Isaree of the Wild Isles

By Noor Al-Shanti

Sandwiched between the mighty High Kingdoms and the great Land of Sunsets, the Upland villages did not have much claim to greatness or power. Many of these villages did not even have names. When an army of Sorcerers from the High Kingdoms was mobilized to invade the Land of Sunsets it was these small villages, stuck in the middle, that bore the brunt of that army's march.

 

In one of these villages Isaree has just discovered her own magical power, but even dreaming of what this could mean for her is made impossible by the presence of the sorcerous armies. When they hear that the Sorcerers have begun to forcibly take anyone with power, the village elders decide that those most likely to be taken must flee.

 

In the blink of an eye, Isaree finds herself at the head of a group of runaways, responsible for leading them to safety, with nothing to rely on except her knowledge of the nearby woods and caves and the food that their families have lovingly packed for them.

 

Isaree and her friends must stick together and survive in a world much bigger than any of them could have imagined. A world full of wars and empires, sorcery and power, and - tucked away in forgotten corners - impossible creatures of legend.

 

In this vast, frightening world, Isaree must learn not just how to survive, but who she wants to be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Noor Al-Shanti
• Release date: Dec 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9781999418342

Book preview

Isaree of the Wild Isles

BY

Noor Al-Shanti

Copyright © Noor Al-Shanti 2023

ISBN 978-1-9994183-4-2

Cover by Bayan Al-Shanti

This is a work of fiction. All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without permission of the author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Warning

Chapter 2: Fear

Chapter 3: The Port City

Chapter 4: Caution and Regret

Chapter 5: In the Mists

Chapter 6: Foolish

Chapter 7: Dreaming

Chapter 8: Cold

Chapter 9: Leng

Chapter 10: Together

Chapter 11: A New Journey

Chapter 12: New and Old Companions

Chapter 13: The Fell Witch of the Uplands

Chapter 14: Brothers

Chapter 15: Training

Chapter 16: Waiting

Chapter 17: Wild Waters

Chapter 18: Lost to Legend

Chapter 19: Decision

Chapter 20: With Purpose

Chapter 21: Isaree of the Wild Isles

Map

Chapter 1: Warning

Isaree was staring down at her hands when the boy came limping out of the trees, all battered and bloody and hysterical. His name, fittingly enough, was Leng. And he did talk loudly, his words cutting into their souls like ice-cold knives. She watched from the doorway as her aunts and neighbours fussed over him. But nothing they could do, no warm fires or hearty meals could take that look from his eyes, that haunted look.

They’ve always passed through our village, Isaree’s mother said. But they’ve never taken anyone...

But the fear was there even in her denial. It was there in the words she did not say. Sorcerers. Destroyers. High Lords from a far away land where titles ruled their lives. Self-made Kings. They had never taken anyone, but they had always strolled through the village as if they’d owned it, ordering people to do their bidding and taking goods from the merchants without paying and terrorizing people with a flick of the fingers, a lopsided grin, a long stare.

They had someone with them, the boy repeated. "Even they were scared of him. He was the most powerful Sorcerer. They lined up all the people in the village and he walked down the rows and touched everyone with his scarred hand and he picked people for them to take. I was bringing the sheep home from grazing so they didn’t see me, but when he looked towards the stones I was hiding behind I felt as if he could see through stone. I felt as if he knew I was there. I ran, then. I didn’t mean... I didn’t mean to lead him here, but I’m afraid he might be following me... I..."

Of course you did right to come here, boy, Sirichai’s grandmother said in her strong voice from the corner. They all watched in silence as she got up, making her slow, careful way across the room towards the boy. Several of Isaree’s younger aunts vacated their comfortable seats, but she chose to sit on the little stool right in front of the boy, their knees touching. Your coming here has warned us. They would have come here whether you came or not, they always come, stealing our food, scaring us into submission, but now we know. You gave us warning.

The boy nodded. They took all the strong boys.

Taking them down to the Underlands, the mines, no doubt. Sirichai hissed.

And leaving the villages without guardians or protectors. His father said.

No one could stand up against them anyway, the old grandmother said decisively. We lost our ability to protect ourselves the day those Miners let those twisted Sorcerers into their halls.

The boy put down the bowl of soup decisively, sloshing it everywhere, and spoke up again in that loud, urgent tone.

It’s not just that, he said. Their leader, the scary one, he made some of the people of the village turn into Sorcerers too. As soon he touched them they had fire in their hands or started glowing or made something float. They took those people too. All of them. My cousin...

He took a deep breath and then looked up.

And they took some of the girls, too. Not strong ones. Not magical ones. Just... just girls that looked pretty... I...

The boy was too young to understand what they could want from those girls, but Isaree saw in his eyes that he did. He had seen more than he was telling them. Had seen worse things than just a few people being taken away from his village. But no matter how much they questioned him after that he would not say anything except that the villagers needed to prepare.

They put him to bed in Sirichai’s room on the spare bed that used to belong to Sirichai’s brother before he died. And the old grandmother insisted on keeping watch over his bed as he slept. And then they all sat in that cramped room again, looking at each other and thinking. The old woman had been right. She had led this village through many tough times, through a small war even, and they all knew she was right. They could not defend themselves against people who wielded such magical power thoughtlessly, without a care for others, without letting anything be sacred or respected. That was the most frightening thing about them, their lack of respect for seemingly anyone or any limitation.

We have to hide the children until they’ve come and gone, Awang said.

Don’t be stupid, Awang. We were all there when Gamya tried to hide her wares from them. Isaree realized that she had not thought of Gamya and her little family in days, weeks maybe. Would Isaree’s memory fade away this quickly too if the Sorcerers took her to the Mines?

Then what do we do?

We should just leave, her aunt said. All of us. Just go away from this cursed land and leave it to those Miners and see how much they love their Sorcerers then, when we’re not here to keep them entertained.

What we’ve witnessed is nothing next to what the Miners have seen, the old blacksmith said. You can be sure that they regret letting those horrible people into their halls already. But it’s too late for them to change their minds, or turn away from the consequences of their choice. And it’s too late for us to pack up and leave, even if we wanted to. The boy’s village is close. They’ll be here soon. We could never all make it far enough quickly enough to have a chance for a real escape.

I don’t want to escape, Sirichai’s mother said. I don’t want to leave the land of my ancestors, the stones that were laid by the great protectors, the-

But the children have to go. The ones they’re most likely to take. Your son will surely be taken, you don’t want him in the dungeons of the mines, do you?

She burst into tears. Isaree had never seen that strong woman in tears like this. They were tears of despair, of helplessness. She would lose her only remaining son either way.

What we have to do is decide who is most likely to be taken and send them off to safety quickly. Sirichai is old enough to be their protector on the journey.

Jaru and Damri should go too, they’re not as old, but give them a couple of years and they’d be the strongest in this town. The Sorcerers are sure to take them.

I’m not letting my daughter stay knowing what that boy said, Chaarumathi’s mother pushed her forward a little. She’ll go with them.

There were solemn nods all around. Chaarumathi’s beauty had been spoken of in all the surrounding villages and the Sorcerers had already brought her to tears last time they were in the village with their shameless staring. Sukanda and Yad were similarly chosen for their looks.

The problem is, Isaree’s aunt said. How do we know who will show magical power when that sorcerer touches them? How could we predict that?

Everyone looked around at the blacksmith. Everyone in the town knew that he had been displaying magical powers for a couple of years now. He had left the town for months after first displaying it, living by himself in the wild and training himself until he was certain that he would not be a danger to the rest of the villagers. Everyone looked at him and began to question him mercilessly. Everyone except for Isaree, who looked down at her hands.

She lost track of the conversation as she focused on that feeling she had first felt when touching the ancient stones of the protectors, when handling the strange coins of that High Kingdoms merchant woman, when sitting by the stream on that beautiful warm day.

I tell you, the blacksmith raised his voice angrily. I cannot detect the sorcerous power in others. I’ll remind you of what the boy said. All those Sorcerers couldn’t do it, but they  needed their leader to come and discover the magic users for them.

But isn’t there a feeling you have when the Sorcerers are nearby? A hint you had before you realized you had that power? Anything you can tell us so we can find out which of us they’ll take!

The blacksmith was shaking his head, looking around. This is too important, he said. I cannot tell you lies or make unfounded guesses. I cannot be responsible for the lives that would be ruined by such a lie.

Isaree stepped closer to the center of the circle, but no one paid her much attention.

I think I have an idea! She said loudly, before she lost her nerve and before the effect wore off. Her hands were glowing an eerie purple colour. Chaarumathi screamed.

Chapter 2: Fear

By the time they returned from the expedition to the ancient stones, the elders of the village had packed them supplies to last several months. They couldn’t carry even half of it, especially if they wanted to make a quick pace, but the aunts and mothers and grandmothers had poured all their love and fears and hopes into making that food. Isaree made the report, because everyone else was too tired or horrified to speak up.

She told the elders of the village that little Pakwan and the twins Thaban and Toofan had displayed powers after touching the ancient stones. That the cheerful, skinny shepherd had almost set fire to the fields when he’d handled those High Kingdom coins. And finally, that Thaban’s idea for the Blacksmith to shoot fireballs at people and see if they’d do magic to protect themselves had resulted in the identification of Muni and Asa as magic users. It had been later, on their way home from the ruins that her aunt Rinawati had suddenly made the huge rock she leaned on in tiredness float up in the air.

It’s too many, Awang said, staring at the tired, frightened group that would be leaving the village.

I’m not going, Rinawati said. It would seem extremely suspicious if those monsters come and don’t find a single person with powers and half the young people gone. Someone’s got to stay.

But why does it have to be you, Rina? Her husband said.

Because they have their futures ahead of them and I’m not running anywhere with these knees anyway.

But Mama, her little daughter said. You can’t let those scary men just take you!

I can stop them from going after your cousin and your friends, my love. I can be a hero like the ones in the stories your grandmother always tells you.

We’ve got to move quickly, the blacksmith said, picking up one of the packs and strapping it to his back. We should be long gone before the sunrise.

We’ve decided that no one in the village should know where you’re headed, the old grandmother said as if deciding a battle plan. You should split into two groups so you can move faster and so that if one gets caught the others can survive.

Isaree gulped. She had been trying to avoid thinking about how difficult it would be to evade capture once they were out there in the wild. Out in the open. She looked around.

Maybe I should stay too, she said. Like aunt Rinawati. Maybe I can make a run for it when they’re here and keep them busy with me so the others can-

Isaree, her mother said, hugging her tightly. I named you that so you could be free. You can’t allow yourself to be dragged off by those monsters. You have your whole life ahead of you.

But-

Listen to your elders, young woman! The grandmother said decisively. You will leave. They will need you. Too many of them are children or useless in their fear. You know how to be in the wild and forage for food and you know some of the paths. Besides, you and the Blacksmith have had your powers the longest. You can help the others control them and perhaps even use them to hide or fight if need be.

Isaree nodded her consent, but the old woman went on, not to be stopped now that she had something to say.

For Rinawati it will be a bravery to stay here, especially since she can’t move far with her bad knees, but for you staying would be giving up, it would be cowardly, and most importantly of all, it would be running from your responsibility to the others. You must lead the little ones to safety, do you understand?

Isaree nodded again, her heart pounding with the realization of just how real this was. Everyone was finishing their goodbyes, picking up their packs, receiving final words of wisdom and advice. They would never see their families again.

***

The Blacksmith decided to stop in the big clearing on the merchant’s path. Too close to the village. The others looked just as uneasy and afraid as Isaree felt. While the others were eating, the blacksmith gathered the older ones: Isaree, Sirichai, Chaarumathi, Sukanda, Yad, Jaru, and the shepherd.

Like grandmother said, he began, "The group is too big. We’ll be slow and obvious. We’re leaving tracks that are very obvious. And if they do follow us and catch up we’ll make easy targets travelling in such a big group. We need to separate into groups now, wade