Solarton's Quest for the Seven Keys

By JESSE LOUIS PACHECO II

Solarton's Quest for the Seven Keys is the story of a boy and the adventure he lived to become our sun. Solarton embarks on a journey, a quest to save his world and the galaxies around him. He encounters the perils of Dark Wood, meets the Middletons, takes on the creatures of Waterfound, faces the unknown of Sandpost Canyon, and develops a fanta

• Language: English
• Publisher: URLink Print & Media, LLC
• Release date: May 3, 2024
• ISBN: 9781684867059

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Solarton’s Quest for the Seven Keys

Copyright © 2024 by Jesse Louis Pacheco II. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, descriptions, entities, and incidents included in the story are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, events, and entities is entirely coincidental.

The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of URLink Print and Media.

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Published in the United States of America

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024903819

ISBN 978-1-68486-701-1 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68486-705-9 (Digital)

01.02.24

About the Author & Illustrator

Jesse L. Pacheco both wrote and illustrated this book. He was born in Lawrence, Kansas in 1952 and soon moved to Southern California with his military family. While attending Mira Costa College as an art major in 71, he created the character of Sunny Kid. For 13 years, Jesse devoted his time coaching wrestling at the Army-Navy Academy in Carlsbad, California.

Dedication

In memory of Rudy, my best friend from childhood.

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank all the great people who have generously contributed their support and encouragement throughout the years when this book was being written. It would have been much more difficult without those many friends and family members. Kevin Tapia’s influence and assistance has been especially important to me. I especially want to acknowledge my generous, loving parents for the many contributions they made during the critical time within which I needed to complete the artwork. To Suzanne, who helped out with everything in the early days, and to my son, Bux, who helped with the mat work on the pen and ink drawings. Lynell, thanks for the typing. Bob Johnson, for everything. Thanks again to all of you, including those who aren’t individually mentioned, and to those people who intend to work with Sunny Kid and me in the future. With love and devotion to Sheryl.

Finally, here’s the first story.

CONTENTS

ONE

The Story Unfolds

TWO

Solarton’s Quest to Middleton

THREE

Into Darkwood

FOUR

A Friend at Last

FIVE

Visit with an Old Wizard

SIX

Search for the Hidden Pool

SEVEN

The Wasteland

EIGHT

The Trek of Waterfound

NINE

Deep Canyon

TEN

Loom Pine

ELEVEN

Tree Lone

TWELVE

Ice Crest Range

THIRTEEN

Ice Crest at Last

FOURTEEN

Onward to Noglow

(The Last Key)

FIFTEEN

Farr’s Castle

(Noglow)

SIXTEEN

The Ride to Mora

SEVENTEEN

Tower Mountain

EIGHTEEN

Solarton’s Final Destination

The Story Unfolds

Solarton and his father had lived alone in Brighton for as long as he could remember. Their cottage was small compared to the others in the village, but for the two of them, it was perfect. Solarton’s father had built their home nestled between two huge oak trees in the northeast part of Brighton and carved some of the furniture from the branches they’d cleared away. The five rooms were cool and breezy in the summer, warm and cozy in the winter. It was a beautiful area, and Solarton had many good memories of lying under the trees and dreaming of enchanting rides as a Peace Rider.

Solarton most loved the living room with its stone fireplace and large oak mantels that held remembrances of days past. The front door was made of lumber from Dark Wood, and on it was carved a circle with seven lines surrounding it. Solarton’s father had never told him what the symbol meant, nor had he told him stories about the items on the mantels.

The kitchen was the smallest room of all. A large pail and some smaller covered buckets for holding water had their place in an out-of-the-way corner by the door. The elaborate wood-burning stove was very old and used for all meals. Small shelves and cupboards for dishes lined the walls. Most of the plates and cups were made of gold or pewter, some with strange markings, as if from far away.

Late afternoons, Solarton loved to sit by the fountain in the center of the village square, where he could watch the village activities. He watched the people selling their fruits and vegetables from portable stands at the roadside.

He listened to the rhythmic clop-clopping of the horses’ hooves as they pulled the creaking carts. He could smell the aroma of baking bread from a Middleton’s shop. He also enjoyed watching the blacksmith shoe the great horses that came from as far away as Edge Lake, three thousand stonethrows distance. Solarton imagined himself riding one of the majestic creatures off to adventure battling the Absence of Light. His imagination took him through the forest in the dead of night, trusting his steed to find the way. Solarton could only imagine because the only thing he had ever ridden was the wooden horse his father, Starr, had made for him on his quarter-life day. The trusty toy had taken Solarton into many battles, leading charges and fighting off the evils of the night. In reality, Solarton had never been anywhere other than Brighton, so for now he just sat at the fountain and dreamed.

One fall day, he saw two Peace Riders coming in from the road leading to Dark Wood. They belonged to a prestigious, hand-selected guard unit that helped keep order throughout the land. They were respected by all, except a handful of foolish or evil beings who didn’t realize their hidden powers. Solarton wasn’t sure why they had come to his small village, but he knew they usually rode the outskirts of town in order to avoid detection. This day, they spoke with one of the elders about an encounter with the Absence of Light. Solarton had grown up knowing about the other side and the destruction it caused, and everyone felt at ease with the Peace Riders in the village. Their conversation finished, they rode out, and the village returned to normal.

Solarton knew that as night fell, life in the village changed. Everyone made sure they were off the streets and inside before dark because at times they heard hoof beats in the middle of the night, and all would hope it was a Peace Rider checking on the village. Messengers of the night appeared in the darkness, but Solarton didn’t know what force powered them. Only the elders knew the true meaning of things, but Solarton would come to know just how important his own being was.

As Solarton grew, his father taught him more and more about things he would need to know for later. Theirs was a relationship of love and kindness. Starr taught Solarton the way of the light and to be kind and thoughtful toward others. If something needed to die, it was for a reason of life and not to be cruel. Starr was a very important person and before Solarton, he’d held a very high office. The villagers came to Starr for advice, and Solarton listened to him with the deepest respect. Not many people knew as much as his father. No one but the elders could ever teach him the things he was learning from Starr. He watched or listened to his father with a sense of awe. Solarton was unsure why things were that way but was certain he would find out in time.

Each morning, Starr would take council with the elders. Often he would leave and journey to other lands and be gone for days at a time. Solarton didn’t know what his father did on these trips, but hoped he might get to go along someday. Almost always, when Peace Riders came into Brighton, they would meet at Starr’s cottage and have meals with them.

Solarton took care of the housework and often cooked their meals. After clearing the table and cleaning the room, he sat and listened to the stories the riders had to tell. One Peace Rider, Falen by name, was very seasoned and passed on news of action from Dark Region, the farthest post from South Glow. Solarton envisioned himself becoming a Peace Rider with Falen’s courage. Falen carried the rank of the Ram, which put him in charge of the two riders with him. They made their rounds together, which took as long as three moon cycles, then reported to Starr with information and letters from faraway rulers.

The weather became cooler and the leaves started to fall. Solarton noticed a grayness in the air, and the temperament of the village seemed to be one of despair, as if something were about to happen. That afternoon, as he walked home, Solarton noticed a row of flowers along the roadside that were not in bloom, though it was the season for them to be in full color. He remembered they had always bloomed in seasons past and wondered what was different this time.

For the past moon cycle, Starr had been away on urgent matters, but before he’d left, he told Solarton he would return before his halflife. Tomorrow was the day.

When Solarton awakened the next morning, the sunn had not yet risen. Since Starr was due back today, Solarton wanted to get an early start on his chores. He swept the dust from between the cracks of the oak floor, which took quite a while. When he was finished, he dusted and polished the hardwood furniture and washed the dishes. Next, he went outside to sweep the porch and watered the flowerbeds lining the walkway. He took a few minutes to watch the sunnrise and smell the fresh, clean air, then went back inside.

The cottage was filled with candles, for this was the only means Solarton and Starr had of lighting the little rooms. It was light enough now for him to blow them out. He noticed the wax that had accumulated around the bases like small puddles of frozen water tinted with rainbow colors. Though they were pretty, Solarton knew his father would appreciate him cleaning the candles and replacing the wax sticks that had burned down. Solarton knew the hazards a short candle produced and went through the house replacing, cutting, and cleaning them.

He took one final look around to make sure he hadn’t missed anything. The living room was neat and smelled of oak and pine. Satisfied with his work, Solarton collected his broom, dustpan, rags, and cleaning utensils and put them away in their own little closet. Everything in the house had its place, and Starr made sure things were put away. He told Solarton that being organized would allow more time and fewer accidents, so they lived by that rule. Solarton looked behind him once more before entering the sleeping rooms.

At the foot of his bed, his cat, Amer, was sleeping. He was a big old orange tabby, still playful with many days ahead. Falen had brought the cat to Solarton as a kitten many seasons ago when he found him on the trail deep inside Dark Wood, where he’d likely gotten lost from Middleton, a small village in Dark Wood. Solarton and Amer had been best friends ever since.

The bed was big and beautiful, with carved oak cannon posts and a patchwork quilt. The headboard was sanded smooth, and when Solarton ran his hand across the top, it felt like glass. Again, the circle and seven lines were carved deeply into it like the sign of a guardian, something that protected Solarton as he slept. The same symbol was on Starr’s bed. He pulled the sheets up and folded and tucked the quilt until it was hanging perfectly. Amer tried to sleep, but with all the commotion, he stretched, yawned, and headed outside to lie in the sunn. Solarton finished smoothing the wrinkles Amer made, then folded his clothes and hung up his pack.

Solarton had to go to the stream to collect water for the day. He grabbed the buckets and headed out the back door, stopping a moment to pet Amer. The air was crisp, and Solarton realized he needed to light the fireplace. He collected kindling on the way to the stream.

Solarton loved their water supply. It always tasted sweet and clean and ran during all four seasons. Its source was Edge Lake, which lay to the south of Dark Wood. The water was always cold and teemed with fish. Solarton sat on one of the many huge boulders to watch the fish as his buckets filled. He cupped his hand in the water, took a sip, gathered his buckets and wood, and started back to the cottage.

As he stepped inside, he set the buckets down, calling to Amer. He put the water away and got the fire started. Amer had already made himself comfortable on the rug, absorbing the warmth from the kindling. Solarton added more wood, and with the chores completed, sat down to play with Amer. As the fire popped and snapped, they rolled on the floor and chased each other around the room but being careful not to make a mess. Soon they were both tired and lay down to rest.

Solarton watched the fire and thought to himself, I should make some sweetcakes for this special day! He got up, threw more wood on the fire, and went into the kitchen. As he mixed the batter and prepared the pans, Amer came in to see if Solarton might drop something he could snatch off of the floor. He waited, watching every hand movement, anticipating crumbs or batter to come his way. After a while, Amer got bored and went back to his spot on the rug. Solarton put the final touches on the cakes and shut the oven door.

As he waited for them to bake, Solarton read the big book that Starr kept on the mantel. It told of things that happened long ago, most of which made no sense to him, but his imagination filled in the places he couldn’t understand. Solarton fell asleep with the book in his lap.

Late afternoon brought cold weather, and the smell of sweetcakes wafted through the cottage. Solarton was dreaming he was a Peace Rider being chased through the forest by the Absence of Light. Suddenly, his horse lost its footing and tumbled to the ground with Solarton hitting tree roots and stones as they fell. He rose to look around while his horse ran away, leaving him with no hope against the other side. He drew his sword and waited. He could hear hoof beats in the distance, getting closer and louder until they sounded like they were right on top of him. The hoof beats got so loud they woke him up. He rubbed his eyes, yawned, and realized Starr was home. Solarton ran into the kitchen and took the sweetcakes out while his father put up his horse.

Starr had made it back as he said he would, not just for Solarton’s halflife day, but also for matters that Solarton would soon discover. Solarton noticed the sunnlight was starting to dim. He went to the rooms they would be using and lit the candles. As Starr walked in, Solarton was lighting the last one. He noticed a bag made of deerskin in Starr’s hand. Solarton’s eyes followed it to the table. He knew his father would give him something very special today. Starr watched Solarton’s eyes and decided to wait to tell him what he must do now that he had come of age.

They moved into the living room, and Solarton arranged sweetcakes on a plate. Starr had the leather bag in front of him and a smile on his face. Solarton nearly dropped the plate when his father revealed a silver medallion and handed it to him. He set the sweetcakes down and, holding his breath, allowed the medallion to drop into his palm. Again, he saw the sign of the circle and seven lines. As Solarton looked up at his father, Starr could see the question deep in his eyes. He took a bite of sweetcake and a sip of wine and began his story.

My son, I’m sure you have noticed the changes in things around us. Now that you have reached your time, you should know why things are this way. Starr took another sip of wine as Solarton sat on the floor in front of him.

Years ago, long before you, when life was easier, the land was set up in seven regions. Each region had a key, a very special key. Before he went on, he stood and took the book from the mantel and began to turn the pages. Solarton got up and sat next to him to look at the maps and drawings. Starr found the page he wanted. On it was a drawing of a high, pointed mountain known as Tower Mountain.

Starr began again. Every four full seasons we traveled to the mountain where, at the base, there is a door with a passage to the top. It was a very festive affair. Great caravans started many moons in advance to make the journey. The time at the mountain was one of learning and sharing. It brought all peoples together to conduct our lives toward one total goal.

The ruler of each region had his own court and came with his own key. As night fell, the leaders sat around the Platform of Light. They spoke and inserted the keys. With a final command, they turned the keys to activate the platform. You see, my son, this was our way to communicate with others on the condition of our world. From higher sources, we learned the way by which everything worked and what we needed to do to improve. Solarton sat in awe, absorbing everything his father had said. Starr took out his pipe, filled it, and looked for Solarton’s reaction.

Also, during the meeting at the mountain, we spent many hours sitting in council with the scholars of our time. We discussed government and laws and changed some as was necessary. Sometimes, we took old laws out of the books because, with the passing of time and the changing of the land, the rules applied no longer. He handed Solarton the book for a closer look. Starr sat back and sank into his chair. Closing his eyes, he paused as Solarton tended the fire. He turned the coals, added another log, and then reached up to the mantel for the wine flask. He refilled their glasses, put the flask up, and sat down to warm his toes. As he stared at the coals, a question arose that he had to have answered.

Father, where did the keys come from?

I was wondering when you would ask that. That is a story in itself. I will get to that as the story progresses. Starr opened his eyes, sat up, and puffed his pipe.

In the beginning, as the Outpost was set into motion, we needed a location for the Platform of Light. We looked for a place with a view of the heavens and found Tower Mountain. Solarton, many lost their lives to find that single passage through the mountain. To this day, we are all grateful for what they did. When we found the entrance, the inside of the mountain was full of passageways and caverns. It worked out just right. Starr motioned for Solarton to sit next to him and he turned to a page in the book that showed a picture of the mountain in full detail. Starr pointed to the bottom of the page.

First, we cut a tunnel at the base behind the great falls and set the door in place. The door was protected by spells plus the seven locks set in the center. Next, we built the castle at the top to house the Platform of Light. The castle’s rooms housed visitors and protected the platform. He paused again as Solarton soaked up the information.

The keys were the best protection anyone could think of. With the division of the seven regions, no one leader could gain access alone through the one and only passage to the top. For that reason, too, we came up with the one moon time for the gathering at the mountain. Because of the long journey, the meeting was set up for every four full seasons. Starr arose to get himself a glass of water. As he got off of the chair. Amer curled up in the warmth of the sunken cushion.

Solarton stared into the fire and absorbed everything his father was telling him. Starr came back and sat down but jumped up when a howl of surprise sounded beneath him. He hadn’t seen Amer but heard him loud enough. As he crawled out from the cushion, Amer looked up at Starr in disgust then passed it off with a yawn and a stretch. He looked toward Solarton for a lap but received no response, so he crept onto the floor in front of the fire. Starr patted Amer before sitting down and continuing.

Many seasons passed and our lives were at peace. The system we had set up was doing the job. He slowed down and took a puff of his pipe.

But someone you know nothing about, someone who is of our blood—my brother Farr—had rule over the region of the Dark Side. At the time we didn’t know the Absence of Light, which caused the times of darkness, would have such an overpowering affect on your uncle. This was not the same kind of darkness that we were used to, but one of another kind of darkness, one that carried evil. Solarton moved down next to Amer to stretch out. His father put the book next to him and poured another glass of wine.

Do you have any questions, son? Solarton shook his head as he turned toward his father. Starr took another sip and went on with his story.

During this time, a dark power came over my brother, and he changed. He fell out of the way of our light and grew apart from us all. Farr started to take on the ways of the Absence of Light and soon became it. He plotted and planned to steal the keys from the other rulers. He used his powers, and the creatures of the night started a war with us, which became the War of Two Sides. Solarton moved up next to his father, the book in his hand. He scooted himself deep into the cushion as Starr opened the book to a page with a picture of a uniform.

So, with the plot to take the keys, we formed the Royal Guard, also known as the Peace Riders. He pointed to the uniform. The men picked to wear this uniform in the deepest and greatest respect for the Platform of Light. These men roamed the countryside and tried to keep Farr’s plot in check. When they failed, the war became full scale and many were killed. The keys were lost or hidden, some were smuggled into the surrounding villages, and some have been stolen. Two of the keys, he sighed, we are not sure where they are.

Because of the war and the loss of the keys, we have been unable to regain access through the door at the base of Tower Mountain. So, for all this time we have been surviving on what we have learned in the past. No longer do we have contact with the outside. We don’t know the conditions of those around us. And because of all this, we don’t have much time to get things back to the way they were. You, Solarton, are our last hope. Starr wore a look of anguish as he felt the wave of responsibility and worry that hit Solarton.

You, as my son, are the only one that can venture forth and search for the keys. And because you have reached your halflife day, the powers that are in you can be used. Starr reached deep into his bag and pulled out an old map of the seven regions. Solarton looked at it and saw many landmarks and words he did not understand. He noticed someone had drawn on it and made many notes. He saw the circle and seven lines over the drawing of Tower Mountain. This time, though, he knew what it meant: the Platform of Light and its location. Solarton looked up from the map and into his father’s eyes.

Father, he said, where and who did the keys come from? Starr began to tell of the making of the keys, but a knock at the door interrupted. Solarton jumped up to answer it.

Who is it, and why are you calling so late? he asked politely. It is Falen. I must speak with your father, please. Solarton’s eyes widened as he opened the door and saw Falen standing in front of him, tired and out of breath. His men were still mounted, one holding the reins to Falen’s steed. They had been riding most of the day and night. Solarton invited Falen in and stared at the Peace Riders’ horses.

Falen entered and greeted Starr as one would a great ruler, then leaned over and whispered something to him. Solarton watched his father’s face for some kind of sign of what was going on. His face was blank for a second but changed as he told Falen that he was telling Solarton the story of the keys and the causes for the way things were. Solarton went into the kitchen and poured Falen a glass of wine but took his time to allow them to talk more. Solarton had been taught to respect others’ privacy, so he gave Amer a bite to eat and returned to the living room.

Thank you, Solarton. Falen’s face lit up. "This is just what I needed."

Solarton, please see if the other riders would like something to eat or drink, Starr said. Solarton collected the sweetcakes, wine, and glasses and went outside. When he returned, Falen was ready to leave. Starr wished him and his men well, and, as fast as they had come, they rode off into the night.

As they sat to talk more, Starr told him that the plans would have to be moved ahead.

What plans, Father?

You must go into the seven regions and find, steal, buy, or take back all seven keys. You must do anything it takes to get the keys back. Then you will meet me at Tower Mountain where we will right the wrongs and set the way it used to be back into motion. This is the only way we can make it. I cannot accompany you for I am needed elsewhere.

Father, why me? The Peace Riders are much bigger and stronger than I am. Why am I the chosen one?

Starr looked at Solarton very seriously. My son, it is not just a matter of being big or strong. As I have told you, you are my son and because of you and ONLY you will things be right again. You must do this for us all. There are other things that you must prove to yourself now that you have become a young man.

Starr wished there was more time, but with Falen’s message, Solarton would have to leave in the morning. They used the rest of the night to go over the map. Starr explained everything he could think of, various things that would help Solarton in his search, and on the map, they planned what route he would take. The first place to look would be Dark Wood.

As the candles burned down to their bases, Starr arose, went to his room, and came out with a box. He sat at the kitchen table where the light was better and opened it. Solarton came to the table with the map clutched tightly in his hand and stood next to his father. Starr pulled a key from