Lore Rune (Rune Trilogy Book 1)

by Catherine Beery

  Decided on that future course of action, I opened the book to continue where I had left off last night.

  Skyma 18th, 94 AC

  Koal Carigrin’s fortress will likely be my grave… I know I shouldn’t think like that. But I, I am afraid. I’m jealous of the Lady. She is so calm and collected as certain doom sweeps toward us. And while I am being frank here in the privacy of my own written thoughts, I try to emulate her for the men and women under my command. They can’t know that I am doing everything I can to not fall to the ground and wail like a child when I see those monsters that are coming for us.

  Right now it is so quiet, in and outside the walls. One could almost forget the Corruptors are out there. It is so silent. If one were to stand on the wall, ignore the hushed bustle of preparations, and just stare out over the trees of the Old Wood one could almost forget that evil surrounds us. And it truly does. Because if one looks down… there it is. A black, oily moat of the malignant nightmare.

  Things that the mind cannot fathom lurk down there. In broad daylight. It is like having a nightmare, except I know that I’m awake…Which is so much worse. No escape… except perhaps in death.

  I don’t want to die. I don’t want anyone to die.

  Ardiheim may have been built with defense in mind… but only against enemies of this world. Not from the territory of bad dreams.

  Curtis irel Spirizien told Lady Kata Kimbri dae Ano and I that the Corruptors come from a separate plane… something he called the Other or the Abyss. I don’t know what he is talking about, being the simple soldier that I am. But looking at those things makes me believe that I’m looking into an abyss. A hopeless one.

  The silence is killing me. I want to DO something. Kill the enemy. Beat him into a satisfactory palp that can never cause me problems again. But I can’t. Swords and arrows are kind of futile against things of shadow. Only magic can do anything really. I don’t have magic like the Lady or Curtis. I want to pace, but pacing will destroy what moral of those who for some reason look up to me have. It would destroy the hard work the Lady has put into keeping them calm and full of hope.

  I can’t keep sitting here like this, though. I really can’t. I’m going to take a walk on the wall and look into the distance, so I don’t have to see how royally fucked we all are.

  I must have a dark sense of humor. I must because for some reason that last line made me smile slightly. Not at the situation the man had been in. That, frankly, terrified me. But I guess it was just how he wrote it. It’s almost sarcastic. Perhaps he and I have a similar sense of humor. I hope so. I feel a kinship with him.

  Around me, the rest of my class trickled in. Because of where I was, they didn’t really notice me. It was also early in the morning. None of them were quite awake yet. I turned my attention back to the journal.

  I frowned at the passage I had just read. Obviously, I recognized the mage title given to Lady Kata Kimbri. She was a hero of legend. A renowned daughter of the Ano mage family. But I only vaguely recognized the mage title Curtis had. Irel Spirizien? Where had I seen it before? I chewed on my lip for a moment, but no inspiration struck. I tucked the question away for later research, my eyes reaching for the next journal entry.

  Skyma 19th, 94 AC

  The people rejoice.

  Shouts of jubilee echo through these halls of Ardiheim. The tide of evil has left. No one knows when the living nightmares left. But they are gone. The forest sings again. I forgot that forests actually have a song of their own, it has been so silent for so long. The sun shines, life sings, and we are alive.

  I feel the same hope that my men and women do, but… I –

  “We finally get to go into the Wood!” Lily Plavea exclaimed excitedly when she entered the room. Everyone turned to look at her, including me. I wanted to roll my eyes, way to make an entrance I thought. But that was Lily for you.

  “How do you know that, Lily?” Mol Plavea demanded.

  “I heard the teachers discussing it.” She replied primly as she flounced to her seat and sat down. As she had wanted, everyone flocked to be by her. Being able to go into the Wood was a huge step in becoming a mage for all families of the Solzien Clan. The Wood was, after all, the Solzien Mage Clan’s responsibility to police and make safe for humans and Kindred.

  It was also home to many mysteries. I’m sure my cousins dreamed of fighting/ controlling elementals with their spells. What they forget is our job is to promote peace between the elementals and mortals. Not fighting and controlling. But I was apparently the only one listening during that part of the lesson.

  I guess I couldn’t be too hard on them. We were young, and power goes to people’s heads, no matter the age. What bothered me was that they just thought about the ‘glory’ of war. The flashing lights and how to be a hero. More importantly, the praise that comes with being a hero.

  To fill this need they have, they only read the colorful stories told about those wars. None of them are interested in reading firsthand accounts. Too dry! Too boring! Where is the cool stuff? The FUN and IMPORTANT stuff??

  Not interested in feeding into Lily’s ego I turned back to General Ketera’s journal. If what she said was the truth than the teacher would soon announce it. Lily and her fans were safely on the other side of the room. They were too busy right now to bother with me, which was a relief. I searched for where I left off. There it is…

  I feel the same hope that my men and women do, but… I can’t shake the feeling that this won’t last. This feels like a trap. I think the Lady and Curtis feel it too. I don’t like when I can’t see my enemy.

  Skyma 31st, 94 AC

  People were beginning to grumble about being forced to stay in Ardiheim. None of them could understand why we were not moving out. Going home. Whatever. No matter what they said, the Lady would not be swayed to change her mind. Only their love of her kept them from rebelling.

  But their patience had been wearing very thin.

  And now refugees are coming in. Not many. But enough to be concerning. They come from all around. All of them have a similar story: monsters from nightmares came and attacked. Everything they touched died. There was no fighting them. Only those who managed to escape the doomed towns were able to reach us. And only because they were incredibly lucky.

  Or allowed.

  I’m just a simple soldier, but even I know that a sure way of lowering morale in an enemy would be to let a few refuges go to them and spread fear. Not only does it do that harmful thing, but also strains the resources of the enemy. Especially if one has them pinned down.

  We’ll need more supplies soon. Not more mouths. It seems our enemy is more cunning than we ever wanted them to be.

  Curtis has just let the Lady know that the corruptors are coming back for us. Some of my lookouts reported right after him that they see movement in the distance. The forest’s normal song has ended. All we hear now is the song of destruction.

  Looking out the window, I can see with my own eyes the trees withering and dying in moments. I can hear the screams of timber and beast. The crack of wood and the crash of each tree. I swear, nothing is more unnerving than hearing nothing but the felling of hundreds of trees all around us.

  The enemy has returned.

  Only the mages have a chance against them, but what will us normal folk do? I can’t shake the feeling that I’m going to die here. All those people fled to a mass grave. I must find productive things for them to do. Busy work that hides behind usefulness.

  I hear the horn. The attack has begun.

  Chapter 3

  “Seats! Everyone to your seats! We have a busy day today!” Aunt Sage dae Plavea announced upon entering the room. She was a distant aunt of mine from another Solzien clan village. There are many throughout the world. Same with the Terrazien Clan. But ours was the ruling village. The final word in debates and making policy that affects everyone. But each clan village was able to run independently. To keep the families close, members move between villages. Some stay in a new
location, others return to the village of their birth.

  Aunt Sage came from a Solzien village in Rainterra’s thick wet forests. I had overheard once that she thought the Old Wood was dryer than she thought it would ever be. She liked it because it gave her a chance to dry out, but not wither to nothing.

  The class scrambled to their seats. Before any of my classmates could notice or Aunt Sage could scold me for not paying attention, I slipped General Ketera’s journal into my bag. Aunt Sage waited until there was quiet before she began. Excited by the promise of going into the mysterious and dangerous Old Wood, my cousins surprised me by how quickly they managed to be quiet.

  Aunt Sage nodded to herself when she noted the quickness as well. She then straightened, folding her hands before her. “Today is an important day for you. A potentially dangerous one, but we cannot grow without a little risk.” The class waited with bated breath when she paused. “For the last month, you have been prepared for this day. Seeing a dried herb is not the same as finding the living plant. Being able to tell Dream Flower from Firestar Weed is important… can you tell me which is the deadly one?” She asked curiously.

  Dream Flower. I looked about to see if anyone would answer. My cousins glanced at each other. Feeling incredulous I itched to raise my hand. That may get me on the teacher’s good side. May help me later on in proving that I know what is what… but it would also draw my cousins’ attention.

  I’ll prove it during a test or something. I thought bitterly, gripping my hand to keep it under my desk.

  Time passed slowly. Eventually Aunt Sage sighed. “I am disappointed. Learning does take time.” She said with a nod. “however, I expect you to pay better attention out in the field. Here, you are safe. Out in the Wood, even the tamer sections, mistakes are not always or easily forgiven. You can get hurt out there. You will get hurt out there. It only takes time.” Aunt Sage cautioned.

  My excited cousins lost some of their excitement. Of course, we have always heard of the Wood. What lurks out there, what has happened to others… But it was a distant shadow outside. But soon we will be going out there. And having Aunt Sage tell us we will get hurt out there was a rather sobering thought.

  “In a few minutes, a few full mages will be joining us. They will be teaching and protecting you in the Wood. Follow their directions without hesitation. We will be showing you some interesting secrets/ landmarks the Wood holds and pointing out where to find important herbs in relation to them.”

  My hand rose without my bidding. Aunt Sage blinked before asking “What is it, Kel?” Everyone turned to look at me.

  I heard Mol mutter “he probably wants to know if he can stay somewhere safe.” A few chuckled at that.

  Aunt Sage ignored them as I flushed. I wanted to shrink away, but I figured I might as well ask what I was going to ask. “Will one of those landmarks be Ardiheim?”

  “Ardy what??” Mol and his buddies asked blankly.

  Aunt Sage looked surprised. “What do you know of Ardiheim?”

  Well, you have their attention anyway. Might as well… I thought to myself before saying. “Only that it is an ancient fortress that has been rebuilt a few times. Most recently by Lord Koal Carigrin in 90 AC. It was the site of the Battle of Shadow and Flame that Lady Kata Kimbri dae Ano took part in.” At her name, I saw some of my cousins nod in understanding. Everyone knew who Lady Kata was.

  Aunt Sage nodded, looking a little stunned. “That – that is correct. How do you know this?”

  “Histories,” I replied looking down. Mol, Loam, and Rowan were starting to look rather annoyed… which meant that they would likely take it out on me. As soon as no one was looking. No adult that is. I kinda wished Aunt Sage would move onto something else. When I realized she was still looking at me, I muttered: “I like reading.”

  “Ah. Well…” she gave me a measuring look for a moment before answering my original question. “I’m afraid the ruins of Ardiheim are not safe enough for a first foray into the forest. It is deep in the Wood and in some of the more untamed regions. No, it is not a place for any of you. Not until you are older and have a better mastery of magic.”

  Mol snorted. “Then it will never be a good place for Kel. He’s a coward. Hides in the library… screams at shadows…” With a particularly nasty look in my direction he added, “wet his bed because of a little nightmare.” My cousins started to laugh while Aunt Sage tried to sush them. I, meanwhile, wanted to die of embarrassment.

  “Why were you so scared again?” Lily asked in a sweet voice. I fell for that tone of voice once. Thinking she was sincere. That she actually cared… I won’t ever do that again.

  “That is enough.” Aunt Sage said severely.

  “Aunt Sage, I don’t think it’s a good idea for Kel to go into the Old Wood. He might get hurt… or get someone else hurt.” Lily advised.

  “Thank you for your advice, Lily.” Aunt Sage said dryly, “But everyone must go into the Wood at least four times. After that, your supervisors will decide who is mature and safe enough to continue to be allowed to go into the Wood.” I don’t know if it was just my imagination, but I thought she looked pointedly at Mol and his friends while she was speaking.

  Unaware of her look, Mol, Loam, Rowan, and Lily gave me knowing looks. My other cousins looked more concerned with the Wood and their own future as mages to think of me and the frightful four.

  There was a knock on the door. Aunt Sage called for whoever it was to enter. Frena, an older, closer in blood to me cousin, and several other full Plavean mages entered the room. My year mates couldn’t stop gaping over the appearance of full mages ready to go out into the Wood. There was something cool about seeing the dark trench coats with their many pockets for bits of plant matter, the tough hiking boots, and the walking staves that served as a physical weapon, channel for magic, and walking stick.

  “Thank you for coming. We are almost ready to head out.” Aunt Sage said putting on her own trench coat. “Alright now, I’m going to assign you to a guide. You stick close to your guide. I do not want any accidents on this trip.” She said with a hard look at all of us.

  “Yes ma’am.” We all said in something about unison. My mouth felt dry, but not with fear as my cousins would likely assume. It was excitement. Finally, I was going into the Old Wood. I had read so much about it…

  I wasn’t sure whether to be thrilled or not when I was selected to be with Aunt Sage along with Lily, Rue, and Jay.

  Our Solzien village is in a large, beautiful, tamed clearing in the Old Wood. There is only one road that is policed by Solzien mages that leads to the outside world. It was the only safe/ reliable route to our village. The village often reminded me of a large open sunlit meadow.

  The Old Wood is the opposite. I hadn’t realized how close and dark it would be under the eves of the trees. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised… but I was. Things skittered about just beyond sight. I figured some were squirrels and avenaka and other such small animals. But they were by no means the only small creatures out here. Elementals came in all shapes and sizes. Some didn’t like humans, but most of the small ones were too afraid of humans to even be seen. Sudden skitters would happen and someone was bound to jump. Thankfully I wasn’t the only one. My year mates stuck close to their guides. For their part, our guides became more watchful. Calm, but watchful.

  With every sound, I kept glancing at Aunt Sage to see how she reacted. I figured that if she looked worried, then I could then be afraid. But so far, she has been watchfully calm. Even when a deep groan echoed through the trees.

  “What was that?!?” Lily gasped terrified. Her owlish green eyes stared into the dark woods.

  Aunt Sage shrugged. “Likely a minor Tree Lord. Possibly a lone drayvern. It's far off. As long as we don’t get in the way, it won’t bother us.”

  Somewhat mollified by this I tried hard not to show my fear. Kind of like General Ketera, I tried to mimic Aunt Sage’s calm. I’m not sure how well I succeeded, but I couldn’t h
ave looked as scared as Lily. She clung close to Aunt Sage. Being in the Wood was apparently no longer fun for her as she had thought it would be this morning.

  Trying to ignore the low moans that continued, though growing more distant, I looked about. There was a strange half-light under the trees, almost like twilight. It was disconcerting considering we had just walked out of a bright sunny morning.

  “I’m guessing that the Ano family does not like coming in here,” I muttered under my breath. Jay glanced at me, as did Aunt Sage.

  “You would be correct. They do when absolutely necessary, but they do not ever feel comfortable when they cannot have access to sunlight.” She told me. “It is the cost of their great power. In comparison, ours may be weak, but we have access to it everywhere that a plant is.”

  “We can even take plants inside.” Jay joined in.

  I frowned in thought. “But couldn’t the same be said of Sorin and Bren? The Bren can have water in a vessel and the Sorin have access to air everywhere.”

  Aunt Sage nodded slightly, her eyes still scanning the surrounding Wood. “True, to a point. The Bren can do some amazing things with just a glass of water, but they are covetous of that glass until they can get to a source of more water.” She slanted a look at me “never ask a Bren for a drink of water away from a source. It never goes well.” Then I swear she winked at me. I blinked and glanced at Jay. He seemed just as surprised as me. “As for the Sorin… they need space. Open air. Too enclosed and the wind cannot answer them or answer them as strongly. We just need plant clippings in order to work our magic. And it is easy to get more.”

  I had to agree with her there. But for all that we were literally walking through a plant mage’s dream of usable material… it still felt haunting to me.