by J. R. Castle
When Kardia finally returned to her room, her mind was bursting with all she’d seen and experienced. Her mechanical hands, as wonderful as they were, could not keep up with her racing thoughts as she tried to relate all she’d seen that day to Leon.
After signing her name to the three-page letter, she rummaged in her pack for what outfit she would wear tomorrow. The kind woman who ran the Inn had offered to wash their traveling garments for all of them. She’d returned their dried and folded clothes to their rooms that evening after supper.
Kardia loved this city almost as much as she did Rodon. Wherever she chose to set down roots, Kardia determined it would have to be a Kingdom town, dedicated to King Shaydon, as the people of Radiance were. The difference from her village, and even from Rodon, was amazing. Rodan had a way to go before it was equal to Radiance. But wasn’t that what Leon was working so hard to accomplish?
The times he’d met her beside the pond, he’d sometimes share that he felt as if he were fighting a losing battle. That he was the only one who wished for things to be better. Or who realized they could be better.
Kardia empathized with him and often wished he did have more help. Too many people were stuck in an attitude of good enough and no longer cared to strive for better.
Maybe if she returned… Kardia shook her head. First things first. She had to meet the King. Tomorrow she’d be escorted through the portal. Tomorrow! Her heart began racing again. At this rate, she’d never get herself to sleep.
About the time she was finally settling into her comfortable bed, a vibration came from under her pillow where she kept her book. The page glowed with Leon’s three-page reply.
“Your letters are the highlight of my day, dearest Kardia. Your enthusiasm and fresh insight with everything you see helps to ground me and keep my eyes on my goal for Rodon. It’s been a few years since I’ve visited Radiance. I’d honestly hoped to travel there with you. Despite my disappointment, I’m pleased with the small advancements I’m already seeing here. Since our encounter with the wizards, and the attack on our White Tree, it seems people have begun to wake up and realize what they have to lose if we aren’t more diligent with what we’ve been given.”
Kardia became so wrapped up in his letter, which she read at least three times, that when she came to the end once more, she hugged the book to her chest and allowed herself to dream of the possibilities.
* * * *
“Kardia,” Riyah placed his hand on her shoulder. They stood beside a shallow pool of water inside the Meeting Hall. It was somewhat like the fountain in Rodon, but this one had stone steps that led up to a wall. Instead of a wall of stone, there was a wall of water. She tried to peer through what looked like the backside of a waterfall. The muted greens and yellows all seemed to blend together.
Nellie had gone through that morning. A couple of hours later, Riyah returned for Jael, but he’d insisted that Nellie go after her sister. When Riyah again returned for him, he seemed hesitant, but Kardia’s nerves had gotten the better of her and she’d insisted that he go first. Now she was the only one left out of the twelve left that had taken the journey from Rodon. The others had passed through yesterday while she was exploring the town with her friends.
“I’ll follow you through, child,” Riyah said. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Kardia swallowed down a ball of fire. “I…I’ve never gone through a portal. Is…is it…hard?”
“I’ll be right behind you. You’ll feel a bit of pressure and for a moment, it’ll be hard to breathe. But it’s only a quick moment, and then you’ll be in Aloblase.”
“In..in the city…or…?”
“I’ll take you to the entrance of Shaydon’s throne room. Like everyone else, you’ll enter through the jade columns. What you’ll see will be…um…different at first. Honestly, if you’ll only take,” he counted the stones, “five steps, then one more, you’ll see for yourself.”
Kardia covered her face, her cheeks burning. She knew she was being silly. Why was this first step so hard? Riyah would not even agree to give her a push. He’d said this was completely her decision. When she decided she was ready, he’d be right there following behind her.
She closed her eyes, trying to make her foot move forward. In her mind, she saw Leon and the way he often rested his hand on his Medallion when he was thinking something over. It meant something to him. It was more than a decorative adornment. And the way his face always softened when he talked about Prince Issah or King Shaydon. They were personal friends to him, someone he deeply respected and had dedicated his life to. And his life, the way he conducted himself, the way he treated her and others, revealed his deep faith in the Kingdom.
She wanted that. Wanted it more than anything she’d ever wanted in her life. Drawing in a deep breath, she moved forward one step. Her boot landed on the first wet stepping stone. The momentary pressure Riyah had mentioned hit her, but in a blink, it was gone.
She took the next step and the next until the curtain of water opened and she was surrounded by greenery, a deep blue sky and tall columns made of precious stones. Her feet stood upon a glistening white path. The sweetest scent, reminding her of a fresh apple on the first cut, or a bouquet of roses pressed to her face, or the taste of honey on her tongue filled her senses.
Riyah stood before her no longer wearing his gray cloak, but instead, a billowing shirt of gold adorned with bands of silver and clear stones upon his broad shoulders. A band of gold circled his head, disappearing under his flowing snowy white hair. At that moment, she saw him with more clarity than she’d ever had before.
“Y—You’re so…Riyah, is that really you?”
He smiled, his hand still resting on her shoulder. “Indeed, child. Are you ready to take a few more steps? He’s waiting for you.”
“He?” Who? Would she finally meet the prince? Or would she be standing before the King first? What should she do? Fall to her face? Beg that they accept her, damages and all. Her throat tightened. A small part wanted to dance with joy over finally having made it to Aloblase. She wanted to shout and throw up her arm in her excitement. Except…
“I’m still right here with you, dear Kardia. When you’re ready.”
Her head bobbed with a nod. She straightened her back and made her way through the two greenish columns. The scents reminded her of her dream of Miltie standing at the entrance to Everlasting, before the curtain that glimmered with all the colors. Then, to her amazement, there it was! Spread out behind two golden thrones that sat on an island surrounded by water as smooth as ice. Growing beside the thrones were the largest, most vibrant Healing trees, the branches laden with bright red fruit.
Her gaze traveled upward, eyes widened at a sky full of shooting stars and balls of lights. It reminded her of the vast fields of wheat she’d stood in with Riyah as they’d gazed up at the black sky filled with thousands of stars.
Riyah remained quietly beside her, letting her take everything in. Suddenly, her pack felt as if it weighed a hundred pounds. She let it slip off her shoulders and fall to the ground behind her. Then she was removing her mechanical hands, not wanting anything that might hinder or keep her from fully experiencing this place. She kicked off her boots and untied her cloak.
Riyah smiled at her as if this was normal behavior. “Go on, child.”
The grass beneath her feet was cool and soft to her weary feet. As she walked toward the edge of the water, a man stood from one of the thrones and made his way toward her, actually walking over the surface of the water. It seemed to grow solid beneath his steps.
“Greetings, Kardia of Goia. Defeater of evil’s bondage. Gifted Sano. Brave soul. Beloved daughter of King Shaydon.” The man’s features became more distinct and even though she’d never met Prince Issah before.
Kardia knew it was Issah, dressed in white and gold. His smile, welcoming, and his earthy brown eyes dancing with merriment as he held open his arms. “We’ve been eagerly anticipating your arrival, dear one. Come and m
eet your King.”
All the wondering Kardia had fretted over faded away and, heedless of the water, she ran forward into his waiting arms. For the first time in her life, she felt as if she was finally and truly home.
Well, hello again.
Did you enjoy this sneak-peek of Gold and Fire? If so, please visit my website to learn about upcoming release dates, special facts about the characters of Rodonal, and more.
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Author’s Note
I hope you enjoyed your time in Alburnium. If you’ve read the White Road Chronicles, or the novella series, The White Road Tales, then welcome back.
For some time, like a few years now, the idea of writing retold fairy tales has played in the back of my mind. I’d think about it, pull out my thick book of Grimm's fairy tales and skim through a few stories, then close the book and forget about it. Nothing ever popped out at me, or rather, came alive for me.
I love reading fairytale retellings. There are some really good ones out there. And they seemed kind of popular. But... I wasn’t sure how to go about retelling my own.
Then, one particular Saturday, I came across a tale that I’d never heard of. And it wasn’t a very cheery tale, matter-of-fact, it was pretty ‘grim.’
After thinking about the story a few minutes, I closed the book and set it aside. A story that wasn’t popular (which meant not overdone) but also pretty dark for me. No thanks.
That night, I woke up around three in the morning, and it’s like someone had dropped a large storybook right into my lap. The Grimm’s story began coming alive and more importantly, I realized I could set it in Alburnium. I would set it in the past, before Alyra and her friends battled with the Lord Darnel.
That one dark story lit up for me and I began to see a few inspirational themes within the original tale. By that morning, I knew I had not one story, but three. And it was more than just the tale about A Maiden Without Hands. It was a tale about being a leader, about standing up for who and what you are in the kingdom, and for hanging onto hope with everything you have because hope is what will get us through the hardest of times.
So, I hope you are eager to hear more of Kardia, Leon, and Darnel’s story. There is more to be told. Are you ready for a new adventure?
More to come,
Jackie Castle
To learn more about The Chronicles of Alburnium, visit my website at https://www.jackiecastle.com/chronicles-of-alburnium
About the Author
Jackie Castle looks for the extraordinary in every ordinary day that she experiences. She is the author of The White Road Chronicles a fantasy series, The Sentinel Archives for school-age readers, and newly released Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast romance series. She has also published articles and short stories in numerous magazines. She's enjoyed many crazy adventures from working as a hairstylist to her bravest quest: teaching children in daycare and elementary schools. Eventually, she settled down to a somewhat safer pursuit of being a Story-weaver.
Now she lives in her comfortable Texas home where she spins marvelous tales and enjoys relaxing in the evenings with her husband Bob, their children and grandchild.
Her favorite pastime, besides reading, is traipsing through her imaginary worlds in search of another story.
Find out more about her shenanigans over at Jackie Castle's Story World: www.jackiecastle.com. There you can also sign up for her monthly newsletter.
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