Toothbreaker, page 9
“Well, I see you two are still well,” Vartok said, approaching them.
“What’s happened?” Tamar questioned, looking around the empty tent.
“We met with the council of leaders.” Vartok said. “They’ve started a new government, a Republic, with a new capital. We should be able to return home with our brethren this evening.”
“What about those the Vexli has Changed? Where will they go?” Sage asked.
“The Vexli herself has volunteered to take care of them, and a few people will stay back as guards. I guess they’re turning part of the island of Khartome into a place for them.”
The Vexli? Sage thought. But I thought Melchizedek told me to take care of them...
“What about Sage? Did the Vexli decide what to do with him?” Tamar said.
Sage had completely forgotten about that. By all rights, he should be among the Changed as well.
Vartok shook his head.
“I didn’t ask her, and after her—incident—with King Toren, I didn’t think it polite to press her. I’ve taken Sage’s justice into my own hands.”
Sage gulped.
“What do you mean?” Tamar asked, expressing Sage’s own fears.
“Sage,” Vartok faced his friend. “For saving my life, the life of your Alpha, I hereby declare you free of any punishment conveyed on Toothbreakers. From this point on, you are a new Eritam. And, if you will have it, my Beta.”
Tamar gasped. “Can you believe it, Sage? You’re free—and you have a rank, just like you always wanted!”
Sage smiled. It was what he had wanted when he was young, but now his priorities had changed. He was no longer under the service of his own whims, but under a true Master.
“Vartok, as much as I would like to be your Beta, that isn’t my true calling,” Sage said. “Melchizedek told me I am to help the Changed; so, my place belongs with them.”
“I see.” Vartok’s eyes showed surprise, but also understanding. “If you change your mind, I am certain you would be a welcome addition to our pack.”
Tamar looked meaningfully at Vartok, who cleared his throat.
“I will see you later, Tamar—Sage.”
Vartok whistled for Scipio, who leaped up, despite his injury, and padded alongside his master. Tamar, Eponee, and Sage were soon alone.
“Sage, you can’t be serious!” Tamar began.
Sage avoided her glance. “I am. Melchizedek told me I was to lead the Changed. I don’t plan on disobeying him.”
“I understand, but...” Tamar crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re leaving—again.”
“I am,” Sage said, still not looking at her. “But this time, will you—”
“Yes?” Tamar interrupted.
Her green eyes stirred feelings in his heart that he tried to push away, but couldn’t.
“Will you stay with me?” he found himself asking.
Tamar paused a moment before answering, “I will.”
Sage tried to keep his face composed after her answer. After all, they were only friends, and he didn’t want to seem too eager for something more.
“I better go tell Vartok,” Tamar babbled. “He probably won’t be happy that I’m staying, but I’m an adult now, and he can’t tell me what to do! Oh, he’ll need to take a letter to Falor. I wish I was there to see my Apprentice’s face when he becomes a Master! I am sure he will be shocked.”
“Knowing Falor, he will probably start crying,” Sage teased.
“Oh, don’t say that!” Tamar replied.
They both laughed and then stood. Sage figured he needed to gather his clothes and wash up before he turned himself in to the Vexli. Eponee barked and nudged Sage’s hand. He petted the top of the wolf’s head and smiled.
Together, arm in arm, he and Tamar returned to the Eritam pack for the last time.
ETANIA SCANNED THE Changed that were now hers to oversee. Some of them eyed her defiantly. Others avoided her gaze, looking at their feet. They all appeared frightened—even if they were trying to hide it. After all, she had stripped away their powers and they were now prisoners of war.
She heard a noise to her right—a rustling of men and weapons. Etania looked over and saw Keyel and another guard wrestling with an Eritam man and woman.
“We want to join the Changed! Let us go!” the woman said.
They want to join the Changed? Etania thought. She walked over to the pair, who were now subdued and kneeling. They look familiar. Have I seen them somewhere before?
“I’m Etania Selali, Vexli and leader of the Changed,” she said. “What are your names?”
“I’m Sage, and this is my friend, Tamar.” He gestured to the woman beside him. “Tamar is a healer and I’m a Changed, just like them.”
“Why do you two want to join the Changed?” she questioned.
After all, Etania thought, who wants to be a prisoner?
“You don’t recognize me, do you?” Sage said. “I am one of the first you changed with your Neuma.”
Etania’s eyes narrowed, and recognition dawned on her. She gasped, looking over at Keyel.
“It can’t be!” Etania exclaimed. “You’re the Toothbreaker who escaped!”
“But I thought Vartok vowed to kill him,” Keyel said.
“It’s a long story,” Sage said, “But this is where I belong. I am that Toothbreaker, and I want to help people like me come to Melchizedek.”
“I do, too,” Tamar interjected. “I would like to tend to the Changed and save their lives, just like you saved Sage’s life, Keyel.”
Etania looked over at Keyel, whose mouth hung agape.
“I was with Vartok when you healed us,” Sage told Keyel.
“That was you?” Keyel ran his hand through his hair.
Etania tried to process everything they were saying.
“So, you want to serve the Changed—both of you?” Etania questioned.
Sage and Tamar met her gaze and nodded. How can I refuse such earnest pleas? She thought. Besides, Melchizedek’s Mark glowed, confirming that they could be trusted.
“Bring them to their feet,” Etania commanded. “They can join the others.”
The guards obeyed, and they released the pair, who drifted to where the other Changed stood. Keyel came up beside her and held her hand.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Keyel commented. “How Melchizedek works?”
“Yes,” Etania said. “He was weaving together our fates, and we didn’t even know it.”
“Then I am sure He brought them here for a reason,” Keyel said.
Etania nodded. He would be guiding them as they rebuilt Khartome and took care of the Changed, just as He always was.
Our gracious king, she thought and praised Melchizedek for all He had don.
Epilogue
Sage lifted one stone and placed it on top of another. Who knew that rebuilding Khartome would be such back-breaking labor? He thought. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Sage walked back to the pile of stones for another. The Changed chatted around him, and Sage heard laughter as one of them cracked a joke. He smiled. These were his people. There was no doubt about it. Now, if only I could become the leader that Melchizedek desires, he reflected.
He glanced over at Etania, who was speaking to the head architect and builder. Melchizedek, Etania is doing a fine job of helping us rebuild. Why did you call me to lead, if she is? As usual, Melchizedek simply replied, Wait and see. He sighed and leaned down to hoist another rock. As he placed the stone on top of the wall, he heard one of the Changed grumbling.
“Can you believe it?” the man said. “All we do is work, day in and day out.”
“Yeah.” Another Changed joined in his complaint. “We don’t even get paid!”
“Shush!” a woman censured. “We should be grateful. They could have killed us once we were transformed. Instead, we are prisoners.”
The men seemed silenced by her words, for which Sage was thankful. He didn’t want any of the Changed to start a riot and cause trouble. However, the woman’s comment about them being prisoners bothered Sage. Is that really true? He wondered.
“Get back to work!” one soldier said.
Sage glanced at him. He was one of the newer guards that Keyel had hired to oversee the Changed. He and the other guards held wooden clubs and shields, and they watched the Changed. Their presence must be why the Changed woman thought of them as prisoners, but Sage needed to confirm for himself. Once the work day concluded, the guards dismissed them to eat dinner and rest in their tents. Sage let Tamar know he was going to talk to Etania, and she volunteered to accompany him.
“I want to know, too,” she said. “I think I am the only one allowed to leave this area, and I want to find out why.”
The two Eritam had to wait for a while before they could see Etania. Even then, Sage noted, we are still under guard. Guards accompanied them to the meeting tent.When they entered, Sage noted his surroundings. Etania sat behind a desk piled with papers. Her loyal guard and beau, Keyel, stood behind her. Bags had formed underneath Etania’s eyes, and Sage could tell that even the stoic Keyel was worried about her. Still, Etania smiled at Sage and Tamar when they came inside.
“What can I do for my two volunteers?” she asked.
“I think the question may be, what can we do for you?” Sage found himself saying. He hadn’t meant to speak of this topic, but her haggard appearance changed some of his words. Perhaps this is Melchizedek’s way of helping me, he thought.
“You are very kind,” she replied, “but you have already done so much. Tamar has helped those who need medical attention, which gives Keyel more time to oversee the troublemaking Changed. And Sage, you work like a horse. You have more energy than all of us combined.”
“Thank you.” Sage scratched his chin. How can I bring up what I want to ask?
“Vexli Etania,” Tamar said. “You mentioned troublemakers?”
Sage’s head popped up. Are there more than the Changed who grumble? He thought.
“You don’t need to call me Vexli Etania.” Etania sighed. “There are many Changed who dislike their new status as hafif. They have been trying to gather people together to start a riot. Keyel has stopped their efforts so far, but...”
Maybe this is what Melchizedek will have me do, Sage thought.
“I can help!” he exclaimed. “Tell me their names, and I will talk to them. Maybe I can convince them to stop.”
Etania’s eyes brightened. “Really? That would be wonderful.”
Sage smiled, and Keyel’s face showed relief.
“The name of their ringleader is Scion, and his second-in-command is Aravik,” Keyel said. “If you can do anything to help us with him, we would greatly appreciate it.”
Aravik? Sage’s eyes widened. It can’t be the same Toothbreaker who used to be my second-in-command! I thought he died when I was attacked by Etania.
“Whatever you can do, we appreciate your help,” Etania echoed.
“I-I will try,” Sage agreed.
He turned to leave, but Tamar spoke up.
“Vexli Etania, is it true that Sage and the others are prisoners?” Tamar asked. Etania nodded glumly.
“Unfortunately, I can’t change their status. I barely convinced the council to keep them alive as prisoners.”
Sage’s brow furrowed. He understood why the council had made that decision, especially considering Scion and Aravik’s efforts to disrupt the peace they had. But how long can we remain prisoners? He thought. We deserve justice, but for how long will our sentence be carried out, especially for those who now follow Melchizedek?
He didn’t have an answer, and he doubted Etania did, either. They bid farewell to the Vexli and her guard, and Sage walked with Tamar back to camp in thoughtful silence. When they reached their separate tents, Tamar tapped Sage’s shoulder with her own.
“Don’t make such a face,” she said.
“I know, but hearing all of that...” Sage said.
“Melchizedek will take care of it.” Tamar smiled and looked up at the blackening sky. “He watches over us, just like the moon. Why else do we say, ‘May Melchizedek’s moon shine brightly on you?’”
Sage looked up as the moon crept into the darkening sky. It was a beautiful golden orb that seemed to make his Mark glow warmly on his skin.
“Yes,” he agreed. “With Melchizedek with us, who can be against us?”
Tamar leaned over and held his hand. He grinned, and they watched until the moon hung above them, a beacon of hope for their future.
Author’s Note
Dear Reader,
I never intended to write an entire book about Sage. He was meant to be a minor character in Etania’s Worth, but his arc and story ended up being much bigger than expected. I’m not usually one of those authors who says their characters speak to them, but Sage’s character definitely spoke to me in the sense that I had to write a story about him. So, in-between times of editing and rewriting, I wrote Toothbreaker.
Toothbreaker is my first story of redemption that explores the meaning of grace, unmerited favor. It was my first ever attempt at a redemption arc, and I hope that you find I’ve done it justice. Know that God loves you unconditionally, and he extends grace to you through the blood and sacrifice of his son, Jesus. His great love for you is something I hope you’ll take with you when you finish this book.
If you’ve enjoyed this story, would you consider leaving a review? Reviews help authors spread the word about their books organically and encourage other readers to pick it up.
This story is an in-between story, set chronologically during Etania’s Worth with tie-in’s to Etania’s Calling. If reading this story piqued your interest, please pick up those novels as well.
Thank you for reading and purchasing Toothbreaker!
Sincerely,
M.H. Elrich
Glossary
Characters
Kayne (CANE): one of the Alphas of the Eritam, in charge of Sage, Tamar and Vartok’s pack.
Sarai (SARE eye): one of the Alphas of the Eritam, in charge of Sage, Tamar and Vartok’s pack.
Tamar Prevost & Eponee (TAY-mar PRE-vohst and EPow-nee): sister of Vartok and Healer of Kayne and Sarai’s Pack; Eponee is her wolf companion. Green eyes, white hair.
Vartok Prevost & Scipio (VAR-tock PRE-vohst and SIP-ee-oh): brother to Tamar, Beta of Kayne and Sarai’s pack of the Eritam; Scipio is his wolf companion.
Sage Tada & Fang (SAGE TAW-duh and FANG): a former Toothbreaker, the second to be changed by Etania’s Neuma; Fang was his wolf companion. Gold eyes, white hair.
Jaira Tada (JYE-ruh TAW-duh): mother of Sage; Previous pack healer under Kayne and Sarai.
Falor & Leo (FEY-lore LEE-oh): apprentice to Tamar; Leo is his wolf companion.
King Toren and Queen Jazel (TORE-in and Juh-ZELL): the rulers of Southern Tamnarae. King Toren has brown hair and brown eyes. Jazel has blonde hair and blue eyes. Both are hafif.
Tuval & Blaze (TWO-vahl and BLEYZ): Gamma of Kayne and Sarai’s pack of the Eritam; Blaze is his wolf companion.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Lehrling (LAIR-ling)- one of twelve humans who were the original followers of Melchizedek, each gifted with a unique ability in addition to their natural Neuma.
Melchizedek (Mel-KIH-zuh-deck)- a fictional representation of God the Son, or Jesus. An adult male with brown hair and brown eyes.
Deo (DAY-oh)-a fictional representation of God the Father; not a physical person but embodied through Melchizedek.
Mark (Mark)-God’s invisible imprint on believers that is a fictional representation of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
Malstorm (MAL-storm)-a fictional representation of Satan, the enemy of God.
Neuma (NEW-mah)-God’s unique gift or talent given to each human being as a special ability or power only held by that race.
Skazic (SKAY-zik)-human or humans who pledge their allegiance to Malstorm in exchange for more powers than they are already blessed with. They are corrupt and hollow versions of their former selves.
Vexli (VEX-lee)-a human with the unique Neuma to disable Skazic, removing their abilities completely.
Toothbreaker (TOOTH-bray-ker)-a Skazic who was once an Eritam (see definition of Eritam below).
PEOPLE GROUPS
Hafif (Half-EEF)- human or humans without any visible Neuma; live mainly in Khartome and Nova
Leici (Lay-SEE)-human or humans with healing Neuma, characterized by pale skin, blonde hair, blue or green eyes. They are governed by a Lady, who is unique in the fact she and her descendents have brunette hair.
Eritam (EAR-uh-tam)-human or humans with the Neuma of taming wolves. They have pale skin, silver or white hair, yellow, green or brown eyes. They travel in packs governed by Alphas, the highest ranking member of the pack. Each pack member is ranked by strength and ability, starting with Alpha and going to Omega in order of the traditional Greek alphabet. They have a council of Alphas which meet and make decisions for them.
Naymatua (Nay-muh-TWO-uh)-human or humans with the Neuma of growing plants. They have dark skin, brown or black hair, and brown eyes. They are governed by Chiefs.
Ningyo (NING-yo)-human or humans with the Neuma of controlling water. They have tan skin, black hair, and blue or green eyes. They are governed by a male or female elected by the people.
Kinzoku (Kin-ZO-Koo)-human or humans with the Neuma of manipulating metal. They have pale skin with red or black hair. They are governed by a Vizeheir, a male lord.
Draconian(s) (Dray-KO-nee-un)-human or humans with the Neuma of controlling dragons. They have pale skin with bright blue, red, or green hair, that matches the color of their dragons. They have yellow eyes that look like a snake’s eyes. They are governed by a male and female lord and lady.
COUNTRIES AND CITIES
Southern Tamnarae (TAM-nuh-ray)-the area where Etania lives, the southern half of a large continent. Ruled by King Toren and Queen Jazel with a council of lords and ladies made up from the various people groups.
