The Uzan Crystal
Copyright © 2004 Lisa S. Buchholz
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Published in Canada by Double Dragon eBooks, a division of Double Dragon Publishing of Markham Ontario, Canada.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Published by:
Double Dragon eBooks
PO Box 54016 1-5762 Highway 7 East
Markham, Ontario L3P 7Y4 CANADA
http://double-dragon-ebooks.com
Layout and Cover Illustration by Deron Douglas
ISBN: 1-55404-150-3
First Edition eBook Publication June 22, 2004
THE UZAN CRYSTAL
by
Lisa S. Buchholz
Prologue
"Farewell and good riddance," seethed the princess as she turned on her heel, her lavender dress swishing. She stepped up and into the waiting coach and slammed the door behind her. Those were her last words to Airic. She didn't even glance at him as the coach and escort passed by, heading toward the gates of Airic's estate to begin their journey home.
Airic followed the departing princess and her escort, stopping to stand just outside the gates. He watched the princess slowly depart. A few loose strands of his long silver hair trailed across his face and his long gray cloak stirred in the gentle breeze.
How many more years must I wait until the right one is chosen he thought as his hand slid down his staff. He glanced at it before looking back at the departing group.
His mind wandered back to the day he had returned to his parents; his mother quietly weeping while his father began carving the staff. An unexpected turn of events that had changed his life forever. He carried that staff with him always, a silent reminder of his fate.
Another gust of cool wind tugged at his cloak. It was yet another disappointment. A sigh escaped his lips as he thought about the number of years yet to endure before the right one would be found. Each time that he chose a princess or a woman of royal blood, he hoped beyond all hope that this would be the one. The one to finally end his years of agony. Yet, it was always the same. They would come to his estate and he would wait. Nothing would happen and then after one year he would send them back to their homes. Some of the women would lock themselves in their room and stay there for the entire duration. They would eat their meals in their room and beg each day to be set free. It wasn't as if they were prisoners. He smiled a tired smile.
Not all of the women were as arrogant or as dreadful company as this one had been. They had everything that they could possibly want and were free to roam about the estate and grounds at their leisure. A few of the women would have their meals with him and make the most of their stay. Even when they didn't know how long he would keep them there.
Who would help an old man he thought, looking now at the empty lane. If I were young and strong and something of interest, it may have worked out to my advantage; however, I am just an old man. He laughed at that, an old man indeed. But then again, what would happen if they did agree? He shook his head to clear his thoughts. No sense in worrying about it now.
He stood there lost in thought long after the party was out of his sight before he turned around and headed back into his estate. How many more years he thought. How many more years?
Chapter 1
The Promise
The light, steady rain did not put a damper on the day's festivities. Dawn was barely there and the sounds of the city folk getting things ready were mingled with the drumming of the rain off of the eves of the buildings and the nicker of the horses in their stables. Thunder rumbled and lightening flashed as part of the hunting party began to make its way through the city of Wayferd toward the gates.
Wayferd was small compared to most cities but Wayferd had an advantage that most cities did not. The main road passed directly in front of Wayferd and many a traveler had stopped for the night at an inn or tavern and had spent a few coins here and there. This kept Wayferd one of the most flourishing cities in the kingdom of Talenvar.
Prince Kalen D'Alamber, who like his father was blessed with jet black hair and piercing blue eyes, pulled his cloak tighter to himself. He had just turned twelve and was excited about participating in the hunt this year. He and the rest of the young men, seven in all, rode through the city on their way to join the main hunting party. The hunting party would be getting ready outside of the city on the flat expanse of grassland between the city and the Adeian forest. He settled his boots more firmly in the stirrups of his saddle. He was thinking how glad he was that his father allowed him to stay with Verin, one of his closest friends. Some of the other Lords' sons had also stayed at the Cyan estate.
Verin, who took after his mother with a slight build, short cropped sandy blond hair and dark green eyes, was the Lord of Wayferd's son. His father, Lord Humphrey and his mother Lady Sereen had their estate at the heart of the city.
At least Kalen was able to sleep in a soft bed and a warm room instead of in his tent out on the grasslands. Tonight he would have to return to his tent for tomorrow would bring the end of the celebration and the beginning of his journey back to Talenvar, his home.
Any other time of the year the city would just be waking up and it would be a quiet ride for the hunters; however, these past two weeks had seen the city up early. All types of activities were going on hours before daybreak because this was a time of celebration. It was the "Changing of Seasons."
Each year at the end of the "season of snow" everyone begins to make preparations to celebrate the "season of rebirth." The "season of rain," no more than two and one half months, is when it gently rains on and off for that period of time. It rains during the other seasons but not as much as during the "season of rain." It's after this that the "season of rebirth" begins. By the time everyone makes their arrival at the chosen site, it is just in time to begin celebrating, a time when the land begins to awaken with new life. The trees begin to bud, the grass to turn green and the land is ready to seed. This was indeed a time to celebrate because the "season of snow", which lasts eight months, is finally over.
This season, the celebration was being held at Wayferd. The celebration was held at one of the five major cities in the kingdom and then every fifth season, the cycle brought the feasting to the King and Queen of Talenvar.
On his journey through the city, Kalen noticed all of the activity around him. Everyone was rushing to get the final touches on the wares that would be offered tonight to his parents and the Lords and Ladies, as well as the other guests of the cities his father ruled. He could hear the distant and steady ring of the blacksmith's hammer, almost as if it were keeping beat to a song of its own. He could smell the scents of so many different foods being prepared, including bread and spice cakes being baked. Just a teasing reminder that he had not yet had his breakfast. As the hunting party passed the seamstresses shop, he glanced in at the head mistress, who at that moment was waving her arms and pointing as she told her apprentices what to do. He chuckled as he turned his gaze to the lane in front of him. He felt bad for the head mistress, as he knew the demands that most of the women would have put on her, including his sister. They would settle for only the best silks, satins and ribbons that the city could provide and would be expecting their ordered items to be finished and delivered to them this evening.
The shouts of "good hunting" brought him out of his thoughts. He spurred his gray and black mount, Piper, into a trot as he realized that they were late as it was and that his friends would increase their pace to keep up.
"Don't
worry, Kalen!" Akbar called ahead, "we'll be there in time. I'm sure your father won't let anyone leave knowing that this is the first year you've been permitted to ride with us."
Kalen glanced back at Akbar with a smile and slowed his pace.
Akbar, who was two years his senior, was always the first one to try to reassure you, no matter what. He was one of Lord Jonathan and Lady Carolelyn's sons and had been allowed on the hunt for the past two seasons. He wasn't as anxious as Kalen. However, Akbar almost wasn't permitted to attend this season's hunt because of the incident with the sky painter's wares at the festivities last season.
Akbar thought he knew how to make the sky painter's candle device after watching the sky painter make a few. After the participants of the festival had gone to hear the King give his last evening thank you speech, Akbar went to the sky painter's wagon. He had, having decided that if just a little bit of stuff made a small color display in the sky, a lot of stuff would make a very large display. He proceeded to buy a few items from the sky painter, promising that he would be very careful and would make sure that he would have someone help him if he decided to make a display. When Akbar returned to his tent he made a large candle sky display and then went out into the open field and placed it on the ground. After the seventh try of lighting a piece of wood and trying to light the wick and jump back at the same time, he decided to wait a second or two until the wick began to hiss and then jump back. He did not know the full art of making the candle and when he held the burning wood closer to the wick there was a huge explosion which resounded through the entire valley. He seriously burnt his hands and face. Luckily, there was a healer close by who said that Akbar would be fine with some rest and a special herb compound applied to his hands and face. He would have to endure this treatment for a few weeks because the black powder grains were burned into the skin of his hands, turning them black. Poor Akbar, it was more painful to have his father punish him and express his disappointment at his foolish act than to have everyone gossiping about what he had done.
Looking back at Akbar, Kalen could make out the small black spot on Akbar's jaw that he would always wear from that experience.
Kalen turned forward in his saddle and noticed that they were nearing the gates of the city. He could see the tops of the brightly colored tents just peaking over the top of the outer walls.
"Look, Kalen, we'll be there in no time," stated Cody sweeping his arm out to encompass the view of the tents. Cody was the same age as Kalen and was also on his first hunt. Cody had dark hazel eyes and dark brown hair which was cropped short. He was Emiliann and Manny Mored's son. Cody's father owned the tannery and leather shop in Wayferd.
When the party rode through the gates they were able to get a clear view of the array of tents: blue, red, orange, purple, gold, pink and every other shade of color that you could imagine. The rainbow tent in the center had a flag trimmed in gold with the insignia of a black panther resting on a tree limb. The background was light blue. This represented the kingdom of Talenvar and the tent of King Jasper, Kalen's father. This was the tent that they headed for, knowing that the rest of the hunting party would be awaiting them.
"If you'll excuse me, I am going to stop by and see mother before the hunt. I'll catch up with you before you leave the perimeter of the tents," informed Parsell as he gave Kalen a slight bow and reined his horse to the left, heading toward the pale purple and white striped tents of his mother and father, Lord Ripley and Lady Corine Daskar of Eldorfess.
Kalen hoped that some spice cakes would be waiting for them since they had slept later than expected and had to skip breakfast at Lord Humphrey's estate. Spice cakes were a thick coarse sweet honey cake with baka spice, a tangy orange flavored spice made from the roots of the baka tree.
"Good morning my fine young men," greeted King Jasper in his usual gruff voice as the other participants said their hellos when the group rode up. "I see that you've decided to join us after all," he continued with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. King Jasper was rarely seen without a smile on his face and when he didn't have a smile on his face, everyone stepped very lightly around him. King Jasper had the same features as his son except for his full, neatly trimmed beard and mustache to go along with his jet black hair and piercing blue eyes. He also had a larger more sturdy build than his young son who would surely surpass him both in height and build some day. "We were almost ready to begin the hunt, but Sir Taz insisted that we wait."
"I was almost about to give up myself. Sir Ramon had to take a walk before he burst with impatience," replied Sir Taz. Everyone chuckled at that remark because Sir Ramon, was a thin wiry younger fellow with blond curly hair and beard and deep brown eyes. He was always ready to do anything mentioned and when it was mentioned he was ready and anxious to get on with it. He was not one to put things off for another day if it could somehow be accomplished right then and there.
As if on cue, Sir Ramon walked up. "Let's get to our horses. The rain is letting up and we should be able to find fresh tracks," he urged.
"Yes, yes, Sir Ramon we were just about to come look for you," Lord Deckard replied as he glanced at Sir Taz and winked.
As everyone turned to get their horse and climb into the saddle, the young Lady Kathleen came over with a basket of hot spice cakes in one hand and holding her dress in the other so that the hem was off of the wet ground. "I was hoping these would be done in time for you to eat before you left. You'll have to give them a few minutes to cool. Good hunting gentleman and your highnesses," she said as she turned to give a curtsy to the King and his son.
"Thank you Lady Kathleen, for the cakes and the well wishes," replied Lord Jeffrey with a smile as he took the basket she handed him. Lord Jeffrey, a few years older than Kalen, had thick dark brown hair and blue-green eyes. He was quite fond of Lady Kathleen and she of him.
"You're welcome," she answered with a nod and a slight coloring of the cheeks before she turned and dashed off to get out of the gently falling rain.
That was the one thing that made the "Changing of Seasons" even a more wonderful festival and that one thing was that all of the eligible men and women were able to meet and get to know each other. Many a marriage came about because of it.
Lord Jeffrey took a hot spice cake and passed the basket around so that everyone could grab one before they left the confines of the tents. That way they could hand their empty basket to someone.
As they rode through the tents toward the open grasslands, the scurry of activity was becoming more rushed. Most of the young boys were sent to gather wood and hickory chips so that the spits would be prepared for the animals that the hunting party would be bringing back with them.
A lot of laughter and talk was going on about all of the lords and ladies and about the King and Queen and their children.
The young girls were heading down to the springs with their buckets to gather fresh water and some were heading toward the fields to dig potatoes. A few others were just starting out with their smaller baskets to gather mushrooms from the earth houses which were located on the opposite side of town. The earth houses were built into the earth just a little deeper than twelve feet and covered with woven reeds topped with a layer of hardened clay. Each earth house had a set of steps which ended at a door leading into the earth house where the mushrooms were harvested.
A crash of thunder echoed off in the distance. Sir Winford, a thick sturdy, middle aged fellow with a full coppery beard and bushy red hair offset by his bright green eyes, put the hunting horn to his lips and blew a long deep resounding note to signify the start of the annual hunt and celebrational evening feast. As the echo of the horn faded in the crisp morning, King Jasper and his only son Kalen kicked the flanks of their horses and raced across the expanse of the open field toward the Adeian forest. Shouts and laughter followed them as the rest of the hunting party made haste to catch up, including Parsell who had just joined them.
There were 43 hunters this season, slightly less than last se
ason. It was because of the rain. A few of the older men liked to relax by the warm fires with hot cups of ale instead of venturing out on a damp morning. There would be three separate groups this time. One to hunt deer, the second to hunt the wild boars and the third and final group to hunt the small game such as rabbit and kotas. Kotas were large 20 to 30 pound flightless birds with very sharp eight inch beaks and razor sharp two inch claws that were a good defense against predators.
They all reined in their horses before the beginning of the Adeian forest.
King Jasper turned his horse around so that he was facing the entire hunting party. Everyone quieted down. "My friends, it is yet another closing to another celebration. Each season seems like it ends more quickly, maybe for us older folk anyway. I want to wish everyone good hunting and may the day continue to clear and the rain stop before we sight our prey. Best of luck gentlemen!"
The men began to break off into the three groups. The first hunting party broke off to the right and began to circle the Adeian forest as they headed for the open fields to hunt the rabbits and kotas. The second hunting party broke off to the left and headed toward the thicker and deeper section of the Adeian forest to hunt the wild boars. The third hunting party headed directly into the Adeian forest, King Jasper and Prince Kalen taking the lead of the hunting party going after the deer. A flash of lightening brightened the sky in the distance as the rain was starting to diminish and the clouds to blow east.
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