ILFIN of ARC excerpt: The Spire

 

HANNA PROVED TO be stubborn. She did not agree with Lyra, despite various explanations from her as the day wore on. Lyra did not blame her; it sounded fantastical even to her ears.

Thus, in the middle of the night, while Hanna was in deep sleep, Lyra slipped away. Hanna was able to track her, but she hoped her actions would force Hanna to pause and think. Hopefully, she would choose, in the morning, to go back.

As silent as she was able to, Lyra led Leaf away. A fair distance from their camp, she entered the river, praying she was far enough removed not to wake Hanna with the resultant splashing sounds, hoping also that the point of entry into the current was where Hanna lost her trail if she did come looking for her.

By mid-morning Lyra knew she was alone. Either Hanna lost her, or she chose to return as asked. Never had she felt this lonely. Thank the stars for Leaf. Her gentleness and warmth gifted Lyra hope.

Together they travelled without incident for days, and then the morning arrived when the peaks towered over them. Buried in clouds up there was a suggestion of a spike, a manufactured object.

Destination.

The Spire.

The ethereal Sassen said to search for a trapdoor. While Lyra did not trust her motives, about the entry point she did not think the woman lied. That was her hope. Much of what she now acted upon was based on faith.

In the end, finding it was easier than she believed it would be. In a dark glade, for the mountain threw a deep shadow, she found it.

Seeing the hidden entryway brought Damin to mind and other trapdoors they used back in Normur. She missed him with an ache that caused her stomach to roil. How she wished he was with her. His solid presence and mischievous smile would serve to strengthen her fading optimism.

Given the location, this was where she and Leaf needed to part ways. She removed her pack and water, and then unsaddled her. There was certainly enough for Leaf to eat and drink, but Lyra prayed she would be fine.

She had been a good friend.

 

~

 

SHE EXPECTED DARKNESS. The lower the metal ladder took her, the lighter it became, however. There was no light source other than the dwindling grey circle overhead and yet she was able to see. Perhaps it was a property of the ancient stone she descended into.

Her feet touched a paved floor. A surfaced tunnel weaved into distance, faintly glowing. She found that stranger than anything that went before, for it revealed a past, a people with the ability to delve and dress rock.

Light beings did not do this. Their slaves did. How long had it been since the first sanctuary seekers vanished into obscurity in this place? Here time itself pressed upon her.

Shouldering her pack, Lyra trod determinedly forward. Noting curves and rounds in the shadows, she realised the underground system was complex, potentially a labyrinth able to stymie direction. Now she wished she had not sent Hanna away; a companion would do much to lessen this burden.

Her footfalls echoed dully. Her heartbeat thundered loudly. Her breath left her in great gasps. She was afraid. She made so much noise, enough, she thought, to wake even the dead.

Go back …

Flinching, Lyra halted.

Danger!

Swallowing, she understood the voices were all around her. The dead were not only awake, but speaking.

“I have to do this,” she said, and her words rebounded akin to hollow bells. “I know why you seek to delay me, but too many will die if I stop now.”

Tricks and traps await you. Go back.

The other death is the easier death.

They lied!

She closed her eyes, seeking to ‘see’ the forms. A host swirled around her, all faceless. Her eyes snapped open. Thank the stars they had no faces.

“My brother will release you from this prison of waiting, but he must survive in order to do so.”

Silence surrounded her. The host was listening.

“Horin is a warrior. He will stand between us and them, this I swear. Help me now, please. Show me what to do. Show me how to save my people, and together we will save each other from the otherworld beings.”

She waited a long time, unmoving, and then she heard these words.

This way, my lady. Come this way.

Come, reader, join the great march today …

 According to legend, a paradise awaits across the plains, a sanctuary that has survived every impact and every battle. Known as Arc, it is a place of isolation, a place to restart civilisation.

 A fireball grows ever larger in the skies and ancient enemies wing through the spaces; the world Massin is the gathering place for every omen of disaster. Every resident soul faces a choice. Time now to march south to the sanctuary, from the eastern highlands and the western seas, there to escape apocalypse, and the renewal of the war between the Ilfin and Glonu, or stay behind, hoping for a miracle.

 An Elemental will find the sanctuary – Lyra is gifted – a Warrior will defend the dispossessed – the boy Horin will grow up fast – and a Marsh Devil will lead them – Damin spends years preparing for this epic event – but it is also true that a sanctuary is not always a haven. Has the legend lied? Will Arc protect them?

 Prepare for an adventure that will journey from ancient ways of living into high-tech environments. Ilfin of Arc is a dystopian Fantasy tale that flies into star filled spaces – strap in!

ILFIN of ARC