Trine Rising

by C. K. Donnelly

  She knew without a doubt the final passage had been written by someone else. Jasal’s sense was completely gone from those particular words. She suspected it was Antiri, Jasal’s beloved wife and seer from the southern desert province of Tash-Hamar.

  “Look here.” Mirana took the book back and pointed to another paragraph whose black ink had faded to brown over time. “This verse reads, ‘The Sisters shall be the guardians of the Keep.’ Then it says, in the Old Tongue no less, ‘Iës manë ísi cin tuda.’ His hand is with all. Jasal rarely uses the Old Tongue. He’s always trying to move people’s thinking forward, away from the old ways. What’s more, this passage is written in the third person.”

  The Trine raised a dark eyebrow. “You can read this upside down?”

  She gave him a bashful grin. “I’ve studied it. A lot.”

  A corner of his mouth twitched. “You are a singular girl, aren’t you?”

  By. The. Light. Was he not only smiling—or close to it—but teasing her? Maybe he was human, after all.

  He sat back and toyed with his silvery black amulet. “If his hand is with us all, why can’t we find it?”

  “I think there are missing pages.” She caressed the journal. “They could have been destroyed.”

  “That is quite possible. Yet the rest of his Codex remains.” He gestured to the book.

  “It’s been in my family for generations. It’s only been on display in Deren’s library for a couple of decades. My brepaithe, when he was prime, placed it there shortly after my father joined in union with my mother.”

  A notion tickled at the back of her mind. She contemplated the glyphs on the page. His hand is with all. Hand.

  “Wait a moment.” She placed her palm on the page. “‘His hand is with all.’ Hand. Handwriting maybe?” She was so close to understanding. His handwriting is with all. All. All the people? The provinces? She read the passage again. “‘The Sisters shall be the guardians—’ Oh!” She jumped to her feet and the Codex fell to the grass, a startling notion overcoming her pain. It was so obvious. Why had she not seen it before?

  Lord Garis sat back in surprise. “What?”

  “The Sisters. He’s hidden the missing passages in the learning halls.”

  He nodded, understanding. “His hand is with all. The Nine Sisters.”

  “No.” She shook her head emphatically in her excitement. “It would only be in the learning halls of the provinces in existence during his time. Kin-Deren, Trak-Calan, Rün-Taran—”

  “And Tash-Hamar, ai.” He stroked his beard, dark eyes glittering.

  Jasal’s plan sent Mirana reeling. It was ingenious. “He split up the keep treatise and hid the passages at the four province learning halls so the secret of how it saved Deren would be safe from the Ken’nar. Even if one piece were found, no individual part would give away the entirety of its construction.”

  The Trine’s dark brows furrowed even deeper. “Then, why write them at all if he feared they would be discovered by those he considered enemies?”

  The brilliance of her ancestor’s plan continued to unfold in her mind. “He wants them to be found. His keep saved Kinderra once. He may have known it would be needed again. At a ‘time of great peril.’” Like now. But in her hands, his keep appeared to do anything but save the land.

  “How can you be so sure?” he asked.

  Jasal Pinal built the keep to save Kinderra. That was not the act of a criminal. What if he did not die a coward, forsaking his people? What if, all this time, everyone has been wrong?

  She began to shake. If he died in shame, abandoning his wife and their newborn son to the swords of the Ken’nar and leaving Deren to destruction, would Antiri still have written about him in such tender terms in the last passage?

  Her heart pounded. Had Jasal touched the white light when he died? Unlike the rest of the terrifying vision, the white light was magnificent. It was as rapturous as it was ruinous, like the Aspects Above themselves had come down from the heavens in that brilliance. If he died in shame, if she were to die filled with enraged evil, did it not stand to reason such a miraculous experience would be denied both of them for bringing doom upon Kinderra?

  Unless Jasal Pinal did not die in shame.

  “Mirana?”

  She bit her lip. She knew unequivocally he had taken his own life. But was there more to Jasal’s story?

  What if her own destiny held more beyond all the ruin she saw at her hands? What if her ancestor had found a path of hope out of an end of failure?

  If he could find such a way, could she?

  “Mirana?” Lord Garis asked once more. “What else do you know about Jasal?”

  “It’s all there,” she said at last. “His joy, his pain, his doubt. There. Captured within the pages.” She knelt back down, took his hand, and placed it on the Codex. “You are a Trine. You must feel it as well.” Her throat tightened when his expression did not change. “Can’t you?”

  He shook his head. “I feel nothing.”

  Her eyes widened. “I cannot be the only one to sense him.”

  “You sense his presence?” he asked, his voice hushed.

  “Not exactly his presence but his emotions. They are here. In these pages. Within his handwriting.”

  He sat silent for a long time. “You are his legacy, an heir to his Trine powers. Perhaps that explains why you can sense him and I cannot.” He exhaled loudly and wiped at his face. “To think you nearly killed yourself. Twice.”

  She eyed the amulet casing in the grass. “Kinderra is more important than me. Far more.”

  “When are you going to start believing in your own importance?” he replied, his voice quiet, yet yielding none of its strength. He rose. “Do you not see who you are? What you are? There will be no Kinderra without you. You can sense a reflection of Jasal Pinal in the passages he wrote about his keep, a reflection I cannot. Without those writings, without you being able to find them in provinces that lie ahead, we will never understand how the keep saved Deren all those centuries ago. Without you, there will be no saving keep for us now.

  “I know you fear what you have seen in your vision of the keep, but also know this: your ancestor built that keep for one purpose—to save Kinderra,” he continued. “The fact that you want to help me use the keep to do so again means you have already chosen the right path.”

  Lord Garis took the Codex from her and set it back down in the grass. He grasped her hands and turned them over, her palms facing up. Traces of burns remained. “Mirana, I spent the better part of a day healing you. If you died, Kinderra would be lost. Do you understand that now?”

  He had saved her life, twice, even risking his own, in the belief that she could somehow unlock the secrets to Jasal’s Keep. What if those secrets, what if the power that lay hidden, would not save Kinderra?

  “I can’t hide who or what I am anymore, but I don’t know how to go forward. What if I—” she eyed her broken amulet on the ground, “fall from our path?”

  He laid his large hand on her shoulder. “I never had anyone to show me how to be a Trine, and I paid for my ignorance. I will make sure you never do. I told you, you will not bear these burdens alone. We shall go forward together.”

  His words humbled her. With no way to express her gratitude, she simply nodded.

  “We will head to Tash-Hamar. If you are correct, we shall find some of Jasal’s writings there.” The Trine finished readying his horse and lifted her saddle and packs onto Ashtar’s back. “You must tell no one about the keep passages.”

  She scowled. It was not a request but an order. “Why?”

  His mouth grew hard. “Think, Mirana. We have touched upon a secret so vast, it might very well change the course of history. Men and women would kill for this information. No one must find out what we’ve discovered. No one.”

  She nodded and slipped the Codex back into her saddlebag. Jasal Pinal died by his own hand. That was certain. Had he been overwhelmed by his own Trine powers? Had he abandon
ed his people and died a coward’s death? Or had he found a way through his own self-loathing? Had he sacrificed himself somehow for his people to die a hero? If he found a way to save his people by turning back from his fear of failure—emotions she sensed so strongly within his words—could she turn back from her own future of failure?

  Jasal Pinal’s fate was tied to the keep, and her fate was tied to Jasal.

  Her ruined amulet lay dull in the grass, its luster burned away. An amulet without a crystal was useless. It could save no one. Until she knew the truth about her destiny, she could no more save Kinderra from the Ken’nar than an empty, useless amulet could.

  “Come. We have a long journey ahead of us.” Lord Garis swung up onto his horse and tapped his mount’s sides.

  Mirana climbed onto Ashtar’s broad back and followed the Trine, leaving the empty amulet behind in the grass.

  THE SAGA CONTINUES...

  Trine Fallacy

  The Kinderra Saga: Book 2

  TRINE RISING

  The Kinderra Saga: Book 1

  Dramatis Personae

  Kin-Deren—1st Hall. Standard: gold field with red eagle

  ANTIRI il’Amil Pinal (2094–2127): Seer. Joined in union with Jasal Pinal. Son, Jasan (b. 2122). Born to Tash-Hamar province. Amulet: blue-green aquamarine.

  ATAN Robaar (3350–): Fal’kin scholaire Defender. Chooses early to support the Battle of Two Rivers Ford. Amulet: red ruby.

  DAV Koehl (3319–): Defender. Defender Commander of Kin-Deren provincial Fal’kin forces. Amulet: blue sapphire.

  DESDE il’Kellis Pinal (3319–): Seer. Prime of Kin-Deren. Served as il’Kin battle seer before elevation as Prime’s Second. Joined in union with Kaarl Pinal. Mother of Mirana Pinal. Amulet: yellow topaz.

  GANNAH Tesabe (3345–3367): Defender. Member of the il’Kin. Born to Jad-Anüna Province. Killed in a grynwen ambush in Kana-Akün forest in 3367. Amulet: yellow sapphire.

  GEMMA il’Lakumbe Piaar (3318–): Unaspected. Senior herbswoman at the Healing Hostel of Kin-Deren. Born to Jad-Anüna province. Husband Baden Piaar (deceased). Mother to five children (three sons, two daughters) killed in a Ken’nar raid in 3350.

  HAARLEN Lasen (3312–): Unaspected. Quartermaster of the Learning Hall of Kin-Deren province.

  ILRIK Maldaar (2089–2122): Defender. Ken Defender of the Dark Triumvirate. Also known as “Ilrik the Black.” Amulet: deep red-purple garnet.

  ISEL, Wend (3317–): Defender. Horsemaster of Kin-Deren province. Oversees the stables in Deren and the province’s warhorse herd. Amulet: yellow zircon.

  JASAL Pinal (2092–2122): Trine. Primus Magne and Prime of Kin-Deren. Amulet: diamond.

  KAARL Pinal (3314–): Defender. Defender Commander of the il’Kin. Named Steward of the Quorum of Light after the death of Toban Kellis. Joined in union with Desde il’Kellis Pinal. Father of Mirana Pinal. Amulet: red garnet.

  MAARK Bedane (3352–): Unaspected. Orphaned when his parents were killed in a Ken’nar raid of their homestead and farm in 3365.

  MIRANA Pinal (3351–): Fal’kin scholaira, training as a seer. Daughter of Kaarl and Desde Pinal.

  MORGAN Jord (3334–): Defender. Commander’s Second of the il’Kin. Amulet: purple amethyst.

  NIAH il’Sahli Beltran (3325–): Healer. Priora of Healing Hostel of Kin-Deren. Born to Tash-Hamar province. Joined in union with Tennen Beltran. Mother of Teague Beltran. Amulet: rose quartz.

  NIALL Corran (3318–): Defender. Commander’s Second of the Kin-Deren provincial Fal’kin forces. Amulet: red beryl.

  TADDIE (Taddeus) Egen (3362–): Fal’kin scholaire Seer. Apprenticed under Defender Wend Isel as a stable hand.

  TARN Salka (3315–3365): Defender. Member of the il’Kin. Killed in a Ken’nar skirmish near Thyre’s Crossing in the Trak-Calan highlands in 3365. Amulet: blue zircon.

  TAUL Brandt (3320–): Unaspected. Magistrate of Deren.

  TEAGUE Beltran (3351–): Unaspected. Son of Healers Tennen and Niah Beltran. Apprenticed as an herbsman in the Healing Hostel.

  TENNEN Beltran (3322–): Healer. Priore of Healing Hostel of Kin-Deren. Joined in union with Niah il’Sahli Beltran. Father of Teague Beltran. Amulet: light-purple sapphire.

  TOBAN Kellis (3272–3367): Seer. Former Prime of Kin-Deren, Steward of the Quorum of Light. Father of Desde il’Kellis Pinal. Amulet: light-yellow beryl.

  YENIRA Irasda (3349–): Fal’kin scholaira Seer. Chooses early to support the Battle of Two Rivers Ford. Amulet: blue topaz.

  Trak-Calan—2nd Hall. Standard: gold field with green tiger

  HINSAH Parn (3348–): Defender. Commander’s Second of Trak-Calan provincial Fal’kin forces. Amulet: medium-green peridot.

  KOBEN Ryotan (3314–): Seer. Prime of Trak-Calan. Raised as a foster brother to Tetric Garis. Amulet: dark-orange garnet.

  SHALAS Yutan (3245–3330): Seer. Prime of Trak-Calan. Foster father and patrua mentor of Tetric Garis. Amulet: golden topaz.

  Rün-Taran—3rd Hall. Standard: white field with blue capricorn

  BINTHE Lima (3343–): Seer. Battle seer of the il’Kin. Granddaughter of Eshe and Lindar Pashcot. Amulet: green emerald.

  ESHE il’Bahane Pashcot (3270–): Seer. Prime of Rün-Taran. Joined in union with Lindar Pashcot (deceased). Grandmother to Binthe Lima. Amulet: pale-blue zircon.

  LINDAR Pashcot (3268–3330): Defender. Defender Commander of Rün-Taran provincial Fal’kin forces and Prime’s Second. Joined in union with Eshe il’Bahane Pashcot. Grandfather to Binthe Lima. Amulet: red-orange carnelian.

  SYNE Develan (3289–): Defender. Defender Commander of Rün-Taran provincial Fal’kin forces and Prime’s Second. Amulet: orange citrine.

  Tash-Hamar—4th Hall. Standard: purple field with red leopard

  FALANNAH il’Aldi Sadhi (3308–3350): Seer. Served as a battle seer in the Tash-Hamari provincial Fal’kin forces. Mother of Timir Sadhi. Sister of Fasen Aldi. Amulet: pink morganite.

  FASEN Aldi (3303–): Defender. Prime of Tash-Hamar. Uncle of Timir Sadhi. Brother to Falannah il’Aldi Sadhi. Amulet: blue sapphire.

  TIMIR Sadhi (3333–): Defender. Defender Commander of Tash-Hamari Fal’kin provincial forces and Prime’s Second. Nephew of Fasen Aldi. Amulet: deep-orange citrine.

  Kana-Akün—5th Hall. Standard: green field with gold hart

  BELESSA il’Isofar Tir (3279–3367): Healer. Prime of Kana-Akün. Presumed killed in the Battle of Falantir, winter 3367. Amulet: green tourmaline.

  THIEER Pannen (3321–3367): Seer. Ranking Seer, served as a battle seer and Prime’s Second of Kana-Akün. Presumed killed in the Battle of Falantir, winter 3367. Amulet: yellow apatite.

  Varn-Erdal—6th Hall. Standard: white field with red horse

  CLARIENNE il’Hadten Jord (3336–3359): Unaspected. Shepherd and homesteader. Wife of Morgan Jord. Died with infant son, Pieter, in a Ken’nar raid in the Varn-Erdal plains in 3359.

  DREI Carada (3348–3365): Defender. Son of Trein Carada and Marienne Tans. Attacked by Ken’nar, winter 3365, presumed dead. Amulet: deep-magenta rhodolite.

  ERAN Talz (3315–): Unaspected. Horsemaster of Varn-Erdal province. Oversees the stables in Edara and the province’s warhorse herd.

  GRENNE Fadern (3325–): Seer. Ranking Seer, elevated to Prime’s Second of Varn-Erdal before the Battle of Edara. Two sons (deceased), one daughter (deceased) by Trein Carada. Previously coupled with Trein Carada until his death. Coupled with Liaonne Edaran. Amulet: deep-pink tourmaline.

  ILLENNE Talz (3349–): Unaspected. Horse herd mistress and archer. Daughter of Eran Talz.

  LIAONNE Edaran (3342–): Defender. Prime of Varn-Erdal, elevated after the Battle of Two Rivers Ford. Daughter of Vallia Edaran. Amulet: yellow topaz.

  MARIENNE Tans (3318–): Unaspected. Learning hall attendant and laundress. Mother of Drei Carada. Coupled with Trein Carada until his death. Bore five other children (three sons, two daughters), all defenders, deceased.

  NATHEN Keldir (3298–): Defender. Senior defender on Prime’s Counc
il. Father of Liaonne Edaran. Amulet: amber citrine.

  PALEN Clar (3298–): Unaspected. Senior learning hall herbsman.

  PIETER Jord (3358–3359, d. 6 months): Unaspected. Son of Morgan and Clarienne Jord. Died in a Ken’nar raid in Varn-Erdal plains.

  PIOL Lidan (3295–): Defender. Senior defender on Prime’s Council. Amulet: green chrysoberyl.

  TREIN Carada (3317–3365): Defender. Attacked by Ken’nar, winter 3365, presumed dead. Amulet: blue apatite.

  WESAL Pettan (3293–): Defender. Senior defender on Prime’s Council. Amulet: dark-pink zircon.

  VALLIA Edaran (3317–3368): Defender. Prime of Varn-Erdal. Perished in an ambush during the Battle of Two Rivers Ford. Amulet: red ruby.

  Jad-Anüna—7th Hall. Standard: blue field with gold lion

  ABER Hebari (3328–): Defender. Defender Commander of Jad-Anünan Fal’kin provincial forces and Prime’s Second. Amulet: green spinel.

  NAMBRE Dinir (3302–): Defender. Prime of Jad-Anüna. Amulet: red-brown andalusite.

  TILENATETE Nasta (2835–2867): Trine. Prime of Jad-Anüna. Elevated to Primus Magne during the Red Plague of 2864–2866. Killed by Ken’nar when she tried to offer aid during the pandemic. Amulet: pale-green chrysoberyl.

  Sün-Kasal—8th Hall. Standard: red field with white bull

  BYSTRA il’Tari Klai (3312–3350): Defender. Joined in union with Sahm Klai. Two sons (deceased), one daughter (deceased). Amulet: blue-gray cordierite.

  RABB Plout (3328–): Seer. Ranking Seer and Prime’s Second. Amulet: red-brown topaz.

  SAHM Klai (3308–): Defender. Prime of Sün-Kasal. Joined in union with Bystra il’Tari Klai (deceased). Two sons (deceased), one daughter (deceased) with Bystra il’Tari. Amulet: smoky-brown quartz.