The Mad Raven's Tale (The Accarian Chronicles Book 1)

by Andrew Walbrown

  Amantius gripped the arms of his chair, digging his fingernails into the wood. He had trouble breathing; he could hear his heart pounded in his ears. “Me? Are you sure?”

  Now it was Pelecia’s turn to laugh. “Yes, my child, I am sure. You are Roderic’s son.”

  “And the rightful king,” Marinius added, his gruff voice drawing everyone’s attention.

  “But how?” Amantius managed to say, “How can I be? Even if what you say is true, I’m just a bastard. How could I have a claim to the throne when there are three legitimate children?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Marinius replied, “you are the oldest of King Roderic’s children. His blood, the royal blood, flows in your veins.”

  “Who else knows?” Ulam asked. He had been customarily quiet, a large Orcish hand thoughtfully rubbing his chin. “Who in the palace, or the entire city, knows this story?”

  “There are a few people like me who know,” Marinius replied.

  “That reminds me, who are you, exactly?” Amantius said. “How are you involved in all of this?

  “I was King Roderic’s warchief and closest companion. He was like a brother to me,” Marinius replied with a hint of emotion. “I even stood guard outside the chambers when your mother gave birth to you. And to answer your question further,” Marinius turned to Ulam, “aside from me, a couple of nurses and Priestess Issa were present. They would be the only ones to know, assuming everyone has kept the secret.”

  “Priestess Issa, eh?” Ulam mumbled.

  Amantius heard his foster-brother’s comment but was too overwhelmed with life-altering revelations to care. “So what now? Am I the King, even if I don’t want to be? I can’t even manage to be on time for dinner, how could I possibly rule a kingdom?”

  Marinius looked to Pelecia, who had looked away. She began to sob as tears formed in her eyes.

  “Around a year ago, when King Roderic’s illness began to best him, he had me contact your mother and devise a plan for when this day would come.” Marinius began as he paced the room. “He was no fool; he knew that his death would tear the kingdom apart. There are no peaceful transitions when three princes want the same throne. Though I do not think he knew exactly how much conflict there would have been.”

  “Roderic ordered arrangements to be made. And since the rumors are true about Prince Varian seizing power and murdering his older brother, as are the stories about Prince Zeno rallying loyal followers to Mount Meganthus, it is time these arrangements be put into action.”

  “He murdered his older brother!” Pelecia yelled. When Marinius nodded she looked to Amantius and shuddered.

  Arrangements? What kind of arrangements? Amantius thought, the ice-cold hand of fear gripping his heart. Is there a secret army waiting to rise up and place me on the throne?

  “The King had paid for passage to the mainland for two,” Marinius continued, “He purchased the fastest ship in the harbor and hired one of the best smugglers money could buy to captain the vessel. The man and his crew have been paid a generous wage for the past year to remain ever vigilant in the docks, waiting for the day their services would be needed.” Marinius turned and stared at Amantius. “And that time has come.”

  “So Mother and I are supposed to sail away from Accaria?” Amantius managed to say, his voice heavy with disbelief.

  Marinius nodded. “In two days there will be a knock on the door, like this,” he beat out a rhythm on the arm of a chair, “I personally will take you to the docks.”

  “Surely there must be another way,” Pelecia managed through the sobs. “We can go to the mountain, live as shepherds. Or we could ask for clemency.”

  Ulam grunted. “The new king has murdered his own brother and is about to go to war with the other. I do not believe he will be so accommodating.”

  Marinius nodded. “He speaks the truth. Even I have to fear for my life, and my family’s. They have already left the city and headed to Mount Meganthus. As soon as I tend to a few more affairs I will be joining them.”

  “Why can we not go with you, then?” Amantius asked. He could not wrap his head around the concept of crossing the ocean just to protect a secret that may never be discovered. “Would Prince Zeno be more tolerant?

  “Who is to say?” Marinius replied with a shrug of the shoulders. “Any political rival is in danger in this upcoming war. Not just blood relatives, but anyone with power, and the war will not end until one side is completely annihilated.”

  A horn sounded from the direction of the palace, long an ominous. Marinius looked out the window towards the keep. “I must be going.”

  “Thank you, Marinius,” Pelecia replied. “For your secrecy. I could never repay you.”

  Marinius bowed once more to Pelecia. “Roderic was like a brother to me, and you were the only woman he ever truly loved. It has been my privilege. One last thing,” Marinius reached into his robes and pulled out a book, old and worn. “His last request was for me to give you this.”

  Pelecia opened the book and read a few lines, immediately bursting into tears. “I know these stories. They are the ones he read to me when I was ill.”

  Marinius nodded. “It was his most prized possession. Farewell Lady Pelecia, I will return in a few days.”

  Amantius was unsure how to react as he watched his mother press the book tightly to her chest. There was too much happening for him to process, too many thoughts flying through his mind to remain still. Am I supposed to be the king? Why has Mother kept this from me for so long? Are we in any real danger?

  “Before you go,” Ulam said as Marinius strode towards the door. “Do you know about me? Do you know of my origin, how I came to be here?”

  Marinius shook his head. “You were by Pelecia’s side when Amantius was born, though you were nothing more than an infant. We asked no questions. My apologies, but I must go.”

  Marinius exited the house, quietly disappearing into the streets. Accaria was still chaotic, more so than at any festival or parade. People ran to and fro, some shouting in anger, others in mourning. After sunset, the noise began to slowly drift away, until only the ocean breeze drifted through the windows.

  “What am I to do when you leave?” Ulam said, breaking the silence. Of all his thoughts, Amantius did not even consider the idea of leaving Ulam behind. It will be strange without him beside me. I will miss him.

  “You will not be. You are going with him,” Pelecia said, her voice sad but firm.

  “Master Marinius said nothing about my passage having been paid.” Though Ulam showed no emotion, Amantius knew the Orc was worried.

  Pelecia bit her bottom lip as she looked at them both. She forced a smile, though tears were still pouring down her reddened face. “I will not be making the voyage across the sea.”

  “What do you mean!?” Amantius yelled. “We are a family; we must stick together!”

  Pelecia sighed and shook her head. “No, Amantius. Even if all three of us could go, I am an old woman now. I am not made for a life of adventuring. But,” she said as she ran her hand through his midnight black hair, “you two are young and have your whole lives ahead of you.”

  Amantius jumped up; he could not believe what he was hearing. First, he was being forced out of his home, off the island that he loved. Now he was losing his mother as well. It was preposterous, as though none of this was real and he was living a nightmare.

  “No! I will not leave you behind!” He declared as he took her hand in his. Despite his best attempts, he could not keep his voice from trembling. “Nor will I leave Ulam behind. Either the three of us go together or none of us go.”

  “Do not be foolish,” Pelecia snapped, “You must go. If Varian discovers your lineage then…”

  “How will he?” Amantius said, interrupting his mother. “How could he know? Even I did not know who my father was until now!”

  “Torture,” Ulam replied, his voice flat, the emotion in the room crashing on his words like a waves on a seaside cliff. A chill went down Am
antius’ spine. “No one willingly said anything all these years, but that does not mean a little torture will not help people remember. If what Master Marinius said was true, then there are potentially scores who know of their romance before his marriage to the Queen.”

  Though Amantius was aware of the truth in Ulam’s words, he did not want to recognize it. He tried argument after argument, but Ulam crushed each attempt with articulate, sound logic.

  “Very well,” he acquiesced after his last effort had been soundly defeated, “Ulam and I will go together.”

  My beautiful life is over.

  Chapter 6

  Ulam

  “It is today, right?” Amantius asked as Ulam stood by the window, playing the part of a sentry. “Today is the day we leave?”

  Ulam said nothing, not even his customary grunt. In truth, he knew this was the day they would board a ship and sail to the mainland. Ever since Marinius spoke of the exodus from Accaria, Ulam had become progressively more excited about leaving.

  Even though he knew this was the day, and the hour was near, he could not bring himself to tell Amantius. He knew the poor lad was hoping against hope, falsely misled by youthful optimism and denial. But he also knew he had to speak, otherwise, Amantius would know he was hiding something.

  Ulam eventually grunted. “I assume. But, I have been wrong before.” He turned from the window and took a seat on the nearby sofa, studying his foster-brother’s face all the while. He could see the sweat and frustration building on Amantius’ brow and took a strange satisfaction in that. Knowing he could not tell the truth, and that a lie would ultimately be more harmful, he was comfortable leaving Amantius in the dark. Ultimately it did not matter to him, he had been prepared for Marinius’ arrival for days.

  “What was it that Marinius said, exactly?” Amantius continued as he paced across the room. “That on the second day there would be a knock at the door, similar to this.” He balled up his hand and smacked his knuckles on the wood of a nearby desk. For a brief moment, Ulam saw that Amantius’ worries had disappeared, but now that silence was setting in again, doubt had returned to his face.

  “There is nothing else,” Ulam replied, “as soon as we hear the knock, we need…”

  With uncanny timing, a faint knock came at the door.

  A hooded figure entered the room, dark robes obscuring any discernible feature. Though Ulam could not tell exactly who was under the clothing, he assumed it was Marinius. A flicker of nervousness and excitement suddenly filled his belly, for it was the dawn of the next chapter of his life.

  “Everyone ready?” Marinius said as he removed his hood. “Lady Pelecia, forgive me, but you need to hurry packing.”

  Pelecia frowned. “I am not going, Marinius. Ulam will take my place on the ship.”

  Marinius started to say something but stopped before the words could fully form in his mouth. He nodded instead. “Very well. Both of you have twenty minutes to prepare. I will wait outside. Also, don’t pack metal, the clinks and clanks will echo across the city, and we don’t want them to hear us.”

  “We do not want who to hear us?” Pelecia asked.

  “The patrols searching for curfew breakers,” Marinius replied, “Two bells will ring. The first is curfew, the second will close the harbor and gates. If you haven’t boarded the ship and left the harbor by the second bell, then you will be trapped in the city.”

  “Why are they closing the harbor?” Ulam asked. “Will that not hurt the city more?”

  Marinius sighed, “I believe so, but Prince Varian, or rather King Varian, wants to keep everything internal. No outside influences.”

  “But how do we know when the first bell rings?” Amantius asked. “Surely there is a set time.”

  “No one knows. It is whenever he decides. The second is sunset, so I assume the first bell will ring soon. The first one does not matter, we will be out past curfew regardless, but the second?” His words faded away.

  “Must they go?” Pelecia spoke for the first time. She was in a rare form, one Ulam had never seen before. She looked as though she had not slept in days, the restlessness adding at least ten years to her appearance. For the first time, Ulam thought she looked old, the youthfulness and glow of her skin drained.

  “I still don’t understand why I have to go,” Amantius said, “I don’t want to go! We can make up some story about who my father was.”

  “To stay is not only to put your life in jeopardy but your mother’s as well.” Marinius turned his attention to Pelecia, his features softening. “No, I am afraid they must leave for the mainland. Roderic would come back from the dead to personally flay me if something were to happen.”

  “But he is my only child, Marinius,” Pelecia pleaded, her voice cracking. She then turned to Ulam and frowned a non-verbal apology. Ulam winked; he knew she meant no offense. No matter how much of a mother she had been to him, and as much as she owned the role and all of its responsibilities, Amantius would always be her only natural child.

  “He’s not a child anymore,” Marinius replied. It was apparent to Ulam that the man was trying to be sympathetic, but his gruff voice did not allow for much empathy. “He is, by all right, the true king, and that is why he is in great danger.”

  “I know.” Her words were faint and full of pain. Ulam could hear her heart breaking even more, something he did not think was possible. Though he was excited about embarking on their journey, it was tempered by the pity he felt for Pelecia. After all, she had raised them both by herself, through good times and bad. And now, she was losing her entire family. In a way, Ulam felt a great remorse building inside him, shamed by the optimism growing in his heart. How can I be eager for what tomorrow holds when I am surrounded by the agony of the only two people in this world who truly accept me? What kind of ungrateful monster am I?

  “Go now and pack,” Marinius ordered, “I will be standing guard outside.”

  Amantius looked dazed and confused, but he obeyed and disappeared. Ulam already had his travel bags packed; he had done so hours ago because he wanted to be ready on a moment’s notice.

  He walked to a nearby window and stared at the palace as the sun began to set, its reddish-orange rays illuminating the white walls of the city. He had never truly appreciated the architecture of the building, or any other building for that matter, until that moment. A sweet, summery breeze rustled the leaves of the palms that adorned the nearby alleyways. Brine tingled his nostrils, a feeling he knew he would become accustomed to as they sailed across the sea. Dogs barked, seagulls squawked, and horses neighed as they dragged carts down the road. He was trying to capture one last mental image of Accaria, one that would live on in his memories forever. He was not a fool; he knew the impending civil war would leave wounds that would never heal. He knew if he ever returned the city would be different, both in appearance and spirit.

  The first bell began ringing, low and foreboding. Each brass repetition was even more ominous than the last. After an initial shout of panic and desperation, the noise in the streets began to taper off, until nothing could be heard other than the iron boots of guard patrols up and down the cobblestone streets. The seagulls grew quiet as well; even they seemed too afraid to speak.

  Ulam had accepted this to be their fate, although he was not entirely sure why he also needed to leave Accaria. He was not the bastard son of the late king; he would not pose any danger to the legitimacy of Varian or Zeno’s claim. He understood Pelecia’s logic to an extent, that she was not fit emotionally or physically to traverse the open sea, nor to live the life of a refugee. What he could not understand was what had driven Pelecia to insist on his accompanying Amantius. Would she not want me here with her? She would be safer if I was around.

  “Oh, Ulam,” Pelecia said, interrupting his thoughts. She walked over and hugged him tightly, her small arms not long enough to wrap completely around his body. “I regret sweeping you into this mess.”

  “It is not your fault,” Ulam replied, laying a h
uge palm on her back gently, “You did not murder anyone, or cause a civil war. Besides, there is a huge world out there. I might even find another Orc.”

  Pelecia smiled. It was a warm display, though grief remained in her eyes. “You want to find other Orcs, do you not?” She let go and took a seat on a long sofa. She sighed, her expression now completely ruled by sadness. “I knew no matter how hard I tried, I would never be your mother. I always knew that someday you would want to leave, to find others like you. I just did not expect that day to come so soon.”

  “You are right, I want to find others like me.” He walked over to her and kneeled, putting his eyes at the same height as hers. He took her hands in his; two delicate, caramel hands engulfed in his sea of dark green. “You did not give birth to me; you had no obligation to care for me. I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been raising an Orc, especially while you carried the secret of Amantius’ lineage inside. There is no way I could ever repay you for the kindness and love you have shown me throughout the years. No matter what happens, for as long as I live, I will always consider you my one, true mother.”

  Pelecia smiled. “And you, Ulam, will always be my son.” Her expression changed, the smile faded away. She turned her attention towards Amantius’ chambers and tensed, Ulam feeling the difference like a cold breeze on a warm day.

  “Watch him, Ulam. Take care of him. Make sure he doesn’t do anything too reckless. Amantius is naïve, and in a lot of ways, he is still a child. I was too soft on him; I made him too dependent on others.” She turned her ocean blue eyes towards him, the same color and shape as Amantius’. “Promise me, Ulam, promise me you will protect him.”