Dragonmist: The Shattered Crystal

Dragonmist

The Shattered Crystal

Book One

Helen McLean & Dianne Hockey

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 Helen McLean & Dianne Hockey

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Cover Design by Miss Mae

Website: http://themissmaesite.blogspot.com

Chapter One

Jasper, Saith and Padyn had been friends since childhood and could always be found in each other’s company. Today was no exception.

All three young men were accomplished horsemen. Riding bareback was one of their greatest pleasures. With handfuls of their horses’ mane twisted tightly around their fingers, they whooped as they galloped across the plains. Their shoulder length hair, lifted by the slight breeze, streamed behind them. The fear of falling off did not enter their minds. Fast was never fast enough.

At every opportunity, they pushed themselves and their steeds to the limit. As they headed for their secret hideaway, where they could let their horses roam beneath the trees and feed on the lush grass, while they discussed their latest conquests both real and imagined.

On reaching their hideaway, they dismounted. The horses freed from their riders, strolled off to munch on the bounty offered by the earth. Each young man watched his horse wander away unconcerned, as they knew a whistle would see the animal return to its owner.

Soon, they were lounging comfortably outside the mouth of a cave littered with old rugs and stuff they had foraged from their homes.

Saith reached into his satchel and threw an apple to each of his friends who grabbed them and each took a large bite. Courtesy of my mother, she was happy to see the back of me for a few hours, though I haven’t a clue why? The others laughed.

Hey, Jasper, I heard your parents have made an appointment with to speak with you under the Tree of Knowledge. That can’t be a good thing. Padyn sniggered and bit into an apple waiting for his friend to tell him what was going on.

Hey, what’s going on, I heard the same. What have you been up to? Saith added and winked at Padyn.

Cut it out both of you. I haven’t a clue what it is about but I’m not happy as it is only ever when something very important needs to be spoken of that we are taken to the Tree of Knowledge. Jasper glared at his friends. Is it possible that one, or both of you, know what it’s about and could give me a hint, prepare me?

Padyn shook his head. Not me.

Me either I thought you were going to tell us. Saith sounded disappointed. You aren’t keeping a secret are you?

Of course not, you know me better than that. Jasper’s snapped. How could his friends think he had gone out on his own and caused mischief without them by his side. They had made a pact under the Tree of Knowledge and he knew there was no way he would ever break it.

Hey, I wonder if someone figured who put the blue dye in old lady Frinchett’s washing when she had her back turned? Saith looked at both his friends and noticed Padyn’s face was changing colour. He said nothing but turned his attention to Jasper to see what he would say.

You both know that wasn’t. Jasper was shocked they could think such a thing of him but inwardly he was smiling at the sight of the blue washing drying on the line and old lady Frinchett’s language, which had to have been almost the same colour as her clothing.

Actually no one knows it wasn’t you and as we were together. However, she could have blamed you. After she was the one who discovered her granddaughter in your arms kissing each other. I’ll bet she said it was you to get even. Saith reasoned and Padyn nodded his agreement as his mouth was full of apple.

You two are right about one thing, old lady Frinchett has it in for me, especially after my mother went crazy at her and told her to keep control of her granddaughter. Jasper agreed. I tried to explain to Madam Fritchett that her granddaughter was the one kissing me, but she wouldn’t believe it.

Saith and Padyn started to laugh.

I don’t think it is funny. Jasper scowled and folded his arms across his chest.

Oh come on Jasper, you have to admit it was funny, her shaking a stick at you and chasing you away. She surprised me how fast she could move on those bandy legs of hers.

She surprised me too. It had been funny and no doubt it would have been funnier if he had not been on the receiving end of it.

Anyway, tell us, what was it like? Padyn asked.

What was what like?

Kissing Maisha Frinchett of course, Saith nudged Padyn and pursed his lips making kissing sounds as they stared at Jasper.

Okay I suppose. I don’t like her much. Jasper felt the colour rising to his face at the thought of the experience.

I bet you wouldn’t say no if it had been Chamise Tharim would you? Padyn suggested knowing his friend had a crush on Chamise.

Hey, I wouldn’t say no if it Chamise Tharim chose to kiss me, Saith added.

Jasper mused a little on the thought of kissing Chamise Tharim. Her long pale hair hung in waves to her tiny waist. She was petite in both height and figure and knew how to make the most of it He sighed as he remembered her small round face with rosebud lips and big almond shaped hazel eyes which flashed when she smiled and caused him to catch his breath. That would be different now; there would be a story to tell. Jasper felt his cheeks redden. He laughed to hide his embarrassment. His friends leaned forward expectantly. What are you looking at?

Have you? they asked not taking their eyes away from Jasper.

What and risk getting my face rearranged? No thank you. Besides she likes someone else and he is keen on her. I am not going to get involved in that. A bloke could get more than a face rearrangement for messing with another man’s girlfriend, especially if the person in question was Westyn Genkins.

Point taken, His friends said nodding their heads. Westyn Genkins was a head taller than the three of them and build twice as thick. He was someone who could do serious damage if messed with.

Back to the beginning then, whatever your parents want to speak to you about it must be pretty serious if you have to meet them beneath the Tree of Knowledge. As far as I recall, only business that is not to be overheard is discussed there. Are you certain you are not holding out on us and have done something seriously bad?

I am positive. Anything I have done you two have been there. Who is to say the pair of you aren’t going to be collared as soon as you get home for the stunt we pulled on Jamis Peray yesterday. I heard him complaining to your mother, Saith. He was demanding she does something about disciplining us. According to him we are running wild and if they don’t stop us, he intends to petition the Masters of the Veil and demand we are dealt with the more severely the better in his opinion.

Oh, no, if that lot get involved we are done for. They will force us to tell them all we have done and punishment is bound to follow. I can see the three of us cleaning out the stables for the rest of our natural lives. Padyn shuddered and Saith grimaced. Both of them turned to their friend. Jasper, you could be saved as your father was once one of them. The blame will be at our feet. Everyone will say we misled you.

Rubbish, if one of us is caught and punished, then we all are. Jasper said. I will insist that the same punishment be meted out to me so we will all share the same fate.

I believe you would. Even if it meant you could have gotten away with it don’t you Saith? Padyn said and Saith nodded in agreement. Both of them knew Jasper was the most honourable of the three of them. Neither of the other two could honestly say they would take the blame for anything if they didn’t have to.

We took an oath under the Tree of Knowledge. Jasper reminded them as he held up his finger where a small scar crossed it. A pact was made to share everything and blood was shed. There is no way we can break it. We are friends forever. Jasper felt a shiver run down his spine. He had a feeling that forever was not as long as they intended. He shook the feeling away from his thoughts and held out his right hand palm down. Saith and Padyn placed theirs one on top of the other. They bowed their heads and recited the oath they had made.

I had better go if I am going to get back in time for this meeting. Reluctantly he rose and whistled for his horse.

We will come back with you. Saith and Padyn called their horses. Jasper had reminded them of the oath they had made to stick together.

Hanging on to the horses’ manes, they flung themselves upwards and landed neatly on the back of their transport. Again they sped through the plains, only slowing down as they reached the village where they lived. Saying goodbye they headed to their own homes.

When he arrived home, Jasper called out but no one answered. He knew either they had left early or he was late. If he was late, he thought it would be a good idea to wash the dust from his hair and body, and dress in clean clothes before meeting with his parents rather than appear dirty and dishelved. If he arrived on time, clean and tidy it would show he had made an effort to show his respect for them.

He was certain what they had to say was very important. Fear crept through his bones that one or the other would tell him they were ill. If he lost them he didn’t know what he would do. Anything would be better than that he thought as he sponged off the dirt and grime from his ride.

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Chapter Two

Alerted by a change in the surrounding energy, Othico Hiramin ceased muttering to himself and turned his attention towards the disturbance. Rhian, his wife, had emerged from their cottage in the hidden world of the Amryc Mountains. His eyes followed her as she strolled towards him. He sensed her emotions and regretted his part in the pain she was suffering. The Masters of the Veil and Rhian had all agreed by oath to keep silent, although he remembered she had been very reluctant and voiced her opinion very strongly at the time. However, she was an outsider and unaccustomed to their ways. To Othico and the others there had been only one direction they could take. In the end she had agreed although he was certain it was because she had nowhere else to go rather than her understanding of their reason behind the silence they were bound to.

Rhian was wearing her favourite gown of russet, edged with swirls of cream. It was finely woven and flowed around her when she moved, accentuating the lines of her slim body. He remembered the first time he had seen her wear the dress. She had taken his breath away then and by the sound of his breathing he knew she was about to do the same today.

It is beautiful, you are more beautiful if that is possible, he stuttered and gasped at the sight of his wife in the gown for the first time.

Does it change me that much? She had giggled and sat on his knee almost destroying any resolve he had to keep his hands off her.

I think there is magic in it. And I think that if you are set on wearing it to the celebrations tonight, you had better get off my knee or there is a chance we will be late and that would set tongues wagging.

Oh, Othico, what a thing to say, it’s only a dress. She jumped from his knee unwilling to have the gown crushed before she made her entrance.

As I said, there is enchantment at work. His eyes followed her as she moved away from him.

Maybe, you are right about the magic bit. I was a little nervous tonight, to attend my first Harvest Festival with you as my husband, but when I put on this dress, I felt confident and ready to face anything. She looked at his eyes which seemed to follow her as though he was in a trance. Snap out of it Othico, I think we had better make our way to the ball.

At the Harvest Festival, Rhian was given many compliments and many of the women asked her to show them how to weave such a fine fabric. Rhian noticed that only Orthicon’s eyes followed her wherever she went. The other men in the room seemed oblivious to the power of the dress. She was pleased as she didn’t want to be tending to wounds caused by her husband defending her honour.

Rhian’s weaving and dying skills had been learned in the outside world a long way from the Amir Mountains. It was a world Orthicon had no desire to step into although he knew one day he would have to do so. It had been written in the ancient tomes that he would do so, but as the time had been so far away, he had effectively blocked it from his conscious mind.

However, the day was fast approaching when he would have to venture outside his comfortable world. He didn’t want to think of it, for he had a feeling of dread, one that had not been written about in any prophecy. After he ventured out, he would not return home to Rhian. It broke his heart as he loved her with all that he was and knew that his feelings were returned. It was unfair, but it had been written and there was nothing he could do to change it.

Othico looked at Rhian again to dispel the thoughts invading his mind. He wondered how she managed to create the soft, fine fabric she wove and coloured considering the darkness and chaos she had been born and grown up in. It was a talent that she shared willingly with anyone who showed an interest.

The ladies of the Amryc Mountains who were not nimble fingered eagerly traded pottery, ironwork and the raw materials she needed to produce the cloth in exchange for the finished product.

The years had been kind to her he thought, only a few small wrinkles at the corners of her deep brown eyes, the rest of her face was smooth. She possessed a way of gliding that exuded peace and serenity as she walked making her seem much taller than the petite person she really was. Her light olive skin gave her the appearance of spending lazy days in the sun.

Although she enjoyed relaxation as much as anyone, she was always active and did not sit and idle her free time.

Today her long ebony hair hung loose to her waist. He watched it sway backward and forward, mesmerised by its movement and her beauty in the dress she wore, until she was by his side.

She knelt beside him and kissed his cheek in greeting. He moved to make room for her to nestle in next to him and put his arm around her shoulders to comfort her. Neither spoke, instead they breathed in the serenity of their surroundings, lulled by the gentle lapping of the waters on the shore.

They sat beneath the Tree of Knowledge at the side of a lake. The waters of the lake were clear and one could almost see the bottom, but not quite. The icy blue waters of the lake had been called the Lake of Tears. It had been named long ago, in memory of when their world was whole.

The sun glistened on the transparent waters. Water birds swam, occasionally diving below to catch small fish to eat. Fish were always plentiful and often one would spin up from the depths, fly out of the water in a golden arch before diving below again.

Multi-coloured fowl pecked for food in its shallows, their long legs and splayed feet kept them from sinking, while their long beaks picking the tasty morsels lying beneath the mud banks.

Othico was the first to break the serenity. Rhian, how do you think he will take the news we are about to break to him?

You mean other than turning his anger towards us for keeping from him for this long?

I expect him to be angry, but he is a sensible lad, he will get over it.

Get over it just like that you think eh? Tears formed in her eyes. We are about to tell him his whole life is a lie and you think he will be just a little miffed?

I didn’t say that. I am prepared that he will be angry with us. However, when he has thought it through he will realise we did it for him.

Tears coursed down her cheeks. She didn’t bother to wipe them away. No, we did it for us. Not for him, it was never for him, it was for The Masters of the Veil, I admit I agreed but it was with reluctance which I voiced at the time. I said it then and I will say it now, I still don’t know why it had to be kept from him in the first place?

Othico sighed, wonderful as Rhian was, there were times when she could be difficult. Now was one of those times. Rhian, you know why. At the time all possibilities were discussed. There would have been expectations placed on him that would have denied him an ordinary childhood. This way he has been in scrapes, made friends he can trust and been able to grow at his own pace. We should be proud of all he has achieved. If everyone had known who he was, they would have singled him out, tried to make him special, or alternatively shunned him as an outcast. People do strange things when they don’t understand. How do you think he would have coped with that? Othico hoped she would see the logic in his argument.

She didn’t. How should I know how he would have coped, he was not given the chance to show it. Othico, I was led to believe everyone in the Amryc Mountains accepted people for themselves. This place is supposed to be different from the outer world which is shrouded in darkness. Yet is it so different?

I would like to think so.

Her voice was heavy with sarcasm as she threw out her arms. I mean, this place, is supposed to be Utopia, the place of peace and harmony, all good, protected from the evil of the outer world. We are all supposed to ‘live in the light, aren’t we? Rhian’s voice shrieked, before she leaned back against her husband’s body crying, all the fight had gone out of her she felt limp and defeated regardless of the confidence she usually felt in the dress she was wearing.

Rhian, I understand you are frightened but we all agreed swore on the Sacred Crystal Sarcophagus of Zymak that his identity was to be kept secret until it was time to be revealed. We all took the pledge, you included. Rhian knew he was right although she had raised an objection she had been convinced by the others that it was the only way. I am so afraid he is never going to forgive us for what we have done.

Just because we were not his birth parents does not mean he is not our son. We have been his parents in every way. It is our responsibility to tell him. Would you rather one of the Masters of the Veil revealed all the facts? Othico’s lips tightened into a thin line. He too was afraid at what the future held.

Her eyes flashed as her own lips tightened. Not a chance. Explaining to him in that clipped monotone, citing all the facts in that cold, hard logic way of theirs? She glared at him and pointed her finger in accusation. You know me well enough not to have even suggested that in the first place. When you tell him, make it plain that it was you and the Masters of the Veil who decided and that although I agreed, it was with reluctance. She snapped.

Othico, as a former leader of the Masters of the Veil, had been instrumental in the deception. His voice shook as he tried to make her understand. Okay, I will take the blame. However, he has to know the whole story of his birth and the responsibility of what we are about to lay on his shoulders. Rhian, he still has the freedom to make his own decision. It is difficult for me as well as you.

Rhian knew Othico was right to chastise her. Softening her voice she put her arms around him, burying her head in his shoulder, Othico, forgive me, I am afraid that when he leaves and I know he will because he has such honour in his soul. I don’t want him to go away in anger to follow his path. In my head I know you’re right but my heart aches. I love him so much. As a mother, I am frightened for him and what if we were wrong about the signs?

Othico touched the purple orb in the centre of his white tunic and turned towards the woman he had loved for over twenty years. His brown eyes brimmed with unshed tears. As his tears fell he made no attempt to wipe them away. Rhian I love both of you, I am unashamed of my tears. They are for what he must do and the dangers he must face. You know I would go in his place and suffer for him, but it is impossible. We both know that.

Puzzled Jasper ran towards the familiar figures sitting beneath the Tree of Knowledge. As he had made his way to the Tree of Knowledge, the villagers had turned their gaze away and scurried inside their homes. He felt he must be in deep trouble but try as he might, he couldn’t remember what he had done to deserve such treatment.

Standing before his parents he asked. What is going on? Why is everyone looking oddly at me and going inside? Am I in trouble?

Othico felt anger rise within him. The Masters of the Veil had already told everyone what was happening. He felt Rhian’s hand reach out to him and he quelled the anger, he would address a meeting and put his views forward to the Masters of the Veil at another time. Rhian knowing him as well as she did, knew he needed a few more moments to compose himself and answered Jaspers immediate question.

Jasper, it is not about anything you have done. Though I am sure you must have a guilty conscience to ask such a question. However, what you and your friends have been up to is no more than other young men of your age. Although, I have to tell you that Jamis Peray insists we should have been sterner with you when you were young. He says that the six of us are bad parents. I am rambling. This has nothing to do with why we are here. Rhian took a deep breath. Your father and I have something of great importance to tell you. She said as she a pang of love coursed through her body for the young man she had raised from a new born.

His golden brown hair, hung in waves over his shoulders. Shoulders broadened by training in swordsmanship, hunting and athletic competitions. She knew most of the young women in the mountains regarded him as the most handsome of all the