The Sage Seed Chronicles: The Unraveling Read online

  The Sage Seed Chronicles: The Reweaving

  Holly Barbo

  Copyright 2011 Holly Barbo

  All rights reserved.

  Smashwords Edition

  Red Willow Books

  www.RedWillowBooks.com

  Table Of Contents

  Map of the Realm

  Prologue

  Chapter 1: An End and a Beginning

  Chapter 2: Help Wanted

  Chapter 3: The Repository of Knowledge

  Chapter 4: A Needle in a Haystack

  Chapter 5: The Infection

  Chapter 6: Fragments of Hope

  Chapter 7: Scavenger Hunt

  Chapter 8: Clarity and Questions

  Chapter 9: Putting Things Together

  Chapter 10: Heading Out

  Chapter 11: Laying Out the Dangers

  Chapter 12: Before We Part Company

  Chapter 13: Unrest

  Chapter 14: Tying It Up

  Chapter 15: Final Pieces for Yerra

  Chapter 16: More Questions

  Chapter 17: The Inn at Wellyn

  Chapter 18: Revealing Truths

  Chapter 19: Checking the List

  Chapter 20: Morsels

  Chapter 21: More Questions

  Chapter 22: An Unanticipated Ally

  Chapter 23: A Voice from the Past

  Chapter 24: The Whims of Fate

  Chapter 25: A Pleasant Stop

  Chapter 26: Setting Final Plans

  Chapter 27: Completing One Job

  Chapter 28: In The Eye Of The Realm

  Chapter 29: The Lost Henge

  Chapter 30: A Place on the Prairie

  Chapter 31: Going Home

  Chapter 32: The Culmination

  Chapter 33: Epilogue

  Prologue

  Erin looked down at the journal on her lap. She had never kept one before but with everything that had happened it seemed the thing to do to clear her mind. She had started this one just after Bure had been caught and sentenced. Sighing, Erin opened it and read what she had written.

  The planet shivered again this afternoon. It was the first quake that the Sawblen Province has had, though the rest of the realm has had several in the last month. The ones that we have been through have ranged from mild quivers, to the ground briefly, rolling. The problem with the Sawblen Province is that a lot of the ground is very sandy and some of it is fill. At one time it might have been a delta as it is the province by the ocean. So when this area got a quake the ground moved like pudding being shaken! The ground was rippling and quivering. Some of the out buildings that form the wing streets to the old city of Yerra were shaken by ripples that seemed to go on and on. Roofs and walls were damaged. Some of the buildings listed and others were rattled off of their foundations. It was terrifying.

  I staggered for the horses, as they are often in my care. Those that pulled the guild caravan wagons had been through several, but this one acted differently and they were frightened and were trying to get out of the corral, kicking and neighing in panic. My little skunk friend, Tempo, had given me the warning before it hit, as he had so many times before. Keir, the falcon, wheeled on the air currents overhead in concern. I was eventually able to calm the horses, coaxing and stroking quivering hides until the ears came back up, when the ground stilled.

  It has been a tumultuous few months in many ways, other than tectonically. The three cousins that have been killing “witches” have been caught. Bure, the only one still alive, is right now being transported to Khanlund for final sentencing to Obsidian Island. Unfortunately he and his cousins have killed a number of “sages’ in their witch hunt.

  Most people in our realm didn’t know about the existence of the sages and how their presence actually is beneficial to our planet and all of its inhabitants. Since we don’t look or seem any different from anyone else no one takes particular notice. Apparently there are specific characteristics that are part of the sage seed. Lor, who explained it to me, said that wisdom, intelligence and incorruptible ethics were part of each sage. They also have special skills. Some can move things with their mind or get information about an object, by touching it. Others can see events in the future. I am an empath and can pick up emotions, even at a distance and I can also communicate with animals.

  There aren’t many sages in the realm at the best of times. Lor figured out that the planet usually has around fifteen or sixteen of us at any one time. He told me that a child with the “sage seed” is born once every two or three generations. Sages, I am told, get older without aging at the same rate. That is how we can have about sixteen on the planet at the same time with that infrequent birth rate.

  I don’t fully understand how it works, but apparently the ancients set up this pattern because the planet was very unstable. There is something about the sage that works with the planet. When there are the necessary number of sages the planet is geologically, tectonically and meteorologically stable.

  Bure, his brother Targ and his cousin Wras detected that some people were a little different. In their minds that made them ‘witches’, like from children’s stories; and they started to kill them. Bure, who was a talented herbalist, devised a ‘contact’ poison that was absorbed into the skin. It mimicked a sudden virulent fever. The cousins killed older people who had any sort of talent. The victims were not all sages, but a fair number were.

  Our numbers are now at nine, and believe me the planet is reacting! In the past two months we have had several quakes and violent lightning, rain and sand storms. I think it will get worse and I don’t know what can be done to fix it. I am the youngest sage and am at twenty years so there won’t be another born until I am in my fourth decade! The planet could be uninhabitable by then, and will one more sage be enough?

  Some of the first victims of the cousins were my parents. The latest was my friend Raz, a tinker from the guild train. He wasn’t a sage but was a very nice man who will be deeply missed. Before the killings were stopped Bure planted the seed of an idea with some gullible folk that he was doing the realm good. He told them that the storms and quakes were caused by witches and the realm was infested with them. He was the benevolent exterminator. It didn’t matter that the planet’s unrest hadn’t started until he started the killing or that that the theoretical “witches” would be jeopardizing their own safety as they, too lived in the realm. Logic doesn’t matter. The quakes and storms were frightening and causing misfortune. It is easier to blame someone who is different and thus give those prejudiced individuals a feeling of power, which they of course prefer to a feeling of helplessness. There has been talk of people finishing Bure’s job! Since we are talking about frightened, superstitious people there is no reasoning that is getting through to them. Things could get unpleasant if the Great One doesn't come up with a solution. Death by planetary disaster or by mob violence, is still death.

  The guild train will travel back to Khanlund to winter. I assume that I will be traveling that way myself with my companions, Tempo, Keir and Nuit a Great Horned Owl. We are living in dangerous times. The days ahead are sure to be filled with uncertainty.’

  Well, enough of dwelling on what has happened, Erin thought to herself. Tempo came over and put his front paws up on her knees. ‘It’s okay Erin. We’ll work things out.’ He nudged her journal with his nose. ‘They need us in the clean-up party. I can help!’

  Erin reached down and stroked his little striped face. “Okay my friend. I’ll put this away and be right with you.” Tempo went back on all four feet then stomped. Erin smiled and moved toward the wagon to store the journal in her pack.

  Chapter 1

  An End and a Beginning


  The guild train members postponed their planned departure from Yerra and stayed an extra couple of days to help the city with some of the clean up from the devastating quake. The founder cities were extremely well designed and the old city itself suffered little destruction. The damage was to sections of the outer city. The quake had been fairly mild in magnitude and it was only the ‘pudding effect’ of the ground that had destroyed or damaged some structures. With so many hands helping out the worst of the mess was taken care of.

  It was time for Ree to return home. Erin approached the wise woman and clasped her hands in affection. “I will miss you Ree. I would love to return to your home right now and let Tempo get acquainted with little Silk while I learn from you, but the danger is still very real. The planet is out of balance with so few sages. Gyan, the Great One, has requested that I go to Khanlund now to see if we can devise a solution. I have about three months before winter solstice. Perhaps by then we’ll have a glimmer of hope and we can come visit at your hearth.”

  Ree gave Erin a hug. “You and Tempo are welcome at any time, dear heart. We can stay in touch through our wild messengers. Contact me whenever you feel the need.” She squeezed Erin’s hand, then gave Tempo a small caress. “Travel safe!” she said and turned to the woods to make her way home.

  “You also!” called Erin as she watched Ree disappear into some shadows at the edge of the forest. The old woman had such a clear and vibrant way about her that it was only in moments like these that Erin realized how incredibly old Ree must be. These last few months had made it clear to her how frail life could be. She mentally shrugged as she watched Ree’s figure get smaller until she was out of sight then turned back to the merchant train.

  Due to the death of Raz the caravan was short one driver. Until they could work out a rotating schedule with the members available, Drune was going to travel with the guild train as the driver of the Tinker’s wagon. Erin was going to stay with the caravan and continue working on the development of her skills during the day and help with the animals in the morning and evening.

  This morning she was sitting beside Drune on the bench of the Tinker’s wagon as they crossed the large bridge entering the Duluse Province. They had been traveling for a few days, since leaving Yerra. Tempo was beside her, curled up at an angle and watching her face. For the most part Erin had been quiet for a few days. The little skunk broke the silence with a small growl that had a few higher pitched notes. Erin reached over to stroke the small head just behind the ears.

  Drune looked over. “What’s bothering Tempo?”

  Erin gave a small smile. “He’s pushing me to talk out some thoughts with you. I’m blaming myself for Raz’s death. If I hadn’t set up the trap Raz would still be alive. Oh, I know, it is much better that we have Bure contained. The rate that he was murdering people... well, it had to stop. It”s just that I didn’t want anyone to die!”

  Drune nodded. “It was always a possible outcome and you know it. You thought that you were the one who might die but instead Raz did. I’ve heard it called survivors remorse and it is totally understandable. But Erin, Raz knew the danger too. We all did. When we were preparing the trap and selecting people to be witnesses each and every person knew that there was not a guaranteed outcome. Each one of us knew the job was dangerous but we took it. We formed the jaws of the trap when we revealed ourselves and Bure knew he was surrounded. He could have gone for any of us. Bure did choose. He went for you and Ree because he perceived you two as the weakest. Being a bully, and a trapped animal, that was predictable. That’s what you thought and expected, also. Raz saw the instant Bure had decided and moved to prevent the poison from getting to you. It was unfortunate that it splashed into his eyes because you could have treated it anywhere else. But Raz acted knowing the danger. Don’t take that from him. He was a terrific friend and a brave man. You‘ll always have him in your heart and memories.”

  Tears were rolling down Erin’s cheeks as she nodded. Her throat was a little tight with emotion so it was a minute before she was able to continue speaking. “It is easier to place myself in danger than to have my friends pay the consequences. I’ll truly respect his memory and the affection he bore me. I just can’t help the regrets.”

  They rode in silence for awhile when Erin spoke up again. “Two things: is there any reason why I can’t be Erin now, instead of the boy, Terran? The other question is how much support did you and Ree provide me during the confrontation with Bure?” Drune smiled. “Okay, first answer. The danger of being Erin was when the three cousins were loose and looking to kill you. That has been eliminated. Now as a young woman you can wear trousers if you wish; and with what you do during this trip that is infinitely more practical. You’ve been putting out your bedroll in close proximity to men, but in this public camping situation absolutely everyone is so that doesn’t effect the answer. Your hair is decidedly unfeminine but it will grow out. Be Erin if you wish!”

  “I can’t completely speak for Ree, though we did talk about it. I didn’t reinforce you at all as that is not my skill. I did try to buffer Bure’s intensity but didn’t have much effect. The mind distraction trick I taught you seemed to help considerably. Ree was able to be in your mind and encourage you to focus at the beginning. After that you did it on your own. You are learning at an impressive rate!”

  Though the sun indicated that it was nearly noon the temperature was dropping. The cooler marine air that had come in five days earlier had yet to dissipate. Erin decided to walk beside the wagon for awhile. The exercise would keep her warm and it would help get her mind out of its wool wrapping. Tempo could either ride her shoulder or hunt. She swung off the moving wagon with Tempo on one arm and broke into a long stride. ‘Put me down and I’ll hunt and keep the caravan in sight.’

  Erin stopped. ‘You’ve got it, little one. I’ll keep my mind open for you.’ Tempo scampered off in the direction of some nearby rocks.

  Erin walked forward to catch Drune’s attention. “I am going to fall back and check with all of the wagons and their teams. Tempo is keeping the wagons in sight and Keir is hunting in the area. I’ll see you in a little while.” Since Drune was in one of the front wagons it wasn’t hard for her to catch the wagons further back. All she had to do was slow her pace a little bit. Erin worked her way through the back wagons. As she came along side each team she mentally spoke to each horse, stroking the necks and sides of the animals as she asked them how they were. It was important to her, particularly because of the frequency of the quakes, that the horses were checked and reassured. She had found that they were less likely to panic if they felt attended to and safe.

  As she got to the last wagon Erin was satisfied that the teams were in good shape. She had just stepped away from the herbalist wagon when her mind was blasted by loud emotional energy from Bure. Erin staggered under the impact. She blindly reached into her pocket to find a piece of jerky to chew. Drune had showed her the trick that something that would strongly occupy her mouth, saliva glands and taste buds would distract the mind from the sheer power that threatened to engulf her. Bure was screaming his fear and panic. It hit her in waves. Erin knelt on the ground and concentrated on what her mouth was doing. Her eyes were closed as she worked another piece of jerky between her lips. She felt Tempo jump on her legs and put his cool nose against her face. She stroked the skunk as she mentally reached to see what had set Bure off.

  Bure was being bound snugly to an armature so he could not wiggle. He was then securely attached to another man in a paraglider harness. It appeared that they were going to be gliding tandem with Bure as an unwilling passenger. Bure was mentally screaming and wanting to break free of his bonds, but try as he might he could not. Erin could see another man beside Bure. He was a fairly tall man with a strong body. His hair was to his shoulders and streaked with grey, tawny brown and blond strands. The man looked at Bure with an implacable expression in his dark eyes. For some reason this made Bure feel more alarm.

  They were at some
mountainous plateau used for a paragliding launch. The wind filled the glide wing and they were air born. At first Erin almost lost the vision because Bure was so panic-stricken that he nearly passed out. The emotional scream got weaker and Erin was able to open her eyes and stand up. Tempo was standing at full alert beside her and Keir was perched on a nearby rock. ‘I’m okay. Let’s get back to Drune before Bure’s next shout hits.’ She put a new piece of jerky in her hand in preparation and started to walk, then jog to catch up. Keir had shot ahead to get Drune’s attention and Tempo was running full out to keep pace with Erin. The young woman paused and scooped the little animal up in her arms and broke into a run. She had caught up with the caravan but had to push harder to beat the speed of the horses at a trot and surge ahead to the Tinker’s wagon. She was just a little winded when she pulled along side and handed Tempo to Drune. He slowed his team and she was able to get a hand hold and swing on board. She sat and rested for a while as she ‘listened’ with her mind.

  Drune looked over then clicked the horses back up to speed. “I caught part of that. What is terrifying Bure?”

  Erin spoke quickly because she was anticipating another wave of emotion energy to occur at anytime. “He was being bound tandem to a paraglider. They have taken wing and I am anticipating another blast.” She stroked Tempo. ‘Did I interrupt the hunt? I hope you got something to eat, little one.’

  Tempo was standing on the seat beside her and his voice carried a smile. ‘I caught enough for now. I’ll hunt later. Don’t worry I always seem to be hungry lately.’

  A half an hour later Bure’s emotions were a loud mix of terror, futility, hopelessness and rage. Erin had a moments warning and slipped a piece of jerky in her mouth in preparation. She closed her eyes and concentrated on him so she could break under the agitated energy to see what was happening. She focused hard and could see a mountainside coming up very quickly. It looked like they were going to smash into the mountain face! At the last second the master glider turned his wing onto a large, gently sloped ledge and made landing.