The Key of Ban by James Harshfield
The Key of Ban
James B. Harshfield
Copyright 2011 James B. Harshfield
Cover illustration and book design by Mark Kashino
Text illustrations by Mary Blackeye
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the author.
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Acknowledgement
With a twist of his nose, a look of disbelief and a sly smile, Bob Fahringer edited with gusto. Bob, thanks for your help.
The keen insights of Ann Fenley added enrichment and realism to the book. The world is a better place because of her caring and gentle presence.
A special thanks to Miriam Depew, Barbara, my wife, and the many people assisting in this project.
With pride I display the artwork of Mary Blackeye. Her talents add a special enchantment to the book.
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Dedication
With love I dedicate this book to the heart of my life, my family: Barbara, Mark, Yeung, Amber, Greg, Lara, Janet, Tom, Tonya, Christopher, Halona, and the mysterious K. & E.
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Table of Contents
Part I Voices from the Outlast
Prologue
Lost Valley
The Black Mist
The Visitors
The Council
The Pass of Doom
Finding Topple
The Escape
Pacer
Healing and Beyond
Welcome Home
Now What?
A Time of Healing
The Village
Onward
Brad, Ingrid, and Starhood
Journey to the Monastery
The Monastery
Part II Cries from Neverly
The West Tower
The East Tower
Decisions
Planning Stages
The Journey Begins
Return to Grandy
Unpleasant Welcome
On the Road to Neverly
Neverly
Under the Palace
The Room of Magic
Return to the West Tower
Topple and Cando
Back into the Tunnel
Final Plans
Let It Begin
Escape from Neverly
Badda
Night Visitor
The Bowl of Doom
The Homekeep
The Journey to Rockham
Topple and Associates
Dark Storm Clouds
A Reunion
Resolution
Rockham
Glossary
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~ PART 1 ~
VOICES FROM THE OUTLAST
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Prologue
Hurricane-strength winds blew down the narrow canyon blasting Coaldon’s face with punishing gusts. Sheets of rain pounded him with unrelenting force. The uninterrupted rumble of thunder and the flashing of lightning created the illusion of a war being waged against the walls of the narrow canyon. The unnatural intensity of the storm caused Coaldon to feel disoriented. The tempest seemed more like an unpleasant dream than a natural occurrence.
At first, he thought the storm would pass without interrupting his plans for a quiet stroll. Yet, the growing intensity of the cloud-burst created an inescapable reality. This was not a simple everyday incident, but the once-in-a-lifetime event of epic proportions.
He decided to escape from the canyon when the flow of water in the stream began to grow. With long steps he followed an animal path down the edge of the stream. He became concerned when he heard the distant rumble of water rushing down the gorge. The torrent of water raced faster and higher. He struggled to stay ahead of the rising surge of churning water. The rain had turned the normally shallow stream into a raging river.
With longer and longer strides he raced down the uneven floor of the canyon. A roaring sound drew his attention to a disturbance behind him. He turned just in time to see a wall of water towering above him. With a violent flick, the rolling water washed him off his feet and carried him down stream. Floating helplessly, he was uncertain if he would ever see his grandparents again. He felt like a tiny branch caught in a flood of fate rushing toward fulfillment.
As if it were meant to be, Coaldon was tossed into a grove of small trees. Groping, he used a branch to pull himself to higher ground. With all his strength, he clawed his way up the steep rocky canyon wall. He struggled to stay ahead of the rising torrent of water. Gasping for breath, he finally pulled himself onto a ledge above the devastating flood.
The pounding force of the wind battered him with flying debris. If he was to survive, it would be necessary to find shelter. Seeking protection, he crawled under an over-hanging ledge on the face of a cliff. From the safety of his vantage point, he watched the flood devastate the landscape. The shelter provided him with the opportunity to regain a sense of security. With a smile, he reflected, “At times nature has the ability to be more than enough and to demonstrate a boisterous, energetic personality.”
The unbelievable turmoil of the flood heightened his sense of reality. His brush with death triggered a surge of memories to flow freely through his mind. He vividly remembered walking through the beauty of the Outlast. His responsibilities were light and peace was a faithful companion. He suddenly understood that he had lived a protected life under the guidance of his grandparents. The isolation of the farm provided a barrier between him and the influences of the outside world.
In three months he would be 18 years old, the traditional age for the transition into adulthood. He thought about what it would be like to leave the wilderness farm and be on his own. Yet, how would a half elf be accepted? He was told by his grandparents that only two half elves were known to live in the Empire. Would he be rejected or accepted?
Ideas continued to rattle around his head in unceasing circles of repetition. These images were then reduced to a single picture of an unending road extending before him. Coaldon saw himself standing in front of the farm house looking down the road. To his discomfort the peace and protection of the cabin melted away. He found himself standing alone with black, threatening clouds blanketing the distant horizon. His active mind associated the image of the flood with his future journey in life. He knew that life could be peaceful and secure. Other times it could be violent and unpredictable. His elfin senses detected a disturbance in his future. He thought, “Maybe this storm is a message to me. Is it possible that my peaceful life on the farm will soon be washed away?”
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LOST VALLEY