Ruin Mist Chronicles Bundle

by Robert Stanek

  With great persistence, he moved from a sitting position to a kneeling position—waves shifting the raft and his fatigue made the small accomplishment a difficult chore. He held there motionless for a moment and tried to recall why he had risen to his knees. Then, after a lengthy pause, he sank back down to his haunches. There must have been something he had wanted to do, but what, he couldn’t recall.

  Two must survive, he whispered.

  Weary, he slumped down onto his side. He closed and shielded tired eyes, using the tattered shards of a once magnificent cloak to mask his face. For what seemed hours, the ceaseless up and down swaying of the raft lulled him. By luck or fate, or perhaps a little help from Great-Father, he managed to focus his will, though only for an instant. He reached outward with his mind trying desperately to reach a knowing consciousness. He found none.

  Yet, the momentary clarity of mind also allowed him to concentrate. Surely there was an answer to their dilemma. He pondered this. Something had gone wrong from the start, but what had it been. Had there been a traitor among them? Was there a traitor among them now? Was it Br’yan or Galan?

  No, paranoia. Seth dismissed the idea of a traitor. No one of the Brotherhood would ever betray Queen Mother—Sathar, whispered his conscience. No, Sathar betrayed all. Survival is keyed to the past, the answer is there, if only I can find it.

  Exhausted, Seth started to drift off to sleep and was quickly lost to his dreams. Dreams in which he could replay events that had unfolded against them.

  No longer was he in his beloved homeland, surrounded by the peace and serenity of Queen Mother. Now he was thrust out into the strange and cruel world, into an unknown fate. Only Great-Father knew how the long struggle would end.

  His mind wandered further and floated through delirium to mixed conscious thought. He began to think back, back to the time before they had left their homeland. At first, in this mixed-up delusion that to him seemed real, Seth heard only the voices, his and hers. Yet, as his thoughts cleared and he entered a deeper dream-state, he pieced together disconnected thought without much detail.

  It was to this at first colorless world of dream, with only the voices, that he fled.

  Some time later, a voice entered Seth’s dream. Quickly, Brother Seth. You must wake now or it will be too late!

  All thoughts of sleep were instantly gone. The voice sent a shiver careening down Seth’s spine.

  Quickly, quickly now, the voice hastened.

  Suddenly he was unsure whether the voice was within or without. Was it his own mind that called out the warning, or another?

  A shifting of the raft caused Seth to open his eyes. Was the voice of alarm within or without?

  He stepped back into the dream-thought, which was difficult but successfully managed. He ran from his room, down of series of twisting halls and into the great monolithic entry hall. He slowed his pace here to a stately walk. After he had crossed the hall, he descended wide translucent steps of alabaster into the great open courtyard that spread out in gothic proportions in front of him.

  This is why I have chosen you, Brothers of the Red, he called out, greeting those already assembled. He spoke powerfully now into the minds of the chosen few. You were each hand-picked for the task that lies ahead. Queen Mother has spoken and her protectors have listened. Go now to the harbor, Sailmaster Cagan awaits you.

  He inspected each as they departed the courtyard. He stopped the last brother, and chased a whisper of thought after her. Brother Galan, I had wished you to remain here leading the Red in my stead but it could not be so.

  Galan turned and the two locked eyes in a deep drinking gaze that spoke volumes. Her open thoughts streamed to his mind. She was remembering the kiss of many days ago. The meaning of it still confused her.

  Shifting on one of his heels, Seth turned about and marched back up the long alabaster stair into the monolithic entry hall and swiftly along it. Queen Mother had retired to a meditation room and to this is where Seth hastened. But Seth did not find Queen Mother there, and it wasn’t until many precious minutes later that he considered checking High Hall.

  Queen Mother was seated at her place in the middle of the hall, eyes directed straight at him. Seth said, We leave now, Queen Mother.

  Yes, I know, she imparted softly, yet forcefully. May Mother-Earth protect all her children who must now leave their home to journey to the world of Man. May the Father guide you on your journey to safety.

  Beckoned by feelings mixed in with the words, Seth looked into Queen Mother’s eyes. He had been trembling though he hadn’t known it until her soft eyes forced calm into him. Good-bye, my Queen. We will succeed in this endeavor. We will bring word to the Alder King and persuade him to join our cause. As I have sworn my duty, nothing shall stop me from completing this.

  It was difficult to stare into eyes with such emotion for any length of time, yet when Seth attempted to look away, he was drawn back again by her words and her thoughts. I have great faith in you, Brother Seth, though I regret your having to make this journey. Alas, all is set in motion. There can be no turning back now. It is up to fate and faith to bring you back safely to our shores.

  I have no regrets, Queen Mother. We will succeed.

  Then by my leave, go swiftly, said the Queen as she touched her hand to Seth’s brow. She left her index finger lighted there while she said these words, and this, I whisper only to your mind, my son. I as Queen Mother can see shadings of what is yet to come. While I am powerless to stop what has been set in motion, I can say this. You must always be prepared for the unexpected. Never let down your guard. You must accept what you alone are fated to do. Always retain your faith, never let it dwindle…

  Never let it dwindle, repeated Seth.

  ...Always make it burn brightly as a red-hot ember of your being. Your faith will shelter you. Fare-thee-well, my son, and remember that above all else, two must survive the journey, for only one will be able to return to our shores…

  Never let it dwindle, repeated Seth as he turned away.

  Waves beneath the raft shifted and just as his thoughts were coming to a clear, full focus, he was jolted from his slumber. He opened bleary eyes to a night sky. He did not marvel at the arrival of darkness. The night sky only meant cruel heat was gone and bitter cold had replaced it.

  He was thankful that Br’yan and Galan were soundly sleeping. They had survived yet another day beneath the untiring fury of the day sky.

  He opened the water skin and put several droplets to his lips. He could have easily finished that last bit of water in the container. It would have only taken a second more. Momentarily, he reveled in the fantasy of it slipping coolly down his throat. The fact that his throat was swollen and every such swallow would have brought sure pain did not taint the longing.

  Give me strength, he implored.

  Only as he raised the container back to his lips did he find restraint. Thank you…

  Two must survive, went the ceaseless echo in his mind. He turned his eyes back to the dark waters and a thought from the dream found him. The mind shield. The mind shield could resist his probing thoughts. Anyone could be lurking out there in the darkness, waiting just beyond the next crest or trough.

  High Hall, why High Hall? Seth thought suddenly, though he didn’t dwell on this long. He was elated. Keys beyond the confusion in his mind could be found. Br’yan, Galan!

  He had considered the others a moment ago, though the thought had slipped away before he had a chance to focus on it. Galan, Br’yan? he called out again.

  Neither stirred.

  A panicked probing assured him they were alive, although he didn’t like the weakness that had come from Br’yan and it worried him. Convinced that in order to survive the journey he must lose no more of his companions, Seth was prepared to go to any length to ensure their survival. He would have slashed his own wrists and fed them from the blood that oozed from the open gash if he could have. In the very real delirium of his mind, this notion was suddenly appea
ling, until he realized it would quicken his own passage from life. And life, especially one’s own, was sacred.

  Suddenly, he wished he had learned more about the sea. He knew little of the creatures that lurked beneath the dark waters, only that at night he saw them, the ones called krens with the high dorsal fins, circling round and round their tiny raft. When he had been stronger he had chased them away by sending harsh emotions into their underdeveloped brains. Now he was too weak to attempt this—and nearly too weak to care at all.

  Somewhere in the convoluted corners of his mind, he made a connection between the circling predator and Br’yan. Suddenly, he remembered the water bag still clutched in his upturned hand. He awoke Br’yan and forced the brother to drink a few precious drops, but no more.

  Do not waste, brother, you need this more than I. You must live… came the shallow whisper into his mind, the voice was Br’yan’s.

  Drink, I will not tolerate nonsense.

  Afterward Seth gave Galan an equal portion of the water. Drink, drink, he said to Galan. The supply of water is almost spent, soon we will all be without its life giving essence…

  Although his teachings and his faith told him otherwise, he felt completely responsible for the fate of his two companions. If he had but one wish, he would do something, anything that would ease their suffering.

  It is time you saved your strength, imparted Galan.

  Surprised by the voice, for he had been sure his thoughts were sealed, Seth apologized. I am sorry, Brother Galan. I did not mean to trouble you with open thought.

  Seth, you know better than that. Our fate is predestined, you cannot alter it. You cannot stop the inevitable, you cannot hold back the winds, or the looming hands of fate…

  Seth listened to her words yet he did not accept them. The weight of guilt had already scarred him.

  Sleep well, my Galan, he said, although he doubted Galan had heard him for she was already gathered in a heavy sleep. The presence of the Father faintly came to Seth, as he, too, slipped quickly back to sleep and delirium. His dreams of remembrance grew surprisingly richer.

  Two must survive, echoed once more in his thoughts, just before the dreams gathered full force.

  As the first shafts of light from an early morning sun shot over the horizon in the east, Seth stirred. The light touched the haze of his mind and caused him to rub his burning eyes. A dry yawn issued from his mouth, and then with one partially unclenched eye, he squinted toward the brightness.

  It will be a clear day.

  He both welcomed the sun’s warmth to end the night’s cold and feared its erosion of their bodies. For him, the days were longer than the nights and, upon reflection, he did indeed prefer the night despite the often bitter cold.

  Time passed. The sun seemed to wither and weaken him even more this day. The dryness and excruciating pain of his throat aroused him to its swelling—it was nearly swollen shut. He attempted to squeeze down a lump of dry, pasty spittle, and cried out in a muffled whimper as he did this.

  So much water around me and none to drink.

  Their small supply of fresh water was nearly exhausted and this was now the only concern in his frazzled mind. Seawater. It was all around him and he could drink none of it.

  Why can it not rain, Father?

  Still unconcerned for himself, he first touched a few precious drops of moisture to Galan’s lips then covered her face and arms again with the tatters of his robe. He drank then, a little more than he should have, barely getting the drops to slide down his aching throat. Then he gave Br’yan the last few drops the water bag contained.

  Is it all for nothing, Father?

  The day turned to night and back again to day. Seth felt the vitality within him ebb. His consciousness fell to total decay. He could no longer focus his will to maintain him which frustrated him utterly. The forces of nature were all around him, yet he, Seth, First of the Red, could not touch them. He was losing himself and his center. Soon he would slip away to a peaceful bliss that he would have welcomed only a few short days ago. But now he had struggled too long to give in, fought too hard to give up.

  Great-Father, is that you? Have you come to gather me home? What did I do wrong?… I do not wish to go… I could not have stopped the ambush… I… I… did not know. No… I cannot fail. I… I must think. I must focus…

  The sun was mid way in the sky before he finally came back from the endless world of gray delirium and dream. Visions of ships sinking into the dark, waiting waters that surrounded him even now, slowly fell from his eyes—so much needless loss.

  A light breeze played soothingly across his tormented skin. Hidden behind a murky cloudbank, a pale sun looked so distant and harmless, yet its ill effects had whittled away his body and his strength slowly and effectively.

  Rain may come, he mused. If rain came, it may just save them. Then again, the storm unleashed with the rains could drown them just as easily.

  Hours diminished to the pace of agonizing seconds and heartbeats. Ignoring the hunger pains in his clenched and swollen stomach, the brittle dryness of his lips and the tremendous aching of his brutalized body, he attempted to center his thoughts.

  He knew somewhere in his teachings there must be an answer to their dilemma. He searched the indexes of his mind. A wish sprang to mind, a wish that he had learned more about seamanship from Cagan, the crafty sea captain who he had known since childhood and who, since his childhood, had commanded the Queen’s own fleet. Such learning would have proven a worthwhile investment, yet then he had not had time for such foolish endeavors.

  He felt a faint prick of pain in his mind. He strained to focus his thoughts. As he did this, sadness swept over him and in an unexplainable way he knew something was wrong. Is someone in my thoughts?

  A gentle whisper entered his mind.

  Yes? he answered.

  If I told you I was afraid, what would you say? asked Galan.

  Seth reached out for Galan’s hand and took it in his. We all have our fears, Brother Galan. It is not wrong to fear what we do not know.

  I fear death, said Galan sending feelings of hopelessness along with the words. I fear in death I will find only longing and emptiness.

  Great-Father will not forsake— He felt another prick of pain in his mind. —Is that you, Brother Galan?

  You are wrong. For those who have failed, there can be no joy in the next life. The voice nearly inaudible in their minds and edged with bitterness was Br’yan’s.

  Seth disagreed. While blood courses through your veins it tells you that you live.

  I died long ago, said Br’yan.

  Br’yan’s sadness flowed strongly to Seth. It encompassed him and the whole of their bantam raft. Then Seth felt pain again. What are you doing in my thoughts?

  I’m dying, Seth.

  Dying? Seth wheeled about the raft wildly. Frantically he searched for the precious water bag. His aim was to pour its every drop down Br’yan’s throat in the desperate hope that it alone would keep him. It was then Seth remembered they had no more water. He had used the last of it.

  No Brother, said Seth. It is not time, it is not your time! You must hold strong, you cannot desert us. We need you, I need you. There is so much, so very much…

  Br’yan didn’t or couldn’t answer.

  Br’yan, please answer me… There is a way, there must be a way… The dream, the dream, the answers are there, please hold on. I will find them… I will.

  Seth’s eyes flashed to his wrists. The blood coursing through his veins gave him life, it would give Br’yan life.

  Go ahead, Seth, whispered the voice, Br’yan’s voice in his mind. Two must live.

  No Seth, it is already too late for him. It is not yet our time. Mother-Earth still has plans for us.

  Galan cried out in sudden pain.

  Go ahead Seth, it is your fault I die. You owe me your life. You bring shame and dishonor to our kind.

  Paralyzing anguish shot through Seth’s mind. No, Seth, it is
his time. Our time is yet to be destined.

  Again, Galan cried out in pain. Hands suddenly gripped Seth’s throat.

  Br’yan, what are you doing? Remember, you pulled me from the water, you saved my life—Ga-lan, he’s choking… me—Br’yan are you mad?

  You still don’t understand, do you, Seth? Br’yan squeezed harder.

  The hands still at his throat, Seth struggled wildly to his knees. Galan made her move and hit Br’yan from the side.

  Seth found Br’yan unexpectedly strong and only with Galan’s help was he able to break the hands from his throat. Together, wobbly and barely able to keep their feet, Seth and Galan fended off Br’yan’s blows. Seth ducked to dodge a blow. Galan lunged at Br’yan, and knocked him off his feet. Together they fell into the sea.

  Seth let out a high-pitched cry of anguish. He scrambled to the edge of the raft.

  Galan and Br’yan broke the surface. They were still struggling. On his belly now, Seth reached out to Galan. He felt the tip of her fingers touch his. Then Br’yan pulled Galan under with him for what seemed the final time.

  Seth lay still. He stared into the dark waters through red and burning eyes. Despair ravaged his heart.

  Chapter Three:

  Awakening

  “Isador?... Isador, I saw him. I saw him!” screamed Adrina, as she roused from a feverish state. “He is hurting. He needs our help!”

  “Princess, it was only a dream,” said an alarmed Father Jacob. The sound of Adrina’s voice had startled him. He took the moist towel from her brow, dipped it into the cold water of the basin beside him, then reapplied it to her forehead. The fever must have finally broken, he thought.

  “We must hurry,” continued Adrina heatedly.

  “It was only a dream,” repeated Father Jacob. He patiently dabbed the girl’s forehead with the cold towel.

  “His eyes were the bluest blue. He spoke to me in the dream.” Adrina lurched up in bed, then after putting feet to floor, she stood. She looked around the unfamiliar room and stopped. A puzzled frown crossed her face. “Fa-ther Ja-cob?… Where am I and how did I get here?”