Reign of Resurgence: The Advantage (Kingdom of Destiny Book 1)

by Andi Neal

CHAPTER ONE

  Tristan listened to the whispers as he eyed the inner walls protecting the castle. He’d managed to get inside the outer walls and into the city, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to get anywhere near the castle without being seen. And he couldn’t risk being seen. Not considering the rumors he was hearing.

  Inside would be Shaylin. Rhea. Kyra. They would be hurting and lost. He wanted badly to go to them and try to explain why he was still alive and their father and husband was dead. He wasn’t sure he would have the right words if he did though.

  A hand reached out and snagged his arm. He pivoted around with a raised fist, ready for the attack he was sure was coming. Only to find himself face to face with Ryder. Ryder stared at him with wide eyes.

  “I knew it was you,” Ryder whispered. He glanced quickly around to make sure no one was paying them any attention. Then he pulled Tristan between two thatched cottages. “They said you were dead.”

  Tristan glanced around himself and kept his voice low. “We were attacked. The king…”

  Ryder’s eyes fell. “I know. The entire kingdom knows of the king’s death. The prince is dead as well.”

  Tristan gave a small nod but doubt crept in. “Did they bring back his body? We got separated. Quin was with Kale. Did anyone see them die?”

  “No,” Ryder allowed. “But why would they say he was dead if he wasn’t?”

  “They said I was dead,” Tristan pointed out. “Why wouldn’t they recover his body if he was truly dead? Is it not important here to bring an honored man’s body back to his family?”

  Ryder thought about it with a frown. His eyes moved to the crowd that passed in a steady flow behind Tristan. “There are rumors. The Guard is being…suspicious. They should be out, hunting the raiders…but none have left the castle.”

  Tristan nodded. “I’ve heard some of the rumors. That’s why I haven’t approached the castle.”

  “Advisor Penley,” Ryder turned his back on the crowd several feet away so his voice wouldn’t carry. Then he sighed. “King Penley…is saying that Duke Walton, the queen’s father, conspired to kill the king. The rumors say the duke is being held in the castle prison.”

  Ryder hesitated as his brow drew together. “Penley is saying you conspired against the king with him.”

  “Me?!” Tristan stepped back as he gawked at Ryder.

  Ryder shook his head. “I knew it to be a lie. I’ve been looking for you everywhere…I thought maybe there was a chance you hadn’t been...”

  “If they thought I was dead, why bother framing me?” Tristan muttered. The rest of Ryder’s revelation finally hit him. He groaned. “King Penley? He’s declared himself king?”

  Ryder slowly nodded. “Penley has claimed the throne. Without a male heir to succeed King Darius, there’s no one to stop him. And with the queen’s backing, the people will not rise against him.”

  Tristan’s eyes widened. “Rhea’s backing him?”

  Another sigh. Ryder scraped his hand over his face. “Penley holds her father, and her daughters are still in the castle. I do not imagine she does so willingly. But the people will not rise so long as she is silent inside the castle. Penley has the ability to divide the Baricoan Guard. Many will side with him.”

  “Penley is the one who killed the king,” Tristan realized. Pained fury flashed on his face but was quickly contained.

  Ryder glanced behind them as he continued in a conspirator’s whisper. “Does it not follow logic that the man who takes the throne is the one who conspired against the king?”

  “It was Penley’s idea that Darius and Quin go out,” Tristan told him. “He wanted them out of the protection of the castle.” He met Ryder’s sympathetic gaze. “It wasn’t me. And it wasn’t Walt.” He took a deep breath and turned his eyes toward the castle. “Do you think she blames me?”

  Ryder followed his gaze. “The queen? No. If she doesn’t know the truth already, she will soon enough.”

  “What will Penley do to Walt?” Tristan asked.

  “As long as the queen stays silent,” Ryder told him. “I imagine Walt will receive a reprieve from his expected execution.”

  Tristan balked. “Execution?! They’re going to kill him?”

  “As soon as it is safe for Penley to do so, yes,” Ryder said. “Duke Walton is one of very few who might have the power or will to fight his claim to the throne. But he needs the duke alive to control the queen…for now.”

  Ryder studied Tristan as his gaze continued to bounce back to the castle. He was no longer attired in his unique clothes. He had donned commoners’ clothing not unlike Ryder’s. “Where did you get the clothes?”

  Tristan winced with guilt. “I had to steal them. I will remember them when this is over and give them something in return. I knew I would be easily spotted if I kept my jeans and tennis shoes.”

  Ryder signaled his acknowledgement with a single head bob. “You cannot go back, my friend. Penley will kill you on sight.”

  Tristan nodded. “I know.” He kicked at the dirt with the toe of his borrowed leather boot. “Ryder, who returned to deliver the news of the king and prince’s death?”

  “Captain Janis,” Ryder answered. His eyes flashed with contempt. “General Janis now. Penley has advanced him to general of the Royal Guard…in wake of General Kale’s death.”

  Tristan’s jaw clenched. “If the Northern raiders didn’t kill Quin, what would they do with him?”

  Ryder blew out a breath as he thought about it. Then his eyes snapped back to Tristan’s. “Sell him.”

  “What?”

  “Northerners are merciless,” Ryder explained. “Known for their mercenaries and their entertainment.”

  Tristan shifted his weight impatiently. “What does that mean?”

  “Quin knows how to fight,” Ryder said. “He’s strong. They could probably get good money for him in the Northern lands. Whether for some kind of fight set up for gambling or as a work horse. A slave.”

  Tristan licked his lips as his fist clenched and unclenched repeatedly at his side. What should he do, he thought desperately. His head told him to run…but his heart knew what he must do. He could not abandon these people as he had been abandoned all his life.

  When Tristan said nothing, Ryder asked, “What are you going to do? I can give you refuge on my father’s farm for a short time but…”

  “No,” Tristan denied roughly. “This is the moment of truth, Ryder. I have to do what’s right.” His hand fisted again and stayed clenched as he battled his rising anger. “I have to follow my heart.”

  “What are you going to do?” Ryder asked again.

  Tristan’s hard gaze came back to him. “I’m going to the North…to find Quin. He’s the only one who can stop this.”

  Ryder stared at him. Then he glanced at the castle. At the valley below where his father’s farm waited. He sighed. “I can’t let you go alone. We’ll go together.”

  “I can’t let you get involved in this, Ryder,” Tristan argued. “You’ve been a good friend to me. I won’t repay you by risking your life.”

  “Do you even know how to get to the North?” Ryder asked with a lifted brow. Tristan opened his mouth to answer, then slowly closed it as he realized he didn’t. Ryder shook his head. “It is as I thought. You need me.”

  ABOUT ANDI

  Andi Neal is an action/adventure thriller author. She currently lives in northern Georgia as an enthusiastic and passionate University of Alabama fan. A fall Saturday will undoubtedly find her parked in front of the TV cheering fervently for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

  Her love of reading led to a passion for writing while she was attending Berea College. She enjoys traveling and experiencing new people and places. While at Berea, she had the amazing opportunity of traveling abroad to four countries in Europe, as well as two in South America. Since then, work has taken her to several cities in China.

  Learn more about her writing on Facebook at

  https://www.facebook.com/andin
ealnovels

  Other Books by Andi Neal:

  Unraveled

  Race Against Madness

  Progeny Novels:

  Angel’s Isle

  The Refuge