{"id":5113,"date":"2026-01-04T01:07:41","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T01:07:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/the-dark-ability-01-the-dark-ability-holmberg-d-k\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T01:07:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T01:07:41","slug":"the-dark-ability-01-the-dark-ability-holmberg-d-k","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/the-dark-ability-01-the-dark-ability-holmberg-d-k\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dark Ability 01 – The Dark Ability – Holmberg, D K"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Book Preview<\/h3>\n
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Chapter 1<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n
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R<\/span><\/span>siran crouched<\/span> atop the rocky outcropping, looking down upon Elaeavn. Clouds swirled distantly above the city, and a wind he hadn\u2019t felt below pulled at his shirt. As usual, when he sat atop the flat-topped Krali Rock, he stared down at the Floating Palace, wondering what it would be like to live within the high white walls. At least here, standing atop Krali, he could pretend he was someone different, and not the son of a smith the Great Watcher had cursed.<\/p>\n

From here, the daylight was prolonged. Already down in the palace, pale blue lights glowed in a few windows, the soft light so different than anywhere else in the city. Elvraeth light. Around the rest of the city, simple candles flickered for light. Smoke drifted lazily from chimneys before catching the wind and rising high into the sky to join the clouds.<\/p>\n

Rsiran knew he should return to his parents\u2019 home, but he felt at peace high above Elaeavn. Once back in the city, the ever-present knot at the pit of his stomach would return, gnawing painfully. Unlike everyone else with a real ability, that knot would probably never leave.<\/p>\n

Another gust of wind blew across the rock, a mixture of smoke and the distant sea. The vague scent of lorcith from the mines in the north drifted with the wind, bitter and sharp and so familiar from years spent at the smith with his father.<\/p>\n

He sighed. Staying here would do nothing but further irritate his father. Closing his eyes, he Slid, stepping from atop the rock and back to his house in the middle of the city. The Slide took him to the alley outside the house, careful to conceal his return. Rsiran considered simply Sliding into his room, but that opened him to more questions than he wanted. As far as his father was concerned, his ability should never be used. Only those cursed by the Great Watcher had the ability to Slide, and\u2014as his father saw it\u2014it was an ability meant for little more than thieving and killing. That Rsiran knew of no others with his ability meant his father was probably right.<\/p>\n

His sister sat as if waiting for him as he opened the door. \u201cYou should not have returned,\u201d Alyse said.<\/p>\n

Rsiran let the door close silently behind him and looked over at his sister\u2019s oval face and deep green eyes, sleek black hair tied over her shoulder, and frowned. \u201cWhere else would I have gone?\u201d<\/p>\n

She shrugged. \u201cTonight will not be a good night for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He swallowed. Few nights were good for him anymore. Ever since their father had learned of his ability, Rsiran had feared returning, sneaking into the house as late as possible to avoid him. Better than sleeping in the street. \u201cIs he here?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked down the hall and nodded. \u201cA bottle deep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAle. You know the shop isn\u2019t doing well.\u201d<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t need to tell him that. As his father\u2019s apprentice, he saw how little work they had. Even the journeyman Thenis knew something was off.<\/p>\n

Rsiran sighed. It was bad enough when his father was angry with him about his ability. It was worse when he was drunk. That was how he\u2019d learned he was a Slider in the first place.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you not use it?\u201d Alyse asked.<\/p>\n

He glared at her. \u201cCan\u2019t all have your gifts.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pushed his mental barrier back into place. Years of living with her had trained him to be careful around Alyse. She was Sighted and a Reader. Almost as blessed as the Elvraeth themselves. But all in Elaeavn had learned to protect themselves from Readers, learning early in life how to build mental barriers.<\/p>\n

She returned his stare defiantly. Though he was taller and stronger, she did not fear him, using the two years she had on him to her advantage. \u201cI will not apologize for the fact that the Great Watcher gifted me with my abilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rsiran pushed past her. \u201cYou were doubly blessed while I was cursed,\u201d he muttered. \u201cAt least that\u2019s how they<\/i> view it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRsiran!\u201d she hissed.<\/p>\n

He took another step before stopping and turning back to her. Worry marked her face, twisting the corners of her eyes. One slender hand clutched the small necklace hanging from the lorcith chain their father had made, a Shaer gift given when her abilities had manifested, a gift so rare for any but the Elvraeth to possess. He would receive no such gift from his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you should\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShould what?\u201d he whispered. \u201cNot return? Stay out on the street? Give up my \u2019ship?\u201d<\/p>\n

To her credit, Alyse did not look away. \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

His heart dropped. Even Alyse abandoned him. \u201cWhere would I go?\u201d<\/p>\n

She shook her head but did not answer.<\/p>\n

Rsiran glared at her for another moment before turning away and sulking down the narrow hall toward his room. He could simply Slide into his room, but if his father discovered that he did that<\/i>, there would be no return. At least this way, he could pretend the ability did not exist.<\/p>\n

As he grabbed the handle to the door, he smelled his father\u2019s approach. The stink of ale weighed heavily in the air, burning at Rsiran\u2019s nostrils.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019S late,\u201d his father rumbled.<\/p>\n

Rsiran froze, uncertain if an assault would follow.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa get the shop cleaned?\u201d his father asked.<\/p>\n

He turned and faced his father. Nearly the same height but twice as wide, his father loomed over him. His eyes were reddened and his face ruddy. Soot still smeared his cheeks and clothes from the forge. The fumes from the ale mixed with the soot.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe shop is clean,\u201d Rsiran answered, straightening his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cTook ya that long, did it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rsiran blinked. Again, he considered Sliding away. That he would think such a thing only reinforced how badly his father treated him, but doing so would only make everything worse. He considered his next words carefully. \u201cI worked at the forge a bit,\u201d he admitted. His father would see the results of his work regardless.<\/p>\n

Reddened eyes narrowed. \u201cDid I say ya could work the forge?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rsiran took a steadying breath. If his father became unwilling to sponsor his apprenticeship, he truly would be lost. Working at the forge was the only thing he enjoyed. \u201cSir?\u201d<\/p>\n

His father stumbled, catching himself on the wall near Rsiran\u2019s head with a beefy hand. Rsiran flinched, unable to help himself. A dark look flittered across his father\u2019s pale green eyes, the mark of their people.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think you already know enough?\u201d he asked. \u201cThink yourself ready to be a journeyman?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m nearly of age, and I have apprenticed now for three years.\u201d<\/p>\n

His father pushed off from the wall with a grunt. He wobbled briefly as he stared at Rsiran. \u201cThree years and you think you can run my shop?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThree years and you can work my <\/i>forge?\u201d he said, raising his voice.<\/p>\n

His mother slipped into the hall, wearing a pale yellow robe and slippers. Her face was drawn, and her greying hair pulled severely over her head into a tight roll. Just once, he hoped she would intervene instead of simply watching. Her eyes flared deeper green as she Read his father. As drunk as he was, his barriers were likely down. Not for the first time, Rsiran wished he shared that <\/i>gift, as useless as it often was in Elaeavn.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou pay attention when I speak to you!\u201d his father shouted.<\/p>\n

Rsiran snapped his eyes back to his father. His heart hammered. Get away, back to his room, close the door, and let his father sleep off the ale. Tomorrow he could pretend none of this happened. \u201cFather?\u201d<\/p>\n

His father\u2019s mouth turned into a sneer. \u201cDo not call me \u2018Father.\u2019 Not while I hold your \u2019ship.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Rsiran said. He tried slipping back a step, but his heel hit the wall.<\/p>\n

His father leaned in, his breath hot and stinking of ale. \u201cDid you fire down the forge after you finished your \u2018work\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rsiran blinked, sudden panic freezing his mind. Had <\/i>he tampered the coals? Leaving the forge blazing could damage it, or worse, the shop.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so,\u201d he stammered.<\/p>\n

His father leaned back and shifted his weight. In an instant, he drew back and slapped Rsiran across the face with an open palm. The force sent him flying backward and slamming into the wall. \u201cYou think?\u201d he roared.<\/p>\n

Rsiran clutched his cheek. Heat burned across his face, and he leaned forward, steadying himself from falling. \u201cI will return to the shop and check,\u201d he managed to say.<\/p>\n

His father tottered backward and leaned against the opposite wall. \u201cYou will tell me if you failed to tamper the forge.\u201d The rage in his voice seemed to be fading, the effort of striking him stealing some of his anger.<\/p>\n

Rsiran stood and nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cRestock the coals while you are there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rsiran could only nod again.<\/p>\n

His mother would not meet his eyes as he turned. She stood with arms crossed over her chest, her jaw set tightly in a frown. As usual, she said nothing.<\/p>\n

Rsiran started toward the front of the house. Alyse stood near the door, her face less severe than their mother\u2019s but no more compassion lining it. \u201cI told you that you should not have returned,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

He looked down at her and shrugged. \u201cWhere else would I go?\u201d he asked again.<\/p>\n

As he grabbed the handle to the door, his father lumbered out of the hall. \u201cRsiran.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rsiran turned, hoping for an apology, a show of emotion, of something<\/i> that would tell him that he was useful. \u201cSir?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat were you forging?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rsiran noted the dangerous tone in his voice. \u201cIron,\u201d he lied. He did not dare mention that he used lorcith.<\/p>\n

His father sniffed. \u201cAnd what did you make?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rsiran blinked. \u201cSomething simple.\u201d<\/p>\n

His father snorted. \u201cSimple. Don\u2019t ya go tarnishing my shop with any dark creations.\u201d He coughed and bounced off another wall. \u201cAnother mistake, and I\u2019ll send you to the mines till you\u2019re better prepared for your \u2019ship.\u201d Without waiting for a response, his father turned and weaved back down the hall, his wide back slowly fading into the shadows.<\/p>\n

Rsiran stepped out the door and back onto the street. Half of him hoped his mother or sister would come after him; tell him his father was being unreasonable. But they would not. Alyse wouldn\u2019t risk angering either of them, and Rsiran could not seem to stop.<\/p>\n

Rain now fell from the grey sky. The air had a hint of salty sea spray mixed with the smells from the fishmongers wafting up from the docks. He considered Sliding to the shop but decided against it. Walking might clear his head, and the rain would cool the flame in his cheek where his father had struck him.<\/p>\n

Pulling his cloak tight around his neck, he started up the slanted street. Rainwater cascaded down carefully set stones, forming small pools in the wide flat areas between streets. Narrow drains filtered the water through hidden pipes, draining toward the sea far below. The earliest city engineers were artisans in how they designed the city, and from above, the effect appeared like a waterfall.<\/p>\n

Few others were out in the streets tonight, the rain keeping doors and shutters closed. Rsiran didn\u2019t mind the damp. His cloak kept him warm, and his boots kept his feet dry. After spending all day sweating in the heat of the forge, the rain felt refreshing. As he walked, his hand drifted to the solid metal blade he had forged earlier.<\/p>\n

It was made entirely of lorcith mined in the Ilphaesn Mountain to the north. Lorcith had long been coveted for its durability and hardness. Items forged out of the precious metal were highly valued in places like Asador or Yleran, great cities to the east and north, far past the Aisl Forest. Never weapons, though. The Elaeavn smiths would never create weapons out of lorcith; the ruling Elvraeth forbade such craftings, though Rsiran had not yet learned why. Another thing his apprenticeship had not yet taught him.<\/p>\n

Rsiran rubbed his finger along the blade, wincing as he felt the sharp edge that had taken hours to hone, hours when he was supposed to be organizing and cleaning his father\u2019s shop. His finger slid over the mark he had etched into the base. The chunk of lorcith had almost sung to him, demanding to be shaped into the slender blade.<\/p>\n

The rain tapered to little more than a steady mist as he neared the shop. All around were other stores, most closed for the evening. Another smithy was down the street, flickering light filtered through closed shutters. The steady muted clang of hammer on metal rang out.<\/p>\n

Not for the first time, he wished his father had apprenticed him with a different smith. Such an arrangement had been done before and would likely benefit them both. Instead, his father chose to torment him. Rather than teaching him to work the forge, his father forced him to clean the shop and keep the coals lit, telling him he would learn first by watching. Rarely, he was allowed to be striker, doing little more than swinging the heavy hammer. To him, those were the good days.<\/p>\n

Inside the shop, a soft glow radiated from the forge, heating the room. He hadn\u2019t tampered the coals as his father had asked. Rsiran\u2019s heart sank. He would have to tell his father. He hoped in the morning, the punishment would be less severe. He considered lying, but never knew how much the journeymen who worked in the shop shared with his father. Getting caught in a lie would be worse than admitting what he\u2019d neglected.<\/p>\n

Rsiran sighed and moved to the small lantern set atop one of the workbenches, without Sight, he saw little more than simple shadows in the darkness. He lit the lantern using the coals from the forge, and it bloomed to life.<\/p>\n

The shop was simply built out of stone like most of the buildings in Elaeavn. Tools hung on hooks along one wall. A bin beneath them held hunks of unshaped metal. His father\u2019s recent works stacked atop a long shelf along the opposite wall. Mostly lanterns, decorative platters, and utensils\u2014all items that sold well. He pulled the slender blade out of his pocket and set it next to work done by his father, spinning it on the table. A waste of lorcith. A forbidden forging. Much like his ability, one given by the Great Watcher to thieves and murderers, it was something he had to hide.<\/p>\n

Rsiran sighed. If he could change the ability given to him, he would. Something useful, like Sight or perhaps Listening. Anything but an ability he was compelled to hide.<\/p>\n

Returning to the forge, he began to tamp the coals but stopped. More than anything, he needed to clear his head before he returned. Maybe give his father enough time to fall asleep.<\/p>\n

The lorcith called to him, a strange and seductive call that he couldn\u2019t resist. Though he knew he shouldn\u2019t, he took an unshaped piece, fired up the forge, and began heating the metal. He would show his father he could smith items of value. Perhaps then, he would let him do more than simply sweep the floors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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