Tatiana and the Hidden Land: Discovery

By Katherine Newcomer

Refugees from Ancient Earth traveled through the stars and settled in Aurora close to 10,000 years ago. The survivors live with minimal technology and in an agrarian life. Earth, unfortunately, only survived in antiquated stories and legends.

Unlike their native world, magic was intrinsic to the very nature of Aurora. It even sparked magical abilities in some individuals, mostly women. In one of the seven kingdoms, Terra One, their culture supported a Sisterhood for those who wielded magic. Their world was relatively peaceful until the recent ascendancy of a powerful wizard called the Dark Mage who acted on the behest of a capricious but powerful god, the Nameless One.

The Dark Mage's magic was powerful, twisted, and forbidden. He created widespread death and destruction. Within three years, he had taken the capital of Terra One and its citizens lived in abject fear. Still, there were pockets of resistance that coalesced around Tatiana and her loved ones.

Though her magic had grown strong, is it enough to defeat the Dark Mage?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katherine Newcomer
• Release date: Sep 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9798985816013

Book preview

Glossary of Characters and Places

Main Characters (Human and Magical)

Tatiana: She is a young priestess of twenty-four with blue eyes and raven hair. She is the niece of Lord Grainger, the granddaughter of Catriona, and betrothed to Caradoc. She has magical powers that are constantly changing and growing. She is the one destined to face and destroy The Nameless One.

Arthur: Also known as Artorius by the lessor spiritual beings or gods. He has flaxen hair with a touch of silver-gray. His face is slender, almost elongated, and has vivid blue eyes. He generally wears a silver robe. He is also Tatiana’s mentor.

The Dark Mage: The instrument of the Nameless One. Before he became evil, he was an Other (spiritual being). His real name is Lucius. Although he has a human face, he has fangs for teeth. His bulk is more like a bear’s than a human. He has talon-like fingernails and ruby red eyes.

The Nameless One: He is a powerful Elemental who was cast out by the Others. He is entombed alive in Mount Varanciane. He stands over twelve feet tall with his body covered in green scales. He has long hair and wings that are made of leather instead of feathers.

Prince Caradoc: Prince of Terraenium. He is adorned with blond (like spun gold) hair and blue eyes. He is an excellent swordsman and is betrothed to Tatiana.

The Abbess: Her real name is Ileana. She is the leader of the Sisterhood of the Hidden Land. She has sky blue eyes and wears a purple robe.

Supporting Characters (Human and Magical)

Lord Grainger: First name is Cedric. He has gray hair and light, hazel eyes. He is the paternal uncle of Tatiana.

Catriona: The maternal grandmother of Tatiana with piercing blue eyes and white hair. She belongs to the Sisterhood of the Hidden Land.

Gregory: Also known as Raven or Gregoire. He has chestnut brown hair and hazel eyes. He is rather tall, but his countenance is marred by thin lips that are often turned down in a sneer. He is under the Dark Mage’s spell. His father is Stephen of Cragmaire and has a brother and a sister.

Ancient One: A silver figure draped in a golden robe with a hood. Has long, flowing, silver hair. A Dryad of a glen. Helps Tatiana grow and understand her powers.

Dryad: A magical being who maintains and supports the enchantment of the glens. They are usually female, tall, and willowy with a shimmery skin complexion. They are more akin to angels than humans. They are normally loving and kind, but there have been instances of corruption with tragic consequences.

Shrieks: Originally human, these creatures are transformed by the Dark Mage at the Gate of Desolation through torture. At the end of the process, their strength is superhuman, but it was at the cost of their lives. They have blackened skin from being scorched by fire and are much taller than an average human.

Gelastikas: She is a powerful Dryad who was inadvertently imprisoned by the Sisterhood of the Hidden Land. She has dark brown eyes and silver hair that frame her chocolate brown skin. She is tall, slender, and wears a robe of spun gold.

Celeste: She is a sister of the Hidden Land who is turned by the Nameless One. She has hazel eyes and light brown hair.

Elementals: They are God-like beings who are original to Planet Aurora. They include the Nameless One, Aijuanka, and five others.

The Others: These are spiritual beings who are original to the planet. They have powers akin to semi-gods.

Aijuanka: She is one of the Elemental Gods. She is also known as the Forsaken One. She is tall, imperious like a royal courtesan, but is utterly lacking in color. She is white, like marble, with long, dark hair. She is also very strong but vulnerable to the sculptor’s chisel.

Forsaken Ones: An Elemental who has been lost from the forces of goodness for thousands of years.

Langlithiere: He’s the Dark Mage’s most loyal Shriek and trusted lieutenant. Before he was turned against his will, he was a priest. He is the Mage’s Gatekeeper, one who could turn humans into Shrieks. He is eight feet tall.

Later, Langlithiere becomes Eleazar, his original name, which means to whom God is a help; however, his birth name is John. He has long, luxuriant, brown hair and grey eyes. He looks no more than forty and is still tall, standing at six feet.

Smethe-leah: A Shriek who the Mage uses as a weapon. Later, he is transformed back into a human with help from Tatiana. It is learned that he was a monk known as Gilchrist, but his birthname is Martin. In his human form, he has soft auburn hair, green eyes, and pale skin. He’s also a gardener.

John of Cragmaire: A soldier from Gregory’s town. He has brown eyes and graying dark hair.

Adelric: He is a human soldier, the captain of The Guard, with red hair and sea green eyes. He is rescued by Catriona and Tatiana from the clutches of the Dark Mage.

Darrick: A flaming red-haired man who acts as the leader of an army of men formerly known as the green men.

Egbert: The Captain of the Royal Guard. He is taller than average and has a darker skin complexion than those common in Terra One.

Gretchen: She is a red-haired sister with green eyes and strong opinions. She is a council member of the Sisterhood of the Hidden Land.

Ivannier: He is the Dark Mage’s human servant. He has sandy hair, streaked with gray, and cunning green eyes. He is thin from hunger, but he keeps himself gaunt to avoid becoming a meal for the Shrieks.

Jaclyn: Another sister of the Hidden Land. She has brown eyes and dark, curly hair.

Lars: Tatiana’s bodyguard who is slain by the Dark Mage’s soldiers.

Ursula: She is a tall priestess of the Hidden Land with brown eyes and dark blonde hair. She is very loyal to the Abbess. She is a council member and a scholar on Ancient Earth.

Claudine: One of the Others (spiritual beings) who kept Lord Grainger company while Arthur and Tatiana had a discussion. She would later become his protector. She may be over a thousand years old, but she looks to be in her twenties. She has brown eyes and blond hair.

Gladiffier: She is a Dryad of a glen but is corrupted by the Nameless One. She is fair and beautiful with violet eyes and blonde hair.

Saadria: She is another Dryad with kind, brown eyes and dark, cascading hair. She has a sense of humor and does not seem to take herself too seriously. She is also a friend of Arthur’s.

Duruweard: He was the Gatekeeper to the Dark Mage’s Gate of Desolation, where humans are turned into Shrieks, before losing Caradoc to Tatiana.

Earl of Lac de la Morte: He is a human who worships the Dark Mage.

Erwikriyte: A Shriek who takes Duruweard’s place as Gatekeeper, but, shortly after, is killed for being reckless.

Ian the Smith: A darkling creature, also known as a green man, transformed by the Dark Mage.

Sir Walter Branhard: He is a human nobleman and a minion to the Dark Mage. He is one of seven humans who receives a red coin of corruption from the Mage.

Places

Planet Aurora: The home planet of Tatiana and the Hidden Land. Her ancestors traveled to this planet from Earth in 3500 A.D. It’s been almost 10,000 years since they left, yet memories of Camelot (600 A.D.) still linger.

Terra One: One of the seven kingdoms inhabiting Planet Aurora. It is also the largest.

Terraenium: Capital city of Terra One. It lies southwest of Mount Varanciane. It is where the Dark Mage reigns.

Mount Varanciane: A site of total darkness and the home – prison – of the Nameless One. Also known as The Mount.

The Hidden Land: A magical place where the other half of the original Sisterhood walled themselves off behind mountains that cannot be breeched. They are a cloistered community where time has little meaning.

Cragmaire: The castle where Gregory grew up as the second son.

Glens: Special magical places that usually are maintained and/or supported by a Dryad. While inside a glen, one-minute equals an hour out in the real world.

Gateway: A magical place that can transport characters from one set place to another.

Greyfriar’s Keep: Lord Grainger’s castle.

Stanislaus: Ancient ruins also known as Murdlok. It is a dead city.

CHAPTER ONE

13,589 ACE

Planet Aurora

The wind rustled through the summer leaves, etching its song within her heart. It seemed to say, Hurry! Her long, flowing robe rippled gently in the currents. The breeze cooled her flushed face. As she ascended into darkness, the moonlight was her only guide. The rocky path twisted up the low mountain along the ancient, rutted road. She glanced back, ears straining to hear any sounds of chase. However, there was only the wind and the screech of an owl. She was startled by his call but shook her head. With breath jagged from fatigue, her heart raced, and her throat burned. She rested, sinking to the stones. Don’t stop! Faster! her inner voice commanded.

The moonlight created stark shadows behind an occasional tree. The wind gathered strength, buffeting her as if encouraging her to move onward, but she could not. Pulling her knees to her chin, she cradled her forehead in her arms, exhausted. Her raven hair fell forward and obscured her fair complexion. As minutes passed, she caught her breath and quieted her pounding heart. Crickets droned in the small valley below, lulling her with their calls and easing her fear. She was a priestess, alone and far from help. Most of her Sisterhood was already imprisoned or slaughtered by the Dark Mage’s forces.

Until three years ago, life had been simple. She was being trained to use her magic and to heal others. King Edmund of Terra One reigned over the agrarian kingdom with mild-mannered benevolence. Routinely, the lords of the great houses vied for power with each other, but beyond an occasional duel, none came to bloodshed. Then, the Dark Mage ruined everything.

Snapping out of her memories, the young priestess heard the loud crack of a twig breaking under a heavy foot not even a stone's throw away from her. Her heart skipped a beat. She scanned for cover but found none – only scattered grey rocks strewn haphazardly against the sloping cliff. Twelve feet to the other side, the roadway dropped abruptly into the valley below. Several miles away, Terraenium, the capital city of Terra One, was shrouded in darkness at the Dark Mage’s command. Not a torch or a candle was lit. It was nestled next to a once bustling harbor at the edge of the great sea. She thought of her betrothed imprisoned there but could not allow her mind to become ensnared in that anguish. She kept her focus. The night was her only ally against certain capture and death to follow.

Placing her second finger against her full lips, she fell back on her arduous magical training and whispered an incantation: I am rock, I am air, and I am darkness. I am all. I am nothing. Vanished - only shadow.

The rhythmic sound of a soldier's approaching footsteps struck her silent. Fear seized her heart. It hammered, urging flight. Motionless, she redirected her focus to the spell. The discipline of her instruction overcame her terror. She drew her breath in softly and exhaled gently. Her heart quieted. The night air appeared to shimmer as she felt herself blending into the grey pathway. She experienced a sense of spiritual oneness, and it quieted her fear. She was the rocks, the old mountain, the air around her, and even the stars. Invisible.

Then she saw him; a tall, lean, young man wearing Imperial garb - gleaming helmet, chest armor, shield, and sword. He looked close to her age but younger; closer to eighteen than to her twenty-four. He was more of a boy than a man. Even in the moonlight, he had the rosy complexion of a child. A scarce few feet from her, he halted abruptly and scowled.

Glancing warily around, he spoke into the darkness. Tatiana, he whispered as he stepped closer, I can feel your magic. Come forward and I shall not hurt you.

She realized he had psychic abilities. Ignoring the return of her panic, she held fast to the words of her illusion. As the soldier knelt down, edging forward with searching, outstretched hands, she added another command to her incantation. Forget, soldier.

The man's arms dropped. He stood up motionless, then rubbed the side of his cheek with bewilderment. As he turned away, Tatiana exhaled softly with relief.

No! he shouted to the darkness. No! I remember my duty!

He stood at attention and attempted to smile. It was more like a grimace than a grin. Tatiana! Give yourself up to me! I'll be gentle. Much better than those who follow.

He had the strength to resist my binding spell! Tatiana pictured the dark priests certain to be at his heels and shuddered. She saw what they did to her armed escort. Her last sight of Lars had been of him fighting for his life with his sword and shield against overwhelming odds. He wanted to give her time to escape. She heard the arrows buzzing through the air but did not look back. Tears welled up in her eyes. With difficulty, she set aside her grief and her growing dread. She concentrated on the task at hand. She observed her adversary, using all her senses, and searched for any weakness in his magical defenses. Her attention felt guided to his brow, and she gathered magic from the trees below, the sky above, and the rocks underfoot. She opened her palm to the moonlight. With her fingers held as if they were the point of a spear, she aimed at his forehead.

Sleep, soldier, she said and blew a breath into her palm as if sending a wayward child a kiss.

He staggered and dropped to his knees. His head fell and touched the smooth stones, asleep. His jaw relaxed and his mouth opened slightly. Deep in slumber, he was only a hand's breadth away. With swiftness born of fear, she rose and obeyed her urge to flee. Crawling too quickly, her traveling cape swept over his face.

No! her foe called from behind, seizing her around her waist with just a little trace of grogginess in his voice.

She was both shocked and afraid at his display of magical strength that enabled him to awaken so easily from her spell. Holding tightly, he pulled himself and Tatiana upright, using her slender frame like a staff. As they stood, she whirled around and faced him to try and break free from his grasp. He only clenched her harder. She was trapped. Her head only came to his shoulders and his unwanted closeness brought her discomfort.

You're young, he said in disbelief. Or perhaps you’re casting another illusion.

She is beautiful, he thought. Her blue eyes were framed by long, dark hair. Her nose was straight, if a little too long. Her cheekbones were well-defined with a strong jaw. Her mouth was more suited to a smile than the frown that was clenching it now. She wore a long, green travel dress with good sturdy boots. Her cape was a soft gray. She carried a satchel, which she managed to keep dangling from her shoulder during the whole ordeal. Lastly, on her left hand, she wore a sparkling diamond ring.

I am what you see, now release me. I wish you no harm. My quarrel is with those who come after.

From the trail down below, they heard the distant rumbling of male voices.

I tell you let me go! They'll surely kill me!

I have my duty, he said in a determined voice at odds with the stray chestnut curls that rebelled against the confines of his helmet.

She studied his hazel eyes and saw no evil reflected in them. She tried to reason with him. I've done no wrong. They seek to compel me to use my powers against Lord Grainger, my uncle. They have already slain my guide and protector. They would bind my magic and use me to attack a man who has been like a father to me.

Lord Grainger? the soldier repeated with surprise. As his broad forehead furrowed with thought, he inadvertently loosened his grasp.

Like a lit torch, she blazed with an inner magical fire. The soldier immediately released her and stared at his hands with dismay.

You've burned me! he hissed at her. How did you do that?

Without a word, she pushed her fatigue aside and sprinted up the low mountain, running for her life. As her legs pounded the hard dirt, she thought, Save me, Lord, save me!

The soldier went after her. His footsteps rang on the barren surface, yet she realized he did not shout a warning back to the others. Onward she dashed, using the last of her magic to boost her speed. Her satchel banged against her back, but she did not drop it. She heard his feet drumming the earth behind her, steadily closing the gap between them. As they reached the summit, she continued her race across the open space towards an ancient fortress. Its thick gray walls gaped with holes; its battlements boasted no pennants, not even a single flag. It was abandoned.

Hold! he called just behind her. "There’s no one here to help you! Stop running! I need to understand about Lord Grainger!"

Panting, she kept running towards the abandoned gate. Her legs were burning, her lungs were on fire.

Suddenly, his hands seized her waist and he pulled her to a standstill, but he didn’t knock her down. She struggled. Wrenching free from his grasp, she faced him and twisted her palm towards his jaw. With practiced ease, he deflected her blow with his hand and gripped her wrist. Locking her arm behind her back, he held her tightly.

Tell me what this is all about. His voice was hoarse. My father is pledged to Lord Grainger. If he is your kin, I need answers, he added with the earnestness of youth.

Release the priestess! a male voice commanded from the shadows.

Still holding fast to Tatiana, the young soldier turned toward the voice. Come forward, coward! Or do you prefer the safety of darkness? he retorted.

Don’t toy with me, boy, the man said, as he stepped into the moonlight.

Lord Grainger? the soldier said, letting her go and dropping to one knee. Your pardon, I did not know.

Seize him, the gray-haired lord commanded.

He is under my protection, Tatiana interjected, trusting her instincts. Cover his eyes, so that he may not betray where we take him. I would like to have words with him.

Tatiana, he would have killed you, or worse, delivered you to the priests! Death would be kinder, her uncle said.

The young woman tossed back her black hair. Her blue eyes flashed, but she still struggled to catch her breath. Her cheeks were red from exertion and her throat was raw from running, but she kept her voice steady. Yet he did not. He kept silent. He did not raise his voice and betray me, nor push me to the ground. He says that his father is pledged to you, Uncle. If this is the case, we need to find out more.

Lord Grainger’s smile was grim. I shall supervise the questioning myself.

No! Tatiana said. The Sisterhood has its methods and none of them involve pain.

The seasoned warrior stepped closer to his niece. I’ve been worried about you, Tatiana. We found your guard two days’ journey from here.

"Lars – he is dead?" Her voice broke over those words.

They left him in a pool of his own blood, so close to death. But he held on, hoping we would find him. Before he passed, he told us about the dark priests almost capturing you. We split our forces into three and searched.

She blinked back tears. His bravery was terrible to behold. I did not want to leave him, she said, remembering how Lars had grasped her shoulders and shouted for her to flee. He told me if I didn’t try to meet you here, he’d have forfeited his life for nothing. She paused. We were too far from a magical gateway. There was no escape possible. I left him and ran, she said, ending in a stricken whisper. Overwhelmed by guilt, she looked down and shook her head.

You did right, Tatiana. With his blood, he bought you what you needed most…time, said Lord Grainger.

Collecting herself, she asked. You have no Seeker, no one with the Sight? No one with magic to help you?

Tatiana, they’ve been hunting all the priestesses like wild game. The Sisterhood has been split by treachery within. Many of your sisters have gone to ground, hiding in the sacred glens.

So, I’m on my own?

No, dear Tatiana, you have all of us. He snapped his fingers. In what seemed like the space of two heartbeats, they were surrounded by a band of forty soldiers, armed with swords and shields.

As Tatiana studied the men’s serious, windburnt faces, she sighed. There’s a band of twenty dark priests in hot pursuit. They’re escorted by an armed guard, but there’s only one of me. I can’t stand alone against their magic. They use black magic and its forbidden spells. To fight them would mean your death. I won’t risk you and your men, Uncle. Come, I shall take us where we need to go.

From below, she heard the tramp of soldiers’ feet briskly trotting in beat, obscuring the unmeasured and softer footfalls of the priests. They were out of time! Quickly, she brought her palms together in front of her chest.

Gather around me. You, there, she gestured to a nearby soldier, bind the prisoner’s hands and cover his eyes.

In a moment, her bidding was done.

Now follow me! she commanded.

Leading the men, she quickly strode to the ruined fortress. Its stones were scattered, but a large archway still remained to the principal courtyard. Its gates were long lost. As she stood before the gaping entrance, she whispered, hands clasped in prayer as she centered herself. The incantation came from within her heart. The words were simple, yet powerful. What was, shall be again. Let us pass.

At her words, an azure blue doorway appeared. It shimmered, pulsating with vibration. Light streamed from within the portal and cast a brilliant light to the outside of the ruined gate. The deep blue light was crisp against the night’s darkness, casting the moonlight into irrelevancy. Tatiana stood to one side as Lord Grainger’s soldiers quickly stepped two-by-two into the entrance, vanishing from the darkness and into the portal. The last was her uncle marching their prisoner through with determined purpose.

She casts magic! a male soldier’s voice shouted from afar. Her pursuers had already reached the stone pathway at the crest of the summit.

Tatiana only smiled. Briskly, she passed through the blue portal into brightness. She felt an instant warmness that was accompanied by a sense of relief as she passed through the barrier. When she looked around, flowers splashed color throughout the magical glen. It was as beautiful as a garden. She heard birds calling and saw water dancing in a carved marble fountain. Tatiana spared the wondrous beauty only a glance. Pivoting on light feet, she faced the blue doorway. Beyond the gateway, all had vanished.

She heard her pursuers beyond the darkness. They’re gone! a muffled voice shouted in the distance.

Tatiana spread her arms wide and touched the sides of the portal. Close, beloved helper, she whispered, and ward yourself against any who would call on you for evil. Guard yourself well, my faithful friend. My kinsman, Lord Grainger, speaks of treachery within the Sisterhood. Scan even a priestess and search her heart for betrayal.

She pressed the sides of the blue opening and closed them into a solitary line. Remember beloved, she whispered like it was an entity.

In a flash, the azure light was gone.

CHAPTER TWO

Turning from the vanished entry, Tatiana addressed the men. They had passed from the darkness of night into daylight. They stood in a large garden that had gone wild, yet somehow not overgrown. Ancient trees unfurled their mighty limbs. In the distance, Tatiana could see a low perimeter made of jumbled stones. A large, alabaster fountain sprayed water, making soothing and pleasant sounds. It was carved with an intricate design that incorporated all kinds of animals and flora.

We are safe in this magical place, but we must not tarry long. Each minute that passes here is an hour on the other side. You may drink the water and eat the fruit from the trees and vines but draw not your swords or bows. This ground is a holy sanctuary for all, even the animals.

The very air of the garden was sweet. As Tatiana inhaled the fragrance, the knot in her throat began to ease.

My lady, our supplies are all but gone. In the thicket beyond, I heard game, a soldier said. He was well past forty and beginning to grey. His hand fingered his bow, itching to use it. Inadvertently, he licked his lips. He was hungry. Might we pursue it?

She studied his war-worn face and shook her head. Hunting is forbidden here. Go to that tree and pluck a single pear. When you have finished it, ask me the question again.

The tree was beautiful, deep with rich green leaves, and unlike a normal pear tree. Fruit adorned it and shone softly like decorations. The air in the garden had the aroma of an early spring day. As the men watched their fellow warrior walk towards the tree, Lord Grainger’s lips curved into a knowing grin. The soldier hesitated as he plucked a single pear.

Biting into it, his face flushed. It’s delicious! he said, between mouthfuls. Wiping the juice with his sleeve, he looked bewildered yet refreshed.

I have no hunger, just a powerful thirst, he confided to Tatiana.

Drink and tell me what you feel, she replied, pointing to the well.

Like a young man, he sprinted to the circular stone fountain. Its marble no longer shone, and its white, complex carvings had softened with time, blurring the animals’ features.