From the Amazon reviews for Nethereal:
“I look forward to the next book, and will buy it on kindle when it comes out.”
“The story of Nethereal is a bold and memorable first step into the Soul Cycle series, and I will be eagerly awaiting the next instalment.”
“After much travail and derring-do, the story’s climactic battle is mind-blowing – and a good set up for the next book in the series.”
“I look forward to the next installment.”
“I’m definitely looking forward to the next.”
“Brian Niemeier has woven a very complex and interesting space epic and I can’t wait to see more.”
You guys have been good, so here’s a little present to tide you over.
Chapter 1 of Souldancer: Soul Cycle Book II
Xander imagined the trail winding through the dunes as a golden
road flanked by heaps of gold dust. Perhaps the heat inspired his daydream.
More likely it was his mother’s tale—one of the few she’d told only in his
father’s absence, and even then only in whispers. Her claim that Zadok had made
the world in such a marvelous place was not contrary to Nesshin lore. But the
rest of her story had seemed heterodox to him even as a child.
road flanked by heaps of gold dust. Perhaps the heat inspired his daydream.
More likely it was his mother’s tale—one of the few she’d told only in his
father’s absence, and even then only in whispers. Her claim that Zadok had made
the world in such a marvelous place was not contrary to Nesshin lore. But the
rest of her story had seemed heterodox to him even as a child.
Xander recalled his mother’s words, if not her voice. God divided his body to make the whole
universe. The spheres, the stars, and the White Well’s light are all parts of
him. He divided his mind to make all lesser minds—humans, Gen, and malakhim. By
learning from one another, each of us would teach God something new about
himself.
universe. The spheres, the stars, and the White Well’s light are all parts of
him. He divided his mind to make all lesser minds—humans, Gen, and malakhim. By
learning from one another, each of us would teach God something new about
himself.
The lesson that God
most hoped to learn was how to destroy evil. So corruption entered the once
pure world. Everyone suffered, but since God himself had been corrupted, he was
powerless to save them.
most hoped to learn was how to destroy evil. So corruption entered the once
pure world. Everyone suffered, but since God himself had been corrupted, he was
powerless to save them.
Despite the passage of years, the tale’s bleak implications
still troubled Xander. If the creator could not save creation, what cause was
there for hope? His mother had smiled when she’d answered his objection.
still troubled Xander. If the creator could not save creation, what cause was
there for hope? His mother had smiled when she’d answered his objection.
You must never lose
hope, my son. A man lost in the desert may look to the empty sky and,
despairing, succumb to his thirst. But in so doing he may miss a peal of
thunder that signals approaching rain. If he could see the clouds over the
horizon, he would not need hope, for he would know. If we could see beyond our
own minds; beyond the One Mind that contains us all, perhaps we would know the
reason for our hope.
hope, my son. A man lost in the desert may look to the empty sky and,
despairing, succumb to his thirst. But in so doing he may miss a peal of
thunder that signals approaching rain. If he could see the clouds over the
horizon, he would not need hope, for he would know. If we could see beyond our
own minds; beyond the One Mind that contains us all, perhaps we would know the
reason for our hope.
Xander sighed. Sometimes he envied his mother’s belief that
each person carried a spark of the divine and a unique, God-given destiny.
Though blasphemous, her way seemed more merciful than living as a servant bound
for judgment.
each person carried a spark of the divine and a unique, God-given destiny.
Though blasphemous, her way seemed more merciful than living as a servant bound
for judgment.
But where is my
destined place, if not here? The question had practical merit. Though he’d
seen eighteen summers, Xander’s failure to prove his worth consigned him to
extended childhood with no personal status in the clan.
destined place, if not here? The question had practical merit. Though he’d
seen eighteen summers, Xander’s failure to prove his worth consigned him to
extended childhood with no personal status in the clan.
These dreary thoughts woke Xander from his daydream. The
street of gold faded, leaving only the well-worn path upon which his tribe’s
caravan toiled. From Xander’s place in the rearguard, each wagon with its
escort of tanned men in faded cloaks looked like one segment of a huge plodding
beast—a beast that smelled of sweat and horse and iron.
street of gold faded, leaving only the well-worn path upon which his tribe’s
caravan toiled. From Xander’s place in the rearguard, each wagon with its
escort of tanned men in faded cloaks looked like one segment of a huge plodding
beast—a beast that smelled of sweat and horse and iron.
Accustomed to lighter duty, Xander’s lungs burned and his
muscles ached. He shaded his eyes with a plump hand to check the sky for the
hundredth time. The sun’s distance from the horizon told him that three hours
had passed since noon.
muscles ached. He shaded his eyes with a plump hand to check the sky for the
hundredth time. The sun’s distance from the horizon told him that three hours
had passed since noon.
Past the hard part.
The lead driver would soon call a halt, and the clan would make camp for the
bitter cold night. Another late summer day on the Nesshin trade route through
the Desert of Penance.
The lead driver would soon call a halt, and the clan would make camp for the
bitter cold night. Another late summer day on the Nesshin trade route through
the Desert of Penance.
At least summer is what Father calls it, Xander thought.
He wrapped a brown scarf around his shaved head to keep out the sand-laden
wind. With Highwater two weeks behind, the mountains at the desert’s end—and Medvia
beyond—would be only a few days’ journey east.
He wrapped a brown scarf around his shaved head to keep out the sand-laden
wind. With Highwater two weeks behind, the mountains at the desert’s end—and Medvia
beyond—would be only a few days’ journey east.
Xander trudged beside the rumbling wagon and dreamed of the
oasis town with its verdant parks for sport and its dimly lit gambling parlors.
Something struck his head, rudely shaking him from his second reverie.
oasis town with its verdant parks for sport and its dimly lit gambling parlors.
Something struck his head, rudely shaking him from his second reverie.
Xander reflexively straightened and returned his spear to
its proper angle perpendicular to the ground. His steps lengthened into the
gliding stride favored by his people. He turned his bruised head in the
direction of the blow, expecting to find one of the van wardens calling him to
task with a disapproving frown. Instead he found…no one. Only an empty spot where
his fellow guard Sem had been walking.
its proper angle perpendicular to the ground. His steps lengthened into the
gliding stride favored by his people. He turned his bruised head in the
direction of the blow, expecting to find one of the van wardens calling him to
task with a disapproving frown. Instead he found…no one. Only an empty spot where
his fellow guard Sem had been walking.
Another blow stung Xander squarely between the shoulder
blades, originating from the formerly unoccupied space to his left.
blades, originating from the formerly unoccupied space to his left.
Not wishing to be caught off guard again, Xander cautiously
peered over his left shoulder and saw the tall, rust-cloaked form of his
younger companion.
peered over his left shoulder and saw the tall, rust-cloaked form of his
younger companion.
Sem’s grin failed to brighten his dull face. “Pardon me. I
must be heat-addled to mistake the quartermaster’s son for a lazy ass. Perhaps
it is for the best. A touch of the rod seems to work whether the ass is lazy or
just fat.”
must be heat-addled to mistake the quartermaster’s son for a lazy ass. Perhaps
it is for the best. A touch of the rod seems to work whether the ass is lazy or
just fat.”
Xander rubbed the solid lump of his belly. Shame burned in
his chest, calling to mind the kitchen of his childhood home, where his mother
had been telling her last tale before…
his chest, calling to mind the kitchen of his childhood home, where his mother
had been telling her last tale before…
Do not let memory
cloud your thoughts! Xander urged himself. Fond memories hide the pain of the past.
cloud your thoughts! Xander urged himself. Fond memories hide the pain of the past.
“My girth is no hindrance on the field in Medvia,” Xander
said as he fell in beside Sem.
said as he fell in beside Sem.
“That was before. I’ll beat you this year!”
“It is time you gave up sport,” Xander said. “I could
recommend you to my father. He always needs new ass-herds.”
recommend you to my father. He always needs new ass-herds.”
Sem sneered. The butt of his spear swept down toward the
bridge of Xander’s nose. Xander blocked. Sem thrust the spear point at his
rival’s face.
bridge of Xander’s nose. Xander blocked. Sem thrust the spear point at his
rival’s face.
Xander’s body couldn’t react to the blow in time, but his will
responded by reflex. He stood unflinching as the spearhead stopped within an
inch of his eye and slid away as if the air were a sheet of greased steel.
responded by reflex. He stood unflinching as the spearhead stopped within an
inch of his eye and slid away as if the air were a sheet of greased steel.
His balance upset, Sem fell to the ground. He was just
regaining his feet when a blocky figure stepped between the two boys.
regaining his feet when a blocky figure stepped between the two boys.
Xander tilted his head to peer at the newcomer. The
broad-shouldered man bore a thick unpolished staff. His shapeless nose proved
his experience with it. He wore a many-patched long coat that appeared to be
washed regularly in mud. The original color of Azil’s coat was a perennial
topic of debate among the drivers who served under him.
broad-shouldered man bore a thick unpolished staff. His shapeless nose proved
his experience with it. He wore a many-patched long coat that appeared to be
washed regularly in mud. The original color of Azil’s coat was a perennial
topic of debate among the drivers who served under him.
Azil growled as he hefted Sem level with his coarse bearded
face. Sem interposed his trembling spear between himself and the lead driver.
face. Sem interposed his trembling spear between himself and the lead driver.
Azil’s grin flashed from under his beard, managing to appear
menacing and amused all at once. “Has no one shown you how to hold a weapon,
boy?” he asked, peeling the spear from Sem’s grip with his free hand.
menacing and amused all at once. “Has no one shown you how to hold a weapon,
boy?” he asked, peeling the spear from Sem’s grip with his free hand.
“I am no child!” Sem croaked through clenched teeth. “The Council
of Merchants will declare me worthy when they convene in Medvia.”
of Merchants will declare me worthy when they convene in Medvia.”
Azil canted the spear over his shoulder and roughly set the
youth on his feet. “Well, boy, bring a grievance against me at the next
meeting.” He enveloped both spear and staff in one massive fist. “Meanwhile, I
will hold onto this until you learn the difference between a fat human and a
death worm. Now, go and see that Meiron’s horse is shod when we make camp.”
youth on his feet. “Well, boy, bring a grievance against me at the next
meeting.” He enveloped both spear and staff in one massive fist. “Meanwhile, I
will hold onto this until you learn the difference between a fat human and a
death worm. Now, go and see that Meiron’s horse is shod when we make camp.”
Sem turned his frustration on Xander one final time,
checking the older boy’s shoulder before storming off on his errand.
checking the older boy’s shoulder before storming off on his errand.
Xander muttered his people’s vilest curse. “Thera emitte sherrad!”
“If Thera shares his bed, I know not whom to pity,” said
Azil. “It is a blessing that I came along, son of Altor; though none deny that
you are blessed. If not for your father, I doubt you’d enjoy life so well.”
Azil. “It is a blessing that I came along, son of Altor; though none deny that
you are blessed. If not for your father, I doubt you’d enjoy life so well.”
Xander inclined his head and spoke flatly. “Thank you for
praising my father’s vital role in the clan. I will pass your remarks on to
him. Perhaps your place in the market will be more favorable this year.”
Raising an eyebrow he asked, “Is that why you came to my lowly post?”
praising my father’s vital role in the clan. I will pass your remarks on to
him. Perhaps your place in the market will be more favorable this year.”
Raising an eyebrow he asked, “Is that why you came to my lowly post?”
“I have no need of a laggard child’s favor,” Barked Azil. “I
was sent to bring you to your father’s wagon. ‘Unharmed,’ he said,
as if afraid you would faint along the way!”
was sent to bring you to your father’s wagon. ‘Unharmed,’ he said,
as if afraid you would faint along the way!”
“He was probably more concerned about your ham-fisted
wrath,” Xander mocked.
wrath,” Xander mocked.
“Anyone else would have cause for concern. Now come, I have
more pressing work than playing swineherd.”
more pressing work than playing swineherd.”
Xander held his tongue and followed. Though he feigned
indifference, being called weak stung worse than his bruised head. It was true
that he lacked the raw strength and hardihood of his peers, but he had other
virtues—subtler, yet no less useful.
indifference, being called weak stung worse than his bruised head. It was true
that he lacked the raw strength and hardihood of his peers, but he had other
virtues—subtler, yet no less useful.
Even Xander didn’t fully understand his gift. It had been
bitter to receive, but he’d turned the ability to his advantage. Sem’s failed
attempt to skewer his eye was proof of that.
bitter to receive, but he’d turned the ability to his advantage. Sem’s failed
attempt to skewer his eye was proof of that.
Xander’s gift had other merits. Though only eighteen, he
enjoyed renown as the tribe’s most lucrative sportsman and gambler. Not even
the strange games played in distant towns could deny him victory. Darts, balls,
and dice alike seldom went astray.
enjoyed renown as the tribe’s most lucrative sportsman and gambler. Not even
the strange games played in distant towns could deny him victory. Darts, balls,
and dice alike seldom went astray.
Azil marched Xander to the back of the lead wagon. “I trust
you can find your way from here,” the driver said before moving on to the
front.
you can find your way from here,” the driver said before moving on to the
front.
Xander wondered why his father would summon him away from
guard duty. None of the possibilities were pleasant. Except…perhaps the
quartermaster would finally declare his son an adult. Xander yearned for a place in the clan, but
each year his rivals advanced while he remained behind.
guard duty. None of the possibilities were pleasant. Except…perhaps the
quartermaster would finally declare his son an adult. Xander yearned for a place in the clan, but
each year his rivals advanced while he remained behind.
Eldest custom required a Nesshin to demonstrate his worth as
a mark of adulthood. Custom also excluded gambling proceeds, but that was the
clan’s loss.
a mark of adulthood. Custom also excluded gambling proceeds, but that was the
clan’s loss.
He’s probably found me
a woman. Xander winced as past candidates sprang to mind.
a woman. Xander winced as past candidates sprang to mind.
Thank God he couldn’t be forced into marriage. Nesshin
courtship law bound the suitor to approach the prospective bride’s father.
After an exhaustive interview, the family patriarch would either give his
blessing or irrevocably veto the union.
courtship law bound the suitor to approach the prospective bride’s father.
After an exhaustive interview, the family patriarch would either give his
blessing or irrevocably veto the union.
However, tradition didn’t stop most grooms’ parents from
voicing their opinions—a right that Altor Sykes often exercised.
voicing their opinions—a right that Altor Sykes often exercised.
Very well, Xander
decided. I will hear my father out, nod
when appropriate, and ignore his advice.
decided. I will hear my father out, nod
when appropriate, and ignore his advice.
Glad to be free of Azil, but anxious over what awaited him
inside, Xander hopped onto the lumbering wagon. He stepped through the back
door as he had a thousand times. But somehow this time felt different.
inside, Xander hopped onto the lumbering wagon. He stepped through the back
door as he had a thousand times. But somehow this time felt different.
“You wish to see me, Father?” Xander
asked as he entered the quartermaster’s cramped chamber. Dry sterile air gave
way to the tang of spices, sawdust, and hot metal.
asked as he entered the quartermaster’s cramped chamber. Dry sterile air gave
way to the tang of spices, sawdust, and hot metal.
Altor sat cross-legged on a Thysian rug clutching a piece of
silvered glass and a file in his callused hands. Xander sat down before his
iron-haired sire without waiting for an invitation. Of all the Nesshin, he
alone had that privilege.
silvered glass and a file in his callused hands. Xander sat down before his
iron-haired sire without waiting for an invitation. Of all the Nesshin, he
alone had that privilege.
The quartermaster worked in silence.
Xander glanced around the room. A jumble of heirlooms adorned
the walls—relics of a vanished life. Most prominent were the mirrors,
resplendent in frames of exquisitely carved hardwood. They were his father’s
masterworks, testaments to a man who’d lost everything only to start again.
He’d learned the trade to support a family—a son, and for a time, a loving
bride.
the walls—relics of a vanished life. Most prominent were the mirrors,
resplendent in frames of exquisitely carved hardwood. They were his father’s
masterworks, testaments to a man who’d lost everything only to start again.
He’d learned the trade to support a family—a son, and for a time, a loving
bride.
For far too short a time.
At length, Altor set the silvered
pane aside. “Yes, I sent for you. I’m surprised Azil brought you so soon. I
didn’t expect you until after we made camp.”
pane aside. “Yes, I sent for you. I’m surprised Azil brought you so soon. I
didn’t expect you until after we made camp.”
“You are still busy with the
mirror,” Xander observed. “I’m sorry I interrupted you.”
mirror,” Xander observed. “I’m sorry I interrupted you.”
A smile made its way onto Altor’s
weathered face. “Interrupted? Not at all. There is never an end to work. There
is always time to speak with one’s son.”
weathered face. “Interrupted? Not at all. There is never an end to work. There
is always time to speak with one’s son.”
Xander studied the gleaming square
at his father’s feet. Only then did he notice fine traceries in the polished
surface: ethereal towers, birds, and people frozen in silver. Reflected
lamplight filled the mirror’s sky with flickering stars.
at his father’s feet. Only then did he notice fine traceries in the polished
surface: ethereal towers, birds, and people frozen in silver. Reflected
lamplight filled the mirror’s sky with flickering stars.
That must be the world
as it was before the Cataclysm, Xander thought. But never having seen
Mithgar before its fiery chastisement, he couldn’t be sure.
as it was before the Cataclysm, Xander thought. But never having seen
Mithgar before its fiery chastisement, he couldn’t be sure.
“You seem well suited to your new post,” Altor said.
“Guarding the caravan is a vital task—especially now, if rumors among the
trading camps have any substance.”
“Guarding the caravan is a vital task—especially now, if rumors among the
trading camps have any substance.”
Xander seethed. He’d endured more than his share of
humiliation already. “Why did you call me, Father? Was it to judge my worth as
a guard, or have you another heavy-handed plan to make me a proper Nesshin?
Should I betroth an obnoxious girl from a minor house desperate to win your
favor? I know I can trust you to make the right match. What about Galia, Azil’s
daughter? She has the perfect mix of frivolity and blind slavery to tradition!”
humiliation already. “Why did you call me, Father? Was it to judge my worth as
a guard, or have you another heavy-handed plan to make me a proper Nesshin?
Should I betroth an obnoxious girl from a minor house desperate to win your
favor? I know I can trust you to make the right match. What about Galia, Azil’s
daughter? She has the perfect mix of frivolity and blind slavery to tradition!”
Altor’s head sagged. “So,” he sighed, “a deluded old man,
enslaved by tradition and blind to his son’s wishes—is that how you see me,
Xander?”
enslaved by tradition and blind to his son’s wishes—is that how you see me,
Xander?”
“No.” Xander lowered his eyes as regret stirred inside him.
“But I often suspect you think me just a boy whose decisions must be made for
him.”
“But I often suspect you think me just a boy whose decisions must be made for
him.”
Altor chuckled halfheartedly. “What irony that you should
confess such feelings now, considering the offer I’ve chosen to make you.”
confess such feelings now, considering the offer I’ve chosen to make you.”
Taken aback, Xander weighed his father’s choice of words. “An
offer? Is there a reason you use business terms with me?”
offer? Is there a reason you use business terms with me?”
Altor nodded. “Business is precisely what I wish to discuss.”
He took up his tools with shaking hands. “You see, my skill is leaving me. This
piece will be my last. It’s my penance, perhaps—the price Zadok demands for
sparing me from his judgment. Nevertheless, I doubt that God would begrudge an
old man’s desire to pass on his life’s work. I would like to entrust my craft
to you, Xander. If you agree to learn, I will teach you to fashion mirrors as
the Highwater smith taught me.”
He took up his tools with shaking hands. “You see, my skill is leaving me. This
piece will be my last. It’s my penance, perhaps—the price Zadok demands for
sparing me from his judgment. Nevertheless, I doubt that God would begrudge an
old man’s desire to pass on his life’s work. I would like to entrust my craft
to you, Xander. If you agree to learn, I will teach you to fashion mirrors as
the Highwater smith taught me.”
Xander brooded in silence. At last he spoke. “I respect what
this offer means to you Father, but you know I cannot accept. I’m not like you.
I do not wish my future laid out for me. I want to find my own way; to build my
own life. Like you did.”
this offer means to you Father, but you know I cannot accept. I’m not like you.
I do not wish my future laid out for me. I want to find my own way; to build my
own life. Like you did.”
Altor shook his head. “I see. Somehow I knew your answer.”
“Then why did you ask?”
“As a mercy,” Altor said. “God made the land. Those whom he
calls may walk it unafraid. That is the Nesshin way, and it saved us when the
cities became tombs. Better to eke out a living in the wasteland than to die in
the old world’s shattered remains.
calls may walk it unafraid. That is the Nesshin way, and it saved us when the
cities became tombs. Better to eke out a living in the wasteland than to die in
the old world’s shattered remains.
“I know, my son, how you long for a place in the clan. But
you have always sought something nameless; intangible. That’s why our customs
chafe you so. It pains me to do this, but it is my duty as a father.”
you have always sought something nameless; intangible. That’s why our customs
chafe you so. It pains me to do this, but it is my duty as a father.”
“To do what?”
Altor swallowed; then looked at his son. “You cannot stay
with us, Xander. For your own sake, and for the love of God, you must leave the
Nesshin.”
with us, Xander. For your own sake, and for the love of God, you must leave the
Nesshin.”
Xander gaped. He’d expected criticism, rebuke, even
punishment, but not exile! The choice between banishment and an offer that his
father knew he could not take seemed monstrously unjust.
punishment, but not exile! The choice between banishment and an offer that his
father knew he could not take seemed monstrously unjust.
“We will reach Medvia in six days,” Altor said. “Once our
goods are sold, we’ll decamp for the harvest in Vale. You will remain. You’ll
get along with the townsfolk, unless they find out your secret.”
goods are sold, we’ll decamp for the harvest in Vale. You will remain. You’ll
get along with the townsfolk, unless they find out your secret.”
Xander stared wide-eyed at his father. The old man knew
about his hidden gift?
about his hidden gift?
Altor’s mouth curved in a sad smile. “You keep no secrets
from me, my son. Your mother called it God’s touch. This world is coming back
to life, but too late for me.” Moisture rimmed his eyes. “I hope and pray son,
that one day a woman will bless you with her love. Your mother gave me my most
precious gift before she left us.”
from me, my son. Your mother called it God’s touch. This world is coming back
to life, but too late for me.” Moisture rimmed his eyes. “I hope and pray son,
that one day a woman will bless you with her love. Your mother gave me my most
precious gift before she left us.”
Xander sat stunned, incredulous at what his father had said.
His mother’s death was an open wound that time had never healed.
His mother’s death was an open wound that time had never healed.
Tilting his grey head to peer at his son, Altor gave his
final advice. “I thought that God’s wrath had stripped me of love,” he said.
“Then He sent my Sarel, and we taught each other to survive. Don not grow cold,
my son. Perhaps you need no one else, but you may find someone who needs you.”
final advice. “I thought that God’s wrath had stripped me of love,” he said.
“Then He sent my Sarel, and we taught each other to survive. Don not grow cold,
my son. Perhaps you need no one else, but you may find someone who needs you.”
Xander had entered the lead wagon as a favored son. Now he
stumbled out as an exile. How dare he
invoke the memory of my mother? Would
he stoop so low to have the last word?
stumbled out as an exile. How dare he
invoke the memory of my mother? Would
he stoop so low to have the last word?
He didn’t realize that he’d strayed from the caravan’s
path until he heard the guards’ cries. Their voices became thin and strained as
if emanating from a great distance, but distorted and stretched like the call
of a rider on a speeding mount.
Xander strained to see what was going on, but all he could make out were the dim figures of the caravan guards, who gestured frantically at the sky. A deep hum pounded in his head as the world dimmed and went black. Then blazing white. Then black again.
path until he heard the guards’ cries. Their voices became thin and strained as
if emanating from a great distance, but distorted and stretched like the call
of a rider on a speeding mount.
Xander strained to see what was going on, but all he could make out were the dim figures of the caravan guards, who gestured frantically at the sky. A deep hum pounded in his head as the world dimmed and went black. Then blazing white. Then black again.
Big thanks to all my readers–especially the reviewers. I hope you enjoyed your first real glimpse at Souldancer. You’ve probably noticed that it’s not just a rehash of Nethereal, and I’m pleased to report that no one (except a few close confidantes who already knew my plans for Book II) has foreseen the direction I’m taking the story in. You won’t have to wait much longer to find out.
Saying that I put a lot of work into Souldancer is a huge understatement. I actually started it before Nethereal, and as of this writing I’m about 70% done with final revisions. In the meantime, if you haven’t read Book I yet, there’s no time like the present to start.
