A New Light Read online

  A New Light

  A Roots of Creation Short Story

  Jason Hamilton

  Story Hobby Media

  Copyright © 2018 by Jason Hamilton

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this ebook 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.

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  Jason Hamilton

  www.jasonleehamilton.com

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  Story Hobby Media

  www.storyhobbymedia.com

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  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.

  Part 1

  Gabriel wasn’t particularly fond of the Royal Family, but he did love a good party.

  Today was Queen Telma’s eighteenth birthday, and it was also the day of her coronation. For several years now, after the death of her parents, the kingdom had lain in the hands of a steward until such time as the queen came of age.

  Gabriel sipped on his share of the wine, handed out to everyone in the city, even the beggars. The crown must have spent a fortune on this. Still, it was a good move on Telma’s part to start her reign with a gesture of welcome to her realm that did not exclude anyone based on class.

  He stood in what was normally used as the market square, though all the vendors were clear of the place, making room for the enormous crowd that flocked to the area, waiting to get a glimpse of the queen, though more likely just here for the wine.

  Gabriel was eager to see the queen himself. He knew little about her, as he never really took much interest in politics. His focus was on other things, like learning more about what happened beyond their borders. That was a far more interesting topic. He hadn’t even been in Skyecliff for many years, but now with his new role as a full professor at the College of Skyecliff, he felt it fitting to at least know what was going on in the city. Besides, everyone was here. It seemed the square must be packed to overflowing.

  He glanced among the crowd. There were people of all shapes and sizes surrounding him. Beggars, merchants, nobility, not to mention the Watchers. He saw several of them scattered throughout the crowd, likely to keep the peace should the need arise. His eyes landed on one in particular, a young man, a few years younger than Gabriel, with golden-blonde hair and a handsome demeanor. It was good to see men like him defending the city. There were unfortunate dangers that awaited the careless outside their gates. Gabriel knew all too well what kind of monsters one could encounter out in the wild. Soldiers like that young man were what provided peace of mind for the people in cities like Skyecliff.

  Gabriel’s eyes turned back to the crowd. It wasn’t often that such an event could bring people from all walks of life together like this. Only the very elite, members of the Royal Family, their friends, and those of the clergy were allowed to attend the actual coronation. The rest had to stay here, rich and poor. Perhaps the queen could provide a stable foundation on which to build unity between them.

  To his left he noticed a small group of foreigners watching as well, about a half-dozen of them. They were clearly from the eastern reaches, with their slanted eyes and slightly different hue to their skin. Gabriel had heard that the steward had been reaching out across the ocean to establish stronger trade between their two countries. Perhaps these were some kind of ambassadors sent to observe the queen’s coronation. He thought it odd that they had to remain with the crowd like everyone else. But it was true that very few attended the ceremony, and he saw no reason why visiting foreign dignitaries would be exempt.

  Though he wondered, if anyone from those eastern lands was visiting Skyecliff, why he hadn’t been summoned to act as a liason of sorts. Everyone at the college knew that he was well travelled. He had even been to those eastern lands at one point. They were a much simpler people in the sense that they didn’t appreciate elaborate clothing, or tall, majestic buildings. But you couldn't let that fool you. They were highly intelligent and educated in all manner of disciplines. They valued knowledge about all else, including military might or prestige. Perhaps Gabriel would inquire of the queen in the future, offering his services as a consultant.

  Suddenly the crowd roared. Gabriel turned to see that the doors to the Royal Palace had opened far above them, and there stood Telma, arrayed in a lavish red gown that fanned around her. She was surrounded by her family and members of the clergy, but very few guards that Gabriel could see. Most of them were among the crowd. Relics, but she was an impressive sight in those ceremonial robes.

  The queen proceeded down the winding path that led to the market square where Gabriel and the crowd stood waiting. It looked like she was coming to speak to the rest of them, Gabriel noted with some satisfaction. It wasn’t necessarily a tradition to do so, but it supported the idea that she cared for all people, from any class. It would be a very important speech.

  Out of the corner of his eyes, he caught movement. Turning his head he saw the foreigners slowly pushing their way forward, not fast, but enough that people made room for them. Well that wasn’t unusual. Everyone was pushing forward to get a better look at the queen. They probably just wanted a good vantage point.

  The queen continued her decent and wasn’t far from them now. The crowd was held back by a wooden barrier erected for such an occasion, though it was little more than a crude fense. Gabriel allowed himself to move with the crowd, as people pressed in as much as they could, nearly breaking the barrier in their eagerness. A pair of Watchers, including the blonde one Gabriel had seen earlier, placed themselves on the other side of the barrier, reminding everyone to stay on their side.

  The eastern men were pushing their way to the front. Rather eager, weren’t they?

  “People of Skyecliff.” one of the clergy spoke now that the queen was closer. The crowd grew silent amazingly fast. “I present to you Queen Telmalotalomalin, first of her name, wearer of the Crown Relics, and defender of the downtrodden.

  That last one was a new title. Yes, perhaps she was going to be the force that cemented divides between the people. One could hope, at least.

  Those foreigners were far ahead of Gabriel now, closing in on the barrier that stood between them and the queen. One of them pulled something from his pouch and it gleamed in the afternoon sun.

  Gabriel blinked and squinted. No, was that a weapon. He pushed forward himself, forcing the people in front of his to give way. Yes, that man was definitely carrying a knife.

  “Stop them!” Gabriel yelled. All heads turned to face him. “He has a knife!”

  The foreigners didn’t look back to see who had shouted. Instead they launched themselves forward, pushing aside those that remained, though many of them could now see the threat and quickly jumped out of harm’s way. Screams echoed around the market square and the queen together with her clergy began falling back up the winding path.

  Gabriel was still pushing forward as fast as he could, but there was no way he’d reach them in time. They were already running at the queen faster than Gabriel thought possible. They must have had a Strength brand to move that fast, or perhaps Grace.

  Suddenly the golden-blonde Watcher was there, cutting off the assassins. He stretched forth a hand and an invisible force wrapped itself around all half-dozen foreigners. The Watcher was a Telekinetic. There weren’t too many Telekinetics around, as it involved a much longer apprenticeship, and there weren’t too many Gifters who felt comfortable performing the complicated brand. But heavens, it was useful. />
  Each of the assassin’s stopped dead in their tracks, but that didn’t last for long. Straining against his restraints, one of the assassins broke free, and the Watcher stumbled back. Yes, those assassin’s must have Strength. That was the only way to break the hold of a Telekinetic.

  Gabriel was over the barrier now, not entirely sure what he was going to do, but sure that he was going to help whatever happened. Other Watchers were closing in on the assassins but one managed to break past their defenses. Just as Gabriel caught up to him.

  Gabriel threw himself at the man as he began to once again chase down the queen. Gabriel hit the ground hard but caught the assassin’s foot with his hands. The man tripped and tumbled, rolling as he did so and twisting to face his new foe. He rose to his feet with surprising agility and gave Gabriel a quick kick to the chest.

  Gabriel’s breath left him in a rush and he flew backward about ten feet. The man had a Strength brand. Why had he attacked a man with a Strength brand?

  He hit the ground hard, and nearly blacked out. His chest hurt worse than any pain he had ever experienced. Grimacing through the pain, he realized he must have several broken ribs. Trying to rise, he collapsed back on the ground. No, there was no way he could move like this.

  Yet his heroics, however short sighted, had been just what they needed. The golden-haired Watcher slammed his spear, point first, into the distracted assassin’s neck. The man gasped and choked. Strength could protect against Telekinesis, but it wouldn’t do much about a spear. He toppled over, blood trailing down the path.

  Gabriel let his head rest on the stone. The queen was safe at least, though his chest was on fire. Did he even have any ribs left? Surely that man had fractured them all. Gabriel didn’t look up, but he couldn’t hear any more noise from the fight. They must have taken care of the remaining assassins as well.

  “Go to the queen!” One of the Watchers screamed, their commander. “Protect the queen!”

  They all ran up the path, leaving Gabriel and the assassins lying in the stone path. This wasn’t good. Gabriel felt a stab of panic. There was no way he could move in his condition. He needed a Healer.

  A face appeared above him, blocking out the light. It was the golden-blonde Watcher. He had stayed behind.

  “You’re hurt,” he said. “I’ll get you some help.”

  He left and a few moments later appeared with a woman who must have been in the crowd somewhere to have come so fast. She knelt next to Gabriel and began gently touching his chest. Her hand bore the brand of a Healer. He winced at her touch.

  “Will he be alright?” asked the Watcher.

  “He’s got several broken ribs. I can heal the worst of it, but it will take some time for this to fully recover.”

  Her brand activated and Gabriel felt a tingling sensation that flooded through his whole body. He breathed in, feeling far less pain than before, though it still hurt. Relics, it still hurt a lot. He knew that Healers needed time to heal the most serious wounds, but he hoped it wouldn’t take that long.

  “I have a place not far from here,” said the Healer, “at the crossroads of Main and Relicbound street. Get him there for me, and I can do more.

  The Watcher nodded. “I will.”

  The Healer left, likely to prepare. The Watcher offered a hand to Gabriel, who winced as he rose to his feet, clutching at his chest. “Remind me never to take a Strength brand in unarmed combat again.”

  The Watcher laughed, and reached out to hold Gabriel steady. “What you did was foolish, but brave. You may have just saved the queen’s life.”

  They began walking back down the path, albeit very slowly. “My name is Rael.” said the Watcher after enough time had passed. “I see you’re a Gifter. Do you work at the college?”

  “I do. Gabriel is my name. And thank you for what you’re doing. I couldn’t help but notice that you didn’t stay with the others to protect the queen.”

  Rael shrugged. “I’ll probably hear about it later, but that wasn’t my direct commanding officer anyway. I’m part of a traveling patrol and we’re only here temporarily. We leave tomorrow for Foothold.”

  “Ah, the quiet stone fortress.”

  “You’ve been there?” “Once before, though not for very long.”

  The Watcher was silent for a time. “You dodn’t by chance know anyone by the name of Karlona do you?”

  Gabriel frowned as he walked. The name did strike a bell. “Wasn’t she a Gifter? Specialized in alchemy I believe.”

  “Yes, that’s her.” The young man looked hopeful.

  “I know of her, but we’ve never met in person.”

  “Ah, well it was worth a shot.” He said, putting his attention back on the road in front of them. “She left with an expedition into the Hollow Peaks not too long ago.”

  “What is your relationship to her?”

  “She is my wife.”

  Ah, so that explained why he looked so worried for her. “And you haven’t seen her since she left?” Gabriel asked.

  “No. But Foothold is three weeks journey from here, and who knows how long they planned to spend in the Hollow Peaks. Perhaps she’ll be in the fortress by the time I get there.”

  “Perhaps so.” Gabriel winced as he stumbled on a loose cobblestone and pain shot through his chest again. “Again, thank you for helping me today.”

  “It was my pleasure.”

  Rael led Gabriel to a small home deeper in the city. The Healer was already waiting there, and she brought Gabriel to a room with a spare bed. The air smelled of incense, and she was boiling something over the hearth. Once Rael helped set Gabriel in the bed, he left the room and Gabriel could hear him talking with the Healer outside, though he couldn’t make out much of what was said.

  The Healer came back in a few moments later, carrying a tray filled with various herbs, a damp cloth, and a cup of steaming liquid. “Here, take this,” she said, holding out the cup. “It will help with the pain and increase your strength.”

  Gabriel obeyed and was surprised at the sweetness of the broth, though it wasn’t a flavor he was used to.

  “Thank you.” he said, resting his head back on the pillow.

  “Your Watcher friend has already agreed to pay my fee,” said the Healer, taking the damp cloth and pressing it against Gabriel’s forehead. “He must care for you.”

  “We only just met.”

  “Hm,” the Healer’s eyebrows shot up. “That is surprising. Well, I’d stay in touch with that one if I were you. He obviously has a good heart.”

  Gabriel agreed. Who was that man to pay a Healer like that? Someone he had never met. Healers weren’t cheap, though Gabriel could have paid the woman himself. He hadn’t needed the assistance, but was grateful for it anyway.

  The Healer used her magic on him twice more, pausing between each attempt to eat something and regain her strength. Between that and the herbs and broth she gave him, it wasn’t long before Gabriel was breathing easily, his chest feeling completely healed.

  “I think that will do it for you.” said the Healer, though she looked quite haggard herself. Healing could take a lot out of a person, it was why they usually charged such high fees. “If you want, you can rest here for the night, but you could also leave if you want.”

  “I appreciate the hospitality,” said Gabriel. “But I feel well enough to…”

  A knock sounded on the front door. The healer looked puzzled but scurried into the other room to see who it was. Gabriel rose from his bed and followed her. Perhaps Rael had returned? He very much wanted to thank the Watcher for what he had done. And perhaps repay him. Surely a Watcher needed the coin more than he did.

  But it was not the Watcher at the door. A tall man stood there in overly lavish garments meant for the high nobility. Probably someone who worked with the queen.

  “Ah, there he is.” said the man with a smile as he saw Gabriel. “The Healer tells me that you’re capable of moving about.”

  “I feel well enough, thank y
ou.” said Gabriel. “What’s this about?”

  “The queen would like an audience with you,” said the tall man. “She wishes to thank you for your help in defeating her would-be assassins.”

  “I just raised the alarm,” said Gabriel. “I’m sure anyone would have done the same.”

  “But they didn’t. You did. And all the same, the queen would see you today.”

  The Healer glanced at Gabriel then retreated back to her hearth. This didn’t concern her. And besides, Gabriel couldn’t resist an order from the queen. So he nodded at the emmisary and followed him out the door where a gilded carriage awaited them.

  The carriage ride was bumpy and uncomfortable, though that was partly because Gabriel could still feel a small amount of pain in his chest. The broken ribs were mended, but he was pretty sure he’d still have some bruising there. The tall man sat across from him but said nothing more as their driver led them up the winding pathway to where the Royal Palace and Cathedral stood on the highest outcropping in Skyecliff.

  Gabriel climbed out of the carriage once they reached the top, and got a good look at the land below. From up here, you could see the entire wall that surrounded the large city, and the farmland that stretched beyond, not to mention the ocean on one side.

  “If you would follow me sir.” said the tall man.

  Gabriel did so, taking note of the large, spacious hallways the man took him through. There was so much wealth tied up in a place like this. He could only hope that the queen used it for good. The steward had been alright before now, but Gabriel knew his history, and not all monarchs ruled in fairness. The very stones of this palace had been built with slave labor, though that was a long time ago, and slavery had since been outlawed. But who knew what Telma would bring to the table. The uncertainty both frightened Gabriel and excited him. They most certainly lived in a time of change.

  The tall man brought him to some large, heavily carved oak doors. To Gabriel’s surprise, he found Rael standing there, waiting. The Watcher’s eyebrows lifted in surprise at seeing Gabriel there.