Eyla between two worlds E-Book

Hannelore Thürstein

• Herausgeber: epubli
• Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

Foundling Eyla grows up among the Acumander tribe. Shortly before her fifteenth birthday, she realizes that she has an extraordinary ability. Nothea, her adoptive mother, advises Eyla to keep the gift a secret but when Nothea dies, not only does Eyla's world fall apart her gift becomes known to everyone. The Council of Elders wants to use Eyla's ability, even though she is still too young. Firstly, Eyla must learn to control her sudden disappearances. To do this, she moves to Senelo in Nuskahan. Arcarius, Head of Council, is persistent. Eyla is told to repay her debt to the Acumander people and spy on the Council of Elders' adversaries. Eyla refuses and so her only option is to flee across the Northland Mountains. Will she find a new home there and the answers to her countless questions?

Leseprobe

Eyla between two worlds

Fantasy novel

Hannelore Thuerstein

Content Description

Foundling Eyla grows up among the Acumander tribe. Shortly before her fifteenth birthday, she realizes that she has an extraordinary ability. Nothea, her adoptive mother, advises Eyla to keep the gift a secret but when Nothea dies, not only does Eyla’s world fall apart her gift becomes known to everyone. The Council of Elders wants to use Eyla’s ability, even though she is still too young. Firstly, Eyla must learn to control her sudden disappearances. To do this, she moves to Senelo in Nuskahan. Arcarius, Head of Council, is persistent. Eyla is told to repay her debt to the Acumander people and spy on the Council of Elders' adversaries. Eyla refuses and so her only option is to flee across the Northland Mountains. Will she find a new home there and the answers to her countless questions?

IMPRESSUM

This book is a creative novel. All the characters, events and settings described in the novel are fictitious and the product of the author's imagination.

Text: © Copyright by Hannelore Thürstein

Book cover: © Copyright by Heather Dale,

www.patchworkdog.com

Hannelore Thürstein

32 Carey Parade

Tamborine Mountain 4272

Qld Australien

[email protected]

publisher: epubli - a service of Neopubli GmbH Berlin

Distribution of this book without permission is theft and is an infringement of the author's intellectual property. For permission to use material from the book, please contact the above address.

Dedication

For all those whose passion is reading

Table of contents

Prologue

Chapter 1  Nothea’s wish comes true

Chapter 2  Marana’s soul on a journey

Chapter 3  Eyla learns the truth

Chapter 4  The tragedy

Chapter 5  Parathele’s offer

Chapter 6  Eyla moves to Nuskahan

Chapter 7  Duties and progress

Chapter 8  Dream visions

Chapter 9  The last test

Chapter 10  Eyla’s escape over the Northland Mountains

Chapter 11  New encounters

Chapter 12  The visionary

Chapter 13  Certainty for Ascella Rhan

Chapter 14  Prince Khon’s mission

Chapter 15  In search of the way

Chapter 16  Senelo decides

Chapter 17  Eyla’s first journey into the future

Chapter 18  Senelo’s heavy loss

Chapter 19  Eyla returns to Minelouva

Chapter 20  The Acumander prepare themselves

Chapter 21  Saving the spiritual heritage

Chapter 22  Last journey through time

Chapter 23  Recognition and determination

Prologue

Senelo looked at his former student, Parlon, with a serious expression. He was very worried about him. In his eyes, Parlon was about to make an irrevocable mistake.

"You know you're risking your life," Senelo said in a warning voice.

Parlon looked helplessly at the red sand beneath his feet. Yes, he knew it only too well.

"But Arcarius insists."

"Arcarius can't want you to die."

Parlon did not reply. Arcarius’ insistence was not entirely true. The Council Chairman had tried to put pressure on him, but he also had a good reason for travelling although he didn't want to admit this to Senelo.

"You can't stop me Senelo."

Senelo sighed. "Oh as you wish, Parlon, then all I can do is to wish you luck." Senelo looked sadly into Parlon’s eyes and saw immediately that he could not dissuade him from his intention. Parlon was determined to embark on this journey. Senelo suspected that this time it would not end well for Parlon, who was like a son to him, and the only thing he could do was to wait for him here on this spot.

"I'll stay on the shore of the lake and await your return," said Senelo.

Parlon nodded gratefully, squeezed Senelo’s hand and then prepared for his final journey into the future. He dreaded the hellish pain that lay ahead of him but then his deep affection for his beloved won out and he disappeared under the eyes of his old master.

Senelo waited hour after hour. When Asphon, the brightest satellite in the Tauran night sky, appeared, Parlon’s body returned to the present. He screamed and writhed in pain on the ground. Blood flowed from his nose and mouth, dripping into the red sand on the shore of the lake. Dismayed by what Senelo saw, he knelt down next to the doomed man and grabbed his hand. Parlon squeezed it so tightly that it hurt Senelo.

"Tell Arcarius that it doesn't look good for him," Parlon uttered with difficulty. Then he closed his eyes forever. Senelo’s grief was unspeakable.

After Parlon’s body was cremated and his ashes scattered over the Lake of Rebirth, Senelo went to Arcarius. When Arcarius heard Parlon’s last words from Senelo, his face turned pale. Senelo noticed it and knew immediately that the council leader was hiding something from him.

"Tell me the reason why Parlon had to travel to the future again for you, even though you knew his body was too weak to do so."

"I can't do that, Senelo." Arcarius shook his head vigorously, thinking only that no one must ever know why he had urged Parlon to travel to the future again. Senelo scowled in annoyance.

"He was my student and like a son to me. I have a right to know why he had to die," the old master demanded again.

"I can't tell you the reason, Senelo". Arcarius’ hands began to tremble. Parlon’s last words had destroyed all his hope.

"You are to blame for his death Arcarius", Senelo shouted angrily. "You forced him to make this journey."

Arcarius raised his hand in defense.

"Don't blame me. Didn't you teach him all about time travel?"

Senelo swallowed hard when he heard the accusation. Arcarius was right. He himself had known how dangerous travelling through time was and yet he had taught Parlon; Senelo had to admit that he was no less guilty of Parlon’s death than Arcarius.

"Nothea and Marana will never forgive us for this", Senelo remarked sadly.

When Arcarius heard Nothea’s name, he winced. She will loathe me even more than ever before, he thought.

"Go now Senelo." Arcarius wanted to be alone with his thoughts.

Senelo said goodbye and left the Council Chairman’s house. Ahead of him was a visit from Parlon’s sisters, about whose well-being he wanted to enquire. He intended to be honest with them and confess his complicity in their brother's death.

Chapter 1

Nothea pulled her hood down over her face to protect it from the sharp, needle-like ice crystals that pierced her skin. How could she be so stupid again and forget the time, she scolded herself, when today of all days, she knew that the first snowstorm of the Shadow Winter had been announced. Lumea had recently begun to slowly move between Tauran and Koronis, a planetary event that repeated itself every eighteen years and turned Tauran into a relentless ice desert for several weeks.

Nothea ran faster and faster. Her frozen fingers tightly gripped her gray cloak, which she pulled tightly around her slender body. The icy wind whistled mercilessly through the woollen fabric and penetrated deep under her skin. Finally, in the twilight and drifting snow, she recognized the faint light of the lantern hanging at the entrance to the underground winter quarters. The Acumander tribe had retreated there for the duration of Lumea's ice age. When she reached the entrance, Nothea was shocked to see something blocking her way. That was all she needed. Now, of all times, when I'm already half frozen, thought Nothea. She had to get behind that door as quickly as possible. Bending down to examine the obstacle in her way, she saw a gray woollen blanket under the thin layer of snow. Nothea carefully lifted it up and was shocked to see the pale face of a young woman who was tightly clutching a small bundle of fur.

"Get up, otherwise you'll freeze to death," Nothea screamed, trembling from the cold. She shook the lifeless body, but the young woman didn't move. With her last strength, Nothea pushed the body aside, opened the heavy timber door and pulled the young woman into the sheltered room inside. Finally, they were safe and no longer at the mercy of the violent, ice-cold storm.

Nothea knelt down next to the young woman and felt for a pulse on her wrist. At first, she could detect none and no sign of breathing when suddenly Nothea heard a quiet whimper. She carefully pushed a piece of the fur aside and revealed the face of a newborn. Nothea’s heart melted. Shocked, she immediately gathered her thoughts and, taking the child from the young mother's arms, ran down the dimly lit stairs.

"Marana," Nothea screamed loudly, running as fast as she could down the narrow hallway to her living quarters, which she shared with her sister during the Shadow Winter. Quickly pushing open the door, she ran straight into her worried sister's arms.

"There you are at last. I was so worried."

"You have to help me, Marana. A young woman was lying up in the snow with this child here in her arms. We have to get her downstairs to the warmth quickly, or she will die."

Nothea quickly laid the child in front of the fireplace and made her way back. Marana followed her. The sisters hurried up the stairs to the young woman, who was still lying motionless on the cold floor.

"Take her legs," Nothea asked her sister and together they carried the woman's body down to their rooms and laid her next to the child. The young mother's face was drained of colour. Her long, almost black, hair was still full of ice crystals which were now slowly melting away in front of the fire. Nothea brushed a wet strand of hair from the pale face while Marana checked the breathing and pulse again. Sadly, like her sister beforehand, she could no longer detect any signs of life.

"We have to give her air and rub her limbs warm so that the blood can circulate again," suggested Nothea. Marana shook her head sadly.

"It's pointless, Nothea. She's dead."

"That can't be." Nothea shook the young woman's body.

"No, Nothea. She's gone forever."

Full of horror, Nothea stared at the lifeless body lying in front of her. She began to shake like a leaf and suddenly felt guilty. Why had she left so late again? The work in the temple wasn't that important anymore. If only she had left a little earlier, the young mother would still be alive. Nothea blamed herself terribly.

"Who is she, Marana?" she asked her sister. "I have never seen the woman before. She doesn't look like one of us; the color of her dress is also so unusual, just look at the fabric; so fine and shiny." Nothea gently stroked the blue dress while Marana put the dead woman's hands together and, in doing so, discovered the amulet on her neck.

"This amulet is just as unusual. We don't have such artistic work."

Nothea looked at it and agreed with her sister. Then the baby made itself known again. Nothea took the child and carefully removed it from the fur.

"Isn't it a miracle that the child survived?" Nothea lovingly pressed the baby to her breast.

"We must inform the Council of Elders immediately,"

recommended Marana. But Nothea was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear what her sister had said.

"It's a girl," she said happily. She gently stroked the child's head; the tiny body began to move. "Heaven sent you to me," whispered Nothea with shining eyes. Marana immediately suspected what her sister was up to.

"You cannot keep the child, Nothea."

"Oh yes, I can, Marana. It is a twist of fate. We do not know who the mother was or where she came from but the child needs a mother and why should I not be that mother? I have found her after all."

"You will never get the approval of the Council of Elders. Arcarius will not allow you."

"I know, but he is not the only one who decides. Please support me, Marana. You are the soul healer of our tribe. They listen to you."

"As you wish, I will help you, although I am not convinced that it is right."

Nothea hugged her sister gratefully.

"I already have a name for the child. She will be called Eyla. Eyla is a very beautiful name."

Nothea, unlike her sister, was convinced that her actions were right. Arcarius could vote against her but she also knew that each individual on the council made their own decision. She just had to get the majority on her side.

Nothea wrapped the child in the fur again and held it in her arms. Now her greatest wish would finally come true.

Marana hurried through the dimly lit corridors to Arcarius. She was not very confident that Nothea could keep the child, because she knew only too well how much Nothea and the Council Chairman detested each other.

Knowing him, he will not be pleased about the matter, she thought, as she knocked on the door. Shortly afterwards it was opened.

"Good evening, Arcarius," Marana greeted and bowed.

"Why are you disturbing us at this late hour, soul healer," Arcarius demanded sternly. Marana was not intimidated. She knew his harsh manner and was used to it.

"Nothea found a young woman with an infant in front of the entrance to our underground quarters. The mother..."

Arcarius interrupted Marana unkindly.

"Who is the mother?"

"We have never seen her before. The mother is dead, but the infant is still alive."

"Take the child to Honora. She will take care of it."

Marana paused briefly.

"Nothea wants to keep the child."

Arcarius expression darkened suddenly.

"Then inform the other council members immediately and ask them to come to you," he ordered in an icy tone and slammed the door.

While Marana informed the other council members, Nothea lovingly cared for the infant. She put a few drops of water in her mouth, which she drank eagerly. Then lay her back in front of the fireplace. Nothea looked sadly over at the dead woman. She looks as if she is only sleeping, she thought. Suddenly she remembered the amulet. She took it from the dead woman's neck to take a closer look. It was a delicate carving. On the slightly thicker, round part in the middle was a cup-shaped flower. Nothea also searched the dead woman's embroidered leather bag, hoping to find a clue to the origins of the mother and child. Apart from a few personal items that the woman carried with them and a few blue stones, nothing came to light. Then Nothea heard loud voices. She quickly stuffed everything into the bag and hid it. She knew Arcarius. He would take everything for himself immediately.

Arcarius reluctantly lowered his head before Nothea and nodded briefly.

Nothea tried to force a smile. She was agitated inside but tried to appear calm.

"Greetings to you, Arcarius, do come in," She welcomed him and bowed. She fully expected Arcarius to refuse his consent but Nothea was counting on the other council members.

Parathele and Kimjana, who had followed the chairman, gave Nothea a warm hug. The two had known and valued the keeper of traditions for many years. Xanto and Riberato also greeted her warmly. Arcarius immediately went over to the fireplace and looked at the corpse.

"The dead woman is not from our tribe," he stated. Nothea held her breath for a moment when she heard the sober tone in Arcarius’ voice. She must not allow herself to be provoked under any circumstances. She picked up the child and showed it to Arcarius who looked at it without emotion and then said:

"Give it to Kimjana."

Kimjana accepted the infant with shining eyes. She had given birth to four daughters herself and was now a grandmother.

"Are you sure you are up to the task, Nothea? After all, you are no longer the youngest," Xanto wanted to know.

"I am sure, dear Xanto. As you know, I pass on the traditions and rites of our tribe, and I get along very well with children."

"That's true, dear Xanto, the children love Nothea. It is known everywhere. My children's children love her very much too." Kimjana confirmed Nothea’s statement and Parathele also nodded her head in agreement. Now Nothea knew that both women were on her side.

"You are not at all prepared for a child Nothea," Riberato stated.

"Everything she needs, she can have from me and my daughters," Kimjana offered immediately.

"And I'm sure I still have a lot of things I can do without," Parathele said quickly. Nothea gave the two women a grateful look.

Arcarius had already suspected that the women would be on Nothea’s side. He snapped at Kimjana:

"Give me the child immediately. I'll take it to Honora in the House of the Lost."

Kimjana only reluctantly gave him the infant. She knew Arcarius domineering nature and did not want to harm Nothea under any circumstances. In her eyes, Nothea was very responsible and caring. A child could not wish for a better mother and so she had already made her decision on the way there. In the House of the Lost and in Honora's care, the child would not experience love.

"You cannot keep the child, Nothea. Nobody knows her mother and God knows who the father is. I'm sure Xanto and Riberato agree with me." Arcarius gave the two men a meaningful look. Nothea’s heart was beating like crazy. She looked to her sister for help.

"Arcarius, remember, it's an infant; it needs round-the-clock care and attention so that it doesn't suffer permanent damage. As a soul healer, I know the effects of neglect. In the House of the Lost, no one would have enough time to care for an infant who is only a few days old."

Arcarius looked at Marana with contempt and then pointed his finger at Nothea.

"She doesn't have all day either," he argued.

"I can take the child with me to the temple," Nothea boldly interjected, to which Arcarius countered in a flash:

"Then you will no longer be able to do your job properly, Nothea."

Marana looked at her sister and sensed an imminent explosive reaction. She made a calming gesture.

"You forget, Arcarius. I am still here and will support my sister in everything. As you know, I am slowly withdrawing from my duties as a soul healer. My successor is already taking on a lot of work for me, so Nothea and I can share the tasks."

"It looks like we are three against two, Marana. Kimjana and Parathele are on your side but Xanto, Riberato and I am against it and want the child to grow up in the House of the Lost." Arcarius spoke in a raised voice that permitted no contradiction.

"Stop, Arcarius. You're getting ahead of yourself," Xanto objected. "One of your greatest weaknesses is speaking for others too quickly. Before I make a decision, I want to test Nothea." Xanto walked over to Nothea, took her hands and looked into her eyes. He wanted to see and also feel whether she was sincere.

"Will you have enough love and care for a child that is not yours and whose parents we don't even know? You have to answer my question honestly."

Nothea valued Xanto very much and trusted him. He was a balanced and diplomatic character, in contrast to Arcarius, who was quick-tempered.

"Dear Xanto, I will love the child as if it were my own. I will certainly make mistakes, probably many mistakes in fact, but I will do everything in my power to be a good mother to the child."

Xanto looked into Nothea’s eyes and even felt in her hands that she was sincere. He nodded in agreement. Nothea would do a good job, he was sure of that. If she had claimed that she was the perfect mother, he would have had doubts.

"The child should be in Nothea’s care, Arcarius. And now that there are three votes in favor, it is a done deal." Xanto glanced over at Riberato, a man with an extremely sharp mind and who had followed events without saying much. Riberato also sided with the supporters.

"I have come to the same decision as you, Xanto. I am also in favor of accepting the child into the tribal community. That way, it will grow up on an equal footing with everyone else. The upcoming Koronis Festival offers a nice setting for this. Don't you think?"

Kimjana, Parathele and Xanto happily agreed and Nothea cheered inwardly.

Suddenly Arcarius expression hardened. He pressed his lips together into a thin line and gave Nothea a hateful look.

"As you wish, but the last word has not yet been spoken." Angrily, he pressed the child into Nothea’s arms and rushed out without saying goodbye.

Overflowing with happiness, big tears streamed down Nothea’s face, which she buried in the fur in which little Eyla was wrapped. After so many years, her greatest wish had finally come true.

"You belong to me from now on, Eyla. From now on you are my daughter and no one can take you away from me."

After Lumea had passed Tauran and the Koronis was able to cast its warming rays on the planet and the city of Aldafara again, the residents left their underground winter quarters and returned to their houses. This time, too, the end of the shadow winter was celebrated with a big party and Eyla was ceremoniously welcomed into the community, as agreed. From that point on, for every Acumander, with the exception of Arcarius, the foundling Eyla was accepted to be Nothea’s daughter. Arcarius knew, however, that the day would come when he could get revenge on Nothea for everything. In his bitterness, he used all his power to prevent Eyla’s birth mother from being burned and her ashes from being scattered over the Lake of Rebirth. This meant that her soul was lost forever and rebirth impossible. Instead, her body was sunk, without prayers, in the moor far outside of Aldafara. The other council members could do nothing about it, as Arcarius acted without their knowledge.

Chapter 2

Nothea’s and Marana's lives changed fundamentally. In the years that followed, both had to put a lot of energy into caring for and raising the lively girl who, in turn, brought so much joy and happiness to the sister’s formerly quiet house. When Eyla was three years old the soul healer, Marana, became seriously ill.

"I'm terribly sorry, beloved sister that I'm not much help to you at the moment but I'm not feeling well. I'm sure I'll feel better in the next few days."

Nothea put a cup of hot tea next to her sister's bed.

"Rest and get well again. This tea will help you." Nothea was very worried about Marana, who had been in bed for a few days, and looked at her with glassy eyes. Marana gratefully squeezed her sister's arm and closed her eyes. She was so terribly tired.

Nothea left Marana's bedroom on tiptoe. Her sister desperately needed rest and so Nothea decided to take Eyla with her to the temple. There she could play in a corner of the preparation room. My students will certainly be prepared to keep a watchful eye on Eyla, thought Nothea. Only Arcarius must not find out otherwise, he would pull out all the stops to take the child away from me.

Several weeks passed like this. Marana became weaker and weaker and one morning Nothea found her sister deceased in her bed. She had probably suspected that her health would not improve and had decided to leave herself. She left Nothea a farewell letter in which she explained everything and asked for her forgiveness. For Nothea it was another twist of fate. First her brother Parlon died and now Marana was gone too.

For a long time, she was plagued by feelings of guilt. Since Eyla had moved into the household, she had only eyes and ears for the child and had forgotten everything else around her. She had not realized how sick her sister had really been. She had no choice but to mourn the loss of her sister and, on a cool morning, scatter Marana's ashes over the Lake of Rebirth. Marana’s soul was now on a journey until it was reborn. Nothea found comfort in this belief.

Not long after Marana's death, Arcarius stood in front of Nothea’s house. "Aren't you going to invite me in, Nothea?" he asked.

"What do you want?" Nothea asked coolly, refusing Arcarius entry.

"I want to see if the child is OK. Now that you're alone, you certainly can't take adequate care of the foundling."

"Eyla is fine," Nothea assured him.

"I heard that you're taking the child with you to the temple."

"What's it to you, Arcarius?" Nothea began to seethe.

"It's certainly my business if you neglect your duties in the temple."

"Have there been any complaints?"

"No, but I have to make sure. I also wanted to tell you that the council will be meeting soon to make a new decision about the child. Your presence and that of the child are welcome."

Nothea’s body tensed. When would that horrible guy finally stop using every opportunity to hurt her? Hadn't he done enough to her already?

"The child and I will be there," Nothea said harshly and slammed the door in the Council Chairman's face.

Two days later, Nothea stood before the Council of Elders with Eyla. Her knees were shaking with fear. Parathele, who was beginning to lose patience with Arcarius’ nasty games, smiled encouragingly at her. This calmed Nothea. Suddenly, Arcarius loudly shouted his demand into the room.

"This child must finally be brought to Honora in the House of the Lost, only there will it receive the attention it needs and a decent upbringing."

"What makes you demand, Arcarius? Is Nothea neglecting the child?" Riberato wanted to know.

"As you all know, Marana, our beloved soul healer, has died. Nothea is now completely overwhelmed with raising the child alone and she can no longer do justice to her duties in the temple," Arcarius raged, gesticulating wildly.

Kimjana shook her head disapprovingly. In the eyes of the old councilor, Arcarius did Nothea an injustice.

"I cannot detect any neglect in the child," Kimjana remarked.

"Yes, she takes the child with her to the temple."

"Why shouldn't she?" Parathele wanted to know.

"She has to concentrate on her duties in the temple, dear councilor," Arcarius immediately countered.

"You're talking nonsense and you know it. I won't change my mind this time either. Eyla should stay with Nothea." Parathele turned to the male members of the council. "How do you see things, dear Xanto, dear Riberato?"

"There is no reason for us to revise our original decision made sometime ago," Xanto replied firmly. "I haven't heard any complaints about Nothea yet. Have you?"

Except for Arcarius, everyone answered Xanto’s question in the negative.

Riberato didn't change his mind either. In his eyes, everyone, except Arcarius, had the child's best interests in mind. He wondered why the Council Chairman kept trying to take the child away from Nothea. There had to be a special reason for it.

"I'll give you time to think about it," said Arcarius, who didn't want to give up.

"We don't need it," came the immediate response from Riberato’s mouth. "The child belongs to Nothea. Accept that, Arcarius. As you can see, the child is doing very well and that's all that matters."

Riberato looked at little Eyla, who was clinging to Nothea’s legs and watching the events with alert eyes.

Annoyed that he couldn't get his way this time either, Arcarius jumped up from his chair and rushed out of the hall with his head held high. Nothea watched him go, relieved. She had won this battle but she knew that Arcarius would not concede. Never!

Chapter 3

The following years went by far too quickly in Nothea’s opinion. All these years she had been determined to tell Eyla the truth, at some point. Now, since her daughter had grown into a young, sensible woman, Nothea thought that her fifteenth birthday was the right time to do so. Of course it wasn't the day of her birth because Nothea didn't know that but she had chosen the day on which she had found Eyla in the arms of her birth mother as the day of her birth.

Just a few days before the big event, of which Nothea was a little afraid, Eyla suddenly appeared in front of her, dissolving in tears.

"Is it true that you are not my real mother?" Eyla asked in a trembling voice. Nothea’s heart stopped beating for a moment. So now it had happened. Eyla had found out from someone else.

"Who says that?" she asked cautiously.

"Arcarius’ nephew, he told me today."

I should have known that Arcarius had a hand in this, thought Nothea and cursed herself. She should have told Eyla everything much earlier.

"Sit next to me, beloved daughter," Nothea began lovingly. Eyla shook her head violently and looked at her mother through tear-filled eyes. Nothea searched desperately for the right words. She couldn't make a mistake now.

"Yes, its true, Eyla. I should have told you a long time ago but I was terribly afraid that the bond between us would be broken."

"So, you've been lying to me all these years?"

"I haven't lied to you, Eyla. I just wanted to wait for the right moment. I couldn't have known that Arcarius’ nephew would get there before me."