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The Elements Trilogy Characters and Places

Adamar

The earth element.

King Ashan

Ruler of Mezrah and Ravma. He is a dark force determined to follow in the footsteps of Kohlac.

Athra

Son of Varon. Betrothed to Princess Kyla. Cousin to Jethro. Future king of Taramon.

Benyamin

Father of Jethro, Levi and Sabine. Husband of Daniella.

The Black Forest

Near the east. Home of the witches. Believed to be the birthplace of Kohlac.

Bordor

Leader of the Elite, a group of highly trained assassins working for King Ashan.

The Canyon Lands

In the north-west. Home of the trolls.

Cori

The wind element.

Doran

The Southern City

Queen Elaina

Mother of Princess Kyla. Widow of King Heron. Ruler of Taramon

Eshron

The fire element.

The Forest of Gesham

In the west, near Ravma. Home of the rain people.

The Jahara Mountains

Runs along the south, from the Seran Sea to Vulcan Peak.

Jethro

Son of Benyamin and Daniella. Brother of Levi and Sabine. Cousin to Athra.

Kohlac

The dark lord who enslaved the world centuries ago. Defeated by Oron.

Princess Kyla

Daughter of King Heron and Queen Elaina. Princess of Taramon. Heir to the throne of Taramon. Betrothed to Athra.

The Lake of Serenity

Lies beside the foothills of the Jahara Mountains.

Levi

Son of Benyamin and Daniella. Brother of Jethro and Sabine.

Mezrah

The Eastern City

Mordekai

Seer of Mezrah. Master of Nikara.

Mya

The water element.

Nafeez

Sorcerer for the Elite and King Ashan.

Nikara

Apprentice to Mordekai the Seer.

Oron

God of Light. Creator of the world. Defeater of Kohlac.

Raquel

Daughter of Ezekiel and sister of Toban.

Ravma

Was once the Western City, now a training post for Ashan’s army.

Safeer

Ambassador for Ashan.

Taramon

The Northern City

Varon

Father of Athra. Queen’s closest confidante. Brother of Daniella.

Vulcan Peak

In the south-east. Home of the dragons.

The Prophecy

Do not be afraid. I have not abandoned you. A time will come when darkness can no longer rule. Look for a diamond glowing in the north, though it falls it will not fail, for from its ashes two seekers will arise. Through earth, water, wind and fire I will be found.

Even the smallest flame can shine in the black of night and the darkness cannot extinguish it. Even the smallest flame can ignite a fire that will burn with fury from one generation to the next.

1

It was once said that a light could shine in the darkness and the darkness could not overcome it, but then the light died and a darkness born of doubt and fear began to fester throughout the land, breeding an evil that no one invited. Years ago a prophecy was discovered that spoke of an end to this darkness...that the light would one day shine again, but no one believed it...except for Mordekai.

D o not be afraid, Mordekai whispered as he shuffled down the narrow, stone staircase. His sandal-clad feet kept slipping on the worn surface of each step, forcing him to slow down.

How many times had he climbed up and down these stairs? Of all the nights, this was not the one to fall and break his neck. He drew in a breath through his wide nostrils and ordered his limbs to stop shaking.

I have not abandoned you, he muttered the next line as he turned at the landing, scraping his wrinkled hand against the wall, trying to balance himself in the dim light. The candle in his hand flickered, threatening extinction. He paused. A slow grin spread across his lips as it fluttered back to life.

A time will come when darkness can no longer rule.

He dared not say the words too loudly as he reached the bottom step and tried to run through the narrow streets. His ageing body allowed him no more than a shuffle, but this was probably to his advantage, especially passing so closely to the palace.

He glanced over his shoulder.

Being out this late could be dangerous; the city was at its most malignant at this time of night. All the sensible ones had locked their doors and retired to bed. That left the streets filled with drunkards, harlots, dirty men…or the city guards. He did not know whom to fear more.

Ducking into the shadows, he waited for the rhythmic steps of two guards to pass him. He listened to the clink of swords against armour as they strode past. As soon as the sound of their marching feet faded into the distance, he stepped back onto the street.

Mordekai headed west, taking the long route through the rabbit warren of streets. Streets that once made him feel alive and proud. As a child he would spend hours gazing up at the golden palace spires and marvelling at their grandeur. He would stand tall with pride as the rich men rode past on decorated horses. The bells on the reins would tinkle and the jewels upon the men’s fingers would glisten in the sunlight.

But then his eyesight changed. He saw the truth, and now the mighty city of Mezrah only disgusted him. The only home he’d ever known was on the brink of self-destruction. So filled with greed and power, the men of Mezrah were blind to their ultimate demise.

Do not be afraid, he repeated. The time has come. It is now. His insides swelled with hope, and he had to force himself not to laugh as he shuffled faster to his little home on the western wall.

Look for a diamond glowing in the north. He shook his head with a smile. He had been right. He knew he had been. All these years. All this waiting and he was alive to see it!

He all but leapt up the final few stairs, his body protesting as he landed with a jolt. He rubbed his hip and hobbled inside.

The fire had died down to mere embers, but he ignored it. He would not be staying long. There was work to be done. Plans to be made.

He stopped outside a wooden door and tapped.

Nikara. The urge to yell was strong, but he quelled it. Nikara, you must wake up.

He listened against the door and sensed a stirring. Breaking all his own house rules, he leaned on the door and felt it shift beneath his weight.

Nikara? Poking his head into the room, he saw the small lump in the bed and hurriedly approached his apprentice. Nikara, my dear. He shook her shoulder.

She let out a soft groan and turned towards him. Morning already?

No. No. He shook his head. Sorry to wake you, but this is of the utmost importance.

Her wide, slanted eyes looked dry as she gazed at him. He knew she would never have the impudence to consciously show it, but he could sense her reticence.

Please, child. You must see this.

Biting her rosebud lips together, she slid out from beneath the covers and took the candle he held out to her. Throwing a robe over her shoulders, Mordekai danced like an excited child as he beckoned her to follow.

Her steps were too sleepy and slow for his liking, and he found himself dragging her through the streets. She knew not to question him before she must and stayed silent throughout the short journey. They reached the top of the stairs and stepped out onto his small perch. His father used to work up here, and Mordekai had carried on the tradition. It was a small landing on the edge of the northern wall. Few knew of it. He was still surprised that the rulers had never blocked the way, but for some reason they turned a blind eye to his nightly vigils up here. He had his suspicions but would never voice them. This little haven let him look out at everything beyond Mezrah. During the day he could see all the way from the Black Forest to the borderlands of Taramon.

Mordekai, what are we doing up here?

He turned away from the inky blackness below and gazed up at the sky. His white teeth beamed through his grey beard. Look through the telescope.

Nikara covered her yawn with delicate fingers. Mordekai…

Just look, child.

She blinked slowly. He knew she didn’t like him calling her child anymore; she was nineteen years of age and quite a beauty. He noticed how men now stopped to glance at her, something he was struggling to adjust to. To him, she would always be the little waif he found bleeding on his doorstep.

He bit his lip as she stepped towards the telescope he had spent hours gazing through. He knew the night sky better than anyone in the city.

Nikara squeezed her left eye tight and peered into the lens.

Do you see my star?

Her small fingers swivelled the telescope to the north. Yes, she mumbled.

He watched her in agitated silence. Her body was rigid, her fingertips turning white as they pressed against the smooth wood.

Had she noticed? Why wasn’t she saying anything?

Finally unable to bear it, he whispered, Do you notice—

It’s moving. She glanced up at him, her lips parted. I thought I was seeing things, but… She bent down to have another look. It’s… Stepping away from the telescope, she leaned against the wall. Mordekai, is it falling?

He let out a chuckle. Look for a diamond glowing in the north, though it falls, it will not fail. He quoted the second part of the prophecy with a laugh.

What does that mean?

It means I was right. The diamond of the prophecy is not the crystal in Taramon Tower. It is this star.

The one he had discovered sixteen years ago.

Nikara swallowed. Mordekai, it’s been too long. No one believes the prophecy anymore.

Well maybe they should.

Her lips pressed together in a tight grimace as she looked out into the inky blackness. Do we tell—?

No. No, we mustn’t. He forbade talk of the prophecy years ago; we must keep this to ourselves.

His face scrunched in thought as he turned his gaze to the far borderlands.

Mordekai?

The tremor in her voice was hard to miss, and he felt a touch of guilt as he turned to her. Pack your things, child. It’s time to leave Mezrah.

Nikara bundled her belongings into the pouch Mordekai had thrown at her. She fought off tears as she scanned her sparse room.

Leaving. She didn’t want to leave. This was her home.

Closing the door behind her, she threw a worn shawl over her head and shoulders before tiptoeing to the end of the corridor. Mordekai was waiting in the open doorway, adjusting his robe with frantic fingers. As soon as she was next to him, he blew out her candle and took her hand.

We must be silent. We cannot be seen leaving the city.

Biting her lip, she followed him. They stuck to the shadows. This wasn’t hard once they reached the lower part of the city where they spent most of their days. She had come to know the streets well through constant trips to help the sick and needy. Mordekai was raised by a seer and until he refused to stop talking about the star he discovered, was considered a wise man in the king’s court. Now he was a nobody with the rich, but his study of medicine had made him most popular with the poor, who called upon him at all hours. Nikara had learned to accept this, although hoped that one day they’d be paid with more than eggs and dried fruit.

She let go of his hand as they ducked into a doorway and waited for two drunken revellers to sing their way past them. A smile twitched her lips as she listened to their vulgar lyrics and Mordekai’s disgusted sigh.

Hurry, he whispered.

She followed him around the next bend and wrinkled her nose as they descended further into the bowels of the city. The south end was where all the muck and grime seemed to accumulate. Mordekai’s small apartment on the western wall was far from luxurious, but it was that much closer to the north side of the city, the side she one day hoped to live in.

She wondered if that would ever be a possibility now as they scampered towards the southern exit. Mordekai would of course try to sneak out this way. The guards of the city usually left the rabble to fend for themselves. They didn’t bother risking life and limb to patrol this area. Nikara sensed the danger closing in around them as noises of all variety escaped beneath doorways and window ledges. A soft whimper, a lust-filled moan, a loud smash followed by a wail.

Drunken laughter filled with mindless curses grew louder as the door beside her opened. She held in a gasp and scampered after her master.

Mordekai’s short frame hurried ahead of her. She had to run to catch up. She’d never seen the man put on such bursts of speed. She’d been living with him for five years now, and he’d never shown this much emotion. He had often gone on about the star and the prophecy, but like most, she’d only listened out of respect for the man. The fact that it was now falling scared her. What if the prophecy was true? What if Mordekai had been right all along?

Once we’re out of the city, where are we to go? she whispered when she caught up to him.

We shall follow that star.

How?

I’m working on transportation as we speak.

Nikara’s eyes narrowed.

He threw a tight smile over his left shoulder. She caught a brief glimpse of it as they passed beneath a flaming torch.

Who do you know with transportation?

I know a man who has connections.

Who?

Mordekai cleared his throat then mumbled, Gamal.

Nikara’s mouth dropped open. The debt collector? He helps no man.

Maybe so, but he owes me a favour.

One he’s probably forgotten. She knew she was being impertinent by questioning him, but she did not fancy a trip to the palace escorted by the royal guard. King Ashan struck fear into the heart of the very bravest men. She would stand no chance in his presence.

Mordekai pulled up short. Flicking his robe back, he paused outside a dark door and looked at her. One does not forget the day another saved his life.

With that he rapped on the door and waited with his chin held high.

Nikara folded her arms and leaned against the building. Gamal was a man of many means and could probably get them what they wanted.

As long as it’s not donkeys, she grumbled under her breath.

Mordekai’s moustache jittered as the door was thrown back on its hinges.

Nikara jolted upright and gazed up at the large, grumpy man with hair protruding from what seemed like every orifice. She wrinkled her nose and stepped back. His slow, leering gaze made her pull her shawl tightly around her face and look to the ground.

Crazy Mordekai. Your reasons for being at my door at this hour may cost you.

I suspected as much. Mordekai’s smile was warm as he removed a small bag from within his robe and shook it. The coins clinked against each other, making the ape-man grin.

Nikara waited outside the door as whispered discussions took place. She watched Mordekai nod, shake his head, nod again and then beam with a smile. Slapping the man’s beefy arm, he shook his hand and closed the door.

Nikara stepped forward.

He’s bringing them around now.

She peeked over Mordekai’s shoulder and couldn’t help a groan. Mordekai’s moustache jittered again before his lips broke into a beaming smile. I’m sorry, my dear. It was all he had.

The donkey on the right gave out a loud bray. Dropping her head, Nikara took the reins with a tight smile and shot daggers at Gamal as he walked away.

Mordekai continued to chuckle until the southern gates loomed large. Nikara held her bundle tightly as they approached. How are we supposed to get through the gate?

Gamal assures me this guard can be reasoned with.

You mean bribed.

It is for a good cause, my dear.

Nikara hated it when he called her that. Holding back a sarcastic reply, she waited while Mordekai approached the gatekeeper.

Crazy Mordekai. The guard chuckled.

Her old master let out a hearty laugh. Once again conversation was lost to her as their voices dropped to a whisper. She knew Gamal was right and that Mordekai would get them through this gate. The few guards that did patrol down here were very relaxed and a gold coin or two went a long way.

She heard the clink of ten.

Avoiding eye contact, she pulled the donkey past the burly guard and out into air that felt instantly fresh. The thick side door closed with a final bang and Nikara spun to study it.

We must not linger, child. Dawn will be breaking sooner than we wish. We must make it to the forest before anyone sees us.

Nikara closed her eyes and forced her head high. With feet made of lead she followed after the man who had saved her life, willing herself not to look back.

Dawn was searing the sky when Nikara finally looked back up the steep path they had descended. It had been a treacherous journey in the dark. One only a fool would take.

She glanced at Mordekai then back up at her home.

They were now making their way along the edge of the eastern wall. As soon as they reached the forest, she would lose sight of her city altogether. If she craned her neck to the side she could just see the top of the palace. The four spires set in a perfect square stood like arrows, tall sentinels guarding the illustrious palace within the city walls. As soon as the sun hit them, they would burn bright, blinding anyone who dared look at them.

The scarf fell from her head, allowing her thick locks to tumble free and dance in the wind. She squinted back at the marshlands they had waded through. They would soon be ascending the small rocky path up towards the forest and eventually the farmlands beyond as they approached Taramon’s borders.

Mordekai dismounted his donkey to lead him out of the bog and up the rocks. She had refused to mount hers until absolutely necessary. When they had reached the muck at the bottom of the hill, she had been forced to climb atop the stubborn beast. After the night she’d had, her thoughts towards this excursion were black in nature. All this effort had better be worth it.

They finally made it up the rocks and found the narrow path that led them into a thick pine forest. Nikara looked back for one last glimpse of the indestructible walls of Mezrah before mounting her donkey with a heavy sigh.

So why do you think the star will land near Taramon?

Mordekai waited for her to catch up and smiled. It is the northern city. The prophecy says, ‘Look for a diamond in the north.’ Our falling star has been residing over that city since I discovered it. Surely the seekers must be there.

Nikara thought of the prophecy Mordekai had made her memorize. Look for a diamond glowing in the north, though it falls it will not fail, for from its ashes two seekers will arise.

Do you think the seekers are people?

I cannot say for certain. It seems the most plausible explanation.

I wonder what they’re like.

Seekers? Well, they can only be people of the finest character…strong, fast, intelligent. Oron is a thoughtful god. He sent us this prophecy. He sent us the star, and the seekers he has selected will be perfect for the task.

2

Kyla was laughing so hard she could barely breathe. Jumping behind a large pine tree, she leaned against the trunk and pulled in a few quick breaths. A large growl too close-by for comfort made her jump. Giggles rippled through her stomach again as she took off towards home.

Weaving through the thick forest, she adjusted the bow over her shoulder and risked a glance behind her. The giant of a man was closing in fast and he did not look happy. He was trying to wipe mud from his hairy face with one hand while clutching his trousers with the other. His run was disrupted by a tree root. He stumbled to the ground and bellowed at his retreating prey. Kyla laughed even harder.

Her foot turned as it hit a dimple in the earth and she tumbled