"So Aubrey and Hayley are both leaving us. How long will they be gone for, do you suppose?"
"We likely won't see Aubrey for some time. She'll be working on perfecting her spells. Hayley will only be gone for a few days, her uncle lives on a farm just outside of Wincaster. It feels like all my friends are leaving me."
"Not all of us, Beverly. There are still some of us here."
The redheaded knight smiled, "Yes, you're right. Thank you for reminding me, Gerald."
"That's what I'm here for," he responded.
"Do you think it was worth it?" she asked.
"Worth it?"
"Yes, all the effort. Do you think it will have any long-lasting effects?"
Gerald thought it over before replying. The prince was just one of many in the distance now, but still, the royal eyes watched them.
"I think," he finally said, "that both sides have gained in this exchange. We've learned more about their culture and they, ours. Had we not undertaken this journey, it might well have been war. As it is, both realms came away with a newfound respect for each other."
"I never thought of it that way," Beverly admitted. "What do you think was our greatest gift to them?"
Gerald glanced about the barge, his eyes finally settling on Anna. She had grown so much in the last year, and now he saw a young woman where the young girl had been such a short time ago. She was staring back at the western bank where Alric sat on his horse, returning her gaze.
"Prince Alric has received the greatest gift of all," he said.
"What's that?" asked Beverly.
"The rarest of treasures; the heart of the crown."
Epilogue
Summer 961 MC
The Royal Procession was welcomed back to Wincaster with an escort of fifty knights leading them through the streets to the Palace, where they were met by King Henry, himself. They entered the great hall to find it packed with guests for a joyous celebration. Many speeches were made as the food was served; even Henry stood to propose a toast.
"Lords and ladies," he began, "my loyal subjects, we have gathered here this day to welcome the return of my dear sister, Anna, on the triumphant conclusion of her diplomatic visit to Westland."
Gerald raised his goblet. It was funny how easily they slipped back into calling it 'Westland'.
"I propose a toast," the king continued, "to Princess Anna and her companions."
Everybody rose, with Gerald scrambling to his feet to join them, cheering as they knocked their cups together, then sat, waiting while the food was brought out. Wild boar, deer and beef crowded the table, along with other, stranger meats. Gerald filled his plate to overflowing and dug in. The succulent juices dripped down his chin, and he absently wiped it on his sleeve. He watched Anna chatting to her brother while she dug into the roast fowl. Even Tempus was happy, having been tossed a shank of beef.
All around him were the Knights of the Hound, enjoying their reward for a job well done. Even the mage, Revi Bloom, joined in. Only Lady Nicole declined the offer, for she had come down with a cold. She sat, nursing her nose with a kerchief, while those around her indulged. She did not seem to be enjoying herself at all, and when a plate was offered to her, she turned her head, her stomach obviously protesting at the smell.
Gerald finished chewing and grabbed his cup, intending to make a toast. He tried to stand, but his legs were numb. Casting his eyes about the room, he caught sight of Beverly, her head falling to the table. From the sides of the room, he saw soldiers moving, their weapons drawn. He tried to make out what was happening, but his mind was foggy. He watched, helplessly, as one by one the Knights of the Hound were mysteriously felled. His eyes slowly turned to Anna, to see her in a similar state. Standing just behind Anna and Henry was a woman; her hand resting on the king's shoulder. His vision began to blur, but just before the haze completely overwhelmed his sight, he made out her face; Lady Penelope, the old king's mistress. King Henry laughed as guards grasped his arms, and then everything turned black.
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An enemy commander. A skilled tactician. Only one can be victorious.
The Norland raiders are at it again. When the Baron of Bodden splits their defensive forces, Sergeant Gerald Matheson thinks that today is a day like any other, but then something is different. At the last moment, Gerald recognizes the warning signs, but they are outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and out of luck. How can they win this unbeatable battle?
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If you like intense battle scenes and unexpected plot twists, then you will love Paul J Bennett's tale of a soldier who thinks outside the box.
Dedication
To my team of Beta Readers, who allowed me to take this simple story and make it into an epic tale.
Also by Paul J Bennett
Servant of the Crown, Heir to the Crown: Book One
After tragedy changes the course of his life, Gerald serves as a soldier for years until a single act of self-sacrifice thrusts his future into the world of politics.
Banished with little more than the clothes on his back, he seeks a new purpose, for what is a warrior who has nothing left to fight for?
A fateful meeting with another lost soul unmasks a shocking secret, compelling him to take up the mantle of guardian. Bandits, the Black Hand, and even the king, he battles them all for the future of the realm.
If you like gripping fight scenes, realistic characters, and well-crafted worlds, then you will love this tale of a warrior who refuses to retreat.
Start Servant of the Crown Now
Sword of the Crown, Heir to the Crown: Book Two
When an invading army crosses the Mercerian border, the only thing standing between victory and defeat is an heir to the crown with no battle experience.
Enter Dame Beverly Fitzwilliam, who has trained for this moment since she first held a sword. Her destiny will be determined in a monumental clash of forces where success can save the kingdom, but failure can only mean certain death.
If you like epic battle scenes, dangerous enemies and mysterious prophecies, then you will love this tale of a knight who will not submit.
Start Sword of the Crown Now
Mercerian Tales: Stories of the Past, Heir to the Crown: Book 2.5
In a land where true heroism is more likely to be rewarded with accusations of treason, comes a recounting of past adventures by the unsung heroes of the realm.
From meeting a witch willing to sacrifice all in defense of her companions, to the discovery of hereunto unknown creature preying on the hapless villagers of Mattingly, to the act of simply falling off a horse changing the future of the realm, their accounts are spellbinding.
If you like legendary creatures, bold manoeuvers, and witty banter, then you will love these recollections of days gone by.
Start Mercerian Tales Now
A few words from Paul
When I first started thinking about Heart of the Crown, I knew I needed to introduce Alric; a young man who, like many, doesn’t know his place in the world. As the book unfolds he learns more about himself as he struggles with his role in society and his obligations to the throne of Weldwyn.
The relationship between Alric and Anna develops in a way
that is not the main focus of the story, but is woven seamlessly throughout. While they come from completely different backgrounds; Alric from a life of privilege, whereas Anna has lived in isolation, they soon find common ground and, like many people, grow to respect each other.
This tale is much more than that of a prince and princess, however, for the dark forces that have remained hidden for so long are now emerging to threaten the fabric of their lives.
The story will continue in Shadow of the Crown.
Many people helped mold this tale, allowing it to grow from its original form, to a fully developed novel. Once again I must thank Christie Kramburger for the wonderful cover. I would also like to thank our Alpha reader, Brad Aitken, who kept reminding us when we forgot about Revi Bloom (the character he played in the original RPG) and Jeffrey Parker and Stephen Brown for their inspiration into the characters of Armin Caster and Jack Marlowe.
I owe a debt of gratitude to my Beta readers who were instrumental in bringing more depth to this story and characters. Thank you to: Stuart Rae, Rigel Chiokis, Tim James, Paul Castellano, Mark Tracy, Jim Burk, Marie Aitken, Laurie Bratscher, Amanda Benentt, and Stephanie Sandrock.
As ever, I must thank my wife, Carol Bennett, for her unending support and exuberance for this series and her excellent work as editor, marketer, social media expert and a host of other roles that she has performed, allowing me to concentrate on writing.
Last, but certainly not least, I must thank you, the reader of this book. We have been pleasantly surprised by the popularity of the series, and Carol and I enjoy reading each review that you post.
About the Author
Paul Bennett emerged into this world in Maidstone, Kent, England at the beginning of the 60’s, then immigrated to Southwestern Ontario with his family six years later. In his teen years, Paul discovered military models, leading him to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces. Around the same time, he was introduced to role-playing games in the form of Dungeons & Dragons (D & D). What attracted him to this new hobby was the creativity it required; the need to create realms, worlds and adventures that pull the gamers into his stories.
In his 30’s, Paul started to dabble in creating his own role-playing system, using the Peninsular War in Portugal as his backdrop. His regular gaming group were willing victims, er, participants in helping to play test the new system. A few years later he took his role-playing system and added additional settings; including Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, World War II, and the all-important Fantasy Realm.
The beginnings of Servant to the Crown originated three years ago when he began a new fantasy campaign. For the world of Merceria, he ran his adventures like a TV show; with seasons that each had twelve episodes, and an overarching plot. After the campaign ended, he was inspired to sit down to write his first novel. He knew all the characters, what they had to accomplish, what needed to happen to move the plot along. 124,000 words later, Servant of the Crown was written!
Paul has mapped out a whole series of books in the land of Merceria and is looking forward to sharing them all with his readers over the next few years.
Keep up to date with him on your favourite social media sites:
Copyright © 2018 Paul J Bennett
Cover Illustration Copyright © 2018 Christie Kramberger
Portrait Copyright © 2018 Amaleigh Photography
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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the author.
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First Edition: August 2018
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ePub ISBN: 978-1-7753355-2-8
Mobi ISBN:978-1-7753355-3-5
iBooks ISBN: 978-1-7753355-4-2
Smashwords ISBN: 978-1-7753355-5-9
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This book is a work of fiction. Any similarity to any person, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
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