Stonecharmer: Stonecharmer, #1

By Dawn Blair

She was the only one who heard the warning. No one believed the stones were screaming.

 

The glow from the mountainside indicated the miners had found a vein of gemstones known as Thyst. In mere days, celebrations will start as the miners bring their loads into town and start dispersing it to the magesmiths. What a time of great fortune.

Saebryne longs to become a magesmith like her sister and create beautiful pieces of jewelry imbued with magical Thyst. But the thrumming sounds of war fill her head and Saebryne realizes she hears the Thyst screaming out their rage.

When the All-Seer marks her family's house and business with a shameful sign cast on the door, Saebryne runs away rather than being sacrificed to the mines. She must discover why the Thyst has destroyed her life and torn her away from her family.

Now she has no one to trust with her secret and nowhere to go.

It will test her reserves of strength to gain her dangerous and taboo abilities as a Stonecharmer.

Join this resonating adventure with a strong heroine and a world with a hint of steampunk as Dawn Blair beings to weave another wonderful tale. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Morning Sky Studios
• Release date: Aug 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201230791

Dawn Blair

Come take an adventure with your multi-dimensional, time-traveling tour guide, Dawn Blair. Telling stories of noble hearts and fantastic places, Dawn enjoys creating stories full of action, fantasy, quests, and maybe a touch of technology.  For as long as she can remember, she's been telling stories, starting with tales of cats and dogs. No one ever dared to ask her to "imagine" something because it would send her creativity spinning. One fateful day, her grandmother, certainly tired of listening to the endless prater, sat Dawn down at a typewriter and told her to write the story out.  Growing up on a ranch in rural Nevada, she had plenty of time and space to let her imagination roam free. When she wasn't out playing or working in the alfalfa fields or swimming at the pool, she was at home typing away at her novels.  Dawn moved to Idaho and, after a second fateful day where an instructor taught her to see as an artist, her life expanded to include other creative endeavors: painting, illustrating, animating, and photography in addition to writing. They all became mediums for the way she could share stories. Soon, she had won numerous awards for writing, painting, and photography, as well as gaining readers and collectors worldwide. All while raising her two fantastic boys as a single mom.  Dawn decided to start recording audiobooks. Knowing nothing about the process, she began learning and transformed a simple home setup into a home studio, a sequence marked by a third fateful day in her life when she decided to quit dabbling and get serious. Dawn aims for improving her audio with each narrative tale she completes. Still in Idaho, Dawn spends every moment she can exploring strange worlds, seeking out brave lives and magical civilizations. She wants to touch your life with magic, open your mind, and make sure you will never be the same again. Let her show you the sights. Let's be on our way, shall we? Sign up for your adventures at: www.dawnblair.com

Book preview

Chapter 1

Glorious sunlight of the late afternoon spread through the mountains and stretched down into the valleys. Everything felt warm, glistening with the highlights of orange and yellow-gold.

Nestled in one of the many valleys of this mountain chain, the town of Bayllor prepared for celebrations of the coming good fortune.

Streamers and flags were strung from every lamp post in zigzags over the town’s main street. Kids dressed in their nicest tunics and leggings played on the cobblestone streets, littering it with their share of colorful confetti made from flat pieces of dyed pasta, while the adults gathered and conversed excitedly.

Musicians gathered on nearly every corner, sometimes only one with a lute and in other places full bands complete with flutes and tambourines. Several of them had come the night before, sleeping against the buildings like vagrants, to assure their space. They had their gear packed near a lamp post and currently played quietly, rehearsing and entertaining the crowd growing nearby while having the benefit of watching their belongings.

The fat bulbs in the lamps had been changed to colorful ones for the coming celebrations and as the sky darkened to evening they cast their surroundings in their new hue. All along the street, the cobblestone and buildings seemed swathed in a rainbows, emphasized by the periodic sources of pure color as if the lights were a pinnacle.

Yet none of the lights could outshine the reason for the celebration and the telltale soft, warm, orange glow on the mountainside which marked the many fires burning for light and warmth through the night for the workers at the mine’s entrance. It had started three nights ago. From the town of Bayllor, it seemed an inviting reminder that the miners worked along a special vein they had found in the rock and all felt right in the world. People out on the streets tonight looked to the mountain and sighed happily, commenting about the welcoming radiance. A celebration had been a long time coming.

The miners only worked at night when they had come upon a vein of Thyst. Legend had it that Thyst always appeared as if by the very magic it contained and had to be harvested before the Thyst changed its mind and went somewhere else. Historically, the miners only had three days to chip away what they could of the Thyst from the surrounding rock before the vein disappeared. A myth, some who were not miners said. But ask a miner and they would confess as to the truth of it.

More stories were often told that Thyst existed in every piece of rock, but most of the time in fragments too small to be seen. These tales often implied that the Thyst would gather to create a sparkling line of dark blue to purple rock.

Even more, magesmiths, people trained to work the Thyst into magical items, usually jewelry for fashionability as well as utility, were told that enough magic had to be released from the Thyst stones to return to the earth, replenish with new energy, and await for enough to be harvested again.

When there was no Thyst to be gathered, the miners spent their days digging out other precious metals which they found.

Three days ago, Thyst had made its presence known and tomorrow would be the parade of the stone down the from mountain and through the streets of the town which would soon have a prosperous financial boom to be presented to the magesmiths. As soon as word got out that Bayllor had newly delivered Thyst, the wealthy had started to arrive from other towns to barter for it. Lodgings were growing full, eateries flushed with patrons, and money from the travelers began to circulate.

All because the Thyst had chosen the mine above Bayllor to bless.

Everyone celebrated the coming boon.

Except Saebryne.

She felt nauseous.

Saebryne rushed down the street carrying her basket, bumping into several people as she went. The noise of distant, ghoulish cries in her head made her crouch, hunched protectively over her basket to keep the food inside from spilling. No one else seemed to be hearing the wails she did.

A woman’s puffy skirt tangled around Saebryne’s legs, threatening to trip her. Hey there, the woman cried out. Watch yourself.

Can’t you hear it? Where’s it coming from? Saebryne asked, tossing the thick, unwieldy material away from her. The woman only muttered some indignation, ignoring Saebryne as she continued to run along.

She didn’t take anything, did she? asked the man beside the woman.

No. The rest of the words were drowned out as Saebryne continued through the festive crowd on the cobblestone streets, all watching the light on the mountain.

Saebryne made it to the shop and hoped the door remained open. Celeste, Saebryne’s older sister, had talked about staying open later tonight knowing that there would be a crowd out. But then, Celeste had also wanted to be out enjoying the festivities of the evening before the arrival of the Thyst tomorrow, so Saebryne didn’t know what her chances were about the store remaining unlocked.

The shop door was unbolted.

Saebryne rushed inside and hurried through to the door on the opposite wall to the workroom. Merkn, her brother-in-law, called out a greeting to her, but she ignored him as she sprinted through.

Once on the other side of the door to the workroom, Saebryne tossed the basket onto a counter where Celeste had several pieces of jewelry prepared for display. Her mother turned at the noise.

Looks like they had a good sale tonight, her mother said.

Uh-huh, Saebryne muttered, now able to slap her hands over her ears as she ran for her bedroom upstairs.

Aren’t you going to help put it away, her mother called after her.

Not feeling well. Going to bed. Saebryne raced through the family’s living space and tried not to slam her door and draw further notice to herself. She dove into her bed, barely kicking off her shoes before drawing her feet under the blankets with her. She curled, nesting deeply. The thick quilts, while warming her already, did nothing to cut out the sounds. She flailed out a hand from beneath the blankets to retrieve her pillow, which she pulled into the darkness with her and clamped over her head.

The screams continued.

At some point during the night, Saebryne’s mind couldn’t take it any longer and she fell into an exhausted sleep. She woke the next morning, surprised at first to find herself still in her clothes and it took her a moment to recall why she’d gone to bed in them. Her second thought was about how quiet the world seemed compared to the noise in her head from last night.

She tossed aside her blankets and padded across the cool wooden floor to the window. She looked out toward the mountain. Early morning muted the light emanating from the mines.

As Saebryne watched the colors outside start to brighten in the rising sunlight, she wondered what it was that she’d been hearing last night. Screams, wailing, and long drawn out moans. She thought back, trying to discover when she’d first heard it, or when she realized that only she’d been able to hear it. There had been something, Saebryne didn’t know how to describe it, all afternoon. She’d thought it had been the grinding and tapping of Celeste’s tools just niggling at Saebryne’s nerves. It was why she’d offered to run out to the baker’s.

Leaving the shop hadn’t improved the situation. Rather, the noises had grown. She couldn’t believe no one else could hear it.

But it was gone now, whatever the source of those strange cries. Lost to a night’s sleep.

Celeste’s footsteps sounded as she walked the hallway outside, clapping her hands and shouting, Come on, get up. Rise and shine everyone. The shipment will be here soon.

An extra pounding came to Saebryne’s door, making her jump. That means you too, dust mite. Get up.

I’m up! Saebryne yelled back, bending slightly at the waist to force the words out stronger. She stormed to the door, opened it, and yelled at Celeste’s back, Don’t you even care about Dad coming home today? Or is it just all about the Thyst?

She slammed the door again, not caring if Celeste turned around to reply or not.

Flea ball, she whispered at the closed door, wishing she dared actually say the words to her sister’s face.

Saebryne plopped down on her bed, glowering at the door. She wondered how upset Celeste would be if she didn’t get dressed and go downstairs. How long would it be before Celeste ran up here and demanded that Saebryne come out? Would Celeste drag her downstairs by her hair again?

Remembering this day nearly two years ago forced Saebryne to her feet. All right all ready, she muttered to herself and the memory. Already this year had been worse than the last time, all because now Celeste was a licensed magesmith and had taken over their mother’s shop. Two years ago, Celeste had still been an apprentice, but nevertheless very excited.

She went to her dresser to fetch clean clothes and changed.

Come on, Celeste yelled, obviously from downstairs. They are almost here.

The only good thing about this morning was that Saebryne’s father would return. He’d gone to the mines over a month ago. Saebryne had wanted to go with him He’d promised her that next year she could go. Even though she knew that only men went to the mines, she appreciated his thought of pretending to include her.

Come on, Celeste screamed again.

Saebryne pulled on her shoes and stormed to the door, throwing it open before Celeste came up and began to pound on it. I’m here. She ran down the stairs, stomping her feet as loudly as she could on each stair.

When the drumming of her footsteps stopped, Saebryne began to hear another low hum. Saebryne swallowed, praying it wouldn’t get louder, and yet knowing it was about to get worse.

Chapter 2

Saebryne entered the shop where Celeste, wearing a white gown with a black belt around her waist, stood by her husband, Merkn, and their mother. Gold embroidery ran down the front of Celeste’s dress from the collar.

Celeste practically danced on the balls of her feet as she stared toward the shop door, hands clasped at her chest. But Saebryne knew Celeste was more excited about the shipment of stones from the mines than seeing their father again.

For as long as Saebryne could remember, the shop smelled like freshly sawn wood. She remembered helping, as much as a five-year-old child could, to paint the store green. It had always reminded her of the forest. Her mother had said that the shop had been remodeled many times over the years, but she liked it just as it had been when they bought it, except for the paint.

True to her word, her mom had never changed a thing beyond their initial work. Two long jewelry cases extended along the back wall of the shop with enough room between them and the wall for an attendant to move. The two cases were separated and allowed access to the door to the workshop and the staircase which lead up to the living quarters.

Smaller cases were tucked up against the walls to the right and left. Tiny windows with latticework wood were high up on the walls, enough to provide light into the shop, but keep intruders out.

There were also a couple freestanding cases around the shop area. Celeste had already filled all the cases, but there were more decorations in them than magesmith-crafted pieces.

Celeste bobbed excitedly once more from where she stood on the shop floor. Saebryne, go look outside. See if anyone’s coming yet. If there is, don’t let them see you looking.

Saebryne went to the window by the door and placed her hands on the case as if examining the jewelry Celeste had placed there that morning. With this being the primary shop window, Celeste usually kept elegant crafted pieces there, but not her best ones. These were meant to be pretty and flashy, but not necessarily excellent examples of her work with the Thyst lest they be stolen. Currently, there wasn’t much in the case, probably all that remained of Celeste’s stock from the last year.

All of mother’s remaining work had been moved to one of the less viewed cases on the side walls.

Anyone? Celeste asked.

Saebryne forgot that she was supposed to have been looking outside. She glanced up, hearing Celeste’s hiss behind her to stay down. Saebryne didn’t know how she was supposed to do both.

No one, Saebryne said.

Why is no one coming yet? Celeste asked, diving into Merkn’s arms and putting her head against his chest.

Relax, Mother said. The Thyst hasn’t even arrived yet. Soon, they will be clamoring at your door.

You aren’t even open yet, Saebryne added in a mutter as she stared down at the nearly empty case in front of her. Celeste had been moaning for months that her supply of Thyst had been getting low, and while Mother had encouraged her to make other pieces with less valuable gems, Celeste had been paying more attention to her husband than her magesmithing. She didn’t want to be angry with Celeste, but her head just seemed to roll with the irritated thoughts.

She heard footsteps behind her.

It’s about time you begin to learn the trade, her mother said, coming over to Saebryne. Celeste has agreed to train you if you behave.

I’d rather have you show me, Saebryne said, wishing she’d been just a couple years older than Celeste. Then she would have learned from mother too.

You know that’s just not possible, Mom said. Your sister will have to teach you.

No, not since Mom’s eyesight had started to go. Now Mom spent her days doing the cooking and cleaning for the family, rather than the magesmithing she’d once been known for and the sewing of clothes and blankets she’d once enjoyed. Saebryne feared that soon her mother’s gnarled hands and worsening vision wouldn’t even allow her to assist the family at all. What would mother do when she could no longer hold a spoon or knife?

Saebryne wasn’t sure she wanted her own hands to get gnarled and twisted from the delicate work it took to do the magesmithing their family had done for generations. It wasn’t just the metalwork to craft items, usually jewelry, but the spinning of spells into the piece which was hard on the fingers and wrists. Celeste’s hands had yet to show signs of the tedious work, but Saebryne expected that they would.

But thinking about magesmith training wasn’t what bothered her