The Ancients Trilogy: The Calling of Ember

The Calling of Ember

The Ancients Trilogy Book 1

Copyright © 2015 Sarah Dzuris Anderson

www.sarahandersonauthor.com

Cover Design by Sarah Dzuris Anderson

Editor Carmen Erickson

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form is forbidden without the written permission of the author. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Thank you for respecting the integrity of this author.

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons living or dead and events are purely coincidental, are part of the author’s imagination, and are not intended by the author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

About the Author

Acknowledgements

To Lola, Elijah, Isabella & Judah

May you always look for the adventure and enjoy the journey of a well-lived story.

Chapter 1

Ember scaled the shoreline of the river before finding a place to cast her line. A downed tree nearby, hung just enough over the water for her to sit. It was nearing evening and only an hour or so of daylight remained. The rain gently grazed the sky below.

Hundreds of acres surrounded the cabin, an elfish-looking construction, covered in thick green moss. It was a second home to Ember, her escape from all the noise of the city. She could run for miles and find no human there. There were woodsmen but most remained in hiding. She knew every place in the forest and the sound of the animals that prowled inside of it. Every weekend from her earliest memories, Uncle Asmund had brought her here, teaching her how to fish, hunt, and survive without the technologies of the Four Realms. Most people stayed in the urban areas where they felt safe from the threat of wild animals or the vagrants. Superior Auden’s soldiers hunted them in the cities and locked them up. Many believed the woods outside the city were enchanted and feared the magic that lurked beyond the tree line. For Ember, she secretly wished they were enchanted…she welcomed a good adventure over the mundane any day.

More than a decade before, wars had spread through the earth like fire caught by the wind. Masses died and most of the remaining inhabitants had come to follow a new leader who promised to unite the developing Realms under one government. No one was truly free under the new government. Superior Auden, who was elected to rule over the Nanaske territory were Ember lived, and the Switcshe Realms. He was cunning and charged all Realms to join him in advancing the civil liberties of mankind. The other two Realms; Arana and Cochenko stood strongly in opposition to Superior Auden’s call to unify. There was a fifth Realm, Aatme, but no one ever spoke of it because they were unruly, evil people, completely incapable of civility, according to Superior Auden. There was distrust amongst the leaders across the Realms. Rumors of war stayed just beneath the surface of Auden’s mass-produced media. To question his leadership most definitely was an invitation to death by hanging.

Life was simple in the woods. Ember enjoyed swimming in the river during the long, hot summers. She had become a skilled tracker in the winter, much like a wolf pursuing its prey. She had killed numerous deer and wild geese, with her crossbow, over the years and knew how to skin them and harvest their meat. Asmund had taught her how to endure under any harsh environment, if a time, he had always suspected would come. He wanted her to be able to fend for herself. Her instincts were still developing but she had become much attune to her environment. And though she never saw them, she could feel their eyes on her. She knew she was being watched from all their hidden places. And at times, she thought she could see the trees reaching further than the wind’s embrace and animals that seemed to understand beyond that of their nature.

As Ember sat quietly, watching the water for any sign of fish, she thought about Uncle’s strange behavior the last few months. He had gone on more business trips than ever before and had become more-strict of her whereabouts. He worked for one of Superior Auden’s cabinets, in Intelligence and Security. Though, he didn’t seem to care for Superior Auden’s political affairs, he kept his thoughts to himself, except for the times that he and Cato encapsulated themselves in his office for hours, talking. On occasion, Ember crouched just on the other side of the wall to hear their closed-door discussions but only caught words here and there as their voices remained at a whisper. A few weeks ago she thought she heard Cato say something about taking them out one by one and it’s happening again but they opened the door just when Ember thought she might have uncovered some vital clue to all their secrecy.

Uncle Asmund had been entrusted to care for Ember after her mother and father died in a train collision, when she was only a toddler. Uncle Asmund had been the closest thing to a father that Ember knew and while he had always been there for her, there was so much mystery that encircled him. He laughed on rare occasions; became almost unnoticeably upset, and showed very little emotion other than his warm smile every time she came home from school or from a night out with friends. Cato was kind, inviting and created more of a nurturing environment, for Ember, with her regular visits. When Asmund traveled, Cato stayed with her and Ambrose, Ember’s speckled brown and white sparrow, who never seemed to sleep. Ember could wake up at any time of the night and find Ambrose quietly watching from her perch. When alone, Ember would talk to Ambrose as if she were a dear friend; sharing stories about her school day, about Cassius’s lack of acknowledging her existence, and the many unanswered questions that she only shared with Ambrose.

The line suddenly began to shake as Ember quickly rose to her feet. Reeling speedily, she knew she’d caught something big with the amount of weight on the end of the line. It fought hard to steer itself from the shore. Ember stepped back, digging her heels into the muddy shoreline, competing with the resistance of the fish beating itself down into the water. When she reeled further up, she could see the Chinook fighting for its life. It was a beautiful shimmery grey salmon that looked as though its upper fins had been stained by the murky waters of the river’s darkness dwelling below. Her Uncle had trained her to think without emotion when it came to hunting and killing for food. He taught her to respect nature and use its resources only for what she needed. She stepped further back from the water’s edge, pulling the fish to its shallow grave. Stumbling over a broken branch, Ember fell to the ground, gripping the rod tightly in her hands. The mud broke her descent as she watched what she thought was at least a 30-pound salmon struggle to break free from the line, only feet from the water’s edge.

She grabbed a nearby rock and quickly smashed its head with blunt force. Thank you. She said, admiring the salmon.

She rested on her knees, waiting for her respirations to relax from the last few moments of wrestling with dinner. The fish, now still, laid on the muddy bank. From somewhere behind her, the sound of a small twig, snapping, broke her concentration. Without moving, she glanced towards her crossbow, only a few feet away, where she had been sitting on the log. She closed her eyes, slowed her breathing and with the swiftness of a doe leaping in the fall, lunged for the crossbow. She turned quickly to meet the gaze of a large white wolf, watching her from the tree line.

What are you doing here? Wolves are extinct in this area. Ember drew her crossbow. You’re far from home.

The wolf eased forward, watching her and eying the Chinook on the muddy banks.

This one is mine, my dinner. Ember said, looking over at the lifeless salmon, that only minutes ago had given her great difficulty.

The wolf stopped and barred his teeth. Ember felt the hairs raise on the backs of her arms

I have an Uncle—his name is Asmund and he’s going to come marching into these woods any minute if I don’t go. You have to leave…go away. She moved her bow in a quick jerking action towards him to get him to move, but nothing happened. I’m not sure what you’re doing here but I’ve got to go and I don’t want to use this on you. She said, standing up gradually.

The wolf took a step backwards. The rain had begun to fall a little harder. Ember carefully stepped sideways towards the salmon as she kept her crossbow aimed at the wolf.

Where’s your family? Don’t wolves usually travel in packs? Ember said aloud, scanning the area neighboring the river banks. Seeing no sign of any other wolves, she bent down cautiously, keeping her eyes on the wolf, as she picked up the rod and line with the large fish attached. She tucked the salmon and rod beneath her right arm and slowly walked toward the creature standing squarely in the pathway which lead back to the cabin.

The wolf stepped back with each step Ember took forward. Though she had never seen one in real life, this wolf seemed to understand her words. She was not sure what to make of his presence. Her Uncle had warned her to be guarded of such things that appeared out of the ordinary and a wolf in these woods was certainly that. Its dense coat, a snowy white color, and stature of just over four feet tall, was striking in size and beauty.

Go now. Go! Ember raised her voice as she continued her advance up the river bank.

The wolf remained motionless and seemed to be studying her. With her crossbow still aimed directly at the wolf, she was only 20 feet from him now, and could see his crystal-blue eyes. You’re very pretty, please go now.

Suddenly, he crouched down in an attack position and snarled. Ember felt her heart stop and released the arrow. Go away!

And as she finished her last word, the wolf headed for the valley, away from both her and the cabin. The arrow had landed right where he’d been standing only seconds before. Upon reaching the ridge, the wolf halted and peered at Ember, once more, as if to say he’d be back. With her crossbow now at her side, she watched him before he disappeared behind the thick of the forest.

What took you so long? She could hear Asmund say, as he projected his voice onto the worn path that led her back to the cottage.

I had to fight with your dinner, Uncle. She said, kicking the door open and slamming the 30-pound fish onto the kitchen countertop.

That’s pretty impressive. Asmund said, inspecting its bruised and malformed head. And the mud—what happened to you?

Wow Ember, you never cease to amaze me. Cato smiled from the living room.

Yeah, I had to bash its head a bit so that it didn’t flop back into the river. It put up a good fight and I fell backwards, in the mud.

A quiet snicker from the corner stole her attention.

She spotted a tall, young-man with coffee-colored hair that she’d never seen before. His face was full of light, almost aglow. As he moved forward, she felt a strange familiarity about his presence.

Ah, Uncle? She demanded, looking towards him.

Ember, this is Asher. He too, will be joining us for dinner this evening and taking you home later. I have to leave tonight for a security breach.

What? What about my birthday? We were going to celebrate early and who is this person? I don’t even know him—no offense. Ember looked at Asher as he stood silently, watching her speak loudly, using her hands.

It’s okay, I’m not offended. He offered up.

Ember, you know I have to go when work calls. Asher has worked with me for some time and I trust him. He will get you home, safely. Cato will meet you at home, later—I need her help to prepare for my meeting.

It’s always work with you and it always comes before me. Ember rattled off, as she grabbed the large Chinook from the table and headed outside, banging the screen door shut behind her.

That’s a big fish you caught. Asher said as he flipped the door open, just behind her.

Yeah, I’ve caught bigger. I had to work hard for this one though. She said, as she began fileting the fish.

Oh yeah, what did you have to do? Fight off a wolf? He joked.

At this, Ember stopped and looked up with her mouth gapping open. I’m sorry what did you say?

Asher smiled, what?

She sized him up and remained speechless, curious as to his last statement and of all the things he could have possibly said, wondered why he mentioned a wolf.

Would you like to help? She asked, stabbing the paring knife down into the wooden chopping board.

No thank you; that’s not really my forte. It seems you’ve got it covered, quite well. He nodded.

Hmm. So, how do you really know my Uncle? I’ve never seen you before. I think I would’ve met you by now if you do in fact, really work with my Uncle.

We met some years ago but I was transferred to another unit of the defense ministry. Only recently was I transferred back here.

Some years ago? You look like you’re in your twenties at most.

Are you always this candid? He pushed back, gently.

You do remember who my Uncle is, right? Blame him.

Asher chuckled. He’s trained you well.

What is it with all this training? That’s all I’ve ever done. I’m not like any other kid my age. She dug the filet knife back into the fish’s interior.

Is that bad?

"Uncle Asmund