Stolen Light: Book 1 of Light Chronicles

By VR Janis

Great Tree, the famed merchantm takes his two children, Wakangli and Iyantan, across the sea to teach them the family business. 

Wakangli's powers are not normal for an elf maiden but no one has ever questioned them or used them against her until now. While learning, her family trade, Wakangli is kidnapped by her father's trai

• Language: English
• Publisher: VR Janis
• Release date: Aug 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9780991134243

Book preview

DEDICATION

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For my family

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Without you, none of this would be possible

Other books BY V R Janis

Hidden Magic Trilogy

Hidden Powers – Book 1

Hidden Memories – Book 2

Hidden Conflicts – Book 3

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The Light Chronicles

Stolen Light – Book 1

Sheltered Light – Book 2

CHAPTER 1

I knew something was following me.

I saw the shadows flitting from tree to tree. Were they friends or foes? I shifted so a tree was at my back. I wasn’t taking any chances.

My arrow was already notched, the string pulled taut. When I saw another movement on my right, I released it, then took a deep breath as I heard the thud of the arrow hitting home.

The buck that I had been hunting took one staggering step and crumpled to the ground. That took care of one of the shadows, but what about the others? I searched the area through my lashes as I bent my head to study the buck. 

He was huge, definitely weighing more than I did, most likely twice as much. I knew it was going to be hard to get him home by myself. I guessed this was one of those moments when I would have to live with the consequences of my actions.

I was happy to have the buck, just needed to figure out a way to drag it back to the house.

My brother was miles away, hunting in the northern plains, so his help was not an option. I preferred to hunt in the forest near our home. I guess this was just another thing that made us different.

If I had missed the shot my brother would never have let me live it down—not that I had missed one that close in a long time. Everything was a competition between us. Father would have been disappointed too; he expected the best from us.

I ran over to the buck and slit his neck to drain the blood. Then I pulled my arrow out. I laid my hand above the slit near his cheek.

"I am thankful, pikicila, older brother, that you gave your life so I may live."

I slit him from neck to rump and pulled out his insides. I kept the heart and liver, putting them back inside him so they would not get damaged.

I went to search for two young trees to make a travois to drag the buck home. I found two strong ones and used my sword to cut them down. I laid tobacco down as an offering for the lives I took.

I hauled the trees back to the buck and laid them beside him. I was happy I had decided to bring my rope.  I crossed the trees to make a triangle and then tied my rope around the spot where they met. I then wove the extra rope between the two trees so I would have a net to set his body on.

I grabbed his antlers and started to pull him onto my contraption. My muscles strained against the massive weight. I knew I could not have dragged him home any other way.

I heard a noise behind me.

I started to glow as I dropped the antlers. I had my sword pointed at my cousin’s throat before he took another step closer to me. I focused on calming myself down and my glow receded.

He looked comical and I knew I would not forget the look on his face anytime soon. He froze with one leg in the air and the other in tiptoe position. He started to shift for better balance, but it made the blade press deeper into his skin.

Ow! Come on, Wakangli. I concede, so you win. I told your brother this was not going to work.

I held my sword steady. What was not going to work, cousin?

He huffed and started to raise his arms; I took a step closer, pressed my sword deeper and shook my head.

He growled. "Release me, wana!"

I laughed. Or what?

He started to grumble and mimic my brother. Iyatan said, ‘Sneak up on her and try to make her miss her shot. It will be easy to do.’

His voice returned to normal.  "Easy does not begin to describe how this was for you."

I still held the sword against him while I reached back into my belt for my knife. I threw it toward my right, into a tree next to my other cousin’s head.

He flew to the ground and shouted, "Holy Tatanka! Wakangli, you could have hit me. We surrender."

I wasn’t even close, I laughed. Now what should I do with you two? I looked to my younger cousin on the ground. Tanagila, you will help drag the deer back.

He stuttered in indignation. Bbbbut...but... that’s not fair.

I looked at my other cousin, still posed and starting to sweat. Wagnuka, you can take a turn.

I lowered my sword and slid it into its sleeve. Wagnuka lowered his head and stomped away. No! No, fairy princess. I will not help.

I hated when they called me that; it was what my father called me. It made me seem delicate, and that was one thing I was not.

I walked over to my knife and yanked it from the tree.

I kept track of Tanagila’s eyes so I would not accidentally meet his gaze, even though he kept trying to catch mine. We both stood next to the tree, watching as Wagnuka ran for home.

I turned and put a hand on the tree’s rough bark. I am sorry, tree. I did not want to hurt you, but I think I would have been in more trouble had I put a hole in my cousin.

I sent some of my energy into the tree and helped it heal. Then I turned toward Tanagila.

What is the matter with him? Why is he so mad? I wasn’t going to hurt him and he knew it. I just like to make him sweat.

You know how he is. He takes things to the heart. He almost had you. You have to admit he was almost upon you. It bothers him that he can never get the best of you.

I heard the crinkle of the leaves. It could have been anything, but I always try to stay on my guard. That is what Father drills into my head every day.

He shrugged his shoulders and I continued, You two should know that. Father makes you train with him too. No hard feelings?

No hard feelings from me. I can’t speak for Wagnuka. You do make a habit of frustrating us most of the time.

"Oh well, I guess I will have to deal with him sooner or later. Hopefully later. You do have perfect timing though; I needed some help to drag this deer home.

It will go much faster with two of us, I said. If we take turns, we both won’t get so tired. When we get home I will make you a cake, after. . . .

Let’s go then. Tanagila smiled and grabbed the poles.

I knew that I had to wait a minute to talk again, because nothing was going to get into his head after he heard the word cake. He usually had a one-track mind and most of the time it was pointed toward food.