bordered Tarc on two sides, namely the Great Desert in the east and the Forgotten Forests in the south. Nordukai housed the sworn enemies of the queen and the land she ruled. The dwarfs of this country had an allegiance with many of the corrupt Council members and together had already tried to overthrow Tarc once before. These times culminated with the queen—mother’s brutal murder by the very Council that governed Tarc with her. Thus the conflict ended with the young inexperienced queen being crowned as leader of Tarc and the dwarfs having to retreat, ever the defiant losers. The corrupt Council members still had an alliance with them and were in the process of organising a second coup. Thus Tarc was embroiled in turbulent times. The new queen had not yet decisively established her authority and right to the throne. This had resulted in the country being fraught with inner strife and mistrust. Furthermore with the Council in the midst of strengthening alliances with the border country of Nordukai to overthrow the queen and grab the rule for themselves, there was little security and faith left in the Tarc Government and Council. The queen was fully aware of the plots and schemes that riddled throughout her courts and had started to plan her campaign to fight back in order to gain full control of her country and rid it from all the mistrust and greed. Her plans and actions till this point had been in secret but a time would come that the lands of Tarc would be caught in open conflict and bloody warfare. Tarc was entwined in troubled times and only a young queen and her royal guard could restore it to the majestic land that it once had been.

CHAPTER ONE

The Selection

She watched as he stripped down in order to bath. Her gaze followed his every move as he stepped into the deeply scented and petal scattered waters of the ritual bath. His well developed body showed no signs of scaring as the muscles rippled and flowed under his toffee bronze skin. Smooth fluid movements that were measured and depicted a core strength gained from sound genetics and many hours of strenuous training.

Controlled.

That was certainly the word that came to mind when watching this young fairy. It was as if this warrior did not even waste the movements required of his body. He was tall, with slender hips, broad block—like shoulders and every muscle was clearly etched in between. His turquoise wings, tucked under the protective skin, glistened in the sunlight that filtered down from the glass ceiling and encircled him in a shaft of stark summer light. The light seemed to isolate him from all other living beings, almost as if it too recognised that here was a being of substance. Only the sound of running waters from the cleansing fountains and the falling droplets from his act of bathing was heard. These sparse sounds echoed throughout the bathing chamber, reverberating off the walls like pockets of sound.

Ritual bathing, it was law in her country that no being may enter into the presence of the queen, without ritually bathing and changing into blessed garments first. This ancient law had saved many a queen’s life in the past as concealed weapons could thus not be taken into her presence. Not that any being knew exactly how the queen looked, as she always wore the heavy shaften and gold crown, covering her whole head and face. It was for this reason and this reason alone, that queen Shanitarin could now observe quite freely the warrior stripping, bathing and then changing into the blessed garments. She knew that a war would be upon them soon and that the selections to the new secret royal division was one of the most important tasks she would have to perform. It needed careful thought and clear thinking. She wanted humble men, which had no airs and graces when among the common folk. Warriors that would treat a child, peasant and queen with equal dignity. Their treatment of her as she helped them prepare to be in her presence would indicate their attitude towards plain folk, thinking she was nothing more than a simple castle servant. The protectors of her fairy nation would need to value life and not possessions as sadly so many in her Kingdom and Government now did.

How did this beautiful land, filled with intrigue and magic get into such a tragic state of affairs? Shanitarin knew that the premature death of her mother had played a leading role in this. The Queen—mother had reached the wonderful age of one thousand, five hundred and eighty—three years, which in itself was quite a feat in her land. But this ripe age had left her mind weak, susceptible to the half truths and whole lies easily spread by the fortune seekers who drummed around her in her later years of rule. Unfortunately the queen—mother had solicited the service of far too many of that sort in her last years, resulting in the courts of the palace and Capital being breeding grounds for the many evil plots and schemes. Surely her young age of two hundred and seventeen was also contributing to the chaos reigning here and beyond Tarc’s borders. As her mother’s only daughter she would automatically take control of this beautiful country with its contrasting lands, on the death of her parent. Sadly she was her mother’s last child and thus although her mother being so old needed to rule just short of ninety odd years more before passing, as this would make Shanitarin just over three hundred years old, a most common age for royalty to take command.

Suddenly she was pulled from her troubled and dark thoughts by the warrior indicating that he was now ready to enter into the royal one’s presence. She gestured for him to follow her and led the way into the Great Hall. She could feel his ice blue eyes staring into her back but did not turn to look at him. His eyes felt as if they had the potential to stare straight into the inner most secret corners of one’s soul. This was a most disturbing feeling to say the least. They walked in total silence with just the whispers of their moving garments to keep them company. Shanitarin regretted the need for her to walk in front as it hindered a clear view of him. She had to be satisfied with monitoring him in the reflections of the many palace windows.

The hall that they entered was large, hollow and ornately decorated. It had a formal atmosphere that chilled Shanitarin to the bone. Gold trimmed pillars supported the vast gem encrusted ceilings which depicted the beautiful and contrasting landscapes that made up Tarc. At intervals small pocketed gardens rose from the floor and towered towards the ceilings. It was as if nature was in competition with architecture and trying to play catch up with the splendour of natural beauty displayed on the ceilings. Their footsteps sounded hollow as they echoed off the walls of cold steel gray marble. The size of this hall was intimidating and left one feeling small and insurmountable, yet the fairy had a presence that seemed to fill the great expanse. Not many had the ability to create such an ambiance about themselves without even saying a word. He would be interesting to watch. Her inner being was excited at the possibility that such a fairy may join her ranks. She told the warrior to wait for the queen and she moved off to one side, hidden from view. Hagen, her trusted friend and Head Maid in Waiting, would pretend to be queen today. She and Hagen had swapped like this ever since she started the interviewing and selection process. It was now that she would see how he reacted to the queen. It was essential to observe this as she could not have men in her service that presented different faces. She knew from her personal history that such men ultimately would betray her at some point in the unpleasant confrontations that lay ahead. Confrontations that would tear the Old Kingdom to shreds but hopefully give birth to a new stronger and more united land.

Hagen entered and immediately the fairy dropped to his knees and covered his face. This was the standard manner in which common folk were in the presence of the queen of Tarc. Should he be selected to her royal division then he would simply bow. Hagen commanded him to stand; he did so dropping his hands from his handsome face but not raising his eyes, for to look into the face of the queen could lead to his death. He