Tides of Fate

by Sean J Leith

  TIDES OF FATE

  The Origins of Life and Death: Part One

  Sean J. Leith

  Copyright © 2019 Sean J. Leith.

  No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher.

  First publication: January 2019.

  For permissions, contact:

  sleith5@gmail.com

  https://www.seanjleith.com

  Cover by J caleb design.

  Maps developed using Wonderdraft.

  All rights reserved.

  ebook ISBN-13: 978-1-9995476-1-5

  CONTENTS

  Title

  Special Thanks

  World Maps

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-one

  Chapter Forty-two

  Chapter Forty-three

  Chapter Forty-four

  Chapter Forty-five

  To those that believed in me.

  Jess, Renée, Dad, Mom, Steph, Scott, James, Jenny, Victoria, Hillary, Caitlyn, Kristen, and all others.

  Thank you.

  Most of all, a special thanks to those who inspired me to create this world.

  Alexander Williams

  Eli Washburn

  Lucas McArthur

  Michael Hayes

  Nicky Hayes

  William Denis

  Chapter One

  The Rule of Three

  Lira Kaar

  For the first time, the Loughran militia came to Lira’s village of Solmarsh with more than a king’s mark on the banner. They wanted every citizen who could lift a weapon, in the name of the new King—and the royal god. The sigil of King Fillion Drayfus—the scroll on a field of bright, fiery orange—was embroidered on the shoulders of every soldier less than a year after his crowning. The violet eye of Lornak, the newly worshipped god, accompanied the King’s mark. Lornak was powerless since the war with Shiada, Lira’s goddess, but times changed.

  My lessons stated he would not be imprisoned forever, she thought. Fate tells of his return. Lira stopped sewing to rub her calloused fingers, which hurt from working all day. She pricked herself twice as often as usual. She tightened her grip on the needle to stop herself from shaking. It wasn’t her she worried for; she couldn’t swing a blade to save her life.

  Her brother, Noren, worked in the iron mines, and he was one of the first on the conscription lists. If he didn’t die in battle, he could be imprisoned for disobedience. Dark rumors of jailing with no trial, release, or even an execution spread across Loughran like wildfire. Friends went to visit their loved ones in the jails, and they were moved for no reason. It was said many of the conscripts of the army were mysteriously missing from the ranks as well. They’re only rumors, Lira reminded herself.

  But rumors hide a sliver of truth.

  The plated steps of many echoed from beyond her front door, and commands being yelled. They’re here. She wondered where Noren was. He was a little late coming back from the mines. She didn’t dare go outside while the soldiers prowled the streets.

  Lira stayed inside most of the day, being a clothier. She was far from the priestess she could have been. To her dismay, the church denounced her potential for healing magic. The six-pointed sun branded upon the back of her hand reminded her that she ‘wasn’t worth the time or effort.’ She kept to what she was best at.

  “Outta the way, Harvey,” a shrill voice snapped from beyond her front door. “I got here first.”

  A knock pounded at her door. The heavy steps pounded the dirt beyond, and Lira feared drawing a gaze from state soldiers. Her dark skin glowed in the sun gleaming through the window, but with each of the battalion’s steps, the light subsided as thick clouds passed over her village.

  “I have to get these sweaters to my wife and daughter before I leave, Laura,” a male voice pleaded. “They’re near my home.”

  “And ma husband needs the linens before he’s gone!” Laura growled. “If I don’t hurry, he’ll have nothin’. Or he’ll get in trouble. Not to mention you still owe me five pounds of fish.”

  “And the leathers I ordered?” Harvey snarled. “Are those still waiting?” Trent continued with some less-than-kind words, and she only retorted more angrily.

  Lira hopped off her chair and placed her needles down. She bounded toward the door in a panic. Swinging it open, the gruff Harvey and portly Miss Pollard turned vicious gazes toward her. A battalion of soldiers wearing the scroll of drayfus marched by. Two turned their gaze toward her, to which she drew her eyes to the ground before speaking to her customers.

  Miss Pollard shoved Harvey aside. “Finally! I was worried you’d be taken too, Miss Lira. I gotta get ma linens before—”

  Harvey cut in and walked in front of Laura. “—me? You gotta be kidding.”

  Lira held up her hands to the two. Trying to keep her voice down, she said, “Please, please, don’t argue. Why don’t you come in and I’ll see what I can do. Maybe I can help you work something out?” She gave the best smile she could, today of all days.

  She led the two friends inside and started passing through her racks of clothing. She glanced toward Laura and tried to picture her husband. Tall, six-feet and two inches, she reckoned, and picked a linen or two that she’d made previously. Lira motioned to a set of chairs she made earlier that year. “I won’t be long.”

  The two didn’t sit down. Glaring at one another was clearly more important. Everyone is on edge today.

  Lira decided to lend a hand while she searched. What she was best at. Mediating. “Do you need leathers, Harvey?” she asked. “I have a few.”

  “Three.” Harvey grumbled. “But she’s the one who owes me.”

  Lira drew her mouth to the side as she looked from one piece of clothing to the next. “It’s very unlike Laura to owe anything to anyone. Is something wrong?”

  Laura shuffled in her stance. “Ma husband hasn’t been able to do any huntin’ recently. With the soldiers comin’, he’s been tryin’ to spend more time with Sara and I.”

  Lira gave Harvey a look. Go easy on her.

  Harvey’s wife was half a foot shorter than Lira, five feet and five inches, possibly. Picking out a forest green-dyed wool sweater. She eyed it thinking, perfect! His daughter Marie was still young, so Lira found something bright and appropriate. Lemon yellow was Lira’s favorite color. It made her happy. She felt that was important for a daughter about to lose her father to the force beyond her door. A force ordered by the King—or something more.

  After denouncing the
rule of the young prince, Lord Drayfus claimed the throne, and kept it with the support of the nobles in the west. Rumors of unrest spread across the land, including the stirring of the savage hordes of the Broken across the sea, vying for Renalia themselves.

  “As for the fish,” Lira said quietly, picking out one additional linen. “The Trents lost one of their boats. Taken by the soldiers recently for their own uses. So that’s why they have less.” She went to her sets of order parchment and scribbled a note down.

  “Why didn’ ya jus’ say that?” Laura said, looking to Harvey with a somber eye. “I wouldn’ have been so hard on ya if ya just told me.”

  Harvey just shrugged, eyes at the floor. Ashamed.

  When the late King Bracchus Tirilin died, the world groaned. The lack of resources was only the first wake from the sundering of one land into three nations. Rebellion came next under the name of the Scions of Flame—who, luckily, were far from Lira’s home.

  With a heap of clothing in her arms, Lira sauntered toward them. She placed three sweaters into Harvey’s arms. “Make sure these fit,” she said.

  With her other strained arm, she took three lengths of leather meant for tunics in orders to come and handed them over with a bright smile. “Here.”

  Before he could reply, Lira turned to place the four linens in Miss Pollard’s arms and handed over the note. “Here! Give this to Porra. She owes me a favor. She mentioned they had good luck with their fishing in past days, so she’ll get you what you need.” Lira just smiled, hoping to help friends through a difficult time.

  Stunned, the two customers and friends barely stuttered their next words. “Th—thank you,” they both said quietly. They looked at each other with sullen expressions, both apologetic, and fearful of the time to come.

  Lira just smiled sweetly in response and gave a shrug. If it made them happy in their time of need, she had no qualms with it.

  She felt the same as they—worried for their family. Lira knew that all too well. She leaned in to give each a hug, wishing Laura hope for her husband, and wishing Harvey luck in his battles to come. The light outside faded with the clouds, and Lira lit a few candles and lanterns to see. “Would you like to stay for tea?” Lira asked. Hoping for company in a time of need.

  “I wish, Lira, but I need ta get back to ma husband.”

  Harvey nodded. “My wife and daughter will love these. I can’t thank you enough.”

  Family. Something Lira would soon lose. She scratched the nape of her neck. She wished Noren was home, worrying what the militia might do. Just as she thought it, he burst through the door in a panic.

  Laura and Harvey quickly scooted out the door, each giving Noren a somber nod.

  Lira rushed toward her brother and gave him a tight embrace. “Is everything okay? What’s going on out there?”

  Noren’s dark skin glistened in the candlelight, and his breaths were quick. “They’ve come.” He rushed over to her large felt chair and collapsed into it. He tried to stifle his shallow breathing. After she followed him over and sat down, he placed his hand on Lira’s cheek and gave a woeful smile. “I know you don’t want me to leave. But it’s for us. I have to. You know I do. Father is still in the Monastery to the south. You won’t be alone.”

  “Father hasn’t paid attention to us ever since mother died. I miss him, but he hasn’t tried to visit us,” Lira mumbled. “I don’t want you to go.” The faint pattering of rain danced across the wooden roof above. “I like this place, but it wouldn’t be the same.” She had some close friends but that was it. Calvin Daggart, the man who pursued her, was close to her, but he made her slightly uncomfortable. She had no interest in him, or anyone else, for that matter.

  “Stay here, Lira. It’s better for both of us, I promise,” Noren said. “I’ve tried to protect you for as long as I can, and now I’m doing the same. I want to keep you safe.” He slowly got up and began to pack what clothing he had.

  “Why? Why you?” Lira cried. “Why do you have to go?” She shot up and pulled hard on her brother’s arm. I don’t need to be protected. I just don’t want to be alone. For reasons she could never explain, she never handled loneliness well.

  “They want able-bodied people for the army. With brutal rebels scouring the lands and towns, they need even more than before. If I don’t go, they’ll throw me in jail. Maybe both of us!” he exclaimed. “I want you to stay safe in Solmarsh. A war against two armies and a savage band of rebels is no place for you.” The Scions of Fire, the rebels were called. Their leader was part of a race borne of fire, having a subtle flame flick over his hair. They burned a stronghold not far from the capital a month past but hadn’t come anywhere near Solmarsh yet.

  She couldn’t believe what she heard. What am I supposed to do? Sit in Solmarsh forever? She and her brother moved there recently to live near their father in the temple to the south. “What about the rumors of the missing soldiers, or the prisoners?” she yelled. “There are rumors of King Drayfus using dark magic to forward his influence. What if things get worse?”

  “Lira!” Noren pulled her into an embrace. “I’m doing this for you. If you stay here, nothing bad will happen. The town is safe,” he said in a comforting voice.

  I’m not helpless, she thought. She and Noren had been together since birth. She worried that he would become just a memory. Casualties were high during the war, so Noren’s chances weren’t good. Not only that, but a rebellion began, and Loughran was vulnerable with the militia fighting off both the new nations of Orinas and Zenato.

  “I’ve heard terrible things about the leader of this recruiting regiment, please stay inside.” He held her steady. “Look at me,” he said quietly. “Please, stay here.”

  Lira didn’t see why she had to. What could possibly happen if she watched him go? Lira hated not seeing family off; every time her father left for work to maintain the trade roads and tend to the repairs, she would follow him down the road. She wasn’t going to be taken for the military—she wasn’t strong enough.

  Lira looked deep into Noren’s dark eyes. “Okay, I will,” she lied, comforting him for now. She needed to see him off if he was to go.

  A bludgeoning knock came from the door. “Open up! Your King demands it!” a man yelled from outside.

  Noren looked to the door before turning to her. “Get in the other room and close the door,” he ordered.

  She nodded quickly and rushed to her bedroom, closing the door. Dark clouds covered the skies outside her window. Thunder rumbled as she heard the front door open.

  “Noren Kaar?” the man asked.

  “Yes sir. That’s my name,” Noren replied. “Are you here for recruitment?”

  “Don’t be cheeky!” the man yelled.

  Lira heard a bludgeoning sound, and a body hitting the floor. She covered her mouth, holding back the squeak of a cry. She heard someone get up shortly after.

  “My name is Captain Vicks Regar. Come with us. Is there anyone else in the home?” Vicks asked.

  “No, no one else,” Noren said.

  Lira heard the rain begin to hammer down on the wooden roof of their home, echoing the pounding of her heart. Some water trickled through and dripped on the floor. Why would he say no one? She was hardly able-bodied. Lira wouldn’t be able to carry herself in heavy armor, nor was she skilled in combat. They wouldn’t take her, so why would it matter? She would only stay until they left. She heard the ruffle of bags, and the door closing. Lira rushed to the front door, and carefully opened it a crack.

  Rain crashed upon the ground; the dirt and stone road was muddy and drenched. Twenty men carrying rucksacks followed a team of soldiers along the road. Noren hurried into line with who she assumed to be Vicks, at his back. Lira’s lip curled in as she watched. Tears formed in her eyes from the feeling that she wouldn’t see her brother ever again. She was overcome with emotion, and recklessly abandoned her brother’s order.

  Bolting outside, she yelled, “Noren!” She had to say goodbye.

 
; Everyone turned to her, including Noren. He showed only un-paralleled fear. “No,” he mouthed to her.

  “Well, well, what do we have here?” Vicks observed. “You’re a beautiful little flower,” he said as he sauntered up to Lira. He was as tall as her, nearly six feet, but with twice the broadness. He pulled the neckline of his thin leather jerkin and scratched his clean-shaven face. He gave a curious smile of mottled teeth, to which Lira responded with a visceral cringe. Vicks ran his gauntlet softly through her soaked black hair, slowly looking her body up and down.

  Lira was paralyzed with fear. He suddenly grabbed her by the neck, tighter than a giant’s grip. She coughed and struggled, trying to smack his hand away as she gasped for air.

  “I don’t like being lied to.” Captain Vicks glared back at Noren. “You know, the Capital has been looking for soldiers the war, even women. A higher purpose than combat, they say. Gods only know why. They’re useless, if you ask me. We do as King Drayfus commands.”

  A pause crept between them as the energy was drained from her. He said, “—and he follows the word of a god, which we can’t dispute, either.” He let her neck go. “Come on, girl, we’ll bring you with us. Biggs, Wedge, keep the recruits going, don’t just stand there.” Vicks grabbed her by the arm and dragged her along.

  As she resisted, Vicks somehow couldn’t pull her with all his strength. “Let me go!” she screamed. She didn’t know how she stood strong as he slid in the mud, but kept her stance.

  “What in the hells? Do not resist, woman!” He pulled but could not move Lira from her stance. Two more guards tried pulling her, and once again, she wouldn’t budge. “She’s stronger than she looks!” After sliding in the mud, Vicks and the others let her go.

  As she stumbled back, he swiped his steel gauntlet across her face, smashing her to the muddy ground. He pulled his long blade from a scabbard at his hip. “I’ve had it with you already, you little wench.” As he raised his sword high, steel punctured through the left of his chest covered in blood.

  Noren stood behind, staggering back with wide, panicked eyes, leaving the sword in the commander’s torso.