Legacy of Mist and Shadow: The Age of Awakenings Book 3

Legacy of Mist and Shadow

The Age of Awakenings - Book 3

Tales from Feyron - The Ripples of Power

By Diana L. Wicker

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Copyright © 2014 by Diana L. Wicker

All rights reserved.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Created in the United States of America

Cover Art Copyright © 2014 by Mia Darien

Cover Art Stock Images Copyright © 2014: BigStockPhoto.com

Editing & Formatting by Mia Darien (http://www.miadarien.com)

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The Realm of Feyron and its characters are the creation of Diana Wicker. Names of characters and locations are pulled from the author’s personal family history as well as the mythology of various cultures. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

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Dedication

I would like to say farewell to my friend Andrew, who enjoyed the previous Tales from Feyron, and would have been a beta reader for this tale. His passing came far too soon.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my beta readers for the time they spend reading my stories and offering feedback. Alex, Lori, Mia, and Nancy: thank you for all of your help.

I would like to thank Mia Darien for her wonderful book cover design.

I would like to thank my family for all of their love, support, and encouragement as I continue to write my little stories. I love you guys!

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Preface

This has been the hardest story for me to pull together so far. It looks ahead to a future that many within Feyron likely would never have contemplated while remembering a past most never knew. It has been a delicate balance, as a storyteller, to look forward to the Could Be of stories yet to come while imagining a Then that was not yet on paper, all so I could tell the tale of the Awakening happening during the Now of Feyron.

This story is also a little different from the previous two in that it travels not only between locations within Feyron and out to Worlds Beyond, but between times as well. A cast of characters and special terms listing is provided for reference.

A good bit of Then was written up in the process of this book. The Age of Beginnings was fully explored with a number of new tales of lore written for that. The Age of Fading, Defenders of Light, and several Worlds Beyond were explored as well, and all are quite insistent that they need stories of their own. There may yet be more tales to come as the Ripples of Power radiate out from the Realm of Feyron.

OTHER WORKS FROM THE SERIES:

TALES FROM FEYRON - THE RIPPLES OF POWER

The Dreamweaver’s Journey: The Age of Awakenings Book 1

The Guardian Child’s Return: The Age of Awakenings Book 2

Legacy of Mist and Shadow: The Age of Awakenings Book 3

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I would like to note to the readers that the archaic spellings of words in the Tales from Feyron are purposeful. Language is a living, breathing thing--just like myths, legends, and lore--and I think it is good to remember sometimes that the spellings we see today in modern American English have much deeper roots. Take time to pause and open your favorite search engine and study a bit of the past as you read the story.

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Realm of Feyron - Realms of Light

Age of Awakenings - Spring Returns

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Cast of Characters

Realm of Feyron

Guardians of Feyron - bestowers of magic to the clans of the Faie - and their kin

Realms of Light

Lady Kali - the great leviathan, Keeper of Time

Shyamal, known as Shya - guardian-child, water serpent gifted forms of whippet puppy and winged serpent by his mother - His magics continue to grow and be discovered, and he has learned to take on Faie form.

Lord Okapoti - the great unicorn, Keeper of Life, bestower of creation magic (healing, growing, innovation/creativity)

Lady Akilina - winged horse, mist-walker - mate to Lord Okapoti

Queen Luyung - the great red dragon, Keeper of the Elements, bestower of use of the elements (earth, air, fire, water)

Daiyu - the great black dragon, known as the Queen’s First

Xue - dragon-son - assists the scholars

Shan - dragon-son - earth

Lord Grypos - the great golden griffin, Keeper of Knowledge, bestower of divination (visions from the Mists of Time - Then, Now, or Could Be)

Lady Oyisha - sphynx, daughter of the mists, Keeper of the Sacred Path - guide to the sparks as they return to the Beyond after their passing - mate to Lord Grypos

Tau - griffin-son, Temple griffin

Nghala - griffin-daughter - advisor to Lord of Phanai in Gnosis

Zareb & Tiaret - parents of fledges born within the Mists

Undavu - griffin-son - first fledge to leave the Island in the Sands to see other realms

Realm of Mist

Samanya - Guardian of the mists

Nibelung - son of the mists within Feyron

the naga - serpent-sons, reside in a sacred pool beside the Realm of Dream and Shadow

Naga’rajh - guide to his brothers

Realm of Darkness

Senja’kala - Guardian of the Darkness

Azdaja - daughter of shadow, also called Bringers of Darkness for given opportunity they will possess a host - known as Bringers when they roam the land free of a host

Shade - a spark of light that was corrupted by darkness - a living shadow

Clans

Heron Clan - unicorn-children, gifts of creation

Master Aneurin, called Nye, life-binder (also known as soul-keeper, rare gift combining necromancy and creation), son of Lord Tiernan

His wife - Soifra of Caris, daughter of Clan Master Reike, shapeshifter - favors the black dragon form

Bru’yn Clan - dragon children, gifted use of elements

Master Miltiades, called Miltos, earth-child (special gift of crystal shaping), Master Foreman of the Hall of Gifts, son of Lady Meifeng,

Phanai Clan - griffin-children, gifts of divination

Age of Beginnings

Lord Leoneos, son of Aetos, second Lord of Phanai

Elder Lord Aetos - first Master Scholar of the Archives

Age of Awakenings

Lord Stelios, elderly leader of the clan, encouraged by Lord Grypos to become master of the Crystal Hall

Caris Clan - shapeshifters, formerly of a World Beyond, now residing in the Lesser Forest - Their leader is titled Clan Master, not Lord, like the other clans.

Clan Master Reike - shapeshifter - favors the golden griffin form

His wife - Elaina of Tyrel, griffin-child like her mother, sister to Lord Hyatt,

Their children living at the manor:

Young Mistress Zilya - griffin-child

Young Mistress Miria - shapeshifter

Young Master Rian

Elder Master Ailill - Reike’s father, lost in the Beyond in Reike’s childhood, now residing within the Anya, favors the unicorn form

His wife - Elder Mistress Reyna, Reike’s mother, formerly leader of Clan Caris after her husband was lost while awaiting her son to take his place

Her other descendants:

Master Rohan

His wife - Myrna

Elwynne - shapeshifter - favors the wyrma form

Conall - shapeshifter

Isleen - griffin-child

Mistress Rowan (twin to Rohan)

Her husband - Oran

Oisin - shapeshifter - favors the white stag form

Shae - shapeshifter

Cael - shapeshifter

Radha - griffin-child

Tyrel Clan - true sorcerers, formerly of a World Beyond, now residing at the edge of the Lesser Forest on the shore of the Unending Sea - magic is passed to the male line

Lord of the clan - Hyatt, sorcerer

Master Nolan, Hyatt’s son, sorcerer

His wife - the Dreamweaver, Aideen of Heron, (divination through dreams and fire reading, summoner of the Guardians), daughter of Lord Tiernan

Scholars at the Temple of Pyli - anyone may pledge to study at the Temple

Master Scholar Teagan, griffin-child - head of the scholars

Master Scribe Edmond - heads the Scriptorium in Luhung

Mistress Kissa, shapeshifter of Caris, mistress of apprentices

Arwyn, grower (plant creation), scholar’s apprentice/novice scribe, daughter of Lord Tiernan

Orabelle, water-child of Bru’yn, scholar’s apprentice

Neria, summoner of Vocare (clan from World Beyond), scholar’s apprentice

Bidarte - World Beyond of Clan Vocare

Guardiankin

Olkurr and Ukurr - griffin-sons, twin white griffinkin, known to the Vocare as the Patrons

Clans

Vocare - griffin-children - They have intermarried with the Lainoa (children of mists) of their world throughout the ages such that they display a combination of both light and mist magics that manifests in different ways. The original divination skills gifted by Lord Grypos have long ago been forgotten.

Lord of the clan, Jareth

Luminary Babesne - leader of the Defenders, elder sister to Lord Jareth

Chronicler Oroitz - keeper of the chronicles of the Defenders

Lainoa - children of the mists - name given to the tribes on Worlds Beyond gifted with mist magic

Xixili, the High Seer of the Order of Mystics - the Seers act as the advisors to the non-magical nation-states

Tirtha - World Beyond lost in mist and shadow

Guardiankin

Naga’sine - serpent-son, considered by the Eva’kien to be their Guardian

Razi’najh - serpent-son, called Razi by Nuriel, also known as the Watcher and the Secret One

Wa’piti - the Forest Lord - Son of the Mists, also called Lord of Nature

Noelani - daughter of the mists

Clans

Avahaa - the remaining few - members of the Eva’kien, Defenders, naga’sema, Mendali, Garuda, and Nimisa who remained behind after the gateway to Feyron fell

Those named in the current tale:

Remaining Evahr - charmers of the wild magics and keepers of the Sentinels

Cecil, Torin, Trilli

Remaining Kien - mist-walkers, ability to summon a mystic companion (specific bird by tribe) and share their sight

Mali

Remaining naga’sema - serpent-army - those nag’ala who have completed their training to combat the Darkness

Jolon, Falak

Remaining Mendali - hose who defend the light by walking in darkness - When united with the Defenders they become the Circle, the Righters of Wrongs

Kamil - last of the aputra, son of Nag’nava, grandson of Naga'sine

Nuriel, called Nuri or the Summoner - also seen in the visions of Then

Remaining Garuda - shadow clan, also called Dark Eagles

Nyx - the last Dark Eagle

Magical Creatures

Ardvisura - spirit of the sacred waters, the great River of Life (naiad), creature of wild magics

Oshkah’ri - the Ancient One - great white wyrma, creature of wild magics

Visions of Then

Niall - young master of Clan Caris

Shaylee - young lady delivered to the manor by the white stag - known as Niara on her World Beyond

Aislinn - daughter born to Shaylee after her marriage to Niall

Lady Śyena - leader of the Darkness at the fall of the gateway to Feyron

Special Terms

Defenders - alliance established during the Age of Fading to provide aid to those falling to the fading.

Nag’ala - children of the snake - those of the Kien who carry the blood of Naga'sine as revealed by the Passage. They are trained as protectors to the clan and hope to become naga’sema

Nimisa - non-magical cultures on any world

Ngu - the sleepers - Those who have fallen beyond sleep, succumbed to the mists, and entered their dreams.

Thelal - Nimisa (non-magical culture) possessed by an Azdaja

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Table of Contents

TITLE PAGE

COPYRIGHT PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PREFACE

MAP - REALMS OF LIGHT

CAST OF CHARACTERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE STORY BEGINS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

THE RETURN

EPILOGUE

INDEX OF SHORT STORIES

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The Story Begins

The rays of the morning sun cast rainbow sparkles across the reflecting pool behind the Crystal Hall as the beams danced through the clear crystal walls. The Storyteller sat on the terrace behind the Palace library, slowly swaying a white, wooden gliding bench with her toes as she listened to the wispy song played by the old, wooden music box sitting on the small table beside her. Sighing softly, she watched the scholars circle through the Crystal Hall ensuring that all was ready for the Dreamweaver to decree the Hall open for the season.

The first refrains of dragon-song could be heard in the distance as the younglings crossed the waters of the Great Lake on their way to peer into the Crystal Hall to see what gifts were on display. A soft, faltering call answered from the gardens below, where a group of small children played around the pool, tossing treats to the rainbow-colored, fantailed fish that lived there. The Storyteller chuckled as one of the little fish spat a stream of cold water over the young shapeshifter, disrupting his song. A musical laugh by the terrace doors called the Storyteller’s attention. Turning, she smiled brightly as a young woman dressed in royal blue silks walked out onto the terrace.

Good morning, Granmere. You left before taking your morning tea. The young woman waved her hand slowly over the round table, and a porcelain tea service decorated with delicately painted pink cherry blossoms shimmered into existence beside the old music box. The children were looking for you. The young woman smiled as she poured a cup of tea.

Were they now? the Storyteller asked, sipping her tea as she watched a small boy wave excitedly before pointing towards them.

They’re hoping to hear another grand adventure while everyone else is off doing boring things like watching the new apprentices make their pledge to the Master Scholar before the Dreamweaver opens the Crystal Hall so the grownups can look at silly old things.

Silly old things, the Storyteller chuckled as she softly stroked the top of the music box, the song changing slightly to something lighter, reminiscent of an old folk tune that might be played at some long forgotten festival on a warm summer eve. I suppose there may be time for a short tale this morning.

As if on cue, the group of children, obviously a bit too young to stay for summer academy, ran through the gardens and up the stairs to the terrace, led by Eliyahu. Throwing his arms around the young woman’s waist, he hugged her tight. I knew you’d find her, Mamae.

The Storyteller drank her tea as the other children rushed pell-mell onto the terrace in a chatter of excited voices. She smiled at the expectant young faces as they gathered about her feet and patiently waited while they settled down. Did you not hear enough stories during the celebrations this week already?

No, Storyteller! Eliyahu giggled in his bubbly little boy laugh as he hopped onto the bench to give the Storyteller a hug. I’ll not have enough until they let me stay for summer academy and learn all the stories there are to learn.

She softly kissed the top of his head. Then you’d best make your pledge to the scholars now and plan to move to the archives with Lord Grypos, because I don’t think you’ll hear every story there is just attending summer academy. You’ll have to become a great scholar.

Like you, Granmere? the young woman whispered in the Storyteller’s ear as she leaned over the back of the bench.

I’m not a great scholar, Shala, the Storyteller replied with a sparkle in her eyes. I’m just a simple storyteller like any other apprentice who left the archives.

As you say, Shala replied softly, bowing her head, a smile playing about the corners of her mouth as she refilled the cup of tea.

We want more adventures! one boy called out. Tell us about the wild magics and lost places!

Is that so, Hugh? the Storyteller chuckled. And I thought perhaps you had all come to see the new apprentices give their pledges this morning or to see the treasures in the Crystal Hall.

A group of older boys, perhaps just reaching an age to stay for their first summer academy, slowly climbed the terrace steps. Aww, there’s no treasures in there, just old stuff from times past and clans forgotten.

Well now, when you study the relics of magic from the old Vault of Remembrances that were moved from the Temple of Pyli to the Crystal Hall, you’ll find there are many things to help us remember those clans from Worlds Beyond that have been lost, the Storyteller replied with a soft smile.

I’ve seen the relic room, another boy chimed in. It’s mostly just plain old things, boxes or books or little statues and such. Not even a fantastic clockwork or one of those…techylogicals from one of the Worlds Beyond like in the gifting halls.

Why did they move the things from the Temple to the Crystal Hall? asked a girl of perhaps twelve summers just joining the group.

It’s often hard to remember something, or someone, if you’ve nothing to remember them by; and sometimes the old relics and gifts have adventures or stories of their own that they would like to share with us, the Storyteller replied as she sipped her tea.

Things don’t have adventures, the older lad called out.

Some do. The Storyteller smiled as she set her cup down, the tea service slowly fading away into a silvery mist as several of the children oohed, wide-eyed with amazement, for conjuring was a rare gift indeed, one not many had the opportunity to experience. The Realm of Feyron has always been. It is the origin of all magics. It is the axis point where all worlds meet, but not all of the worlds touched by the light of Feyron still shine for us today. Sometimes you may find that their relics do indeed have a story to share with you, if you listen carefully for it.

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1

The light of the entryway illuminated the stained glass window of the double doors to the parlor of the Tyrel clan suite. The window depicted the Tyrel clan emblem, the stone gateway surrounded by three of the Guardians: Lord Okapoti, the great unicorn, Keeper of Life; Lord Grypos, the great golden griffin, Keeper of Knowledge; and Queen Luyung, the great red dragon, Keeper of the Elements. On this night, the mists which usually clouded the center of the gateway appeared almost luminous, the hazy outline of what might have been a female figure barely discernible within the shadowy shape of the great leviathan, the Keeper of Time, shrouded within the glow.

The glow panels, spaced along the walls of the room much as windows might be in a home, began to slowly change shade from the soft white of artificial lighting to a gentle golden orange fading up the panel into the lavender-blue of dawn. The smell of fresh coffee and hot tea mingled with that of warm buttered bread, steam still rising from the tray on the rosewood tea cart that had been delivered to the gathering. Lord Hyatt of Tyrel, one of the last two true sorcerers and dressed in his customary black, sat in his favorite chair beneath a glow panel near one of his many cases of books. The Master Scholar, dressed in crimson linen robes, sat beside him as the two discussed Hyatt’s unprecedented visit that night by the Guardian, Lady Kali.

Across the room, a group of friends were happily chatting and renewing acquaintance over their warm drinks. Three of the girls were dressed in the beige linen robes that marked them as apprentice scholars, while the others were still dressed in the finery they had worn to the Solstice Ball at the Palace of Ages the night before. The conversation was slow, and often one-sided, as one member of their group had no voice with which to speak for himself.

Shyamal and Arwyn sat knee to knee on a soft, armless parlor chair. Taking her hands, he closed his eyes, and as he concentrated, a soft, golden glow shimmered from his eyes and she could hear a soft voice within her mind, Awry, music box...delivered home?

Yes, Shya. Arwyn smiled, her hands pale against his of ashen grey. Lady Oyisha carried Soifra and me back to Feyron from the Beyond inside the Box of Melodies. It is with Mistress Reyna of Caris now. Can you believe, all these years, Soifra’s grandfather was lost in the mists? Led there by some sprites from the gemstone caverns within the Crystal Mountains.

Shyamal shook his head. His long, silky black hair with a blue shimmer down the center flowed nearly to his waist. No...the lost...were found?

The lost? Arwyn tucked a strand of coppery chestnut hair behind her ear, brows furrowed in confusion. Do you mean those who traveled within?

Traveled within? Neria echoed, leaning against Miltos, who sat on the settee beside her, eyes almost misty as she seemed to drift off someplace far away.

Shyamal let go of Arwyn’s hands and turned towards Neria. He reached over and concentrated, hands glowing a soft silvery-blue as he held Neria’s caramel colored hands. She saw in her mind the Box of Melodies as clearly as if she was holding it even now. She remembered the vision from the desert when she held the box, dim and grey, flickering and fleeting, little more than the glimpse of two youth arguing, the box clutched to the girl’s chest.

I had forgotten, she whispered as she let go of Shyamal’s hands.

Forgotten what?