Shielded: The Lightbearer Chronicles, #0.5

By Dan Kenner

A boring life.

 

That's all Talatha asked for. She's been able to live that way for years—a wife to a talented fletcher, a mother to a newborn son.

 

But her Shield of blue Light can only protect her for so long.

 

She despises the power thrust upon her in her youth. Despite her loathing, Talatha feels forced to use her Shield to protect herself and her family from those seeking Lightbearers to bolster their forces for an underground war.

 

But now they've found her. What happens if her gift can no longer protect her or the ones she loves?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dan Kenner
• Release date: Jun 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9781958142004

Book preview

Chapter One

Life had become very simple for Talatha. Few there were in Lindrad who could complicate her life with her husband and son.

Except for the Shield of Light from which she couldn’t escape.

Talatha grimaced, looking to the side where the translucent wall of Light glowed ever so slightly. It was almost imperceptible in the glaring sunlight from above. She looked away, pulling free another group of feathers from the turkey she’d slain.

It was grisly work, to be sure, but her husband needed the feathers for his fletching. He never understood why she always insisted on being the one to gather the feathers from their turkey stock. Still, he let her do it all the same. She didn’t want him to know that all she wanted was to escape the stuffy workshop.

Sighing, Talatha tried not to focus on having to hide her secret from everyone in town, especially her husband. They’d been married for a few cycles now, and she’d given birth to their first child. The last thing she wanted was to ruin everything by revealing this gift she’d not asked for.

The well she worked next to was situated by the local tavern. Sounds of drinking men and working girls drifted out the window, the end of the day heralding the usual ale drinkers and their raucous laughter. A light breeze blew from the surrounding forest, bringing the strong earthy smell and sweet pine to Talatha’s nose.

She glanced upward, seeing that the sun would soon set, making it more likely that her Shield might be seen through the dim light. She wouldn’t have spent so much time and effort keeping the barrier upheld if it weren’t for one specific fact.

They were looking for her.

She shivered, gathering the feathers in the wooden bucket then collecting the corpses of the turkeys. At least they’d make a fine soup for dinner today, though at this point she suspected her husband was sick of eating it. But even he couldn’t deny the ease and practicality of the meal, even if they consumed it all too often.

Talatha stood, stretching her spine before making the short return trek to her home. Her blonde hair, long and wavy, cascaded halfway down her back. She cursed herself for not tying it up. As she worked with the turkeys and their feathers, she’d struggled to keep the strands from falling in the mess. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d bloodied her hair.

Her eyes mirrored the bright blue sky above. This feature was another thing that made her stick out in the small town. The eye color wasn’t common among the people here, instead heralding from further north in Lindrad. She didn’t mind standing out, except that the attention made it even more difficult to veil the secret she bore.

Glancing around, she ensured there were no prying eyes before she reached outward, tapping the barrier of Light. Constructed from steady blue Light, it would look something terrifying to those who didn’t understand its nature.

Then again, she hardly understood it herself.

Taking a moment to test the wall, she focused on the edges of the barrier, thickening them until they became a brilliant blue glow, a dome wrapping around her whole body, just a few handspans outside of her person. For a moment, she admired the beauty of it, wishing it was something she could share with her husband and others in town.

But they wouldn’t understand.

Pursing her lips, she waved her hand, the Shield all but disappearing save for a thin version of the dome. Only those with keen eyes or those who knew what they looked for would be able to see it.

Hefting the buckets of feathers and turkey corpses, she struggled to right herself for a moment before walking down the street. Today she’d been the only one working there, which was odd, but she appreciated the quiet. Talatha chose this well to work next to since it was the only one not central to the small town. Though she’d on occasion needed to use the wells in the center of town, she could usually avoid it.

Her foot caught the edge of her simple brown dress and she gasped, pitching forward. A few feathers leapt out of the bucket, flitting to the ground. She thought to pick them up but decided it wasn’t worth resituating herself.

Need a hand, miss? a voice came from the side of the street.

Talatha started, turning to see a man she didn’t recognize. Smiling, she shook her head.

No thank you, I appreciate the gesture, she said, turning away from him and continuing on.

The sound of footsteps came up from behind her and she tensed. She didn’t want to turn around to look at him for fear of his unknown intent.

I must insist. You look like you could use a hand, he said. As he moved toward her, he grunted, stumbling backwards. What in the fog—?

Talatha gritted her teeth, dropping her Shield to allow the man through. Furrowing his brow, he reached out, waving his hand through the surrounding air, looking all the more confused when he touched nothing.

Felt like I ran into something, he said, shaking his head.

"Sir, I am fine, I assure you," she insisted, hurrying off.

The footsteps sounded again behind her, and she resisted the urge to spin on the man, thicken her Shield and expand it rapidly to knock him over.

Talatha, his voice rang out behind her.

She froze, her whole body tingling. It felt as if her skin constricted, tightening in her hair as terror coursed through her.

Talatha cursed herself for not being able to grip the dagger she had at her leather belt. Still, she readied her mind to push her Shield outward at a moment’s notice.

"I don’t believe I know you, sir," she emphasized, her voice strained to show her indignation.

I mean you no harm, the man sounded from behind.

Talatha analyzed the situation. His words must have some truth, for if he had meant her harm, he likely would have already closed in. She didn’t hear his footsteps moving closer.

Then why are you here, and how do you know my name? Talatha asked, her voice hardened.

Magness sends for you, he said after a moment’s pause.

Talatha’s eyes widened, and this time, she couldn’t help but turn around to face the man. He stood a head taller than her, his dark-brown hair tied back in a ponytail. His beard was full and well-cut close to his face. Bright-green eyes peeked out from under bushy brown eyebrows. Though Talatha’s memory sought his appearance, it came up with nothing.

"You’re one of them, she hissed, looking around the street at those who traveled close by. I told my sister I didn’t want anything to do with any of you."

The man winced at her words, taking a step forward with his hand out. Talatha dropped the bucket in her right hand, feathers scattering on the dirt road at her feet, then put her palm upward. Immediately, the barrier of blue Light exploded outward in front of her, the man grunting as he walked into it once more. Talatha closed her hand, and the barrier disappeared. Adrenaline coursed through her, sweat beading on the back of her neck and dripping down her spine.

"Magness should know I wanted to settle down. She should have seen I didn’t want anything to do with these powers," she spat, keeping her eyes locked on his.

He raised an eyebrow at her comment, then nodded to her.

And yet you use it even now? I hardly think that was a defense mechanism, given that I ran into your Shield when I first found you, he pointed out.

Talatha flushed but kept her hard gaze on him.

"If you know anything about this problem I have to deal with, she noted, then you’ll realize why I have to use this barrier whenever possible. It’s worked for years, keeping me from the prying eyes of Seers."

The man bit his lower lip, looking around the street. Talatha hoped no one had seen her create the barrier. She wagered none of them had even heard of, let alone seen, something like this happen before. Glancing upward at the setting sun, she hoped it kept what she’d just done veiled enough from eyes. Even with the glaring light of the sun, if someone looked closely enough, they’d have seen it. When no alarms or shouts of surprise were sounded, she kept her hard gaze on the man.

Evenin’ Tal, ’ow’s the day, then? came a woman’s voice from her right.

Praying that the unfamiliar man wouldn’t try anything ridiculous in such a public setting, Talatha turned to see Huvelin, the baker’s wife, carrying a large, empty basket. More than likely, the rotund woman was returning from having sold all their treats at the local market. Talatha smiled, pressing down the growing dread inside. She didn't want to alert the woman that anything was wrong.

Doing fine, thanks. Just finished a round of feathers for my husband to fletch. Been having a lot of success selling to these hunters; it’s a good season of hunting this cycle, Talatha replied.

The baker’s wife nodded, eyes looking downward at the feathers.

Looks a roit mess, Oi’d say, Huvelin said, stepping away from a few