When Rue reached Maplefrost, she first visited Thane’s grave and placed a flower over it. “I love you,” she whispered. And for a moment, she simply stood, thinking of the happy memories they had shared. She was beginning to feel at peace, just as the people of the Kingdom were. She looked at the site where Abigast’s new grave lay and placed a flower over it as well. “I love you both. You were the best friends anyone could ever ask for.”
Every day, Rue returned to the graves, talking as if her friends were still there, sitting next to her. She laughed too, something she had wondered if she was really capable of after everything that had happened. She wondered if Abigast and Thane were somewhere watching her, listening to her – she hoped they were. She hoped that someday, she’d see them again.
Life in Maplefrost continued on. Children played in the streets, laughing, sometimes yelling at each other. They were living regular childhoods, unharmed by the plague. Many people throughout the Kingdom had lost someone they loved, but these children did not see the damage. They were innocent; they were happy, and at that moment, as Rue sat on the porch watching them, she realized that her friend’s sacrifices were worth it.
Even if the peace didn’t last forever, at least it was here, right now. At least these kids got to be happy, and that was the important thing. No one deserved to grow up miserable and scared, no one deserved to have their families completely perish. Yes, the devastation had been great, but if not for Thane and Abigast’s deaths, things would be so much worse. If Adaranth were still alive, Rue wouldn’t be able to imagine what kind of suffering he would cause.
She smiled as a ball landed near her feet, and a little girl rushed over to pick it up. “Sorry, Miss.”
“Don’t apologize,” Rue replied, “have fun.” She walked back into the house and decided she would try to have fun too.
The Prince – Book 4 in the Chronicles of Suvaria Series
Chapter 1
Rue stretched her arms, yawning. She stepped out of bed, putting on a pair of slippers and a robe. She summoned a stack of papers to her hands with a spell and began to read through them as she headed towards the kitchen, ready for breakfast and the day ahead.
“Byron needs help getting his cat out of the tree again,” she sighed to herself. “And Miandra lost her wedding ring. Let’s see here…what else?” Rue read down the list of tasks to complete, finding typical, mundane scenarios. Though it was repetitive work, Rue loved it. After everything that had happened years ago, Rue was grateful to be able to rest. Life in Maplefrost was quiet and peaceful, unlike life in Slyfort. Here, there was no hustle and bustle of a big city, just cranky old men, and tantrum throwing children. No real crime beyond petty thievery, hardly any filth in the streets, and no evil murderous rulers in sight.
Since Adaranth’s death, Rue had devoted her life to helping the citizens of Maplefrost. They were her friends and the closest thing to family she had. Some days were harder than others, such as the anniversary of Thane or Abigast’s deaths. Some days, Rue didn’t want to get out of bed, thinking about what could have been, thinking about what life would have been like if they were still alive. She thought of Thane often, seeing his face when she saw someone smile, hearing his voice when she heard someone laugh. The pain of losing a loved one never did quite vanish, but Rue had healed as much as possible. She was now at a point where she could genuinely say she was happy. She was content with her life, having had enough adventure to last forever.
There was a knock at the door. Rue stood up, sipping on a cup of tea. She greeted Maia, giving her a hug and inviting her in. “Good to see you,” she said.
“I brought you some extra tea. I know you’ve been stressed out lately,” Maia said, “what with Miandra losing her wedding ring for the fourth time. Honestly, I wonder if it’s on purpose.”
Rue laughed. Princess Maia had stayed in the castle at Slyfort for several years, taking care of the delicate political situation as much as possible. After Adaranth’s father, the King, finally died, succumbing to his illness once and for all, talk of finding a new leader became rampant. With no heirs, the royal bloodline was lost and being the former wife of a Prince, Maia was the only person with royal blood left in Galbar. She had stayed in Slyfort to try and repair the damage her dead husband caused, doing her best until she simply grew too tired to continue. People had begun to treat her with kindness and respect after a while, and she grew to become a very well-liked leader, but the royal life never was for Maia. She was never quite happy in the castle, and despite being the best leader Galbar had seen in decades, Maia left to Maplefrost, wanting a more simplistic life. She now lived next door.
A new royal family took over, and the current Prince was Adaranth’s cousin. There had been controversy in the beginning, as many were weary to have a new royal family that was actually still a part of the old one. Many wondered if they would be just as corrupt, just as evil, but so far, the family was impressive. Rue had no complaints about the current political leaders of her Kingdom. Crime was declining throughout Galbar, and nothing as drastic as the plague had happened since. If Thane and Abigast had been here, they would be proud to see that their sacrifices had made a difference. Their sacrifices ensured peace for the hundreds of thousands of people still alive.
“Want to help find Miandra’s ring? Or you could help Titus with his garden; he says the vegetables are refusing to sprout. I didn’t want to use magic on them though, it’s unfair. I think he needs to learn how to grow his own vegetables. I’m not going to be around forever – look my hair is already turning gray!” Rue exclaimed.
Maia touched her head. “Please, your hair is as dark as Byron’s cat. You’re still young, Rue. How many wizards can say they’re as accomplished as you are? And you’re only what, 40?”
“A lady never reveals her age,” Rue laughed. She was incredibly grateful to have Maia around. They had kept in correspondence for years, though the two had only visited in person a handful of times. Now that Maia lived next door, they could see each other whenever they wanted. They could talk to each other whenever the nightmares became too much to handle, whenever dark memories clouded their minds. Maia was Rue’s best friend, and perhaps her only true friend in the world. She was like a sister to her, always giving advice, always keeping her calm, Rue’s life might have had a very different outcome if not for the former Princess.
“Well, you don’t have to reveal your age, but I still mistake you for a teenager, so that says something doesn’t it,” Maia said. She walked over to one of the bookshelves, tracing fingers over dusty manuscripts. “Ever think about getting rid of anything?”
Though Rue had had years to clean Abigast’s clutter, she decided to keep much of it intact, partly to pay tribute to her late mentor, and partly because she had been too busy. Rue had read every book in the entire house, learning and memorizing every spell her brain would hold. Countless nights she had dedicated to studying and practicing, countless days putting her skills to the test. If Abigast were still alive, he might tell her to take it easy, but that was not Rue’s style, especially since she wanted to do all she could to keep her mind occupied. Succumbing to sadness was not an option in those first few months after Thane and Abigast’s deaths. It was in those months Rue learned the bulk of her wizarding skills.
“I wouldn’t dream of getting rid of anything in here,” Rue replied.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that you should. I quite like the house the way it is. It’s like a family lives here. The castle always felt so empty, even my house now sometimes feels that way.”
Rue placed a few books into Maia’s hands. “Put these on your shelf, make it less empty. If you ever need any decorations, I have plenty of those too. The last thing you need to feel is emptiness.”
Maia smiled. “You’re too kind to me.”
“Do you want to go to their graves with me?” Rue asked. ‘Their graves,’ was a way to say Thane and Abigast’s graves. She rarely said their names out loud anymore. It m
ade sorrow bubble back up to the surface, making Rue temporarily forget all of the progress she had made since their deaths. Talking about them often made her feel like that scared young woman who had shed so many tears all those years ago. For some reason though, visiting their graves was comforting. It didn’t make Rue feel sad, it made her feel renewed, revitalized. It was there she went during her most stressful moments to recover. She had never invited Maia to go with her, perhaps it would help make Maia feel renewed as well.
“I’d love to,” Maia answered. “I haven’t actually been there before. I’d like to pay my respect.”
The two walked in silence towards the memorial. It was a beautiful day, the middle of summer. The sun shined high over Maplefrost, birds chirped, and children played in the streets. Rue and Maia thought back to all those years ago when the Kingdom had very nearly been thrown into chaos. When they reached the grave site, both knelt to place flowers on the graves.
Rue talked to her buried friends, just as she always did. She wondered if Maia found it strange, but Maia was watching her curiously, not disrespectfully.
“I talk to them all the time,” Rue said. “I think they’re answering me, wherever they are. I don’t hear them, but I like to think I would know what they’d say. I hope it’s not too strange.”
Maia shook her head. “Not at all, Rue. I think it’s wonderful how you look after them, even though they aren’t here. You take care of their graves, bring them flowers, talk as if they’re standing right in front of you. I think that’s a beautiful thing to do. You’re a great friend.”
Rue smiled. “I like being here. The trees, the flowers, it’s all so calming.”
“I’m glad you have somewhere you can rest,” Maia said. “You work too hard, Rue.”
“I’m just helping people; I don’t think that’s too much work.”
“But do you ever spend any time taking care of yourself?”
Rue laughed. “You yourself said I look like a teenager. I must be doing something right if I’m not aging!”
“I suppose,” Maia said. “Just don’t overwhelm yourself. We both know what it’s like to be overwhelmed.”
Perhaps it should have been taken as a warning because when Maia and Rue returned to their homes, a group of men were waiting on the porch. They were dressed in royal uniforms, standing regally at attention, all too formal for Maplefrost’s rural customs.
“Keenhorn!” Maia said excitedly. “What are you doing here?”
Prince Keenhorn, Adaranth’s cousin, had a sobering look on his face. Maia’s excited expression vanished.
“Maia, Rue, it’s a pleasure to see you. Unfortunately, I have something of grave manner to discuss. I would like to speak with Rue alone if that’s alright.”
Maia nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Rue.” She disappeared into her own house, leaving Rue and gaggle of guards standing alone.
Rue had never met this new Prince in person, but Maia insisted he was a good man, citing him as one of the few reasons she didn’t go completely insane when married to Adaranth. She said that Keenhorn’s family visited once a year or so, and Keenhorn’s kind heart kept her hope alive. Rue trusted Maia’s judgment, and of course, since nothing drastic had taken place since the new royal family’s rise to power, Rue figured Keenhorn had to be a decent person.
She did not expect him to show up at her doorstep, though nothing could really surprise her anymore. Keenhorn had brown eyes and brown hair and looked nothing like his late cousin. Where his cousin’s eyes had been beady and malicious, Keenhorn’s were soft and warm. He smiled, and there was no smirk, no smugness in his expression. But the smile didn’t last.
“May I come in?” He asked.
“Of course,” Rue said, “have a seat.”
She cleared books out of the way in the sitting room and carved out a space for Keenhorn. “I’m afraid there’s not enough chairs for everyone…”
“My men would prefer to stand,” Keenhorn said. “I’m so sorry to come unannounced. I would have sent correspondence earlier, but I’m afraid there wasn’t enough time.”
Rue’s heart sank. “What’s wrong?”
“As you know, my father only recently became King. I only recently became a Prince. Just a few months after coming to power, something strange began to happen in the Kingdom. Perhaps a protest of this new era of Galbar, perhaps just an opportune time, with the transition the Kingdom has been undertaking. Maia sends letters to me, telling me what a great friend you are. She’s described how strong you were, all those years ago when you stopped my cousin from committing anymore evil. I was much younger back then, but I remember too, how great you were. I’ve wanted to meet you ever since. Of course, I wish I could meet you on better terms, but nevertheless, here we are.”
“You still haven’t told me what’s wrong,” Rue said.
Keenhorn sighed. “Six months ago, reports of vanishings and disappearances on the outskirts of the Kingdom began to crop up. At first, the disappearances were small, and people just assumed that villagers got lost in the woods or wandered too far to make it back home before they succumbed to the elements or wild beasts. But after a while, even some of the strongest and wisest villagers started to disappear. Questions were asked, unease and worry started to fill villager’s minds, and word was sent to the castle.
“My father sent two lords to inspect the situation and report back what they learned, but the lords never returned. A third Lord volunteered to go after them and find out what happened, but he also never returned. These Lords were strong and wise men, and it surprised everyone that they would go missing without a trace.
“My father sent a messenger to the village just to ask about the Lords’ whereabouts, but the messenger, just like the lords, never returned. My father began to worry, knowing something must be happening in the village, but he didn’t know what to do except go there himself. His remaining lords convinced him not to go, and instead volunteered to go in his place.”
“Let me guess, they didn’t return either?” Rue asked. She could see where this story was going and she didn’t like it.
Keenhorn shook his head. “Of the three who went, one returned. Lord Brightglade. But Brightglade cannot speak nor write about what happened, about what he saw. We’ve had healers and wizards attempt to help him, but they all believe he is cursed. Most think he’s gone insane. Brightglade was one of the strongest, most intelligent men I’ve ever known. I honestly can’t believe he’s gone insane, I think there is a curse, and someone needs to lift it. He’s a broken man living in a nightmare.”
“Do you want me to lift his curse?” Rue asked. “Because I can’t make any promises.”
“No,” Keenhorn said. “I want you to come with me to the villages where the disappearances keep happening. Our Kingdom is in danger, and I think you can help. I want to arrange a party of the finest soldiers in Galbar. You are one of them, a more talented and skilled wizard than any I’ve met.”
“You’ve only just met me,” Rue said.
“But I’ve heard stories about your strength, Rue. I don’t know what we’ll find, or if we’ll find anything at all. But I need you. Galbar needs you.”
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The Prince
About The Author
Almost all children lie to their parents about skipping school, or avoiding homework. Not Thomas Rouxville. At ten years old, he convinced his mother that he absolutely had to stay up until the small hours of the morning, squinting into yet another novel. His English teacher demanded it, he said innocently; the book had to be read by morning. When his outraged guardian stormed the school in protest, it was gently, but firmly, explained that her son’s assignment was not due for weeks. The boy had a reading addiction, and short of barring him from the library, there was little they could do.
By fourteen the obsession ran wild as fire, Rouxville losing himself in fantasy novels and role playing games; entire universes of
heroes and dragons, magic and dark villains far more exciting than the endless fields and beaches of Kent. As an adult, with a degree in geography and teaching career under his belt, Rouxville embarked on exploring the fictitious worlds of his own mind’s creation, and has since become known for The Kingdom of Shadows and Chronicles of Suvaria fantasy series. He’s currently working on the new, Oswald Sherman series, and loves to connect with his readers.
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