Darkens the Stars of Providence Read online

  Contents

  Title

  Copyright

  Author's Notes

  Acknowledgments

  Author Bio

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Interlude I

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Interlude II

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Interlude III

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Interlude IV

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Darkens the Stars of Providence

  Chronicles of the Seventh Realm

  by N A K Baldron

  Darkens the Stars of Providence by NAK Baldron

  Published by Aconite Cafe

  P.O. Box 63

  Marble Falls, TX 78654

  www.AconiteCafe.com

  www.NAKBaldron.com

  © 2021 NAK Baldron

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions contact:

  [email protected]

  Cover by Aconite Cafe

  Artwork by Ricky Gunawan

  AUTHOR’S NOTES

  April 7th, 2021

  Thank you to all of my fans who’ve stuck with me through thick and thin. Darkens the Stars of Providence is a reworking of Alchemy Secrets, Archamethyst's Secret, and Alchemy Vengeance.

  Acknowledgments

  A special thanks to my Patreons: Zach S!

  Thank you for picking this novel above all the others on your shelf.

  Sabetha, your never-ending support has proven vital to my process, and I’m not sure if I can ever repay you enough.

  Ricky, thank you for the excellent artwork.

  Crystal, thank you for the excellent edits and the expediency in their delivery.

  Nicholi (N A K Baldron), is an author and adventurer, best known for his international bestselling series Chronicles of the Seventh Realm, where Science, Magic, and Two Worlds Collide.

  He lives in a tiny house in a small town near Austin, Texas with his life partner Sabetha, and their daughter whom they homeschool together.

  When he’s not crafting new worlds with the magic of words, he can be found backpacking on the many trails near his home. Nature offer’s Nicholi the room for his mind to wander, and sleeping under the stars helps him identify with many of the characters he enjoys writing about. He hopes his love for nature permeates his fiction.

  At the bright age of twelve Nicholi discovered Eragon by Christopher Paolini. Realizing the author wasn’t much older than himself, he decided to give novel writing a shot. Obviously, plagiarism is wrong, so Nicholi wrote his “completely original” story about a farm boy who could speak to wolves. That novel will never see publication, but Nicholi looks to it as a reminder of where he came from, and as inspiration of how one author can change a young man’s life.

  It would take another fifteen years of honing his craft before Nicholi published his first novel, and he wouldn’t change a single year of the journey.

  Nicholi and Sabetha also write a dragon cozy mystery series together under the penname Verena DeLuca. She is also a major contributor to Aconite Cafe, Nicholi’s Publishing Company, and runs the reader discord server.

  Learn more at nakbaldron.com and see a full list of books by N A K Baldron.

  PROLOGUE

  Amethyst Nation, Fencura

  A wall of white light blocked Goban's way.

  Enter and Remember, Nicholi transmitted directly into Goban's mind.

  Remember what?

  Goban wasn't sure what he was expected to do, but already, he worried he might have made a mistake. His father had warned him about the Amethyst Nation wanting to control all of Fencura. Goban was expected to hide the secrets of the Ruby Nation. Was that what he was to remember? His nation's secrets?

  Enter, Nicholi transmitted.

  How? Goban transmitted.

  Walk forward.

  Respecting his father's wishes wasn't going to be as easy as he had thought. His magic was the strongest ever seen in his family. Goban could trace his lineage back over fifty generations—back to Brogan Ironfist. His father, and his father before him, and so on, going back over 1,300 years, had been master smiths. Their steel was coveted by all of Fencura. No one else in the Ruby Nation could fold steel the way his father could. Because just as the Ruby Nation had its own magical secrets, Goban's family had theirs—his inheritance.

  Goban closed his eyes and walked into the wall. Where there should have been a solid form, was only light, and warmth. He crossed the veil and a cold chill ran over his body. The room he'd stepped into was devoid of any door or windows. A perfect cube, with all six faces made of solid black marble. Four Amethyst lamps hung in the center over a white marble table, just large enough to seat two. On one side sat an old man in black robes, his gray hair was pulled back and tucked into his robe's hood, and on the other side sat a matching marble chair, waiting for Goban.

  Please sit, and remember, Nicholi transmitted.

  It was the chronicler sitting before him—the one who'd directed their actions since their arrival to the Amethyst Nation.

  Goban didn't move.

  The whole scene made him uncomfortable. Every aspect of his survival instinct yelled run, but instead he found himself frozen solid with hesitation. Nicholi waved his hand, and in one smooth motion the unoccupied white marble chair slid back from the table offering Goban a place to sit.

  Sit!

  Goban's body moved of its own accord without conscious input from himself. For the briefest of moments, he tried to resist. A hot sting—like touching the edge of the kiln—erupted inside him, and he ceased his resistance instantly.

  What now?

  Remember.

  Remember what?

  Everything . . .

  And so, it came to pass that Goban found himself sitting on a cold marble chair betraying his father, and the whole of the Ruby Nation. He fought the inquiries and resisted the details. But it was beyond his strength, and soon he was recalling everything Nicholi requested.

  How did you come to be master smiths?

  The one question he feared the most.

  A little over 1,300 years ago, the Ruby Nation was a small nation of mountain dwellers. The royal family kept them safe by banning outsiders, and ordering c
ities built into the heart of the mountains. They dug deeper and deeper. Soon there were generations born inside the mountain core who'd never see the source-light.

  Brogan Ironfist was one. As a young boy he'd sneak away from his studies at his father's kiln to go spelunking with his friends. It's said that Fencura's core called to him—forced him to fulfill his destiny.

  From a boy to a young man Brogan grew broad and stout by working the kilns. He took pride in his craft each day but by night he'd slip away to seduce the young noblewomen. Which is how he managed to find himself in bed with the queen.

  The next morning—upon being discovered by the queen's maid—the queen pleaded for Brogan's life. His family was well respected. They had many allies, so it was decreed that Brogan Ironfist was banished, rather than outright execution. Everyone expected him to climb south, out of the mountain, and join the rest of Fencura, who lived above ground. Instead Brogan turned north, to the caves he'd explored as a child.

  It's said that for three days Brogan climbed deeper and deeper into the core of Fencura.

  On the morning of the fourth day, Brogan stepped through the mouth of a tunnel to find the most wondrous vision. A cavern—larger than the one that held the city—it contained wild birds and trees, things he'd never seen. In the center, hung a glowing red orb that bathed the whole of the cavern in warm light. Under the red orb sat a large lake where all the animals gathered to drink.

  But the greatest sight of all, was dragons!

  Hundreds of them.

  The cavern was so large they could fly to the top and dive into the water. Brogan had time to scale the rock face of a large boulder for a better view before a dragon pulled out of its dive. Sprinkled throughout the forest canopy were large stone spikes—like micro-mountains—where the dragons laid their nests, just as birds do on cliff faces.

  Brogan Ironfist knew he'd found his destiny. For two weeks he hunted small game: rabbits, squirrels, etc . . . and ate wild berries to stay fit. The lake was so vast, it was never more than half a day's walk from him. It took two weeks to reach the opposite side of the lake from where he’d entered, though most of that time was spent scouting.

  Eventually he found a way to sneak into a nest while the mother was away. Either she had died, or was off feeding in preparation—because inside were three massive eggs—twice the size of Brogan’s head. Acting quickly, he slipped two eggs into his pack—he would have taken the third, but feared it would have broken in his pack. He only had enough clothes to wrap two. Then climbed down the stone spire as fast as his feet would carry him.

  For four days, he carefully made his way back to the tunnel entrance he'd entered, avoiding the loud screeches from an enraged mother dragon. Brogan never saw her, but every time he slept, he'd wake to her screams. On the fifth day, he was forced to take a long way around, for the forest directly between him and the tunnel was on fire.

  Using the smoke as aerial cover—which lingered behind as the last embers died down—Brogan slipped through the mouth of the tunnel and proceeded to climb back. The trip that had taken him three days of twists and turns and dead ends took him less than a day when returning home, thanks to his excellent memory.

  Yet, Brogan was banished. Exiled from his home and people. Just beyond the borders of the cities gates he set up camp. Using the lava stone and a bit of magic, Brogan Ironfist started a large fire and waited. Placing the dragon eggs near to keep them warm.

  The next morning a sharp nip woke him. Two dragons sat before him, screeching for food. Brogan fed them what food he had left, and when they finished, each belched a long stream of flames.

  Brogan attempted to contact Flann. They'd been closer than brothers since birth. Flann and he had explored the tunnels together more times than either could remember. Brogan knew if he could get word to Flann he'd help.

  It's said that Brogan Ironfist camped outside the city walls for a month and a day before the senate agreed to meet with him and see what he had to show them. The king forbid the men from going, but it was agreed the king had no authority outside the city walls.

  Twenty men, representing nearly all the wealth of the city, came to Brogan's tent. They'd taken so long to agree to a meeting, that Brogan's tiny camp had developed into a small home outside the walls of the city. A clear sign he intended to stay, regardless of their decisions.

  The king is said to have watched from atop the walls all day and well into the night. Until the senate emerged from the tent followed close behind by Brogan.

  The next day, three things changed forever. First, the king was deposed by the senate—turned out he was a cruel man and beat the queen in the privacy of their rooms. Second, the senate became the ruling body, and each year a new king and queen would be elected by them to serve a one-year term. Third, smelting and metalworking would never be the same, now that they had dragons.

  Brogan kept the male, a red dragon which he named Torin—for the way he carried himself like a king. The blue dragon Brogan Ironfist gifted to Flann Truesteel for his loyalty, which Flann named Meallan—for the white flames she erupted.

  Well done, Nicholi transmitted. Every sorcerer from the Ruby Nation has recalled that tale as part of their initiation. You can rest easy knowing your secret is safe here.

  Goban collapsed into his hands to hide the tears which poured from his eyes.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Kansas, Earth

  Monday, November 14th

  Kandice hunkered down for the night in an abandoned house, with Lance and Slava. The cheap plywood front door, and windows with holes throughout, did little to keep the bugs out. The worst part of the place had to be the heavy odor of animal piss, so pungent she avoided deep breaths.

  Lance and Slava were dead asleep on the rickety wooden floor in sleeping bags. The smell kept Kandice from drifting off. Regret of meeting Lance haunted her thoughts. Hunting Aether Walkers should have meant staying in nice houses for a couple months at a time before moving. No one told her that the Council only maintained influence in major cities, and that they'd be frequenting small town USA.

  Not that it mattered.

  The Council wasn't on speaking terms with Slava for taking Kandice along before the Biancardi twins examined her further. Everyone agreed after the first encounter with the twins, there was no reason to allow a follow-up examination. They left in such a hurry from Austin that they almost forgot to inform the Council of their plans to move.

  Regardless, the Council made contact in Dallas to explain that the three of them no longer had the Councils resources and protection until further notice. Exile was better than death, but it brought with it several issues, the largest at the moment being her stuck in a rotting house. The floor offered little comfort and no matter how many times she moved—no spot allowed her to relax.

  They had spotted the house earlier from the highway. It was in the middle of a large farm field, and Lance figured it would be empty. He and Slava slept in plenty of houses just like it, across the US. They assured her everything would be fine. But that was apparently a lie, or a misunderstanding of the exact definition of `"fine".

  Animals scurried in the walls, causing her hair to stand.

  Enough!

  She slid out of the sleeping-bag, rolled it up, and went out the back door they'd pried open earlier. The night sky was breathtaking. The glow of lights from a city was unseen in any direction. It felt like she was at sea with only the stars to guide her. A longing to understand the stars filled her—if only she knew the constellations. This had to be how the original pioneers lived.

  The clean air refreshed her body as it filled her lungs. There would be no way to block out the aroma of piss enough to sleep. Austin was always an option, her mustang parked behind the house tempted her.

  If she drove away now, she'd be back in Austin within 48 hours, depending on sleep. The thought of sleep made her realize how tired she was. Since leaving Austin she hadn't been able to sleep more than a couple hours at a time.


  How does Slava live on that schedule?

  Blake's bloody corpse kept haunting her dreams, plus her mother appeared each night to remind her this whole mess was her own fault.

  Kandice took a pack of cigarettes from her pants and lit one. She shouldn't have started, but the pain of smoke in her lungs helped take her mind off Blake.

  Once the cigarette finished, she flicked it away from the house, onto the gravel driveway.

  She rolled the sleeping-bag out on the porch under a hole in the roof; crawled in and stared up to watch the stars. With any luck she'd be able to sleep until the dawn broke. She tried to count the stars, but only made it to 137 before drifting into an uneasy sleep.

  * * *

  "Blake look out!" She screamed at the top of her lungs—sound echoing off the walls of the mayor's house.

  She stood on the upstairs walkway looking at Blake on the staircase.

  The guard raised his gun in slow motion, he pulled the trigger, the shot filled the room with light. She yelled out again, but the bullet struck Blake in the chest. He toppled over, and tumbled down the stairs towards the guard who stood at the base.

  Kandice leapt over the rails to kill the guard, but he disappeared before she landed.

  The next moment, she stood in a dark room, lit by a small desk lamp far in the distance.

  "You failed," the Mayor said. "It was your fault, and you couldn't kill me. Now I will kill you."

  He laughed in a monotone voice, which reminded Kandice of old Kung Fu movies she used to watch with Blake.

  "No. I'll fucking kill you!"

  "Honey," her mother appeared next to Kandice with an arm on her shoulder. "You have to let it go."

  "I can't. I have to kill him for Blake, and I have to find the one who killed you."

  "It's okay sweetie. It's your fault Blake's dead and killing the mayor won't bring him back."

  CHAPTER TWO

  Kansas, Earth

  Tuesday, November 15th

  Kandice awoke with tears in her eyes, or dew from sleeping outside. Her whole body was sticky and needed a hot shower. The sun rose over the horizon and the field of corn as a rooster crowed in the distance. She stretched her arms and arched back before rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Exhaustion filled her bones, but there was not a chance in hell another hour—much less ten minutes—of sleep would happen.