Please, enjoy this snippet. It's just the first chapter but it's still something.
Chapter 1
Tales Begin from the Beginning
Come, sit by my hearth a while and warm yourself on this wet, dreary night. Don’t mind the cats or the dogs. Move them if you wish. They won’t bite; they know better than to do that. They know better than to bite the hands that feed them. Don’t mind my ramblings much either. It’s been many a season since I’ve had visitors and many more since I could entertain them. And what can I do but entertain guests?
The young call for a story, the old a ballad. You, my friend, are asking for something more. So more I will give you. I give you a tale, but not any tale mind you. A tale that might take a while to tell, though I think this weather will allow me to finish it all without rushing through any of the good parts. And don’t worry; this tale is fit for everyone. It has heroes and magic. Romance and betrayal. Along much more that will quench your thirst of tales for quite a while to come. So sit back, or lean forward if you must, and relax as I spin my tale of an adventure that began so many years ago. A time when the kingdoms of our past were on edge from an unknown horror and their only hope rested in the hands of a young Indaigo Knight and Wildiagi girl who was the last of her kind. Or so everyone thought.
/~*~*~*~\
Dawn crested over the Kingdom of Darà Nàl and the barracks of the Indaigo Knights. The Knights were the heart and soul of this kingdom and the kingdoms around it. For Indaigo Knights had another sort of sense that was unique to them and no other human. A sixth sense of a sorts that allowed them to see things, acquire insight, and get help with things that no other person could explain. Many a squabble had been solved this way without bloodshed because of these Knights. Peace had flourished with the Knights doing their duty and many thought this peace would continue as it had been.
But for one Indaigo Knight, the feeling that something wrong was more than a warning, it was a constant feeling. Of course, this feeling could also have been from the sun that always struck her bed at the wrong angle every morning. It could have been cloudy that day and still the sun would have found a way to hit her bed. So mumbling under her breath Kellaslinn Sorransooth rolled onto her stomach while pulling a pillow over her head.
“The gods would have thought I would have moved my bed after ten years of living in this room,” came a mumbling from under the pillow after several moments of trying to go back to sleep but not succeeding. “But nooooo, I still haven’t learned. It’s still in the same bloody spot.”
From underneath the pillow, wheat colored hair spilled out in waves across average width shoulders and onto the bed. Slowly removing the pillow Kellaslinn blew silver bangs out of her face. Unsuccessfully accomplishing that feat she turned to glaring at them instead as if they would move on their own, without her gift. Seeing as that didn’t work she turned her glare to the window that spilled light into the room as if she could drive it back from whence it came. Finally giving up her challenge to the light that interrupted her sleep she rose and began her day. It just wasn’t worth the effort to battle something you couldn’t win against.
Kellaslinn Sorransooth was not a tall, lithe beauty that many saw in the kingdom courts or in the towns or even in the Knighthood. Kellaslinn was about five foot five inches and stout would be the only word for her. That and curvy her mother would always say. She was very agile despite her stout, curvy appearance. And everything about Kellaslinn said power, from her sharp blue, silver eyes to her sharp tongue and aura that struck you like a wall when you first met her.
Cleaning her face from a basin of water sitting on a small table across the room, she looked at herself in the mirror that hung above it. She dried her face on a small towel before grabbing a very plain comb. Frowning, she combed her hair into something that seemed tamer while noticing that there was just a little more silver streaking her hair than before. Looking closer she also noticed that her once blue eyes were becoming more silver also.
The reason for this of course is that many Indaigoes have a closer connection to the Calmer Realms than others to cause their hair to turn silver. Their eyes also change to a more silver appearance with their hair. But at only twenty, Kellaslinn’s hair and eyes were changing much, much faster than normal.
Huffing she turned from the mirror and the ever changing reflection. She pulled her hair back and started to put it into a tight braid only to leave her hair half done as she glanced at the window to check the time. Cursing a little out loud as well as to herself as she saw exactly what time it was. She noticed there wasn’t much time left till the new trainees arrived. She had been anticipating today and here she was going to be late.
Securing a chest band and throwing on a light blue tunic she grabbed a pair of tan calfskin pants from the back of a chair. Shimmying into the pants she deftly stamped on her boots one at a time. Kellaslinn laced her knee high boots up as fast as she could without knotting the stings, which was a task in itself. Without another glance at her appearance she threw open her door and almost ran into a servant, one of many, who cleaned the barracks.
Shouting out a quick sorry over her shoulder Kellaslinn ran directly into the six foot tall Drazzle of the Indaigo Knights of Darà Nàl. Almost falling back she gasped noticing whom it was she ran into. Scrambling to stand at attention she mentally winced at the thought of getting in trouble on a day like this.
“Well then Sorransooth, I was just coming to see if you were finally up. And by the looks of it, you almost weren’t.” the Drazzle said in an amused tone but with a straight face.
Kellaslinn sighed, thankful that the Knight wasn’t mad. “Well sir,” she said, “I didn’t know it was so late and my Shadgui didn’t wake me. I told him to but he didn’t, yet again. I was trying to be on time before I ran into you sir.” Kellaslinn tried her best not to fidget and flush with embarrassment.
“Shadgui are like that.” Rinishcard Bryrain’s laugh echoed through the halls and he patted the young Knight on the shoulder with a large hand. “You’re not one to fidget Sorransooth. You're fidgeting, that means something is up. What is it this time?”
Kellaslinn grinned up at the man. “Nothing’s wrong sir. I’m just excited to see the trainees. It’s been a while since a new batch came in.”
“I’m surprised you even slept then,” Rinishcard said amused. “You’re known for not being able to sleep when you’re excited.”
“To be truthful, I couldn’t sleep to begin with. When I did though, I just ended up waking up late. And not wanting to get up either.”
The Drazzle laughed his booming laugh again. “Kellaslinn Sorransooth, you’re also known for that and catching sleep when you can.”
The young Knight smirked, “I’m not the only one trying to catch sleep whenever they can Sir Rinishcard. I’ve heard you’ve slept a Dryphon back before during a campaign to keep a pack of Weres out of the forests surrounding Darà Nàl.”
“Ah, those were the days,” the older Knight gave a dramatic sigh looking heaven ward. “Dryphon back was much more comfortable than what we usually had to sleep on and the Weres friendlier than my Drazzle.”
Both Knights laughed at that. It was known that the Drazzle before Rinishcard was a woman who was as cold as an icicle and as stiff as one too. Many a Knight cheered when she decided to finally step down as Drazzle and give the position to Rinishcard. Of course many a townsfolk booed and hissed when she took over leader ship of a small town called Morinee. The good news though was that no Were or bandit passed close enough to the town to even begin to feel the wrath of Moreeth Thistlan.
After the laugher of the Knights subsided Rinishcard looked at Kellaslinn. “I’ve kept you long enough Sorransooth. Head off with you now before they start cleaning up what was left of breakfast. You might be able to catch a bite to eat.”
“But sir, I’m too excited to eat!” Kellaslinn whined.
Rinishcard gave a mock stern look. “Young Kellaslinn Sorransooth, find yourself a meal on the go then. Just eat something. No Knight of mine will work hungry! The only time I want you to be hungry is the time that midday meal is being served!”
Kellaslinn gave a wry grin and a saluted, “I will do just that sir!”
“Away with you cocky young Knight, I don’t wish to see any of you until the trainees are in!” The Drazzle said waving her off.
“I shan’t disobey you oh Drazzle of my kingdom!” Kellaslinn laughed and dashed off down the hall. She skidded around a corner barely with enough balance to catch herself. Drazzle Rinishcard shook his head as she disappeared.
Bursting into the dining hall of the barracks she spotted a few Indaigo Knights that hadn’t gone off to see to a few things before the rush of trainees. Kellaslinn had grown up with almost all of the Knights in the barracks and had become good friends with most of them. But living together and working together doesn’t mean you have to like everyone.
One not being liked by Kellaslinn was a cocky, brute like Knight by the name of Darrien Yarnik. He was fifth generation Indaigo Knight who thought himself above and beyond all the other Knights. He thought himself especially above Kellaslinn, because she was the only Indaigo Knight in her family lineage. But he wasn’t above trying to bed her. Of course he’d try and bed any feminine creature that walked into his path. But bedding Kellaslinn wasn’t going to happen anytime in the near future.
Darrien caught sight of her and smirked. “Well, well, well. Look what the Dryphon dragged in. What happened to you Sarransooth?” He drawled. “Over slept or decided that trainees aren’t good enough to waste your time on?” he sneered as the group he was with laughed.
Kellaslinn twitched and glared. “It’s Sorransooth, Darrien. You’ve unfortunately known me long enough to get it right by now. And for your information I ran into Drazzle Bryrain in the hallway on my way here and stopped to talk to him for a few moments. So get off my case and go back to falsely glorifying yourself in your egotistical manner.” With that she turned toward the kitchens not wanting to deal with the arrogant fool first thing in the morning.
“What? Sucking up to that old man again to get good favor? Or were you trying to seduce him into your bed? Because Keepers know it’s the only way you’ll get a Trainee,” Darrien said harshly after she turned to go toward the kitchens.
Kellaslinn turned sharply around and snapped. “Say that again Yarnik, I dare you. It may say in the rules that no Indaigo Knight shall fight another Knight, but Keepers save me, I will challenge you.”
Darrien stood and sneered. “If you challenged me, I would just win Sorransooth. I am a fifth generation Indaigo Knight after all. You wouldn’t stand a chance.”
It was Kellaslinn’s turn to sneer as she crossed her arms over her chest and shifted her frame to look defiant. “You may be a fifth generation Knight Darrien Yarnik, but I’m closer to the Calmer Realms than you’ll ever be. And I believe that not even your powers could withstand a blow from mine in the end.”
Darrien stood slamming his palms down onto the table in front of him and snarled fiercely at her. “That’s what you think Sorransooth. I could make you whine and whimper from the force of my powers. Though I prefer to make you whine and whimper in other ways.” He finished with a sneer.
“Well then Yarnik, good luck,” Kellaslinn stated coolly as she dropped her arms to her sides and turned to go again, “You’ll never get close enough to me to even try. And if you ever did, I would make you pay dearly for it. For not even the gods could save you from the wrath I or my Shadgui could unleash upon you.”
Darrien, shocked by how much hatred and power Kellaslinn’s words held behind them even though she had been calm, stood dumbly watching Kellaslinn walk off toward the doors that lead to the kitchen. She smirked as she pushed open the double doors and was greeted with a cacophony of sound that blasted her senses. She smiled warmly as everyone in the kitchens that knew her, hailed her with good mornings and good tidings. These people who worked behind the scenes serving meals had accepted her with open arms into their family long ago.
Smiling and greeting each in their turn, the Indaigo Knight looked around for a familiar form. Finally spotting a servant old enough to be her grandmother, Kellaslinn ducked and dodged workers to make her way to the ovens. She almost took out a worker with a tray of bread to rise, but got to the spot where the older woman was without too much damage done.
“Onnanna Fray, my dear friend, would you by chance have a small amount of breakfast left for a starving youth?” Kellaslinn asked smiling, shouting over the noise of the kitchen.
Onnanna turned and returned the Knight’s smile with an equal glow. Her long grey hair flashing red in the oven’s light. In one hand she held a bowl full of a sweet breakfast mash, in the other a small loaf of bread. “Kellaslinn, over slept again I see, you lazy bones.” she asked laughing as crow’s feet etched themselves around her eyes. “Whatever are we going to do with you? What are you going to do when I’m good as gone and no one will save a meal for you?”
Kellaslinn gave a dramatic sigh and giggled, “I guess I’ll just have to charm someone else, but I have a feeling you’ll stick around just to remind me to get up earlier.”
Both women laughed as Onnanna handed over the food to the younger woman. “I’ll come back from the Calmer Realms just to do that to you.”
“Onnanna, you’d come back from the Calmer Realms just to nag me to death about not rising when the sun barely peaks over the mountains and the thrush starts his morning song.” The Knight said sitting on a grain bag while placing her bowl on her knees so she could tear her bread in half. “That or flip me out of bed as the day dawns,” Kellaslinn added while dipping her bread into the bowl and scooping up some of the mash with it.
The older woman laughed loud as she grabbed a drink for her friend of ten years from a passing worker’s tray. Even though those ten years didn’t make the servant any younger, she was still spry enough to tackle many the young Knight who thought they could get away with tormenting some of the younger female workers. And that happened often enough. Too many male Knights thought they could have their own way with any pretty maid in the barracks. Weren’t they surprised when they were looking up from their backs at the face of a very angry Onnanna.
“So young one,” Onnanna said as she straddled a backwards chair to look at the Knight, “happy about the Trainees?”
“Ecstatic Onnanna, we haven’t had Trainees here for quite a while.” Kellaslinn said swallowing a mouthful of her breakfast.
“Are you finally able to train a Raada yet Linn?”
“I am!” Kellaslinn said beaming from over her bowl after swallowing what she had had in her mouth. “Drazzle Bryrain finally said I was allowed to train a Raada.”
“That’s great!” Onnanna exclaimed smiling broadly. “You have a lot to teach them and they’ll learn more with you than Darrien. That whelp has nothing against you; you’ve shown more talent than any Knight has in years.”
Kellaslinn flushed. “Onnanna, you know better than to say that. There are many Knights out there that are far better than I out there.”
“Little Linn, you are more natural with your talent than any Knight I’ve seen come through here.” The elderly woman said seriously. “You gripped the concepts of a true Indaigo Knight more easily than anyone here. You know what to look for, you know how to listen, and you know how to understand many things given very little time to do so.”
Kellaslinn looked at the bowl in her lap for a moment or two before looking her friend in the eye. “And how many have you seen come through here Onnanna?”
Onnanna shook her head sadly, “Too many for my age Linn. Far too many that came to train, went to fight, and never returned back through these doors.”
“Onnanna, what do you mean by that?” Kellaslinn asked softly, feeling like a child questioning her elder about the world around her. Not really knowing what sort of answer would come next.
Again the servant shook her head, “No, not now Kellaslinn, no more questions. If I’m not mistaken you have to get ready for the arrival of the Raada. You don’t have much time left girl. Hurry now or you won’t have a worthy trainee to teach.”
Eye’s widened and all thoughts of asking more questions left Kellaslinn’s mind. How could she forget the Raada? If she didn’t get there soon, then she wouldn’t be able to pick a Raada with enough talent worth training.
Kellaslinn jumped up so quickly the bowl fell out of her lap. But instead of clattering to the floor, the bowl settled into Onnanna’s hands. Without even a second thought other than that of getting to the courtyard, the Indaigo Knight dashed out of the kitchens as quickly as she could without running into anyone.
Onnanna watched her friend’s figure disappear into the mob of kitchen helpers. She smiled and looked at the bowl in her hands only to drop it. Before the bowl could hit the floor it disappeared without sound or sight of it.
“That girl has potential still that no other sees, including her.” The old woman muttered. “Maybe one day she’ll realize exactly what she has and what she’ll gain from it.” With that she walked into the crowd that made the kitchen crew and seemed to disappear without a trace.
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Making it to the courtyard slash training ground of the barracks, Kellaslinn fell into a rough line with the other Knights who were waiting for the trainees to arrive. By the looks of it everyone was there except Darrien Yarnik’s small group that was in the dining hall. Kellaslinn gave a sigh of relief and a growl of frustration.
Always late, Kellaslinn thought angrily to herself. Darrien thinks he can always get things handed to him just because of his family history. I hope reality sets in and he falls on his high and mighty face.
“Well then, won’t you be surprised Linn.” Someone chuckled softly. “Yarnik isn’t getting a Raada this year. He has shown no true talent for teaching what he knows. Of course, he really doesn’t know much except how to brag and blow his accomplishments out of proportion.”
“Darrien has no accomplishments to blow out of proportion.” Kellaslinn said huffily under her breath as she turned to the figure that she knew was behind her. “He has to fabricate everything that he has done because he hasn’t gone outside of these barracks. He has no true people or diplomatic skills to speak of and of course he’s horrible with his temper.”
The figure of a fair skinned man stood there behind her with almost white blond hair. His blue eyes sparked with humor as a smirk graced his features. Tall and lean he towered over Kellaslinn at a good six feet four inches. Of course anyone would have thought him human if he wouldn’t have been slightly transparent. As all Shadgui are to their charges.
Kellaslinn frowned, “How exactly did you find this out Merrick?”
“Shadgui have their ways, Linn, we cannot reveal them to everyone. Not even to those we watch over.” He said smugly. “But I will tell you I did have to weasel the information out of my source. Not even Yarnik’s Shadgui knows this information.”
Kellaslinn looked slightly shocked, “If his Shadgui doesn’t know, then he doesn’t know.” Then a sly grin crept its way across her face. “That means he’s going to be left alone on the grounds when everyone has a trainee.”
“Of course!”
“I do pity his Shadgui though. He lives with Darrien and has to listen to him moan, groan, and complain about all of this. Poor guy.” She said shaking her head.
“Thank you for the sympathy but you should be thankful that a poor Raada doesn’t have to deal with him.” A darker skin toned Shadgui said materializing beside of Merrick.
Kellaslinn and Merrick winced a little. “Oh, don’t wince; I had a hunch that he wouldn’t gain a Raada. Of course overhearing what you two were talking about only confirmed my theory. And I could care less if Darrien throws a tantrum over this. It doesn’t mean I have to stay here to listen to it.”
Merrick tapped his chin, “Iixer does have a point. He doesn’t have to be anywhere near the brat.”
Kellaslinn sighed, “That’s true, but can’t we ever keep anything quiet?” She scanned the others in the yard. Several people were talking amongst themselves, not even paying any attention to her or the two Shadgui. Not even the other Shadgui were paying attention now. They were mostly whispering amongst themselves now since they had a bit of gossip.
“Nope, we never can.” Merrick laughed teasing her.
“Shush Merrick,” Kellaslinn huffed, “Sometimes it’s good to be able to keep things quiet without someone gossiping about what we’ve said.”
“There’s a fat chance of keeping anything quiet within the barracks.” Merrick muttered to Iixer loud enough to be heard. Iixer laughed at the scowl that was sent Merrick’s way by his charge.
“It was going to get out sooner or later Linn,” Iixer said. “You two just helped it along a bit.”
“Yeah, I just wish it wouldn’t have been by us though,” growled Kellaslinn, “because if I know these barracks, and I do, word is going to spread and get twisted along the way. It’ll most likely get twisted to the point that Darrien will blame me for him not receiving a Raada to train. He’ll say that I convinced the Drazzle not to give him a Raada.”
“He always finds something to blame on you though.” Merrick said with a roll of his eyes.
The other Shadgui nodded, “He always does, so there’s no reason to worry about it.”
“He’s just jealous of everything you’ve gotten or had gotten to do. He’s no one to worry about.” Merrick added crossing his arms over his chest.
“So says you.” Kellaslinn mumbled as she stood sulkily. “He may be of no concern to you, but if he gets enough brains to get his little group together to actually do something, not you or anyone else could do anything about it.”
Merrick frowned, “He would never try anything like that, he knows better.”
“I don’t know about that,” Iixer said quietly. “I don’t even know what he’s capable of if he gets angry enough.”
Both Kellaslinn and her Shadgui looked at Iixer. If a Shadgui didn’t even know the limits of his charge then something was definitely wrong. They didn’t know how wrong it was, but something was definitely bad about Darrien Yarnik with this new bit of information.
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