Legends of Thamaturga The Contestant: The Contestant Read online

  Legends of

  Thamaturga

  By: H.C.MacDonald

  Copyright © 2016 HC MacDonald

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN:

  ISBN-13:

  DEDICATION

  Thank you to all my fans. I hope you like this next adventure.

  Kate, Liz & John, I love you. You inspire me.

  Ryan, without your encouragement and support I wouldn’t have done this. Thank you.

  CONTENTS

  Acknowledgments

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  1

  Chapter Name

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  2

  Chapter Name

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  3

  Chapter Name

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  4

  Chapter Name

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  5

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  6

  Chapter Name

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  7

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  8

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  9

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  10

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  Prologue

  The plan had begun. The cloaked man moved about the crowded streets unnoticed by the other villagers. He was collecting information. Now that the war was over, villagers talked openly with him of magic, unafraid of the consequences.

  He entered the room of a bald fat man sitting on the edge of a hay cot bed. The man looked him in the eye.

  “I knew you would come, I saw it in my dreams.”

  “You know then what I will do to you.”

  “I do not have the power to stop you, but I have foreseen the one who does.”

  “Soon I will foresee it. Change it, and you will still be dead.”

  He stepped toward the man. The man pounded a fist to his chest, in his hand a poison covered dagger. He fell onto the bed. A pool of blood seeping out around him, staining the grey sheets red. Anger steamed from the man in the cloak.

  He turned to the unlit fireplace and with a ball of fire lit the wood in the hearth. He reached down and grabbed a burning twig. Before the man on the bed could take his last breathe he was branded.

  The silver milky snake slithered out of the mans ear and toward the cloaked figure. It wrapped up his arm and into his hood. As the man on the bed exhaled his final breath, the snake disappeared.

  The cloaked man threw the stick violently into the fire. “I will find another.” Then he disappeared.

  Part 3

  The Contestant

  Plans

  Raina

  It had been three years since Nezra had died. Peace befell onto the land. I should have been happy. I wasn’t. I was still heartbroken over Leon. Alastair said it would take time. Our kind loved deeply. Having my family around made it easier. My only reminders, were when Sanna would visit. I loved our gatherings, but the gossip, Leon. Would prove to be to much sometimes. Making me ache all over for him.

  I spent most of my days learning from Alastair. He shared his story with me. When I was in my mother’s womb, he had traveled to the Island that gave his father magic. He asked to have it taken away. The magic was released from his grasp. He watched as the magic burst into rays of light then traveled out into the distance. He didn’t realize then, what had happened. In releasing it, the magic needed to find a new vessel. I was chosen. When my mother gave birth to me, I inherited not only my grandfathers magic, but a new line of magic was formed.

  Alastair traveled back to island asked that I not be given this burden. He would take it back. It was to late. The magic was bound to me. He asked to able to retain his knowledge on the workings of using the magic. For years he begged and pleaded with them. They eventually granted him the favor. When he returned back again from the island, we were gone.

  My recovery was slow. My fight with Nezra had altered my magical abilities. My broken bones and battle scars were not affected by the many potions and healing lotions applied. I had to let my body heal naturally. I was covered in scars from head to toe. The brands on my leg and arm were altered as well. Not even Alastair new what they meant. We tried removing them again, but had no luck.

  Magically, I could do nothing more than parlor tricks. I could change my appearance. I could see the true appearance of anything magically altered. That was about it, no more moving about the land in a blink of an eye. No more spoken or silent spells cast. No more protection walls, or bubbles. I no longer dreamed of visions of my mother or the future. This was frustrating.

  With my slow recovery, I was also unable to look for my mother. Alastair had sent scouts around the land to look for her. The relayed to them of my visions of her in a cave by the seashore, as well as the other visions I had of her.

  They searched the entire shoreline of all of Thamaturga. No sign of her. Robyn had tried many times with her potions to receive a vision. She also had no luck. We only felt she was still alive. Alastair said that our instincts would know.

  Now, after three years, I was stronger. Almost completely back to my old non magic self. I would run every morning to build my strength. Then I would continued to train and perfect my battle skills. The afternoons I spent with Robyn and Alastair. Trying to bring back my magic. I was frustrated, depressed and my heart was not in it. I put on a good front for everyone’s benefit. I was tired of them asking if I was okay or how I was feeling. I missed my mom. I missed Leon. I even missed my magic. I was depressed. There was nothing anyone could do about it.

  I needed to get away, and wanted desperately to help search for my mother. Alastair had told me of the islands of magic. I had a plan to search for her there. I was saving up enough money for buy passage to the islands. I was having troubles finding anyone that would go there. There were too many superstitions about the islands. Sailors were spooked. At the rate I was making money it would be another few years before I would have a large enough amount to bribe them to go. This just depressed me more.

  I worked in the evenings and weekends at the village market, watching over Robyn’s booth of potions and powders. Taking orders, selling goods, making deliveries when required. It was a tedious and mind boring job. If I was to look for my mother, a necessary one.

  The children were all in school now. With Alastair and Robyn’s help, easy to manage and care for. They were happy and carefree. The way a child should be.

  I sat at my small wooden booth, hiding from the sun. Staring at the people walking by looking at the wares available in the small market. My thoughts lost in my head. My eyes had been focused for some time on a loose string in the seam of my skirt, when I heard the clearing of a throat. I stood and lifted my head to see a tall broad sandy haired young man looking at me. He was holding a bottle in his hand. He had a chiseled face, and soft blue eyes that sparkled when he smiled. I could feel my cheeks heat up. I quickly looked down again.

  “What does this do?” He asked in a husky voice.

  “That one is used for animals, settles there stomaches when sick.” I answered shyly. I looked up at him again. His smile wide on his face, eyes looking straight at me. “What are you in need of?” I asked trying to stop myself from blushing.

  “Do you have anything for scars?” He asked.

  “Not today, but I can have some made for you and bring it tomorrow.” Hopeful I would see him again.

  “Sounds good. What time should I come by?”

  “After four and I will have it.”

  He smiled again and winked this time. “See you then.” I felt the heat rush to m
y cheeks. My hands moving up to cover the red I could feel. What was happening? I sat back down, watching him sander away. A smile lifted the corner of my lips. What was I thinking? Then again, maybe it would be a good distraction from my misery. He was so different from Leon. Leon?! I could feel the depression and guilt nudge at my mind. I looked down the street, the man no longer in view. A smile lit my lips. I let hope sneak in to nip out the depressing thoughts.

  I let myself daydream about this stranger till the market closed. Happy to have something else to think about.

  I headed home, stopping off to give Robyn the orders for tomorrow night. She eyed me from the side. “Something’s different about you?”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “I don’t know, you seem lighter, happier. I can’t quite put a finger on it.”

  I knew what it was, but wasn’t about to share. I quickly made an excuse and left for grandfather’s. The night was uneventful. Sleep was hard to come. My mind wondered from Leon to the stranger and back again.

  Morning came. I took the children to school than began my jog. I needed to let out my anxiety and let my mind relax. I ran for hours. When I got back to the house, Alastair was waiting.

  “Your late for practice!” He scolded. He was more worried than angry. I could see. I gave him an apologetic smile and began working on my spells. I would repeat words with Alastair, working to move objects. Nothing would happen. We spent a good hour at it. Then we shifted to potions. Again, mixing, casting, nothing would work. It reminded me of my attempts to mimic my mother. At that thought, my heartache would return.

  It was time to head to the market. My shift would be starting soon. I practically skipped all the way there. Eager to engage in another encounter with the man from yesterday. Robyn was waiting for me. That curious look on her face.

  “I got it.” I almost sang. Not catching myself fast enough.

  “You sure you're okay.” She looked at me suspiciously.

  “Yes, now I know you have things to do, so go on. I got this. Do it everyday, remember.” I realized I was talking to much. I couldn’t help myself. The harder I tried to look normal, the worse it was. After close to twenty minutes, Robyn finally walked away. Looking over her shoulder a few times before she rounded the curve in the path towards her home.

  I waited anxiously, a giddiness to my impatience. I don’t know why I was so nervous, I had fought Nezra, been in the arena with a Snapper, fended off all sorts of beasts. Here I was nervous. I kept wiping my hands on my skirt, the sweat building making them clammy. It was now four in the evening, my anxiety was bubbling over. I kept watch up and down the street.

  As customers came, I hurried them along, not giving in to conversation. I wanted the booth to be empty when he came. Give us a chance to talk without interruption.

  I saw him at the top of the street. He was in a group headed my way. I ran my hands down my skirt to straighten it, then did a quick flip of my hair. I hoped I looked all right. He came to the booth and gave me a smile. I could feel my cheeks blush as I smiled back at him. I reached for the potion. Holding it out, “Here is your request.”

  “How much do I owe you?” He reached out and placed his hand on mine for longer than needed when taking the potion.

  “Ten dafners please.” I couldn’t meet his eyes. My cheeks still heated from his first smile. I watched his hands as he pulled out the money and handed it to me. As he did, he held my hand for a moment. I looked up to his face.

  “Thank you, my wife and I thank you for your help.” He winked once more and turned to leave.

  I felt my body sag. Married. I should have known better than to get my hopes up. That was my life. Those that knew me before, distrusted me, looked at me with anger and hate. Those that didn’t know me, saw only my scars and marks. They looked at me with pity. I, for a moment, thought he would like me. The depression came back. He was showing me pity. In that moment, I felt ugly and worthless.

  I spent the rest of my shift sitting on my stool feeling sorry for myself. When the time came to close, I gathered our things and walked dragging my feet to Robyn’s to drop off the orders. I went straight to bed when I arrived home. Here I wanted to stay. Locked in my room.

  Invitation

  Raina

  Life was bleak and grey to me. I began sleeping in later and later everyday. My runs longer and longer when I did go out. I wanted to be left alone. I no longer worked on my magic. I didn’t see the point. At the market, I kept to myself. My hope, to be as invisible as possible.

  One evening when I was headed to my room after work, Alastair mentioned Sanna would be coming for a few days. I felt my stomach flip. I had mixed feelings about the visit. I didn’t feel like seeing anyone and at the same time, I wanted her to come. Most of all, I didn’t want to hear about Leon. I had wanted to tell her it wasn’t a good time, but grandfather already insisted she come.

  I spent the next few days in bed. Not even getting out to go to work, I was dreading the visit. The day was here for Sanna to arrive. The kids were playing at a neighbors. I had gotten up with them in the morning and now lay in my bed taking advantage of there absence. I heard the knock on the door and the muffled sound of voices. Then my door burst open and Sanna plopped herself onto my bed slapping my leg as she did.

  “Get your lazy but up.”

  “I don’t want to.”

  “To bad! I hear you been moping around this place. You need to get out of here. Get a change of scenery.”

  “What are you talking about? I don’t need a change of scenery.”

  “Really, these walls are growing mold from your stink. I’m talking about dancing and meeting new men, and dressing up.”

  “No! Absolutely not! I don’t feel like a party.”

  “To bad. I already RSVP’d for you. So you are coming.”

  “No, you can’t make me go.”

  “I can and I will. Besides, Alastair said he would help if I needed him. Come on. Raoul will be there. Robyn is going. You need to come to.”

  “I can’t, who will watch the kids. I can’t leave them alone with Alastair. He can’t keep up with them. What about my job? Who will tend the market?”

  “First, I have it all covered so no excuses. I figured you would try to get out of it. Ethel will watch all the kids, her and Sasha are already at the school waiting to pick them up, and Robyn’s okay with the store being closed for a few days while she’s gone. Now get up.”

  “You brought Ethel with you.” I said exasperated. It was bad enough to have Sanna here ordering me about, but Ethel too. They would surely gang up on me and I would have no choice but to go.

  “Yes, I brought Ethel with me, I needed reinforcements. Anyway, Ethan is waiting for us.”

  “Oh, in that case, NO!” I yelled.

  “Tough! The children were to excited about seeing each other. I am not taking that away from them. You are coming! Whether you like it or not, I am packing your things and dragging you back.”

  “Back, you mean to Ladow? I can’t go back there, to many memories. I can’t handle it.”

  “You need to work this out. I am giving you tough love and making you face your ghosts. If I was in danger would you shy away. No, you would not. You would go running into battle. You need to move forward. This will help you. Now where is your bag.”

  I sat in bed watching her grab my belongings. She then turned to me, “You have five minutes then I drag you all the way to Ladow.”

  I knew she would. Stubborn she was. Always got her way. I fell out of bed and threw something on from off my floor. I was ready. I would go, but I wouldn’t be happy. She could make me be there, but I didn’t have to participate. We headed out the door only to run into Ethel.

  “You look terrible. Sanna you didn’t tell me you looked this bad. This will not do. You don’t have much time to get her ready. You may have to ask them to postpone a day or two.”

  “Thanks Ethel, I missed you too.” I said sarcastically. She hugged me and win
ked at Sanna. What were they up to? This would be fun, not.

  We traveled to Ladow. Ethan talking to me of all the new changes the council had made. Sanna telling me the latest gossip. Ethan inquired of my powers and healing. I explained I still didn’t have them. It was a mystery. Alastair and Robyn could not figure it out. They had gone thru every record of my ancestry to uncover the change and how to put things back in harmony. They had no luck. So I demonstrated my few parlor tricks along the way. Ethan was still impressed.

  “So, you can’t just disappear like before.” He asked, looking at Sanna.

  “No, I get around like everyone else these days.” I rolled my eyes as I said it.

  “That’s to bad. So if you ran into Leon, you couldn’t up and leave. You would have to walk out the door like us?” He continued.

  “Yes, that is correct. Why? Why would I run into him? I realize he may be at the dance, but I thought I would be able to avoid him, like I try to do with you all.” I said with a sarcastic smile.

  “Well, the party is for Leon. So, you may run into him.” Ethan said, as he ducked from the punch I threw at his head.

  “You should have told me. I wouldn’t have come. I don’t want to see him.” I yelled. Upset at this trick. How could my friends do this to me?

  “Well, to be perfectly clear, it is a betrothal ceremony for Leon.” Sanna said hiding behind Ethan.

  “I can’t believe this. I can’t go. I can’t see him with someone else. I’m not ready for that.” I slumped down in my seat of the carriage and sat with my head down and hands folded in my lap. Emotions welling up. It hurt. I knew he was seeing someone, but this. It hurt. I would rather not of known.