Free Island Shifters: Book 01 - An Oath of the Blood by Valerie Zambito

in the afternoon and uncomfortably humid when the Legion crested the hill of a deep river valley. The volatile island temperature, so cool in the mornings that frost on the ground was not uncommon, provided searing temperatures in the afternoons. In search of relief from the heat and the press of bodies, Beck rode a distance from the others and gazed out at the stunning vista below him. Gigantic sugar pines dotted the valley walls, and the floor was a profusion of grasses and wildflowers bending in a light wind through which white-throated magpies glided freely in search of an early meal. Serving as backdrop for it all as fresh and crisp as a new painting was the majestic Balor Mountains.
    Beck inhaled the hot mountain air and was pleased to discover it tinged with the smell of two of his favorite scents—jasmine and impending rain. The bouquet of the valley was invigorating to his tired muscles, the tranquility balm to his weary mind. In contrast to the coarse racket of the Legion with its creaking leather, snorting animals, and jangle of bridles, Mother Nature spoke to him in a lullaby and cradled him to her breast. Earth. The elemental power to which he was invariably linked, held power beyond measure, and he felt a thrill of excitement as he reached out with his magic to explore the terrain before him. As soon as he did, he felt an unexpected jolt surge through his mind, and he was mentally wrenched from his body. Panicking, he frantically tried to pull back, but was as helpless as an ensnared fish on a line as he realized that the spirit of the earth had responded to his casting and seized control of the link, directing him with express purpose. Forcing down his unease, he relaxed his mind and found himself soaring at breakneck speed on a cerebral journey through the earth.
    Weightless, he burrowed down into the rich soil of the valley floor and glimpsed seedlings ready to burst forth with new buds. Delving deep along the warren of roots from a black pine as they twisted and turned through the ground in complex designs, he paused to listen to three tender heartbeats from a mother fox and her two cubs as they slept snug and unaware in their underground den. Suddenly playful, he plunged out of the soil to scale the bark of a hickory tree and to survey the butterflies, birds, and honeybees as they flitted through the nut-laced branches. He then barked out a laugh in amusement as a normally sure-footed squirrel almost fell from its perch as it attempted to gnaw into the husk of a hickory nut.
    He then felt the earthen link begin to slacken but curious for more exploration, he raced back down into the ground.
    The life! Beyond simply plant life, a massive number of organisms from bacteria and earthworms to slugs and rodents teemed in the millions. And, he pored over it all, taking his time to appreciate an implication that was suddenly quite clear to him. As an earthshifter, he had always believed it was he who was master over the earth and had only to summon the oldest of the elemental powers to his trifling needs. How embarrassingly mistaken that notion was. He might have the power to summon, but the will to act was clearly the earth’s alone.
    It was a humbling experience.
    After what seemed like hours, but in reality must have been mere seconds, Beck felt the connection withdraw completely, and he pulled out of the magical excursion and back to his corporal surroundings. Feeling light-headed, he grabbed the pommel in front of him to steady his equilibrium, and Chasin immediately snorted his concern. He looked around hesitantly, but it was apparent that his journey had gone unnoticed by his fellow soldiers who were already making their way down into the valley.
    He rubbed the side of Chasin’s long, silky neck. “Easy, boy. Everything is fine,” he cooed to the horse, who responded to his ministrations.
    Halfhearted after such a remarkable foray, Beck rejoined the Legion and followed the procession into a small copse