Visions of Chaos
Book 1 of theDivinity Seeds Series
Copyright Des Pensable2015
Published by DesPensable at Smashwords
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About theTitle
A divinity seed is asmall piece of divine knowledge forbidden to mortals.
CoverDesign
Cover design by ReneeBarratt, www.TheCoverCounts.com
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Mark of theBeast
Chapter 2 FamilySecrets
Chapter 3 FacitDodecoid
Chapter 4 Slip SlidingAway
Chapter 5 Welcome toMudrun
Chapter 6 High WizardFeatherdown
Chapter 7 TheFountain
Chapter 8 TheHatchery
Chapter 9Suspicions
Chapter 10 ChaosMatter
Chapter 11Surprises
Chapter 12 Picnic by theSea
Chapter 13Decisions
Chapter 14 TheRuin
Chapter 15Hunting
Chapter 16 TheCave
Chapter 17Jacintra
Chapter 18 TheAmbush
Chapter 19 Fate Stepsin
Chapter 20 TheTempest
Chapter 21 Questions andAnswers
Chapter 22 Trouble inTwin Towers
Chapter 23 A Visit fromGranddad
Chapter 24 CrinCity
Chapter 25 Aquitain vsSnowbelle
Chapter 26Travelling
Chapter 27 The LittlePeople
Chapter 28 Games withinGames
Chapter 29 The MaskStrikes Again
Chapter 30 The BarraRitual
Chapter 31 Quiet Beforethe Storm
Chapter 32 TheTrap
Chapter 33 MindBattles
Chapter 34 The PassionFlower
Chapter 35 The TemplePuzzle
Chapter 36 Preparing fora Siege
Chapter 37 TheSkirmish
Chapter 38 TheBetrayal
Chapter 39 What am IQuab?
Glossary
About theAuthor
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Chapter 1 Mark of theBeast
It was hot and humidon the edge of the market square where Rob Theolaur stood watchingthe crowd. A drop of sweat streaked down the side of his facestopping cautiously on the edge of his chin before plunging to theground leaving a star shaped splash in the dust.
He paused for amoment more to watch a bare-chested street entertainer jugglingthree knives and a flaming torch. Nearby a waist high storytellerdressed in a tattered green dragon costume exhaled miniature puffsof fire to an audience of laughing children. Market days inPanmagica always had a carnival atmosphere and he could havewatched the sights and drank in the ambiance for ages; but he washere for a purpose.
‘Over there,’ heshouted to his two bodyguards as he pointed to a green and whitecanvas covered market stall.
He launched himself atthe crowd and fought his way through the sea of faces and closelypacked bodies with his guards struggling to keep up. A tattooedwoman draped with a large snake blocked his way. She offered smallbottles of miraculous potions. He shook his head and waved heraside. A food vendor waved small pieces of greasy meat on long thinsticks in his face and he pushed them away abusing the man.
Small black flies werealready out in great numbers, buzzing annoyingly around his faceand eyes, but there wasn’t enough room to use his flyswat.
‘Damn this heat!’ hesaid to no one in particular.
The magically inducedbreeze had failed to eventuate again. The city engineers blamed thenew high-rise buildings for changing the airflow patterns butdidn’t seem to have an answer to the problem. So everyone just hadto smile and tolerate it. The crowd seemed happy but the merchants’patience was a little strained.
Rob wouldn’t have beenthere at all, had he not earlier received a message that his cousinwas expected back today. He would normally have been busy in hisworkshop repairing magical items. However, he wanted to buy her asmall gift to celebrate her return. She was more like a sister thana cousin. He had missed her greatly, and was really pleased thatshe had finished her training and was returning home.
Finally he reached hisobjective to find a dazzling display of amulets, brooches, beltbuckles and rings. The jewellery had been spread out lavishly onwooden trays lined with black silk, and sparkled with an unnaturalbeauty.
He muttered a fewstrange words and his eyes glowed briefly with a dull shade ofpurple. He could now see that many of the pieces contained a simpleglamour to enhance their beauty and presumably hide their defects.One or two were in the form of miniature dragons, and thesecaptured his interest.
Algrin the merchantmopped small beads of salty water from his forehead then movedhopefully over to Rob with a polished smile.
‘Good day, milord. Whatcan this humble servant do for such an esteemed wizard as yourselfon a glorious morning like this one?’
‘I’m looking for a giftfor a female friend. I was hoping for something interesting, butall of these goods you’re displaying are enhanced by deceptiveglamours to cover up their faulty workmanship,’ said Rob.
‘Have you any otheramulets similar to these dragon designs, but of betterquality?’
‘You have a discerningeye for one so young, milord. I have some miniature fire dragonamulets that might interest you. I’m told they were craftedsomewhere in the Yith empire by master artisans using theirstrange, alien magic.’
Algrin produced a blackvelvet bag from under his robe and tipped out three small, finelydetailed silver dragon shaped amulets into a cloth and laid them ona polished wooden tray, placing it on the bench top before Rob.These pieces were of far superior workmanship.
‘I’m only a simplemerchant and can only believe what I have been told, but many of mycustomers have sworn that the charms hidden within these amuletshave changed their lives. They are known to warm the hearts ofyoung women and induce them to acts of great passion. I’m sure thatone of these would make an excellent gift for your friend.’
‘I’m not sure that mycousin would be overly enthusiastic about getting passionate withme,’ said Rob, chuckling, while his two bodyguards grinned at thesuggestion.
‘One never knows theeffect that this type of magic might have on a young woman, milord.Perhaps she will change her outlook towards you. Cousins have beenknown to favour cousins before today.’
Rob was amused by thethought as he reached out to pick up one of the dragon brooches fora closer inspection, but as he did so something strange happened.His fingers appeared to meld together, leaving his hand lookingmore like the flipper of a turtle. Embarrassed, then suddenlyannoyed at this indignity, he hastily withdrew the offending handand hid it behind his back.
‘What sort of trickeryare you up to merchant? I’m not in a mood for jokes,’ growled Robsternly.
Algrin was not quitesure of what to think. He had noticed the change in Rob’s hand. Hewas now suspicious, and inclined to think that
