Tempering earth, p.21
Tempering Earth, page 21
“Della, you can’t be here,” I heard a familiar voice say from the shadows to my left, probably from a secret entrance for just this type of situation
“Let me in, Ezra. Or I’ll force myself in.” He didn’t need to know that the idea of me forcing myself to do anything was laughable since I was having a hard enough time standing upright at the moment.
He walked over to me, glancing around to see if any of his brethren were nearby. “Della, why are you here? My father has everyone in a flurry for killing his men. The two that escaped claimed that you attacked without provocation. The only reason why no one knows you’re here yet is because they’re all in a council about how to kill you. You need to leave.”
“I can’t, Ezra. I need your help.” I grabbed his forearm and tried to resist the temptation of using it to lean on. The world was spinning around me, payment for abusing my body with my abilities.
At my touch, his eyes finally stopped darting around. His hand from the arm I was grabbing held my forearm in return, holding me up as if he intuitively knew I needed him.
“Anything. Tell me.” His green eyes bore into mine, and I knew, like I’d always known, that I could trust him.
A few tears fell from my stupid eyes, brushed quickly away by the quick fingers of Ezra’s free hand. “Cash. In the fight. His spirit, it’s–“ The gentle whoosh of the main door opening beside us halted my words, and Ezra immediately placed himself in front of me, protectively.
“What do you have here, son? It looks like a present. Where-ever did you find it?” Of course it would be Kaylus that would be the first on scene. Or second, if you counted Ezra.
“She’s come to negotiate, father. I offered her amnesty if she’d come home with me.”
“How… proactive of you. I knew your attachment to the little kitten would come in handy. Show your friend inside, Ezra. Show her to her new home.”
I kept hold on Ezra’s arm as we walked through the doorway. Kept hold as a crowd of very angry Clades gathered around us. He supported me, without ever acknowledging that I needed the support. So when the last drop in my well was used up and the world started fading around me, I wasn’t as worried as I should have been. I knew he would catch me before I fell; that he would be my Shield when I had none. I’m not sure why I knew it. Not sure why I trusted him so much when everything I’d been taught told me not to. When my body finally betrayed me, I fell knowing he would catch me. Despite the fact that I was completely defenseless and surrounded by enemies, I knew that this wouldn’t be the last time I closed my eyes, because he was there to make sure they would open again.
Epilogue
Journal,
The Key! I know what it is. Or, rather, I know a bit about who it is.
There are six locks, and two Keys, which open the portal to the OtherRealm, where the Elfennol called home so long ago. Set in a stone circle split in half, each lock represents an element: Earth and Air, Fire and Water, standing on opposing sides around the curve, and Spirit and its opposite form the two halves inside. Spirit, life, is the light half: shining and white. The other, Spirits opposite, can only be death, because the stone is so dark that it seems to kill the very light that reaches it.
The Dead One finally makes sense. If he were a Clade, or even an Elfennol, he would hold power over two of the six elements within himself. All he would need is someone of our line, someone with the ability to control the other four.
But no one of our line would willingly work with someone like that. Someone that has Death inside of them. So, a part of me is at peace, knowing that at least half of the key will remain safe.
There are doubts, however. Mostly from reading through my mothers journal, I see pieces of a puzzle and I’m not sure I like the picture that is forming.
Della's Cheat Sheet cont'd
Della’s Cheat Sheet cont’d
Ethnos: The type of being that the Clade and Elfennol are. They have control over Spirit; Life. Can use this energy for offensive fighting, healing, creating, etc. They are from another realm, but killed their world with the misuse of their power and came here.
Dunamis: Humans with special abilities. Elementals, Empaths and Healers to name a few. Most types of abilities can be split into two categories: Casting and Natural.
Casting abilities requires an item, word, or ingredient to implement ability. Ex: potions, specific words/chants, incense – I wonder if some people use magic wands?
Natural abilities does not require any external help. The power comes from within the dunamis.
Loa: Elemental spirits –“the personality behind the element” – though the Vodun claim they are more like minor gods and are responsible for good and bad fortune.
About the split of Ethnos:
The Ethnos came here after draining their own world of life. The Clades are a faction that wish to return “home,” even if that means draining this world of life in the process. The Elfennol disagree, and abhor any type of Gathering from living things. They split several thousands of years ago, and have been at war with each other ever since.
Acknowledgements
Erik, Rowan, and Kinsey – because you guys get to deal with the day-to-day crazy that is me. Y’all are the most important people in my life, and are the best husband and children that anyone could ask for!
Bruce Gore – a sincere thank you for creating another spectacular cover, even though I’m a huge pain in the rear! You’re the best, and I still owe you lunch!
My Beta Readers – Bobbi Jo, Kathryn, Kirsten, Leigh, Kristin, Elizabeth, Theresa – and anyone else I may have missed. Your feedback was priceless! Thank you for answering my eight million questions about flow and character development. You guys are all rockstars.
Loni Wolfe – my cousin, friend, and the best critique partner an author could ask for! Thank you for always answering the phone and listening to me ramble about the story! Also thank you goes to the rest of my family, especially my mother-in-law, Daryl, and my Grandparents, Cled and Dinah.
The Rebel Writers – You all continue to inspire me daily. Love you all, and I’m so proud to be part of this group.
The bloggers, readers, and reviewers that took the time to read the first installment of Della’s story – Thank you for reading. Thank you for believing in her world!
About the Author
A Tidewater girl born and bred, Regan Claire’s first friend and love was the Atlantic. Growing up being told the legends about Pirates and American Natives common in coastal VA and NC, coupled with being an only child, did wonders for her imagination; she’s had one foot in fantasy-land ever since, a trait her dear husband heroically endures (and one she secretly hope her daughters have inherited). Regan moved inland to Nashville when she was entering tweenhood and not a day goes by that she doesn’t miss her childhood playmate and its crashing waves. Nashville has her perks though, namely a handsome husband and their two sweet girls. The insane mutt-dog and the stray cat that refuses to leave their porch aren't too bad either. Regan loves fairy tales A LOT, teen movies (preferably with dancing or singing), reads entirely too much, and is constantly late.
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Regan Claire, Tempering Earth
