My new book Golden Cord of Light was just released. Here is an Amazon review of it.
“Golden Cord of Light” takes readers on a thrilling space adventure where courage and destiny collide. The story combines elements of space battles, romance, and mysticism, offering a unique twist to the space opera genre. Heidi Skarie delivers an exciting novel. Whether you’re a fan of heroic protagonists or enjoy the blend of sci-fi and mysticism, this book is a must-read. Get ready to embark on an intergalactic journey filled with danger and excitement.
Here is an excerpt from the book.
1 Dogfight
City of Silver Light, Jaipar, planet Borko
A beeping noise caused Baymond to glance down at the instrument panel of his starfighter. Everette’s Tornado was bearing in on his tail, trying to lock on a missile. He grinned and soared upward, curving away from the Tornado before Everette was successful. The g-force pushed him into his seat and he tensed as his anti-gravity flight suit squeezed his legs to prevent a black-out.
“Candle, want to test the Liberator in a dogfight?” Everette said over the radio.
“You’re on, Hunter,” Baymond said into his helmet mike. He shot by Everette’s starfighter, then looped around and headed back. The Tornado was now too far away to see and he relied on his air combat instrumentation to locate it. On the screen, he spotted it over the ocean and flew in that direction.
Approaching rapidly, he tried to get a lock on the Tornado as his helmet sensors pressed against precise points on his head so he could control the weapons by thought. The Tornado shot off so fast, he couldn’t target it. Baymond soared after it, pleased with how quickly the Liberator could accelerate and how it handled at high speeds. The dot on his screen showed that Everette had reduced his speed and was returning to engage.
The mock dogfight continued as the two starfighters tore back and forth across the sky.
Baymond finally succeeded in locking onto Everette’s Tornado. Across the display came MOCK KILL. “Got ya!” he yelled.
“I’m dying!” Everette flew the Tornado into a nosedive. He pulled up at the last minute, climbing back into the air. “I’ve been reborn.”
Baymond chuckled. “Only to die again.” A flashing red light caught his attention. He glanced at his display. The words ENGINE OVERHEATING appeared. His laughter faded. “Hunter, I’m having trouble with my engines.” Baymond switched them off. “I’m going to let them cool off.”
“You’re dropping too fast!” Everette yelled. His ship was directly above Baymond’s. The ocean loomed up quickly in the viewport. Baymond switched on two of the four engines. He skimmed the surface of the ocean and rose into the sky.
The words ENGINE OVERHEATING appeared on the screen again.
Another voice crackled in Baymond’s ear. “Ground control to Candle. Gain altitude and eject.”
“I’m going to try to bring her in.”
“Negative. Eject Immediately. The engines could catch on fire and she could explode.” Ignoring orders, Baymond switched on the other two engines and switched off the two that
were overheating. His heart raced as he soared toward the airstrip. Warning lights flashed. The two remaining engines were dangerously hot.
I can’t die! I can’t do that to Fawn, he thought.
He turned off all the engines, dropped the landing gear, and glided in for a landing. The Liberator hit the concrete and rolled forward. One of the engines burst into flames. Baymond pulled a lever and discharged a fire extinguisher agent on the engine, then threw open the canopy top and leaped out. Adrenaline pumped through him as he sprinted away from the ship.
The wail of sirens pierced the air as two fire trucks sped over to the Liberator. Baymond glanced back and saw that they’d parked near the aircraft and were spraying the engine with foam.
Everette landed the Tornado a safe distance away, and Baymond ran toward it.
Everette jumped out of his ship and awaited his approach. “Frek, that was close,” Baymond said.
Everette pulled off his helmet. His blue eyes were wide, his face deathly pale, and his sweaty blond hair stuck out. “You all right?”
“Yeah.” He looked at his starship. The fire was completely out. “Guess the Liberator still needs some work.” His hands were shaking and he crossed his arms across his chest to hide them.
“Sorry I started a dogfight.”
“Better to find out something’s wrong with the Liberator now rather than in combat.” Everette’s eyebrows drew together. “We’re in trouble. The base commander is headed
over.”
Baymond swung around.
Commander Waylen stopped in front of him. His wide-cheeked face flushed red with
anger. “You were ordered to eject from your starfighter, Lieutenant Kimes. I don’t care who you’re married to or what your previous combat experience is, here you obey my commands.”
Baymond stiffened at the reference to his marriage. He’d never asked for special favors because he was married to Everette’s sister, the princess of Jaipar.
“What were you thinking?” the commander demanded. “Your starship could have blown up.”
“I’m used to starfighter combat in space where engines can’t catch fire and ejecting isn’t an option. You’ll die in space if you eject since you’re not wearing a spacesuit.”
“I don’t need you to tell me what happens in space. The fact is you weren’t in space. You were in Borko’s atmosphere and that should have been your biggest consideration.”
“I had only seconds to make a decision. I knew that if I climbed to the altitude needed to eject safely, I’m be putting more stress on the engines and increase the chances of them overheating. Whereas, if I cruised in, letting the engines cool, I’d increase my chances of survival and save the Liberator.”
“Why the hell were you dogfighting in the first place? Your orders were to test fly the Liberator, not engage in aerial combat,” Commander Waylen said. His face had returned to a normal shade.
“Aerial combat is where the tests really matter — since that’s what the Liberator was built for. The test proves the starship’s design needs more work. I’ll make out a full report.”
“This isn’t over. I want that report on my desk in an hour.”
“Yes, sir.”
The base commander looked at Everette. “Commander in Chief wants to see you. He’s in
his office.”
Everette winced. “Does Father know what happened?”
“Yes, and he’s furious with both of you.”
“I’ll take full responsibility for what happened,” Baymond said. “I’ll go with you,
Everette.”
“Thanks, but it’s best if I see him alone.”
Baymond didn’t want Everette to take the brunt of his father’s anger but didn’t disagree.
Undoubtedly, Prince Erling had things he wanted to discuss with his son that didn’t involve him. Baymond walked toward the palace with Everette. “When I was bringing in the Liberator, knowing there was a chance she could blow up, I thought of Fawn and how devastating it would
be for her if I was killed. And I thought about Bjur growing up without a dad.” He swallowed. “I
shouldn’t be taking such risks. When I was a fighter pilot defending Saroka, it was just me. It’s different now.”
“It was my fault. I started it.”
“I didn’t have to engage. I knew the aircraft was still being tested.”
Everette frowned thoughtfully. “It shouldn’t have been dangerous. I’ve read all the reports
on the Liberator. I don’t know what went wrong. At any rate, I’m glad you were able to bring her in safely.”
They’d reached the palace and the two friends bumped fists before going their separate ways.
***
Everette walked into Prince Erling’s office. His father was reading on his computer and
didn’t look up. “I’ll be with you in a moment.” He continued reading, and Everette walked over to the window and gazed out at the ocean.
After a few minutes, Prince Erling said, “Heard Baymond had trouble with the RA6 Liberator he was testing.”
Everette turned to face his father. “Yes, sir.”
Erling’s eyes narrowed at the ‘sir’. “Why were you two engaged in combat maneuvers?” “Baymond was test-flying the Liberator.”
“It wasn’t through being tested. Baymond should know better. I’m surprised he was so
irresponsible.”
Everette swallowed, not wanting to disappoint his father. “It was my fault. I challenged
him.”
“I have enough to worry about without you two acting like hot-headed kids.”
“I’m sorry, Father.”
Prince Erling leaned back in his chair. “Ever since Baymond killed Samrat Condor, the
galaxy has become even more unstable. Redon seized control of Condor’s empire and took the title Samrat, but he isn’t as powerful a sorcerer as Condor was and can’t replace him as a god. Raptor sorcerers are fighting amongst themselves for power and rebellions have broken out in many of the planets Condor conquered.
“Everette, someday you’ll be king. It’ll be your job to run the government, keep planet Borko united, and maintain alliances with other planets in the galaxy. You can’t afford to be reckless, or indulgent. Never do anything without thinking of possible consequences. Always look ahead. See things quicker than others and never let down your guard.”
Prince Erling sighed, showing the strain he lived under. “Enough of a lecture. The Resistance on planet Alandra gathered these reports.” He handed Everette a message crystal. “Read and analyze them, then tell me what you think Samrat Redon’s strategy will be. The local Resistance plans to overthrow General Shahim, the current tyrant of the planet. The Raptor space fleet hasn’t given Redon their full support and he can’t put down all the rebellions. I want the reports analyzed by tonight.”
“Tonight! You want me to read and analyze them by tonight?”
“Yes, time is short. I want your advice.” Erling tapped his fingers against the desk. “Moreover, I want to see what you can do. The Coalition has asked me to command an
aerial warship that will be part of a fleet defending Alandra. If I accept, I’ll leave you in command of the military here in Jaipar.”
“Commander Dragnox is much more experienced.”
“I realize you’re young to be in charge. General Dragnox will be your advisor, but you’ll
be in command. It’s your birthright and I know you can do a good job. You see things clearly and you have an outstanding sense of military strategy.
“I also want you to become more involved with ruling this country. Two of the governing council members will be retiring soon. I’ve put in a request that you and Baymond fulfill those positions.”
“It would be an honor to be on the council.”
“An honor, yes, but not an easy job. Many of the council members are old. Some are even from the Marsindi council when your grandparents were rulers. They can be difficult to work with. They’re set in their ways. I think a little young blood will be good. I’m always fighting them on some issue or another. You look at things closely and are aware of major events going on all over the galaxy. You’ll offer a fresh viewpoint.”
His attention returned to his computer. “You’d better get to work on those reports.”
Everette gazed at the message crystal, concerned about his father serving as a commander for an aerial warship. He’d thought his father was invincible when growing up. Even now he had an athletic build, boundless energy, and no gray in his fair hair. But he wasn’t invincible. He could be killed like any man and if he was, Everette would not only lose a father and friend but would at eighteen take on the leadership of Jaipar at his mother’s side.
Erling looked up. “One more thing. I almost forgot with everything else pressing for attention. I’m sure you remember me telling you that your mother and I made an agreement with King Artke and his wife Queen Haleh Farha of Encore that you and their daughter Princess Morisa would meet when she became of age. The intent was for you two to have a chance to get to know one another and decide if you’d want to marry someday to strengthen political ties between our countries.”
“Of course, I remember, I also made it clear that I won’t marry for political reasons.”
“I don’t want you to marry purely for political reasons, but Morisa would be a suitable bride, and an alliance between her country and ours would be valuable. Moreover, the Jaiparian governing council favors the match. Regardless, King Artke is coming here for a conference to discuss the defense of planet Borko and he’s bringing Princess Morisa along. She’s nearly seventeen.
“I want you to join the king and me for some of the meetings. He won’t stay long but Princess Morisa will remain here for the summer.”
“The whole summer? I won’t be forced into marriage like you tried to do to Fawn.”
“No one is forcing you to do anything. I just want you to get to know Princess Morisa. You might like her.” His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “You’re not in love with Lady Kristen, are you?”
“No, but-”
“I didn’t think so. She’s an attractive girl but cold and calculating.”
“That’s a little harsh.”
“Is she in love with you?”
Everette smiled, thinking of his second cousin. “With me or my future position?” Erling nodded. “She’d like to be the queen of Jaipar all right. Anyway, back to Princess
Morisa. She’s been living in a monastery and her father thought it would be good for her to be around other young people.”
“It’ll be awkward having her here. I plan to spend a lot of time with Kristen.”
“Morisa will be a companion for Fawn and Sumner will probably be happy to entertain her. They’re the same age.”
Everette doubted his siblings would want to entertain some foreign princess all summer, but he was more concerned about Kristen’s reaction. “Kristen won’t like her being here, and she can be difficult.”
“Tell Kristen you’re not interested in Morisa.”
Everette still felt his freedom being threatened. “I’d rather she didn’t come.” “Regardless of your personal feeling, I expect you to be courteous to her.”
Everette slipped the message crystal into his pocket. “I’d best get started reading these.” “You’re upset.”
“I don’t like being pushed around and I’m uneasy about some foreign princess coming
here for the summer. The whole country will be watching us and the news will put a spin on it.” His shoulders sagged and he sank onto a chair. “And I had an odd dream last night. A princess with violet eyes was in a dark cell surrounded by poisonous snakes. I walked through the snakes to carry her out and bring her to safety. But when I reached her, she didn’t want to come with me. I cared deeply for her and was upset that she wanted to stay in the cell. I knew she was in danger. The dream was so disturbing that I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t get back to sleep. I had no idea what the dream meant but now you tell me a princess is coming here.”
“The dream was given to you to tell you something about yourself. The snakes seem to be symbolic. What do snakes mean to you?”
“I don’t mind harmless snakes. But poisonous ones mean something dangerous or evil. What about the princess, could it be Morisa?”
“Maybe, her father has striking blue-violet eyes. I don’t know what color hers are. I’ve never seen a picture of her. You’ll have to contemplate the meaning of the dream. Regardless, don’t let it prejudice you against Morisa. In this time of unrest in the galaxy, we need strong ties with other countries on Jaipar.”
“I won’t be a political tool.”
“You’re only beginning to learn the price of being the future ruler of Jaipar.”
“I never asked to be the ruler.”
“Nor did I. Our wishes aren’t as important as the needs of our country, our planet, and the
Coalition. Never forget that.”
2 Princess Morisa
Temple of Anaya, Encore, planet Borko
In a small chapel at the Temple of Anaya, Morisa placed flowers on the altar and knelt. Her head hurt in anticipation of meeting with Head Priestess Siljana. She couldn’t think of anything she’d done wrong, but the priestess only met with aspirants on matters of great importance.
Morisa gazed reverently at the painting of Lady Mother Anaya hanging above the altar. In the portrait, the woman’s serene face looked as if she had transcended all human concerns. She wore a violet robe and golden light shimmered around her.
Morisa slipped her multi-faceted bonding crystal from the pocket of her white ceremonial robe. After glancing around the small room to be sure she was still alone, she began chanting Anaya and focusing on the crystal. Soon she felt her vibrations begin to shift and become finer.
Lady Mother, grant me a vision. What does my future hold? The crystal warmed in her hand, then an image of a young man began to form in her inner vision. He looked foreign and unfamiliar — therefore not to be trusted. His blond hair made him look washed out compared to her people who had black hair that glimmered with blue tones. His refined features made him look weak. Men of her race had large, eagle-shaped noses and prominent cheekbones.
Who is this man? No answer came. She sang Anaya and the room faded as she moved into a deep, altered state of consciousness. She surrendered her thoughts and emotions to the Lady Mother.
The door opened and Morisa jolted back into her body. Jovita, one of Siljana’s guards, walked into the room. “Head Priestess Siljana will see you now.”
Morisa stood, her knees and back feeling stiff from kneeling on the hard floor, then followed Jovita down the hallway. She wanted to ask why Siljana wanted to see her. But Jovita kept her own counsel, so Morisa remained silent.
Jovita knocked on the door to Siljana’s private chamber, then led her inside. Siljana sat on a cushion in the center of the room. Her white hair was worn in many small braids wound around her head. Her face was wrinkled with blue veins visible beneath her pale skin. She looked ancient, yet ageless. Her appearance didn’t reveal any sign of weakness, but rather she seemed to have grown in power as she’d aged. She wore a violet robe and a huge crystal hung around her neck.
Jovita took her place beside the other three guardians behind Siljana. The softly lit pink room had wispy clouds painted on the ceiling and jeweled flowers on the walls. As Morisa crept forward, the gauze veils rippled with her movement. She knelt and Siljana placed a hand on her head. Morisa’s crown chakra opened and reishe power flowed through her.
“Arise, my child, I see that you are troubled at being asked to come to see me. Please sit.” She motioned to the cushion across from her and Morisa obediently sat down. Siljana entered her mind and Morisa fought the urge to stop her as her head began to hurt.
After a short time, Siljana smiled in satisfaction as if finding what she sought and withdrew. “Good, it will be easier for you to accept your future since your gift has already given you a glimpse of what lies before you. The young man you saw in your vision is Prince Everette of Jaipar who will someday be crowned king. You’ll rule beside him.”
A flush of heat shot through Morisa and she shook her head. “No, I don’t ever want to leave the monastery. I want to be a priestess in the Holy Order. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“You’re the princess of Encore. You were given to my care when you were five because you have reishe power. My job was to train you to use your gift and to discover the extent of it,
but it was never intended that you should remain here. You’ve been purposely raised with no knowledge of the outside world. It was necessary to develop your gifts as quickly as possible. No outside distractions have been allowed that would disturb your focus on the Inner Worlds. Someday you’ll be a great priestess, but not here at the temple. Your destiny is to live in the world and be a ruler like your mother. Today you will leave the monastery with your parents.”
“I’m too young to marry and my training hasn’t been completed.”
“You’re old enough to marry, and your training will continue after you leave here. Your inner connection with the Lady Mother and your gift will ensure your continued unfoldment as long as you do your daily meditations. I know this seems harsh and sudden to you. I doubt you remember much of your life at the palace, but it’s time to fulfill your destiny. Your marriage will build a solid alliance between Encore and Jaipar. I’ll send Jovita with you to educate you further. She wasn’t born on our planet and understands the problems of the galaxy.”
A servant entered the room, carrying a tray with a teapot and cup on it. She set it on a table beside Morisa. From the teapot came the heavy aroma of hatari tea. The servant poured the deep red liquid into a cup and handed the steaming cup to Morisa. She broke into a sweat and looked uneasily at the Head Priestess.
“You must go to Jaipar of your own free will. Hatari tea will give you the inner experiences and understanding you need.”
“I . . . I’d rather not drink it.”
“Do not question my wisdom.” The head Priestess’s commanding gaze bored into Morisa. “Drink the tea.”
Morisa blew on the small cup to cool the tea, then tentatively took a drink. It burned her tongue. She blew on the tea again then drank another sip. Her perceptions became sharpened and the vibrant colors of Siljana’s aura grew more vivid. Siljana took off her crystal and held it out. “Look into the crystal. What do you see?”
At first, Morisa only saw the facets of the crystal, then the outer world faded and inwardly she saw a man and woman talking in the Temple of Anaya soon after it was built. She knew the man and woman were the Firstpeople by their violet eyes and black hair with blue hues.
They walked into the inner chamber and the woman sat in the center where reishe power was the greatest. It began to flow into her. Morisa became the woman and she felt the energy changing and purifying her. The woman let the flow increase even as it became painful. It began to tear her apart inside as it cleansed her. The woman in the vision screamed and fainted.
Morisa slid out of the woman’s body and watched as the man carried her from the temple. He brought her to the garden courtyard. His face was etched with concern as he placed her on the ground in the sunlight and began to pray to the Lady Mother. Feeling something familiar about him, Morisa tuned into him. His vibrations and energy were the same as the blond youth she’d seen in her earlier meditation.
The vision faded and Morisa awoke to find herself laying on the floor beside the small table. Siljana was watching her. “What did you see?”
“A past life. Prince Everette and I both came to Borko from another planet. We were Firstpeople and studied at the temple soon after it was built.”
Siljana nodded, looking satisfied. “Good. Now you understand that the prince is part of your past and your destiny in this life. You will meet him tomorrow.”
Morisa felt as if she had no will of her own and hadn’t even the strength to sit up. “I’ll do whatever you wish.”
“You will bind him to you using whatever method needed, including using reishe power.”
Morisa used the edge of the low table to pull herself into a sitting position. “He has a right to decide his future. He was one of the Firstpeople and he was my friend in that life. I won’t betray him.” Morisa began to tremble. She’d never crossed the Head Priestess before.
Siljana appeared unruffled as she handed Morisa the cup with the remaining tea. “You need to see the rest of the vision.”
“No more. Please, I don’t feel well as it is.”
Siljana’s eyes narrowed. “Do as you’re ordered.”
“I can have visions without it. I don’t need hatari tea to see in the crystal.”
“You don’t see well enough or you would do what is needed without questioning me.” Morisa squeezed her hands into fists. “I don’t want to spend my life in Jaipar married to a
man I don’t even know. I want to live in purity at the Temple of Anaya. I can’t help him rule. I know nothing about politics and anyway, his parents are still in power.”
“You don’t have to know anything about politics. Just listen to the guidance of the Lady Mother. As for Prince Everette, he will be king sooner than expected.”
“I’m ignorant of what’s happening in the galaxy. I need more time. The prince will think I’m stupid.”
“He’s been raised to follow the Secret Teachings. He thinks men are equal to women. He doesn’t know we hold all the power. He won’t think it’s unusual that you know nothing about politics. He’s been told you’ve spent your life here at the Temple of Anaya away from the world. You’ll convert him and his people to Anayaism and teach him about the Lady Mother. He’s forgotten her over these many lifetimes. You’ll reawaken him. You owe him much for how he helped you in other lives. Drink the tea and your resistance and uncertainty will leave you.”
A tremor went through Morisa. Too much hatari tea could kill her. “I am afraid to take more.”
“Did you learn nothing in all your years here?” Siljana said harshly. “Haven’t you learned to go beyond your fears? Overcoming fear was your first lesson here. You’ve been trained to be a guardian and have skills in gawran. If you allow fear to rule you, you will lose the battle before it has begun. Use your gifts — don’t be afraid of them.”
“I don’t feel inwardly guided to drink more hatari. Perhaps the first vision was enough for now.”
“You’re not ready yet to go to Jaipar to do what is needed. Either drink the hatari or I will be forced to use mind powers to control you!”
Horrified, Morisa obediently drank the remainder of the tea. Her head began to spin and she fought to neutralize the effects of the tea with reishe power. Her vision blurred and she collapsed onto the floor.
Nearby she heard Jovita say, “You shouldn’t have let her drink it all.”
“It was necessary,” Siljana replied. “She’s worthless to us unless she accepts Anaya’s will.” Their voices faded and Morisa’s spirit returned to her previous vision. The man was
weeping over the lifeless body of the woman he’d carried from the Temple. She’d allowed reishe power to burn her inwardly in an attempt to become purified.
The man laid his hand on the woman’s forehead and closed his eyes, going into a meditative trance. Light flowed into him and through his hand into the woman’s head and body, healing it. He sat that way for a long time.
Finally, the woman’s soul reentered her body and Morisa found herself one with the woman again.
“What you did is forbidden,” she said softly, looking up at him from where she lay.
“There are too few of us left to let you die.”
“You didn’t do it for the good of the Firstpeople, but for yourself. You’ve allowed lower passions to rule you. You love me as a man does a woman.”
He swallowed. The truth was in the air between them. “I love only the Lady Mother,” he replied, his voice edged with pain.
“You want to join with me.”
“I will join with you only to carry on our race and only at the joining rite when the Head Priestess commands it.”
“Beyond this world is bliss, light and love. I’ve looked death in the face and returned. It holds no fear for me now. I’ll join with you at the ceremony even knowing how you feel about me. I owe you my life.”
Before he could reply other priests and priestesses entered the courtyard. “We felt reishe power,” a priestess said. “What happened?”
“I went through the rite of purification,” the woman replied weakly as the man helped her sit up.
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