The Champion's Prophecy

By Thomas K. Carpenter and Rachel J. Carpenter

The Mother Tree is dying.

When Darkness Sighs brings a prophecy from the Shades to Gneiss Glen, Terran wants to ignore the dreadful truth. Not only must he find a way to restore the Mother Tree, but if he can't the settlement—and the entire continent—will be razed by the Howling Wind. But will the price for saving the Mother Tree and all his friends be too high for Terran to pay?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Carpenter
• Release date: Aug 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005173555

Thomas K. Carpenter

Thomas K. Carpenter resides in Colorado with his wife Rachel. When he’s not busy writing his next book, he's out hiking or skiing or getting beat by his wife at cards. Visit him online at www.thomaskcarpenter.com, or sign up for his newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/trialsofmagic.

Book preview

Prologue

One minute Darkness Sighs was walking through the corridor arm in arm with her father, Pools of Blood, and the next thing she knew he had collapsed on the floor, eyes rolled back in his head, body spasming, murmuring.  She had seen this happen to her father a few times when she was young, but it had been many years since his last bout and what was going on did not immediately register.

Help! she called out in a panic, trying to tamp down her distress, lest she appear weak as she cradled her father’s head as he continued to spasm.

Running feet echoed down the hallway as the priest made his way to the pair.  A scowl formed on the Shade’s face as he took in the scene.  What have you done to him? he asked through narrowed eyes.

Nothing, she cried.  He just collapsed like this as we were walking.

Raven of the Fifth Doom let out a huff of breath after assessing her father's condition.  He is just having a vision.  You would know that if you weren’t addled with Offworlder blood, Darkness Sighs.

Her face reddened. Then leave us.  I’ll watch over him, she said through gritted teeth.

No, he said simply.  It is always better to have more witnesses available when the vision is complete.

Darkness Sighs turned her back to the priest, refusing to challenge his disobedience.  She knew her power to command only existed because of her father’s strength.  The council had never taken her seriously since her mother was an Offworlder.  They claimed she had seduced and entrapped Pools of Blood into a relationship, but Darkness Sighs knew better.  She’d grown up hearing the stories her father told of her mother.  He clearly loved her and missed her immensely.  

An uncomfortable silence continued for several minutes until her father’s eyes fluttered open.  He sat up, placing his hand on the floor to steady himself.

Father…

Shh.  Hush, child.  I am fine.  Assemble the council, he said, looking up at Raven of the Fifth Doom.  We have decisions to make.

Raven turned on his heel and marched back down the hallway as Darkness Sighs helped her father up from the ground.  He took her hand, but the look in his eyes remained far away, and he seemed to still be swimming in his vision.  As the pair continued down the hall arm in arm like nothing had happened, Darkness Sighs remained silent, knowing the importance of not interrupting her father’s thoughts.

They had been heading towards her father’s chambers before he collapsed, but she wasn’t surprised when he changed course and led them to the council chambers.  Raven had been busy, as several of the council members were already gathered, whispering amongst themselves in the large room.  A hush descended as Pools of Blood entered with his daughter on his arm.  The Shades bowed to him, and he waved them off, indicating they should take their seat along the curved wall of the hand-chiseled cavern.

Darkness Sighs glanced around the room, her gaze lingering on a carving depicting the Howling Wind army with their bone bird masks facing off against a horde of Offworlders.  The gruesome battle scene was intricately carved into the wall.  It was so detailed that she thought if she touched it her hand would be covered in the blood from the wounded and dying that littered the battlefield.

Her father sat quietly with his hands in his lap, waiting for the entire council to arrive, eyes focused on nothing in particular.  The only sound that was heard was the shuffle of feet as more councilors arrived and took their seats.  Once all the seats were filled, Pools of Blood rose from his chair and addressed the group.

I have been given a prophecy, he said simply, and the room erupted into a cacophony of questions.  

Chapter One

Terran was at the edge of sleep when footsteps echoed through his head and his eyes snapped open.  He couldn’t be sure if he had been lucid dreaming as the forest around him seemed silent.  He held his breath as he waited for another noise, cursing himself for not setting up a watch, but he and his friends felt safe in the Rock Leaf Forest now that Grimchar had been defeated.  They all needed some sleep after the last few days of traveling through the Silent Plains and fighting the evil necrochanter, so they’d agreed not to bother with a watch.

A twig broke nearby as Terran reached for his staff.  He used the end of it to prod Zara, who was asleep on the ground next to him.  The redhead swatted at the staff and rolled away from Terran, mumbling.

"Did you hear that, Luna?"  Terran asked the lynx through their mind link.

The gray lynx was resting on her stomach, eyes wide, ears and tail twitching, looking ready to pounce.  "I’ve been hearing it for at least five minutes.  Humans have worse hearing than a bullywug with a head full of mud."

Is this really the best time to be insulting me?

I want to make sure to get one last one in before we get ambushed and you end up taking the quick way back to the Glen.

His senses were a little groggy from the blackberry wine they had drunk around the fire that night, but Terran could still make out the grin on the sleek cat’s face.  He sat up slowly, trying to make as little noise as possible as he surveyed the campsite.  The orange coals in the fire emitted little light or heat, but using the theris stone that granted him night vision, he could see Newt and Flynn asleep on the far side.

Any idea what’s making the noise or how far away it is?  Terran asked.

I can’t smell or see anything, so whatever it is can’t be that close.

A loud crash of a limb startled them both.  That sure sounds close to me, Terran said.

Terran shook Zara gently to wake her.  He put a hand over her mouth and held a finger to his lips when she took a deep breath, preparing to protest.  Terran put a hand to his ear then pointed off into the distance where the noise had come from.

To her credit Zara immediately understood, grabbing for her axe, while Luna nudged Flynn and Newt with her paws.  Terran mimed instructions to indicate which trees they should hide behind.  Everyone crept to their spots and waited, listening to the sounds of the forest around them.

Terran’s ears thrummed with the sound of his heartbeat as he tried to steady his sweaty hands, gripping his staff tighter.  He thought he caught movement to his left, but breathed a sigh of relief when he turned to see a squirrel scamper up a tree with a midnight snack in its mouth.  He was beginning to wonder if he had woken the others prematurely, when a hand silently wrapped around his wrist, long pale fingers encircling his arm.

Unable to restrain himself, Terran squealed in fright.  The others immediately reacted.  Newt used his gravomancer ability to pull Terran towards him, pushing the attacker back into the dark forest.  Zara leapt to the spot Terran had been, and Flynn let loose the arrow he had notched.  The poorly aimed arrow sunk harmlessly into a tree far to the right of Zara.

I thought we were friends, came a familiar voice from the dark.  Although I’m not privy to Offworlders’ traditions, I’m fairly certain firing arrows and casting spells on them is not a customary greeting.

The squeal Flynn made sounded like an excited schoolgirl, not the terrified release that Terran had just made, as a tall, pale woman stepped out of the shadows with a grotesque yet beautiful grin on her face.  She winked at Flynn as he stood shuffling his feet, unsure of what to do with his hands.

Perhaps you would have gotten a different greeting if you had chosen not to show up quietly in the middle of the night, Terran said, trying to steady his breathing.

My apologies, the bone witch said with a bow of her head.  I didn’t think we would frighten you so much.  She gestured behind her, motioning a group of four warriors and her bone construct forward.

What are you doing here? Flynn stammered.

We have been granted a prophecy.  It has grave implications, and the council thought it necessary to deliver the information to you as soon as possible.  I volunteered for the job, she said, eyeing Flynn as if he were a delicious meal, which prompted him to swallow nervously.

A prophecy? Terran questioned, returning to his bedroll and setting his staff aside.

Darkness Sighs’ expression sobered as she turned her eyes away from Flynn.  It is not unusual for our leaders to receive visions from our god, but a prophecy has not been granted in many generations.  It is worrisome.

Well, what is the prophecy?

I have been instructed only to reveal the prophecy once you have assembled your entire council.

What a tease.  Sorry, Flynn. Zara winked at her slender friend.

I wasn’t expecting to find you all out here.  I’m sorry if we frightened you.  I was just trying to get closer to investigate who was camped here.  Seems like my time alone in the mines has deteriorated my social skills.

It’s fine, Flynn stammered.  I’m just glad it’s you, and that I didn’t hit you with that arrow.

I wouldn’t worry about that, Flynn.  You couldn’t hit the broadside of the Jagged Peaks unless you were only an arm’s distance away, Zara teased.

Flynn narrowed his eyes at Zara then gestured to the fire.  Why don’t you join us?  Since we’re all going to the same place, we might as well travel together.

Thank you.  We are weary from the pace we’ve taken.  Father insisted we travel as quickly as we could, she said, sitting down on the ground.

The other warriors found places away from the fire and kept to themselves while the bone construct patrolled the outside of the area in slow, deliberate steps.

Must be nice to have a built-in watch party, Zara said, nodding towards the patrolling construct.

Yes.  He has been quite the faithful companion.  Though he is a bit too bony for cuddling, she responded with another wink at Flynn.

Even in the firelight Terran could see the blush on Flynn’s cheeks deepening.

Now that the excitement is over, I’m going back to sleep.  You better not prod me with your staff again, Terran, unless there’s a real danger.  And if you two plan to spend all night catching up and giggling, go somewhere else, Zara said as she arranged herself on her bedroll, axe by her side.

The next morning the diverse party headed out for their final travel day before reaching Gneiss Glen.  Two warrior Shades led the group, and the other two brought up the rear.  Luna traveled mostly by herself off the road, but would sometimes appear for a few minutes.  She claimed it was impossible to hunt for food anywhere near the loud party, so she mainly kept to herself.

It was late afternoon by the time they made it back to the settlement.  The guards at the gate cheered when they saw Terran and his party.  The entire settlement knew that he and his friends were going to find the ghost tower and take out the necrochanter, Grimchar.  Since they were returning on foot instead of respawning by the Mother Tree, they assumed the mission was a success.

Is there time for us to get cleaned up before I summon the council? Terran asked Darkness.

Of course.  Would you prefer we make camp outside of the walls?  I know that Shades are not welcomed by everyone, Darkness said.

No, no.  I’m sure we can find room for you at the Singing Tree.  Flynn, why don’t you help get them settled?  I’ll go find Petram and have him gather the council while we’re getting cleaned up.  We’ll meet in the Mother Tree in an hour, Terran said.

Petram was already seated in his normal spot just inside the doorway as Terran entered the council room.  After getting cleaned up, Darkness Sighs stood straight as an arrow on the far side of the room.  Her face wore a blank expression, and she remained silent, flanked by the four Shades that traveled with her.  Terran was pleased to see that Grinder was not with her.  He wasn’t sure how the elves would react to the bone construct.

Ara and Lhoris arrived together.  Terran was shocked to see Lhoris’s light expression as he cheerfully talked with Ara.  The brooch on Ara’s shoulder shined as brightly as her kind smile when she saw Terran.  She opened her mouth to say something, but snapped it shut when she noticed the silent Shade.  Terran felt the apprehension as soon as they saw Darkness Sighs.

Zoras, the head of the crystalline conservatory, sauntered in with his nose in the air as usual.  He gave a quick bow of the head to Terran, completely ignoring Darkness Sighs as he took his spot next to Petram.

Sorry I’m late.  We found a large clump of mushrooms that have to be foraged right away, and there aren’t enough loamers for the job, Kumotake said as he rushed into the room.

Terran felt a pang of sadness as he watched Chanterelle’s father take his seat.  He wasn’t sure if it was from missing his daughter or the strain of keeping the settlement fed, but Kumotake looked frazzled.  He tried to brush the dirt off the knees of his pants when he sat down, then ran a hand through his disheveled hair to no effect. 

I am pleased to tell you all that we were successful in our quest to destroy Grimchar.  The rot that was invading the Glen has been cured.  Unfortunately, I don’t know if we have seen the last of the necrochanter, but he won’t be back anytime soon.  It is going to take him quite some time to gather enough energy and resources to create problems for us.

A smile spread across Petram’s face as he patted Terran on the back at the news.  Claps and smiles went all around the group, but abruptly stopped when Darkness Sighs shuffled her feet.

"Our next task will be to find the remaining essence in order to grow the settlement.  I have one to return to the tree as soon as we are done here, but I’m afraid I don’t know where any more are located.  

I’m sure you all have noticed Darkness Sighs, Terran continued, nodding towards the Shade.  She has been sent as an emissary from the Zythri to share a prophecy with us.

Nervous looks were shared by each of the council members.  Lhoris crossed his arms and sat up straighter as the Shade moved into the middle of the room.  Even the normally amiable Petram looked apprehensive as his jaw tightened.

Darkness Sighs ignored it all as she inclined her head.  I have been sent by my father, Pools of Blood, the head priest of our tribe, to share with you the prophecy that he was given.  I was fortunate to be with him when he received the blessing from our god, and it was decided that I should be the one to share it with you.  It has been many cycles since a prophecy has been bestowed upon any in our tribe, and our elders unanimously decided that this should be delivered directly to you as soon as possible. 

Darkness Sighs took a deep breath and her eyes glazed over as she began to recite the prophecy from memory.

In the thirty-third cycle since the Great Awakening

The ashes of the autumn empire will smolder in rot

A champion will arise and return to the source

To make a sacrifice that will usher in the winds of change

The forces that remain must forge a path through darkness

There old enemies and lost friends will converge

To defeat the beast that eats the world

If the champion can find truth in lies

With the continent on the verge of war, a new empire beckons

But to forge itself anew, a terrible power must be revived

That which makes continents tremble and seas vanish

Only when the solution is struck will the future converge with the past

The only sound heard was a bird chirping on the branch outside the chamber as the elves sat digesting the words that had tumbled out of Darkness Sigh's mouth.  She stood with her eyes closed, head tilted down, as if in prayer.  Terran was wondering how he was going to remember all that when a quest notification popped into his vision.

You have been offered a quest: Fulfill the Shade’s Prophecy.

Good luck figuring out what any of that nonsense means though.

As he blinked away the notification the room erupted in questions.  This seemed to be the reaction she was expecting.  She held up a hand and slowly blinked, quieting the room.

"I know you are filled with questions.  Prophecies often create more questions than provide answers, but it is not the role of the Zythri to answer them.  We are only a conduit for the information as it is.  The only thing we know for certain is that this pertains to Terran and your burgeoning empire.  

My instructions were to deliver the prophecy and secure trade between us, but I was given no directions about what to do after those tasks were completed.  I am intrigued by all of this, and I would like to help however I can.  So if you are willing, she continued, looking directly at Terran, I will stay here and provide any help that I can.

That would be much appreciated, Terran said, noticing several of the council members shifting in their seats.  As for trade, we would welcome the opportunity.  I’m sure that could be beneficial to both our settlements.  We will need to secure the route and work out the details, but that shouldn’t be a problem.

I know alliances with the Zythri have been tentative at best in the past.  I sense your discomfort, she said, looking each member in the eye as she glanced around the room.  Perhaps it would ease your minds a bit to know that I am only half Zythri.  My mother was an Offworlder like your chieftain.

I apologize for our reactions, Petram said.  You are right.  There is a long history with your people.  I hope that working together now could repair some of that past, or at least begin a better future.  Welcome to Gneiss Glen, Darkness Sighs.

Thank you. She smiled at the shaman.  I am certain you have many things to discuss.  I will leave you to it.  When you are ready, we can work on trade negotiations.

You have been given a quest: Negotiate trade and secure a safe route with the Zythri.

Who doesn’t need more emeralds in their life?

She seemed to float out of the room, gossamer robes and long dark hair billowing behind her.  Her pale skin accentuated her tattoos, creating a ghostlike appearance, but there was a stark difference between her and the four Shades that trailed behind.  Their skin seemed translucent and their lankiness made them look more like skeletons compared to her shapely figure.

I am not one to decipher meanings from prophecies, but there is much work to do if we are going to secure a trade route with the Zythri, Lhoris said.  Plus they have asked for help at Wunderlust Keep to clear the quarry.  We may be stretched too thin, but I’ll see what we can do.  With Grimchar out of the picture, I’m a little less worried about our defenses at least.

You have been offered a quest: Help clear the quarry by Wunderlust Keep

Talk with Lady Aeresteel for details, but you probably need to kill some stuff by some rocks.

Thank you, Lhoris. How many more warriors do you think you’d need to make it all work? Terran asked.

I think fifteen or so would do it.  I have some recruits that are ready to begin patrols, so I can send them to secure a trade route.

Okay.  With all the new arrivals it shouldn’t be hard to give you fifteen.  Which reminds me, how are food stores, Kumotake?  I assume all the new mouths to feed is putting a strain on our stores.

Kumotake nodded.  Yes.  We are stretched quite thin.  There is a lot more we could be doing in Karst Hollow if we had the manpower, though.

Would twenty new loamers be enough?

Kumotake looked up and put a finger to his chin, calculating.  I think twenty-five more would be enough.

Done.  Ara, what about you?  Have you been able to keep up with armor demands?

"It will be