Into Storm Read online

  Into Storm

  Roots of Creation Book 4

  Jason Hamilton

  Story Hobby Media

  Copyright © 2018 by Jason Hamilton

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  An Argoverse Novel

  www.argoforce.com

  Story Hobby Media

  www.storyhobbymedia.com

  Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  Cover art by Vanesa Garkova.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Epilogue

  Author’s Note

  About the Author

  Also by Jason Hamilton

  1

  “What are we going to do about that army?” Jak asked once everyone on the council had gathered. She met the eyes of each in turn, smiling slightly as she realized most of her closest friends were standing in this clearing near the river, some of them human, others representing the various species of Fae that were the main reason for their current predicament, though at no fault of their own. Most of them were new friends gained during her travels since leaving her hometown of Riverbrook, but that did not make them any less of a friend.

  Across from her stood Skellig, formerly ranked as a major of the Watchers. She was their primary strategist and was the first to answer Jak’s question. “Well, we can’t meet them head on. Their numbers are too great, even with the unique gifts of the Fae. Our best bet would be to retreat into the mountain pass behind us and use the confined quarters to our advantage.”

  “I, for one, think we could stand a chance.” This time it was Gabriel who spoke, standing next to Skellig. He was Jak’s teacher, or at least he used to be. Jak wasn’t exactly sure what he was to her now that they had both been driven out of Skyecliff. “After everything we’ve heard of about the abilities granted by the Pillar of Eternity, it’s possible that Jak alone could defeat even an army of this size.”

  Jak glanced down at the smooth column of polished, black metal in her hand. It was wider at the top, with runes carved all the way down its length. Could it really do all of that? Stop an army? She had used it to save Skellig just weeks before, stopping time and getting the former Watcher to safety. But could it do the same long enough for her to defeat an entire army?

  Jak’s mother, a Shadow Fae who stood next to Jak spoke next. “I don’t think we should put all our eggs in one basket like that. It’s too much responsibility for one person.”

  The woman turned to look at her daughter, and Jak smiled in response. It was good to have her mother around, someone who would always listen if Jak needed it, and who cared for Jak regardless of whether she deserved it or not.

  “I agree,” said Seph, who stood to the left of Jak. She turned to face him and returned the smile he flashed at her. Did her knees feel shaky or was that just the wind? Her good friend and resident preacher continued. “We can’t place all the burden on Jak. We could use her abilities to our advantage, perhaps as a demonstration of what we’re capable of. Though I’m not sure that will work on Telma.”

  Queen Telma was the leader of the army they faced just now, camped a mere two miles away from their position, where the base of the mountains met the plains. Jak had met the queen before, and agreed with Seph. She wasn’t one to be intimidated lightly.

  “Well we like the tall giant’s idea,” said another voice in the circle. All heads dipped to see the diminutive Girwirt standing next to his friend, Noralim. They were Fae of the Fire and Earth varieties, respectively, though they prefered to go by gnome and dwarf. “We’re more at home in the mountains, and we could do a lot to help in holding back the army.”

  “Perhaps a compromise of some kind,” said Yewin of the Bright Fae. He had discarded his traveling cloak and allowed his skin to radiate the light that was unique to his species of Fae. “We can prepare to enter the mountain pass, but while we are doing so send an emissary to the queen to find a peaceful solution. Should that fail, we can always rely on young Jak for a clear demonstration of what they will face should they attack. They must already know what we Fae are capable of, but the Pillar of Eternity will be a surprise to them.”

  A few heads nodded at this. Yewin, as always, was the best at finding reasonable solutions to such problems. It probably had something to do with his ability to perceive truth when he saw it.

  No one else seemed to have any suggestions so all eyes turned on Jak to make the final call. Inwardly she could feel herself cringe at all their gazes, but outwardly she remained calm. She hadn’t asked to be a leader of these people. She was only eighteen years old, and almost everyone in the clearing was older and had more experience. But they looked up to her, respected her, and so she had a responsibility that she would accept, no matter how unfit she felt for the role.

  She glanced at the one person who hadn’t said anything, her best friend in the circle, Amelia. Amelia was a Water Fae, though they had met as students before Amelia was transformed into a Water Fae by a Relic, all while in Skyecliff. Now, the girl had a long fish tail and only managed to stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of them because of a long column of water that extended out of the nearby river, holding her in its grip. What the Water Fae lacked in mobility, they made up for in sheer power. Jak had seen an entire demon army swept away by waves, called forth by Amelia and her people.

  Amelia still didn’t say anything, but she met Jak’s gaze evenly and smiled. It was an expression that said ‘go on, you can do this’ or ‘I trust you.’ It was all the encouragement Jak needed.

  “I think you all bring up excellent points. Our first priority, regardless of what happens, should be to ready everyone for battle. That way we can retreat or fight, if need be, at a moment’s notice.”

  Skellig nodded. “I’ll start at once.”

  Jak returned the nod. “We might not be trained soldiers like you’re used to, but if anyone can change that, it’s you, Skellig.”

  Skellig didn’t return Jak’s smile, but she did stand a little straighter, clearly pleased with the compliment.

  Jak turned her attention back to the rest of the group. “I like Yewin’s idea of trying to meet with them. It might not result in anything, but we have to try. And at least it will buy us time. But I think only those of us who are still fully human should go.”

  “What? You think the rest of us aren’t good enough?” That remark came from Girwirt, who had his arms folded in protest.

  Jak raised an eyebrow at the gnome. “Of course you’re good enough. We’re all equal here. But you are certainly not equal in the eyes of the queen. I expect she would see your inclusion as an aggressive tactic rather than a peaceful one. If those of us who are n
ot Fae go to meet her, she will probably be more willing to talk.

  She glanced at Seph, who nodded in confirmation. Of everyone in the group, he was most familiar with Queen Telma. He was originally from a nation far to the east, which showed in his facial features, but had been adopted by the queen as a sign of peace between their kingdom and the eastern nations.

  Seph hadn’t said much about that time of his life, but Jak gathered that it was not pleasant. He had eventually run away and traveled east and north for a time in what turned out to be a spiritual journey. He’d come across the Book of Illadar, an ancient manuscript that told of the emergence of the Fae and he had realized his help was needed near his old home. So he returned and started a small movement that had eventually joined up with Jak and the Fae.

  “Very well,” said Skellig. “In that case, I suggest…” she began listing her recommendations for mobilizing, speaking to each member of the council in turn and giving them instructions for their particular portion of the army. Jak listened carefully, trying to see how Skellig coordinated. The former Watcher was a natural born leader. And their army wasn’t exactly huge, but it was large enough that trying to coordinate everything from food to watch schedules was a lot for Jak to handle. Thankfully she had the talent of people like Skellig, and everyone else in the council, to lean on.

  When Skellig finished, Jak officially ended their meeting and told Seph, Gabriel, and Skellig to be ready in the morning when they would go visit the queen in the grasslands between their two armies.

  When they had all returned to the camp, Jak found Seph and walked alongside him. “Do you know where I can find Elva?” she asked. “I have an assignment for her.”

  “She’s probably near her tent, I’ll walk you there.”

  Seph fell into step beside her and they didn’t speak for several moments while Jak racked her brain for something to say. But being this close to Seph kind of kept her from thinking straight sometimes. To her relief, he spoke first. “You did well over there. You’re becoming a true leader.”

  Jak turned her face away to hide her blush. “Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning.”

  “In what?”

  “In...all of it. I had no idea of how much went into running an army like this. Just trying to coordinate waste disposal is enough to stress out a boulder.”

  Seph laughed. “Well that’s why you have us.”

  Jak turned her head to face him again, hoping that the redness in her cheeks had died down. “I know, and I’m grateful for that.”

  “Remember, leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself. You have to rely on others.”

  Jak nodded. She had learned that lesson the hard way back in Mt. Harafast when she tried to free the gnomes and dwarves from the Watchers and their leader, Cain. Her face darkened as she thought back to that horrifying experience. She would never have made it out without the aid of Skellig, Yewin, and others.

  She wondered idly where Cain was now. She was sure he had somehow survived. A being of his magnitude could not be stopped by conventional means. It had taken a real-life dragon to even distract the man long enough for them to escape. And even with the power of the Pillar of Eternity, Jak wasn’t sure she could face him in combat and win.

  “But I think you’re going to be fine,” Seph continued. “You gave each of us a chance to speak our mind, considered all the information, and made a logical decision.”

  Jak thought she could feel the blood rushing to her face again. What was it about Seph? She wasn’t this way when anyone else complimented her. “I mean, it wasn’t exactly a difficult decision.”

  “Perhaps not, but it demonstrated your competence as a leader, if only on a smaller scale. Keep that up and combine it with your rather inspiring abilities on the battlefield, and these people will follow you anywhere.”

  Yes, her blush had definitely returned now. But just at that moment she was saved from embarrassment as she caught sight of Elva, one of Seph’s most loyal followers.

  The woman had tanned skin that seemed to blend seamlessly with the color of her hair. The moment she saw them approach, she ran up to them and inclined her head.

  “Any word from the council?” she said, keeping her head bowed.

  “Yes, and I have a job for you,” said Jak.

  At that, Elva raised her eyes to meet Jak’s. “I will do anything to help the cause. We will stamp out the oppression that threatens Illadar.”

  Jak fought the urge to shuffle her feet in discomfort. Looking to her as a leader was one thing, but people like Elva could sometimes go overboard in their devotion.

  “We don’t know if this is Illadar yet,” said Seph. “Remember, Illadar is a place where the outside world will leave us in peace. We have yet to see that here, and we may be forced to leave if all does not go well.”

  Illadar was at the center of everything Seph preached, some mythical land of peace. Jak wasn’t sure what she thought about the prophecies yet. The Book of Illadar had been right about a lot of things, and even appeared to be written by the brother of Cain, their enemy. But the descriptions of Illadar were vague. It was unclear whether it was a place or a state of mind. And what made her more uncomfortable about the prophecies was the fact that she apparently would have a hand in carrying them out.

  “To most of us, Illadar is wherever the Fae gather,” Elva responded to Seph. “It is a place we carry with us.”

  “Yes, well that’s not why I wanted to see you,” said Jak. Elva waited patiently so Jak continued. “We’ve decided to first try to make peace with the queen’s armies. I need a messenger to inform them of our intent.”

  “I am ready to serve, great Oren.” Elva said, inclining her head further to Jak.

  “Um...Elva, that really isn’t necessary. Just call me Jak.”

  Elva looked from her to Seph and back again. “Yes...Jak,” she said as if forcing out the words. “What shall I tell the queen?”

  Despite Elva’s devotion, Jak admired her courage. She showed no signs of fear, no mention of the potential dangers in riding out to deliver a message. They all assumed the queen would respect the messenger, but in a situation like theirs, who knew if that would really be the case?

  “Tell her that we will meet her to discuss her demands, in the grasslands just outside her army. Then return and bring us her answer.”

  Elva brought her brand hand up to her chest. “I will leave at once.”

  Jak nodded and glanced at the sky to estimate the time. The sun was beginning to set. She turned back to Elva and said, “You can wait until the morning, but I’ll have a horse prepared for you.”

  Elva bowed her head once again and retreated to prepare herself. Seph followed Jak as she headed back to the center of the camp where her tent lay.

  “You seem uncomfortable,” he said as they walked.

  “Perhaps you’re used to people who follow you blindly like that, but I’m not.”

  “You think they follow us blindly?”

  Jak turned to look at him. “Well, yes. I haven’t given anyone a reason to believe in me as much as she does.”

  Seph shrugged his shoulders. “Perhaps some follow blindly, but I do not think that is the case for Elva, or indeed most of my followers.”

  “Why not? They listen to every word you say without question. And me too now.”

  “Remember what I taught on that first day when you came to visit my sermon.”

  Jak thought back and her lip twitched. “I remember you put me on the spot.”

  “Before that.”

  After a pause, Jak said, “You talked about some all-knowing God, a guiding hand in our lives.”

  “That’s right. The Book of Illadar teaches that our ancestors and the Relics they left behind are not worthy of our worship. Our ancestors were just like us, and the Relics are tools. Powerful tools, but just that.”

  “And what does that have to do with blind faith?”

  “Because if such a God exists, wouldn’t he make himself known u
nto us if we asked?”

  Jak felt her brow furrow. “I don’t know. If that were the case wouldn’t everyone know about your God?”

  They had arrived at Jak’s tent and came to a stop. Seph turned to face her. “It’s not all about finding proof in the sense that you’re thinking. The principles I teach come from this God. As we follow them we come to know they are true principles for ourselves. I also encourage everyone who follows me to simply ask him if he is real, and if Illadar and these doctrines are true.”

  “And that works?” Jak folded her arms. She wasn’t doubting his words, but it was still a bit tricky to wrap her head around.

  “Not for everyone, no. But for some, they come to know by their own experience that what the book says is true. And if those words are true, then you are an Oren, and you will deliver us to Illadar, no matter what form that takes. It’s a cascading effect. When you know one thing, you can trust in the rest. So it’s not blind faith. It’s an extension of that which they already know to be true.”

  Jak’s gaze fell to the ground. “And what if they’re wrong?” she asked. “What if this is all a misguided sham and I’m not the one to deliver them to this Illadar.”

  A gentle touch grasped her shoulders and she looked up to see Seph staring her squarely in the eye. “I think you know that’s not true. Prophecy isn’t set in stone, but we have already seen the fulfillment of so much. I believe in you.”

  The muscles in Jak’s shoulders relaxed under his touch. “I’m willing to give it my best shot at least.”