Book 4 of the Salvation Series, the first part of Act 2

The realm of He’aeven has always been influenced by prophecies, but when one speaks of the end of everything, it will be a race against time to interpret what is written, and to save the multiverse.

The Paladin has fallen. After the battle of the Soaked Fields, everything has changed. Adam and Nadia now have to find a way to move forward, and continue to make a change on their own. While an unexpected ally from their past leads them to question who they can trust.

Now at her lowest point, Lahatiel moves forward on her own. But a deadly encounter forces her to embrace the ways of the Sins. Now she must learn to survive in a world of demons and strife.

They will fight to avoid, fix, or change their destinies. But can prophecy be changed? Or are their fates written in stone?

Preview:

Kuran rolled over on his sleeping cot, in an attempt to get more comfortable.

His efforts however were undermined by two things. One, there was the loud sound of rattling chains which followed him, and two, he was reminded of the fact that the chains were attached to him. In his half asleep state of mind, he tried to play it off as his imagination, in order to try and get back to sleep. But the damage had already been done.

Remembering where he was and why he was there, Kuran’s mind snapped to full wakefulness, taking his body with it.

He sat bolt upright, the chains shackled to his wrists clanking loudly as he moved. He blinked a couple of times, staring into the gloom before rubbing his eyes with his hands, rattling metal following his movements. He found his heart was beating quickly and his breathing was heavy.

Similar sounds of rattling came from somewhere to his left. It took Kuran a moment to remember that another young man like himself had been chained up with him. A slightly older boy named Syrrel.

Syrrel cleared his throat, “could you stop all that noise?” he asked with a dry voice. “Are you trying to get us in trouble?”

“No, I…” Kuran paused. “That was not my intention.”

“Then what was your intention?” Syrrel whispered. “To get us killed instead?”

Turning to look into the gloom where Syrrel was, Kuran gave him his best disapproving look. “It was unintentional,” he said as loudly as he dared. “Your sarcasm is unwelcome in this situation.”

The slightly older boy had tanned skin, and long dark brown hair, tied into a plait that started at the crown of his scalp and ran straight down his back. “Ha,” Syrrel laughed mockingly. “You speak with the tone of one with authority. But you forget I am a higher rank than you.”

“Age does not equal rank, Syrrel,” Kuran retorted. “Action does, and I would say you forfeited yours when you got us into this mess.”

This time Syrrel laughed honestly, before coughing and wincing. “Oh, Kuran, you speak as though you were born from distinguished blood. It is a shame I know better.”

Kuran huffed indignantly, but smiled. Syrrel was right, he did frequently match the tones of his elders, it was a habit he had never really grown out of.

Syrrel sighed, “it is a shame I will not see what you will make of yourself.” That was unexpected, was that him admitting he thought highly of him? Or was it something else?

“Do not act so defeatist yet, Syrrel,” Kuran said as positively as he could manage, while deflecting the compliment with grace. “There is still a chance we may get out of this.”

Syrrel laughed again, “such optimism. Remember there was five of us when we arrived here, yet only the two of us remain.” He leaned forward to give Kuran a questioning look, which must have been difficult when half of his face was bruised. Now that he was in a little more light, Kuran could see several matching bruises upon his bare arms. Kuran probably looked the same.

“I know,” Kuran agreed. He sighed not needing the reminder, before laying down upon his sleeping cot again, “how did we get into this mess, Syrrel?”

“You know very well how we got here,” Syrrel said with a derisive laugh. “You just reminded me that it was my fault.”

Kuran frowned, “that is not what I meant, and I do not hold a decision made in haste against you.” How could he? Any decision made under such dire circumstances would never have been a good one.

“Very gracious of you my friend,” Syrrel said, giving a polite nod. “But then what did you mean?”

“I mean,” Kuran said, sitting up again, leaning in to whisper to his friend. “How did we get here, in this country? Caught up in a fight that has nothing to do with us?” These were the questions that had kept him awake at night, and though he would normally never voice them aloud, these were unusual circumstances.

Syrrel chuckled sarcastically, “you know why, we are here because the Elders ordered it.”

“Yes,” Kuran agreed, “but did you think to wonder why?”

“Be careful, Kuran,” Syrrel warned, “that is beginning to sound like you are disrespecting your superiors. You are only an Inisar after all.”

Kuran laughed dryly, “I mean no disrespect against the orders we were given,” he gestured around at the small room they were situated in, “and they are welcome to come and flog me if I speak poorly.” Even with the seriousness of their situation, Syrrel could not help but laugh. Kuran chuckled as well, before continuing seriously. “But I still question why? Why did they decide to send us here at all? It is not like we need the land? Or that we need their riches. We have all we need in our own country to be content. Yet here we are, forcing ourselves into a war that does not concern us.”

Shifting for a moment, and trying to reduce the ratting of chains, Syrrel was thoughtful. “You have given this a lot of thought, considering the decision has nothing to do with you.” He laughed. “Though your reasoning does make a lot of valid points.” He scratched his chin thoughtfully, raking his fingers through the pale fuzz of his barely out of adolescence beard. “I heard that they had slighted our people, during the last visit of our dignitaries, and there are those who have not forgotten the old battles. They do not forgive lightly.”

“Some of the Elders perhaps,” Kuran agreed. “But that was before our time. Why are so many people out for blood? It can not just be for a slight against our dignitaries. We have forgiven the other peoples for their ignorance before.”

“I see you have studied our history,” Syrrel said, chuckling. “But I heard that this time they sent their own dignitaries to see our Elders. Whether to ask for aid or not I do not know. But shortly after our leaders began preparing our units for battle.”

“I would have liked to be privy to that meeting,” Kuran said thoughtfully. Only their Indrid would have some idea what went on, but he was no longer here with them.

“I agree, but we are not welcome at the Elders’ meetings. But it does not matter,” Syrrel pointed out. “For I feel many of our people have been thirsting for blood lately, a desire for combat, and the Elders may not have had the option to let it go this time. Not when outsiders came to our home.”

Kuran frowned, remembering some of the older members of his tribe talking about their battles years ago. They always had such bitterness in their voices, some even spoke about seeking what was owed. “Yes, I agree there has been an unusual amount of hostility lately. I pray that is not the reason we are here. It would be a terrible waste of lives.”

Syrrel hummed in agreement, but said nothing. Their own predicament was already a heavy reminder of the price. “You know,” he said, breaking the silence. “Even though many of the others had hatred for our captors, I do not harbour ill will toward them. Merely whomever gave the orders that placed us here.”

“I agree,” Kuran said sadly. “I only hope that whoever that is, had very good reason for all of this fighting.”

Syrrel leant forward, “are you talking about our Elders? Or the nations already at war?”

“Both,” Kuran said simply. He did not know why the other nations fought each other, but a war was never good, no matter the reason. At least, that is what some of the visitors he knew had told him.

Once again Syrrel hummed in agreement. “There is truth in that, Kuran. Truth indeed.”