The Chronicles of Lorrek Box Set

by Kelly Blanchard

  “I thought you said Verddra blocked any magic users from coming into Nirrorm!” Heldon hauled himself to his feet to go to the door and investigate, and Erita hastened after him.

  “She did!” Unless Verddra had recently changed the spell. As they neared the door she feared what might be in the corridor. Heldon moved to pull open the door, but she maneuvered herself between him and it, placing her hand on his chest and locking eyes with him. “Stay—it might not be safe.”

  He stared down at her with hardened eyes. “And you think I will simply allow you to walk out there without protection?”

  “Without protection?” She scoffed at his suggestion then pulled her hand off his chest and twisted it up, conjuring a blue fiery orb. She locked eyes with him. “Yes, actually, I think you will.”

  “Erita...” He tried to stop her as she headed for the door, but she turned back to him with a finger pressed against her lips, signaling for him to be quiet.

  With a sigh, he waited, shifting uneasily on his feet. Without his handblade, he felt defenseless. Though growing up his father had insisted all his sons learned how to fight equally with both hands, Heldon still preferred his right hand over his left. However, if someone he loved was threatened, he knew he would fight as strong as he could in any way that he could.

  “Wait—what?” Heldon yanked himself out of his musing and pondered over what he had just thought. “If someone I love is threatened...” He lifted his gaze at Erita, who had reached the door and peered out. “Do I love Erita?” He knew he cared about her, but was it more?

  “Heldon! Good news!” Erita stepped back into the room with a grin, and following her were King Caleth of Athorim, Prince Moren of Nirrorm, and two other men Heldon didn’t recognize.

  Erita noticed his frown at the two brothers, so she tried to ease his concern. “These two are Adonis and Skelton. They’re brothers. We’ve known each other since Jechorm all those years ago.”

  That explained that, but Heldon was puzzled by who else was present. “King Caleth, pardon me for asking, but what are you doing here?” Heldon moved from the door to allow his guests further entrance into his chambers. He gestured for them to sit if they desired to do so, but he remained standing.

  Adonis and Skelton immediately went to the windows and yanked the curtain closed, locked the balcony door, and draped a silencing spell over the room. Then they shared a look with each other, nodded, and turned back to the others in the room.

  Caleth allowed Moren to meander the chambers and peer out the windows while he himself folded his arms over his chest and fixed his attention on Erita and Prince Heldon. “We sensed a disruption within the realm of magic, and it was centered here. Since we did not detect Countess Verddra’s presence, we determined it was safe to venture into the kingdom to investigate.”

  With a sigh Erita sank into a chair, relieved that an actual king was here who could make the necessary decisions. “Verddra has gone to Cuskelom—”

  “And I need to get there as soon as possible,” Heldon cut in. “With Therth.”

  Erita lifted her hand, signaling for Heldon to stop, then looked back at Caleth. “Verddra cast a spell that is preventing all of the magic users in Nirrorm from magicking out.”

  “What?” Skelton shot his brother a sharp look, and before anyone could stop him he magicked out to Serhon, startling Anelm and Lorentha, but he gave them a quick smile. “Just testing something.” Then he magicked back to Heldon’s chambers in Nirrorm, and everyone stared at him expectantly. He shrugged. “I magicked out just fine.”

  Erita nodded. “Yes, those who magick into Nirrorm after Verddra cast the spell can still magick out, but for the time being, I’m stuck here because I was here when she cast the spell.” Then she paused as a realization came to her, and she spun around to Heldon—her eyes lit with excitement. “They can take you to Cuskelom!”

  Heldon sighed in relief. “I should tell Therth.” He headed for the door then hesitated and turned back, his eyes shifting from Erita to Caleth, Moren, and back at Erita. “What about you? Can you come as well and leave this place?”

  The answer was not as simple as she wished it would be. She glanced up at Caleth then down at Moren, pressed her lips into a thin line, then stepped away from them, shaking her head. Locking eyes with Caleth, she explained, “Verddra named me ruler of Nirrorm—”

  “You?” Moren widened his eyes. “Why you? Mordora is supposed to be queen.”

  Erita felt terrible, and she sank down to his level, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I know, and I would much prefer that she be queen, but she’s not here right now.” She heard someone clear his throat and looked up to see Adonis, motioning Erita to come across the room. Telling Moren she would be right back, she rose to her feet and joined Caleth, Adonis, and Skelton on the other side of the room while Heldon struck up a conversation with Moren.

  Once Erita was in hearing range for a whisper, Adonis began, “Mordora isn’t coming back to Nirrorm—at least not right away. She’s in Serhon, being trained by Roskelem.”

  “Roskelem...” She recognized that name, but it took a moment for her to realize why. “He was in Jechorm all those years ago when I was there.” She did not see the problem with Mordora being in Serhon. “So he’s teaching her—to be a ruler? To use magic? That’s a good thing, right?”

  “Apparently you haven’t seen the mental state of King Roskelem recently,” Skelton muttered under his breath.

  “Nonetheless,” Caleth drew everyone’s attention to himself as he spoke in a quiet voice, “Mordora is the rightful heir of Nirrorm, but if King Roskelem corrupts her with tainted magic and his twisted view of power, it would be ill for Nirrorm if she were to take the throne.”

  “But that is not for you to decide.” Erita hugged her arms close around herself. “That choice is none of ours.”

  “Yet we are to protect our kingdoms even if that means overlooking the rightful heir for one more...suitable.” With that, Caleth cast his gaze to Moren, who motioned to Heldon’s hand, asking him about it.

  Erita caught the glance and understood its meaning but frowned. “Moren?” She hissed quietly and stepped closer to the men. “He is just a boy. He is not ready to be king—not yet.”

  Caleth stepped closer to Erita, and immediately she felt a muting spell drape over them. That unnerved her. Pure magic always worked without a gesture or a single thought, and Erita could not comprehend that, but her feelings about such spells were irrelevant at the moment because she knew Caleth was about to tell her something important.

  “You are temporary regent of Nirrorm, and you will continue as such until these issues have been resolved. Prince Moren will stay here with you, and you will begin training him for the role of leadership immediately. The former queen, Lorentha of Cuskelom, will come from Athorim to aid you.” When Erita looked ready to protest, Caleth gave her a hard glare. “Princess Mordora may be the rightful heir to the throne, but until we can guarantee the well-being of the state of her mind and the stability of her magic, it is best to give the appearance of Prince Moren being the ruler of Nirrorm rather than inform the people of Nirrorm of the unsavory state of their princess.” He shifted to step back, but Erita grabbed him by the arm and glared up at his pale face.

  “I don’t know anything about being a queen or teaching someone how to be a king. I am from the Houses! Raised to kill. What do I know about royalty?” She let go of his arm and shook her head. “The only reason why Verddra gave me the job was because she knew I would try to stop her from going to Cuskelom, and she wanted me preoccupied.”

  Caleth offered the sorceress a kind smile. “Queen Lorentha will assist you in the matters of the court then, and you are to continue Moren’s training in magic.” That was something she could do, so Erita bowed her head to him, and Caleth lifted the silencing spell. “Now, before we leave for Cuskelom, I wish to meet with the magic users dedicated to breaking Verddra’s barrier.”

  Relieved to take orders from a king, E
rita bowed. “Of course, I will summon them to the council hall immediately.”

  Heldon—having heard of Caleth’s intent to linger in Nirrorm—stepped forward. “What of Cuskelom? We need to warn Honroth as soon as possible.”

  “King Honroth has already made his choice.” Caleth looked over at Heldon. “He has already accepted the help of Countess Verddra in his war against Jechorm.”

  This was not what Heldon wanted to hear, and he began pacing. “We have to do something. Why can’t one of them,” he gestured to Adonis and Skelton, “take me to Cuskelom while you investigate here?”

  That was a good question. Erita and Caleth shared a look, but Caleth was still reluctant to let the brothers go. He set his gaze on Adonis then on Skelton before finally looking at Heldon. “I understand your concern for Cuskelom and for your brother. However, despite Countess Verddra’s actions here in Nirrorm, she does have a powerful army, and she seems content to lend her might to King Honroth. For the time being, he is safe. We will go to Cuskelom as soon as possible, but I need as many magic users as possible to secure Nirrorm from Verddra to keep her from returning. Once that is done, we shall go to Cuskelom immediately.” He did not wait for confirmation of the prince’s understanding. He knew he had asked Heldon to trust Verddra for the time being, but Caleth had no choice.

  He turned to Erita. “The High Court.” She nodded and led the way, and Caleth motioned for Moren to fall into step with him. At the same time Caleth reached through magic and sent his sister a signal to proceed according to their plan.

  Skelton followed them, but Adonis was the last to leave. He placed a hand on Heldon’s shoulder in passing, squeezed, then walked away.

  Heldon watched them leave, and then he sank into a chair and stared at the closed door—unsure what to think.

  In Athorim, Anelm hosted Queen Lorentha at noon meal when she suddenly straightened.

  Lorentha recognized the action, having seen it enough with her late husband and her son. “Caleth contacted you.”

  Anelm blinked back to the present and looked at the former queen of Cuskelom. She nodded and rose to her feet. “I apologize for this interruption of the meal, but we must take action now.” Accessing a pocket of a different dimension, Anelm retrieved a black polished stone and held it out to Lorentha. “I shall send you to my brother in Nirrorm, but you must give this to him.”

  “What is it?” Lorentha took the black stone in her hand. It seemed ordinary yet warm and flawless. She looked to the pale features of the princess for an explanation.

  “It is a part of our wall. Caleth will know when to use it if necessary.”

  “Forgive me for saying this, Your Highness, but...it’s merely a rock,”

  Anelm smiled at the queen. “It is more than a simple rock, but hopefully a demonstration won’t be necessary. Now rise.” She gestured for her to stand. “I must send you to Nirrorm.” Anelm nodded to her. “May all be well.”

  Lorentha vanished.

  Meanwhile in Serhon, Queen Sidra and the thieves walked through the woods where they had been magicked by Adonis some time ago. Finally, they came to a clearing—the field of statues.

  Before Dustal or Pravin had a chance to complain, a voice sounded behind them. “About time you showed up.” They spun around—weapons in hands—only to see Bodulf near a tree with his arms crossed. Bodulf chuckled at their defensive posture and moved away from the tree. He acknowledged Sidra with a bow then glanced over the thieves. “Why am I not surprised? Of course you’d choose now to go to the palace, considering it’s the first time Roskelem has left its confines.”

  Sidra stiffened when she heard this. “What do you mean, Bodulf?” Her voice sounded tight.

  “What I mean, Your Majesty, is King Roskelem has left with the army for Cuskelom. Princess Mordora is with him.”

  “Cuskelom?” Aradin frowned and shared a puzzled look with his brother before looking back at Bodulf. “Why would Roskelem attack Cuskelom?”

  “Because...” Bodulf spread out his hands and smiled then began to list on his fingers. “Mordora agreed to stay here under the king’s tutorage as long as they exact justice on Countess Verddra, and since the countess is in Cuskelom now...”

  “Mordora will go against her friends in Cuskelom.” Sidra nodded, finishing what Bodulf meant.

  “This is maddening.” Aradin shook his head. “Prince Theran sent her to Cuskelom and promised her safe haven, and now she turns her back on her allies simply for revenge?”

  “It’s not revenge,” Kedessa spoke up, surprising everyone, and she shook her head when they all looked her way. “She’s just trying to establish herself. Trust me, I can relate.” She glimpsed at the thieves around her. Before Dustal had a chance to remark, she locked eyes with Sidra. “Besides, she probably thinks she can protect her friends in Cuskelom from Roskelem if she’s there rather than here.”

  Aradin nodded his head. “That would be most reasonable...in a way” He looked at Queen Sidra. “What is your command?”

  Sidra glimpsed around at the company she kept. She had no army to command; if only she could bring to life all those statues in the field, then they would have a force worth reckoning with. However, she had no such power, but she had resources elsewhere.

  She fixed her gaze on Bodulf. “Go to Esdras. Tell him I relieve him of his post just this once. We will need him.” Then she turned to the thieves. “Go to your individual bands and tell them the Queen of Thieves summons them to battle. Tell them that she will clear the name of all those who answer her summons.” She then nodded to her brother. “Come, we should see who is left in the city that will aid our cause. We must build an army.”

  With purpose and determination everyone went their separate ways.

  21

  Atop a hill Honroth stared at the battlefield before him. Thankfully it had not yet reached the city walls of Cuskelom. Blood stained the grassy fields of a valley between two hills—the blood of Honroth’s men. The army of Jechorm had no blood though their broken bodies littered the field.

  Both armies had called for a retreat once more to recalculate the best attack and defense. Honroth and his men had possession of the hill—an ancient advantage he knew well, but it served little in his favor against the flying drones of the Jechorians.

  Another fleet of drones came swooping in.

  “Hold your position!” Honroth shouted and lowered his stance. His gaze shifted to three individuals on the hill—Verddra, Gershom, and Tradek. They stood at three points on the hill, braced themselves, and raised their hands spread out almost like an eagle ready to swoop down on its prey—ready and waiting.

  The drones flew in and began to shoot, but Tradek slammed his palms together, sending out a blast of magic straight for the closest three drones. Their circuits shorted, and they began to smoke, then plummeted to the ground.

  The other drones continued their attack. Gershom lifted one hand to the heavens and the other hand outward. On the far side of the hill Verddra adopted a similar pose, and their magic created a dome forcefield over Honroth’s men, so none of the drones’ shots landed on them. When a drone hit the invisible protection, the machine exploded.

  Relieved that the attack was finished, Verddra lowered her hands and went straight to Honroth. “My captain contacted me—”

  “How?” Honroth gave her a quizzical look. Her men had been assigned to sneak around the Jechorian camp and sabotage what they could, and Honroth hadn’t see any man return yet from the field. The Jechorians had set up camp beyond the opposite hill.

  Verddra gave him an incredulous look then tapped on the side of her head, as if answering all questions. Nevertheless, she resumed where she had been interrupted. “He told me he has secured a perimeter around the camp and is ready to infiltrate it.”

  “Good.” Honroth nodded—good news at last. “What is he waiting for?” He wanted to meet the enemy on even grounds, but as long as the Jechorians held superiority in air, he refused to send his men out in tradi
tional battle.

  Instead of responding, Verddra cast her gaze to the southwest and narrowed her eyes. Through magic she saw past the hills and trees in the distance and came upon the approaching forces of Serhon, but she did not see King Roskelem leading them. Picking up his signature, she followed the magicking path straight to the heart of the Jechorian camp where she saw Roskelem speaking in his flowery language to the general. However, what surprised Verddra the most was the presence of Princess Mordora, standing beside Roskelem.

  With a frown, she emerged from the realm of magic and looked at Honroth. Ah, how complicated things were about to become for him.

  “King Roskelem has come.”

  Honroth straightened then scanned the horizon for the Serhian forces, yet he saw nothing. He glanced at the countess beside him. “Has he come to aid us?”

  “No.” She shook her head and fixed her gaze once more on the hill where the Jechorians camped. “He has come to offer aid to the Jechorians.”

  “Why would he do that?” Honroth shot her a sharp look.

  “The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Prince Kinnard reminded them as he approached the two leaders of the army. He had joined forces with Honroth as soon as he had left Serhon after seeing Fawn and the others off to Jechorm. Though he was able to only gather a small army with his father’s permission, he knew how important it was to be here, and he had yet to tell anyone of the inner workings being done within Jechorm itself to bring the boastful kingdom down.

  He looked between Honroth and Verddra then nodded and focused on the king of Cuskelom. “King Roskelem may have come, not so much to fight you, but to fight the countess.” He nodded towards Verddra. “It is my understanding that they have a past.” He smiled when Verddra narrowed her eyes.

  “And how would you know that, little prince?”

  His smile remained on his face. “I have my ways.” He kept the name Fawn far from his mind in case Verddra was to peer into his thoughts to find what he would not confess.