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The Search

  By Susan Leigh Noble

  Copyright © 2012 by Susan Leigh Noble

  Cover design by Susan Leigh Noble

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or retransmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system -- except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the web -- without expressed written permission from Susan Leigh Noble.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination. Any resemblances to persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.

  This story follows Tosh - one of the main characters from The Elemental trilogy.

  It takes place almost fifteen years before Summoned.

  Chapter One

  The horse’s hooves thundered across the ground. Tosh dug his claws into the saddle as his back legs threatened to slip off. A firm hand pressed against his side, pulling him closer toward the young man behind him. Feeling safer, Tosh leaned out to see the terrain up ahead. He blinked his eyes in disbelief at what he saw.

  You can’t be serious.

  “We can make it,” Nolan said, speaking directly into his mind.

  Tosh looked up at him, but Nolan wasn’t looking at the ravine. He was looking over his shoulder at the three men on horseback chasing them. Tosh caught a glimpse of a hefty man with a red beard leaning forward, urging his mount to run faster. He clearly was gaining on them. Tosh looked at the ravine before them.

  It is too far for her to jump.

  “Ah come on, Tosh. She’ll do just fine.”

  Tosh sighed. Nolan rarely listened to any advice he gave him unless it coincided with something that Nolan already wanted to do. Knowing there was no way and no time to change the young man’s mind, Tosh curled up against him. He dug his claws deeper into the saddle and wrapped his tail protectively around his body. He felt Nolan lean forward as the mare’s hooves left the ground. He closed his eyes, counting the seconds until he felt the mare land on the other side. She stumbled slightly, and Tosh opened his eyes to see a small section of ground at the ravine’s edge fall.

  Nolan reined in the mare and turned to look back at the ravine and the approaching men. Tosh glanced up and saw the look of concentration on his face. Suddenly, the ground shook. The edge of the ravine crumbled. Rocks and dirt fell until the gorge was three feet wider than it had been moments earlier. The men pursuing them pulled their mounts to a halt at the edge of the gorge.

  “You won’t get away from us,” the redhead yelled.

  Nolan raised his hand and waved before urging the mare toward the forest. Tosh glanced back to see the men swearing as they eyed the ravine which now was clearly too wide for them to jump. As they entered the forest, Nolan slowed the mare to a walk.

  “That was amazing,” he said with a chuckle.

  You’re lucky the mare made it.

  “Oh, Tosh, you worry too much,” he said ruffling Tosh’s fur.

  Tosh turned to glare at him and then proceeded to lick the fur back into the correct direction. We wouldn’t have had to find out if she could make it if you just learn to control your temper.

  Tosh didn’t really expect Nolan ever to learn to do that. He had been trying to drill that lesson into him since he was a headstrong teenager but to no avail.

  “I know. I know. And stop using my Elemental power in front of others,” Nolan said with a sigh. “Why shouldn’t I use it?”

  I have never said you shouldn’t use it. You just need to decide when it is wise to do so.

  “So using it to defend myself isn’t wise?”

  Defending yourself is one thing. Picking fights is another. Tosh sighed. I guess this means we are moving again.

  “But first we have to go pick up our belongings.”

  They circled back toward the town. When they entered it an hour later, Tosh kept an eye out for the men, but the streets were nearly empty. No one paid them any attention as Nolan stopped before the boarding house where they had been staying. Tosh remained on the mare as Nolan ran upstairs to gather their things. Within minutes, the young man had returned, and they were on their way out of town.

  ***

  Two days later, they entered the town of Marlow. Tosh didn’t really pay attention to the town as they looked for an inn. It was simply a village like any other, and he doubted they would be there long enough to even consider it home. That was how it always had been since he had met Nolan.

  Six years ago, Nolan had been a teenager running from the town bully. He had barely missed stepping on Tosh as he tried to stay ahead of the older boy. Tosh had immediately felt the strong aura of power emitting from one of them and had run after the pair. He reached the clearing just in time to see Nolan use his Elemental power to hurl a rock at the bully, striking him in the head. Tosh had stared at the scrawny kid, awed by the amount of control he had over his power.

  After Nolan had gotten over the shock of a “cat” talking to him, he had explained to Tosh that he had discovered his unique ability when he was twelve. His father had been yelling at him when Nolan in anger had caused the ground to tremble. Even though he was awed by his new-found power, he had kept it hidden for the next four years. He only used it when he thought no one was around.

  That morning the town bully, Brock, happened to see him using his power over the ground to create furrows for planting his father’s crops. Brock had jumped the fence, screaming it was unnatural. In fear, Nolan had run away only to have Brock pursue him. The bully had knocked him to the ground. Without thinking, Nolan had hurled the rock at him. Upon hearing the story, Tosh had moved closer to the fallen boy and realized the rock had struck a fatal blow. Nolan clearly hadn’t meant to kill him. The news of Brock’s death had scared Nolan. They had been on the move ever since.

  “This place should do,” Nolan said stopping the mare in front of a rundown inn. “Let me see if they are willing to trade some labor for a few nights and meals here.”

  Tosh stayed on the mare’s back. He ignored the strange looks from the people passing by. He had to admit a cat traveling on a horse had to appear odd. He was just debating whether he should jump down and take a look around or keep waiting when Nolan reappeared.

  “We are in luck,” he said. “The man didn’t think I looked strong enough to do any repairs but what does he have to lose by hiring me but one night at his fine inn.” Nolan laughed as he grabbed his bag.

  We wouldn’t have to stay in places like this if you controlled yourself.

  “But then life would be boring.” Nolan lifted Tosh from the mare’s back and set him on the ground. “There is still enough daylight for us to take a look at the place and decide what needs repair first.”

  They entered a small room that could have been considered more of a closet than an entrance of an inn. Tosh looked around, wincing at the amount of work needed to be done to make this a desirable place to stay. The first two steps of the stairs were warped. The door to the back room was barely hanging on, and a thin layer of dust coated the desk and floor. The only light came from the grimy front window which was cracked and the frame bent. Tosh shuddered as leapt onto the desk. He glanced out the dirty window, freezing when he saw a familiar form. It was the redhead man who had been chasing them a few days ago.

  Nolan!

  He turned when Nolan didn’t answer and saw him deep in conversation with an older man.

  Nolan, quickly. Come here.

  “What?”

  Tosh looked out the window, but the man was already gone. I saw that redhead outside.

  “Here? Can’t be.” Nolan peered out the window. “You’re
mistaken.”

  Tosh noticed the owner of the inn staring at them.

  Nolan straightened up, turning toward the older man. “Let me put my horse in your stable, and I will start working.”

  The man nodded slowly, watching as Nolan left. Tosh slipped out the front door too. He stood for a few minutes looking up the street. He was sure it was the redhead who had chased them. He could still remember the man’s panic when Nolan had hurled rocks at him without using his hands. He called Nolan an abomination. His intent had been clear when he had come after him with a knife. Luckily, they escaped. Tosh sighed. Nolan wouldn’t always be so lucky. And even though Nolan might not believe the man was here Tosh intend to stay alert.

  ***

  As much as Tosh tried to persuade Nolan to stay inside the inn that evening, the young man just would not listen. He insisted on going to the tavern down the road. When Tosh saw the crowded tavern, he knew it would be hard to watch for the large man or his two friends. Nolan pushed his way through the crowd with Tosh right behind him. Suddenly, someone stepped in front of Tosh. He stopped abruptly, narrowly missing being stepped upon. When the stranger finally moved, Nolan had disappeared into the crowd.

  Feeling just a tremor of panic, Tosh hurried forward. He couldn’t see anything besides everyone’s legs. He needed a higher vantage point. He spied the bar area where several men sat sipping their mugs of ale. He leapt up landing next to a large man.

  “Hey, get off of there,” the man said gruffly as he swatted the back of his hand toward Tosh’s backside.

  Tosh dodged the man’s hand, nearly falling off the bar. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nolan as he struggled to regain his footing. He glanced at the man who had tried to hit him. It was the redhead who had been chasing them. The man looked at him. His eyes widened with recognition. Tosh supposed it wasn’t every day the man saw a cat riding upon a horse. That certainly wasn’t an image the man would forget easily. The man lunged toward him, but Tosh darted out of his reach and raced down the bar. He ignored the startled exclamations of the other patrons and glanced back just in time to see a metal tankard flying through the air straight at him. He ducked his head. It hit the wall, missing him by mere inches. He jumped off the bar and back into the sea of feet. He moved in the direction of Nolan and arrived in time to see the redhead reaching out to grab Nolan’s shoulder.

  Nolan, watch out!

  But Nolan didn’t have time to react as the large man spun him around. The man already had his arm pulled back. His fist connected with Nolan’s jaw, and Nolan stumbled backward into the table.

  Get up! We need to get out of here.

  Nolan scrambled to his feet. Disoriented, he shook his head.

  Get outside now!

  Nolan nodded and turned toward the door. Tosh bound forward, pausing as he neared the exit to make sure Nolan followed. But Nolan hadn’t moved. He stood rubbing his jaw. Tosh saw the redhead behind him. Before he could call out, he caught sight of the flash of metal as the knife blade swished through the air and plunged in Nolan’s back.

  No! Tosh cried as he dashed toward Nolan.

  The young man fell to his knees. Tosh was so intent on Nolan that he didn’t see the boot swinging toward him until an instant before it connected with his side. He flew through the air, smashing against the wall. He fell into a crumpled heap on the floor. Dazed, he raised his head in time to see two men grab Nolan under the arms and drag him toward the tavern’s back door. Tosh stumbled to his feet and crept along the wall. He stopped, crouching low to the ground, but no one was looking in his direction. All eyes were on the men dragging Nolan outside. Tosh heard a boot connect with Nolan’s face and heard him grunt.

  “We don’t need your kind, freak,” one of the men said as his foot met with Nolan’s stomach.

  Tosh bolted out the back door as the men reentered. The closing door just missed his tail. He hurried forward. Carefully, he approached Nolan, glad to see him moving slightly. At least, he was still alive. He circled him, taking in the knife wound to his back. Blood soaked his shirt. He moved closer, his whiskers tickling Nolan’s face.

  “Tosh?” he croaked. “Stop that.”

  I’ll go for help.

  “No,” he said, struggling to reach for Tosh. “I think it is too late for that.”

  Nolan…

  The young man coughed. His breath sounded raspy. He shook slightly. “I’m sorry, Tosh.”

  Tosh rubbed up against him, purring. He butted his head against Nolan’s fingers. They tighten around his head briefly and then became limp.

  Chapter Two

  Tosh lay beside Nolan’s body staring at the back door to the tavern. He had lain there all night. It hadn’t seemed right to leave Nolan just lying in the alley by himself. Tosh couldn’t believe he was gone. He should not have allowed Nolan to come to the tavern. He should have made Nolan stay at the inn. If he had done so, then he would be alive right now.

  The sound of footsteps coming toward him roused Tosh, and he slipped behind some boxes as two men came toward Nolan. He watched as they riffled through his pockets, pocketing the few coins Nolan had with him. Then they lifted him up and carried him out of the alley.

  Tosh sat in the alley for a while. Finally, he rose and began wandering the streets. He didn’t know where to go. As he neared the north end of town, he gazed at the road toward Talus. Without Nolan, there was no reason to stay in Marlow. With one final glance at the town, Tosh headed north. But as he walked, Tosh couldn’t seem to get Nolan out of his mind. They had been together for six adventurous years. Before that he had lived with an older woman for twelve. He had known her powers were not strong, but her son’s power had been. Unfortunately, the boy had not survived infancy, and the woman never had any other children. Tosh wondered what it would be like to find someone with such strong powers who was still young enough to mold. Nolan had been a head-strong teenager when they met. No amount of advice or guidance would have turned him into the savior the prophecy spoke of.

  Tosh sighed. Now he was back to “The Search” as he grandfather called it. It was time to find someone else who possessed at least a trace of Elemental power. Of course, those people were few considering those with the full power had died out over a thousand years ago. Tosh sighed. He wished he had known those Elementals. It would have been amazing to see them protect and care for the Land. Those Elementals had full control over the elements - fire, water, air, dirt and plants - which was something none of the Elementals of his time had. The present-day Elementals usually only possessed one power. Though he had heard others talk about those who could control two elements, he had never met one.

  But it was his duty, and that of his fellow STACs, to search for the one Elemental who was like the Elementals of old, one with control over all the elements, the one who might fulfill the prophecy. Tosh still recalled listening in awe as his grandfather described the meeting with Lars, the last full Elemental.

  He lay there, a sickened old man. His eyes were sunken in, and his skin was dry and wrinkled. By the time we reached him, those few of us that were near enough to come, he was almost gone. He spoke barely louder than a whisper, but I remember those words as if it was only yesterday.

  “The Land will be in danger. Whole areas will be laid to waste. It will become a desolate area unless you can find a way to stop it.” He broke off coughing, and the STACs held their breath until he continued. “But there is hope. I saw an Elemental with the strength and power to stop this destruction.”

  But how can that happen, one of the STACs interrupted. You are the last of your kind.

  Lars shook his head. “There will be another. You must search for those with traces of Elemental power. You must stay with them and guide them until you find the one who will save the Land. For the Land will need the Elementals again. Promise me you will do this.”

  The STACs and Elementals had long been friends so the STACs did not hesitate to do as Lars asked. Tosh was proud to know his
grandfather had been one of them. And every STAC born since then had been dedicated to the mission given to them by that dying Elemental. None of them doubted what Lars foretold would come to pass.

  But as Tosh walked, he felt a weariness about the whole business. The STACs had been at this for centuries, and they had never found anyone close to what the prophecy foretold. Tosh himself had guided dozens of people with traces of Elemental power. He could recall every one of them. They were all dead now. Just like Nolan.

  Tosh closed his eyes. He could see Nolan lying in the alley. He should have stopped him from going into the tavern. He should have made him stay at the inn. But even as Tosh thought it, he knew trying to stop Nolan would have been impossible. The young man was too stubborn and would never have hidden in his room when he desired an evening at the tavern. Tosh sighed. Maybe he wasn’t cut out for this.

  ***

  The next morning, Tosh’s feeling of melancholy still lingered. The whole search thing seemed hopeless. Not once since being given the task by Lars had any STAC ever found anyone with tremendous Elemental power. Maybe they would never find this Elemental, who would save the Land. Lars spoke of a danger to the Land. He described desolate areas, but none of that had come to pass either. Maybe Lars hadn’t foretold the future. Maybe he was just a senile old man, and the quest for The Elemental was nothing but a wasted effort.

  Tosh was so deep in thought he hadn’t realized the forest had gone silent. Suddenly, he stopped, his ears straining to hear any noise. A quiet forest was never a good sign. He slunk toward a hollow log. He crouched beside it as he glanced around. Then he heard the faint noise of a twig cracking. His ears perked up. He swung his head around, staring in the direction of the sound. At first, he saw nothing but the silent forest. Then from within the bush a few feet away, he saw yellow eyes staring at him. The tip of Tosh’s tail beat slowly on the ground. His muscles were bunched and ready for flight. He didn’t dare to take his eyes off the creature in the bush, but he knew he had to be the one to make the first move.