{"id":1305,"date":"2022-11-20T08:54:11","date_gmt":"2022-11-20T08:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/?p=1305"},"modified":"2022-11-21T13:31:57","modified_gmt":"2022-11-21T13:31:57","slug":"broken-souls-chapter-49","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/2022\/11\/20\/broken-souls-chapter-49\/","title":{"rendered":"Broken Souls &#8211; Chapter 49"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lura Syllana<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I spend the next several days reading and rereading the book, trying to puzzle out the notes, and doing a lot of chores required for my hours. I knocked out quite a few doing six hours a day. There are quite a few notes in here that tell me what I should focus on for passing the test. It is like the person who wrote the notes provided us with a cheat sheet. What he says about the journey in the notes seems to be personal, as if he lived through what was written in the book. It really makes me wonder how life was like back then, living in the presence of gods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All four of us, Biremeril, Ralodan, Melyis and I, take the test at the same time and all pass without getting a question wrong. Unfortunately, we had to hand the books back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thankfully, level one is taught by a stray, Haemyish, and she is far more helpful than Olizara. Unfortunately, the book we are given is <em>The Light of the World<\/em> by Mathienne Naesalor instead of Terel. Sadly, Terel is said to be dead, so we can\u2019t go to him for answers. He died a while after the Angel Akrasiel sacrificed himself. His death was a mystery in and of itself. He was one of the strongest in the Light, so he should\u2019ve lived for a long time. In fact, most of the original disciples of Akrasiel are still alive, including the High Mother, Mathienne Naesalor, the author of the current book. I heard that Damaris is one of her closest disciples, along with Mother Vedana Oddheart and Mother Nostra Longswitch. The latter two were also among the original disciples of Akrasiel, along with Riluaneth Waeszeiros, Colvardonn, Anfather, and Amaranthae. All of them are of the ranks of Mother and Father. Strangely though, the High Father, Arbelladon Warmspear, and several other Mothers and Fathers, including Chaetris Rapidbirth and Fylson Greran, were not among the original disciples of Akrasiel and weren\u2019t even with the church at the time of his presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The book was written by the High Mother and is quite interesting and teaches about the history of the church itself. Some of it overlaps with Terel\u2019s book, but it also goes into detail of the time after Akrasiel and even Terel\u2019s deaths. Detailing the creation of the Paladin order and how the ranks of the church were formed along with the election of each High Father, including Arbelladon, which is strife with controversy. It was between him and Anfather; however, it was rumored that he won over Anfather because of rumors that Anfather was in a relationship with an Accepted, although they were later proven to be untrue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I was completely shocked to find that there are notes hidden deep within The High Mother\u2019s book as well, and they must be by Terel also. They\u2019re in the same handwriting as Terel\u2019s and it\u2019s a bit different from the High Mother\u2019s. Shockingly, they question the church\u2019s decision to outlaw attachments and relationships. Are these Terel\u2019s notes? He wasn\u2019t alive when this was publicized. What if it\u2019s actually Mathienne\u2019s notes? Maybe she also has secrets. Or maybe I\u2019m thinking too much into it&#8230; I really need to get my hands on the rest of those books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All three, Biremeril, Ralodan, and Melyis, also have the same notes. After class one day, all four of us decided to approach Haemyish about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m not surprised you four can see the notes,\u201d Haemyish says as she considers us. \u201cSister Damaris has an uncanny knack for recruiting people who seem to have whatever qualities or traits that Terel was searching for when he placed the charm on the books.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo, he did write the notes?\u201d I ask, trading glances with the other three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI take it none of you have read the hidden books, then?\u201d she asks. All four of us shake our heads no. \u201cThey\u2019re in the hands of someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWell then, we can\u2019t talk any more of this until you have. None of it will make sense otherwise. So, I advise that until you can read the books you focus on passing the test. You already know what you need to focus on since you have the notes, but if you need help, you\u2019re more than welcome to come to me.\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We all nod and make our way out. \u201cThat\u2019s exactly what Sister Damaris said\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou spoke to her about it?\u201d Ralodan asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes\u2026 It was a while ago.\u201d I say with a nod. My eyes go wide. \u201cOh, I nearly forgot. She confirmed it was Terel who wrote the notes. At least in the first book, but I don\u2019t see how he could\u2019ve written them since the book was published after his death.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd you\u2019re telling us this now!\u201d Biremeril says with wide eyes, pulling at his curly, black hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYeah, I forgot with all that was going on,\u201d I say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWell, we all assumed that anyway, it\u2019s not like it\u2019s anything new,\u201d Ralodan says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe need to get our hands on those books,\u201d I say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy don\u2019t we just talk to Charinva and get them from her, or at least one or two? How many are there, anyway?\u201d Ralodan asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWho is Charinva again?\u201d Melyis asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnother stray,\u201d Ralodan says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don\u2019t know. She\u2019s rather stubborn,\u201d Biremeril says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe should go to my dorm first and grab Chalia. She is good at convincing people to do things,\u201d I say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat if she won\u2019t give them to us?\u201d Biremeril asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe will, or at least one or two books we can share amongst each other,\u201d Ralodan says with that confident smile, and I believe he can convince her if not Chalia. That smile can convince anyone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Biremeril reluctantly agrees and we head back to my dorm to find Chalia just getting back from her own class. \u201cHey\u2026 Didn\u2019t realize we were having a party. I would\u2019ve put on my nice brown robes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe want to confront Charinva and convince her to hand over the books.\u201d I spit out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOr at least one or two of them. We don\u2019t need all of them just yet,\u201d Ralodan says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOkay, let\u2019s do it then, but I get first dibs since I\u2019ve been waiting longer for them,\u201d Chalia says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We all agree, and Ralodan adds his own two cents. \u201cWe should probably just go in order of arrival, so Biremeril should get them next and then me, then Lura, and lastly Melyis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat seems fair,\u201d Biremeril says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI suppose,\u201d I say with a sigh. That means I will have to wait for all three of them to finish the next book before I can even begin reading it. That might take forever, depending on how long it is. At least I\u2019ll get them before Melyis, which is a petty thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We all follow Chalia to Charinva\u2019s room down the hall. Chalia doesn\u2019t even knock before barging in, and she\u2019s fast enough to duck before a book comes flying out of nowhere and hits poor Biremeril right in the forehead. Thank the Light, it wasn\u2019t me this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSeriously!\u201d Chalia snaps at Ochilysse. \u201cYou nearly broke Biremeril\u2019s nose!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She only shrugs. \u201cNext time knock! You\u2019re just lucky it wasn\u2019t a knife.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou are insane,\u201d Chalia says as she forces Biremeril\u2019s hand away and looks at the bump growing on his forehead as tears water his cheeks. \u201cFortunately, it\u2019s just a little bump. You should be fine. Maybe we can get Haemyish to heal it. She\u2019s pretty skilled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat do you all want?\u201d Ochilysse asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe came to speak with Charinva. It doesn\u2019t concern you,\u201d Chalia says, her annoyance showing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGo ahead,\u201d the other girl says, never glancing up from her book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe want the books. You have to share. You\u2019ve had them forever,\u201d Chalia says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMaybe a simple please would work better, Chalia,\u201d Ralodan says as he steps past. \u201cWhat she meant to say is, may we please see the first book or two?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chalia rolls her eyes. Charinva puts a bookmark between the pages and snaps the book shut. Her face seems to contort in contempt. \u201cYou can have them all. I\u2019m done with them. I don&#8217;t even want to look at them anymore. I still can\u2019t believe what I read. It\u2019s\u2026 I\u2019m lost for words. It\u2019s absurd. It\u2019s blasphemy. It\u2019s\u2026 It\u2019s very likely true, which is\u2026 I don\u2019t know what to believe anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIs it really that bad?\u201d I ask and my teeth bite into my lip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She looks up at me with eyes that look strained and tired. Has she slept at all? \u201cI can\u2019t really tell you, but just take everything you know and throw it into the trash. What these books say change everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She goes over to her chest and pulls out six very thick books. \u201cThe first one is just another copy of <em>The Light\u2019s Embrace<\/em>. The second one is <em>Terel\u2019s Revelations<\/em>. Then the following are secrets told to him by Akrasiel. Book one is <em>Truths of the Cosmos<\/em>. The second book is called <em>Divine Secrets<\/em>, part one. Book three is <em>Divine Secrets<\/em> part two and lastly, an Encyclopedia. You need to start with <em>Terel\u2019s Revelations<\/em> before moving to the Truths of the Cosmos and so on. Read each book in order. It makes more sense that way. If you have any questions, don\u2019t ask me. Ask someone else. Maybe Damaris or whoever. I would like to forget I read them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow could they really be that bad?\u201d I ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Charinva only shrugs. \u201cNot bad, but what is written in them is hard to comprehend and even harder to accept. Tread carefully, if at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rest of us trade disparaging looks with each other. I finally speak up. \u201cSo, I guess Chalia will take them first, then\u2026 Ochilysse?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We all look over at her. She rolls her eyes. \u201cFine, I\u2019ll read them. I won\u2019t be quick about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Half of us roll our eyes. \u201cI wonder who else still needs to read them,\u201d Chalia asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLet\u2019s find out after we finish with them,\u201d I say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That earns a smile from Chalia. \u201cI quite agree.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo, after Ochilysse gets them, then Biremeril, then Ralodan, then me, and then Melyis? Does that sound okay?\u201d I ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone nods. Ralodan speaks up. \u201cSo, I guess we should probably just focus on completing the levels as quickly as possible so we can put ourselves in an excellent position within the church to prepare for when we finally get the books.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat sounds like as good a plan as any,\u201d I say. Biremeril, Melyis, and Ochilysse all nodding. \u201cI\u2019ll help Chalia move the books to our dorm, and then we can get to it. That and get those Light-forsaken chore hours done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The others all sigh, but agree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDon\u2019t cheat and start reading the books before me, Lura!\u201d Ochilysse says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDon\u2019t worry. I have plenty to do until it\u2019s my turn,\u201d I say, then look over at Charinva. \u201cSay, Charinva\u2026 Would it be possible to borrow some of your books on Arcane spells?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSure, why not,\u201d Charinva says, then nods over to towers of stacked books in the corner of the room. \u201cHave a look and take what you like.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCan we also have at it?\u201d Ralodan asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes, I don\u2019t mind, but I want them all back!\u201d she says, as she grabs the book she was reading and returns to it. Everyone besides Chalia sifts through the stacks of books. I find a few on basic Arcane spells and figure I should start there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We all help Chalia get the books back to our dorm. They\u2019re quite heavy and thick. Then I go with Ralodan, Biremeril, and Melyis to study our current level. With Terel\u2019s notes in the back of Mathienne\u2019s book, we make quick work of studying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/2022\/11\/19\/broken-souls-chapter-48\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"223\" height=\"63\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aratheon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Prevous-Chapter.png?resize=223%2C63&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-882\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/2022\/11\/21\/broken-souls-chapter-50\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"223\" height=\"63\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aratheon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Next-Chapter.png?resize=223%2C63&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-883\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Be the first 100 to sign up for the Arathoon Newsletter and a FREE Digital copy of Shattered Souls when it is released!<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/app.getresponse.com\/view_webform_v2.js?u=SNMMb&amp;webforms_id=SZsBR\" data-webform-id=\"SZsBR\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"642\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aratheon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Shattered-Souls-w-color.jpg?resize=642%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"fantasy, fantasy novel, Fantasy book, Fantasy story, elves, vikings\" class=\"wp-image-1038\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aratheon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Shattered-Souls-w-color.jpg?resize=642%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 642w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aratheon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Shattered-Souls-w-color.jpg?resize=188%2C300&amp;ssl=1 188w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aratheon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Shattered-Souls-w-color.jpg?resize=768%2C1226&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aratheon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Shattered-Souls-w-color.jpg?resize=963%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 963w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aratheon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Shattered-Souls-w-color.jpg?resize=1283%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1283w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aratheon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Shattered-Souls-w-color.jpg?resize=648%2C1034&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aratheon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Shattered-Souls-w-color.jpg?resize=120%2C192&amp;ssl=1 120w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aratheon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Shattered-Souls-w-color.jpg?w=1410&amp;ssl=1 1410w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 642px) 100vw, 642px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lura Syllana I spend the next several days reading and rereading the book, trying to puzzle out the notes, and doing a lot of chores required for my hours. I knocked out quite a few doing six hours a day. There are quite a few notes in here that tell me what I should focus &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/2022\/11\/20\/broken-souls-chapter-49\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Broken Souls &#8211; Chapter 49<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1306,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"More secrets are revealed in ch. 49 of #brokensouls #elves #elf #freebook #freebie #freebies #aratheon #fantasy #epicfantasy #darkfantasy #fantasyromance #freebook #free #fantasynovel #elvenpaladin #fantasyreligion #fantasymystery #mystery #freebie #read","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[78,100,101,75],"tags":[112,80,86,24,92,41,74,73,2,115,116,83,88,87,103,102,104,105,95,93,72,96,94,97,90,91],"class_list":["post-1305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aratheon-books","category-broken-souls","category-broken-souls-chapters","category-story-chapters","tag-church","tag-dark-fantasy","tag-dark-romance","tag-dwarf","tag-dwarves","tag-elf","tag-elves","tag-epic-fantasy","tag-fantasy","tag-fantasy-mythology","tag-fantasy-religion","tag-fantasy-romance","tag-free","tag-free-book","tag-free-books","tag-free-novel","tag-freebie","tag-freebies","tag-general-fantasy","tag-greek-mythology","tag-high-fantasy","tag-mythology","tag-norse","tag-norse-mythology","tag-viking","tag-vikings"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aratheon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/IMG_4206.jpg?fit=2048%2C2048&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1305","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1305"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1305\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1313,"href":"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1305\/revisions\/1313"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1306"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aratheon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}