The Road to Nowhere

By LaRae L Ivy

Prince Kasper knows two things…

… A war is looming on the horizon,

And no one else can see it coming!

The Road To imminent battle introduces Kasper to unlikely friends—a Magi who is not mastered by time, a young orphan girl who speaks things into being, and an unrecognized hero who does not believe in his own significance.

Nefarious lies turn friends into foes.

Opposition divides the magical from the non-magical.

Will those bound to darkness be able to divide Kasper from those he loves?

How far does evil need to infiltrate before it can divide the entire kingdom?

Even with his kingdom being ripped in two, Kasper is determined to do whatever it takes to restore his home. But to do so, he must journey beyond the world he knows to find a truth that transcends time.

Relying on Magic might just be his only hope.

Evil seems to be winning at every turn. But with Magic uniting them, will Kasper and his friends find a way to stop its spread, or will the road they embark on lead them nowhere at all?

You will love this first book in the Brookshire Saga as it leads you down a road to somewhere you have never been before… the road to nowhere!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798987340929

Book preview

one

In Which Nothing Is As It Seems

Kasper peeked from behind the tapestries that lined the main hall. Like every other child in the palace, he maintained a reverent fear of the Court’s Master Talmid. As soon as the Talmid turned the corner, his midnight blue robe billowed out, seeming to fill the entire hall. His long brown hair blew as if an indecisive wind swirled around him. With his brow furrowed and a piece of parchment crumpled in his fist, there was no doubting his fury.

The black-haired boy watched through almond shaped eyes as the Talmid raised his empty hand. A loud bang at the opposite end of the hall made everyone jump as a pair of double doors flung open. While Kasper could not see beyond the doors, he knew that his father and the rest of the Council also watched the Master Talmid storm through.

The Talmid made it nearly halfway down the hall before Kasper noticed a white light on the floor, spotlighting the way before him. He could not explain how he knew the light was magic; he just knew. Tiny glowing embers, no bigger than grains of sand, moved around the Talmid, like nothing Kasper had ever seen before. The more he looked, the more he saw. Thousands of them. They billowed his robe, blew his hair—and most impressively—covered his fist that held the crumpled parchment.

Kasper noticed wet black ink on the page. Despite trying, he could not make out the writing. He determined that the marks on the page said nothing at all.

Distracted by the wet ink, he failed to notice that the Master Talmid had stopped his progress down the hall. It wasn’t until the hairs on the back of his neck stood that he noticed the Talmid’s penetrating gaze. A wave of glowing embers swarmed across the room, coming right for him.

He attempted to hide behind the tapestry. Please don’t hurt me, he quietly pleaded.

The glowing embers pulled the tapestry back, and once again, Kasper found himself the subject of the Master Talmid’s gaze. The embers continued to billow out the Talmid’s robe and swirl his hair. He dared not look away but in the corner of his eye saw tiny sapphire blue lights keep the glowing embers at bay.

The Master Talmid narrowed his eyes at the boy before he turned back and continued following the white light that led toward the open doors. They slammed shut behind him. Glowing embers filled the gaps around the doors, sealing them.

After the doors closed, more children stepped out from their hiding spots behind the furniture, the tapestries, and the silk drapes. All of them looked at Kasper. He tried to pull the tapestry to hide once again, but the glowing embers refused to let go.

The Master Talmid stared you down! Kasper’s older brother, Dariun, cackled from behind a table. I bet he’s going to turn you into a toad, a great big fat one that will give warts to anybody who touches it.

The worried glances between the other children told Kasper that his brother’s words very well could be true.

Dariun slunk past his little brother and made his way to the ember-sealed doors. He leaned his ear against the wood before turning back to Kasper with a gleam in his eye. He sounds really angry. I wonder if he’ll let me watch when he turns you into a toad. He laughed at the terror his words instilled on his little brother’s face.

The other children gasped at the thought. One by one, they dashed from the room in a desperate attempt to avoid whatever horrible consequences came from being noticed by a Master Talmid.

You can’t hear anything through that door, Kasper said with a shaking voice. He looked at the glowing embers and knew that there was no way any sound could get through.

Oh my! What’s that? Dariun pointed at his brother’s face with a tormenting grin. Is that a wart? I think you’re starting to look a little green.

Kasper touched his face but felt nothing.

His older brother’s eyes widened. There’s another one!

He did the only thing he could think of: he ran.

Glancing over his shoulder once he was out of the main hall, he saw glowing embers fill each footprint he left behind on the flagstone floors. Terrified, he ran across the courtyard and out the servants’ exit to the vegetable gardens and did not look back again until he heard the door close behind him. Glowing embers continued to mark his every step.

He stumbled and fell, rolling in a heap between rows of carrots. Panic filled him as embers fell on every bit of the earth he touched. In the corner of the garden, the large sycamore tree offered refuge. He tiptoed to it, trying to touch the ground as little as possible, and climbed until he reached a comfortable branch and looked down. Glowing handprints followed him all the way up the tree.

Nothing could stop the tears from welling up in his eyes.

Master Talmid Tobias could not help but enjoy the surprised looks on the faces inside the king’s council chambers.

Tobias, stay focused, a calming voice only he could hear reminded him. Remember why I brought you here. This is only the first move. Find the source of this magic you do not know. Learn your opponent.

The Talmid looked at the present members of the Council and took note of the empty seats around the table. All Magi on the Council appeared absent, no one with magical abilities remained. Even Satrap Schwartz, while not a Magi himself but whose daughter was a Magi training to be a Talmid, was missing. His eyes fell on his own empty chair. His fist clenched around the crumpled parchment tighter.

What is the meaning of this? King Darius bellowed, rising from his seat at the head of the table.

With definitive and menacing steps, Tobias stormed toward his empty seat and slammed the page down on the table making everyone jump. I should ask you the same thing. He slid the paper toward the king.

A few necks craned to see as the king picked it up and read. All this pomp and circumstance over an edict? His words appeared to ease the tension. Tossing the page on the table, he sat back in his seat. And one that does not affect you at that. It has nothing to do with any Talmid or even the Magi for that matter. Seriously, Tobias. Why all the fuss?

Was this so important that it could not wait until Court was in session? And if it was so important, why wouldn’t you consult your entire Council?

I did. The king motioned to those seated at the table.

Then why so many empty seats, mine included?

Do not expect me to take the blame for you, or anyone else, not showing up when I call my Council to meet.

Those seated at the table nodded in agreement.

I expect you to take every bit of responsibility for not informing your entire Council. Tobias spat, I will wager those missing also knew nothing about this.

A low hiss of an unfamiliar and sinister magic emanated from the page on the table. Lie. While the Master Talmid knew no one else there could hear it, he noticed one man responded to the sickening sound. He vaguely recognized him from the Court.

I personally sent notices to every member of the Council, the man said, tugging at the collar of his shirt as if it was strangling him.

Funny. I didn’t receive anything. Tobias listened as the hiss emanating from the paper grew louder.

It must have been lost in the post.

The Talmid eyed the stranger who adjusted his collar once again. I don’t believe we’ve met.

Satrap Iskari, of the Cove District.

Tobias raised an eyebrow.

Regent satrap for my father-in-law until my youngest son is old enough to fill the seat.

So, you are not a native of the Cove District. Tobias watched him nervously shake his head. I believe you are sitting in Satrap Saetang’s seat.

Do not let him displace you, the hiss from the page said.

He retired, Iskari uncomfortably explained.

And what about his son?

Do not let him displace you, the page hissed again. Show some confidence.

Deemed unfit to serve in this capacity. Iskari sat up in his chair and squared his shoulders. In a moment of bravery, he looked the Master Talmid in the eye but the bob in his throat gave away his nervous swallow. Once again, he adjusted the collar on his shirt before looking away.

Please, Tobias. Saetang’s son is a bumbling fool, the king interjected.

Soft-spoken and socially awkward hardly makes one a fool, the Master Talmid said. His people are some of the most prosperous in all of Khwarree.

Which is why he bears the title of satrap and sits on the Court. But that doesn’t mean he has a place on my Council.

And what of Saetang’s younger son? What about your in-laws or other satraps actually from the Cove? Why have a regent sitting on your Council? Tobias could still hear the hiss coming from the paper and knew it was dangerous to allow anyone influenced by it so near the king.

Captain Saetang is away in the Navy, and I am free to choose whichever satrap I want to advise, Regent or not. You did not come here to discuss my choices for my Council.

No, I came with concern as a member of your Council. Why would you make a decision such as this without your entire Council to advise you?

You would have been included if you had bothered to show up, King Darius said, his ire becoming more apparent. Iskari sent you a notice.

Notices to me do not get lost in the mail. Tobias raised his voice. He sent me nothing.

What’s done is done. Leave it be Tobias, King Darius warned.

The sinister magic in the page hissed in victory and Tobias’ hand shook in restraint to keep from grabbing the paper to silence the sound. What you have done, sire, is a detriment to your kingdom. Khwarree is no better off for it. I cannot leave it be.

King Darius rose to his feet again and faced the Talmid. Magic is Dangerous!

Ignorance is dangerous, yet you do not fight it by regulating knowledge. Lies are dangerous, yet you do not defeat them by withholding the truth. Magic is NOT dangerous, Your Majesty. It’s in the nature of everything, meant for everyone.

If it’s for everyone, then why am I, or anyone else here, not a Magi?

Because you don’t want to be! Tobias yelled. I have served as a member of your Council since you ascended the throne. I served on your grandfather’s Council and countless others for your ancestors. I have always been a friend of this kingdom. If my friendship with you is not enough for you to reconsider, then remember my friendship with all those who came before. Disregarding my counsel is unwise. An edict restricting magic in any way will only weaken Khwarree as a whole.

Do not let him sway the king, the hiss came again.

Are you threatening to bring ruin to Khwarree if the king does not bow to your wishes? Iskari inquired, still tugging at his collar.

I am not the one bringing ruin to this kingdom. This edict will do that all on its own. It will devastate the people’s way of life. It will divide your people and pit one side against the other. I advise you to rescind this order. Bring your full Council and hear what they would say.

It could take a month for them to get here, the king said. This matter has already been decreed.

The paper hissed in victory once more.

I can have all of them here by tomorrow, the Master Talmid offered.

Let it go, Tobias.

Tobias drove his finger down on the hissing page in front of him. The hiss grew into a manic growl, and he did everything he could to expel it from the parchment. King Darius and his Council watched as black ink oozed from the words until nothing but a large black stain leaking off the edge of the paper remained.

That is the poison being fed to you with the purpose of tearing Khwarree apart, he said. Learn to recognize it before it’s too late.

A bright light flashed and everyone but the Master Talmid turned away. One by one they glanced back and saw the black stain gone.

The peaceful voice that guided him spoke, calming his anger. You have said what I needed you to say, Tobias. Now I have another important matter for you to address. Say nothing else. It is time for you to go.

Tobias thought of the boy in the hall and turned to leave.

Parlor tricks, Satrap Iskari muttered.

You go, Tobias. I will deal with him.

The Master Talmid turned his head just enough so that he could see Satrap Iskari in his periphery and gave the silent voice a half smile and an obedient nod. He left the room in search of the boy.

Kasper sat in the tree, trying to wipe the tears from his face, but they fell faster than he could clear them away.

His efforts to quell his tears did not prevent him from noticing when the Master Talmid stepped from the palace. Kasper tried to convince himself that he no longer appeared angry since his robe didn’t billow and his hair didn’t blow. As he walked past the rows of vegetables and followed the glowing ember footprints, the embers lifted from the soil behind him and dissolved into the mist of burning sand that hung around the Talmid. Intent on watching these strange lights, Kasper’s eyes widened when the Master Talmid climbed the tree to join him.

How old are you, Prince Kasper? Tobias asked, sitting on the limb next to the quivering boy.

Kasper tried to answer but his voice got stuck. He held up his fingers, four on each hand.

Eight then. Why you are practically grown up.

Kasper sucked in a quivering breath.

I’m Tobias.

Kasper gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Are you afraid of me? Tobias asked with a smile.

He thought to answer this question aloud too, but his voice was still stuck, so he shook his head no. The Talmid raised an eyebrow, and he changed his answer to a slow nod and scooted a few inches away.

Please don’t turn me into a toad, he begged when words dislodged from his throat.

Tobias could do nothing but chuckle. He thought about the edict he was too late to stop and the dangers it could eventually mean for the young prince and every other Magi in the kingdom.

This young prince will do great things. Keep him safe and guide him on the road that leads to me, while you are able. There will come a time when he will be out of your reach. Teach him to follow me before that time comes.

Tobias nodded.

Kasper’s eyes grew wider as the white light he had seen in the main hall backlit the nodding Master Talmid. His chest tightened in fear, and he looked down at his hands, searching for a green tint.

You have nothing to fear, Tobias finally said. I prefer not to turn princes into toads. Or any boy for that matter. They would make terrible toads. Would you care for an apple?

The Talmid reached into the sleeve of his midnight blue robe and produced the reddest apple Kasper had ever seen. He held it out, and the young boy looked at it skeptically. He then reached into his other sleeve and produced another apple for himself. Kasper took the offered fruit and held it in his hands, turning it over and over but never taking a bite.

Tobias finished his apple and tossed the core to the ground. Kasper half expected the Master Gardener to come running and give a lecture, but as the apple core fell, it disappeared into a swarm of glowing embers.

Kasper looked back at his apple and noticed ember magic moving beneath the bright red peel. What will happen to me if I eat this?

It’s protection. It will keep you safe.

Safe from what?

From those who would not be happy to discover what I have discovered. The Talmid looked down at the boy and studied him.

Kasper noticed the glowing ember lights dancing all around himself before returning to the Master Talmid as if reporting to him what they had found. What’s it telling you?

Tobias’ eyes looked around the garden in all directions before he put a finger over his lips to hush the Prince. Eat the apple. Then we’ll talk.

Kasper watched the Talmid skeptically. The glowing ember lights flew around the garden in every direction as if looking for someone or something before returning, settling in a cloud around the Talmid, and then disappearing altogether. The Talmid looked from him to the apple, and back. Slowly, Kasper raised the fruit to his lips and took a bite.

He half expected it to taste funny, but it didn’t. He then wondered if he should feel any different. He wiggled his toes, rolled his shoulders, flexed what little muscles graced his scrawny arms, and discovered that nothing had changed at all. He did not feel any safer. Nevertheless, the Master Talmid seemed to relax as if whatever was supposed to happen had occurred.

So, will you tell me now? he asked as he swallowed the bite.

One bite does not constitute an eaten apple, Tobias said, looking at the fruit in the boy’s hand again.

Kasper looked at it too. Hundreds of ember lights glowed inside the apple, and he held it away from himself.

You have my word that the apple will not hurt you. Its sole purpose is to keep you safe.

Kasper closed his eyes and dropped it.

Unexpectedly, he felt its weight back in his hand. He opened his eyes and looked. There it sat with one bite taken out of its perfect red side. A mischievous grin turned the corners of his mouth before he threw the apple at the ground with full force and pulled his hand back. The apple fell from the treetop directly in front of him, and he laughed as he watched it drop a second time. On the third pass, the Talmid reached out and caught the falling fruit.

I thought princes knew better than to play with their food, Tobias said suppressing a smile at the boy’s amusement.

Sorry, sir. Kasper took the offered apple and dug in, momentarily forgetting about the worrisome glowing ember lights. After two more bites, he remembered. But nothing had happened, so he decided to finish the apple without another thought. Once done, he looked at Tobias with a smile before throwing the core at the ground. They both laughed as the core fell past them twice before disappearing in a sea of swarming ember sand below.

Now. Tobias looked the child up and down as if trying to figure out what to do with him. Something changed in there, didn’t it?

Kasper nodded. He meant to tell him about the glowing ember lights, but they distracted him from answering.

Magic comes to those who believe in it. People may know about it and even acknowledge it is real, but that doesn’t mean they put their trust in it. Trusting is how you become a Magi. While magic never changes, it manifests differently for everyone. How you experience and use it will be different from everyone else.

Kasper watched as the Talmid continued to study him. What? he asked, growing uncomfortable under the scrutiny.

For some reason, I can’t tell how that will be with you. I don’t think I’m meant to. Be very careful who you tell.

Why?

Because your greatest defense is knowledge, and your enemy’s greatest weakness is ignorance.

But I’m only eight. I have no enemies! Except for Dariun.

Dariun is not an enemy. He’s your brother.

My mom is a Magi. Can I tell her?

Queen Ireshi is very busy with State business. But your grandfather is a Magi. Why not talk to him first?

But Grandfather is in the Cove.

I’m bringing him here tomorrow. He is very wise. Listen to him and let him teach you. In a war, we have many enemies, and sometimes, it is hard to know who they are. Your grandfather will teach you the difference.

But we are not in a war.

Some wars start very loud and obvious. Others start so quietly that you don’t even notice them until it is too late. The trick is to always pay attention and be ready.

Kasper made an instant decision—a definitive one—and would look back on this pivotal thought that changed his life for the years to come: he was going to be ready for battle, whenever it came. There might not be a war now, but I want to be ready.

There already is one. It’s a quiet war. So quiet that your father and the satraps don’t believe it is even real. But I can hear it.

Kasper’s eyes grew wide at this declaration.

One day, the war will turn into a loud one, and everyone will be afraid because it will be too late to stop it. That is why it is so important for you not to say a word to anyone. When the war does turn loud, I want you to be ready and in a position to make a difference.

Visions of defeating Dariun, the strongest person he’d ever fought, filled his imagination, and his excitement grew at the new prospects.

I can count all your teeth, Tobias teased him.

I need to practice! With that mantra swimming in his head, Kasper jumped down from the tree and landed in a graceless heap. Your apple did not work. That hurt! He looked at the scrapes on his knee.

Tobias gracefully joined him. Let’s have a look at that. He leaned down and passed his hand over the wounded knee removing all evidence of an injury.

Kasper nodded.

That is not how the apple is intended to work. It’s meant to keep you safe, not make you invincible. I believe it is working just fine. He offered the little prince a hand up, and together, they walked back to the palace in silence.

Well, this is me, Tobias said, stopping at a wooden door in the hall and passing his hand over the mantle above it.

Glowing embers fell in place over the door in a written language the boy hardly knew.

I’ll let you go your way. Next time I’m at the palace, I’ll check in on you. Tobias offered his hand to the prince, who returned the gesture with as firm a handshake as his little eight-year-old grip could manage.

That’s not you. That’s the butler’s pantry, the boy warned. It is full of dishes and cutlery. If you go in there, Mr. Butler will box your ears.

Is it now? Tobias smiled as he turned the knob and pushed the door open.

The other side did not reveal stacks of plates and bowls and silver chests as Kasper had expected but rather a cozy cabin with wooden walls and plank floors laced with a purple glow. A window opened to a lush green forest across a lawn. The smell of flowers and morning dew wafted through and called to Kasper.

Tobias placed his hand on the child’s shoulder to prevent him from stepping inside. You stay here. I’ll see you again soon. With that, he stepped through and closed the door behind him.

Kasper pulled it open, determined to follow the Talmid, but when he did, he found the plates, bowls, and silver chests that he had always known to be there. He gently closed it in disappointment.

A throat cleared behind him, and he did not need to turn around to know that Mr. Butler stood there with his arms crossed glowering at him. He grimaced, waiting for the familiar tug on his ear. Mr. Butler dragged him down the hall and pushed him through a door to the grand staircase before closing it.

I told him the apple didn’t work. He rubbed his ears and sulked upstairs.

two

In which Everything Falls Apart

(4 years later)

The magistrate officials want to remind the citizens of Hillsborough that the use of magic without a license will result in a twenty shekel fine. Licenses can be renewed at the magistrate official’s office for ten shekels, Mr. Crier said, concluding his town cry.

The crowd began to whisper about the news they heard as they dispersed into the nearby businesses of the general store and the blacksmith’s stall, all the while glaring in the direction of the magistrate’s office across the square.

Rayne grabbed his hand and skipped alongside her father as they headed to the Apothecary’s shop before returning home. Daddy, why do you always say people have to pay money to use magic?

Well, sweetheart, because if you aren’t a Magi, and you use magic without the magistrate’s permission, you get in trouble. He twirled her around as she continued to skip.

Is twenty shekels a lot of money? She looked up at her father and stopped dancing at the sight of his frown.

Yes, my love. It is a good deal of money. More than we could afford.

They continued down the street, and she frowned at how sad everyone appeared to be. When they reached the Apothecary shop, a magistrate’s official stood just inside the door and stopped them with a scowl on his face.

I’ll need to see your license, he demanded of Mr. Crier.

Rayne’s father produced a tattered parchment from his pocket and handed it over.

This expires in two days. Will you be renewing it before that time?

He responded with a simple shake of his head.

You are limited to one item, and you’ll have to use it before this expires.

I know. He snatched his license out of the official’s hand and led Rayne across the store.

Business with a Magi without a license is unlawful, the official barked across the room.

Buying magic without a license is unlawful. I can still sell medicine and remedies without magic to anybody I’d like, Madam Apothecary corrected with disdain. She turned to greet her patrons before taking a small wrapped package from the shelf behind her. Evening Eli. How is Hannah doing? That will be a quarter shekel.

She’s well enough, all considering. Rayne’s father pulled a small coin from his pocket.

Daddy, can I? Rayne whispered tugging on her father’s sleeve before he could put the coin on the counter.

He smiled at her and handed her the money. She danced in a circle with it held over her head before setting the coin on the counter and pushing it as far across the wood as she could reach.

Oh my! A dance and a quarter shekel? That is too much. Now, I owe you. The old woman lifted a basket of flowers from behind her counter. How about a sweet reward?

Before Rayne could take one, the official strode across the room with his arm between Rayne and her prize.

For goodness’ sake, it’s a honeysuckle, the old woman snapped. All I did was pick ’em from the bush outside. She pushed the official’s arm out of the way, and he recoiled from her touch.

He sneered while she picked up a small white flower and handed it to Rayne. With a wink, she picked up a flower from the basket for herself and together they popped the bottoms off and enjoyed the taste of the flower’s sweet nectar.

We must be heading home, her father said. Hannah will have dinner ready by now. The Criers turned to leave but the official stopped them. Mr. Crier rolled his eyes before he turned back around. Yes?

I’ll need to check that, he said pointing at the small package in Mr. Crier’s hand.

The package was opened to reveal one small honey lozenge. With a nod toward the door, they were dismissed.

A