The Shattered Moon (A Divine Legacy Book 1)

by Alexander J Wilkinson

  “Shaya, we have to go,” the prince was standing behind her, looking over her shoulder at the little sprite.

  She ignored her prince “What do I do Jinx? Tell me,” she said helplessly.

  Jinx closed her eyes tightly. Her face twitched and contorted in pain as she rocked back and forth slightly in Shaya’s palms like she was dizzy.

  “I’m fine,” Jinx mumbled unconvincingly.

  “Shaya, we really,”

  “I know” she interrupted angrily. “In you get,” Shaya placed Jinx carefully in the top pocket of her dark green jacket. The sprite slid in and held onto the pocket to keep herself upright as Shaya began to move.

  “Come on,” she picked up her sword, and the Prince handed her the scabbard. She sheaved the weapon, grabbed her backpack and slung it over one shoulder.

  “I thought you’d fled.” Shaya stared at Prince Rowan.

  His eyes quickly dropped to the floor, and he shifted nervously “No,” he looked back up at her. She was still staring at him. “I must admit I was tempted, but I couldn’t,” he said hesitantly.

  Shaya ground her teeth for a moment. At least he came back, she thought.

  “I’m glad you didn’t,” she said finally.

  The prince nodded.

  After a quick look for any more scouts, they bolted out of the farmhouse, down the path, through the gate and into the trees, towards Ki Town. Shaya took one last look at the farm where she’d been raised. So many good memories. Like the time Jinx had dared her to ride a sheep around the farm. She’d been six and had fallen off after only a few seconds. Or the time Uncle Benjin had crafted her first wooden sword after begging him to do so every day for two weeks straight. She hoped to see it again one day, as it would always be her home.

  Chapter Five

  Ki Town

  Jinx’s breathing was fast and short as if she had just flown three miles none stop. Shaya didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t as if she could just ask another sprite she met passing through town. The tiny winged girl’s race was rarely seen. Shaya tried hard to remember any time Jinx had been badly hurt before. Finally, a memory popped into her head. There was a time she had gotten sick. Uncle Benjin had picked some wildflowers, ground them up and fed them to the little sprite. It had taken a day or two, but she did get better. What was the name of those flowers? Shaya racked her brain, but it wouldn’t come. They were yellow, with large petals. She couldn’t remember the name, it must have been five or six years ago.

  Shaya and the prince sat at the foot of a tall oak tree less than half a mile from town. They hadn’t seen another Krarg on their travels yet, but they both often looked around, making sure there wasn’t something hiding in amongst the trees. They were more than a little paranoid, and for good reason. Kupi lay at Shaya’s feet, looking up glumly at Jinx’s fragile form in Shaya’s hands. Even the moshling knew something was wrong.

  “How are you feeling?” Asked Prince Rowan. He wasn’t looking at her; he was scanning the area for what must have been the hundredth time.

  “I feel fine, just got the wind knocked out of me.”

  “And your wing?” Shaya asked worriedly.

  “It’ll heal.”

  Shaya wasn’t convinced. Jinx’s skin was white as a sheet, and her golden glow had definitely started to dim. She kept wincing silently, trying not to let the others know how badly she was hurt. Catching her breath seemed to be a constant struggle as she gulped down another mouthful of air and tried to steady her panting.

  “Uncle Benjin once gave you a yellow flower when you were ill. But I don’t know what flower it was.”

  “Tasted like swamp water,” Jinx stuck her tongue out in disgust.

  “The name Jinx, what was the name?”

  “I don’t remember.”

  “What did it look like?” Asked the prince.

  Shaya told the prince every detail of the flower she could remember. The thick green stems. The orangy-red veins that ran across the leaves. They had long drooping petals, the colour of butter.

  “It sounds odd, but when I saw them as I child, I could have sworn I saw them glow.”

  “Glow?”

  “I was young. I’m sure they didn’t really.”

  “Were they Sun Roots?”

  “Yes,” shouted Shaya. Sun Roots, Uncle Benjin had picked them at the foot of the Volanti Peaks and brought them home. She remembered, thank the Goddess.

  “How did you know?” she asked, smiling for the first time in what felt like forever.

  “The glowing. They absorb sunlight and sometimes glow on sunny days,” he hesitated “They were my mother’s favourite.”

  “They grow on the Volanti Peaks; there’s a florist in town, Myana. She’s a Volanti, she should have some,” without another word, the young girl picked up her bag, slid Jinx back into her jacket pocket and raced off towards town, forgetting about the bewildered prince she left to sprint after her.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Ki Town wasn’t the biggest city in Arrolyn, but it was clean, and the people were, for the most part, as friendly as they come. The two youngsters passed under the arch that read Ki Town Welcomes You and wandered down the mostly quiet street. It was still early, so there were not many people around. The streets were cobbled stone, a myriad of various greys, beiges and browns littered the ground. The buildings were no higher than three floors; all old grey stone that had been there for hundreds of years. Banners with the colours of the Royal Family proudly hung between the buildings down almost every street, all wine-red and gold, zigzagging their way around town. Prince Rowan looked up at the banners with a surprised smile on his face; he had barely stepped foot outside of the castle grounds, so to see his family’s colours adorned so prominently in a civilian setting made him feel honoured.

  “Is the Royal family really celebrated like this here?” he asked Shaya, not taking his eyes off the banners. Shaya gave him a sideways glance and a bemused smirk.

  “It’s called Ki Town. It’s literally named after your family, as is the province. You really haven’t been out of the castle much have you your majesty?” she asked, still smirking.

  “I’ve learned about our family history and the kingdom. I’ve read nearly every book in our library, and it’s a vast library. But I must say, seeing these places I’ve read about is very different.”

  Houses lined the streets on both sides. The curtains were still drawn in most. Every now and again, the sound of a bolt sliding back could be heard, and someone would step out into the morning air and close the wooden door behind them. A few took a second glance at the prince; his crown and robes did stand out. What was even stranger, was the fact he was walking down the street with a young common girl and a moshling who was trailing behind them, panting with his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

  “Maybe I should hide your crown in my bag, your majesty,” Shaya said looking around.

  “This is my crown,” he said curtly “It’s been in my family for generations.”

  “Well, we’re starting to draw some attention,” she nodded towards an old lady standing in her doorway. She was staring at the young prince, mouth ajar. As they passed, she quickly waddled to her neighbour’s house and began to knock frantically, still staring after them.

  “Very well,” he sighed. Carefully he lifted the crown off his messy dark hair. Shaya held out a hand, sliding her backpack over one shoulder. Rowan gave her a mistrusting glance, then reluctantly handed the crown over. She gently slipped the gold band inside the bag. Luckily it was only small and fit comfortably between the folds of a blanket.

  They rounded the next corner, and the prince’s jaw dropped. Market square, it was a vast open courtyard, surrounded by shops on all sides of the circular space. A slow-moving stream ran through the middle of the place, through a large fountain with water shooting up into the air. The water was pumped directly from the stream. In the centre of the water-feature was Rowan’s father, King Leon Ki, sculpted out of smooth white stone. He stood triu
mphantly, sword by his side, looking up to the skies above. The detail was magnificent; the sculptor had captured his facial features so perfectly, his square nose, his long beard, his sharp eyes. So this was the king the people looked up to, the saviour king, the warrior king. Prince Rowan had never seen his father in battle, but he had heard the stories. Depicted here, was the king who had saved the Boaruss from a dreaded monster which resided deep within their mines. The king, who had fought back the attacks of Brogal, the self-proclaimed Goblin King. There were so many stories. Rowan smiled, he had never really seen his father like that. He was a hero to so many, the boy just knew him as Father.

  Beyond the fountain stood the town hall, a large square building with one cylindrical tower on the right-hand side. The prince could see each individual handmade brick; he could see the countless hours it had taken to build. Each block was a slightly different shade of grey, giving the building a kind of speckled effect. In front of the town hall, surrounding the fountain were dozens of market stalls. With his eyes wide and a smile on his face, Rowan took his first steps into the marketplace.

  Shaya breathed deep. The air was filled with delightful smells, like the aroma of the fresh bread from Mr Clarke’s bakery stall, or the slow roasting chicken from Mrs Balamore. If there was something you wanted, Ki Town Market was the place to get it. From food to fine clothing, from trinkets to fur rugs. Shaya had been coming here with her Uncle Benjin ever since she could walk; she loved it. She had been to the market so much over the years; she knew almost every shopkeeper by name.

  The enticing smells of the various foods on offer made Shaya’s stomach grumble and her mouth water. Usually, Jinx would set off and fly around the place talking to everyone; Shaya and her uncle wouldn’t see her for an hour or so. She’d flutter back stuffed full of cheese and grapes the vendors would give her for free. The little sprite wouldn’t be doing that today, she’d clambered onto Shaya’s shoulder and pretended like nothing was wrong, but she wasn’t fooling anyone.

  The prince walked ahead. Shaya scanned the stalls as she caught up to him, looking for Myana’s florist stand. Third row back, fourth stall on the right, Shaya thought to herself. They went down the third row, and there she was, Myana just placing the various flowers in rows on the front of her stalls.

  “I’m alright I promise. I’m not eating that flower,” Jinx complained as she spotted Myana.

  “Yes, you are,” Shaya said forcefully.

  “No, I’m not,” Jinx muttered under her breath.

  “You will if I force it down your throat,” Shaya started walking quickly, she couldn’t see any Sun Root on the shelf, her heart sank. There were green flowers with red dots, orange ones with black stripes, Croplop plants, Callas, Moondrops, everything but what she needed.

  Myana was five-foot-tall, smaller than most Volanti, but then again, she was quite old. Seventy-something Shaya half-remembered, but that wasn’t that old for her species, they could live to be over one hundred. The Volanti were also sometimes referred to as the bird people of the north. The Volanti stood up straight like humans but were covered in feathers, with wings that spread from their wrists to their sides. When they outstretched their arms to the side, their full wingspan was revealed. Myana had light brown feathers with a long strip of white fluff that reached from the tip of her beak, up over the top of her head and down her back. Her hands were black clawed talons with three long curling fingers and what could be considered a hook-like thumb. Some people said the Volanti had faces like owls. However, Shaya found owls a little unnerving, with their massive eyes, and the way they could turn their head all the way around, so she had to disagree. The Volanti had smaller orangey yellow eyes with black pupils more like a hawk, and they couldn’t rotate their heads like a spinning top. Myana had kind eyes, eyes that seemed to smile when she caught a glimpse of the young girl jogging towards her. Myana wore her people’s typical long flowing robe, reaching the floor and trailing a foot or two behind her. It was cream coloured with a deep brown pattern around the collar and down the long sleeves. The Volanti crest adorned on the chest, various shapes that made the silhouette of a bird’s long beak and large eyes.

  “Shaya my girl, you’re up early,” Myana smiled, as much as a bird with a beak could smile “And Jinx, nice to see you both.”

  The Volanti only glanced at them before bending down and lifting another pot of plants Shaya didn’t recognise.

  “Good morning Myana,” said Shaya a little out of breath.

  “Now what could be so important you have to be up at the crack of dawn and come to see a florist?” said the Volanti with a raised feathery eyebrow. “Has your uncle trampled your petunias again? I swear that man is-,” she suddenly stopped when she saw the prince appear behind Shaya, Kupi in tow. Myana went to speak again, but Shaya got their first.

  “Oh sorry, this is my, cousin,” Shaya was thinking on her feet, and it showed “Ba, Barry” she murmured.

  “Barry?” asked Myana a bemused look on her face.

  “That’s right,” Shaya looked at the prince, pleading for help.

  “Yes, I’m Barry,” said Rowan with an unconvincingly panicked glance at the young girl.

  Myana burst out into laughter and had to put her clawed hands over her beak to cover the loud guffaws that seemed to echo around the quiet market.

  “I, I’m sorry,” she gasped as she wiped a tear from her eye “Is that the best you could come up with?”

  “I, well. I don’t,” Shaya stammered, her brain failed her as tried to think of something.

  “Shaya my girl, why are you walking around town with the Prince of Arrolyn?” asked the Volanti bluntly.

  The girl froze for a moment. “The Prince? Where?” She looked around, pretending to look for him, this wasn’t working, it was just embarrassing.

  “Don’t make me laugh child, not again,” Myana chucked and turned to the young boy “Your Highness, it’s an honour to meet you. I’m a great admirer of your father.”

  “Thank you,” the prince clearly knew the terrible attempt of hiding his identity was over.

  “I’ve met your father several many times, but I have not had the pleasure of your presence, at least not since you were a baby.”

  “You know my father?”

  “Yes, he’s friends of my parents, Avem and Avis de Caelo.”

  “Your parents are the leaders of your people?”

  “Yes, I’m honoured you know them by name.”

  “My father talks of them often, he always tells me stories of the

  times he spent at Volanti Peaks.”

  “Yes, I remember them well.”

  “I must ask, how did you recognise me?”

  “Your robes are a dead giveaway firstly your highness, but I also

  recognised your face, as I’m sure many people here do.”

  “But I’ve barely stepped foot out of the castle grounds, how could

  anyone know my face?”

  Myana giggled again and gestured to the wall across from her stall. There, a six-foot-high painting of the royal family hung from a white brick wall. King Leon stood beside the late Queen Gwenith, both of whom had their hands on the shoulders of the young prince. It was a couple of years old, but Rowan still looked the same.

  “Oh,” said Rowan.

  “I forgot about that,” Shaya said regrettably.

  “Now, what can I do for you three?”

  “Do you have any Sun Root Myana?” Asked Shaya. Myana noticed the slight concern in her voice. Her hawk-like eyes suddenly snapped to Jinx, who sat dazedly on Shaya’s shoulder.

  “Is everything alright Jinx?”

  “Yes, everything’s fine, she’s just making a fuss,” Jinx seemed to be slurring her words.

  “You don’t look well, Jinx.”

  “Thanks,” Jinx said sarcastically, her eyes drooping. Suddenly, she slumped on her back and slid off Shaya’s shoulder and plummeted to the floor. Shaya was able to grab her by her tiny legs and cradle her in he
r hands.

  “Good gracious. What’s happened Shaya?” Myana looked worried as she stared at the little sprite, who was now almost unconscious.

  “Please, we need Sun Root,” Shaya said, panic in her voice. “It has healing properties for sprites, right?”

  “Yes, your uncle bought some from me a few years ago when Jinx was sick.”

  “He told me he went to Volanti Peaks and picked them himself.”

  “Oh, did he now?” smiled Myana, she turned and pulled up the side of the stall, where she kept all her stock that was not on the shelves. Bending down, she began her search

  “No, he came here and bought every single one I had. I closed up early that day.”

  “Do you have some?” The panic in Shaya’s voice was growing more intense.

  “I think so,” she stopped and turned, peering back at Shaya with

  those orangey yellow eyes “Does this have something to do with why you’re wandering around with the Prince of Arrolyn?”

  “Myana please.”

  “Alright, I’m looking.”

  Shaya couldn’t help but bob up and down, side to side, trying to look over the Volanti’s shoulder. She wasn’t much for preying, Benjin hadn’t brought her up to be all that religious, but right now she was asking, pleading the Goddess for help.

  “Oh,” Myana exclaimed as he stood back up, with a pot of bright yellow flowers in each hand.

  “Oh, thank the Goddess,” sighed Shaya with relief. “How much do I owe you?”

  “Well usually they are quite expensive-,” started Myana as she placed them on the shelf next to her.

  “We’ll take them all,” said the Prince. In his outstretched hand was a black leather money pouch, it jingled with the silver coins inside. Shaya stared at the young boy next to her with surprise.

  “Thank you, your highness, but as I said, usually they are expensive, but today for the two of you, they are free.”

  “Free?” asked Shaya in astonishment.

  “I won’t take a single loral from you, missy, not if that little sprite is in pain.”