Free Origins of the Never: A prequel to The Tales of the Neverwar series, with dragons, elves, and faeries. For Young Adults and Teens by CJ Rutherford, Colin Rutherford Page A

clearly struggling to contain his amusement. “We were so excited to tell our news to my father, our enthusiasm caused our clumsiness. Please, let us help you.” He bent to pick up some of the rolls of parchment skittering across the floor.
    Hallor returned their smiles, albeit with a suspicious look. “I have heard about this errand, my Lord, and I’m not sure your father would approve.” He couldn’t bring himself to disapprove, however, as the Citadel staff had held a wager on the boys’ success, and even though currency didn’t truly exist here, Hallor expected to receive several rare spells as a prize. “Now, why don’t you walk along to your quarters to calm down? I will clear up this mess.” With a twitch of his index finger, the scrolls lined up and flew into a tidy stack, which hovered above his hand. Olumé jerked his head at his friend, and Tenybris followed him as they ran off, giggling hysterically.
    Maker defend us when that boy comes to rule, Hallor thought, smiling. He and all the People loved the boys, but Hallor knew Tenybris. He was his cousin, and over the years Hallor had been the brunt of many of Tenybris’s jokes. He had experienced a dark side of Tenybris few others had, but he couldn’t fault the decision of the council to join him and Olumé as bond brothers.
    Olumé was the child of the King, and bearing in mind the rarity of births among the People, it was common knowledge a boy of lower birth would be chosen as his brother. Tenybris was an orphan. His father died during the dragon wars centuries earlier, and his mother had died tragically during childbirth. He was the perfect choice, so Hallor looked out the window, over the magical valley known as The Glade and sighed.
    The Citadel lay at the heart of the Land of Teralia, a continent that sat alone in a world of pure azure oceans. The planet was a jewel in the heavens, as the sun reflected off the waters, but it wasn’t anything as mundane as sunlight that made it shine.
    The Glade held the magic. In the mountains to the north of the Citadel lay the source, the spring of magical energy that infused this world; and through the Never, the void which linked all reality, it passed into the universe.
    The Never was much more than outer space. Space is simply that; space and distance between two points. The Never is the void between space, time and reality. It contains the multiple universes brought about by chance and happenstance.
    So, the magic spins its subtle web, linking all existence, but spilling from one point alone; The Glade.
    As he watched, the sunlight glinted off a huge golden form as it swooped to snare a beast from the vast plain below. The herds fled, but the winged being rose into the air, a struggling bison in its grasp. Hallor watched with elven sight, as the dragon twisted the beast’s neck, ending its suffering, before flying off to its perch on the mountains far to the west of the Citadel. He turned, grasping the scrolls and walked down the corridor.
    All is well, he thought, smiling.

 

    Teralia—Centuries Later
     
    Lynnaria was the most beautiful creature Tenybris had ever seen. He had been in love with her from their first moment together, all those years ago. Her long, pale, golden hair flowed down to her waist. It framed her fine features, holding a pair of crystal blue eyes which seemed to reflect his love, each and every time she looked at him.
    When she spoke, birds took his heart and lifted it above the clouds, toward the warmth of the sun. Tenybris would have done anything she desired, but he knew his love for her was pointless. He knew, as he stood here at the altar beside his best friend, watching the love of his life walk towards them. She was about to pledge her love and life to Olumé, and at this moment Tenybris’s emotions were a storm, roiling internally.
    It wasn't as if Lynnaria had shown any indication other than friendship towards him. She and Olumé fell in love at first glimpse; on the