The False Prince (Fall Of A King Book 1)

by Fuller, James

  Ursa had discovered Venenum long ago in his youth. The rare drug's properties kept the mind alert and fought back the need for sleep, for a time. When someone with the Gift used Venenum, however, it did so much more than that; it reacted with the innate abilities, magnifying and enhancing them to new levels of strength and control. Only a handful of people knew this and for good reason too. The drug was highly addictive and continued and prolonged use would do great damage to both body and mind.

  Ursa knew firsthand the addictive powers of Venenum, something he had promised himself long ago he would never be trapped by again. Sometimes circumstantial necessity overruled moral reason. This was the second time he had taken the drug in the last two days. He hated it, hated the very thought of it, but he needed to be alert, he needed to be strong if they were to survive this.

  Ursa held the leather pouch in his hand, feeling the weight of it and estimating how many doses were left. The pouch was small, but the drug was potent and not much was needed to achieve the desired effects. Ursa had not been around the drug in nearly half a score of years and had been angry when he had discovered it in the bag that Saktas had packed for him. There had been a note inside, "It is better to have it and never need it, than to need it and not have it. May you never need it again, my friend." Ursa had almost dumped the herb out when he had found it, but he had not. Something had told him to hold onto it, just in case.

  Ursa's attention was pulled from his thoughts at the soft knock at his door. "Come in."

  The door opened and Talena entered with a steaming cup in her hands. "Why are you not resting?" she asked, her voice still hoarse and gritty, but fully legible now.

  "My mind is a swarm of thoughts and I cannot seem to slow it long enough to find rest," he replied, slowly making no sudden movements as he tightened the drawstring and slid the pouch in a drawer. "But I could ask the same of you." He turned to face her.

  "The same as you I suppose," she admitted. "So I thought I would come visit you. I had hoped to find you sleeping to be honest. I am worried about you."

  "Worried about me?" Ursa asked, his body tingled with nervousness at the question. He wondered if she knew of the drug, if Solmis had foreseen its use in his vision.

  "Yes, worried. You have not slept more than a few moments since the first attack came over two nights ago and you have used your powers far more than the rest of us. I know you are more powerful than the others, but even you will run yourself down without rest, and that will not do any of us any good," Talena told him earnestly. "I made you this." She handed him the steaming cup. "It is the same as Solmis used to drink when his mind refused to let him sleep."

  Ursa took the tin cup and inhaled the sweet aroma of the tea. "You did not need to go to the effort - I do know how to make this one myself." He smiled taking a small sip of the flavorful liquid.

  "I know, but you have not yet, so I thought I would save you the effort." Talena smiled back at him.

  Ursa took a deep breath and chuckled - sleep would be good for him and is the reason he sought his chambers to begin with. "You are right, thank you." He took another sip. "Can you tell me something, Talena?"

  "Depending on what it is you wish to know."

  "Can we hold the castle against them now that their Priestesses have entered the fray?"

  "I am not sure how everything works out - all I know is that we made it before the enemy did and so we will survive and we will save many lives here," she explained to him. "I would have to assume that means we hold the castle, but I cannot be sure."

  Ursa nodded, expecting that very response. "That does little to ease my mind, but I assumed as much. I think I am going to try to sleep now. Thank you for the tea, Talena."

  "You are welcome, Ursa, rest well."

  Ursa woke to the sound of armored men yelling and rushing past his room. He scrambled to his feet and ran into the hallway grabbing the first soldier who ran past him. "What is happening?"

  "The enemy is attacking again!" The soldier explained, his nerves clearly wrought.

  Ursa made his way to the battlements. Why had not anyone roused him when this all started? Ursa cursed himself for drinking the tea, though he had to admit he was feeling better rested. He creased the battlements - the sound of battle was absolute down the length of the wall through the foggy rain of the night.

  Already the enemy was throwing grappling hooks and climbing ladders in hopes to breach the wall. The defenders were ready, their blades slashing ropes and sinking into uncovered flesh as it creased the battlements.

  A loud crackling of power turned Ursa's attention to where Antiel stood unleashing sporadic bolts of energy down into the ranks of the enemy, blasting through wooden shields and ripping through exposed flesh. Not far away stood Talena, her magical staff held high in both her arms. The obsidian orb on the end swirled violently, unable to release its potent power fast enough. The battlements trembled noticeably as a dozen bolts of lightning erupted from the enchanted weapon down into the masses of advancing savages, exploding through shields, armor and bodies alike.

  "That girl and staff may very well be what turns the tide of this siege." a voice said from behind Ursa and he spun around to see Lepha.

  "You may very well be right," Ursa mused, in awe of the enchanted staff.

  "Let us send these heathens back to their holes where they belong!" Lepha roared, finding an open spot on the battlements where he could begin his own assault.

  Ursa peered over the wall, trying to scan the scene below but the fog and rain made it nearly impossible to make out the differences in the enemy. Ursa was just about to begin his assault down upon the enemy when he spotted what he had been looking for from the corner of his eye - a haggard, gaunt looking form, pushing her way closer to the wall. Ursa could feel his Gift coursing through his body, stronger than normal thanks to the Venenum in his system. Energy crackled from his hand and arced down toward the unaware priestess but a moment before it struck, a warrior pushed her hard out of the way, taking the deadly blow without pause. The priestess glared up at him and summoned her own attack before Ursa could cast another, a powerful burst of wind erupted from all around her, collecting dozens of arrow shafts and spears in its violent wake.

  Ursa cursed, "Get down!" But few heard him before the attack hit, laying more than a handful dead or dying along the hectic battlements. Ursa peered back over the battlements, but the Priestess was already gone. He cursed again, scanning the fray below for any signs of another - he knew if there was one, there would be more.

  A familiar scream pulled his attention away from his search and he turned to see Talena stagger backward, two arrows buried deep into her abdomen. Ursa was about to run to her when a thick meaty hand grabbed his shoulder and spun him around. A seven-foot giant loomed over him, a cocky grin spread across his face and a serrated bone axe in his other hand held high ready to strike. A flash of steel stole the barbarian's grin as the arm gripping Ursa fell to the stone and Rift drove his blade in the savage's chest and pushed him over the side.

  "Go to her!" Rift yelled to him. "I will hold this section until you get back!"

  Ursa ran to Talena's side, she was unconscious. He checked the placement of the arrows and was sure they had not punctured any vitals. He grabbed the barbed shafts and was thankful she was unconscious as he pulled the arrows clear. Thick blood spilled from the wounds quickly but soon slowed to a stop as Ursa force healed the wounds. "You there!" Ursa called to the nearest soldier. "Take her to safety and stay with her."

  Ursa stormed to the wall, his hands alive with energy before he reached the edge. He wasted no time in selecting a target as several flashes of power arced from his hands into the chaotic swarm below. Ursa closed his eyes and did his best to close out the sound of battle around him so he could focus. He could feel the raw power of his innate ability tingling with anticipation as he released. The ground quaked vaguely as column after column of Wizard's fire leaped from the earth, incinerating all that it touched; the fie
rce, wavering heat blistered the flesh of anyone who got too close.

  Ursa was about to release another deadly assault when a dark flash of energy caught his attention, nearly too late. The battlements around him exploded in a shower of rubble and he threw himself back, barely escaping death from the attack. The dust cleared and there was a blackened crater in the side of the wall where Ursa stood only moments before. The soldiers who had been standing near him had either fallen over or been crushed by the collapsing debris.

  "Are you all right, Ursa?" Lepha asked, helping him up and pulling him further from the wall's edge.

  "I am fine," Ursa replied, looking down the length of the battlements. The men fought valiantly but were tiring quickly. "Get Antiel, I have a plan," Ursa urged him.

  "What is your plan?" Lepha asked, turning his head to see another streak of energy explode into the wall, sending stone everywhere and muffling the sounds of dying men.

  "Rift, Barkel, on my order I want all the men on the wall to stop their attacks and raise their shields above their heads. Those without will need to find cover and quickly," Ursa explained.

  Both Rift and Barkel looked at each other confused. "I do not know what you are up to, Wizard, but I do know better than to doubt you," Rift replied before he and Barkel left to give the orders to the men down the wall.

  "What do you need us to do?" Lepha asked eagerly, hearing another blast hit the wall.

  "This had better work, Ursa," Lepha said, looking over his shoulder at the battle raging not far away, "or you have killed us all."

  Ursa knew his words to be true. If his plan did not work, Dragon's Cove would be without any magical aid, which would mean certain doom to all within its walls. Rift gave Ursa the signal that the men were ready.

  "Do you really think this will work?" Antiel asked, licking her lips nervously. "I have never heard of anything like this being done before."

  "It will work, it has to. It is the only chance we have," Ursa replied confidently, though his mind screamed with doubt.

  The three Wizards walked to the edge of the battlements. As they did - all of the soldiers put their shields up high, covering their heads. Those who had no shields found safety behind the Wizards or under the roofs of the stairwells.

  On cue, all three Wizards began summoning their innate Gifts. A fierce wind began howling out over the battlements and down into the enemy, blowing their arrows and spears back down at them. Enemies peaking the crest of the wall were met by such a force it tore them clean from the stone and threw them down into the mass below. The wind grew stronger and colder as the trio of Wizards focused their abilities. Soon, the fat drops of rain that fell into the wake of sub-zero wind began freezing solid into razor shards. The ferocious torrent of wind threw the frozen shards down into the enemy hordes with such force they penetrated through their weak leather armor and ripped through flesh like parchment. Those with shields held them high, blocking the rain of death while backing up, trying to retreat from the massacre. It did not take long for the enemy to realize their doom, those who were still alive retreated in terror, trampling over those who were too slow or already dying.

  Ursa opened his eyes just in time to see the enemy fleeing and that he was the only Wizard still standing. Lepha and Antiel had already succumbed to overuse of their Gifts. Ursa grinned, glad his plan had worked, when nausea and dizziness rushed through him.

  *****

  "What do you mean, you retreated?" Vashina glared at the battered warrior who had informed her of the failure. "No retreat was planned - you were to take the wall!"

  "We had to, Wizards too powerful, rained death down on us from sky." The barbarian explained, his voice betraying his fear for his life. "Four Wizards guard castle not two. Need better plan - too many warriors die."

  "What do you mean ‘rained death upon you'?" Vashina's eyes glistened with rage.

  "It means we underestimated our enemy and their abilities," a commanding female voice interrupted behind them. They both turned to regard Valka, the High Priestess, "and we shall not do so again."

  Vashina rolled her eyes at the statement. "You and yours should have been with the army, ensuring a victory and not a cowardly retreat."

  Valka nodded her head to the warrior, giving him leave, which he wasted no time in using, not wanting to be caught between the two powerful women. Once he was gone, Valka's cold silver eyes shot back to Vashina. "Who are you to decide the disposal of the Goddess' servants?" Valka asked callously. "Nonetheless, several of my priestesses and priests were out there, and now most that were sent are dead."

  Vashina stared hard at Valka, who seemed to glow with power and anger. Valka hardly looked like most Priestesses, who normally looked haggard or like possessed corpses. Valka was tall, slender and her womanly figure was alluring. Her silver eyes were captivatingly beautiful and her long, straight, silver hair reached past her lower back. Valka was the essence of beauty and she knew it. Vashina wanted to burn her pretty face and mar that flawless body. The thought brought an inward smile to her.

  "Besides, were you not sent here to help us? I have yet to see you out on the battlefield," Valka jeered casually.

  "I shall do my part when I see suitable opportunity for my talents." Vashina shot back, trying to hide her rising anger. "Not that you are one to talk. I have yet to see you out there in all your glory."

  "I have other responsibilities, Vashina, like keeping this army together, making battle plans with the chiefs," Valka calmly stated. "You hold neither the authority, nor the power, to question my actions. You would do well to remember that."

  "I guess a few thousand dead warriors means nothing to you," Vashina replied snidely.

  Valka smiled widely. "You guessed correctly, I have thousands more at my disposal - more join every day in our great cause of conquest for our Goddess, Zepna."

  "So Valka, where is your ever-faithful lover Meshia at? It seems a little odd she is not at your heels like always," Vashina cooed, changing the subject. She wondered if Meshia had been one of the priestesses killed in the last battle.

  Valka did well to hide the snarl and twist of her face at the mention of Meshia. "I sent her with the others to help see to it that the Wizards were destroyed, but she failed me and our Goddess," Valka growled, glaring bitterly at Vashina. "But that is of little matter … I have many more lovers." She turned. "I expect you out there, Vashina, helping in our next attack - he would not be pleased to find you are not doing your part," she hissed, walking away.

  Vashina stood in the night, glaring off at nothing. She hated that woman - she had always hated that woman. Ever since the beginning, Valka had been a thorn in her side - a thorn she could not wait to remove.

  *****

  Pavilion stood a few dozen yards away, hidden behind a group of ancient cedars. He had heard the whole conversation between the High Priestess and Vashina and now he watched Vashina standing alone, cursing to herself. He could easily sense the hatred between the two and wondered where it had stemmed from.

  He had followed Vashina almost the whole way from Draco Castle - nearly the entire way, neither had stopped. Vashina had used some sort of potion on her horse to make it last twice as long as any beast should have been able to run. Sadly, such potions usually resulted in the beast running itself to death. Pavilion did not have the heart to run an animal to death if he could avoid it. He had stopped at every town or village that still had people and traded his horse for a fresh one. Of course, the owner would not know about the trade until morning, when they found their horse missing and another in its place.

  He had hoped the siege would not be to the extent that it was now - the enemy was dug in solidly. It would take more than the forces behind Dragon Cove's walls to dispatch this foe. Pavilion had to wonder how long they could even hold off an adversary this large. Somehow, he had to get in those walls and tell them what he knew. He wondered if what he knew would even matter anymore.

  "Who is out there? Show yourself now or be kille
d!" Vashina ordered, staring hard in the direction where Pavilion stood hiding behind the cedar trees. "I only give one warning."

  Pavilion cursed to himself. He had become so carried away with his thoughts that he had forgotten what he was doing, and that a very worthy opponent was not far off. He slowly backed away, staying in the darkest shadows, his footing flawless, making not a sound, hoping she would think it was nothing. But it was too late, Vashina charged in his direction, throwing knives already in hand.

  He sprang into a dead run, knowing he had to get far enough away from the barbarian camp and sentries so if things did come to blows, no one would hear them and come interfere. He weaved in and out of trees and fallen logs, hoping to lose her with his speed and agility, making sure not to give her a clear shot with her deadly knifes. He made sure not to fall into a routine while he swerved and weaved in-between his surroundings, he knew that was what she was waiting for. Every few steps he could hear the thud of a blade embedding into a tree not far from where he just was or might have been.

  After several minutes, she was still hard on his trail and was obviously getting frustrated, throwing more often and more randomly, knowing he would not commit to a pattern that she could exploit. He knew he would not get away from her without a fight - she was too fast and stealthy for him to just slip away.

  Pavilion slowed his pace, hoping they were far enough to not to be heard and let Vashina gain some ground on him. He could hear her not far behind, gaining almost two steps for his one now. He had to admire her ability to keep up with him, not many ever could, and even after their long run, her footsteps still fell almost as silent as death. He knew she was waiting for a clear shot, now that the trees were thinning out, which is what he wanted. He faked right, hearing the predictable thud of a blade where he would have been. He dove over a fallen tree to the left, hit the ground in a roll and was back on his feet, hardly slowing his pace. He had gone left because the trees grew even thinner here, which would provide her with the clear shot he wanted her to have.