The Amulet - Book 1 of The Immortals Trilogy

Chapter 1 - Archprime

Two hundred years later

In the centre of the Faylian palaces immaculate courtyard, a round three-tiered fountain splashed droplets of water on the red paving. Four paved paths led to the fountain from each corner of the courtyard, and they stood out against the dark, lush grass.

From under the large Jakara tree, Rybone watched a leaf flutter down and settle on the path to his right. Within seconds it dissolved into nothing, and the path was as spotless as it was moments before.

The breeze blew his brown hair gently around his lean, lantern-jawed face and brown and white wings which lay folded against his solid frame.

He turned his expressionless, russet eyes towards the darkness of the wide covered walkways bordering the courtyard and squinted. Since becoming Archprime two days ago, a tall grey-winged man followed him everywhere and he half expected the man to jump out of the shadows and stop him reaching his destination. For the last half hour, he did everything he could to lose him, and he finally succeeded.

When Rybone was sure there was no-one concealed in the courtyard, he stepped out from under the tree's canopy and turned his attention skyward which was devoid of movement.

He shifted his gaze to the crevasses and outcroppings of the vertical cliff face of Mount Lanoran which acted as the fourth wall of the courtyard. Spindly trees and bushes took root in the dirt-filled cracks of the cliff, and they were the only things dancing in the breeze.

From his position he was unable to see the palace on top of Mount Lanoran, however with King Tyrus out of the city he doubted there was anyone up there to see him.

Another leaf fell from the tree and landed on the scorched, barren earth where his father, Eelios, died on this day two hundred years ago. The leaf shrivelled into a rotten, brown mess. Over the years, many tried to make the patch of ground fertile again, with spells and preparations and all without success.

Grimacing, he shuffled from one foot to the other. He hated this courtyard. While everyone thought his father was evil, all he remembered was a strong and powerful man who punished those who deserved it and killed those who betrayed him.

Turning away from the rotten leaf, he moved through the ornate stone arch to his left and down the vine covered walkway. The tips of his wings brushed across the paving as he strode towards the large wooden doors at the far end of the courtyard.

Through the doors were underground chambers and tunnels within Mount Lanoran, one of which led to the Prayer Temple and his destination, Erans Canyon.

Overhead the arches that encased the walkway were adorned with swirling circles which represented the wind and air, the elements the Faylians had an affinity with.

When he reached the doors, he placed one hand on the cold, golden handle then checked the courtyard one last time before opening the door and stepping into the warm passage.

A breeze followed Rybone through the door, and caused the small, white light spheres near the ceiling to bob and weave, and shadows to leap over the walls and floor. His breath caught in his throat, and he slammed the door closed. The light spheres settled back into place and the shadows disappeared as he found himself alone in the passage. He breathed a gusty sigh of relief.

For one horrifying moment he thought the grey-winged man found out about his plans to retrieve the Amulet. Once the Amulet was in his possession, he'd use it for the real purpose it was created; to make him the final God. After he took his place amongst the other nine Gods, their number would be complete for the first time in two thousand years, and they'd be at their most powerful.