The Earthrin Stones 2 of 3: Trials of Faith Read online

  The Earthrin Stones

  Book 2 of 3

  Trials of Faith

  (A novel set in the realm of Dhea Loral)

  Douglas Van Dyke Jr.

  I wish to thank all those who have supported my writing habit. I have been pleased to see the wonderful reviews, the pleasant remarks from local critics, the help from local bookstores, and the encouragement of readers. Your words and assistance have emboldened me put more focus into my writing. I must have blessed me to know such wonderful people, and I am grateful!

  Like the adventurers in my book, I go forth on this personal quest knowing I have friends backing me up. You give me encouragement that no matter how dark the day is, or how rocky the road has been, or how long the distance to my goals seem…I have people who are there to believe in me.

  When the end of the quest is reached, I need only the personal satisfaction that I have traversed that twisted path and overcame my fears. At the end of that road, the treasure I find is given to others to enjoy. My stories are for you.

  PROLOGUE

  Dhea Loral observes a seemingly endless flow of time, as days and centuries are swallowed into the unreachable depths of history. The varied cultures of the world set a standard of measurement to mark the time that passes; a standard which has a beginning and no foreseeable end. The year is 1254 After Covenant. The years since the Covenant represent the time it has taken for much of the civilizations to recover from the slaughter of the Godswars. An age of survival and restoration, spanning over a millennium, serves as a testament to the folly of the gods intervening too closely in mortal affairs. By their own decision, the gods stepped away from the lands of the living. The Covenant, a binding agreement, bars all the gods from the world of humans, elves, and dwarves. This new arrangement left them with only mortal servants to carry out their will in the realm of Dhea Loral. Through their clerics and paladins, the greater powers work to carry out their will in the world without imbalance.

  But that does not mean all gods have quenched their ambitions, or forgotten old disputes during that conflict.

  The passage of the millennium amounted to a short span of time with respect to the patience of the gods. Now that the mortal races are growing and rebuilding their world, it is a time when the gods have started to exert more of their influence back into the realm. Already some are at work testing the boundaries of the Covenant, seeking ways to once again gain a bit of an advantage in their own affairs. Some would even seek to radically change the world if they could, though such events might lead to another cataclysmic Godswars.

  Four years ago an agent of the goddess DeLaris was involved in the theft of three holy relics of unknown origin. The magical stones proved to contain remarkable power, including the ability to summon defenders to protect the wielder. It was even surmised that they were used during the Godswars. Although the relics were recovered from the thieves, their true worth remains a mystery to most mortals. One relic was returned to the small village of Troutbrook, where it continues to yield miracles which benefit the crops and the herds. The other two remain under the watchful eyes of a guild of mages. Unfortunately, the abbess of the Death Goddess and one of her able partners survived the final conflict despite losing possession of their ill-gotten prizes. Though defeated, they were never brought to justice. Their motives remain a mystery, and the threat still lingers.

  Although one standard calendar marks the passage of time for the mortals of the realm, the rate at which time moves seems different depending on one’s perspective.

  For humans rebuilding their shattered world, the four intervening years can be a small lifetime in their eyes. Many daily happenings can be talked about or gossiped, but the sky and land seem to stay in an eternal grace. In those four years, a young man can learn the lessons which put wisdom behind his eyes and bring to maturity his feelings and ideals. If they so choose, a human could marry and start a family in some quiet corner of the world where nightmares are seldom.

  Four years are a small moment to a pair of goddesses whose plans have been set back. It is enough time to change their tactics, as well as better prepare their followers to accomplish their goals. Their greatest problem is that their bid for power was noticed by other gods. Yestreal and Abriana have had a hand in halting their plot, and now these opponents have mortal followers standing ready to defend the relics. The struggle now intensifies as DeLaris and her hidden partner must recruit a larger following before the others realize the extent of gods’ ambitions. Although careful planning and secrecy have failed, there are always other means to pursue a goal.

  The span of four years can pass like a whisper in the day for one of mixed elven heritage. A number of memorable events happen over the course of four years, yet the span of time itself is a short one in the face of their long lives. A half-elf changes little in that time although they watch as their human friends grow a bit older. If the one who is graced with elven blood happens to love a human, then she has to endure watching the effects of aging on the face of her companion. It is said that true love knows no bounds, yet for one of elven heritage the act of loving a human is to ask for the inevitable pain of watching them grow old and die, while her own youth endures for some time longer. Though the knowledge tortures her heart, she can’t resist the allure and pleasantry of his company over the last few years.

  Regardless of how intelligent beings perceive the passage of years, the standard of measurement which marks the march of time reveals the dawn of this new day to be Jherad the 2nd, of the year 1254 AC. It is the start of the summer season. Warm winds blow across the hills around Kashmer despite the proximity to the sea. This day opens a new chapter in the agendas of the gods, though such significance is hidden away from the eyes of most mortals. It is this day that Katressa Bilil has been anxiously awaiting during the past few years. As the passage of time slipped away, the half-elf woman has enjoyed few moments with the human male who lays claim to her heart. Despite their brief respites together when they could entwine their arms in a loving embrace, he has been a busy young man with lessons to learn. His studies and training have kept him from her for the better part of four long years. Although that isn’t generally a long time for the half-elf, it is certainly a sizeable span of time for a human.

  Under the morning sun Katressa rides her horse uphill; along the dirt path were the seminary waits. The memories of the first time her and Trestan rode up this path are still fresh in her mind. It was during that ride Trestan gave her the Taef’ Adorina upon her brow. The elvish tiara sparkled with small charms signifying portions of their first adventure together. It was made by Trestan with the assistance of an elf wizard, and given to her to acknowledge her claim over his heart.

  The adventuress normally favored black leathers. However, today her outfit matched the brightness of the radiant tiara. She was dressed in fine clothes for the special occasion of the day. Long had Trestan and Katressa looked forward to the opportunity to be together again. By every right Cat, (for her friends simply called her Cat), should have been overjoyed. Despite her other fears about the future of their relationship, this was the date that she and Trestan had looked forward to since parting on this same hill four winters ago.

  The adventuress crested the top of the seminary’s hill. The large keep dedicated to worshipping the goddess Abriana was a scene of decoration that also held witness to the significance of the day. Banners and pennants were waving from the church spires, and many people were out on the field outside to cheer on those who would be leaving this day. Among them would be the former smith from Troutbrook. He would be ready to journey forth into the world to do Abriana’s will.

&nb
sp; Everyone was prepared for a joyous occasion, including the half-elf garbed in expensive dress observing the happenings from afar. Cat would have thought nothing could cast a pall on this day when it came. Yet, the news she carried weighed heavily upon her heart. Her emerald green eyes worked hard to fight back any sorrowful tears from marring her beautiful face. In moments she would be with her lover, celebrating his big day alongside him. Sadly, at some point she would have to deliver the news that would shatter his good spirits.

  “Trestan, my love, our special day has come,” Cat whispered into the warm summer breeze as it blew through her long, black hair. “And yet, how can I ruin it by telling you of the tragedy at your home village?”

  CHAPTER 1 “Embarking”

  Katressa Bilil urged her horse towards the seminary devoted to the goddess Abriana. The seminary was composed of a large cathedral, bordered by many small buildings. Although some of these buildings were stables and living quarters, there stood a number of buildings dedicated to meditation and higher learning. The field around the seminary was set up for a number of activities. The chosen followers of the Goddess of Love and Healing gathered about the grounds in a formal observance of this special occasion. All dressed in some of their finest clothes, while sacred symbols of the goddess appeared in abundance as jewelry and decorated tabards. Styles of dress differed greatly. Elders sat garbed in robes of office, upon a platform in the center of the proceedings. Several seasoned warriors who championed the goddess wore suits of fine plate armor. A number of women adorned in the mantles of the clerical faith stood around the field and offered their prayers to the acolytes who would be leaving this day. All about the property, several young men and women wore tabards signifying them as new pupils. Many others, likely cooks, stable boys and other hired hands, watched from various places wearing their own good outfits.

  Trestan called this day the “Embarking”: the official church name for the ceremonies which marked the graduation of the young disciples. After four long years of study, he would finally be able to leave the seminary and journey the world with her again. Others would be leaving this day as well, and likely they had visitors waiting to take them home.

  Cat’s elegant outfit outshone many others. Her bright, silvery dress glistened from the sparkle of small gems. The Taef’ Adorina sat upon her head. The golden tiara, set with charms and woven in elvish patterns, had been a present from Trestan signifying his love. Cat adored this special and rare gift. The half-elf had the sharp facial angles of her elvish heritage. Her long, raven hair, braided through the tiara, bounced about her back like waves of rolling black silk. The pointed tips of her ears peeked out from her tresses. In sharp contrast to the hair, her emerald green eyes searched the crowds below for the one she loved. Cat was an athletic woman, though slight of build compared to most human women. Her fine points were in her style and agility. She rode so smoothly that she appeared to gracefully fly down to the seminary grounds despite the bounce of her horse. She wore no visible weapons, although she always managed to have some hidden about her dress in case an occasion required it. Although Cat looked the part of a lady of high standing this day, she was used to the hard road of an adventurer. Her chosen weapons were strapped to her horse’s saddle. The sun reflected sparkles off the silvery rapier with the cat’s-head pommel. On this day, Cat rode in style to greet her champion and take him home.

  She arrived without much time to spare before the beginning of the ceremony. The promising young acolytes were not yet assembled before their elders. Cat barely had time to hand the care of her horse over to a stable boy before a fanfare of trumpets blared. The half-elf slipped through the crowd until she had a good vantage point from which to observe the platform. At the end of the trumpeted fanfare, the main doors of the cathedral swung open. An assembly of young men and women marched out from the hallowed silence of the sanctuary. They were the senior acolytes who would be leaving the seminary this day to begin their life of service to Abriana. Cat could understand why they called it the “Embarking”. The young men and women trained hard, but now they would go into the world as missionaries of their goddess. Cat looked over the assembly as it marched closer to the platform. An elder was walking ahead, leading the students, speaking prayers out loud as he went. Other members of the seminary walked alongside the formation, swinging small pots that gave off the smoke of incense. The students wore red and gold, for those were the colors of Abriana. Beyond that, however, they varied in their attire depending on their choice of service. Some wore armor this day, while others who sought to serve the goddess in more peaceful ways were clad in light robes.

  Trestan marched along in armor. Cat saw him among the senior acolytes and smiled with pride. He was still the same wonderful person Cat had known from their first adventure years ago, but the four years changed his appearance. He had grown out of any remainder of his adolescence into a more mature man. Still only a young twenty-three years old, his eyes held new wisdom. Trestan studied and learned much in these past years at the seminary. Even before his arrival here, he dealt with many pivotal changes in his life; including the loss of a dear friend, the full acceptance of a religion that would shape his future, the wanderlust that took him to new places, and even the selfless sacrifice by which he risked his own life to help others. Even Trestan’s dark brown mustache was no longer the scraggly growth it had once been. It developed into a thicker, manly fashion, though he still kept his face shaved clean of any beard growth. The years had etched a few lines on Trestan’s face, but not ones that displayed age. It showed that his face smiled often, for Trestan had been a happy man despite the rigorous training at the seminary. The young man had once been a smith, so it was no surprise he still had strong arm muscles. After all the hard work here, the rest of his muscles had caught up. Cat loved to admire his strong legs as one of his finest features. His fingers still had a bit of black soot embedded in them. Trestan’s hands were used to calluses from hard work. His skin was tanned from being out in the sun a lot.

  Cat caught Trestan’s eye and he bestowed a big, warm smile for her. Ever so briefly, he even moved his lips to blow her a kiss even as he marched towards the elders. Cat looked over his attire as he moved into position with his fellow graduates. Trestan’s calling led him to wear the armor, for his path led him to be a paladin in the service of Abriana. Paladins existed as religious warriors, guided by a higher purpose than the average soldier. While the goddess promoted the ideals of Healing, Love and other peaceful endeavors, she also promoted her followers to fight for and protect what they love. Trestan followed in the footsteps of his departed mentor Sir Wilhelm Jareth; the man who had originally taught him the sword as well as opened his eye to other philosophical beliefs. Trestan’s armor was not as heavy as the plate pieces that some others wore. The young man had spent time at the forge constructing his own armor. It was mostly leather and chain, though steel metal plates covered important areas. The only piece not handcrafted by him was the helm he had worn on his first adventure. It still bore a scratch from a scimitar strike which had nearly taken Trestan’s eye.

  Unlike many paladins, Trestan’s method of swordplay accentuated a lot of graceful and agile movements which would have been hampered by heavier armor. Upon his back rested the magical elven sword inherited from Sir Wilhelm. The Sword of the Spirit sat in its scabbard, but the hilt still glistened in the reflections of the sun. Trestan carried a spare weapon that had also been created by his hands at the seminary’s forge. Probably chosen due to his many years of swinging a hammer at a smithy, he created a warhammer which hung from a loop on his belt. Cat had been amused the first time she’d been able to get a look at it. He had forged the head of the hammer in the shape akin to a bull’s head. The significance of it seemed to stem from his close victory in defeating a monstrous minotaur, (a half-bull abomination), alone during that adventure years ago.

  His faith governed the rest of Trestan’s ensemble. His garments, those portions which could be seen despite
the armor, displayed the red and gold that Abriana favored. A new symbol adorned his armor. Abriana’s faith was symbolized by a sigil called the coraross. The symbol represented the two sides of her sphere of influence. The first portion was similar to a cross, except that the center was a circular hole in which the perpendicular ends never met. It represented the inner spirit or vitality of a living, sentient being. The four limbs were regarded as the other elements, (earth, fire, water, air), yet the circular hole in the center identified the fifth element: the spirit. This portion of the coraross identified Abriana’s nature of healing the living. Connected to the spiritual cross on one side clung a half-heart shape that symbolized Abriana’s love. It was said that after Abriana became the first sentience to feel love, she gave half her heart so that love would flourish in hearts of the mortals. Thus, Trestan and followers of Abriana displayed the coraross on their vestments or jewelry.

  Cat watched as the senior acolytes stood before the platform of elders. She could remember a time when Trestan questioned how a person could give up their life in sacrifice by dedicating their years in service to a god. Trestan came to the realization that to follow Abriana was to uphold his own convictions and beliefs. Here he stood ready to serve a goddess that would in turn serve him in this world.

  It was a beautiful day for the Embarking to take place. The only taint was the burden of the news Cat carried from his home. She had ridden from the southern reaches of the Kashmer Protectorate to arrive at the seminary. Along the way, a shock awaited her in Trestan’s hometown of Troutbrook. Their joyous occasion would be spoiled when the young man learned of the tragedy on those streets.