The Castle and the King

Chapter 21: It's Time (Season Finale)

Yes, this is a season finale.  I am going to take a few weeks off to enjoy revival services at our church and to finish up the school year.  This should get my creative juices flowing again.  You will not believe what happens next season!  Please leave a comment and let me know how you think the book has gone so far.  Thank you all for all the kind emails and comments.

Charity Woon

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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

            Casiaq approached one of the vines.  This was the first time he ever felt nervous around a plant.  Dolom scowled as he watched Casiaq.

            Casiaq glanced back at Dolom.  “What do I do?” he asked.

            “You are the special one.  You figure it out.”  Sarcasm from Dolom made Casiaq all the more determined to prove him wrong.

            Casiaq knelt down beside the vine.  He had no idea what to do.  He had never spoken to a vine before.  He actually felt quite silly.  All he could think of was that song his mother use to sing when he was little.  He wasn’t much of a singer, but he started singing.

            As if perfectly on cue, the vine began to move.  It pulled itself up and gently wrap itself around Casiaq’s waist.  To Casiaq it felt comforting and natural.  He continued to sing.  The vine lifted him up and set him on the stump beside it.  Suddenly from all around, dozens of vines weaved in and out of trees, making their way toward him.  A couple of vines slithered and shoved past Dolom.  Casiaq was now surrounded by an army, awaiting his command.

            Casiaq glanced down at the vine guards.  Their jaws had dropped wide open.  Then he looked toward Dolom, expecting to see the same reaction.  Casiaq looked forward to gloating about his accomplishment.  Instead, a smile graced Dolom’s face.  As Casiaq finished the song the vine lowered him down, and gathered itself beside the tree in a pile.  The other vines retreated to their homes in the forest.

            “Now it is time to start your training.”  Dolom declared.

            “Who will train me?”

            “I will.”

Chapter 20: It's Time

Thank you for reading! I am happy to share this book with you. Please take the time to leave me a comment.  Sincerely, Charity Woon

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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

Casiaq continued to watch the vine, waiting for Dolom’s return.  The hour glass was half empty when the vine suddenly shifted.  Casiaq could see the vine pulling itself back into place.  As quickly as Dolom had left, he returned to the stump.  His face had a few scratches on it.  His hands were empty.

“It was too late.  There was a young male.  He was already dead when I arrived.  The beasts were minutes away from him.”  Dolom looked defeated.  He seemed overtaken with sorrow.

A tear trickled down Meara’s cheek, but she did not speak.  The attendant helped her to her feet.

“Meara, you must rest.”  Dolom said.  “We have work to do.”  Meara left without saying goodbye.  Casiaq watched her and the attendant as they faded off into the distance.  Then he turned to Dolom.

“What work do we have to do?” Casiaq asked.

            Dolom began speaking in a challenging tone. “It is time to see if you really are who they say you are.” 

Chapter 19: The Lost Pearl

Thank you for reading! I am happy to share this book with you. Please take the time to leave me a comment.  Sincerely, Charity Woon

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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

Casiaq leaped to his feet as he was startled by the vine.  When he jumped, the vine actually seemed to be taken by surprise.  Meara continued to caress the vine.

“Relax, Casiaq.  This is the vine that brought us back here.  They will not harm you.  They are under my command.”

“Have you put some kind of spell on them?”  Casiaq sat back down beside Meara cautiously.

“Magic is forbidden in this kingdom."  She giggled.  "No, I just know how to communicate with the vines.  My family has befriended them.   We have worked with them for centuries.  It is a skill that only my family possesses.”  Meara paused.  Her voice took a sadder tone.  “My brother and I are all that is left of the Rescuers.”

At that moment, Dolom walked up behind Meara.  He had changed clothes.  His new attire was dark and drab, like the clothing of the Forest Dwellers.  The three castle dwellers stood to attention at Dolom’s arrival.

Dolom stepped up to one of the stumps.  The vine guards help him to reach the top.  Meara began to sing to the vine she was petting.  The vine rose up to the top of the stump, and gently wrapped itself around Dolom’s waist.

“That was what grabbed me.  The vine!”  Casiaq began to understand the night of his injury a little more clearly.

Dolom looked sharply at him.  “And if you are who the Traber says you are, you will be able to control the vines.  If you cannot, then my sister almost died for nothing.”  With that, Dolom shouted a command.  The vine shot him through the forest trees with great speed until the base of the vine had stretched as far as it could go.

“Flip the hour glass!”  Meara shouted.  On command one of the vine guards picked up an hour glass from the ground beside the stump.  He turned it over.

“Where did he go?”  Casiaq was to curious to wait to see what would happen next.

Meara seemed to tense up a little.  “It is almost night time for your people.  There is surely someone at the dying place.  Dolom is going to try to rescue them.  He has one hour to return or the darkness will overpower him.”

"Will he leave a pearl if he rescues them?"  Casiaq asked.

Meara was confused at the question.  "The only time a light stone is left behind, Casiaq, is when a light spear has been damaged.  The stones power the spears.  If a stone is left behind, it usually means a Rescuer has perished."

Casiaq countenance became very solumn.  "My mother found a pearl when Stephlon was taken."

"It was from my father's spear."  She paused.  "Stephlon would not have been rescued if Dolom had not been in training with my father."

"I am sorry, Meara."  Casiaq looked directly in her crystal eyes.  "Our people do not understand.  My father... he would not have battled with your father..."

Meara interrupted Casiaq.  "It's not his fault.  It's not your fault.  He was protecting his child.  He was a skilled warrior, and died with honor."

"Why does Dolom hate me?  Why does he blame our family?"

"He is losing hope, Casiaq."

"And you?"  He waited for her response patiently.

"I cannot give up."

Casiaq glanced over at the vine guards.  They continued to stand unmoved beside the stump.  Meara's attendant stood behind Meara, silent but watchful.  Time seemed to pass slowly.

Meara finally began to explain more.  “The Promised One will be able to control the vines.  He will be able to use them to travel like never before.  Castle Dwellers cannot stay long in the Dark Lands.  The darkness drains our strength.  But the Promised One will be able to come and go at will.  The darkness will not affect him.”

“Do you think I am the One?”  Casiaq wanted her to say no.  He wanted all this to be a dream.  He did not want the responsibility that would be laid upon his shoulders.

“You are him, Casiaq.  Whether you want to be or not, you are him.”  Meara looked him straight in the eyes and pleaded silently with him.  “You can choose to refuse this task.  The king will not make you do this.  But if you do not do this, your people will be doomed forever.  When Dolom and I die, there will be no one left to rescue any of your people.”

Casiaq raised his voice.  “Why do you do this, Meara?  Why do you risk your life for a people you do not even know?”

Tears came to Meara’s eyes and flowed down her cheeks.  “Because without us, your people have no hope."  Meara wiped away the tears.  She avoided Casiaq's eyes for a few moments, but then looked compassionately upon him once again.  "You will have to choose.  Make a firm choice.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.  I pray you make the right decision, but once your choice is made never look back.”

Chapter 18: Like a Pet

Thank you for reading! I am happy to share this book with you. Please take the time to leave me a comment. Sincerely, Charity Woon

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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

                As he entered the room, Casiaq found Meara sitting in the chair beside her bed.  She quickly rose to her feet.  The excitement filled her as her eyes met Casiaq’s for the first time.

“You are well?”  she asked as a smile beemed across her face.

“I am.”  Casiaq found himself without words.  Her face was so beautiful, he was caught off guard.  He meant to thank her.  He meant to show his gratitude, but no words were coming out of his mouth.  He finally stammered out a few more words.  “My… um… my injuries have healed quickly.  And how about you?”  He felt like a bumbling fool.

“I am feeling much stronger today.  Today I feel like I could fly.  Seeing you in our land- I am overwhelmed.”  Meara’s voice sounded so grateful, and yet Casiaq knew it was because of Meara he was still alive.

“Meara, how did you do it?  How… how did you rescue me?”

Meara turned to Dolom.  She whispered in his ear.  Dolom paused in thought and nodded his head.

“Come, Casiaq,” Meara finally responded.  “We will go for a walk together.”

Stephlon looked at Casiaq and spoke.  “I will stop by and see you in a little while.”  Stephlon nodded his farewell to the other occupants of the room, and went on his way.  Meara was then greeted by a female attendant who entered the room.  The attendant reached her arm out to help steady Meara as she walked.  Dolom whispered instructions into the attendant’s ear.  She nodded and then lead Casiaq and Meara out of the healing temple.

They began down a path through the trees that lead to a small river.  Beside the river were two very large and very tall tree stumps.  A large vine lay in a pile beside the stumps.  There were three castle dwellers sitting on the ground, leaning against trees.  They stared at Casiaq.

The attendant helped Meara to sit on the ground near one of the vines.  Casiaq sat near her.  The attendant remained close to Meara, never taking her eyes off of them.

“What is this place, Meara?”  Casiaq asked.

“These men are vine guards.  This is where my brother and I work.  We are the Rescuers.”  Meara reached out to touch one of the vines.  As her fingers caressed the vine, the vine rose up like a pet ready for a command.

Chapter 17: She Will See You

Thank you for reading! I am happy to share this book with you. Please take the time to leave me a comment.  Sincerely, Charity Woon

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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

 Stephlon pointed to a carving on the wall.  The picture was of a great multitude of people surrounding the castle.  As he began reading the carvings like a book, he moved his finger along the wall as if it were words on pages.  He continued.

“There was a group of people who chose not to submit under the rule of the king.  They were lead by the king’s greatest and most trusted warrior.  They chose to cross the forbidden forest.  When they crossed, they could not come back.  They were doomed to the land of the darkness.”

Casiaq knew what was coming next as he followed his brother’s finger down the wall.  “Why would they leave such a place as this?  What did the king do to them?”

“The king had done nothing, but protect and love his people.  He set boundaries for their safety, but he would not set up a fence or a wall.  He wanted people to serve out of trust, loyalty, and love, not out of obligation.  And that still holds true today.  The king’s desire is that one day, his people will be reunited again.  But that can only happen…”

“If the darkness is destroyed,”  Casiaq finished.

“Yes, the darkness must be destroyed, or the people will never be free of it.  If they were to come here before it is destroyed, they would bring the darkness to this place.  They would doom us all.”

At that moment, Dolom appeared in the hallway and walked to Casiaq.  “Meara will see you now, Casiaq.  Follow me.”  Dolom sounded as unpleasant as usual.

Casiaq glanced at Stephlon and then back at Dolom.  He turned and followed Dolom down to the end of the hallway.

Chapter 16: One Generation Away

Thank you for reading! I am happy to share this book with you. Please take the time to leave me a comment.  Sincerely, Charity Woon

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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

Casiaq healed quickly in the days that followed.  He asked about returning home, but was encouraged that his presence among the castle dwellers was for the good of his people.  He could only imagine the fear and grief that must have been a crushing weight to his mother.  He missed her.  He longed to comfort her.  He missed Patre and could not imagine the work load that he and Shilan bore in his absence.  He even missed Shilan.

Casiaq was intrigued by the level of hospitality he was given.  He spent his time eating, resting, studying the carvings on the walls, and talking with Stephlon.  The conversations with his brother comforted him, and gave him strength to continue in this land.

He continued studying the carvings on the walls in every spare moment.  Many of the carvings made no sense to him.  “Stephlon, what do all these carvings mean?”

“I was wondering if you would ever ask for help.”  Stephlon smiled at his older brother, who clearly was not used to having to ask for help.  “Unfortunately, I do not know the prophecies very well.  Jess and I are in training.  There is so much to learn.”

“In training for what?”  Casiaq felt like he was all alone in his ignorance.

“Every castle dweller is trained in the prophecies.  The people here know that it only takes one generation to forget them altogether.  If the parents do not train the children, all hope is lost.  That is why we are legend to the forest dwellers.  I got a late start because of my illness when I was younger.  And because I was a forest dweller.  The leaders here hesitated to train me at first.  They are very cautious.”

“Who is training you?”

“Saron took the position of mother to Dolom, Meara, and me in the absence of our parents.  Soon I will be given to the care of one of the counsel elders for training.”  Stephlon smiled at the mention of Saron.  It was obvious he respected and loved her greatly.

“What happened to Dolom’s mother?”

“She died giving birth to Meara.  Saron was already teaching Meara in the ways of the women when their father died.  She has been close to their family for years.”

“What about Jess?  Why is he in training now?”

“Jess is not as old as he looks.  He is very tall for his age.  He is actually right on schedule.  He is three years younger than I am.”  Stephlon ran his hands across the wall beside him.  The look in his eyes was that of sheer admiration for the carvings.  “The best person to ask for help would be Saron.  Dolom knows a lot about the prophesies, but I am not sure the two of you get along very well.”  They both grinned at the statement.

Casiaq paused in thought.  “Dolom cannot be that much older than me.  How does he know so much about the prophecies?”

“He has spent every waking moment of his life doing one of three things: training with a light spear, rescuing forest dwellers from the dying place, and studying the prophecies.  When his father was killed, he studied the prophecies more than ever.  I think he needed to be reassured that what he was fighting for was worth the cost.”

“Is it?  What are these people fighting for?  Why do they rescue our people?”  Casiaq was beginning to feel desperate for answers.

“Casiaq, I do not now much about the prophesies, but I have learned about the past.”  Stephlon walked to a section of wall in the hallway.  Casiaq followed.  “The castle dwellers and the forest dwellers are actually one people.”

Chapter 15: Little Brother

Thank you for reading! I am happy to share this book with you. Please take the time to leave me a comment. Sincerely,  Charity Woon

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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 

Casiaq awoke to the sound of someone in his room.  He rolled over on his side to see who it was.  In a chair close to his bed, sat one of the young attendants.  A boy.  He was reclined in the seat and was breathing heavily.  Though positioned quite uncomfortably, he seemed to be sleeping well.

Casiaq began examining the boy.  His cloak had been removed.  His hair was the same sharp white.  Casiaq assumed his eyes would look like that of the other castle dwellers.  His chin and nose were reminiscent of his mother.  This was surely Stephlon.  Casiaq felt his heart racing.  He tried not to wake the boy, but his excitement kept him from being still.  The young attendant was startled.

“You are awake,” he said, trying to focus his eyes.  “Forgive me.  I did not mean to drift off to sleep.”

Casiaq was unsure of what to say.  He wanted to just reach out and hug the boy tightly, however, the moment was strangely awkward.  “Are you my- are you Stephlon?”

“I am.  I could barely believe it when they said you were here.  I have been wanting to see you.  There is so much to talk about that I don’t know where to begin.”  Stephlon shifted in his seat nervously.  “Please do not think me childish in my excitement.  I have craved to see my family for such a long time, yet our worlds were so far apart.”

“Mother will be so happy to know you…”

“Mother cannot know.  You must swear it.”

Confusion gripped Casiaq.  Why would he not tell her?  Why would he not go to her?  “I don’t understand.”

“To keep this world safe, the forest dwellers must not know it exists.  It must remain legend in their eyes.  Both worlds depend on it.”  Stephlon was clearly convinced of his duty to protect his new home.  "In time we will all be together again."

Casiaq hesitated.  “I give you my word.  I will not tell her.”

Before the conversation could be spoiled, Stephlon smiled and said, “I cannot believe my brother is here.”

“Do you remember the dying place?” Casiaq asked.  He hated turning the conversation to such awful memories, but there were so many questions he had.  That was the logical place to start.

“I do not.  I was two years old, but it is all in the stories.”

“What stories?”  Casiaq finally sat straight up in the bed.  His sudden movement reminded him sharply of his injuries.

Stephlon looked around the room.  “All around you, Casiaq.”

Stephlon stood up and held out his hand to Casiaq.  Casiaq took his hand and gently stood to his feet.  The two brothers then walked around the room a Stephlon explained the carvings on the walls.  He rehearsed the stories with such great passion that one could almost think he had written them himself.

“Here is the dying place.  That is our father.”  Stephlon stopped at the picture Casiaq had seen on the wall earlier.

“Why is he fighting the castle dweller?”

“When he took me there, he was ready to protect me at any cost.  Dolom and his father arrived and startled Father.  He began fighting them.  He thought they were the creatures.  When the creatures actually arrived, Dolom’s Father was weakened from staying in the dark lands too long.  He commanded Dolom to take me to the castle.  Dolom’s father, and our Father perished.”

“So that is why Dolom hates us.”

“That, and the fact that his sister almost died trying to rescue you.”

“His sister?  The man who rescued me was strong and fast!”  Casiaq could not imagine any girl that strong.  Stephlon chuckled.

“You will understand soon.”

The two continued down the walls to the picture of the forest dwellers at the cave dwelling.  “Who are these people?”

“These are your people.  They need you.  The darkness is beginning to consume them.  They have already given up.”

“And what about this picture?”  Casiaq pointed to the cheerful celebrants in front of the castle.

“That is your people, too.  They are finally free.”  Stephlon knew the next question.  “The man in the picture is you, Casiaq.”

“All because of a silly scar?”

“Soon, you will believe it, too.  Come.”  Stephlon motioned back toward the bed.  You must rest.  I will return with some food.”  Stephlon turned and left the room.

Chapter 14- Does He Know?

Thank you for reading! I am happy to share this book with you. Please take the time to leave me a comment.  Sincerely, Charity Woon

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  Chapter 14

As Saron escorted Casiaq back to his room, he continuously looked around, taking in his surroundings.  The trees were similar to the ones he was familiar with, only they were a darker, richer green.  The wild flowers were in full bloom and brilliantly colored.  The grass was thick and lush.  Casiaq wondered if the colors had been so beautiful before he applied the eye drops.  Maybe he just had not noticed before.

“Saron, when can I see my brother?”

“In time.”

“Does he know who I am?” Casiaq asked, trying to hold back his impatience.

“He knows.  He, too, is curious and impatient.  We had to let him assist in delivering your food just to settle him.” Saron said with a half grin.

Casiaq glanced back at the castle to get a full view from a distance.  He was shocked and disappointed to find that his newly enlightened eyesight was beginning to fade.  The castle was now just a faint outline and the brilliant foliage was beginning to dull.

“Saron, my eyes are beginning to weaken.”  His disappointment was clear in his tone.

“Casiaq, you have been in a darkened world for so long.  Giving too much light at once would surely devastate your vision.  Your eyesight will be regained.”

They reached the first building and entered.  Casiaq was returned to his room.

            “You will remain in the healing temple until you are ready to train.  Until then, you will rest well and eat like a king.”  With that Saron turned and left.  Casiaq returned to his bed.  He was overwhelmed with all the events the day held.  He was sure that he would have a hard time falling asleep.  As each detail of this day raced through his mind, Casiaq’s breathing became slow and relaxed.  He was fast asleep.

Chapter 13- Just a Clumsy Kid with Big Feet

With all the recent happenings, I may have to slow down on posting.  I have a job to do as a Christian.    So, if you suddenly do not hear from me, it is a good thing.

Thank you for reading! I am happy to share this book with you. Please take the time to leave me a comment.  Sincerely, Charity Woon

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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

                 “It burns!”  Casiaq began rubbing his eyes and stumbling.

“Give it a minute.  Don’t rub.”

“Don’t rub?  You just blinded me with that poison and you don’t want me to rub it?”  Casiaq’s anger made him bold.

“Quite the contrary, young one.  I just gave you your sight.”

Casiaq regained his balance and stood his ground.  The pain began to subside.  He blinked a few times and then looked up.  He took several steps backward.  Right in front of him was the largest, most beautiful building he had ever seen.  It covered the vast plain that had been in front of him moments ago.  The same style of carvings that he had found in the first structure covered the outside of this grand edifice.

A large door opened in front of them.  Two guards stood on either side of the doorway.  Casiaq and Saron were the only two who entered.  The two young escorts stayed outside.  Saron led Casiaq down a hall into a large room.  There were twelve people seated around a long table.  At the head of the table opposite Casiaq was a thirteenth person standing.  All were cloaked.  As Casiaq entered, they all pushed their chairs backward abruptly and stood.  Saron spoke.

“If it would please the Counsel, may I introduce young Casiaq.  He is the one Meara rescued.”

A man from the left practically interrupted Saron.  “Dolom said he had the mark.  Is it true?”  The crowd began to murmur.  Casiaq was unsure of what mark they were talking about.

A booming voice came from the male at the head of the table.  “Meara would not lie about such things.  Neither would she endanger our people without cause.  Please, young Casiaq, show us the mark.”

Casiaq looked at Saron hoping she would explain what they were talking about, yet Saron seemed to wait expectantly just as the others did.  Finally, the male closest to Casiaq walked over and roughly grabbed Casiaq’s shoulder.  With the other hand he lifted Casiaq’s shirt to reveal a scar on his side.  Upon witnessing the scar the man stumbled backward.

“Please forgive me!  I did not think it was true!”  The man who had towered over Casiaq now coward in his presence.  Casiaq pulled up his shirt and glanced down at the scar.

“This?  I got this when I was little.  I was playing in a metal masters workshop and fell.”  Casiaq was perplexed about their interest in the scar.

“He is the One, Traber,” Saron said confidently.

The room broke out in dispute.

“He’s just a child!”

“The prophesies are true!”

“They are just a bunch of fables!”

“Silence!” came the booming voice from the head of the table.  Everyone immediately froze.  Then, quietly and one by one, they all reseated themselves, except for the Traber.  “We will trust the prophesies.  They have always guided us well.”

At that point, the Traber removed the hood of his cloak.  Each person, including Saron, followed the Traber’s action by removing their hoods.  For the first time since his arrival Casiaq looked at the beings in the eyes.  Their skin was pale and glistening.  However, their eyes were the most captivating feature.  They looked like crystal blue waters.  There were no centers.  The entire eye looked the same.  They even had a faint luminescence to them.  Their hair was as white as a morning bird’s feathers.

All the ones seated around the table were males.  Saron was the only female in the room.  Yet, it seemed to Casiaq, her presence was well respected among the counsel.

The Traber now spoke with Casiaq.  “Do you not know the meaning of the mark?”

“It means that I was a clumsy kid with big feet.”  Some of the men chuckled at Casiaq’s response.

“It is the mark of the King.”  The Traber removed a medallion from around his neck and slid it across the table all the way to Casiaq.  Casiaq picked up the heavy necklace and examined it.  On the face of it, the medallion had an inscription- Light and Life are of the King.  The picture in the center was an outline of the castle Casiaq had seen on the walls of the first building.

He lifted up his shirt again.  The scar was a perfect outline of the castle.

“There must be some mistake.  This is from an accident.”  Casiaq tried to reason with the Traber.

“Have you ever noticed, young Casiaq, how fast you are when you run or how strong you are?”

“My people have to run everywhere we go.  Of course, I am fast.  I am strong because I work on my family’s farm.  I chop a lot of wood.”  Casiaq had noticed he was a great runner.  He actually prided himself in the fact.

The Traber looked Casiaq right in the eyes.  He began moving toward Casiaq as He spoke.  “You are almost fast enough to outrun the creatures.  No one else can do that.”

Casiaq suddenly became defensive.  “Are you spying on us?  How did you know I outran a Maullerd?”

The murmuring began again until the Traber began speaking.  “Have you outrun them?”

“What?!”  Casiaq knew his tone was overstepping his bounds with the Traber.

“HAVE YOU OUTRUN THEM?!”

Casiaq had regained some self control.  “Almost.”

Collective gasps were heard around the room.  The Traber continued his questioning.  “Have you not felt your hatred and determination grow toward the creatures?”

“Of course, I have.  They killed my father and my brother.”  Casiaq was shocked at his blunt admission.

Saron finally spoke.  “They did not kill your brother.”  Casiaq’s eyes shot toward Saron.  “They did not kill him.  Dolom brought him back.  Your brother was one of the young ones that walked us here.”

Casiaq was dazed from all he was taking in at the counsel.  “What about my father?”

“He died with Dolom’s father at the hand of the creatures,” said the Traber.  “Once you heal, you will begin your training.  You are dismissed.”

Saron grabbed hold of Casiaq’s arm and turned him toward the door.  He whispered, “Training for what, Saron?”

“Why, to lead the your people to defeat the creatures.”

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Chapter 12- At an Impasse

Thank you for reading! I am happy to share this book with you. Please take the time to leave me a comment.Sincerely,Charity Woon

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Chapter 1   Chapter 2  Chapter 3   Chapter 4   Chapter 5  Chapter 6  Chapter 7  Chapter 8  Chapter 9   Chapter 10   Chapter 11

Chapter 12

              Casiaq hobbled to the doorway and peered down a long corridor.  There was no place to hide.  There were no shadows to veil him as he slipped out of the room.  He planned on pleading ignorance as he walked casually down the hall.  There were only three other rooms connected to the long passage.  As he began slowly walking doown the hallway, he glanced in each room.  The first room was to the right.  It looked similar to his room, but it was unoccupied.  The second room was to the left.  It looked like a bathing room.  Casiaq had heard of wealthy villagers who had these rooms in their homes, but he knew that they were not furnished as exquisitely as this one.

Casiaq reached the final room to the right.  He heard movement in the room, so he proceeded slowly.  He peeked in the doorway.  Dolom was in a chair facing an elegant bed.  He held the hand of a young girl who was asleep. She was covered in bandages.  Bruises peeked out from under the dressings.  She was tall and slender.  Her hair was long and pure white, yet she was clearly quite young.  Casiaq guessed she was just slightly older that he.

Dolom gently stroked her hand, then glanced at the doorway.  Casiaq jumped back.  He heard Dolom rise quickly.  Casiaq started to head back to his room.  He had barely turned around when Dolom called to him from behind.

“What are you doing here?”  Dolom’s tone was even less hospitable than before.

Casiaq spun around slowly.  He was not very skilled at acting casual.  “I was finished with my meal and wanted to walk around a little.”  Casiaq feared that his suspicions were obvious.

“You are not welcome in this area.”

“Please forgive me.  I did not mean to intrude.”  He paused, but then chose to pursue his curiosity.  “Who is the girl?”

“She is none of your concern.  And your intrusions seem to continue.”  Dolom’s distain for Casiaq dripped from his lips with every word.

“Why are you angry with me?  Is there something I have done?”  Casiaq was growing impatient with his treatment.

“It’s not what you have done.  It’s who you are.  It’s your whole family.”

“What do you know of my family?” Casiaq said in a raised tone.

“Dolom?” came a voice faintly from the room.  Dolom’s anger seemed to melt away right before Casiaq’s eyes.  Dolom turned and rushed back into the room.  For all his rough manners, Casiaq witnessed a gentler, more affectionate side of Dolom as he returned to his perch beside the young girl.

Casiaq made his way back toward his room.  He could not find a door to the outside.  There was not even a window.  There were no candles, no fires, no sources of light other than the surroundings themselves.  They all seemed to glow.

At his doorway he was greeted again by the two people who had delivered the food.  “It is time to visit the Traber,” they said in an eerie unison voice.  They turned toward the wall directly across from Casiaq’s doorway.  On the wall were more carvings.  One of the beings reached up and pushed a picture of a castle.  The picture was exactly like the one in Casiaq’s room.

A doorway instantly opened before them.  Casiaq followed his escorts to the outside.  He glanced back to see that the building he was in looked the same on the outside as on the inside.  Thousands of carvings covered each wall.  The walls were also just as bright.  He noticed a gentle breeze blowing.  The three were greeted on the path by Saron.

“Good day, young Casiaq.  Was the meal to your satisfaction?” Saron asked in her maternal tone.  They continued down the path following behind the young attendants.

“It was pleasant.  I apologize for letting so much of it go to waste.”  Casiaq seemed comforted by Saron, though he wished he could see her face completely.  Even just a glimpse of her eyes would settle him considerably.

“Casiaq, when we see the Traber, you are not to say anything unless asked.  He is respected in our land.  You must treat him with that respect.  Do you understand?”  Even in her commands Saron had a gentle spirit about her.

“Yes, I think.”  Casiaq grew more nervous as they walked.  They were surrounded by grassy plains.  Casiaq’s leg was beginning to throb from the walk.  He did not see any buildings.  “How much farther?”

“A few more yards.  Do not trust your darkened eyes, Casiaq.”

Casiaq was confused.  They stopped in the middle of a field just to the left of the path.  Casiaq looked around and saw nothing.  The building they left was still within sight.  Saron then took Casiaq’s hand in hers and placed a small vial in it.

“Place a few drops in each eye and then close your eyes, Casiaq.”  At first, he hesitated.  He held the vial in front of his eyes to get a closer look.  It was glass and was full of a bluish liquid.  He looked up at Saron.

“You have no reason to trust us, Casiaq.  You do not know us.  We are very suspicious of you as well.  We must move past this.  Your people depend on it just as we do.”  Casiaq was now more confused than ever.  He was being asked to trust a people he knew nothing about.  They seemed to know a great deal about him, though.

“Why should I trust a people who will not even let me look them in the eyes?”

“Because without it, we are at an impasse.”  Saron sounded less confident.  He could feel her pleading with him.  Casiaq opened the vial and tipped it into both eyes.

Chapter 11- Pictures on the Walls

Thank you for reading! I am happy to share this book with you. Please take the time to leave me a comment.

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Chapter 1   Chapter 2  Chapter 3   Chapter 4   Chapter 5  Chapter 6  Chapter 7  Chapter 8  Chapter 9   Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Casiaq stood to begin exploring once more, but before he took a single, labored step two younger people were bringing in food trays.  Casiaq could not tell if these were male or female.  They, too, were cloaked.  They set the trays on a table and left quickly.

“Thank you,” Casiaq called out, but they had already disappeared as quickly as they arrived.  He sat down to the table and examined the feast set before him.  There was some sort of stew, a bread, a golden-brown meat, and three different vegetables.  He only recognized one of the vegetables.  A cup and pitcher filled with milk was the first thing he grabbed.

Overwhelmed in his thirst, he began to guzzle the freshly-poured milk.  Casiaq then realized this was not rondling milk.  It was much sweeter to the taste.  He could have imagined making a meal just of the milk alone.  He picked up the piece of meat and took a small bite.  It was definitely grey-beast, but it was seasoned much differently than he had ever tasted.  He then began to sample each food, very satisfied with every bite.

Casiaq was full.  No doubt his two days without food had affected his eating.  There was plenty of food still left, yet Casiaq could not eat anything else.  He stood up from the table to continue exploring his surroundings.  He walked slowly and carefully, favoring his wounded leg.

He was intrigued most by the carvings on the walls.  The walls were covered in detailed pictures.  An etching  of a large castle caught his eye.  It was surrounded by hooded beings.  They looked cheerful.  In a picture beside it, they seemed to be celebrating, dancing around a person.

He continued along the wall, running his hand across the pictures.  He paused again when he spotted a picture of a cave dwelling.  People were outside the cave working.  They looked burdened.  Casiaq was struck by the contrast of the two pictures.  He continued on down the wall.

He caught sight of the place he hated the most.  On the wall was a carving of the dying place.  In the picture, a man was swinging a wood-blade at one of the cloaked beings.  A child was on the dying bed.  Behind the dying bed stood one of the cloaked beings, reaching for the child.

Casiaq realized he had been holding his breath.  His chest was tight.  Could this be mere coincidence?  Did they kill his father?  Is this some unrelated scene in time?  Were they the ones who took people from the dying place?  Questions reeled through his mind.  He was suspicious of his hosts now more than ever.

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The next chapter will not be posted until Monday, but if you want a sneak peek, email me.

Chapter 10- Welcome

Thank you for reading! I am happy to share this book with you. Please take the time to leave me a comment.

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Chapter 1   Chapter 2  Chapter 3   Chapter 4   Chapter 5  Chapter 6  Chapter 7  Chapter 8  Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Casiaq awoke to bright light.  It was all around.  He was laying on a bed, a beautiful bed.  His eyes were finally beginning to focus.  He was covered in a white quilt.  The clothing he was now dressed in was white.  The room was glossy white- the floor, the ceiling, the walls.  Everything seemed to have a faint glow.  He squinted his eyes.  He was not use to this much light even on the sunniest of days.

His head was tender.  He reached up with his hand to feel.  He found that he had been neatly bandaged.

Casiaq threw the quilt back and swung his legs over.  The room began to spin.  Casiaq held his head as he swayed back and forth.  When the dizziness began to ease, Casiaq tried to stand slowly.  He gripped the side of the bed.  It dawned on Casiaq that he had never slept in a bed that was up off the floor before.  He was grateful for the height of it, for he now used it to steady himself.  His leg was also sore and bandaged.

He slowly walked to each piece of furniture, all were white.  He used each one to maintain his balance.  He studied the surroundings carefully, running his fingers down each item.  Intricate, beautiful carvings were etched in every table, chair, and shelf.  The walls were carved, but smooth and iridescent.  The floor was one solid piece.

Casiaq was so intrigued by his surroundings, he was startled when he heard someone walk into the room.  As he turned, he almost lost his balance.  He grabbed the table closest to him, but knocked a vase to the floor.  The vase merely clanged loudly, but was unharmed from the fall.

Casiaq now looked upon his visitor.  Clearly very masculine, the guest was cloaked in a tan, hooded garment.  His face could barely be seen.  His attire that shown from under his cloak was, again, white.

“Thank you for saving me.”  Casiaq finally managed.

“I did not rescue you, boy.  You do not belong here.”

“Where am I?”  Casiaq tried not to reveal how afraid he really was at that moment.

“The City of the King.  You are clearly not a city dweller.”  The voice was not harsh, but clearly not kind either.

“I am Casiaq.”  Casiaq felt his attempt to make friends with his potential captor was too obvious.

“You will meet the Traber soon.  He will discuss the next course of action for you.”  Both turned to see another person enter the room.  Also cloaked and barely distinguishable, this being was clearly female and much older.

“Please, Dolom, be gentle with our visitor,” came a much sweeter voice.

Casiaq looked toward the male.  Dolom seemed slightly irritated at the interruption.  He turned and left Casiaq with the woman without another word.

“Hi, dear.  I am Saron.  I trust you slept well.”  Saron motioned for Casiaq to sit in a chair close by.  Casiaq hesitated, then made his way to the chair.

“I am…”

“Casiaq.  Yes, we know.  Welcome to the City of the King.  Your eyes will adjust to the light soon.”  Saron also sat in a chair close to Casiaq.  “The light will help you heal quickly.”

Casiaq was somewhat frustrated that he could not see her eyes.  “Who is the Traber?”

“He is in charge while the King is busy.  There is no need to fear him.  He is a kind person.  He has met the King personally.”  A smile crept across Saron’s face.  She had such a pleasant way about her.

“Who rescued me?”

“In time, young Casiaq.  May I get you something to eat?”  Until that moment Casiaq had not realized how hungry he was.  “You have been asleep for two days.  Surely you would like to eat a little something.”

“I would eat almost anything you put in front of me right now.  I am starving.”  Casiaq thought about what he had just said.  He began to question his trust of these strangers.

“Good.  I’ll have it sent right in for you.”  With that, Saron stood and headed out of the room.

The Missing Chapter

I posted the next chapter, but it didn't send it to the mailing list.    Well, it seems that if you save something as a draft on this blog, it will not go to the mailing list.    Hmmm...  You were looking forward to Chapter 9 weren't you? 

Well Here it is:  The Missing Chapter... Click Here 

Chapter 9- Helpless

Wow.  It's 5 in the morning and I can't sleep.  I might as well post the next chapter.    Thank you for reading! I am happy to share this book with you. Please take the time to leave me a comment.

Sincerely, Charity Woon

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Chapter 9

 Casiaq finished his breakfast, grabbed a bag of rondling yarn, and set out to the dressmaker.  He was not in the mood to run, but he forced himself.  He had chosen the quickest path, which was actually no path at all.  The vegetation was thick in the field he cut through.  He had to slow his pace slightly to bring his knees up a little higher.  When he reached the other end of the field, he was again in a heavily wooded forrest.  He began weeding his way through the trees.

As his pace quickened, he began thinking on the things his mother had told him.  He wished he could give her some true sign of hope.  The kettle was just an immature attempt.  They needed a kettle anyway.  Their other kettle had been damaged.  and needed to be replaced.  Having the word "pearl" inscribed on the kettle was probably not the best idea, but he so longed to see his mother smile and to hear her sing again.

Casiaq's quick pace continued, even as he reached a small slope.  As he raced down the slope, his foot got caught under a root.  He fell abruptly, dropping his bag of rondling yarn.  As he fell forward, he tried to catch hold on the closest tree to his left.  He missed and  hit his head sharply on a stone.  Darkness.

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   Casiaq tried to open his eyes.  Casiaq rolled to the side.  His face felt wet.  His eyes were very slow at focusing.  One thing that he could see was that it was almost dark.  His heart began to thud, but he could not move.  His head throbbed with pain.  He heard rustling in the leaves in the distance.  Fear began to grip him.  He heard a low growl.

A tear rolled down his cheek.  The sounds in the distance were now closer.  He could not see. He could not move.  He did the only thing he could.

He whispered, “Please help me.”

Two strong hands lifted him up quickly.  Something wrapped around his waist.  As it did, a claw scraped his thigh.  He would have let out a scream, but at that same moment he was jerked backward.

He lost his breath for a brief moment.  He was being pulled backward by his waist at such a great speed that his head, arms, and legs were thrown forward.  He felt the hands still holding him, but could not see in the darkness.  And then, again… darkness overtook him.

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Jennifer's Questions

I received this comment (question) after my last post:

Have you written this entire book already? I'm curious how you do it. Do you have the entire thing in mind before you start of do you just come up with the ending as the book flows along?

Jennifer

I am about 1/3 of the way through the book.  You have read about 1/3 of what I have written.  Some ideas I already have in mind when I sit down to write, and others kind of jump in the scene as I am writing.  It has really helped me to stay on track by posting a little at a time.  I am constantly looking back at what I have written.  Also, I read what I have written to my son.  He catches all the little things... and some big ones... that I don't think of.  So, reading aloud and posting has helped me to fine tune the story.

Sometimes I am driving down the road and someone in the van says something that just reminds me of something Casiaq would do or should see or would be thinking.  Sometimes daily life helps me to think about how the characters would be feeling.

So, no I do not have it all in my mind at the beginning.  It kind of forms as I go along.  The end result is already decided, but how we get there... hmmm...

Chapter 8- A Fool's Yarn

Boy, I am moving a little slow this morning.  I have a cold.  But I wanted to get this posted anyway.  Thank you for reading! I 'd love to hear from you all today.  (Oh, BTW, you do not want to miss Chapter 9 tomorrow.  It is going to get really interesting! )

Sincerely,

Charity Woon

Chapter 1   Chapter 2  Chapter 3   Chapter 4   Chapter 5  Chapter 6  Chapter 7

Chapter 8

A storm was passing through during the day.  The sky was dark with clouds.  The family had to stay inside in the dark because there was not enough light outside to keep them safe.  Casiaq hated days like this.  It forced him to find things he could do in the dark.  He was not as skilled as his mother who could clean and sew in total darkness.  Patre used the day to repair his shoes.  Shilan was busy making yarn.  Casiaq, on the other hand, lay in his bedding place thinking on the things Patre had told him the week before.

He wanted to find a way to bring joy to his mother again.  The past several days, her eyes were always swollen from crying.  She tried to hide it, but Casiaq knew his mother well.  Shilan and Patre seemed to either ignore it or deny the sadness that was beginning to consume his mother.

He had given up on trying to kill the Maullerds.  Patre had finally convinced him they were impenetrable.

He decided the next day that he had time free he would travel to the dressmaker and trade some yarn to get his mother something nice.  It was only a third of a day’s journey if you ran.

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               Casiaq awoke to the beautiful song of a morning bird.  They were a rare fowl, but always a welcomed visitor.  It had landed just to the right of the light hole.  The playful tune echoed faintly down into the cave.  Casiaq crawled off his bedding, and made his way to the table.  He was the first to wake on this morning.  He began setting the table for the morning meal.  He heard the others finally begin to rouse.

Patre was the first to greet Casiaq.  “I will go ahead and begin my duties.  Please call for me when the meal is finished.”

“Where will you be?”  Casiaq asked.

“The rondling females have damaged fencing around the garden.  I want to repair it before it falls.”

“They damaged the fencing?  How did they manage that?” Casiaq asked.

“They’re rondlings.  I would be more surprised if they didn’t damage something every now and then.  The reason rondling yarn fetches such a great price is because no one has the patience to deal with the stupid creatures.  They would rather buy the yarn that other fools work so hard to retrieve.”

Casiaq smiled at Patre’s sarcasm.  With that, Patre headed about his business.  As the door shut behind him, Shilan entered the room.

“Was that Patre?” she asked.

Casiaq glanced her direction, and then continued his work.  “Yeah.  He’s heading to the garden.”

Shilan quickly followed after him, shutting the door behind her.  Casiaq reached over and propped the door open.  He heard his mother stirring in the background.  As she entered, she gave her usual morning greeting and hug.

“Good morning, my love.”

“Morning, Mother.”

“Thank you for setting the table and getting things started.”  She paused for a moment.  “Can you help me with breakfast this morning?”

“Sure.  I don’t mind.”  This was going to be an easier workday for Casiaq.  He rather enjoyed occasionally helping with meals.

Casiaq retrieved water from the stream and returned to the cave dwelling.  His mother had already begun mixing the dry ingredients for the bread.  As they worked, Ronac began to talk.

“Casiaq, do you know very much about the pearl?”  Casiaq almost froze into place.  He tried to act casual, but was sure his mother caught his reaction.

Casiaq replied cautiously.  “I know that some people think it’s a good sign of they find one, but I don’t know why.”  He continued working, not sure if he wanted to get into this conversation.  His curiosity, though, began to win him over.

“Some of the village folk tell stories of seeing people in the woods.  They are a different kind of people.  Their skin is said to be pale and sparkling in the sun.  Their eyes are like crystals.”

“Have you ever seen these creatures?” Casiaq's tone was clearly filled with disbelief.

“Not creatures, people.”  Ronac corrected him gently.

“Well, have you seen them?”  Casiaq continued.

“No.”

“Has anyone you know seen them?”

Ronac paused.  She chose to ignore the question and continue her description.  “The stories say that these people leave behind a pearl at the dying place if they rescue the person who is there.”

“Yes, but those are just legends, Mother.”

“Believe what you choose, Casiaq, but that pearl Patre showed you is all the hope I have.  And I choose to cling to that hope.”  Casiaq was confused.  How did his mother know that Patre had shown him the pearl?  Did she know about the wood-blade?

His mother’s tone was so convincing, so gentle, so pleading that even Casiaq had to at least consider the possibilities.  “If those crea—people are real, why do we not ever see them?  Why are there not always pearls at the dying place?  Are there only certain of our kind that they will rescue?”

“I don’t know.  I wish I knew.”

Chapter 7- The Dying Bed

Thank you for reading! I am happy to share this book with you. Please take the time to leave me a comment.

Sincerely,Charity Woon

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Chapter 1   Chapter 2  Chapter 3   Chapter 4   Chapter 5  Chapter 6

Chapter 7

             Ronac and Patre’s pace was quick.  The sun had barely risen when they headed toward the dying place.  The dying bed was at the top of a mountain.  Ronac had young Casiaq strapped to her back, but it did not slow her down.  Patre carried Shilan for most of the journey.  The path they travelled was well worn and easy.

Near the top of the mountain, just out of sight of the dying bed, Ronac and Patre set the children down.  They found a small clearing in the brush just off the path.

Ronac cupped Shilan's face in her hands.  "Shilan, the two of you cannot go any farther.  You and your brother must stay here.  I will not be far.  If you need me, just yell.  I will still be able to hear you."  She kissed Shilan on the forehead.  She turned to Casiaq.  She pulled him close and held him tight.  "I will be right back."

Ronac turned and headed to the dying bed, Patre following close behind.  She was determined and purposeful inher walk.

When Patre and Ronac reached the pinnacle, Ronac dropped to her knees at the sight of the blood.  Beside the dying bed was the wood-blade Kylar had taken.  The metal was so mangled, she could hardly recognize it.  Tears flowed.  Her agony was so deep that the moan she let out was more like an animal.  Patre knelt beside her and comforted her the best he could.

After a long time Patre finally spoke up.  “We must go.  We have much to do before darkness falls.”

Ronac hesitated, and then rose.  As she found her footing, she moved toward the dying bed.  She brushed her hand along the straw.  As she did, something caught her eye.  It was a small pearl.  She picked it up.  As she held it in her hand examining it, a smile came to her face.  The tears still flowed, but now she almost sounded like she had gone mad.  A mix of pain and laughter flooded her voice.

“What is it Ronac?”

“A pearl!”

“A what?”

“A pearl!  My son lives!”

“Ronac, don’t get your hopes up.  It’s a fable made up by those who cannot face reality.”

Ronac did not hear a word Patre said.  She held the pearl tightly in her hand and headed home.

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 “If your father could have saved that child, he would have.  He was well skilled in battle.  He gave his life trying to save him.”

“Is the child dead?”  Casiaq searched his grandfather's face for his reaction.

“The Maullerds feast on death, son.  They have no pity.  They care not about age or innocence.  I let your mother believe whatever she needed to if it helped her continue living.”

Patre and Casiaq heard a noise outside the cave door.  They went to the door and saw Shilan still working with the rondlings.

“Remember, never speak of this again.”  Patre whispered.  He returned the items to their place, and both Casiaq and Patre set about to do their work.

Chapter 6- Ripped from Her Arms

********Weekend Edition********

For the Weekend Edition, let's take an inside look.

• Did you notice that Casiaq seems to enjoy running?  This will play a vital part in the story.
• The Pearl... it keeps coming up.  On the kettle and now in the Secret Box.  What do you think it means?
• When Casiaq's trap was triggered, did you notice a clue to what the Maullerds might look like?
• The song Ronac (Casiaq's mother) was humming will come up again.

Chapter 1   Chapter 2  Chapter 3   Chapter 4   Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

“I will tell you, and you will speak of this to no one.  Your older sister has finally moved past the pain.  You will not hurt her with these memories.  Your mother finds both pain and hope in these items.  The blade brings her great sadness.  The pearl brings her false hope.  You are to encourage neither by mentioning this moment.”  Patre spoke in the most authoritative voice Casiaq had ever heard.

“What did this to this blade?”

Patre took a deep breath and exhaled.  Casiaq could tell the Patre was stifling all his emotions.  Finally, he began speaking very matter-of-factly, as if he were telling a story about someone he did not even know.

“When your brother was two years old, he got very sick.  Your mother tried everything to help him to no avail.  Your father traveled as far as he could go looking for a cure.  He found nothing.

“When he returned, the child had gotten worse.  One afternoon, three weeks after the child’s first symptom, his eyes made the change.  His death was imminent, and the Maullerds would come for him.”

“How do they know when someone is about to die?”

“They sense it as easily as they do light.  But they love death.  They feed off of it.  It is what they live for each day.  Unlike light, death gives them power.”  Patre spoke with a bitter tone of his own until he realized his emotions were being exposed.  He then continued his account of the events that changed the family.

“Your father had to rip the child from your mother’s arms.  She would have held him in the dwelling cave until night fall and doomed the entire family.  She begged and pleaded with him not to take the child to the dying place and leave him there.

“She got her wish.”

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“He cannot stay here.  It would be a death sentence for us all.”  Kylar's tone was deep and anguished.

Ronac got down on her knees and grabbed Kylar around the legs.  Her grief was in control, and she was not herself.  “I cannot bear to know they will get him!  He’s only a small child!”  Her tears and pleading overwhelmed them both.  “Please don’t leave him there to die alone!”

“He will not be alone, my love.”

Ronac’s crying suddenly stopped.  There was a glimmer of hope.

“I love him, too.  He will not die alone.  I will do whatever it takes, but he cannot stay here.”

Kylar left the dwelling cave and went to the cattle cave.  When he returned to the dwelling cave, he had his wood-blade in hand.  He faced Patre and spoke.  “Stay here.  The scent of death may have lingered too long.  Protect this family.  Secure the door and lower the lights as usual.”

Casiaq and Shilan were sitting on the dirt floor of the cave dwelling.  Shilan was crying.  Casiaq was still too young to understand what was going on, and was more frightened by the scene than saddened.

Kylar kissed the foreheads of Casiaq and Shilan.  He then looked Ronac in the eyes.  “I love you.”

With that, he pulled the child from his mother’s arms and walked out of the cave.

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Patre paused as if focusing on that one moment in time.  Casiaq was not sure if Patre would continue, so he began asking questions to fill in the details.

“What happened to him?”

“The next morning your mother and I went to the dying place.  I went to comfort her.  She went looking for any sign of hope.”

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Chapter 5- A Secret Box

If you are new to The Castle and the King, start here at Chapter 1.  Thank you for reading! I am happy to share this book with you. Please take the time to leave me a comment. Let me know what you think about the story. As long as there continues to be an interest in the story, I'll keep sharing it.  Get automatic notices of updates.  Join the mailing list.  Simply email me and say, "I'm a Castle Fan!"

Sincerely, Charity Woon

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Chapter 1   Chapter 2  Chapter 3   Chapter 4

Chapter 5

  The next morning, Casiaq was awake at the first proof through the light hole of the sun rising.  He ran outside to the tree where he had set the trap.  He found Patre kneeling beside shreds of wood.  Casiaq knelt beside him.  In Patre’s hand was what was left of one of the metal stakes.  It was more like a disk now.

“I told you, you cannot kill them!  This metal is ruined.  We cannot afford the time to travel to the metal master to get it reworked.”

“What do you know about them?  Please tell me.”  Casiaq desired to learn the things the family never spoke of because of the pain it resurfaced.  It was the only way he knew to find the weakness of the Maullerds.

“What do you remember of that time of sorrow?”  Patre spoke in a low and reverent tone when referring to the events that took place nearly nine years before.

“I was four.  I remember the look in Stephlon’s eyes.  They were completely white.  I remember Mother crying and Father saying he would do whatever it took.”

“Follow me.”  Patre led Casiaq to the cattle cave.  Under a couple of crates was a trunk.  Patre fished down the top of his shirt for a key on his neck chain.  He removed the key and unlocked the old wooden trunk.  He pulled out of it two items, a heavily-damaged wood-blade and a small metal box.  The box contained a single, small, well-polished pearl.

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 This day would be Shilan’s turn to wash the clothing in the stream and shear the male rondlings.  They were kept separate from the females for most of their lives because they bred often… too often.  Untended rondlings could have as many as thirteen calves a month.  Their meat was horrid to the taste and not suitable for eating.  Their uses were limited to milk, clothing from their fur, and fertilizer for the garden.  The good thing was that they required little food.  The bad thing was that having too many of them created chaos.

Shilan had moved the males to the shearing stall outside the cattle cave.  She was able to restrain each creature with a makeshift harness that Casiaq had created.  She was so busy, she did not notice Casiaq and Patre pass behind her.  Rondling males had to be sheared every ten days or their fur would become too matted to use.  It grew very quickly.

Ronac, Casiaq's mother, had stopped at the shearing stall on her way to the garden.  She was quite proud to see how skilled her sixteen year old daughter had become with the rondlings.  Ronac commended Shilan on her work and continued toward the garden until she heard voices in the cattle cave.

She peeked around the doorway and saw Casiaq holding the wood-blade.  She stepped back and covered her mouth with her hand.  Her eyes filled with tears.  She glanced at Shilan who had her back turned toward her.  She was still busy working.  After a moment, Ronac stepped closer to the cave doorway and listened.

Chapter 4- The Trap

Thank you for reading! I am happy to share this book with you. Please take the time to leave me a comment. Let me know what you think about the story. As long as there continues to be an interest in the story, I'll keep sharing it.

Sincerely,

Charity Woon

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Chapter 1   Chapter 2  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

Before sunset, Casiaq began preparations.  He found large metal stakes in the cattle cave.  He drove them through one end of a small tree trunk.  He fastened the opposite end of the trunk to a large tree at the edge of the Dark Forest.  He then tied a rope to the spiked end of the small tree and bent it back, creating an enormous amount of tension.  He tied the tree off to another tree with a slip-knot that his father had taught him.

He placed a small stack of wood on the ground.  He then prepared a thin twine trigger attached to the slip-knot.  He ran the trigger near the pile of wood.

The sun was beginning to set.  Casiaq set the wood on fire very careful not to touch the trigger rope.  Then he went raced back to the dwelling cave.

Mother had just doused the cooking fire and set the table for dinner.  Shilan and Patre were arriving just as Casiaq entered the door.  The door was shut and locked.  Mother had a candle lit for last minute preparations.  When everything was in its place, the candle was extinguished, and the room was again dark.

Within minutes the family was sitting at the table and talking in a whisper about the days events.  Shilan managed to only dump one bucket of rondling milk.  They were feasting on a stew and bread made with the other two buckets worth.  Patre had killed a large bird while out grazing the cattle.  The meat provided a delicious addition to the stew.  It also spared the life of one of the cattle, who would have been the nights meal otherwise.  Mother had mended three shirts and made them presentable to wear again, along with providing the vegetables from the garden for the stew.  Casiaq did not volunteer the details of the last part of his day, but shared how his wood splitting went slowly due to his sore muscles.

Whack!!!  They all jumped at the noise from outside.  It sounded like metal on metal.  Casiaq could feel his grandfather’s angry gaze even through the darkness.  They all listened in total silence.  No one even moved.

Growling.  Digging.  Cracking of wood.  If wrath had a sound, it was heard that evening.  Then silence.

After several intense moments, the family continued eating, but no one spoke.