Whispers of Time

by Gwendolyn Ilimaris

  Contents

  Map

  Title Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chpater 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Thank you

  Preview

  Knowledge of Time

  Appendix and Pronunciation Guide

  About the Author

  Chronicles of Asaetara

  Book 1

  Whispers of Time

  Gwendolyn Ilimaris

  Saehyvn Publishing

  Copyright © 2019 by Andrea McAllister

  All rights reserved. This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without written permission.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imaginations or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2019902711

  ISBN: 978-0-692-10697-6

  Printed in the United States of America

  Saehyvn Publishing: PO Box 64 Clayton, Ohio 45315

  For all my friends and family,

  without whose encouragement this might still be unfinished.

  Whispers of Time

  A young elven woman stood staring at herself in a large ornate mirror in the middle of a large room. Intricate bands of silver and gold formed into the shape of delicate leaves created the frame around the glass. She frowned the longer she took in her appearance. The deep forest green velvet gown she wore fell all the way to the floor and was lined with silver fabric that matched the knotwork running along the hems of the sleeves and neckline. A belt, also silver, wrapped around her slender waist and clasped in the front. The loose end trailed almost to the floor. Her long silver hair, which was usually tied back, was free and flowing with curls that extended down to her waist. The smattering of black and red curls made the rest of her hair seem to shine. Her brilliant green eyes narrowed in discomfort, “Mother, must I wear this?”

  A beautiful, timeless face looked up from the hem of the gown. “Yes darling, it is your coming of age ceremony today. The daughter of the king must always be prepared to set the example.” She stood up and took a step back. “Let me look at you.”

  With an exasperated sigh, the young woman turned in place so that her mother could look at her. She scanned the room as she turned. Her mother’s bedroom was quite large, and the lavish décor complimented the mirror. Long red and brown pieces of silk hung from the high vaulted ceiling and provided a privacy wrap around the bed, which was in the back corner of the room. Plush, dark brown rugs covered the brilliant, white stone floors.

  “I believe there is still something missing,” her mother said, pulling the young woman from her thoughts. She glanced over and watched as her mother walked over to her dressers. Pulling open the top middle drawer of a dark maple dresser, her mother took out a small wooden box. The elder woman smiled when she opened the box and lifted a small delicate tiara from it. It was crafted from slender bands of silver that were braided together into the shape of crescent-shaped leaves.

  “Rilaeya, you look beautiful,” her mother said after she pinned the tiara into daughter’s hair.

  Rilaeya grimaced at her mother’s enthusiasm. She knew her mother would not be so pleased if she knew about the dagger strapped to her thigh. “Mother, you know I dislike it when you call me by my full name. Can you not just call me Rin like everyone else?”

  “No,” her mother replied. “That is not the name that I chose for you. Now come, I have something for you to see before your ceremony.” She took hold of her daughter’s hand and led her across the room to a thick, black wooden door, which she pulled open to reveal a hallway. The two walked together across the white stone floors of the passageway. Rin slowed when they passed the floor to ceiling windows that lined this section of the hall. She gazed with longing at the views of the forest and majestic mountains in the distance. Every part of her wished to be outside and not stuck in the palace.

  With a loud sigh, Rin quickened her pace to keep up with her mother. They made their way down multiple hallways before Rin’s mother stopped in front of a wrought iron door. Rin glanced around with curiosity. She had never been in this section of the palace and the difference between the rest of the light and airy palace and this place was profound. The stone floors here were made of coal black stones, and there were no windows found along the dark, gray stone walls. A handful of torches lining the walls provided dim light.

  Rin’s mother took the nearest torch and placed it in the holder closest to the door before she pulled a chain out of her shirt. It had a small golden key hanging from it, which she used to unlock the door, but she did not open it. She turned to face her daughter.

  “You should be aware of the part of the coming of age that proceeds the ceremony, however, since I know you do not often pay close attention to your studies, I shall remind you.” She paused with a knowing look and Rin just shrugged. “Beyond this door lies the Well of Sages, it is an ancient well that was built prior to our reckoning. When the palace was built they discovered it.” She paused again and looked toward the door. “Every member of the royal family, upon coming of age, is permitted to look into the well. It shall show you one event that may be past, present, or future. The well determines what is most important for you to see. This could affect the course of your li--.”

  “What did father see?” Rin asked.

  Her mother smiled and placed a hand on her daughter’s cheek. “He was shown your birth.”

  Rin’s eyes widened in surprise before she appeared confused. “Why would it show him that? How is that important enough for the well to--?”

  “Now is not the time for these questions,” her mother said, her voice firm. “There is not long before your ceremony and you must decide if you wish to look. Only if you go willingly will the well show you anything.”

  Rin stared at the door beside her and shivered when a sudden sense of dread washed over her. She swallowed hard before she nodded.

  “Very well,” her mother said. “I shall wait for you here. I am not permitted to enter.” She put her hand on Rin’s shoulder. “Keep an open mind, daughter, and learn from what the well shows you.” She took a step back and pulled the iron door open and Rin took a hesitant step through the doorway into an ancient courtyard. Rin looked around in wonder at a place that appeared to be frozen in time. Thick, green vines covered in beautiful white and yellow bell-shaped flowers blanketed the high dark, gray stone walls. Graceful, cascading willow trees filled the majority of the courtyard and prevented her from seeing more than a few feet ahead. A small black stone path led into the grove of trees before it disappeared around a bend. Everything appeared well kept as if it had recently been pruned, but Rin knew that could not be true. The last elf in this courtyard would have been her brother at his coming of age ceremony eight hundred years ago.

  A smile crossed Rin’s face as she walked up to the nearest tree. Willow trees were her favorite, and she held a special connection with them. She held her hand out to the tree and it reached
out a thin, ropelike branch to touch her.

  ‘What is this place?’ She asked with her thoughts.

  The tree’s reply came in a disconnected manner, ‘Sacred… ancient… sad… dangerous.’

  ‘Why is it dangerous?’ Rin’s head tilted as confusion clouded her face.

  The tree and several others around it shook their long branches as if they were agitated. ‘Ahead… well… shows… hurtful.’ The tree tapped her hand with its leaves. ‘Caution… caution.’

  Rin’s brow furrowed when the tree did not say anything else and she lowered her hand. She glanced back at the door leading out of the courtyard. Another feeling of dread coursed through her and she took an involuntary step toward the exit. She stopped and shook her head, it felt like something was beckoning her to continue. Taking a deep breath, she took slow, hesitant steps as she followed the stone path deeper into the grove. After walking for several minutes an opening in the trees came into view. She stepped into the small clearing and found a small well constructed from grey and red stones. It was quite simple and only stood a couple of feet high. When she drew closer to it, she noticed the surface of the water appeared flat like a black sheet of glass. She knelt next to the well and peered into it.

  After waiting a few moments, she frowned when nothing happened. Tilting her head to the side, she hesitated before she reached out and touched the stones with her fingertips.

  “Child of royal lineage,” a voice boomed from the depths of the well. Shocked, Rin tried to jerk her hand away but found it was stuck to the rocks. “You have come to the Well of Sages. The wisdom of the sages must be heeded. We shall show you one event that affects your future destiny. However, be warned that you shall not be able to change the event, nor will you be able to interact with what is shown. Do you wish to proceed?”

  “Yes,” Rin whispered in a shaky voice. As soon as the word was out of her mouth, the scenery around her grew hazy and began to change. A few seconds later, she was no longer in the courtyard. She struggled to fight off the wave of dizziness caused by the sudden change when she noticed, much to her relief, she was no longer stuck to the well.

  She stood and took in her surroundings. A look of awe crossed her face when she found that she was in an ancient forest. The trees around her had dark brown bark with leaves of red and gold. They towered above her and appeared strong and proud. These were makae trees, an ancient breed rarely seen in her time. Her brows furrowed when she realized this must be a long time ago. She reached out to touch one of the trees, but her hand went right through it. Staring at her hand, she breathed a disappointed sigh before she turned away from the tree.

  Looking to the left and right, Rin wondered where she needed to go. She was about to pick a direction and start walking when a sudden movement from above pulled her from her thoughts. An enormous silver dragon passed overhead and without thinking, she started to follow it. She paused and took off her heels when she had to jog to keep up with it. The dragon flew over a clearing in the trees before circling back and dropping to the ground.

  Rin peered around the trunk of a large tree so that she could see the dragon. He was such a deep color of silver that he appeared to have a bluish sheen in the sun. The way he stood, Rin could tell that the dragon was a member of the royal family or nobility at the least. She edged closer but remained hidden in the shadows of the trees as the event started to unfold.

  The dragon scanned the clearing as if he was checking to see if he was followed. His gaze landed on the spot where Rin was hiding and lingered there. He made a soft growling sound that almost sounded like a sigh and seemed to give Rin a sad smile before he looked away. Rin could not help the confusion that crept across her face. The well said that she could not interact with anything, but it seemed like the dragon could see her. She shook her head and turned her attention back to the dragon.

  He stood in the center of the clearing and it appeared as if he believed he had not been followed. Closing his eyes, his body began to glow and a few seconds later he polymorphed to his elven form. He opened his eyes and pushed back the edges of his cloak while he kept a wary eye on the clearing. Rin tilted her head as she observed him. She had the strangest feeling that she should know him. He was tall and lean and wore no armor, just the brown traveling cloak over his clothes. The clothing was crafted from fine cloth of black and gold, and there were silver runes along the hems. His long silver hair was tied back with a bright blue ribbon that matched the streaks of color mixed into the silver. He slid his sword belt to move his katana more to the side before he looked up at the sky with brilliant green eyes.

  “You may land,” he called.

  Two small silver dragons dropped toward the ground from behind a large cloud where they were hiding. Once their claws touched the ground, they both changed into elven form. They were both small boys about the size of a ten and twelve-year-old human. Both boys had silver hair like the older dragon but the older of the two had red streaks while his brother had blue.

  “Can we go to the river? Please?” The older of the two asked while both boys were trembling with excitement.

  “Yes, you may go ahead,” the older dragon laughed. “I shall be along shortly. Be certain to keep an eye on your brother.”

  The older boy rolled his eyes, “Yes, father I know, I always do.”

  Smiling the old dragon waved the two boys off and watched them run into the forest. Once they were gone the smile slipped from his face and he turned his attention back to the clearing. After standing in silence for several minutes he shrugged in impatience.

  “You should come out if you wish to speak, Kilvari,” he called, his voice deep and clear.

  On the far side of the clearing, a tall slender figure walked out from the shadow of the trees. The hood of his cloak was pulled up to conceal his identity. He moved closer to the dragon but did not say anything.

  “Do we hide from each other now, old friend?” The dragon’s voice grew wary as his friend approached.

  “Old friend?” Kilvari sneered as he pulled back the hood of his cloak. “I know about you and Luaera.” His golden hair gleamed in the sun while his bright blue eyes blazed with fury.

  Rin gasped, and her hands flew to her mouth when she realized that she was looking at her father. Her mind started racing while she tried to piece together what was happening. Why did he mention her mother?

  “What do you mean?” The dragon asked as he held up both hands in front of him in a defensive pose.

  Kilvari was quivering with anger. “My ayen just gave birth to a child that is not of my blood. She is yours.” He yelled at the dragon who was supposed to be his closest friend. The dragon appeared dumbfounded for a moment before a look of profound dread crossed his features.

  “We have been used,” he said, his voice filled with apprehension. “Allow me to explain, or we shall begin something that cannot be undone.” He took a hesitant step toward Kilvari.

  “I did not come here to talk,” Kilvari hissed as he jerked out a dagger that was concealed in the sleeve of his cloak. With one quick motion, he stabbed the knife into the dragon’s heart before he could think to reach for his katana. The dragon gasped and stared at the dagger in shock. “This secret will die today. No one shall ever know she is yours, Kanamae.”

  Kanamae sank to the ground when Kilvari jerked the dagger out of his chest. His face was still frozen in shock. He never imagined that his best friend would betray him.

  “H..er n..name?” He somehow managed to stammer between gasps for breath. The dagger had injured his lung and heart and he knew he was not going to survive. His breathing was too labored for him to get enough breath to cast a healing spell.

  Hatred burned on the elf’s face as he glared at him. “My ayen named her Rilaeya.”

  Kanamae’s eyes started to glaze over after he heard the name of his daughter. He struggled to see the spot where Rin was hidden in the trees. “Ri… laeya,” he whispered as he lost consciousness.

  Kilvari watche
d with no remorse while the dragon at his feet bled out and passed. He wiped the dagger off on the grass before he concealed it back inside his cloak.

  “No, no, no,” Rin muttered over and over. She started shaking her head as her mind became lost in turmoil. All she wanted was to look away, but she remained glued to the scene still unfolding.

  Having heard a movement in the trees, Kilvari disappeared back into the shadows before the two young boys came running back into the clearing. They both stopped for a split second before they sprinted to the body on the ground.

  “Father!” The older of the two cried as he dropped to his knees beside the body.

  Rin started to shake when all the pieces fell into place. The children were her best friends, Ronin and Riku. They were the sons of the silver dragon king. She now understood why the murder of their father was never solved. Her father had killed him and made certain to hide it.

  Her heart began to ache as she watched Ronin and Riku cry next to their father. Riku sobbed in desperation as he frantically tried to wake him. Ronin grabbed hold of his little brother around the waist and pulled him away from their father’s body. He forced him to look away. Riku clung to his brother, as he held him, and continued to sob.

  Rin wrapped both arms around herself and fought to keep from trying to reach out to the boys. The pain they were in was almost too much for her to witness. She could not understand how her father could do what she saw. The elf who raised her would not do something like this. She struggled to reconcile what she knew with what she just learned. Her father was Lord Kanamae and the elf who raised her murdered him.

  Unable to continue watching Ronin and Riku, Rin grabbed the side of her head and clamped her eyes closed. “No more,” she cried. Everything started to spin. When it stopped, and she opened her eyes, she found herself laying on the ground next to the well. She scrambled to her feet and dashed through the grove of trees. Every part of her wanted out of this courtyard. Tears streamed down her face as she pushed branches of the willow trees away when they sought to comfort her. When she reached the door, she jerked it open causing her mother to jump in surprise.