by Katie Pottle
“Some sort of energy shift to hide one color of your Aura. I’m not sure it will work, but it is up to you if you would like to consider it.”
His mom didn’t seem fully satisfied, but she didn’t say anything else as Master Sanjen returned his attention to Cadin.
Master Sanjen spoke. “You have many choices to make, some sooner than others. Until you have made them, the Core will do its best to protect you.”
Cadin took a deep breath and looked into the eyes of the Master of the Core. Despite his misgivings, he would not turn his back on his family and friends. He would keep searching, but for now at least, his choice was clear. “I have decided on the Warrior Path. I want to ultimately join the Core and fight against the Tlalocs.”
Master Sanjen held Cadin’s gaze through his declaration. “If you succeed along the Warrior Path, the Core will gladly embrace you. The upcoming Calvarian Games will be the best opportunity to prove yourself. There are destinies among angels, and yours is being realized. I am curious to see how your life will unfurl. However, for now I need you not to worry about the war or Tiberius. You have given us more insight than you may realize into the Tlaloc’s plans and the Core has some preparing to do.”
Cadin had never looked forward to Summer Break so much. Even though it was best year of his life, High School was exhausting before the addition of Tiberius. His friends took the news of his being dropped fairly well aside from Lep looking closer to a shade of green than any normal skin tone, and Sun bursting into tears at the sight of him.
With permission from Master Sanjen, Cadin planned to tell his friends all about Bruce and Tiberius and the position that having a mixed Aura had put him in—but that could all wait until the official start of Summer Break. With a sigh of relief and longing, he turned in his registration form to Instructor Kade on the last day of school stating in bold—Cadin of Glade: Warrior Path.
EPILOGUE
Core Headquarters—Central Cloud
Master Sanjen
Master Sanjen marched into the Venture Room with heavy feet and a heavier heart. As always, the four other Headmasters of the Core were seated around the smooth cloud-surface that they used as their strategy table. He remembered the first time he was shown the room as part of his welcome tour as the new leader of the military fraction of the Core. He had been taken in by the initial feeling of power that the room radiated, juxtaposed by the simple interior of grey and white smooth, rounded walls and understated cloud-surfaces that served as tables and seats. He knew this job would entail difficult decisions when he first started, and he had always risen to the occasion. This was no different. As difficult as the task was, it was his job as the Military Leader of the Core.
“I assume you have an update on the mixed Aura situation, Sanjen.” The low raspy voice came from the eldest at the table. The slightly shriveled form did not match the vibrant, sharp eyes that were trained on him.
“Yes, Master Oren.” Sanjen said as he walked around the table and took his customary seat. After decades of battle, he dared not sit with his back to any door. Next to him sat a perpetually empty chair, gathering dust. “I’m pleased to tell you that young Cadin has declared his allegiance to the Core.”
“For now,” Master Oren said slowly. “And his Path choice?”
"Warrior."
"A powerful choice, but not unexpected. At least we will be able to keep a close watch over him."
“Agreed.” A tall woman with dark features chimed in. “This is good news; however, we all know that we cannot relax with the word of a fifteen-year-old. He must prove himself many times over before we can even think about letting him take any real part in the war effort.”
“He has already been asking questions about the Cloud-Raiders War, Amelia. He is not someone who will just sit back until we say he is ready.” Master Sanjen needed the counsel to get a true sense of the young warrior. “I feel like we must train him. The sooner, the better.”
“We cannot just give him access to the Core, our strategies, history, strengths, and weaknesses!” Master Amelia said, beginning to stand. Master Sanjen watched as she caught her actions and reeled herself in, sitting down and smoothing over her ruffled feathers.
“It would not be like that, Amelia. We would hurry him through school to get him in the full swing of the Core. He really could make a difference.”
“Of course he will make a difference—mixed Aura angels always do,” Master Marken, the quietest of the counsel, spoke up. “The question remains, for which side will he make the difference? We cannot afford history to repeat itself—and this situation is hauntingly similar to the past. We may not be so lucky this time around.”
Master Sanjen nodded, conceding to Marken’s point. “All the more reason for us to train him and keep him firmly in our sights and under our influence.”
“I still do not think we should be considering making this unknown kid with a mixed Aura stronger. It will make it even more difficult or even impossible to stop him should he choose to turn on us,” Master Amelia said.
“All the signs point to him being the warrior we will need to win this war.”
“The signs were there last time as well,” Master Oren said, shaking his head slowly and looking down to the table. “So many lives were cut short because we lost control of a mixed Aura warrior.”
“That was different. Cadin will not be another Tiberius!”
“We all know you like the child, Sanjen; however, you will not compromise the safety of the citizens because of him.”
“I know that, Master Oren. As a Master of the Core, I will swear here and now, that if Cadin becomes a viable threat, I will personally take him down.” He hoped that would never be the case.
“Then I agree to the first steps of training if he places in the Calvarian Games,” Master Oren said, he voice even scratchier than before.
“He is only a first year. Even if he doesn’t win, he should still be trained by the Core…”
“No, Master Sanjen,” Master Jada cut him off. She was a strong, quiet angel. Master Sanjen was shocked that she was interested enough to say something today. Military issues were not something that she normally weighed in on. “Master Amelia and Master Oren are correct. If he is not able to lead a team to victory in a simple school tournament, it is unlikely that he will amass enough power by the apex of the war to be of use to either side—mixed Aura or not. He will have no access to the Core unless he proves himself worthy. If he turns against us, it will be your job to kill him.”
Sanjen felt the resolve around the room before it came to the official vote.
“So be it.”
The End
A Note from the Author:
Thank you for reading Cloud Shifters! This is the first in the Cloud Lands Saga and I have many more adventures planned for Cadin and his friends. I sincerely hope that you enjoyed the cloud-lands. Personally, I identify most with Sun, who seemed to take on a mind of her own as I put her to paper. If you enjoyed Cloud Shifters, please consider writing a review. If you write a review and would like to be on my Advanced Review Copy (ARC) list, please email me at [email protected]. The list is limited, but you will receive free advanced e-book copies of my upcoming work in exchange for a review. If you loved Cloud Shifters, please share it with a friend or loved one; (or if you hated it—share it with an enemy:)
Acknowledgements:
There are many people that helped get Cloud Shifters to where it is today. First and foremost, I want to thank my husband, Bill—for your support, energy, encouragement and endless love. Thank you to Connie Pottle, for loving books and taking me under your literary wing. To all my brothers and sisters for being awesome and providing me with endless ideas for characters. To my dad for being one of the first to read and love Cloud Shifters.
And finally, thank you to my mom. You are my hero, and I am proud to dedicate this book to you!
Cloud Glossary
Aura: Angel’s energy as a form of light aroun
d them. Common colors: green, blue, red, yellow and white.
Badges: Flat bars made of different color metal that signify school accomplishments and are melded to school arm guards.
Cloud-worm: Hybrid cloud/Earth creature with teeth.
Cloud-lands: Cloud transformed into a solid ground by cloud-shifting. The more creatures/angels live there, the bigger and more stable it becomes.
Cloud-Raiders: Vicious group that were once at war with the Core
Commons: One of 10 main cloud-lands within the Calvarian Cloud System. Guard Quad (Green): Glade: Cadin, Lep
Galen: Instructor Kade, Bart
Lavine Quad (Yellow): Lance: Sun
Lark:
Arkta Quad (Blue): Air: Sara
Ansford: Tal
Contra Quad (Red): Carta:
Condor:
Carpathia:
Central Cloud (all): Located in the center of the System. Has main Core facilities as well as the main Universities and Academies.
Core: Main governing organization in the Calvarian Cloud System
Dire Dragon: Large, dangerous dragon. Namesake of Instructor Kade’s class.
Gins: Special cloud-stones that must be fused by a Gin Master Cadin’s gins General Type (fused 4) Dark blue, purple, green.
Light blue, platinum, and white.
Yellow with green points.
Translucent with rainbow cast.
Slice Type (2) Black with white lightning veins. - Tenacious
White with black lightning veins. - Protective.
Tang Type (1) Earth tones. - Practical
Ginex: A magnetic box that isolates gins
Grass Dragon: Small green dragon about finger-size.
Paths: Area of focus for high school. Guardian Path, Warrior Path, Academic Path, Trade Path, General Path
Rock Dragon: (Gur) Small dragon about fore-arm size. Gray-blue. Spit fire.
School Arm Guard: Worn by all high-schoolers. Has holes to meld badges earned.
Tlalocs: Hidden group plotting against the Core. Led by Tiberius
Veretal: Metal coating that develops on the edges of some adult angel’s feathers (mostly with green or red Auras)
Wrath: Dangerous, large creatures that live within some clouds
Wrath’s eye: Center target for bow and arrow practice and competition. Synonymous with Bull’s eye
CLOUD LANDS SAGA: BOOK TWO
WARRIOR
PATH
KATIE POTTLE
Copyright@2016 by Katie Pottle
Sapphire Eye Press
Warrior Path
All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction and any characters, names, places, and incidents are used fictitiously or of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to places, events, or actual persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.
Paperback ISBN 978-1537301990
www.KatiePottle.com
DEDICATION
To Bill
Without whom my stories would have gone untold.
A special thank you to my Uncle David for being one of the first to love and embrace the Cloud Lands.
Part One
Chapter One
Warrior Path
“Warrior Path.” Cadin let the words roll off his tongue. It felt like a lifetime ago that he completed his first year of Commons High School and declared his Path. It was more than a simple declaration of intended school curriculum—it was a life choice. Being an adolescent angel who happened to develop a mixed colored Aura came with more than a few responsibilities. It also placed a big target on his back.
“Yep, Warrior Path was the best choice. Right, Gur?” Cadin cocked his head towards his young pet dragon. Gur jumped up from the grass with some unidentifiable insect hanging from his mouth, stirring the surrounding clouds as he made his way towards Cadin’s outstretched hand.
“Eh, no thanks.” He waved off Gur's offering of a wing. “We should get going.” Cadin tapped his shoulder twice, and the dragon quickly scrambled up Cadin's arm to rest in his traditional spot. “That tickles. When are you going to start flying, buddy? I mean you already have your wings.” The longing laced his voice as he flexed his shoulders, wishing for his own wings to sprout. Gur gently butted Cadin's head, shifting the young angel's dark hair. “Yeah, let's go.”
“There you are!”
Oh, no, Cadin thought as he watched his friends round the hill that abutted the back of his house.
“You forgot again, didn't you?” Sun asked, a smile pulling up the corners of her mouth. Her bright yellow Aura reflected her cheery personality and fiery warrior spirit. Cadin was glad Sun had moved to Glade the previous year. Even though he knew it was still a bit difficult for her, as the only angel that he knew of with a yellow Aura on a cloud-land full of green and white Aura angels.
“I'm so sorry, guys! It won't happen again.”
“Yeah, right!” Lep said, slapping Cadin's back and started laughing. “You've been saying that all summer.” Cadin smiled naturally with his best friend. Although, taller and stronger than Cadin, Lep had an easy-going way about him and was always supportive.
“So, where's Bart?” Cadin gazed past them for their gangly older friend.
“He said he would meet us at Peye's Style.”
“Peye's? I thought we were training.”
“So, you do remember,” Lep said wryly as he ducked behind Sun to avoid a friendly punch from Cadin. They had started to make their way up the well-worn path into town.
“Don't use me as your shield—man up,” Sun said, pushing Lep aside. “And we’re meeting Bart there because he needs new split back shirts before school starts—apparently wings wear on clothes.”
“I'm so jealous!” Lep said as he reached back, probing under his shoulder blades. “My wings are coming, I feel them.”
“You do not,” Sun said. “Our wings are not going to emerge until after mid-year, so stop thinking about it or you will drive yourself crazy.”
“How can you not think about them? Soaring majestically through the air? Finally getting to see the winged section at school?” Lep's mouth hung open as he stared at Sun with concern etched across his eyes.
His face was so intense that both Cadin and Sun started laughing.
The clouds kicked up and dissipated around their feet as they entered Glade’s Town Center. The buildings cast an iridescent sheen off their hardened cloud-walls as the trio strolled by. The door to Peye’s Style opened with a chime.
“Hey, guys, what do you think?” Bart said as he spotted them, flexing his growing wings. Cadin looked him up and down, knowing that he was supposed to be focusing on his new wing-friendly attire; however, he was more taken in by the fact that the wings added a whole new level to Bart's presence. His friend had always been tall, gangly and slightly clumsy. His freckles, easy smile and white Aura made Bart seem like a cuddly cloud-bear. But now the glistening white feathers aligned perfectly over his impressive wing-span. Freedom and power now hung from his shoulders, making Bart exude the energy of a dragon.
Bart stumbled mid-spin as Sun twirled him around to inspect. Maybe not a dire dragon, Cadin thought as he grabbed Bart's arm to keep him from tumbling into the nearest clothes rack, but possibly a smaller rock or grass dragon. His own rock dragon clung to Cadin's shoulder and batted his wings.
“Whoa, thanks,” Bart said as he stabilized. “Still not quite used to how the new weight changes my center of balance.” Bart puffed out his chest, trying to correct for the bad posture that commonly plagued teenage angels with new wings.
“I wish I had that problem,” Lep said, glancing at his back. They made their way out of the store and stopped at the town fountain that trickled water down into a large basin where several small aros glistened at the bottom.
“Yeah, our team will probably be at a disadvantage in the Qualifiers with three quarters of us not having wings to start with,” Sun added.
Their conversations almost always morphed into the upcoming school year a
nd the Warrior Path Qualifiers for the Calvarian Games.
“They must have taken that into account when opening up the Games to second years for the first time. The Qualifiers should test warrior qualities without necessitating wings,” Cadin said. “At least I hope.”
“Well, what are we going practice today?” Sun asked.
“Oh, man!” Lep exclaimed as he sat down. “Let's take a break today.”
Sun’s brow furrowed, but she didn't say anything.
“We have been practicing most of the summer,” Cadin added in Lep's defense. He grabbed Gur and set him by the edge of the fountain—smiling when the dragon started splashing the surface with his claws. He took a deep breath and looked into Sun’s glacier-blue eyes. Her light hair was pulled back—a few lose strands falling to her shoulders. Cadin wanted to Qualify just as much as Sun—probably more as his future was thrown into chaos with the arrival of his mixed color Aura. However, it was the last day of summer break. He also had spent a large amount of time with healers and rehabilitating his right shoulder which Bruce crushed during his abduction. Though the healers said his warrior training would be good for rehab, he was supposed to be taking it much easier than he had been, and his shoulder ached. A day off sounded fantastic. “We will be training more than ever when school starts. Let's relax a bit today.”
“I, well, okay, I guess.” Sun exhaled and her mouth turned up into a small smile.
