Sword and Sorcery of Avondale

by Kai Kazi

  “If you think it will help,” he drawled.

  The other two kings looked grave.

  “I do,” Ridgehand told him.

  The Vlad smiled.

  “Then it shall be as you wish it,” he said generously.

  When they left the room Avondale gripped Aidens hand, he was worried,

  “What’s wrong, love?”

  “My love, there is something not quite right with what the Vlad says. I would stake my life on it.” He said eventually, looking over his shoulder,

  “Aiden, I know he is… rough, and a little severe, but he has been nothing but proper to us. He was very gracious at our wedding, his gift was most generous.” She said, but her knee burned where he had touched her. Aiden looked concerned, and bit his lip. Just then, the Vlad exited the chamber and smiled almost serenely at her before bowing,

  “Princess,” He said, voice warm and almost honeyed, “it was a veritable pleasure to see you again. As it always is. Marriage suits you.”

  “Thank you, my lord.” She said quietly and bowed her head,

  “I will see you soon, I hope.” He said, “I was sorry to leave before the end of the ceremony.”

  “Don’t trouble yourself for it,” she said, “and I must thank you for the gift you sent.”

  “Yes,” Aiden said, “the horses were wonderful.” The Vlad nodded,

  “And the necklace?” He said, and Avondale blushed. She had forgotten to show Aiden,

  “The Vlad sent me a necklace for our wedding day, love, I forgot to show you it.” She said to him before turning to Drakho again, “It’s lovely, my lord, I have it with me, I believe.” Galadriel had packed all her jewels no matter where they went.

  “It was my pleasure,” he replied with a broad smile. “I had one of the maidens in the castle select it themselves.” He bowed slightly. “I look forward to seeing you wear it.” Gracefully, he turned, knowing that Aiden glared at his retreating back, his features flushing.

  She took Aiden by the arm, trying to jostle him out of his bad mood.

  “My love, a wonderful dinner awaits us,” she told him gently. She also smiled.

  “We are to dine with Master Greendale and Fiona this evening.”

  Aiden glanced down at her, then back at where the Vlad had stood moments earlier.

  “I only hope that you are right about him,” he muttered before escorting her back to their quarters. “I am sure he had designs on your hand.”

  “And what if he did,” she said, “I wanted you, I chose you. He never had a chance, and he never will.” Aiden smirked and pulled her close,

  “I suppose you are right.” He muttered into her hair and kissed her cheek as they moved towards the stables.

  CHAPTER XII

  The sumptuous aromas of ham, pheasant, potatoes and an assortment of vegetables surrounded the guests at the Greendale villa. Aiden tipped a goblet of ale to his lips and inhaled the scent of the fine golden ale. Master Greendale and Fiona seemed to share the secretive smiles of newlyweds, though Avondale knew that they had been married a very long while. In fact, she could not recall a time when Master Greendale and Fiona weren’t together, so connected were they. Avondale suspected there was something else afoot, though. She was seeing a side to her Master Greendale that she had never seen before, and it was wonderful. He seemed almost excited, and she wondered why. However, seeing the gentle swell of Fiona’s belly and the way she lovingly but unconsciously stroked it, she had a strong suspicion as to why the couple was so tender with each other.

  Avondale’s suspicions were confirmed when Master Greendale nervously cleared his throat and said, “Fiona and I have delightful news.” Avondale could not take the suspense any longer and jumped up happily.

  “You are going to have a baby!” She squealed, Fiona giggled at Master Greendale’s stunned expression.

  “I told you, Jon, that she would know right away. She is far too clever to be fooled, even at this early stage of the pregnancy.” Fiona said, winking at Avondale. Master Greendale stood just in time to receive Avondale’s hug. Avondale shot up from her seat and threw herself into her former guardian’s arms, laughing as she said,

  “You will make such a wonderful father.” She cupped his face in her hands. “If this child enjoys even half of the experiences I did under your guardianship, it will be extremely fortunate.” He flushed at the compliment, then quickly changed the topic to Avondale and how her life is different now that she is part of the Archibald royal family. She sighed.

  “I am still trying to determine the full nature of my royal responsibilities,” she shared. “I continue to be frustrated because I am very unsure as to what, exactly, I am expected to do.” Aiden laid a reassuring hand on hers.

  “All will fall into place, love,” he promised her. “You are well loved by the citizens and by my own family; as you spend more time in the kingdom, your responsibilities will become quite clear.” Avondale snorted, clearly dissatisfied with that answer. Master Greendale laughed.

  “There is your warning, Master Aiden,” Greendale said, his eyes twinkling. “Your new bride is quite a feisty woman and does not take kindly to waiting to see what shall happen.” Avondale looked as though she was going to protest, but Master Greendale quickly changed the conversation to Aiden.

  “And you, Master Aiden; what is your role?”

  Aiden cleared his throat. “My only duty at this moment, Master Greendale, is to keep my wife happy and safe from harm.” Master Greendale arched an eyebrow.

  “Indeed? Well, then let us retire to the garden where you can show me your skill with a blade.”

  As Master Greendale led Aiden outside, his hand gently guiding him to the garden, Aiden cast a backward glance at Avondale, who was trying very hard not to laugh at her husband’s discomfiture. Instead, she turned her attention to Fiona.

  “How is he really handling retirement, Fiona?” She asked. Fiona sighed.

  “He is not,” she said decisively. “He continues to work without rest throughout the villa, and refuses to relax for even an instant. He swears that practicing with a sword gives him the relaxation he needs, but this is most certainly not how I envisioned his retirement, particularly since we are expecting a child now.” Avondale nodded, understanding. To say that Master Greendale was driven was a significant understatement. She was certain, from the time she was old enough to understand, that Master Greendale could operate with very little sleep; how could he otherwise get so much done on any given day? He was also Avondale’s top security advisor and offered King Ridgehand a great deal of guidance when looking at potential security threats throughout the kingdom.

  She leaned towards Fiona, patting her hand.

  “It will be all right,” she assured her. “Master Greendale has never learned to relax because he has always been so occupied with my upbringing and with security concerns throughout the kingdom. Give him time.” She smiled. “He will relax once your child arrives, and he will take such great pleasure in that, you will wonder at what life was like before the child arrived.”

  Fiona’s face took on a far-off look.

  “I can only hope that you are right,” she murmured.

  CHAPTER XIII

  Drakho entered the ritual room, for that was what it was now, first, his men falling behind. He could almost taste their fear, which meant that Shaitani definitely could. She probably knew before they knew themselves. She was sitting quietly in front of the statue, muttering under her breath. When he cleared his throat she jerked as if slapped and turned to him,

  “My king, I have news,” Shaitani told him, her voice trembling slightly. It was clear that her last trance was deeply concerning. He waved his hand dismissively.

  “What is it?” he demanded tiredly. “I am far too – ”

  “I have had a vision of several kingdoms joining forces against you, my king.” She said, face pale and haunted. Her plans were irrevocably entwined with him now. She wouldn’t go even if he told her to... Drakho chuc
kled.

  “There is nothing to be concerned about, Shaitani,” he rumbled, quickly outlining the meeting that he just had in the kingdom of Avondale. “Avondale and Archibald suspect nothing.” He gazed at her, a glimmer of hope in his clear eyes. “Is the new princess settling in well?”

  “Well enough.” Shaitani said,

  “I have a wonder.” He said, “if the princesses must be pure…” he said, “Avondale is married.” Shaitani laughed,

  “They can fuck who they wish, my lord, they must be innocent. They must have committed no sins. No murder, no fornication with animals, no thefts or blasphemous rituals. Sex is not a sin, my king. Not to the people we pray to.”

  “Truly?” He smirked and rubbed his chin, “The men will be pleased to know that.” He chuckled,

  “They must be capable of participating.” She snapped, and he shrugged,

  “I will have a welcome present for the princess Avondale, at least.” He said with a grin.

  “There is a way,” she said huskily. “In which you can ensure victory… we could wake the red Dragon.” He stared at her for a long instant,

  “What would this accomplish?” He said,

  “An edge in battle,” she purred, “and the ability to baptize as many of your men as you need…”

  “And army of Changed.” He said quietly, nodding, “How many souls,” he asked, “to change all of the Royal Guard and the Black Battalion?”

  “Twenty-five thousand souls.” She said, “Since there are not enough holy children in the kingdoms we must take what we can get. Unsanctified blood, corrupted blood can be used… but the change is less pure. The results will lack the ability to conceal their nature.” The battalions of Avondale and Archibald were on full watch, now, ready for battle. They would succumb in the end, but perhaps not in a night.

  “Everglade.” He murmured. The tiny island state would be unaware and unsuspecting, and though they were small they were well –populated. “What if I could have more? More souls for you?” He said, and she shrugged. More Changed, he realized. Drakho nodded, and leaned down to kiss her before his mind could catch the actions. She accepted it without surprise. For a moment panic took hold of Drakho as he remembered the words of Queen Karina.

  “Serj,” he called hoarsely, “gather the Changed. We’re going to Everglade.”

  “What for, my lord?” Serj asked with a quizzical frown,

  “Twenty-five thousand souls.” Drakho said, “And an army of Changed.” Serj saluted and turned on his heel.

  “How will the blood be brought here?” He asked, but Shiatani shook her head,

  “When the Dragon awakes, my lord, he will know what to do.” She said and turned away from him, wiping the remnants of the last ritual clean from the floor as she started to place candles, “Don’t worry your pretty head about that.”

  ***

  The nights drew in as the Vlad and his men made the three day journey, becoming dark and watchful. The world was changing, and he was the cause. Drakho grinned in the inky dark as they boarded the boats, clutching the ring she had given him,

  “It must drink the first spilled blood. Tell your men this.” She had said urgently, “Or the Dragon will not find his way. After that they may be about their business.”

  Twenty-five thousand souls to sustain the Dragon beyond daybreak and render it capable of changing his men. It’s lifeblood depended on the blood spilled; more souls, more Changed, and the longer the dragon could be awake.

  The equation was stunningly simple, Drakho though, and somehow utterly horrific to the only part of him that doubted her. Was he to empty all the kingdoms before ruling them? And if that was the price, was it too high? He watched the flamed lick the pitch black night and heard, in the distance, the rumble of a colossal creature awakening.

  Hundreds of miles away in the warm, wet depths of Castle Bledd Shaitani was rocking gently back and forth, eyes rolling with the effort of calling her prince forth too soon. He would not thank her for the work, but their goal could not be denied.

  In the bowels of the earth a great golden eye opened and leathery wings spread wide. The red dragon took to his skies after a millennia of sleep and glided towards the kingdom of Everglade as death on silent winds.

  CHAPTER XIV

  Fiona touched her swelling belly with careful, trembling fingers. Jon worked from dawn till dusk every day, leaving her to deal with the aches, the changes, the stretch marks, and the mood swings almost alone. She crossed her arms and watched as he toiled on the crib for the baby. It was months early, but he had done everything else in the house. Things she had been asking him to do for years had been done in a matter of weeks. She drew in a breath, feeling it fizz tightly in her throat before she let it out in a heavy sigh.

  “Jon, you need to stop.” She said, placing his lunch beside him with as much care as she could.

  He swiped an arm over his sweat-soaked brow and smiled at her.

  “Stop what, love?” He asked, and she folded her arms, biting down on the frustration.

  “You have been working endlessly since Avondale turned eighteen.” She said. “It’s as though you cannot stand the thought of relaxing with me.” He looked at her, stunned.

  “Truly, love, that is not the case.” He said and leaned over to caress her face. She flushed with love and want; pregnancy had brought forth strange moods and yearning in all circumstances.

  “I know,” she told him, but she wasn’t so sure, “but you have continued to work at least 16 hours a day or more. There is far more to life than work.” Jon sighed and rubbed the edge of the crib with his calloused, careworn hand,

  “You are right,” he said eventually, “I fare poorly without routine, but I should be savoring this time alone with you before the child…” he rubbed his chin, “when I am done the crib, I will stop working. I promise.” He said,

  “It looks done already,” she said,

  “I am carving some designs in it,” he said, “but it is sound, yes. If the child came tomorrow they could hope for no better bed.” She stepped into his waiting embrace, leaning against his strong, muscled chest.

  “I just want to spend time with you before the baby comes,” she murmured. “I want to take the time to relax and simply be with you.”

  ***

  Ridgehand stared at the map of Europia laid out in front of him; demons, even small numbers would not simply disappear. They must have passed through the lands of Brookshire, Archibald, or Bledd to leave the continent. It was unlikely they would have passed through his own lands, cut off as they were from the sea. The great forests on the border with Bledd, however, were dense and ancient enough to hide such a host. If they had not left the continent they may well be there. The doors flew open, and his heart sank before ever the messenger opened his mouth,

  “Sire,” he gasped, “a distress call has come from the kingdom of Everglade. They have lit their beacons, I come from the village of Gaulway on the coast.”

  “Peace, boy.” Ridgehand said wearily, “You have done your duty. Get yourself something hot to eat and have the serving girls draw you a bath. Rest.” The messenger nodded and stumbled wearily from the room,

  “Call the Royal guard, and send them to Everglade with any detachments ready to move.” Ridgehand said, “Tell them to begin with Everglade, we may yet save some souls there.” The guard nodded stoically and excused himself. When the door closed Ridgehand sank to his seat and held his head in his hands. The nights were long and weary now, and he worried more and more for Avondale.

  If Greendale were still with her he would have felt better, but Aiden was just a boy.

  CHAPTER XV

  “You wanted to see me?” Aiden said, straightening his tunic and smoothing the edges before clasping his hands behind his back. He had been called from bed without warning, but he couldn’t find annoyance underneath the worry and fear. Aiden approached his father, offering a slight bow as he did so. He was genuinely curious as to why his father would have sum
moned him so early to his chamber, as usually, his father would wait until later in the morning to conduct the business of the kingdom. Eaglecross looked as though he had lost some great battle; his face was grey and pallid, skin hanging from the sharp bones of his face. His mother was seated across from him, eyes glassy and gleaming the firelight.

  “Aiden, now that you are eighteen, you have a responsibility to uphold with the kingdom of Archibald.” His father’s voice was steady, though the tone was flat. “In light of the current crisis, you must now lead our knights into the battle which is sure to come.”

  “Yes, sire.” It was the expected response, one which both Aiden and his father knew he would give, but the fear was strong and bitter in his throat. He was to leave Avondale mere months into their marriage. What if they never saw each other again? A sob broke from the queen’s lips. Aiden was not quite sure what to tell her, though he was certain that regardless of whether the kingdom was peaceful or facing ultimate destruction his mother would have reacted much the same way. She did not support the ruling of mandatory service for all members of the royal family, and the king knew quite well where her heart lay on the matter. Usually he was tolerant, but tonight his eyes flashed,

  “Damn it all, woman, you know he must do this,” he practically snarled at his wife. Aiden’s eyes widened. He had never known his father to speak harshly to his mother, ever. “As future king of Archibald, it is his responsibility to help protect his birthright.” Aiden hugged his mother, murmuring that it would be all right and gently wiping her tears away. He straightened, setting his jaw in determination.