Taming the Elements: Elwin Escari Chronicles: Volume 1 (11 page)

She turned from him and walked toward his parents by the front of the inn, not waiting for a response. He stayed on her heels.

She stopped in front of his father. “I do not sense Elemental power within any of you, but as you are the only people still in the open, I assume you are claiming him as your own?”

Poppe stepped forward, resignation in his voice, “I am Bruece of house Lanier. I am the one who found him. I am his Poppe. ”

“Found me?” Elwin asked.

His grandfather avoided Elwin’s gaze, and his father held his mother to his bosom, while she sobbed.

“You see Elwin. Elementalists’ power is a gift passed through bloodlines. Even those with lesser power are detectable for the trained eye. Your parents do not have the gift. Did you not find it odd that you are the only child from this town with blond hair and blue eyes?”

His words felt hollow, but they rushed out of him. “I know the gift of the Elements is passed through bloodlines, but not all of those with the gift can sense their powers. My parents never learned how to use the Elements. I read about it in a book. I knew they couldn’t sense their powers, but I always hoped I would. I look like my great grandma on my father’s side. They have passed into the shelter of the Lifebringer’s hand now. Tell her Father.”

“Elwin,” her voice was soft, “if your parents had the gift, I would be able to sense their ability. After training, you will be able to sense it, too. You are the only person in this village with the gift. Your grandfather found you. Remember?”

Elwin’s bottom lip quivered, and he felt tears in his eyes. He refused to blink and let them fall. If he cried, then she would be right. There was nothing to cry about. There was an explanation for this.

“My guess is that you are Alcoan in lineage,” Jasmine continued. “The nation is across the Tranquil Sea. They are who we assist in the war effort.”

The gruff warrior cleared his throat and gave her a stony look.

Jasmine smiled at the man. “Perhaps you can see to settling the men. I have a few questions for Elwin’s family.”

She had not given the last word any more inflection than the others, but for some reason, it had a sting. Elwin shook his head. Jasmine had to be wrong. They
were
his parents, but what did Poppe mean, he had
found
him? Why did nothing make any sense?

“Can we go somewhere without so many eyes and ears?” Jasmine said looking to the shudders and alleys, where people watched.

“This way.” Poppe walked around to the back of the inn. Elwin followed without looking around. He heard Mr. Madrowl’s voice saying, “Feffer, get back here.”

He looked over his shoulder to see Feffer grumbling, but he didn’t follow. Elwin felt a pang of regret. It would have been nice to have Feffer with him for this. Whatever
this
was.

The back steps had a porch with an awning leading to the stables beside the inn. Several soldiers stood at the opening. Two younger men with dark hair and dark eyes studied Elwin with deep scowls.

He looked down to avoid their stares and felt himself being herded. When he looked up, he found himself in the private dining hall that Poppe reserved for outlander lords and ladies passing through. He had never been allowed to play in here. The large, redwood table was lacquered and kept clean with a golden candle-stand for a centerpiece. The far window had been framed with white molding that also bordered the room.

On the wall above the entryway hung a large broadsword, handed down through Poppe’s family. Elwin had never seen it taken from the wall. The many shelves had books and trinkets from around the world. Most of the books talked about history and didn’t have much to do with elementalists. But his grandfather had let him borrow them on occasion. That was the extent of his time spent in this room, short enough periods to pick out a book for reading.

“Have a seat, Elwin,” Jasmine said.

Elwin looked away from the bookshelf and let his eyes focus on the room once more. He was the only one still standing. Jasmine had taken the seat at the table’s head, while his parents and grandfather sat in the three chairs on the right side of the table, closest to the head.

Elwin pulled out the chair on the other side and sat next to Jasmine.

“Now,” Jasmine said. “Where did you
find
Elwin?”

“Uh,” Poppe began, “You see. There was a woman that came here. She had a worn face, and she was dressed in rags …”

Elwin listened to his Poppe recite the tale. It almost sounded like one of his stories. Elwin kept waiting for him to bring in the part about the evil wizard or band of trolls that had to be dispatched to save the village. Maybe it was a dream. Maybe he would wake any moment.

“That’s it,” Poppe sighed. “She left a letter and a pendant.”

“Do you have them near?” Jasmine asked.

Poppe stood and walked to the far shelf. At the top was a small lock box. He opened it and pulled out a silver amulet with a green-stoned pendant and a folded up parchment. After handing them to Jasmine, he retook his seat without a word or so much as a glance at Elwin.

Elwin watched Jasmine’s face as she read the letter, but she did not reveal its contents. She gave her head a slight shake.

“What is it?” Elwin asked. “Is it true?”

“Who has seen this letter?” Jasmine asked.

“Just us,” his father said. “We have raised Elwin as if he was our own. Most of the farms are far enough out that most of the community is unaware that anyone has had a new child until the festival. Elwin was young enough, we just kept the letter secret.”

“From everyone.” Elwin did not wipe the tears. “How could you not tell me?”

“We were waiting for the right time,” his mother said. “I am so sorry.”

“What is important now,” Jasmine said, “is that I have found you. I can begin your training.”

She offered the pendant to him. “Take this.”

The light glittered off the green stone. He could
feel
it, somehow. Elwin was sure he could close his eyes and point to it from anywhere in the room.

“What is it?” he asked without touching it.

“It is perfectly safe, I assure you. It has a protective ward on it, made from the power of Spirit, Air, and Fire. There might even be a little Water and Earth as well. It was a gift from your birth mother.”

Elwin took the pendant. “I have never seen a stone like this.”

Jasmine gave him a reassuring smile. “It has the appearance of an emerald, though it is far more rare. There are several artifacts in this world that give power to its owner. Some have minor powers, but some can destroy this village. This one was wrought for a peaceful purpose. Someday you will be able to feel the powers that created such an item. Maybe, you will even learn to craft one. Though it will take some time studying it in further detail to know its exact purpose. Wear the pendant beneath your shirt. There are those who would try to steal it for the worth of the stone alone. But the chain is made of silver as well.”

Elwin pulled the chain over his head. Immediately he felt calm wash over his body.

“What was that?”

“It was the power of the ward taking effect.”

Elwin placed the stone beneath his shirt. “What did it do to me?”

“The effects were nearly undetectable, but I believe it is meant to hide you from scrying.”

“Scrying?”

“There will be plenty of time for questions, later,” Jasmine smiled. “I will have your grandfather prepare an extra bed in my room for you. There are many things we must discuss before you sleep, but for now I must prepare for tomorrow’s departure.”

When Jasmine stood, his family stood as well.

“So that’s it then?” his mother said. “You are just going to take him? And we have no say in the matter?”

Elwin’s father grabbed her hand, but he said nothing.

Jasmine’s smile was soft.“I need not remind you of what happened today. That is but a fraction of the power that Elwin will some day master. But without training, he will surely die. The only question is, how many will die with him? Besides, his name is on the ledger for recruitment, anyway. At least now he is not likely to see fighting anytime soon, which is more than I can say for the other boys leaving on the morrow, all of an age with Elwin.”

His mother began to cry, and his father cradled her in his arms.

His grandfather spoke as he moved toward the door. “I will prepare that extra bed.”

Poppe left without looking back. The door stayed open and sounds from the common room spilled in. There were no distinguishable voices, but he could hear music and laughter. Someone played the dulcimer. He could also hear the flute and harp.

Maybe they would not treat him any differently.

Jasmine moved toward the doorway. “This way, Elwin. Remember to stay within sight.”

Elwin followed Jasmine down the hallway into the common room.

Jandar, the furrier, sat at the closest table facing Elwin. Faron sat with at the same table but faced the other way. Jandar’s head was thrown back in mid-laughter. Upon seeing Elwin, his laughter broke off into a choking sound, followed by silence. He leaned forward and began to eye his mug of ale. Faron partially turned to look at him and gave Elwin a nod and thin smile.

A wave of silence, starting at the entry hall and working toward the front door, rippled across the room. One instrument at a time, the music faded until the room sounded empty.

Narma Shoemaker sat at the next table with her three children. Her arm stretched out as if to protect them from a wild dog. Tramn the horse rancher, Bryne the carpenter, everyone avoided direct eye contact. Even Danna. He wondered if she would still invite him to smell her freshly made candles next time he walked past her shop. Elwin looked around for any friendly face. Momme was the only person in the room looking at him. Her smile was warm and inviting.

Jasmine leaned over and whispered in his ear, “Go to the bar and get something to eat. Everything will be fine. I promise. Go on. I will not be far.”

He didn’t look at Jasmine. He didn’t look at anyone. Elwin just watched each step to make sure he didn’t trip as he made his way to an empty barstool between Barth Gadseden, the thatcher, and another empty stool. Without a word, Barth stood with his head down and left the inn.

Elwin put his hands on the bar and stared forward. Momme placed a mug that smelled like apple cider in front of him.

“It will all be okay, Elwin,” her voice a whisper. Though her eyes filled with tears, she still smiled at him. He looked down at his hands, avoiding her gaze.

“I will be right back with some lunch.”

After several moments, he heard murmured whispers behind him, but he couldn’t make out any words. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know what they were saying.

The inn door crashed open.

“Elwin!” Feffer’s voice broke the silence like a shattered window.

Elwin could hear several chairs sliding on the wooden floor behind him as people quickly stood to the ready.

“Feffer H. Madrowl,” Elwin heard Willem say. At the same time, he heard many others curse beneath their breath.

Feffer jumped onto to stool next to Elwin, “
I
was
chosen
to go to the capital for training. I will be going with you to Justice.”

“Everyone over fourteen namedays was
chosen
,” Elwin said.

“Yeah. But,” Feffer said, “didn’t you hear me? We get to stay together. We can watch out for each other.”

“Greeeaaat,” Elwin exhaled. “Best Summer Solstice ever. ”

“I know,” Feffer said. “I was thinking the same thing. Except for the guy who died.”

Elwin put his head in his hands and closed his eyes. When would this nightmare be over?

Chapter 5

A New Path

Being alone in the large room felt strange. There were only four such rooms of this size in the whole inn, all located on the top floor. Growing up, Elwin had never been allowed in here, even though the rooms had rarely been used. He supposed the reason had something to do with the extra decorations. The room had a similar feel to Poppe’s study. The ornate tapestry might as well have an inscription saying,
Off Limits.

He could see the failing light fighting its way through the opaque curtains. He sat on a simple chair in the corner by a window on the outer wall. Even with its red-gold cushion and lacquered finish, it seemed the least expensive place to rest his bum. Built from the redwoods, the rest of the furniture had been cushioned by silk pillows.

Next to him, the cold fireplace nestled between the two windows. A short hallway beside him led to two servant’s rooms, and the door opposite opened to the master room. Altogether the suite could have passed for a small farmhouse. It seemed too much by far for a single traveler.

The door opened from the outer hallway, pulling him from his thoughts.

Jasmine entered with the girl from the square. She was even more beautiful up close. The white dress formed around the curves of her body, and long curls the color of honey framed her perfect face.

She carried a silver candelabra, housing a single candle. The light danced off her golden eyes. Like pools of dark liquid, a man could drown in their depths. He couldn’t imagine a more beauti—

“Elwin,” Jasmine said, cutting off his thoughts. “This is my daughter, Zarah.”

Elwin jumped off the chair to greet them.

“Hi,” his voice cracked. His cheeks burned as he cleared his throat. “Ahem. Hi.”

Her smile was genuine and inviting, but her voice was formal. “Hello, Elwin.”

“Zarah is going to join us for your lesson,” Jasmine said, “if that is alright.”

Elwin did not want to risk his voice cracking again, so he nodded his agreement, hoping he did not look as eager as he felt.

“Good. Let us sit by the fireplace.”

Jasmine sat in the single chair, leaving the lover’s sofa for Zarah and him. Zarah placed the candelabra on the round, lacquered table in front of the sofa, then sat.

He sat next to her, staring straight ahead. He could still see her from the corner of his eye, and the scent of her filled him. She smelled of flowers and fruit with a touch of salt from the sweat of a day’s ride.

“First,” Jasmine said, “you must relax.”

Elwin exhaled and leaned his back against the cushion. He tried to appear relaxed, but found it difficult to do so with his heart pounded. He had to force himself to breath in and out. Every part of him wanted to turn and gape at Zarah, but he forced his eyes to watch Jasmine.

“Until we return to the castle, I will not know all of your gifts, but I do know that you are blessed with at least Air. Judging by the power that I sensed from you earlier, I would imagine that you have more ability than that, or will with time. I have the Elements of Air and Water, as does my daughter. And we are both Life bound, so we have the power of Life, through Spirit, as well.”

Elwin took the opportunity to look at Zarah again. The light still danced around her dark eyes. She caught Elwin’s gaze and gave him another smile. Elwin’s heart melted, and his skin crawled away. He looked back to Jasmine, trying to keep his breathing calm.

“Your gifts do not always manifest at the same time. Usually, if you are to have more than one, the strongest will be the first one to show. And that will be the one we will focus on for now.

“Your essence is like a cup waiting to be filled with power, but as you drink from the cup, it gets smaller. As you exercise your powers, the size of your essence will grow. Like all people, your soul—or essence—resides in the shadow realm, which travels with you, parallel to the physical realm.”

She smiled. “I see you have a question.”

“I do,” Elwin said. “What is the shadow realm?”

“The shadow realm, sometimes called the realm of Spirits, parallels this realm,” she gestured to the room, “the physical realm, our world, all of Arinth. The dream you had last night was not a dream. When your physical body slept, your soul awakened in the shadow realm. All souls reside there, but only elementalists whose souls are awakened are aware of it.

“This is where you replenish your power. When you entered it last night, you gained the first of your Elemental power. When you call upon the Elements, they come from your essence in the shadow realm and are channeled through your body in the physical realm. We call this process
taming the Elements
. This is how you were able to do what you did today.”

“I still don’t understand. I will have to go to the shadow realm again? And how did I tame anything?”

She nodded. “You will enter the shadow realm each night when you sleep. You must be careful not to let your mind wander in the shadow realm. This is of the utmost importance. You must learn to master your thoughts. There is a danger in the shadow realm. Abaddon, the Seeker of Souls, has dominion there.”

Elwin flinched at the name but remained silent. If Jasmine noticed, she did not let it show. She continued unabated.

“It is in the shadow realm that an elementalist can surrender his soul to the Seeker for the Element of Death. While in the shadow realm, your body is your sanctuary. As long as you remain near your sanctuary, Abaddon has no power over you. Those who surrender to him are the Death bound. If you wander too far, you give the Seeker the opportunity to tempt you with his
Dark Gifts
. Until you know what signs to look for and how to escape him, you should just watch over your sleeping body.”

The gift. Life preserve him! That had been the Seeker in truth and not just a dream!

“In return for one’s soul, Abaddon gives the Death bound a unique power. Great is the temptation to accept his gifts, but there is no greater price than one’s soul. The Lifebringer imparts his followers with the gifts of Life, as well.”

“I have Visions,” Zarah interjected with a smugness in her voice. “It is my gift.”

“What does that mean?” Elwin asked, trying to keep the trembling from his voice.

“It means Zarah needs to keep quiet and let me teach you,” Jasmine said.

Zarah’s cheeks reddened. “Sorry, Mother.” Her voice sounded more petulant than chastised.

“Unlike most of us,” Jasmine said, “Zarah has no control over her gift. But, in moments of need, the Lifebringer will allow her a glimpse of the future. I see you have a question. Ask it.”

Elwin did have a question, but he didn’t want to think about Abaddon. Or the gift
he
had spoken of.

“How do I become Life bound?” Elwin asked instead. “Will that keep the Seeker from finding me?”

“If you are bound to Life, he will have no power over your soul,” Jasmine said. “But even so, he is still dangerous to all. And, I am afraid it is not possible until you can sense the power of Spirit. This happens at different times for every elementalist. I know some whom have not sensed Spirit until very late in life. I know others, like Zarah, who sensed Spirit before even coming to her other powers. When it happens, there will be no mistaking it.”

Elwin didn’t like her answer. If he couldn’t be Life bound, how could he stay safe?

“I have read about the four Elements: Air, Earth, Fire, and Water,” Elwin said. “But the books don’t talk much about Spirit other than to say it has been split into Life and Death. How can I find it?”

“If I knew a way to guide you to sense Spirit,” Jasmine said in a patient voice, “it would be the first lesson we would have. It is there for all. Even now, I can sense the tether from your Spirit to your body. It has always baffled me that it is so difficult to find, since together these are the sum of your existence. Our true forms are our essence, and this body is an anchor to the physical realm. The tether is somewhere in between and is difficult to see. One day, you will become aware of it, and that awareness will never leave you. When that day comes, you can be bound.”

“Maybe that’s why my books never speak of it,” Elwin said, feeling annoyed and not bothering to hide it. “It doesn’t seem to do anything beyond confuse people.”

Jasmine gave a smile so brief, Elwin second guessed whether or not it had been there. When Jasmine spoke, her voice held no amusement.

“Even without becoming bound, Spirit has more use than you can know. Spirit allows the Elements to be tethered or attached to objects. The process of tethering is an advanced practice. I have been training Zarah for almost six years, and only now am I teaching her to tether.”

“So,” Elwin said, “our Spirits have tethers and the Elements have tethers?”

“No,” Jasmine said in a patient voice. “We can use Spirit to transfer a piece of our tether to connect the Elements to an object or person,” Jasmine said. “For example, the ever-torches lining the streets or ever-candles in nobles’ homes are such. These are made with Fire and Spirit. Spirit is used to tether Fire to the candle or torch.”

“Wait,” Elwin said. “You said the tether is what keeps our souls attached to our bodies. If we take some of it and tie it something else, won’t that hurt?”

She nodded as if in a gesture of approval. “Yes and no. If performed properly, though taxing, it does not cause pain. A tether regenerates upon sleeping as does our used essence. However, if over-extended, even the most skilled in Spirit can sever the tethering between his essence in the shadow realm and his body. If this happens, the body dies.”

Her grim face made him shudder. Every part of being an elementalist seemed dangerous. Why had he ever wanted to become one?

“Maybe it is good that I can’t even sense it,” he said.

“Other than not being able to become Life bound,” she said, “I agree. Much would become simpler if you were bound, but I would prefer no novice sense her own tether.” Her eyes did not look at Zarah, but Zarah’s eyes narrowed as if she had.

“So,” Elwin said as the question formed in his mind, “is there a difference between taming Spirit and tethering?”

Jasmine smiled. “Questions are good. It means you are eager to learn, but you need to learn how to tame Air and release before any of this knowledge will be of use to you.”

Elwin flushed. He had asked a lot of questions, but he had wanted to become an elementalist since he had first read of them. Now that he had one in front of him, he found every answer brought about a new question.

“But to answer your question,” Jasmine continued, “tethering any Element is permanent, while taming Spirit is not. The talents vary depending upon whether or not you are bound. According to the Edicts of Fariomarus the Life binder, binding one’s soul to Life or Death tethers you to good or evil, the Lifebringer or Abaddon. Choosing to bind to either does limit your capabilities in a way, by narrowing one’s focus. This is why many elementalists remain neutral. Spirit alone can be used to alter the mood of a person. We will get to all of this in time.”

Elwin opened his mouth to ask another question, then closed it. She had said no more questions. But, he wanted to understand his dream. Or whatever it was. If it meant being safer from the Seeker, he wanted to be Life bound as soon as possible. But if he couldn’t be bound to Life, didn’t that mean he couldn’t be bound to Death?

“Alright,” Jasmine said. “You look ready to burst. One more question before your lesson.”

Elwin blurted his question out. “If I can’t be bound, what does the Seeker want with me?”

“Ah,” Jasmine said, “that is a very good question. There are many theories as to the why of it. Most are of a consensus that his seeking souls has something to do with the Awakening. No one really knows. However, one thing is certain. To be bound to Death, all one need do is seek out Abaddon in the shadow realm. Perhaps he has the power to show one his tether. We cannot be sure. But there is a very important lesson in this.” Jasmine gave him a serious look. “It is easier to cause Death than to create Life.”

Elwin shuddered. To think, he had already seen the Seeker. What if he had taken the
gift
? He would have been Death bound before even knowing he was an elementalist.

“You seem upset,” Jasmine raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

“I think I saw him,” Elwin admitted. “He had shadows for eyes. He said things that don’t make sense. I thought it was just a dream.”

Jasmine blinked. “You actually saw him on your first visit to the shadow realm? What did he say?”

“He spoke like he knew me,” Elwin said. “Solsec. He had called me Elwin of Solsec.”

Then, Elwin remembered where he had heard the name. Bain of Solsec had been the tyrant the man had spoken of earlier. He felt sick. He swallowed an acid taste and forced the rest out.

“He called me Son of Bain and said I was of his bloodline. He wanted me to take his gift and give him my soul. He touched me. It was cold. I can’t believe it wasn’t a dream. He said he had been waiting for me for a long time, and that I would Awaken them.”

“Mother,” Zarah said, “does that mean he—”

“It means nothing,” Jasmine said. “Abaddon is the father of all falsehoods. Elwin, have you spoken of this
dream
and what Abaddon said to you? Your parents? Feffer? Anyone?” The intensity in her voice scared him.