The Burial of Abashar
The Burial of Abashar
Hal is an ordinary farmer until his life is interrupted by a landslide, a prophecy, an attack, and a band of mysterious warriors. Rahn is worse than ordinary, cast out from her tribe because she lacks her people’s characteristic gift of Sight. Both are thrust out onto the Ruined Plains, where water is plentiful but buried and where accessing it risks unearthing ancient evils. As they embark on a quest to find the tomb of a legendary king, they discover that they are part of a struggle between ancient powers– and that the stakes are higher than they could ever have imagined.
Nerahnen looked down at the tents below, loosely gathered near the western end of the valley. The settlement looked small from up here under the backdrop of the Upper Peaks, silent and regal in the distance. Late afternoon shadows were already making their way across the valley, and cookfires were starting to wink into life among the tents. She could make out the pile of timber for the bonfire, still unlit–ready for the celebration after the Ceremony. It was a familiar sight to her. She felt the tightness in her stomach rising to her throat. This year will be different, she told herself, quickly wiping away a tear.
The aged donkey she was riding stumbled. Nerahnen grabbed at the saddle, just managing not to fall off.
“Watch, Nerahnen,” called Hashar from further up the path, “It’s not yet time for children to be flying off cliffs.”