Shattered by Shadows: The Innocence Cycle, Book 1

by J D Abbas

  Celdorn’s shoulders sagged. “If he was among the men who died at the camp, we wouldn’t know. We didn’t ask names before they were cut down. Many are buried in the rubble of a collapsed building, so identifying them would be impossible.”

  “Let us speak with the mother and brother ourselves,” Elbrion said, “and see what truth we can find.”

  Celdorn glanced around. “Do you have men guarding the perimeter of the property?”

  “Yes. I have been concerned about the father or other family members trying to sneak away, so we have kept a tight watch. Some of the men are in the village looking for more information. Mikaelin and Shatur each took a team to search for Palazar and any connections there.”

  Celdorn patted his friend’s shoulder. “Good work, Haldor.” Nodding toward the house, he said, “Lead the way.”

  After they crossed the threshold, Elbrion stopped midstep. He bent over as if in pain and put his hand on the wall; his light flashed then dimmed.

  Celdorn rubbed Elbrion’s back. “What is it?”

  “I am dizzy; something is pulling at me, causing my mind to spin. It is strange...powerful.” Elbrion whispered words in Elnar, which strengthened the Jhadhela within him but had no effect on the walls or the light in the room. He straightened and signaled for Celdorn to proceed.

  Haldor led them to the room where the mother and brother waited side by side on a couch. Several men stood guard around them.

  The woman gasped when she saw Elbrion. The young man looked up then quickly away.

  “I am Celdorn, Lord Protector of the realm, I’m here to find answers, and I have not near the patience of Haldor. I want the truth.”

  The slight young man stood up and faced Celdorn with a defiant scowl, showing amazing boldness for one so small the top of his head didn’t reach Celdorn’s shoulders. “What right do you have to come into my father’s home and demand anything? He’s a good man, a law-abiding man. Who made you lord over us?”

  “I have seen things this night that have roused my wrath to such an extent I would, without hesitation, cut down anyone who dared challenge me. Your parents are connected to this evil, and I will have answers.” Celdorn pulled himself up to his full height; energy throbbed from his chest. As he spoke, the power he exuded drove the young man back into his seat.

  “Where’s your husband?” he yelled at the woman.

  Elena’s mother refused to look at him. “He went to a camp outside the village.”

  “She is lying,” Elbrion said. The woman stared at him wide-eyed.

  “Try again,” Celdorn said. “Where’s your husband?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Still lying.”

  “He left. That’s all I know.” The woman cowered on the couch.

  “Leave my mother alone. She knows nothing. Whatever you think my father has done, she’s innocent.”

  “Innocent?” Celdorn glared at the young man then at the woman. “Making your daughter lie with your husband in your stead is innocent? Allowing your husband to sell her to men to ravage and torture is innocent? Did he sell this son too?” Celdorn focused on Elena’s brother. “Why do you defend them when you’ve been ill-treated yourself? They are far from innocent.”

  “They’ve done nothing to me. I won’t listen to any more of this. ” Elena’s brother rose to his feet. Elbrion grabbed his shoulder as he headed for the door.

  “Let him go,” Celdorn said. “We’ll deal with him later.”

  Elbrion obeyed and released the young man, but his eyes followed him, a scowl of confusion shadowing his face.

  Celdorn turned back to the woman. “Tell me the names of your other sons and where they live.” He drew his sword.

  The woman said nothing but stared at the tip of the blade as Celdorn pressed it to her throat. “Their names,” he growled.

  “Giara has ruined this family. I’ll tell you nothing except that she’s a liar and a whore, and Qho’el will punish her for this.”

  Those were her last words. He'd run out of patience.

  Celdorn turned away, refusing to let his conscience consider what he’d just done. “Get her out of here,” he told the guards. Then, without another thought, he looked at Elbrion. “What happened when you touched the brother?”

  “I do not understand what I saw,” Elbrion admitted. “He is a young man, but his memories are old.”

  “Old? What do you mean?”

  “It was a brief touch, but the mind inside that young man was older than his years.”

  “Was his mind troubled like Elena’s?”

  “Not in the same way. His was enigmatic, almost veiled, as if he knew how to block me from entering. Though I could not see, I felt torment.”

  Celdorn shoved at a chair. “I’m frustrated that we don’t know for certain where the father is. If he was indeed at the camp then he’s been eliminated, but we may never know. If he wasn’t, where do we begin looking for him? Perhaps he ran to his family home, in which case, Tobil will be waiting.” He shook his head and paced in consternation.

  “Elbrion?” He stopped and stared at his friend, his mind turning. “Did you see the face of Elena’s father in her memories?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you see him among the men at the camp?”

  Elbrion considered. “There were one or two faces that seemed familiar, but none that looked like her father. I was only present in one of the rooms, however.”

  “Could it be that the mother was referring to a different camp? Could there be more than one?”

  “The woman was lying. I do not believe the man was at any camp. She wanted us to leave and search for him elsewhere.”

  “I sensed he was hiding nearby and that is why she wanted us to go to the river,” Haldor said. “We searched every inch of the property and all the out buildings, then I set up men around the perimeter for that very reason. Vermin tend to run and hide when light is shone on them.” Haldor was unable to mask his disgust.

  “Stay here and keep watch through the night,” Celdorn said. “Send a messenger to Tobil and tell him to look for the father. In the morning, go to Neldon and take care of whatever remains there. Elbrion and I were on our way to Kelach when Logan summoned us. At the encampment, we encountered Anakh, the creature Elena told us about.” Haldor’s eyebrows went up. “She said she was going to retrieve Elena tonight.”

  “Retrieve her? Anakh knows where she is?” Haldor asked, a worried frown replacing his surprise.

  “Yes, and she knew Braiden was guarding her.”

  “Celdorn, we need to send someone to the local priest and have the doqajh prepared to receive the children in the morning,” Elbrion said.

  “We’ll go ourselves,” he replied, heading to the door. “I want to make certain the priest understands what’s happening and is dedicated to protecting the children.”

  “His heart needs to be tested as well,” Elbrion added as he followed Celdorn out into the yard. “Not all priests serve the Jhadhela, as I can attest from Elena’s memories.”

  Celdorn looked at him and shook his head. “Is this whole place corrupt?” He whistled for Malak.

  “How did we not see this?” Haldor asked. “Our keep is so close to these villages. How did we miss such blatant depravity?”

  Elbrion replied, “It is the nature of evil to exist close to the light and twist it, but somehow to avoid exposure at the same time.”

  Malak and Drendil trotted up.

  Elbrion suddenly stiffened, and his gaze grew unfocused.

  “What is it?” Celdorn asked.

  “I felt a ripple in the Jhadhela.” His head tilted as he listened.

  “Elena?”

  “Perhaps. It was too vague, too diffuse.”

  “Let’s go.” Celdorn swung up into the saddle, an urgency shoving at him again.

  Just as Elbrion mounted, a sentry called, “Riders!”

  Celdorn looked at him with dismay. “Will this night never end?”

  Chapte
r 25

  Elena was supposed to be sleeping but was finding it impossible. She'd lain for some time thinking about the gifts Braiden had given her and his unnerving ability to anticipate her thoughts and needs. She didn’t know what to do with such kindness.

  Now she was restless, unable to quiet her mind. It didn’t help that the wind continued to howl carrying ominous voices with it or that the shutters banged like a giant fist against her wall. The dogs didn’t seem to share Elena’s fear. Sasha was sprawled out on the bed, snoring peacefully, Bria the floor. Elena didn’t have the courage to ask Braiden to sing, so she considered other options.

  “Braiden, is there a library in Kelach?”

  He smiled. “Y-yes, there are a great many b-books here. Why?”

  “I can’t sleep, and I thought…” She lost her nerve.

  “That I m-might be willing to read to y-you?”

  This evoked a guarded glare from Elena. “You’re frightening.”

  Braiden pulled back, eyes wide. “Wh-why?”

  She studied him then shook her head. “Never mind.” Taking a deep breath, she said, “Yes, would you be willing to read to me?”

  “Of course. D-do you have a favorite?” He winced and squeezed his eyes shut. “S-sorry. I-I suppose it’s not likely anyone ever r-read to you.”

  “No.” Elena stared at her feet. “I had to do that for myself, like everything else.”

  “Y-you read?”

  She looked up to find Braiden gaping at her.

  “Well, I’m finally one step ahead of you.” She chuckled. “Yes, I read very well, thank you. I only asked you to do it for me because the swelling around my eye makes it difficult to focus.” Noticing that his mouth still hung slack, she glared at him. “Why do you look so shocked? Don’t you think a girl capable of being that intelligent?”

  “N-no, Elena, that isn’t what I m-meant. I know a great many w-women who read. It’s encouraged for all p-people throughout the Shalamhar. I-I just thought that with your c-circumstances…” He didn’t finish the sentence. “Who t-taught you?”

  “I taught myself.”

  Braiden laughed, then he caught himself and stared at her. “You’re n-not joking.” His mouth gaped again. “You...you taught y-yourself?”

  “Yes.” Why did he think that was so strange?

  “H-how?”

  “I suppose the same way everyone else does. I picked up books and began to read them.” She almost laughed at his naïveté.

  Braiden continued to stare at her. “Children d-don’t just pick up books and b-begin to read. Someone has t-to teach them. They have to explain the symbols and h-how they sound and-and the meanings.”

  The room tilted off balance; a sharp pressure squeezed her temples, blurring her vision.

  “S-someone must have t-taught you,” Braiden argued.

  “There was no one,” she whispered, an unwelcome quiver now in her voice.

  “Wh-where did you get the b-books from which you learned?”

  Her eyes flitted as she searched her memory. “I-I don’t know. They were just always there.”

  “D-did your p-parents read?”

  “I don’t know. I never saw…” Her brow pulled down. Memories of her home were mostly a blur. “But my brothers did. They went to the doqajh in Rhamal to learn.”

  “D-did they teach you?”

  Elena shook her head sadly. “They were forbidden by my father to teach me anything.”

  “D-did someone perhaps teach y-you during your other...training?”

  Elena scoffed. “That’s the last thing they would have taught me. They never knew I could read. I hid that fact from everyone.” She gave a twisted smile. “It was my dirty little secret.”

  Braiden was not amused. “So you had b-books appear from nowhere, and y-you were just able to read them?”

  “Yes. New books showed up from time to time when I had finished the ones I had.” She stopped and frowned. “I never thought about what happened to them. They were just...gone.” Elena felt the color drain from her face, and she began to tremble. “Th-this isn’t normal, is it?”

  Braiden moved closer and took her hand. “It is...unusual. B-but apparently someone was looking out for y-you, providing for you. It’s r-really rather remarkable.” He smiled and patted her hand. “So what w-would you like me to r-read to you?”

  “The Adventures of Tyleum,” she replied without hesitation.

  Braiden stared at her. “You’re familiar w-with the Adventures of T-Tyleum?”

  “I’ve read them, and I like them very much.”

  “Th-they’ve been translated into Elrodanar, but I’m surprised y-you were able to find them in B-Borok. I don’t think they’ve even b-been translated into G-Garan.”

  Elena shrugged. “I don’t know about those things. I just know I liked the stories.”

  Braiden shook his head and smiled again. “I think a copy of the b-book can be found b-but it will be in Elrodanar, which won’t do us much g-good. I’ll have Gi-Giyon find something that’s in B-Borok. Is that all right?”

  She nodded. She didn’t care. She would be happy to hear Braiden read anything— anything to quiet the chaos in her head and quell the fear that Celdorn and Elbrion weren’t likely to return from a clash with Anakh.

  Braiden rose and headed toward the door. He stopped by the end of the bed near where Bria lay and turned around, his brow knit in concentration. “Wh-what about the story of Oudeis, the g-goddess born without a f-face? Are you f-familiar with—”

  His words were lost in the sudden roar of the wind and a massive whack.

  The window casement burst.

  “Watch out!” Elena cried. Something dark flew at Braiden, knocking him to the ground. The wind shrieked with vicious laughter, drowning Elena’s screams and Sasha’s frantic barks.

  Chapter 26

  Outside the home of Elena’s family, Celdorn stroked Malak’s neck as he watched six riders approach. His men. Their stately comportment and the majestic gait of the Ilqazar made them easy to distinguish even in the dim light of the moon. Two of them had men behind them—Wallanard, judging by their size.

  Shatur galloped ahead and drew rein near Celdorn. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” He gave a quick nod to those with Celdorn.

  “Haldor summoned us. Who’s with you?” Celdorn asked, looking past the young Guardian.

  “Two of Elena’s brothers.” Shatur dismounted. “We found them while searching for the father. I thought it best to bring them here so Haldor could speak with them, but I imagine you’ll want to do that yourself.”

  Celdorn glanced at Elbrion and sighed. “I guess we aren’t meant to return to Kelach any time soon.” His stomach churned with frustration.

  “Silothani, my friend,” Elbrion said. “There is purpose in this.”

  Celdorn nodded, though unconvinced, and turned back to Shatur. “What is your impression of the brothers?”

  “I believe Elena is right. They seem to be good men, honest, genuinely concerned about their sister.”

  Celdorn shook his head. “How could they live in the same village and not see what was happening to her?”

  “We live near the village, and it is our responsibility to protect against such things, yet we did not know,” Elbrion said.

  Celdorn glared at him sideways. “Do you ever grow tired of being right?” Jutting his chin toward the incoming riders, he said, “Bring them inside.”

  He and Elbrion returned to the living area. The brothers, eyes wide and jaws tight, joined them moments later, escorted by Shatur and Haldor. When they saw Celdorn and Elbrion, their mouths hung slack and they dropped to one knee.

  “You are Giara’s brothers?” Celdorn motioned for them to sit. Both brothers had dark blond hair and pale eyes. It was difficult in this light to see if they were blue or green, but their features were similar to Elena’s, unlike the youngest brother they’d met.

  “Yes, sir. I’m the eldest, Lavan.” He was shorter and more m
uscular than his brother. “This is my next brother, Treymor.” This one was tall for a Wallanard man, more wild and unkempt than the eldest as if he’d been dragged from his bed. “Our youngest brother, Braqor, isn’t with us,” he said as they sat on the couch where their mother had died not long before. Blankets had been spread to cover the bloodstains. “Do you know how our sister fares or where our parents are? No one will answer our questions.” His fair face was lined with distress.

  Celdorn sensed no deception, but he glanced at Elbrion for confirmation. He nodded.

  “Your sister is safe,” Celdorn replied.

  Lavan’s face relaxed. “May we see her?” There was renewed hope in his voice.

  “That’s not possible at this time. She’s being protected until we find answers to some questions.”

  “Where is she? Are our parents with her?”

  “I can’t tell you her whereabouts, but I can assure you she’s not with your parents.”

  A scowl formed on Lavan’s brow. “Assure me? It’s no comfort to know she’s separated from all of her family. You’re speaking riddles.”

  “Do you know what has been happening to your sister in this home?” Celdorn asked, not bothering with civility.

  The brothers exchanged glances. “What do you mean?” Treymor asked, his wary eyes sweeping the Guardians who surrounded them.

  Celdorn took his time responding. “Were you aware that she was being violated by your father?”

  The brothers immediately looked down. A heavy silence hung in the air. The eldest spoke first, his voice quavering with emotion. “I have suspected it, but I never asked her directly. I hoped I was wrong.”

  Celdorn’s tone softened. “Giara thought both of you had been mistreated as well, and she couldn’t bring herself to ask you either.”

  Neither man looked up.

  “Is she correct?” Celdorn hated to ask, knowing the pain it would stir up.

  The brothers glanced at each other again. After a pause, Lavan answered, “Yes.” His shoulders slumped, while Treymor moved restlessly in his seat. Their distress was palpable.