People of the Phoenix

By M.A. Abraham

As Tantalus begins to come back to life from the ice age it went through, the population of Tantalus labour to create their idea of Utopia. They don't realize there is more to this land than what they know.

Trysuil is haunted by a feeling of being excluded by the Phoenixes, something that should not be happening. He is the Adjudicator, he should be a part of what is going on in this developing world.

Under the command of The Great Phoenix, the favoured people of the Phoenix travel the girth of the planet to return to their homelands. It is time they were introduced to their new neighbours and returned to the outside world. They have lived in Sanctuary for long enough.

The ways are challenging and the tests they face, as they search for their identity to retake their place on the planet are many. Will they be able to reach their goal when so many obstacles stand in their way?

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.A. Abraham
• Release date: Nov 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9780463009819

M.A. Abraham

I don’t really know what to say about myself.I have been writing books since before I became a teenager. Most are still hidden in the closet. I used to make up my own stories as a child, everyone used to act them out while we were playing outside. As a teenager someone issued me a challenge. I told her that her stories stunk, she told me to do better.My job growing up was to play guardian to my little brother, keep him safe. That meant I ended up getting into more fights than enough – makes sense now that I write about warriors.My family will try to tell you that I’m not innocent, I have a personality that keeps them on their toes. Over my lifetime and theirs I have earn several nicknames – The Godmother, The Evil Christmas Elf (comes from making my nieces wrap their own Christmas presents), Mistress of Ambush. My favorite response to them when they try to get me into trouble is just to look at them with a wide doe eyed expression and say “Moi?????”I have a seal point Siamese cat named Snoop, named after my favorite cartoon character and hobby. I have a “healthy” but small collection of Snoopy memorabilia. He is a character alright; never met a cat who can talk back like he does. He expects daily dosages of adoration on his schedule when he wants it – not when it’s convenient for me and he HATES snow.I come from a very large family (mostly brothers) and I could outrun the whole works of them (I’m the shortest!). It was called survival.This book has been in the making for a long time now. Over a half a year to write it, about the same amount of time to edit it, and probably about the same amount of time to get the art work and website! I have learned you can’t control the timelines of other people – Murphy likes to step in.So for now I am setting up good luck charms everywhere... didn’t know I had that many stuffed Snoopy’s. *Fingers, legs, toes, eyes and anything else I can crossed*

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PEOPLE OF THE PHOENIX

PEOPLE OF THE PHOENIX

M.A. ABRAHAM

COPYRIGHT 2017

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to take this time to thank my editing team, Eniko, Fran, Candice and Marjorie for their continued support and efforts in correcting my poor grammar and literary efforts. Without them my books would be unfit for reading. A good backup team is priceless and I hope to one day be able to find a way to repay each of you for your support… and Becca… what can we say, you continue to be my foremost reason for being out in the public eye, your talents are endless. And, last but definitely not least, I would like to thank Cora Graphics for the wonderful job she did on my cover. A good cover is priceless and you have made this one as masterpiece. Also, a special thank you to Betty Olsen for going over it, one more time, just to be sure.

PEOPLE OF THE PHOENIX

CHAPTER I

It is time, Raven decided, as he took his youngest daughter’s hand and led her out of their home. They walked to the meeting square together and when they got there, he stood on the mound, which told everyone he had an important announcement to make.

It didn’t take long for the people in the square to gather, and the moment Raven had their attention, he began to speak. "The Great Phoenix has spoken. We are to gather our belongings, our animals and our families. It is time to leave this world. We are to assemble by the East gate as the sun rises in the morning, and as soon as everyone is accounted for, we will begin the journey to our ancestral homeland.

There was nothing more to say, no arguments about the move, no discussions about what they should do to prepare, nothing. The details had been gone through during their summer, and the people knew what was expected of them and had been waiting for this moment. The will of the Phoenixes had been announced, and their future was clear. It was time to leave the lands of seclusion. The Tantalarian Elder that had been foreseen during the time of their ancestors had gone to his eternal rest, and a much younger one had risen to take his place. There would be a definite difference between the two of them, for The Great Phoenix told them that where the Elder had been evil and vicious, the younger one would be strong and fair to all people.

In the past, The Great Phoenix had referred to The Elder as the evil leader. The bird now referred to the new Elder as Kyllan. It showed great respect for the man from the bringer of light and heat to their world. The news told Raven that the Phoenixes had chosen one of the winged Tantalarians to represent them on the surface. They called this person Trysuil, and he was known as the Adjudicator. He would maintain peace on this world, and they guaranteed it would be kept The Great Phoenix made its will known, and it would be carried out. There was no question of this in anyone’s mind.

Raven knew what this meant, probably more than the others he was about to lead out of Sanctuary. The journey they were about to undertake would be a long one. They would travel over the ocean first, as it was frozen at this time of the year and could be crossed. During the warmer months, they would journey over the great continent, and it would test their survival skills. There would be little to eat, and what they had, they would need to fight to protect. When winter struck once again, they would cross the second ocean, and they would arrive in the valleys that their ancestors had once called home as spring began to make its presence known.

As Raven slowly walked back to his dwelling, he thought about the responsibility that was being placed on his shoulders. He hoped that he was up to the challenge, but knew that no matter what, he would fight to make sure The Great Phoenix had no regrets about choosing him to serve as leader. He was still holding his daughter’s hand in his when he arrived at his front door. He smiled sadly at the thought of leaving. It had been a good home for them.

It will all work out, Father, Acacia assured Raven, in her quiet way, even as she wound her little arms around his waist to hug him close. He was all she had, and she hated to see him unhappy.

Acacia and her father lived alone, as her mother Tricia had died giving birth to her, and her older siblings had their own homes. She got to see her other siblings often, except for Danaë, who stayed away and rarely came around. Their father had explained that her sister was sad, but one day she would learn to accept her life as it was. It would just take time.

As Raven and Acacia closed the door behind them, they looked around their home. Their new reality, that they would be leaving this house forever in the morning, pressed on them. This would be their last night here. They would, however, find another when they got to the other end of the adventure they were about to undertake.

Raven could feel the acceptance in Acacia. It seemed such a simple thing for her. She had always had such faith in the future, and he supposed this was a natural thing for a child. For him, however, this farewell was bittersweet. He would be leaving the memories of his sweet Tricia behind. He would be moving on. They had been so very happy here while she had lived, and there were a lot of memories to leave behind.

It will be a good thing, Father, Acacia continued to assure Raven. You will see when we get to the other end. Things will improve for our people. The sun will shine on us once more.

I certainly hope so, Raven replied, as he went to a knee and held his younger child close. Of all his children, Acacia seemed to be able to understand him the best. He had to admit that if it wouldn’t have been for her, he could have been tempted to follow his love into the Myst.

By the time Raven helped Acacia finish packing her clothing, the rest of their family had arrived to receive their orders. They were leaders of the people as well, and they wanted to know what was going to be expected of them. It wasn’t the only reason they had come. They needed to say goodbye to their childhood home.

Are you sure this is the right time, Father? Danaë asked, as she stepped through the doorway, surprising them all.

I know what I heard. I wouldn’t have spoken if there had been the least bit of doubt in my mind and heart about this, Raven assured Danaë. He knew she was speaking for them all, it was going to be difficult to let go.

Danaë nodded. She hadn’t really doubted their father’s word, but there was so much to leave behind. It wasn’t the material things that were proving to be the stickler for her. It was the memories. Their people had lived here for a long time. Their loved ones had once walked down the same paths that they now did. It was those who were no longer with them that they would be leaving behind.

Raven knew what was going through Danaë’s mind, because it was the same thing that they were all thinking. He didn’t blame anyone. He was no different, but he found that somehow, during his walk home from making his announcement, he had managed to make peace with the idea. Perhaps, he thought, it was time to share his thoughts.

I know how you are all feeling about this, I was no different in the beginning. It is difficult to accept change when it is as large as this step forward will be, Raven began. I hated the idea of being forced to move. The idea of leaving Tricia’s memory behind hurt. Yet, I found that during my walk back to the house, I felt at peace about the move. It was like she was telling me that it was time for us to move on with our lives, and that she was happy in the Myst. She would not be left behind,but would live on in our thoughts as she waits for us to join her. We are not to be in a rush to come to her though, as we have lives to live out first. Remember, you cannot walk away from something that lives on in your mind. Perhaps what is happening is for the good, and we need to think about this to realize it. Our leaving Sanctuary could be the best thing that has happened to our people since we came to this land. We have been hiding under the ice shield for so long that we need to know what it is like to live in sunlight again, to remember who we are.

So you are happy with this move? Solei asked.

I am definitely working my way to that point, and I believe you should be doing the same. Gather your possessions and your people and be prepared to leave with everyone in the morning. Tell Lystra to do the same, Raven ordered.

Lystra only gave birth to her son this morning. It will be difficult for her to travel, Solei informed Raven.

"We are not leaving our wagons and carts behind. Tell Salut to make up a comfortable bed in one of