by Cara Violet
© Cara Violet 2016
ISBN: 978-0-9953667-1-8
www.caraviolet.com
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Cover by Mitchell Nolte
THE WORLDS OF THE UNIVERSE
FELRIN GALAXY
Felrin System
Felrin – Species: Felrin
Sheroon – Species: Extinct
Rawl – DESTROYED
Roame System
Waterak – Species: Unknown
Rivalex – Species: Gorgon, Giliou, Necromancer
Fewdeter – Species: Jugwugbugy
Dowaric System
Janjuc – Species: Sprite
Valendean – Species: Kinsmen
Vengard – Species: Mandalayn
Flaygoren System
Deposi – Species: Seaq
Rodoli – Species: Cigard
Feldara System
Elzara – Species: Archa
Felderin – Species: Giliou
Delrinmino – Species: Chormeda
Hyravane System
Hilan – Species: Harpy
Whidal – Species: Aquamorph
Tinwala – DESTROYED
Abergot – DESTROYED
Croone System
Croone – Species: Daem-Raal
Havan System
Deloit – Species: Crucibal
Sari – Species: Sarinese
Namea – Species: Necromancer
WHIRLEED GALAXY
Star Systems – Unknown
HOLOM GALAXY
Absentee System
No planets
MILKY WAY GALAXY
Solar System
Mercury – species: N/A
Venus – species: N/A
Earth – species: Preform human
Mars – species: N/A
Jupiter – species: Sewan
Saturn – species: N/A
Uranus – species: N/A
Neptune – species: N/A
The Kaianan Trilogy
Kaianan
Queen Kaianan
Darayan (Companion Novel: Kaianan 2.5)
Kaianan: Anarch
The Prequal Novella
The Battle of Middle Forsda
Contents
KAIANAN
In the Beginning
Prologue
Chapter One: The Rivalex Mark
Chapter Two: The Menial
Chapter Three: The Parting of Ways
Chapter Four: Scripted Conversation
Chapter Five: The Other Side of Rivalex
Chapter Six: The Unexpected Visitors
Chapter Seven: Returning Home
Chapter Eight: The Divide of a Prince
Chapter Nine: Accepting Confrontation
Chapter Ten: All Locked up With Nowhere to Go
Chapter Eleven: Euclidean Vectors
Chapter Twelve: The Truth Exposed
Chapter Thirteen: Earth
Chapter Fourteen: A Rescue Mission
Chapter Fifteen: Acquaintances
Chapter Sixteen: Trustworthy Liars
Chapter Seventeen: Against Better Judgement
Chapter Eighteen: Truth, Lies and What the Heart Wants
Chapter Nineteen: An Uncomplicated Lesson
Chapter Twenty: Ended Beginnings
Chapter Twenty-One: The Underworld of Earth
Chapter Twenty-Two: The Conductor of Earth
Chapter Twenty-Three: The Introduction of Arlise
Chapter Twenty-Four: Necromancers in Layos
Chapter Twenty-Five: Moral Deceit
Chapter Twenty-Six: The Choice of Farewell
Epilogue
KAIANAN
In the Beginning
Two million years ago, Homo sapiens migrated to a galaxy known as Teranullius. This basic order of primate colonised one, rich in habitation planet … Felrin.
After five hundred thousand years and an established colony that had developed limited technology, the species now known as the Felrin, discovered a unique gravitational force, the Siliou, that, as entities, they could manipulate.
They could bend gravity.
The next evolution of the Homo genus began. Homo captiosus, the ‘clever man,’ had evolved. However, with it came disorder and chaos.
Two opposing Homo captiosus realised they had far greater Siliou control than their counterparts. Felrin became a battle ground of power versus power, aura versus aura. And within the next five hundred thousand years and the discovery of individuals that could open up wormholes (Euclidean Vectors), the civilization split and half of the people departed Felrin. Scattered to hundreds of other planets in the Teranullius galaxy, the next one million years saw the evolution of the family and subspecies of the Homo captiosus on hundreds of planets.
But chaos did not waiver for those that retreated to safer planets, even after the first few centuries of colonisation. The aura versus aura battle came to a head on a planet in the Felrin system, Rawl, approximately a hundred thousand years ago. And with the destruction of the planet and the death of the two strongest aura users, the Felrin changed the rules of the Terranullius galaxy. Time would start again, After Aura, or AA, began. Species on all planets became regulated. Progress became stunted. Evolution slowed down. Tribes everywhere were made stagnant in technological development. Everywhere except Felrin.
Renaming the galaxy after their namesake, the Felrin took control of the galaxy and implemented the Universal Order in which the systems would vote to elect a party to run the galaxy every four years.
The first party they placed in power, the Felrin Congress, sought to control the Euclidean Vectors of the remote universe and ceased interplanetary travel; they put a stop to further colonisation outside of Felrin not already established; they implemented language parameters; they took control of the galactic economic structure; they sought to cull back any gifted aura users not of Felrin lineage; and they ensured no other aura or individual would ever come between their mandate again …
Prologue
An immortal to the universe, a man not succumb to aging or natural death, part of an ancient Homo captiosus race stood before a colossal bluestone castle. Like his cousins, the Homo sapiens, he tapped his two big feet, snug in white boots, along the bluestone steps, toward the building’s front doors. He latched his fingers through the inside of his white-hooded robe and tightened, sheltering himself from the heavy rain and horrid night-time weather that had decided to amplify in the past few minutes.
The bailey wall guards; dripping, silhouette shadows standing tall in the dark; stood at his rear observing him as he made his way forward. To them, there wasn’t anything peculiar about this ordinary looking man …
Little did they know, this man had, up until this point, lived a long, laboured life, experiencing thousands of missions across the galaxy. That during this year, After Aura 100,007, or simply AA 100-7, retirement was supposedly upon him. To the rest of the galaxy that knew him, this immortal was known as Dersji Brikin, and his race were known as the Felrin.
Before Dersji enters the castle of the Layos Manor for the first time and ignites a story world in which moves so fast and so bright even he has trouble keeping up, it is wise to pay attention to every detail. Because the how is as important as the why.
How a boy, a girl and a mentor lived through the disparities in a galaxy that was long trying to set itself free.
No more will be said—it’s still pouring rain outside and Dersji Brikin is late. But keep your mind open to the possibilities, that from soon on, this galaxy will be rocked to its core.
Chapter One: The Ri
valex Mark
Tap, tap, tap. Tap, tap, tap.
Dersji Brikin knocked fervently on the wooden double doors of the Layos Manor, lifting the hood of his white robe over his head and squinting through the tiny particles of rain now dropping on him.
“Who is it?” The woman’s voice echoed through the door.
Dersji scowled. “It’s Dersji Brikin … were you not expecting me?”
After a few short moments, the door opened. “My Liege,” the small maiden, dressed as a common servant in a plain dress and apron, bowed and motioned for him to enter.
Dersji wasn’t an impatient man, but as his days of retirement had been sweet and enjoyable, anything taking him away from that annoyed him. He was late, and they may have been asleep, but he was summoned to be here and wasting his time with questions was pointless. He followed the maiden down a dark hall, and she seated him at a table in a very dim room.
“Wait here, please,” with lamp in tow, she departed. Dersji sat alone and couldn’t see much, begging the question they had packed in for the night.
All at once, the room became bright and Dersji’s pupils had to adjust. The first thing he saw was the huge, hanging crystal chandelier in the centre of the room, it was low and the pulsing light it was projecting was streaming out to even brighter walls. The hearth and white mantel piece, which was next to where Dersji sat, opposite a cream lounger, was wrapped around by the lively paint of glitter gold on the walls. The grand room, like the size of a ballroom in Felrin, was shimmering.
Dersji turned his head, and on the right wall itself, was him, reflecting in half a dozen mirrors. Dersji pulled the hood from his head. Wooden and brass framed mirrors of different shapes and sizes filled up every bit of space on the wall.
An odd choice of décor for the Gorgon. Not that he knew much about this world. But the fact the Manor was bluestone and the halls he came through were also castle standard timber and stone, this room seemed out of place.
The only thing he did know about the Gorgon; they were a cross Homo captiosus species, that after maturity could, with the use of hybrid Archaea cells, physically transform to survive in the harsh environment of their ecosystem. An organism many escapee Homo captiosus mutated with when they fled Felrin a million years ago, to adapt to the various difficult living conditions of their new home planets.
He stared back at himself in the most central mirror; two big but tired brown eyes and raised eyebrows that creased a slightly aged forehead stared back at him. He turned a little; examining his jawline, a highlight from his left of centre nose and the few scars across his cheeks that his smart-mouth had earned him over the years. The years that he never aged through. That once maturity hit, and he became a Liege, natural death, unlike his Felrin kind, evaded him. Dersji lived carelessly when he worked for the Felrin, and he probably had reasons, not just to have a few scars and disjointed nose, but to be dead ten times over.
His long brown mane had tumbled out of its topknot; he fixed it, tying up the top half of his hair in a messy bun.
“Liege Brikin, you’re here.” He heard the female voice over his shoulder and turned to regard a smallish woman wearing a shiny green robe hurrying down the white steps of the grandiose stairway that was at the other end of the room.
The woman was carrying a child, perhaps a year old, squirming in a dress of the same green material. She reached the white tiled floor, and moving from out behind her was a young boy. They headed for Dersji. The boy, skipping to keep up with the woman, was smiling at Dersji as his long blonde strands kept bouncing around on his shoulders after every stride. He looked no more than eight. He was dressed in shabby garb and had dirty cheeks and hands.
“Admiring the wall?” The woman’s voice was thick in authority as she neared.
Dersji stood when they reached him and noticed the woman’s expression alter. Closer up, she seemed excited. He focused on her curly auburn hair framing her high cheekbones, white teeth, and eyes as green as jade. Her robe gave her away; extravagant silk and detailed embroidery of the Layos royal seal and with that he knew this was Queen Lady Agantha. He bowed. She was attractive. It had been a while since Dersji had contact with anyone, let alone female contact. Where was her husband?
“Welcome, my Liege, I’m Queen Agantha, and – er – Liege Brikin … you’re wet … and – dirty,” she alerted him with a change in her voice, this one of regal arrogance.
He glanced down to his white chestplate over a semi-creased white tunic, and under a robe that was dripping water on the floor. His tight, durable Felrin black slacks, perhaps the only thing not completely dirty or soaked on his body.
“So it seems …” Dersji looked to her and realised she was waiting on something else. “Apologies,” was all he could manage and she gave him a sharp nod. He couldn’t keep this up for long if she thought her status was superior to his. He may be in retirement, but he was still a Liege who deserved respect.
“No, that’s fine,” she said smiling. “Your boots, too, would you like some clean clothes? I can arrange …”
“No, I’m fine,” he replied abruptly.
“I must say,” she began, her eyes analysing Dersji, “I’ve only met one other Liege before you. I am sure your reputation precedes you.”
Dersji hid his face and nodded. That reputation was glorified by the Felrin; Dersji Brikin takes down Mugadeer pest; Liege Brikin flushes away stoic plague; the list of operations for the Felrin definitely did not precede him. It might be well known in the galaxy that the immortal Liege were the Felrin’s weapons to maintain their governance, but after his time with them, Dersji found himself bitterly conflicted. He’d lost all respect for his own kind, and even being here, he felt no pride or regard representing them.
“Did you enjoy your journey to Rivalex?” Her penetrating stare regarded him as if this was her attempt at small talk.
He almost laughed. Enjoy his journey? He’d been living here, in a small cabin in the Valley Woods for almost a month on the previse he wouldn’t be disturbed, that he could live quietly in peace. Dersji specifically chose Rivalex to exile because civil unrest had plagued them for years and it was not a tourist destination. It was the perfect location for Dersji to live and avoid bumping into anyone from his past.
“I know the Valley Woods quiet well,” he admitted.
“Oh, you do?” Her voice rose. “It’s a very dense forestation. Plenty of good wood though, beautiful Miry trees.”
“Oh yes,” Dersji agreed, “very dense and perfect for disappearing.”
Queen Agantha’s face went blank, then she took a breath and continued. “Well, my husband and I are thankful you are here, Liege Brikin.” Dersji forced a smile. “The Felrin have always been so good to us.”
“Please, call me Dersji, Your Highness, and it’s in the Felrin’s best interest to please you madam, they’ve got votes to populate and a galaxy to control.” He had made a point not to think of or discuss the Felrin since his exile so the sarcasm in his tone was most probably notable.
“Yes, I can understand that, nonetheless they’re still a good people.”
“Are they? All they seem to do is sit atop the hierarchy and gloat,” Dersji said obnoxiously.
“Liege Brikin,” she began in surprise, “I’m sure they wouldn’t take kindly to your words, and well, aren’t you a Felrin?”
“Oh yes,” Dersji got out reasonably entertained with himself. “Surprisingly so.”
With her jaw slightly agape, the Queen cocked her head. “It was your people, the Felrin, who saved our people from the Defeated King. They deserve to sit atop the hierarchy, we elect them to be there.”
Elected them, the people did. But how the Felrin had treated Dersji in his last few years living on his homeland gave him reason to despise them.
“Oh right, saved the Gorgon did they … When was that?”
Her eyes slid wider in angry amusement. “One thousand years ago they saved us.”
“Hmm.” Dersji’s mind was bl
ank.
“That’s why you’re here.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.” The Queen moved the little girl over to her other arm. “Because when the Defeated King died, a plaque appeared in the Hunted Gorge.”
“Did it?”
“Yes,” she said harshly, outwardly annoyed. “The words of the plaque … it’s about my child. The one you’re here to protect. Were you not given the information?”
Indeed, Dersji had been sent something, he just hadn’t read it properly, and he didn’t care if she thought this lack of knowledge, rude. “I suspect the Felrin didn’t have time to give me all the information … could be a few holes …” he muttered the last part out almost incoherently. He was dreaming of declining the Felrin, unsheathing his blade and sparring them all to the death should they not have accepted his decision…
“Your highness,” the young boy piped up, “I’d be happy to take sir to the Gorgy, it’s just a few short stops down the Valley—”
“Oh, dear child!” Agantha laughed. “Whatever would you do that for?”
Dersji cast his eyes over the filthy brat and pursed his lips in disgust. “Yes, whatever would you do that for—”
“Liege Brikin is more than capable to go himself.” Agantha’s eyelids fluttered toward him.
Dersji was certain she had lost every ounce of her attractiveness in that one movement. “Yes, why not, do some research, it’s not as if I had anything planned …” he then proceeded to rumble under his breath: “like drink rum, or I don’t know, scribble manuscripts, even plant—”
“That’s settled then!” Agantha’s excited voice cut off Dersji’s thoughts and made him cringe. “Tomorrow I’d like a full report on the Rivalex Prophecy plaque in the Hunted Gorge. Would be nice to get a Liege Shiek’s point of view.”
Would it? Dersji hadn’t acted like a Liege in months. He had little to no motivation to tap back into his old life either. Yet could he decline her? What would the Felrin say, something along the lines of: ‘we’ll detain you and possibly kill you if you refuse’. He gritted his teeth and gave her a fake smile as the boy found his voice again.
