Tales of Asculum

Tales of Asculum

  By V.J.O. Gardner

  Cover by G. Earle Gardner

  Copyright 2014 by V.J.O. Gardner

  All Rights Reserved

  Please visit https://www.vjogardner.com/

  First Edition – Aug 2014 Published by:

  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 recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. All the names, places, characters, and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One: The Riddle of Glynis

  Chapter Two: A Visit With the Seer Before Leaving

  Chapter Three: Surprise Wedding

  Chapter Four: Goodbye Dinner

  Chapter Five: Building a Bridge

  Chapter Six: Are You a Wizard?

  Chapter Seven: Working for Supplies

  Chapter Eight: The Mountain Temple

  Chapter Nine: The Great Wizard Priest

  Chapter Ten: Visions and Guidance

  Chapter Eleven: A Parting Gift

  Chapter Twelve: Proving His Worthiness

  Chapter Thirteen: A Deadly Choice

  Chapter Fourteen: Burying a Friend

  Chapter Fifteen: Flying Defenders

  Chapter Sixteen: Plans for Building a Home

  Chapter Seventeen: Beginning a new life

  Chapter Eighteen: Preparing for the Future

  Chapter Nineteen: Challenged by the Village Elder

  Chapter Twenty: Aloysia’s Talent

  Chapter Twenty One: Malvin’s Sacrifice for the Future

  Chapter Twenty Two: Refuge from the Storm

  Chapter Twenty Three: A New Generation of Dragons

  Chapter Twenty Four: A Time of Change

  The Tales of Asculum and Map

  About the Author

  Chapter One: The Riddle of Glynis

  Fanchon sat outside the window listening to his mother cry. She and Grandmother must have been talking about Uncle Sethan again. He and Mother were twins, but he had left the valley about seventy five years ago and never returned. Fanchon quietly got up and went around to the front of the house.

  “Out of division will come union, out of death will come life, out of destruction will come salvation, that which was lost will be found. One man, who has forgotten yet who has not been entirely forgotten, will claim one woman who has quested for the sake of all. Thus shall the nation be reborn,” he said repeating the riddle that everyone in Glynis knew by heart as he walked down the street.

  Everyone in the valley was aware that the volcanoes that surrounded it created the lush fertile valley and would someday destroy it. Uncle Sethan had left in search of a new home for the people just as others had. Some had returned and some had not.

  Fanchon glanced behind him as he got to his favorite tree. No one was paying any attention to him. He climbed the stone wall next to the tree and touched the trunk as he willed the nearest branch to lower. He climbed up the branch as he willed it to return to its natural position. He climbed further up until he reached the platform of woven branches that made a comfortable resting place and settled into watch the storm that was raging to the east of the valley. He heard footsteps and a voice below him.

  “Hurry up Aloysia!” a woman’s voice said.

  Fanchon rolled to look down at the woman who was facing his house. He willed the branches and leaves to move so he could see where she was looking. Aloysia was looking directly at his house as though searching for something. Her golden hair glistened in the sun as she ran her hand through it. She came to where the other woman waited under the tree.

  “You’re hopeless,” the woman said.

  “So you don’t think Fanchon is worth my time?” Aloysia’s words made his heart skip a beat.

  “Your father would have to approve of him,” the other woman said. “What was it he told you last year? He told you that you’d be married when the time is right and not a moment before then.”

  “That’s the problem, Mara,” Aloysia said. “He won’t tell me another word. Not even a hint. Being the daughter of a seer is no fun. He always knows exactly what I’m going to do even before I do. When I do something wrong he’s right there to reprimand me.”

  “At least he doesn’t smell like manure and dirt like my father,” Mara replied.

  “At least you get some say in who you’ll marry,” Aloysia said as her voice cracked.

  “I’m sorry,” Mara said. “Don’t cry.”

  The women continued down the street as Fanchon let the conversation run through his mind again. Aloysia was so beautiful, but he didn’t dare even try to be her friend. He had talked to her a couple of times when he was working. Once she had come with a friend who brought a horse to be shod when he worked for the farrier. He had tried to start a conversation with her, but she seemed distracted as her friend answered his questions. When he put on the leather apron to protect his bare chest from the sparks of the forge she seemed to find her voice and began asking him questions. It was the only conversation he actually had with her. He dreamed about spending time alone with her and even kissing her. Everyone respected her father and every man knew he would know if they had any interaction with Aloysia. That was another reason he was planning to leave Glynis with a group of his friends.

  They had been planning it for the last two years. There were twelve in all; five women and seven men. All were married couples except Fanchon and Jerron. Fanchon never had much luck with women and Jerron’s red hair attracted too many. All of the supplies they’d need had been purchased and stored in a small cave near the western entrance to the valley. Fanchon had made two carts they could pull by hand or could be pulled by a two horse team. Horses were rare in Glynis, but according to those who had returned from the outside there were many horses roaming freely not far south of the valley. Fanchon’s group had been learning the strange language spoken in the outside world from one of the men who had spent fifty years living outside the valley.

  They were planning on telling their families just before leaving tomorrow. He worried about what Mother and Father would say when he told them. He sighed and sat up as someone passed below the tree. When the man turned to walk up the front walk of his home Fanchon saw it was Aloysia’s father. Mother answered the door as Fanchon sat frozen watching. Mother shook her head and the seer gestured as though talking to her. Soon she wiped at her face and looked down. The seer put his hand on her shoulder and she looked up to meet his eyes. She put her hand to her mouth then nodded. The seer patted her shoulder before leaving. Mother stood watching him go before going back inside.

  Fanchon wished he could ask Mother about the seer’s visit, but he would have to reveal how he knew. Fanchon’s father walked down the street and into the home. Fanchon decided he’d best wait before going home. He climbed around to the west side of the tree. The sky was cloudy, but there was no storm. He hoped the weather would hold so they could travel safely south through the snow that never melted.

  When Fanchon returned home, Mother was cooking supper and Father was working on repairing a wheelbarrow. Both were acting like nothing was up, but he could tell something was different.

  “Do you need help with the wheelbarrow, Father?” he asked.

  “No, I’ve got it taken care of,” Father said before hammering a nail into a brace attached to the sid
e.

  “I could fix it without any trouble at all,” he said.

  “I know,” Father said in a strange tone of voice. “Soon you’ll have your own responsibilities to take care of. I need to take care of mine.”

  Fanchon watched as Father turned his attention back to the wheel barrow. Something was definitely wrong. He went upstairs to his room and got out the book he had on the founding of Glynis. Their people had arrived in the valley from the east. Their clothing was too thin to protect them from the icy climate outside the valley. Regina Ramiri was near death from the cold when she had her vision that had given them the riddle. She died the next day after passing ruling power to her daughter Regina Lamira. Fanchon was descended from her brother Malak. The book had been passed down from him. He said their true home was unsafe to live in and so they had fled to this place they called Asculum. It was a seldom used term meaning asylum or safety.

  “Come down for supper,” Mother’s voice called out.

  Fanchon closed the book and put it in the pack with the rest of the books he had collected to take with him. Supper was strange. His parents made an effort to hold a conversation that kept falling silent. Perhaps the seer had told them he planned to leave. He knew Mother would be devastated but she was carrying a child. They would need his bedroom soon for the new infant. Fanchon returned to his bedroom after supper and listened to his parents talking. He could hear their voices but not what they were saying. He really didn’t want to know. He went around his bedroom checking every piece of furniture for defects and repairing the wood with his talent before going to sleep.

  Chapter Two: A Visit With the Seer Before Leaving

  Morning came with both anticipation and anxiety. He finished packing his clothes into a second pack. He ate breakfast with his parents who were strangely quiet. Father went to work in the fields and Mother joined him after asking Fanchon to wash the dishes. He left the house with the two packs as soon as he was finished. He hurried to the cave to stash the packs in one of the wagons. Everyone was meeting at his home shortly after lunch. He paced as he thought about what he would say, how he would tell his parents he was leaving. He had apprenticed with several craftsmen, but nothing seemed to suit him. Although he mastered the skills each had said he was too opinionated and unwilling to follow direction. When he brought up the idea of exploring the outside world to his friends all said they would follow him. He tried getting someone else to be the leader of the group but they all refused claiming he was the one they trusted to lead them. He shook his head and finally left the cave.

  He made his way home to find Mother starting to cook lunch and Father cleaning the vegetables. He set the table then went into the main room and sat down. He looked around the room knowing he wouldn’t see his home again after today. He touched the table beside the chair and willed the wood smoother, erasing the notch he had put in it as a child when he got his first knife. He hoped his parents would understand and forgive him for leaving. Father stepped into the room and nodded towards the kitchen. Fanchon followed and sat at the table. He would miss meals with his parents.

  “You’ve been acting strangely lately Fanchon,” Father said after they had finished eating. “Is there something we need to know?”

  “I’m leaving today,” Fanchon said knowing it was time. “I won’t be alone. There are twelve of us in all. I know you don’t want to hear that, but I’ve realized it’s what I need to do. I’ll watch for Uncle Sethan and let him know you still miss him.”

  “You have everything you need?” Father asked.

  “We’ve been preparing for over a year,” Fanchon said.

  “Go talk to the seer,” Mother said. “I’ll miss you, but I’ve known for a while you felt like you didn’t belong here.”

  Her voice was quiet yet strong.

  “I will,” Fanchon said.

  “There’s something I want you to have,” Father said as he stood up.

  Fanchon and Mother followed into the main room. Father took down a wooden box from the top shelf.

  “This has been passed down from Malak who made it shortly after they arrived in the valley. It has never been opened. Father told me it is thought to contain a knife.”

  Fanchon held out his hands and Father placed the box on them. The wood was warm to the touch and a line began to show around the sides before it opened on its own.

  “Did you do that?” Mother asked and Fanchon shook his head.

  “There are metal hinges,” Father said as Fanchon stared at the knife.

  The knife was a hunting knife and there was a leather sheath that could be tied to a belt. In the top of the box was a piece of paper. Fanchon sat down and set the box on his lap. He picked up the knife. The hilt was not made of wood, but was shades of brown in layers that were polished smooth. Other than that there was nothing remarkable about the knife or the sheath. He picked up the paper and opened it.

  “Grandson,” he began reading out loud. “You will need this on your journey. Fulfill your destiny for all of Glynis, Asculum and Trinan depend upon it. With love and hope, Malak.”

  “I’ve heard this land called Asculum, but I’ve never heard of Trinan,” Father said.

  “Perhaps we’ll never know, but someday someone will,” Mother said as there was a knock at the door.

  “That would be my group,” Fanchon said as he sheathed the knife and tied it to his belt. “I’m the leader.”

  Father hugged him then Mother hugged him and kissed his cheek.

  “Safe journey,” Father said as there was another knock.

  Fanchon opened the door to see the entire group waiting.

  “Everyone’s ready,” Jerron said.

  “One last stop then we’re on our way,” Fanchon said. “We need to stop at the seer’s house.”

  Some exchanged puzzled glances and shrugged. Others nodded. He led them down the street to the seer’s home. He’d passed it plenty of times and hoped to catch a glimpse of Aloysia, but never actually went up to the door. As they approached the door it opened and the seer gestured them forward.

  “I’ve been expecting you, Fanchon,” the seer said. “I know you’re ready, but you should wait until morning to leave. Go spend one last night with your families and meet here in the morning.”

  Everyone turned to him and he nodded. He turned to leave, but felt a hand on his shoulder.

  “We need to talk,” the seer said as Fanchon turned around. “Come in and have some tea.”

  Fanchon followed him inside.

  “Sit,” the seer said and indicated a chair opposite the door.

  Fanchon sat as the seer poured tea into a cup. The cup was hot when the seer handed it to him. He poured another for himself and sat down.

  “I’ve waited for this day for many years,” he began. “There is so much I cannot tell you, but I know you will be a strong and respected leader for the rest of your life.”

  “Me, Sir?” Fanchon asked.

  “Please call me Rollan,” the seer said as he nodded. “This journey of yours is very important. It will bring about the fulfillment of the riddle. You and all of your group must put aside everything that is Glynis to survive in the outside world. You must not use your talents or reveal your ages. You must never use your glows again either. When you find the volcano you will have found your home and a powerful ally.”

  “I don’t understand,” Fanchon said after sipping at the hot tea.

  “You will find a friend that can read the deepest secrets of your mind and heart. A friend like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Remember one can have claws and scales yet still have intelligence and a soul,” Rollan said as Fanchon drank more of the tea. “I have something for you. I am entrusting to you something very dear to both of us.”

  Rollan set down his tea and handed Fanchon a package.

  “Change your clothes. I’ll be right back,” Rollan said and left the room closing the door behind him.

  Why would he need to change clothes? Fanchon opened the pac
kage and nearly dropped it when he saw the white shirt and pants inside. He wasn’t getting married. Or was he? He hadn’t even thought about it especially with his plans to leave. He quickly changed into the white clothes trusting that Rollan had a really good reason.

  Chapter Three: Surprise Wedding

  Soon after Fanchon finished changing into the white clothes the door opened, but instead of Rollan the regis and regina walked into the room. Fanchon quickly bowed to them.

  “Come forward Fanchon,” Regis Kober said as Regina Lurinna pulled a cloth off something at the far end of the room.

  He followed Regis Kober over to Regina Lurinna. She stood next to a double bench with a backrest in the middle. He stared at it. As he heard the door open again he realized this was definitely a wedding bench and he was getting married. He looked up to see Rollan leading a woman in white to the bench. Her face was covered by a veil. Behind them were Fanchon’s parents and grandmother. When Rollan lifted the veil Fanchon felt his heart pounding. Aloysia glanced at her father who nodded with a smile.

  “Is this what you want Fanchon?” Aloysia asked.

  “With all of my heart,” Fanchon replied as he knelt on the bench and held out his hands.

  She knelt and put her hands in his.

  “We are assembled on this day to celebrate the wedding of Aloysia and Fanchon,” Regina Lurinna said. “They have proven their love for each other and now declare it to the world. Fanchon, do you take this woman to love, honor and cherish until the end of your time?”

  “I do,” Fanchon said without hesitation as he looked at Aloysia’s beautiful blue eyes.

  Regina Lurinna said, “Aloysia, do you take this man to love, honor and cherish until the end of your time?”

  “I do,” Aloysia said with a smile.

  “Then let no barrier stand between these two,” Regina Lurinna said as she pulled on the back and it folded down. “Let it be known to all that from this moment on they are husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”

  As they kissed Fanchon’s pulse was racing. Her hands pulled from his and found their way around his neck as he wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her body against his. When they broke off the kiss her head fell to rest on his shoulder as they both gasped for breath. He heard both laughter and crying. He turned to see Mother and Grandmother hugging and crying. Rollan was laughing and Father was grinning as he shook his head. Fanchon hugged Aloysia before releasing her from his arms and helping her to stand up. Mother and Grandmother hugged them both. When they finally got free from the teary embrace Father put his hand on Fanchon’s shoulder.