The Centre Vale
Book 1 Synopsis
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Five jets of potent energy fire into the once barren planet, the first stage of The Great Maker’s plan now unleashed. Familiar with the process, having stimulated many lifeless worlds before, this one however, was to be the greatest challenge yet. So vast in magnitude, intelligence and power, some call It The Great Initiator, The World Builder, but that name means nothing to such a majestic Being. Focusing on the task, It surrounds the fiery globe, embodying the planet within itself. With the foundations set in place, the real work can now begin.
Unfolding in a myriad of ways, life eventually flourishes to a human level on the small planet, just as planned. Observing patiently like a silent watcher, The Great Maker continues to influence life subtly as strong cultures finally emerge. Encouraging mystery and wonder to stimulate growth, such attractions soon entice many to seek knowledge and power, some foolishly so. Nevertheless, unbeknown to the mortals living there, The Maker directs the path of life on towards The Great Shadow that all worlds must face, destiny at last staking its rightful claim.
Troubled by reports that a great evil is growing throughout the northern regions of The Freelands, fortunately for the lesser Folk, there are some already preparing to resist the spreading ill, people of power like Brandor, a Dai-Laman and Knower of The Hidden Mysteries. Even though the traditional arms of steel and aggression will have their place, he knows these alone will not be enough. More is needed, something far greater, and to some, supernormal. Pleading to The Greater Lives of this world for help and guidance, that prayer is finally answered when he dreams about a small light hovering before a throne. Intuitively registering that it is no ordinary light, fortunately for him, it is enough to move on.
Young and carefree, the two Sons to The High-House of Manson, Hanor and Nole, along with their best friend Bane, live an easy life full of fun and laughter. Filling each turn of the day with whatever they please, a seed of dissatisfaction however is about to sprout and lead one of them astray, a result of which will tear their brotherly bonds apart.
Coming into contact with powers far surpassing anything he could have possibly imagined, Brandor’s arrival on the scene not only stimulates a new awakening, but opens Hanor’s eyes to a world almost alien to him. Revealing a world where a great darkness is preparing to run rampant through these precious lands, Hanor eventually accepts the challenge to help fight that evil. Shunning his duties as heir to the throne of Manson for a mysterious path of knowledge and power, he has no idea where it will lead or even if he can be of use considering his lapse past. But accept he does, even at the risk of losing everything he has come to know.
Whether bravery or foolishness now influences Hanor’s steps, after some brutal training by his Father’s Second in Command, Rainer, a new companion arrives to accompany him to Tarden, a place far away in Tardania. Kifter, a gifted Fifanian of many talents, escorts him to the enchanted place where his learning can be enhanced by others of equal power to Brandor. A simple journey it is supposed to be, but complications arise when a loving brother and stubborn best friend refuse to give up on him so easily.
Following Hanor and his Fifanian guide, Nole and Bane ride into the unknown too, both still reeling from the sense of betrayal that Hanor’s recent hushed activities had generated. Convinced they will be more of a help than a hindrance, just to be at his side is all that really matters to them, naively viewing any dangers as irrelevant. Their folly however is eventually exposed when being chased to near death by a mystical beast called The Great White Freeloaver. Forgetting initial desires to find Hanor, survival now the priority, only when their brother and best friend intervenes in a most bewildering fashion do the two boys step back from the precipice of death. Astonished when turning their Kyboes around, only to see Hanor and The Freeloaver simply staring at each other, but unbeknown to the two young men, Hanor’s heart is aglow with the same powers he experienced when originally awakened by Brandor back at Manson. Questions surge when The Freeloaver finally retreats with a disgruntled snort, but Hanor is in no state to respond. Caught up by those otherworldly powers, it takes a few short-turns to regain himself, concerning the others as to what happened. Nole especially wants answers, for he was the one who had found him in a similar state before.
Horrified at the prospect of taking two additional boys to Tarden, Kifter is determined to send them back anyway he can. Deciding to employ the services of a Seeker when reaching The Cropping Village of Candal up ahead, if that did not work then the arrival of his huge Hitorian friend Hallen would persuade them to go he was quite certain. But like many things in life, one’s plans quite often fall to the side when actually faced with the situation. What The Fifanian did not foresee when reaching Candal was the uninvited intruder at the Inn they were staying at, an invader of terrible proportions.
Bursting its way onto the scene from the pitch of night when needing to feed, a huge Nightshifter dives through the roof of The Enclosure where everyone’s Kyboes are kept. Clawing some of the tame animals to death, upon leaving The Enclosure, The Nightshifter’s horrifying presence freezes many of the residents waiting anxiously outside, including the group. Astounded when It does not attack, simply turning before flying off into the vastness of night, the consequences of Its wretched actions however result in stronger commitments from Nole and Bane to stay at Hanor’s side no matter what.
Understandably frustrated, warning them of the perilous dangers, even after the night’s terrifying episode Kifter’s appeal falls on deaf ears. Fearing the wrath of Brandor at turning up with three boys instead of one, even with Hallen joining their group he could not rest, convinced the boys’ loyalties were naive and would undoubtedly cause trouble.
With Hanor unwilling to send them home, the wisdom of that decision is about to be undone. Graven as his warnings were, but even Kifter did not expect what was to follow. Entering Tardania by way of an ancient bridge, a crossing that was once the hunting ground of Bovvers, long slithery creatures living in The Rapone River during ancient times, he certainly did not anticipate their sudden return. Drawn by the very powers Hanor had recently become awakened to, their arrival produces fatal results, the shock of which rips right through the recently expanded group. Attempting to take Hanor, The Bovver misses when he drops to the bridge floor, but a daydreaming Nole is not so alert. Taken in one foul crunching moment, the swiftness and ferocity of the attack sends everyone into a spin. Falling into despair, shock renders Hanor numb, a strange peace enveloping him before unconsciousness finally claims him.
Only when waking the next morning do events head in a completely new direction for the young heir of Manson. Still numb from the previous evening’s dramatic episode, the encounter temporarily forgotten amongst the deadness, he is now drawn by a flickering light, one that dances though the predawn setting beckoning him on. Chase it he does, unconcerned about leaving his surviving companions behind such is its draw. Losing himself to its glow, when he eventually stops, he comes to his senses but it is too late. Through the heavily treed landscape, a thick mist moves menacingly in, cutting off his escape. Intensifying around him, the distracting light from earlier now forgotten, the mist starts rotating around him, teasingly so. Rapidly increasing its speed, the vapour gains in momentum before catching him up into a vortex of power, its objectives hidden within the ferocity of its spinning actions. Lost and very much alone, desperation turns to helplessness, the fantastic forces draining him of the will to fight. Pleading for help prior to falling unconscious, but no one is there to hear him.
Shocked when waking at dawn only to find Hanor gone, Kifter, Hallen and Bane search frantically for their companion, fearing he has done something awful considering the tragedy at the bridge the previous evening. Following his trail to the spot where he disappeared, Kifter is lost for words, the obscure circular pattern on the ground destroying all evidence of what had happened to their young counterpart. Answers are not forthcoming, frustrations eventually exploding in a round of Bane’s fury. Directing all of his hurt and loss into every blow thrown at Kifter, punches recede when exhaustion burns, unsurprisingly descending into further despair at his own foolishness for allowing his friends to come on this wretched journey in the first place.
Requiring greater minds to unravel the mystery behind the circular design, with no sign of Hanor, Kifter and Hallen ride to Tarden pulling a sleeping Bane with them. Terrified at how Brandor will react to the shocking events, The Dai-Laman pinning a great deal of hope in Hanor, despondency now plagues The Fifanian. Dismayed by the catalogue of failures over recent turns, he cannot help but question his own once unassailable abilities, fearing he was losing them.
Managing to survive what seems to be an invisible fire surrounding Tarden, the arrival of Kifter’s Tardanian friend Tarmon does little to appease their troubles either. Unable to explain what the circular design is, Kifter’s anguish increases.
Any marvels at viewing the splendid treed city of Tarden are short-lived, both Kifter and Bane gulping when seeing the commanding figure of Brandor striding towards them along one of Tarden’s main wooded balconies that encircle the entire city. Dreading the worst, The Dai-Laman’s reaction is even more unexpected. Needing to examine what happened when told of Hanor’s disappearance, gripping Kifter tight, he starts reading The Fifanian’s mind like the pages of a book. Enduring the sharpness of the scrutiny, a sense of relief does emerge when Brandor’s manner softens. Without giving anything away, only declaring Hanor maybe safe after all, the man of power leaves them to their own deliberations, promising to be back tomorrow.