Battlefield of the Sacred Land Read online

  “You won’t need it here,” she said. “It’s safe back where it landed. No one can wield it but you, no?”

  “Who are you?” His anger slowly began to return. “How do you know so much about me?”

  “I told you. I am called Oria. Lady Shey rescued me many seasons ago in the Sacred Land, and Fawlsbane Vex has brought me here to help you.”

  “Where are we?” Dorenn asked, his anger melting away again.

  “We are where Fawlsbane has placed us. No one will disturb us here as I tell you of the past and present. There has been a new development in the crusade for the Sacred Land, and Fawlsbane Vex wants you to be aware of it.”

  “Aware of what?”

  “Aware of all of it.”

  “I already know of Kambor. I know the Oracle is returning.”

  Oria looked at him grimly. “But you are unaware of the atrocities, far more dangerous than the Oracle, entering into your struggles, and you really must know of them.” She waved him inside the cottage. “Come, we had better get started. I must warn you, though, time sometimes works differently here. It has something to do with this being a pocket out of time or something.”

  “Wonderful. All right. Tell me what you know.” He stepped into the cottage. “You don’t have any bittering tea, do you?”

  “Aye, boiling on the hearth.” She headed for the pot and two cups as Dorenn sat in a comfortable-looking chair. She took the pot out of the hearth and began to pour the dark liquid into the cups. “So here we are. I have come to you to help you at the beginning of the end.” She handed Dorenn his cup of bittering tea.

  Dorenn took a sip. “So how does this work? How are you going to show me the past, exactly?”

  “When you are ready, I will put you directly in the memory. You will see everything as if you were the person experiencing it firsthand. That’s my gift and the reason I am here.”

  “So, I can react through somebody else?”

  “No, you are more like an observer. The past has already happened and you cannot change it. At least, not through my gifts. I can only put you there to see what happened.”

  “I will actually be going to the past!”

  “Not precisely. It’s more like you will be in a memory of the past, a very detailed, precise memory. The stream of time will not be broached by me.”

  “How did you acquire these memories?”

  She took a deep breath. “I don’t know that much about my gift. I only know what I can do. I assume Fawlsbane Vex has something to do with it. Shall we continue?”

  “Did I agitate you? I’m sorry. I am just curious,” Dorenn said.

  “It’s fine. I mean, I don’t know how my heart continues to beat or why; I just know it does, and I know if it stops, I die.”

  “I get it,” Dorenn said. He took another sip of his bittering tea. “Continue.”

  “Once I begin your journey, I am no longer in control of it. You will observe until it is no longer relevant for you to do so. I leave all the particulars up to Fawlsbane Vex, my god. He will guide you on your journey, and he will guide me to direct you where he wants you to go. Do you understand?”

  “I think so,” Dorenn acknowledged. “I’m ready when you are.”

  Dorenn watched Oria reach for his hands, and then everything went black.

  Part 1: Through the eyes of Veric Namear

  Chapter 2: The Baby and the Oracle

  Veric Namear paced back and forth across his living space within his house in Symbor, all the while keeping a sharp eye on the doorway to the hallway leading to the bedchambers. Occasionally, he would hear the gut-wrenching cries of his beloved Sylvalora as she no doubt pushed at the behest of the midwives. He would have preferred to be in the room, but the midwives had other plans. At last, when he thought he could take her cries no more, he heard the strong, first-breath cry of his child, shrill and wonderful all at once. A few moments later, a midwife came to fetch him. He eagerly followed her to his wife. When he entered the room, Sylvalora appeared haggard and spent. Her hair was matted, and her face was red and sweaty. He thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen at that moment.

  “Veric, come see our little one,” she said.

  Veric moved to his wife’s side and gazed down proudly at the pink flesh of his child. “A son?” he asked.

  “A daughter,” Sylvalora answered.

  “Just as well,” he said. “As long as she’s healthy and strong.”

  “What shall we call her?” Sylvalora asked.

  “I like the name you picked out. Sheyna. We can call her Shey for short.”

  “Not if I can help it. You’ll not call her Shey as long as I am around.”

  “Sheyna, it is,” Veric said as he bent down to kiss his daughter on the forehead.

  “Shall I send out the birds, mistress?” one of the midwives asked.

  “Aye, she should be a couple of weeks old by the time the first guests arrive,” Sylvalora answered.

  The woman nodded and left the room. The other two midwives commenced cleaning up the room and preparing the crib.

  “A priest of Loracia will be here in a moment to bless her,” Sylvalora said. “Why don’t you go find Golvashala? I know he will be excited to hear of our daughter’s birth.” She looked at her daughter. “Although, I don’t think he should come in and see her until she is a few days old and we know she’s in good health.”

  “Aye, I already talked to him this morning. He said he would return shortly after the noon hour to wait with me. He should arrive at any time.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh, and I was supposed to warn you that he prefers to be called by his common name now. Kambor.”

  “Kambor? How did he come by that name?”

  “He said it’s his common name. Who knows for certain? It’s Golvashala we are speaking of, after all.”

  “I do hope he sees a pleasant future for our little girl. Will he read her today, you think?”

  “He doesn’t like to read one so young. When he reads babies for the public, he asks that they be at least a month old.”

  “We will need him to read her before Morgoran arrives. The old wizard has never trusted in Oracles, especially those of dragonkind like Golvashala. He says the future is too fluid to predict with any certainty.”

  “And he’s right, dear,” Veric agreed.

  Sylvalora nodded. “I do believe, however, that there are some lives in this world that just do not subscribe to conventional knowledge. Some lives are so important that they bend all of the possible futures around them. They are so important that no matter where they are or who they come into contact with, they drive the future.”

  “That may be, my darling, but who would wish such a thing on anyone? I certainly wouldn’t like to have such burdens placed upon me, would you?”

  “I suppose not. Even though I fit the scenario more than most.”

  Veric could feel his face flushing. “I sometimes forget who you are, my dear.”

  She puckered her lips so he would bend down and kiss her, which he did. “I’m glad you do.”

  “Will Enowene be coming to help you with the magic?”

  “Aye, she is on her way here now. After we perform the birthing magic on Sheyna, we will know if there is anything to worry about regarding her health, and Enowene will also ward her against malefic magic. We should be able to receive visitors in a couple of days, if all goes well.”

  He smiled at her and kissed the baby. “I am going to let you get your rest now. I’m sure these midwives have plans for you as well.” He kissed her on the forehead once more and left the room in high spirits.

  Sheyna was three days old when Sylvalora finally gave the word that she was healthy enough physically and magically to receive visitors. Enowene insisted on being present when Golvashala visited. According to Sylvalora, even though gold dragons were all known to be kind and gentle dragons of law and order, something didn’t sit right with her about him. It was all right with Veric. He knew his friend would
give some sort of prediction about his daughter, and he also knew it would be grandiose. Veric couldn’t imagine his friend would simply say that Sheyna was an ordinary girl with an ordinary life ahead of her given who her mother was. He appeared at the door with a gift of fine cloth for Sylvalora to make baby clothes for Sheyna. Veric greeted him, Enowene eyed him suspiciously, and Veric knew everything was right with the world.

  “Ah, there she is,” Kambor said as soon as he had given the cloth to Sylvalora. “Such a pretty little thing, isn’t she? Just as pretty as her mother.”

  “You flatter, Golva—I mean, Kambor,” Sylvalora said.

  Kambor smiled at her widely. “You may call me Golvashala if you wish, my lady. Or Kambor. It really doesn’t matter in this company.”

  “No, no, Veric told me you prefer your common name over your dragon name, and I should honor you just like everyone else,” Sylvalora said. “But I must ask. Why are you going by Kambor? Why now?”

  “Kambor is my oracle name, my public name. Golvashala gives away my linage, and I would rather not advertise that I am dragonkind in my profession; it sometimes frightens customers away.”

  “I see,” Sylvalora said.

  “May I hold her?” Kambor held out his arms to receive the child.

  “Of course.” Sylvalora picked up Sheyna from her crib and handed her gently to Kambor. She immediately glanced at Enowene, who she knew was muttering a spell under her breath.

  “Ah, a bright future this one has,” Kambor said.

  “Here we go.” Veric was giddy with anticipation.

  For a moment, Kambor’s face turned grim. He entered a trance-like state, and Veric became afraid that he might drop little Sheyna to the floor, but then his disposition abruptly brightened and he handed the girl back to her mother. “I predict she will be a powerful wielder. She has a grand part to play in this world.” He coughed weakly. “Forgive me. I am suddenly parched. Veric, might I trouble you for a glass of water?”

  “Certainly, the kitchen is this way.” He led Kambor down the hall.

  When they were safely in the kitchen, Kambor turned to Veric. “You have to protect her. She is in grave danger.”

  “What is it?” Veric was taken aback by Kambor’s sudden warning.

  “The twisted god, Aedreagnon, is tied to her somehow. I saw that he wants to destroy her because he believes she will destroy him in the future. He has a plan for this world, and Sheyna will be in the way.”

  Veric’s trepidation melted away. He and Kambor had already discussed how important his family might be to the world. Kambor’s prediction was a little too on the nose for Veric to take seriously now. “Of course.” Veric smiled at him. “My daughter will save the world, as you see it, right? She will be a powerful wielder and take on a god! Wonderful, Kambor. I knew you would see a grandiose future in store for her.”

  “No, Veric, you don’t understand. I’m not making up some grand future as I might for the common folk. Despite what we talked about over mugs of ale, I am telling you the truth. You have to hide her somewhere, and fast. He won’t wait for her to grow strong.”

  “I think she is just fine in the hands of the Silver Drake, Kambor. Sylvalora is literally the child of the gods, after all.” He handed Kambor a cup of water from the water barrel. “Here you go.”

  Maybe Kambor still believed what he saw or maybe he gave up trying to convince him, but Veric was glad he stopped his naysaying. The thought of anything being capable of harming his little girl was unthinkable and, frankly, a little silly. Sylvalora would never allow harm to come to her daughter. Little Sheyna was in good hands.

  After noonday, Veric received word that Morgoran and Toborne were coming to see Sheyna later in the day. They had been working within Enowene’s White Tower for the past several days. Veric was a bit surprised when he went to Sylvalora to tell her the news and Kambor was reading Sheyna again. Sylvalora must have seen the disapproving look on his face.

  “I asked him to read her again, Veric,” she said. “Just for fun.”

  Veric frowned. “I don’t think it’s going to turn out fun for anyone.” He sat down in his comfortable chair. He wasn’t about to miss what Kambor had to say now.

  “I see you will be separated from her for a very long time, during which, she will learn a great many things on her own, with little guidance,” Kambor started.

  “Oh, that doesn’t sound good,” Sylvalora said. “I hope you have that part of the reading wrong.”

  “I see that she will also be tasked with the protection of the line of Ardenian kings. One of the kings of Ardenia in particular. She will save the world by saving his line.”

  “That’s more like it,” Veric said, not really believing anything Kambor was predicting. “I should think our daughter would be so important. By the way, I came in here to tell you that Morgoran and Toborne will be stopping by later,” he said to Sylvalora.

  “I see you aren’t taking Kambor seriously,” Sylvalora said after a chuckle.

  “It’s all well and good,” he said. “She is important to me, and that’s all that matters.”

  Kambor handed Sheyna to Sylvalora. “I can see my time to leave has arrived. Thank you for letting me entertain you once again. Sheyna will be forever in our hearts and thoughts now.” He bowed and backed away. “If you all will excuse me, I’ll be on my way.”

  “Of course, Kambor. Thank you so much for the predictions. I will call on you again soon, you know, to see if anything changes,” Sylvalora said.

  “Any time, mistress,” he said, bowing again.

  Veric saw him to the door. “Thank you for coming, Kambor.”

  Kambor’s expression turned sharp for a moment. “I won’t be staying around here for long. I have preparations to make. Heed my words, Veric. I implore you to listen to me one last time.”

  “What sort of preparations?” Veric said suspiciously.

  Kambor looked at him for a long moment, huffed, and stormed away to Veric’s amusement.

  Chapter 3: A New Fear

  Morgoran knocked once and entered the apartment before Veric could get to the door. He was followed closely by a handsome, dark-headed man in green robes, another man behind him in elvish hose and tunic with dark hair and slightly pointed ears. Behind him appeared to be a boy of about ten seasons.

  Morgoran handed Veric his cloak. “You remember Toborne.” He indicated the man in green. “And Gondolar of Arillia.” He didn’t bother to recognize the boy. At closer look, Veric realized the boy was much older than he at first appeared.

  “Aye, Toborne.” He extended his hand, but Toborne just stared at it for a moment before finally placing his green cloak into it.

  Gondolar took his hand after he had shifted Toborne’s cloak to his other arm. “Good to see you again, friend Veric,” he said.

  “And you, Gondolar. May I take your cloak?”

  “Not at present. I find your lands a bit nippy for my taste.” He smiled.

  “Of course,” Veric said.

  “Oh, and congratulations on the little one. I remember when Gondrial was still a newborn. Fussy as an old wielder master and mean as a desert rattlesnake. In fact, he still is.”

  “Thank you, Gondolar. I heard that Ianthill will be taking Gondrial as an apprentice soon. You must be proud.”

  “Oh, I am. I just wish his mother were still alive to see him apprentice to one of the First Trine.”

  “I’m sure she sees him and approves, friend.” Veric touched Gondolar’s shoulder with reassurance.

  Sylvalora and Enowene appeared from the baby’s room. Enowene handed little Sheyna over to Morgoran’s waiting arms. Veric was surprised how the old man’s face softened. Morgoran extended his finger to Sheyna, and she grabbed ahold of it.

  “My, look at how strong she is.” He cooed at her, and she smiled. “She smiled at me!”

  “That was probably just gas, Morgoran,” Enowene said.

  “I know a smile when I see one,” he said defiantly.


  Sylvalora greeted each guest in turn until she got to Gondolar. Veric recognized too late that Gondolar had something concealed under his cloak and Sylvalora had seen it. He tried to make his way to him to warn him, but it was too late.

  Gondolar drank from the small silver flask he thought he was hiding. When he realized that everyone was staring at him, he pointed to the small-statured elf, who Veric had mistakenly thought earlier was a boy, and cleared his throat. “This is Kymlie. He’s short because he’s a Kylerie elf.”

  “Gondolar! Are you drunk?” Sylvalora scolded. “You came to see my daughter as a drunken fool? What would Andrell say?”

  Gondolar winced, and then he looked as if he were about to say something, but instead he hung his head at the mention of his late wife’s name. “She wouldn’t stand for it.” He scratched his forearm nervously. “If you all would excuse me for a moment.” He exited out the front door. Kymlie followed.

  “Sylvalora, you know he hasn’t been the same since Andrell died. Why did you have to bring her up like that?” Veric asked.

  “He still has responsibilities, dear. Doesn’t it get your cockles up that he turned up drunk to see your little girl? He better get his priorities straight or he will become a bad influence on his son, Gondrial.”

  “Gondrial will turn out just fine,” Morgoran said. “I have to side with Veric here, Sylvalora. Bringing up Andrell is more likely to cause him to drink rather than to deter him from it.”

  “Of course you would agree with Veric.”

  “Now, hold on, what are you implying?”

  “I think I have been quite clear. This wielders club of yours is men only.”

  “Um um.” Enowene made the sound with her throat.

  Sylvalora pretended to ignore her. “At any rate, it’s time for me to put little Sheyna to bed for her nap.”

  Once she left the room, Veric produced a bottle of cognac and four small glasses. “I think a toast is in order while you are all here.”

  “How long has she been acting like that?” Toborne asked. “I remember her differently; not quite so . . .”