Against That Shining Darkness 01: Caves of Ice Caverns of Fire by Chogan Swan

Author:Chogan Swan [Swan, Chogan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: dragons, new adult fantasy, teen fantasy, YA Fantasy, teen and young adult, swords and sorcery, demons, quest stories, quest story, heroic quest, strong female characters
Publisher: Chogan Swan
Published: 2016-12-14T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9 (Companions)

Afternoon passed in a blaze of sunshine, and Seth spent it exploring the valley and talking with people. The villagers were curious about him. They seldom saw new faces in the village, but they treated him as though he were a friend who’d been away for a long time.

After a while, he felt easier about Alaina. It was better to forget the thoughts he'd been having. He’d soon be gone and couldn't afford the distraction. With a future as uncertain as his, he had no right to entertain romantic notions—however one-sided they might be.

Back in his chamber, one of a collection in a system of caves and tunnels, he lit a lamp and sorted his gear. He hoped Kane wouldn't mind too much having to part with Droga. There were no roads for horses where he had to go.

He loaded the most needed supplies into his pack. A tap at the doorway announced an out-of-breath boy with the air of an important mission about him.

“Come in, Ydall,” Seth said.

Ydall entered, shuffling his feet. “The Council summons you Lord Seth. They've been in session all afternoon.”

Seth hid a smile. The villagers had attached the “Lord” to his name, having heard he was nobility of some sort. He hadn't bothered to correct them. The Whistling Mountains were within the borders of Gynt, but Raydcliffe was far from court.

Seth followed Ydall out of the tunnels to a clearing among trees and rocks. The setting sun painted the clearing a dim red. The Council was waiting. Seth looked around at the cluster of faces.

Along with Boaz, the village head, were Kane, a short healer named Raynor, and a wizened old woman who smelled of herbs and had the hands of a gardener. Alaina was also there. They all looked solemn, except for Kane, who's eyes danced with mischief.

Boaz spoke. “Kane tells us you seek to destroy the power of the Hand, and that a call of prophecy is on you. We’ve decided you shall take our help with you: Kane, who knows the lands west better than any and Alaina, the best warrior in the village. As you are young, their experience will aid you. We would like you to wait until you are older, but we will not stand in your way if your heart tells you to go now.”

Raynor and the old woman nodded in agreement. Kane watched Seth, and Alaina gazed at the setting sun.

Seth clamped down on the heat that rose inside him. He walked a few paces away. They weren't offering help to him; they were dictating it as to a child. A vision of Alaina crumpled on a beach with ice crystals matting her hair and frosting her face swam before his mind. He banished it.

Seth never dwelt on his right to command, but he came from a line of kings, and now his own subjects expected him to bow to this... this... ruling. An embarrassing and maybe even a stupid ruling that treated him like a child.

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