KNAVISH STONES

KNAVISH STONES

Chapter 1 – Shadows of the Knavish Stones

The wind cut across the jagged rocks, carrying the scent of distant fire and scorched earth. Zade crouched low, muscles tense, eyes scanning the training ground where the Warriors of Light honed their deadly skills. Everyone called him weak, a boy too small to matter—but they didn’t know his mind was sharper than any blade. Tonight, cunning would be his only weapon.

He had slipped past his uncle Frederick’s watchful eyes, drawn to the echoes of battle drills. The Warriors, once guardians of a thriving galaxy, now hid on this wild planet, scarred by the Attens’ merciless invasion. Danger was everywhere—feral beasts prowled the forests, and shadowed figures lurked in every corner. Zade’s heart beat faster as he imagined the attacks that could come at any moment, testing the limits of even the strongest warriors.

Jolie moved through the training ground like a storm, precise and commanding. Every motion, every strike, carried authority and confidence. Zade had watched her for months from the shadows, fascination and fear twisting in equal measure. She was fearless, and yet, there was something more—a spark of compassion behind her sharp eyes.

The air smelled of sweat, metal, and the faint tang of blood. Zade’s fingers brushed the hilt of his small training dagger. He wasn’t ready for the battles the others fought, but observation could teach him more than brute force ever could. He focused on the rhythm of their movements, committing every detail to memory. Each strike, each block, each dodge was a lesson.

At the edge of the clearing, a darker shadow shifted. Chad, the strongest warrior under Zalem’s command, observed silently. Even standing still, his presence radiated strength and precision. Stories of Zalem’s cruelty had followed even to this remote refuge, and Chad’s loyalty made him just as dangerous. One misstep, one hesitation, could mean death—not just for him, but for anyone who crossed the wrong path.

Zade exhaled slowly and stepped forward, voice calm despite the thundering in his chest.

“I’m Zade,” he said.

Jolie’s eyes flicked to him, curiosity flashing before she returned to her drills. Still, that brief glance was enough to ignite something in him—a hope he had tried to suppress for too long.

Memories of his brother Jake pressed against him—how Jake had always supported him, guided him with wisdom, and pushed him to be better. Loyalty and encouragement were lessons not to be taken lightly. Zade remembered Jake’s stern words, his occasional laughter, and the rare moments of warmth. Jake’s presence, even from a distance, was a constant source of strength—a reminder that he was never truly alone.

The wind whispered secrets through the trees, carrying the distant howls of unseen beasts. Weak in body but brilliant in mind, Zade began calculating, planning. Every shadow, every movement, every whisper of the forest held meaning.

Suddenly, the ground shifted slightly beneath him—a loose rock, barely noticeable. His breath caught. Chad’s eyes narrowed, scanning the surroundings, every muscle poised for action. Zade froze, aware that one wrong step would be disastrous.

Minutes passed in tense silence, broken only by the clang of swords and the sharp commands of the Warriors. The moonlight stretched across the clearing, casting long, eerie shadows that danced like predators. Zade’s mind raced, turning observations into strategies, every glance a potential clue to survival.

He didn’t dare move again yet, not until he fully understood the terrain, the warriors, and the dangers that lurked beyond sight. Patience, he reminded himself, was as vital as skill.

The night deepened, the forest alive with distant sounds and hidden movements. Zade’s pulse had slowed, but his senses sharpened. Even in the shadows, he felt the pulse of the world around him—danger, opportunity, and the quiet promise of secrets waiting to be discovered.

He stayed there, crouched, watching, learning, and waiting, until the first hints of dawn painted the sky. The Warriors of Light moved like phantoms across the clearing, their dedication unwavering. And in the distance, Zade caught the faint glimmer of something he had only ever dreamed of—the Knavish Stones, their hidden power just out of reach.

The shadows deepened once more, and Zade pressed himself lower, mind alert, body tense. The night had taught him much, but the real test was yet to come.