The Blinded Journey Read online

  “Well, well,” a high-pitched, wheezing voice spoke. “It’s the blind boy hero, besotted with the beauty who doesn’t care for him.”

  There was a grunt and a thud and a scrambling noise.

  “Kendel!” Flora cried his name. “It’s Erdonn. He’s a monster, a horrible thing! He’s trying to have me!”

  “Leave her alone!” Kendel snarled the command as he let the energies within him release. He raised his staff and pointed it at the entity he felt, then released a blast of the green energy, willing to accept the pain he would receive as a result, accepting that it would be a small and temporary price to pay to save Flora.

  “He’s holding your energy!” she said. “The attack didn’t hurt him.”

  “I heard an echo of a rumor that there was a new young power at loose, bumbling about the world,” Erdonn spoke. “I momentarily wondered when I was rescued if you might be the alleged hero, but then I found that you were blind, and so I concluded that you wouldn’t be able to manage anything notable.”

  Angry, Kendel focused for a moment, then released a stream of the blue energy alone, hoping that it would capture and neutralize the green energy that Erdonn held, and in the process would immobilize Erdonn as well.

  “What are you?” Kendel asked.

  He felt something happen, and then realized that Erdonn was flinging the blue and green energies back at him.

  Kendel felt the attack strike him and knock him backwards, making him tumble into a bush where he lay in stunned pain for a moment.

  Fantasy Series by Jeffrey Quyle

  The Goddess’s Gambit Series

  The Inexplicable Journey

  The Blinded Journey (New!)

  The Wind Word Series

  The Mirror After the Cavern

  The Pearl Diver

  Amenozume, Heights and Depths

  Foundations, Broken and Built

  The Memory Stone Series

  Journey Through the River Cities

  The Deadly Magician

  Unpredictable Fortunes

  Tangled Engagements

  The Disquieted Land

  The Inner Seas Kingdoms Series

  The Healing Spring

  The Yellow Palace

  Road of Shadows

  A Foreign Heart

  Journey to Uniontown

  The Guided Journey

  An Unexpected Deity

  A Marriage of Friends

  The Ingenairii Series

  Visions of Power

  At the Seat of Power

  The Loss of Power

  The Lifesaving Power

  Against the Empire

  Preserving the Ingenairii

  Rescuing the Captive

  Ajacii and Demons

  The Caravan Road

  The Journey Home

  The Cloud of Darkness

  The Past Revisited

  The Southern Continent Series

  The Elemental Jewels

  Perilous Travels

  The Greater Challenge Beyond

  Out of the Wilderness

  Alchemy’s Apprentice Series

  The Gorgon’s Blood Solution

  The Echidna’s Scale

  Scarlet from Gold

  The Southern Trail

  For more information, visit the Ingenairii Series on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ingenairiiseries

  The Blinded Journey

  The Goddess’s Gambit Series

  Book 2

  Jeffrey Quyle

  The story told herein is fictional. Any resemblance to past or present circumstances, persons, or places is entirely coincidental.

  Index

  Chapter 1 Page 1

  Chapter 2 Page 6

  Chapter 3 Page 10

  Chapter 4 Page 12

  Chapter 5 Page 19

  Chapter 6 Page 26

  Chapter 7 Page 29

  Chapter 8 Page 39

  Chapter 9 Page 44

  Chapter 10 Page 48

  Chapter 11 Page 61

  Chapter 12 Page 64

  Chapter 13 Page 79

  Chapter 14 Page 84

  Chapter 15 Page 92

  Chapter 16 Page 97

  Chapter 17 Page 115

  Chapter 18 Page 127

  Chapter 19 Page 136

  Chapter 20 Page 147

  Chapter 21 Page 155

  Chapter 22 Page 160

  Chapter 23 Page 165

  Chapter 24 Page 172

  Chapter 25 Page 176

  Chapter 26 Page 180

  Chapter 27 Page 191

  Chapter 28 Page 196

  Chapter 29 Page 198

  Chapter 30 Page 210

  Chapter 31Page 226

  Chapter 32Page 246

  Chapter 33Page 255

  Chapter 34Page 271

  Chapter 35Page 228

  Chapter 36Page 282

  Chapter 37Page 297

  Chapter 38Page 316

  List of Characters

  Kendel, average high school boy with a bit role in a movie

  Flora, talented, emerging young actress headlining a movie

  Agata, Princess and heiress to the throne of Palatenland

  Parker, squire to the knight Sir Elline

  Sir Elline, senior and respected knight of Palatenland court

  Genniae, junior priestess in the temple of Miriam

  Vivienne, court lady-in-waiting attending Agata

  Sophie, court lady-in-waiting attending Agata

  Grace, court lady-in-waiting attending Agata, friend to Parker

  Prince Lumen, Palatenland heir in hiding

  Beches, regent to the Palatenland crown

  Dwad, Dwarf of the mountains

  Fontaine, water nymph

  Weber, Sunob palace guard

  Waxen, Sunob palace guard

  Gayl, Waxen’s wife

  Miriam, Goddess of Domestic Peace and Tranquility

  Acton, God of War

  Huem, God of Reason

  Shaiss, Goddess of Punishment

  Barr, God of Trickery

  Prologue

  Kendel was spending summer vacation in Los Angeles, with a bit part in a major studio movie. It sounded like a dream come true for a small-town boy, especially when the movie also featured Flora Greene, the pretty, vivacious rising movie star who will carry the movie to success.

  Unexpectedly, a problem with the new technology of the movie’s production led to a surprising chance for Kendel to meet Flora in person. And then the problem led to an extraordinary cataclysm that hurled both Kendel and Flora into the fictional fantasy world of the movie script.

  Together, and initially unsure of one another, Flora and Kendel try to comprehend what has happened to them, and then they seek to resolve the problem and find a way to return to their own world.

  In the course of their efforts, they come to appreciate the adventure and energy of life in the fantasy world, and they come to appreciate as a real place, one where they can live lives of heroic deeds.

  When they are returned to their own world, Kendel and Flora celebrate before going their own ways, attempting to return to their own lives. They find though, that they’ve developed a relationship with each other that binds them together. And they realize they miss the adventure of the alternative reality.

  Kendel finds himself unexpectedly taken back to the land of magic, given duties to carry out to help prepare the land to fight against an approaching invasion by evil forces. But Flora is not brought back, and Kendel feels an emptiness without her, an emptiness he is determined to remedy.

  Chapter 1

  Kendel sat up in the sunshine, coughing and sputtering river water. He wore only the wet pants he had worn when he’d rescued Liza from a night-time drow
ning in the White River. He was nowhere near a river any longer, and it was no longer night-time.

  His head hurt. Something had hit the back of his head while he’d been in the water with Liza, watching the other rescuers come running along the shore to help pull the unfortunate girl out of the water. He placed a hand on the back of his head, and felt a lump on his scalp, but when he held the hand in front of his face there was no blood, only a few small chips of dark material, wet tree bark.

  Get over it, a woman’s voice spoke to him. Get up and go down to that farmhouse in the valley. Let’s get you moving instead of lazing away.

  Kendel looked around the grassy hilltop. There were a pair of trees, and a few birds clinging to the tall stalks of grass that provided the cover. But there were no people. There was only the voice of the goddess.

  “You are Shaiss?” he asked.

  Of course I am. Who else would have the power and be willing to breach the barriers to reach into that miserable world of yours and pluck you away? the invisible speaker asked.

  “You’re a goddess? Like Miriam?” Kendel wanted to know. He rolled to put his feet and hands beneath him, then pushed himself upright.

  I am a goddess, and nothing like Miriam, her voice sounded like it was hissed through clenched teeth. I am the goddess that mortals fear and worship and beg to help them. I am the goddess of punishment.

  That was not a promising note, Kendel thought. He immediately began to sort through his memories, wondering what sins she might choose to punish him for.

  She evidently anticipated his worries. For the moment, she emphasized the last word, I am not punishing you for the many stupid things I am sure deserve punishment. I am here to assist you in the absence of Miriam, as I promised her I would do if the events ever required.

  “Is she okay? Is Miriam okay?” Kendel asked. He wondered what had happened to the goddess as a result of her explosive battle with Hecate. “And Liza – is she okay?” he had to ask.

  You are full of questions and wasting time, Shaiss growled. I do not know Miriam’s condition. She and Hecate took their battle to a different plane; given the energies they used, it’s not a surprise.

  And as for your young tidy bit, she is undoubtedly doing well. The others were already in the water reaching for her when you and I left that plane.

  Now, if you’ve asked every pointless question possible, go down to that farmhouse and get supplies. You’ve got a long journey ahead of you, Shaiss ordered.

  Kendel began to walk down the hill, making slow progress as he picked his steps carefully to avoid hurting his bare feet on the sharp stones and prickly stubble that lay on the surface of the reddish soil.

  “Should I knock on the farmhouse door?” Kendel asked Shaiss. There was no one visible to greet him.

  No, just take your pick of the clothes that are hanging on the clothesline, and put them on, then go to the barn, Shaiss directed.

  There are boots in the first stall, Shaiss told him once he was dressed. And in the tackle box there’s a false bottom, and there are silver coins hidden under there. Take as many as you can for your journey.

  “That’s stealing!” Kendel was aghast. “Won’t you punish me for stealing?” he asked.

  No, I’m using you to punish the man you’re stealing them from. He’s been swindling his neighbors for years. Are you satisfied now? she asked derisively.

  “But Shaiss, he won’t realize he’s being punished for being a swindler,” Kendel protested.

  There was a loud peal of thunder.

  Are you telling me how to do my job? the goddess’s voice practically shrieked. Impudent mortal boy! Just do as you’re told and leave me to do my divine duties as I see fit!

  And call me ‘My Goddess’, not Shaiss, the goddess added. Have the decency to respect my divinity.

  Kendel lowered his head and bit his lip. He pressed his feet into the boots he found, then followed Shaiss’s direction to find a large stash of silver coins. He loaded them into his pockets, then left the barn and went outside.

  “Which way shall I go, my goddess?” he asked.

  Go east, to Mount Cru Jolais, so that you can carry out your mission, the goddess replied.

  “Will Flora be joining me?” he asked.

  How do you propose to bring her from your world to ours? Shaiss asked. Is there a doorway somewhere you can open to invite her in?

  No! the goddess immediately thundered the answer to her own question. Bringing you was a severe test; what Miriam did to bring the two of you is beyond me, Shaiss answered. She used some trick, but I don’t know what, and without the knowledge, I can’t reproduce it.

  Besides, what makes you think your girlfriend would want to come back? Do you think she would come just to follow you? Are you the subject of her desires? Shaiss sneered.

  Talking to the goddess was no fun, Kendel understood. He had just a couple of more questions he wanted to ask, and once he had suffered her abusive answers, perhaps he would not have to trouble her any further.

  “I had a staff when I was here before, a staff that came from a witch. Do you know where the staff is? Can I have it back?” he asked. The staff had been such a useful focusing tool for him to use to focus the release of the magical powers within him. He wanted to have it back, to have the security of using it as a reliable and dependable way to facilitate the release of the energy within him.

  He stopped walking and closed his eyes at the thought of the energy. It was an urgent question suddenly – did he truly have the power still? He probed within himself checking his consciousness and his soul, until he found the slowly churning source of magical energy that resided within him still. It had survived the jump – the jump from this world to his and then back again, as well as the jump from Parker’s body to his own.

  Do I look like your valet? Shaiss answered, at the same time Kendel asked.

  “What happened to Parker and Agata? Did they regain control of their bodies? What are they doing now?” the boy sought to know.

  Apparently, you consider me not only your valet, but your town crier too, ready to share news and information with you. A goddess is a simple servant for you, it seems? the anger in Shaiss’s voice was palatable.

  Kendel stood in silence for a moment, patently aware of the goddess’s testy mood. “I’m sorry, your holiness,” he guessed at an appropriate title to use, not wanting to refer to Shaiss as ‘My Goddess’. “I didn’t mean to upset you.” He decided to say no more, or as little as possible; Shaiss didn’t seem to be someone he could placate.

  Mortals! the goddess said in a disgusted voice. You need someone to lead you around by the hand, don’t you? Shall I wipe your nose for you when it’s runny?

  Now, if there’s nothing substantial, start moving east, while I tend to the duties that are upon my shoulders. I’ll check in on you from time to time. Call me if you need me, but only if you truly need my assistance, Shaiss emphasized the word ’truly’. My temples are in every city. Now, make sure my efforts to deliver you here are not in vain; carry on with your journey.

  He suddenly felt alone as he stood in the barnyard. The presence of the goddess had disappeared, and he was left with only his newly acquired clothes, wealth, and destination. He looked up at the sky to determine the direction to travel in, then set his feet in motion towards the east. He was going to see the wizard.

  Chapter 2

  The sun was yellow, with only a hint of its green companion visible behind its disk. Kendel filed that information away while he began tramping forward out of the barn yard and towards the road that was visible in front of the farmhouse. He needed to begin his journey. He needed to start the physical journey, and he needed to begin the mental journey as well.

  He needed to adjust himself to the stunning transition from a promising date with Liza to being in the magical land of goddesses, magic, and monsters. Liza had seemed like the ultimate in desirability in those last moments before she had swung out over the river – she’d worn only her
bathing suit, her eyes had sparkled and her hair had been a wild, dynamic halo about her head, while her spirit had been energized, warm, and open to him. Kendel could only imagine what the night might have led to had fate not intervened.

  And now the good-hearted girl was probably in the middle of some type of nightmare, mainly because he had abandoned her. He startled himself as he realized that he had truly abandoned her; he’d left her with barely a moment’s notice when Shaiss had summoned him. When a future came where he returned to his own reality once more, he’d struggle to figure out some way to explain what had happened.

  Which was so far in the future there was no need to think about it.

  He hoped that Liza had understood his incoherent request that she communicate with Flora. At the time, the poor girl was suffering from a combination of drowning and concussion, and he had tried to ask her to deliver a message. It had been a stupid thing to do, insensitive, but he hadn’t had time to think clearly, he tried to excuse himself.

  He mentally shook himself. He needed to start walking, and he could do his thinking and second-guessing while he walked, he scolded himself. He looked at the narrow dirt road – a set of parallel ruts in the dirt, with a strip of grass growing between them, a reminder of the Amish farm drives in the countryside near Bedford.

  He began to walk, as the road quickly left the small open pastures and fields near the farm and entered a thick forest, one that reminded him of the tree-smothered portion of the Knobstone Trail that he and Flora had walked during her surprise visit to Bedford. And he thought further of Flora; he remembered when they had finished the hike along the rugged trail, and he had suggested that they inspect one another for ticks. She had agreed more readily that he had expected, and had removed her clothes without objection, stripping down to her briefs and bra before he could explain that it wasn’t necessary.