Fall of Darkness Omnibus: Fall of Darkness

By Jules Trettel

The complete series!

Legends of Sorcery
Ruins of Magic
Keeper of Light
Fall of Darkness

In the thriving kingdom of Gavalon, filled with lush green lands, waterfalls, and majestic unicorns, magic is still alive and well guarded by the High Keeper.

The clumsy, unassuming orphan Arion has been chosen to be the High Keeper's apprentice, but it comes with great personal sacrifice. He must take a vow of celibacy dedicated to the study and protection of magic.

When Arion finds an ancient stone relic in the Hall of Magic, dark magic is released, strange things begin to happen across the Kingdom as dark magic is released with the return of an ancient evil sorcerer.

Arion must fix the mess he made, but time is against him. Secrets will be revealed, the line between friend and foe blurs, and the fate of Gavalon rests on his shoulders.

But a chance encounter with the beautiful Princess Valaria could alter his life's path forever.

The clock is ticking. Can Arion and Valaria work together in time to save the Kingdom or will dark magic consume the Kingdom forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Julie Trettel
• Release date: Jan 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215164785

Book preview

LEGENDS OF SORCERY

Stones of Amaria

Jules Trettel

Chapter 1

Arion, you idiot! Zallon, the High Keeper of Magic, yelled.

I’m sorry sir. I’ll clean it up immediately, Arion said. He was always spilling something or tripping over his own two feet.

Zallon frequently wondered what he had done in another life to deserve a ward such as Arion. How was he supposed to teach anything to the boy?

Arion was an unknown in the Kingdom of Gavalon. Orphaned at a young age there was no history on his lineage, but the magic stone had spoken. Whoever or whatever he was, the magic of Gavalon flowed strong through his veins. Of course, Zallon had never confessed that to Arion. As far as he knew Zallon had needed a helper and because Arion was bleeding the kingdom dry with no hope of adoption, the old wizard had been awarded him at a young age to assist in the Records of High Magic.

Arion had come to live with Zallon when he was just seven years old and was now about to celebrate his twentieth year.

Nearly twenty cycles of the moons I’ve seen in my lifetime, Zallon, yet I’ve never done anything. I’ve never seen anything. I’ve never experienced anything.

Arion, the purpose of a magic keeper is not action and adventure. It’s knowledge, Zallon said tapping Arion on the forehead with his index finger.

But why can’t it be both? Arion insisted.

Zallon sighed. Perhaps at one time it was, but that is no longer necessary in the age we live.

But it was once? Arion persisted. Perhaps it will be again, he said hopefully.

A shadow crossed Zallon’s face. Do not wish such things upon us. You do not know the darkness our ancestors fought valiantly to rid this land from, to rid all of Amaria from. I warn you not to even speak such thoughts into the universe.

Arion was frustrated in his life and longing for adventure and excitement. Instead, he was stuck with daily chores and mundane studies of magic. Magic should have been fun and interesting at least, but in reality, it was just books and tests like any other class he’d studied during his school days.

Going for a walk sometimes helped with the frustrations, and a break from Zallon was never a bad thing. As Arion stretched his long legs and began to wander through the gardens outside the House of Magic, he began to relax some.

He climbed a small hill to the bench that looked out over the kingdom. The castle loomed high behind him, but it was the valley below that called to him.

Gavalon was a land of lush green rolling fields and forests dotted with waterfalls that gave it a magical feel. White majestic unicorns roamed the area. It was forbidden to kill a unicorn or harm one in any way. The people had lived in peace beside them for many generations. They were sacred to the kingdom.

Watching them in the distance, Arion didn’t notice as one approached behind him until her head nuzzled against his neck.

Callia, cut that out, Arion said with a laugh pulling away from the creature. That tickles. He turned to nuzzle the unicorn that had chosen to friend him the day he arrived at the House of Magic, a scrawny little orphan with no hope for a future.

Things had changed for Arion since that day. He was awaiting approval to officially move from ward of the kingdom to apprentice of magic. Zallon said he had selected him personally as his predecessor. It should have made Arion proud, as Zallon was a very important man in the kingdom. Perhaps being raised by him had skewed Arion’s perceptions as he knew Zallon was fallible, no different than any other man.

What are you doing up here, girl? Arion asked as he petted his closest friend in the world. You’re supposed to be out there, running with your kind and splashing through waterfalls. How many times do I have to tell you that?

She whinnied and danced around as if in protest.

Fine. You can stay, he said, always grateful for her visits.

It had been a lonely life cut off from much of the kingdom as a child growing into a young man. He understood that was necessary. Arion had a chance at being the next High Keeper of Magic. He knew well what an isolated life that would mean, but most of the time he didn’t mind. Zallon had always been good to him and Arion wanted to please the old man.

Still, it was not an easy life where a mystical unicorn was his best friend and only confidante.

How about a run? Arion suggested to Callia.

She gave him a comical look. It was true he had two left feet that he often tripped over, but with his twentieth year approaching, Arion wanted to at least try to overcome some of his youthful flaws. He had taken to running daily and was building muscles and growing stronger for it.

Come on, he insisted as he got up and stretched, then took off at a sprint. Callia merely trotted next to him barely exerting herself as if mocking him, but he didn’t let that dissuade him as he pushed on faster and harder than he normally would.

They ran until the sun was high in the sky before making their way back. As he approached the staircase that would lead him up to the Hall of Magic, he slowed back to a walk. Callia nuzzled against him as if congratulating him on a good run.

A noise nearby spooked her, and her large head whipped in the direction, before she reared up on her hind legs, knocking him to the ground as she turned and ran in the opposite direction.

Curious of what had scared his friend off, Arion went to investigate, but before he could round the corner, Zallon was calling for him. He instead turned and walked up the stairs after throwing one final look in his original direction.

Coming, sir, he yelled up.

Zallon had lunch waiting when Arion arrived. As they ate, a courier arrived from the King with a scroll of the utmost importance. Zallon accepted it and thanked the young man. A concerned look crossed the old man’s face as he unrolled and read it.

What is it? Arion asked.

Probably nothing. The princess has disappeared. I’ve been summoned to do a tracking spell once again. Someday that girl will grow up and realize how much of my time she continues to waste, he said. Finish your meal and I want you to clean up the conservatory while I’m gone.

Arion groaned in disappointment causing Zallon to give him a stern look.

Yes, sir, he said with a sigh.

Days like that made him feel like little more than a maid to the wizard.

After lunch, Arion quickly washed his dishes and set them out to dry while he went to the conservatory to begin his chores.

The conservatory held many priceless relics of the realm and various magical objects that Zallon always preached the importance of. The most important of these was nothing more than a hunk of purple rock on display. It was thought that all magic for the Kingdom came from that one stone.

To Arion it looked like nothing more than a rock on a pedestal. No different than any other amethyst he’d ever seen. Sometimes he thought Zallon invented magical things just to make it look like a more important place than it was.

Sure, Arion knew magic truly existed. He’d been able to do basic spells himself for years, but the supposed magical artifacts in the conservatory didn’t make sense to him. As far as he was concerned, they were just hunks of dust collectors left for him to clean.

Arion went to the closet and opened it to pull out a broom, mop, bucket, and feather duster, then headed for the room to begin his chores. As he started sweeping, it wasn’t long before a song filled his head as he danced around, first sweeping, then mopping the floors as he sang and danced throughout the room.

Not paying attention, which was a common problem for Arion, he slipped on the wet floor and fell into one of the shelves. He watched in slow motion as the amethyst waivered, swaying back and forth until it fell off the shelf.

Nooooo! he yelled as he dove towards it trying to catch it as it fell until it crashed onto the floor. The glass case encapsulating it shattered into a million pieces.

Arion looked around to confirm Zallon hadn’t returned.

No, no, no, no! he said, swearing under his breath.

He jumped up and grabbed the broom to clean up the mess before Zallon noticed. There was nothing Arion could do about the glass enclosure that had protected the rock, but maybe the old man wouldn’t even notice. Aside from the glass it didn’t look like there was any damage.

Arion quickly picked up the rock. It heated and began to glow from his touch. He had never seen it glow before and said a quick prayer that he hadn’t just somehow destroyed all magic in Gavalon or something equally sinister.

Racking his brain as he cleaned up the mess, Arion tried to remember everything he could about the stone. It wasn’t much he quickly realized. Aside from being said that it was the source of all magic in the kingdom, he knew nothing about the rock.

Carefully he picked up the amethyst and grabbed the base it sat on. He set it back on the shelf, mesmerized by the glowing shades of purple that flowed through the stone. Zallon would definitely notice the rock suddenly glowing.

Arion feared the trouble he’d get into this time. This was arguably the worst thing he’d ever done, even if it was just an accident. Bile rose up into the back of his throat as he thought of the consequences he’d face.

When he heard a noise outside, he quickly snapped out of it and got back to work. The room was otherwise spotless when Zallon returned, and much to Arion’s relief the rock stopped glowing.

That girl may be the death of us all if she doesn’t grow up soon. Always running off seeking some new adventure. One of these days trouble will find her for real and the rest of us won’t be rushing in to save her thinking she was just being ornery again, he grumbled.

Arion had never personally met Princess Valaria, but he had heard plenty of stories over the years of the trouble she seemed to easily find.

What was it this time? he asked.

Zallon huffed. She found a unicorn and decided to go for a ride. I tracked her to the Lake of Sacrifice. She knew better than to go there, but that girl doesn’t have a lick of sense in her pretty little head.

Isn’t that where her mother’s death ceremony was? Arion asked. The Queen had passed away less than a year prior. It was a blow to the entire Kingdom. Maybe she just wanted to somehow feel closer to her, he suggested.

Zallon sighed, softening at the thought. Perhaps. She did seem quite upset when we found her, but uninjured.

He looked around the conservatory finding nothing strange, nodded his head, and walked back into his laboratory.

Well done, Arion, he complimented, making him cringe in guilt.

Arion knew he should tell Zallon about the stone, but the wizard seemed to have other things on his mind and so Arion chose not to bother him with the accident that had occurred, trying to tell himself it had nothing to do with putting off the fate that would be bestowed upon him when Zallon found out.

Chapter 2

A week went by and there was no change in Arion's life. One day rolled into another until at last Zallon came to him with a proposition.

Arion, as you know, in two weeks you will reach your twentieth year. I have placed the request to the King to elevate you officially to Apprentice of Magic at that time. As my apprentice, you will swear your allegiance to a life of celibacy where you will devote the rest of your days to the study of magic. You will be privy to all the knowledge I will pass to you, the history of the kingdom, the legends of sorcery, and will continue to improve and practice magic for the good of Gavalon. I know this comes as no surprise to you, but I am excited to move towards making it official. I am not getting any younger and the sooner you have the knowledge and understanding I can give you, the safer Gavalon will be. If you choose not to accept the role, it will sadden me greatly, but that is your choice and yours alone to make. It is not an easy life, but it is a rewarding one.

Arion had known most of his life that this would be the path he would take. When he was younger, he had attended the common school with other children of Gavalon, but as he reached maturity, Zallon had pulled him to begin private tutoring. Even at that time he had explained that it was for his own protection and purity. While he knew the rules, he had never understood them and asked again.

Zallon, why the need for celibacy? I've never truly understood it. Can you explain that to me?

As High Keeper of Magic, Arion, you will be in charge of the safety of all the people of Gavalon. Magic can be good, but it can also be evil when used in the wrong ways. Not having any worldly attachments keeps you pure of heart and unable to be corrupted. That is why it is so important. Imagine if the kingdom were in trouble and an evil person found that you were married or had children and they took them from you to ensure you would follow their orders and not do what was best for the kingdom. It would leave Gavalon in a very bad place. You are a protector, and those personal ties will only make your job all the harder. It is not in your human nature to tell the evil doer to slaughter your children if he must in order to ensure you do what is necessary to save the throne.

The throne or the kingdom, Zallon? While we currently have a just and loving King, is it not possible that the throne could be corrupted? If that is the case should I not serve the people of the kingdom over the man that sits on the throne?

Ah, a very wise question, Arion. You would be correct in that determination. It is the Kingdom of Gavalon we truly serve and protect, no single man or woman.

And truly, Zallon, when was the last evil that bestowed this kingdom? Or all Amaria for that matter? The seven kingdoms of Amaria have largely been at peace for many centuries, have they not?

This is true, Arion, but as you begin your proper training you will learn that that was not always the case. A great evil once divided Amaria into the seven kingdoms we know today. It is but one of the legends you will learn.

That was still a very long time ago. We have measures in place today to ensure nothing like that ever happens again.

This too is true, however for Gavalon, the High Keeper of Magic is just one of those measures, as you will learn should you choose to accept the role I will offer you on your twentieth year.

Arion considered this. A life of celibacy was a lot to ask. He was a man, after all, and had already experienced the desires of the flesh despite Zallon's attempt at keeping him from all females. It was rare but Arion did go into town from time to time and he was not immune to the opposite sex. Still, it was a good life to be offered and he felt up the task, even knowing it would not be an easy life, but one full of temptations, not just by women, but by the magic itself.

While Zallon hadn't said so, Arion already knew the temptation of magic. It wasn't hard to grasp that a life of celibacy was also a practice in patience and determination necessary to master the control of magic.

It was something he would need to consider long and hard before accepting the position, though there was no doubt in Arion's mind that he would.

A lot could happen in two weeks, but in that moment, Arion was certain about his destiny.

Each day as part of Arion’s training he worked directly with Zallon on mixing potions. Arion wanted to move on to casting spells, but so far Zallon would not budge and only allowed his young steward to mix certain potions and only under observation.

A courier arrived from the King, interrupting the potion they were working on and causing Arion to spill a little too much cherry blossom into the clear spirit he’d already poured. He wasn’t sure exactly what he was making, as Zallon always told him those sorts of questions should be saved for when he was an actual apprentice, instead, the old wizard just spouted off ingredients and portions for Arion to put together without any rhyme or reason. He could be making Zallon’s afternoon tea for all Arion knew.

It’s urgent news from the King, the courier said.

Zallon sighed. It always is. What is it this time?

Princess Valaria. . .

Zallon cut the boy off. Princess Valaria has gone missing, again.

No sir. This time she came back on her own, very upset.

I have nothing to help with an overly emotional child, Zallon muttered under his breath.

No sir, the courier said again. She was upset because she found a unicorn in the woods. He did not appear to be injured but acted sick.

Sick? Zallon asked.

Yes sir, sick, the courier confirmed.

But unicorns do not get sick. Their healing properties are extraordinary. I’ve studied them myself for many decades.

Yes sir, that was why the King is so concerned and wishes you to investigate for yourself.

Zallon felt certain it was nothing more than more of the Princess’s drama. The young woman reminded him on a daily basis why he happily chose celibacy.

Very well. Tell me where she found the creature and I’ll have Arion check it out.

Me? Arion asked, quite surprised.

Yes, I think this will do you some good, the fresh air and all. Don’t think I didn’t notice how much cherry blossom you dumped into my clear spirit. I’ll have to start over, and it will be much faster if I just do it myself.

Arion sighed. One minute he’s happy thinking Zallon finally trusts him to do something right, and the next he’s shot down, like an arrow straight through his heart.

Do you know where the Princess found the unicorn? Arion asked.

The courier nodded. I can show you myself.

Very well, come on.

The two young men left and walked down the stone stairway heading into the Valley, across the river, and beyond to the Forest of Prosperity.

What was the Princess doing all the way out here? Arion asked aloud.

The courier snorted and shrugged. Who knows with that one. I’m Garron by the way.

Arion, he returned.

Garron smiled at him. I already knew that. Rumor has it you’re going to be the next High Keeper of Magic. You’re sort of famous in Gavalon.

Arion laughed. Yeah, sure. Me? Famous? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.

Are you kidding? Everyone knows who you are Arion. You were handpicked at such a young age it never even gave the rest of us a fighting chance.

A fighting chance for what? Arion asked, feeling confused.

The High Keeper’s Apprentice, of course.

Why would anyone else want that job? Do you know how lonely it can be?

Or how powerful? You’re going to be the most powerful man in the Kingdom, he said excitedly. My mates will freak when they find out I got to go on this adventure with you.

Arion snorted and shook his head. Come along then, but seriously you and your mates have my life quite confused for someone else’s.

Garron hung onto every word and observed every move Arion made with sheer fascination. It wasn’t long after they entered the Forest of Prosperity that they found the creature in question. Arion’s heart caught in his chest.

Callia! he screamed as he ran to the unicorn’s side, slicing open his knee on a rock as he slid to the ground next to her. Pushing the searing pain aside he focused on his friend, his only true friend as she lay whimpering on the ground.

The unicorn tried to nuzzle against him, but she cried out in pain that nearly broke Arion’s heart.

Lie still, girl. Let me check you over. He gently ran his hands across her body finding no injury but feeling a strange presence he could not explain. It’s magic, he whispered softly to himself.

You’re serious? This is some sort of dark magic then? Garron asked with excitement.

Arion shrugged. I don’t know what it is for sure. More like a feeling. Arion thought he sounded crazy, but it was clear that Garron believed him whole-heartedly. See if you can gather some small fallen tree limbs. We need to build something to help distribute her weight so we can carry her back or at least to a safer place.

The western palace stables aren’t far from here, and better than trying to carry her back uphill the way we arrived, Garron suggested.

Brilliant. We’ll take her there. If there’s a veterinarian onsite, perhaps he can confirm that there is nothing physically wrong with Callia.

Callia? Who’s that? Garron asked.

The unicorn, Arion said making Garron feel like an idiot.

The unicorns have names? Garron couldn’t resist asking.

Arion shrugged. Some do. This one does. He wasn’t about to explain to Garron how Callia was his only true friend in this world. No matter what it took, he vowed to save her.

A rustle in the underbrush nearby startled them both. Much to Garron’s surprise, the dying unicorn moved to protect Arion, but he ran his hand gently across her soft coat and whispered soothing words to calm her.

Garron almost forgot about the noise as he stared in fascination.

The intruder stepped out from behind her cover.

Garron’s jaw dropped as he saw the princess and quickly dropped to his knees. Your highness, he said not daring to look upon her.

Arion reacted in a much different way seeing Princess Valaria for the first time. He rose, wincing from the pain in his knee, and scolded her.

What are you doing here? he demanded.

Excuse me? the Princess asked. I don’t see what business that is of yours.

Perhaps your father’s business then? I’m sure he’d be quite grateful to hear where his precious daughter is.

Her eyes were wide in surprise and dancing with the fire of fury. Do you dare threaten your Princess?

Chapter 3

Princess Valaria couldn’t believe the audacity of the commoner standing there threatening her. She was secretly impressed too. No one ever spoke to her this way.

Choosing to ignore her altogether, Arion tapped Garron with the toe of his boot. Get up. We don’t have time for this. Then, he turned back to her. If you’re sticking around, the least you can do is help.

Valaria perked up. No one ever asked her to do anything. To most she was nothing more than a worthless spoiled little girl. She had already seen nineteen years pass. She was not a child, though everyone treated her as one, especially her father.

After her initial shock wore off, Valaria observed what the boys were doing and quickly set about gathering larger sticks and smaller fallen branches to add to the pile they were forming.

What is this for? she finally asked as sweat trickled down her back.

Perhaps the corset and dress she was wearing were not entirely appropriate for such activities, but her mother had always frowned upon her fondness of britches. Since her mother's death she had taken to wearing nothing but dresses as a way to feel closer to her. Grief constricted her heart as she thought of her mother.

I need to make a stretcher of some sort to help carry Callia back to the stables, Arion said.

Carry her? Are you insane? Valaria retorted.

Do I look insane? he asked. Don't answer that. You know what? No one asked you to come here, your highness, he spat out.

You'll be lucky if I don't have you thrown in the dungeon. How dare you speak to me that way! What is your name? she demanded.

Arion, he replied.

Her eyes widened in surprised. Arion? The next High Keeper of Magic?

Does everyone know this with certainty but me? I haven't even been officially offered the apprenticeship, he mumbled under his breath.

But you were chosen, Valaria said.

As a child, Arion defended. I cannot be officially named apprentice until my twentieth year, and it is my choice, he told her defiantly.

Zallon has lived many moons, Arion, and never once has even considered taking an apprentice--until you.

You really think I don't know that? That somehow you're the only one bound by duty to the kingdom? I'm not discussing this right now. Besides, how do you even know that? I've lived with Zallon most of my life. I've been private tutored for much of that time. How do either of you even know me? He was getting angry, worried for Callia and feeling trapped by the attention. Arion was used to being invisible, keeping to himself, or at least that's what he had thought all these years.

Everyone knows who you are, Garron assured him. Much in the same way everyone knows who she is, though most of us common folk never dream of actually meeting and talking to either of you. Wait? Am I dreaming? Am I going to wake up and find out none of this happened?

Valaria reached out and pinched him.

Ouch! Garron said, rubbing the red mark she left on his arm.

Did that feel like a dream? Valaria asked, her words slathered with sarcasm.

Garron winced and shook his head.

Arion didn't know what to think of it all. He kept his thoughts to himself and tried to focus back on what was most important. Looking down at Callia he had a bad feeling set into the pit of his stomach.

Something was very wrong and there was a darkness in the air that he didn't fully understand. He needed to discuss it with Zallon, but he couldn't leave the unicorn alone in the forest. She was his friend and he had to find a way to save her.

Without a word as the other two continued to talk, Arion gathered the sticks into a pile. He looked around and saw some vines nearby. He had never built anything like this before, but he had to at least try.

Walking over he tugged on the vines until enough dropped to the ground that he could gather up to use. He walked back and tossed them next to the pile of wood they had collected.

Now what? he thought.

Looking to the sky he closed his eyes and tried to envision the end product and the steps it would take to get there.

Valaria looked up to see Arion standing there, his hands were out in front of him and his head was turned up to the sky, but his eyes were closed. She had seen him gather the vines, but what she couldn't fathom was what her eyes were showing her now.

As Arion stood there, muttering something she couldn't make out, the sticks began to move and align in a perfect rectangle. Next the vines slithered across the ground, looping and knotting as it binded the wood together, though no one touched it.

Oh my word, is this really happening? Garron asked startling Arion from his trance.

What? Arion asked as he turned toward them.

I-I've never seen anyone perform magic like that before, Garron stuttered in awe.

What are you talking about? Arion asked.

Valaria simply pointed to the nearly finished stretcher.

Oh, good. You guys figured it out without me, he said sounding quite relieved.

That wasn't us, Arion. That was you. You used your magic to build it, Valaria told him.

Arion looked at her like she was the silliest girl he'd ever encountered. Princess, I don't have magic. I'm not even officially an apprentice. I can mix a few potions, but that's it. Zallon refuses to teach me anything until my twentieth year.

I know what I saw. Garron saw it too. You were standing there with your hands out and your eyes closed and then the branches shifted, and the vines began to bind. It was amazing. I've never seen such magic, Valaria said.

That’s not possible, Arion said trying not to show how much they were freaking him out. Besides, we’re standing around wasting time when we should be working to get Callia to safety, so either help me or get out of my way.

How could he have done something like that without even realizing it? It wasn’t possible. He knew they were just