War of the Realms Box Set

by Sarah J. Stone

  Sleep was not something that she felt was in her future, so she tapped the commander of the Wild who breathed heavily underneath her. His eyes opened quickly and scanned the area, looking for danger. Leonetta stroked the dragon’s scales under her hand and leaned close to him, speaking telepathically like all dragons had the power to do.

  Vitraus, would you mind having one of your roves pick me up and take me for a flight? I cannot sleep.

  Of course, Princess. Shall you bring Ashia, your Hand?

  No, not tonight. I would like some time alone.

  As you wish.

  Vitraus called to his Wild that were patrolling the area and sat up high to allow Leonetta to pierce the canopy of the forest. The moon showed so brightly in the sky that she could see for miles in every direction. As the air from the wings of the Wild blew the treetops, Leonetta reached up and took the dragon’s claw. He lifted her high into the air, cradling her body as he flew. She liked riding like that; it was comforting, and she could see everything.

  Leonetta knew that her sister, Asphodul, was destined for the throne as queen, seeing as she was older, but the thought of being part of something so beautiful as the fae warmed her heart. She knew without a doubt that she could help her sister bring fruitfulness and fertility back to the realms on the west of Fortune, allowing her to take her rightful place in Avalon’s castle. They could rule the lands together, bringing the connection back between all creatures.

  As the Wild flew over the fae countryside, Leonetta watched the blowing weeds and flowing flowers flow back and forth in the wind. Suddenly, as they breached the hilltops, a large camp came into view with tents three times the size of a human shelter. Leonetta’s chest fluttered slightly, realizing she was looking at the camp of the ogre nation, from the realm of Cyclopian. From the look of the flags, they were escorting the king to Athanasia.

  You must land.

  What? We are next to an ogre camp.

  Yes, and ogres are great friends of the fae. They may be able to help me.

  Friend or not, the ogre is a proud being that does not do favors unless the price is worth their while. You have nothing to offer them.

  I promise I know what I am doing. Land in the field to the right.

  As you wish.

  Leonetta could feel the dragon’s apprehension, and she stroked his paw, releasing a bit of magic as she did. His muscles relaxed at her charm, and he descended gracefully into the field. At the sign of a visiting dragon, several of the ogres approached the field apprehensively. They knew very well that the dragon was of the Wild and not a shifter.

  The Wild set Leonetta carefully on the ground and stepped forward, bowing deeply as the ogre commander, Tartimus, stepped forward. He eyed the princess for a moment, his eyes growing wide as he realized who she was. Leonetta had always been a careful name on the tongue of those in the realms east of Fortune, especially with her claim to royalty within the highly-respected fae kingdom.

  “Princess,” the Ogre said in a deep voice, bowing carefully to her. “Does your father know you are here?”

  “Brave commander,” she replied, lifting her head and approaching the ogre. “He does not, which is why I request to speak with your king.”

  “I am not sure he will want to be involved in this,” the commander said, raising his eyebrows. “We don’t like to be involved in things of this nature.”

  “I understand,” the princess replied calmly. “However, this is of grave importance and vital to the fae kingdom.”

  The commander stood for a moment, eyeing the Wild Dragon behind the princess. Ogres were brave creatures that stood nearly four times the height and girth of a human. Though they were mortal beings, Leonetta had heard they could take blows from arrows and bludgeons from boulders, and still continue to fight. They were the only creatures in the land that held a dislike for the woodland fairies, strong cousins to the fae. However, since they were loyal to the king of the Vale, they were tolerated within the realms to the east.

  “Very well,” the ogre said apprehensively. “Wait here.”

  The princess bowed her head in agreeance and watched as the large body of the commander bounded toward the large, colorful tent of the king. He disappeared for several nervous minutes before reappearing and nodding in Leonetta’s direction. She smoothed her dress and pulled her hair back in an attempt to look somewhat presentable. The commander held the tent door open for her, and she walked inside. As she entered, she looked around the expansive tent, wondering why all of the furniture seemed to be fit for someone her size and not that of an ogre. There didn’t appear to be any sign of the king, so she stood, smiling at the large guards.

  “Everyone has been looking for you,” a voice resounded from the corner of the tent behind a changing screen. “And yet, here you are, in my tent.”

  A tall, slender human emerged from behind the screen, adorned in fine clothing and wearing a small version of the crown of the ogre king. Leonetta looked curiously at him for a moment before bowing gracefully. She hadn’t realized that the king of the ogres was a human.

  “Surprised?” the king said, laughing.

  “No, Your Grace,” Leonetta replied, pausing. “Well, yes, a bit. I was expecting…well, an ogre.”

  “I get that response a lot,” the king smiled, washing his hands in the bowl on the table. “Long ago, the ogres agreed that humans had the ability to work with other kings in a strategic manner that the ogres could not. My great-great-grandfather had been the Faith to the old ogre king, and upon his death, the sky opened up, the bright beams of light cascading down onto the Faith. The ogres took it as a sign from the gods, and we have run the ogre kingdom of Mallenforth in the realm of Cyclopian for many marks.”

  “Oh,” Leonetta replied, slightly taken back by the king’s confident stance. “I meant no disrespect.”

  “And none was taken,” he said, smiling, his teeth white and glimmering. “Now, what can I do for the princess on the run?”

  “I must get to Athanasia,” she replied. “But Osiris has sent hunters, and I am in need of coverage so they do not follow me there.”

  “The Wild is not coverage enough?” the king asked as he sat down in a large, plush, red chair and sipped at a glass of wine. He motioned to his help to retrieve a glass for Leonetta, but she shook her head kindly.

  “The dragons are mighty warriors,” she replied, stepping forward. “But these hunters are shifters and have no qualms about killing other dragons, something that is forbidden in the Wild’s heritage.”

  “Ahh,” he said nonchalantly. “And you were hoping that the ogres’ mass could hide you as you entered the city.”

  “Yes,” she replied. “I can only assume you were on your way to the queen’s mark. I could hide among your wife’s help as we entered.”

  “That may not work,” the king replied, smiling, “as I have yet to choose a wife.”

  “Oh,” Leonetta said, blushing. “I am sorry. I just assumed…”

  The king stood from the table and walked around the tent, touching the long, billowing fabrics that hung from the tent. He set his cup down and sat on the edge of the table, studying Leonetta. She stood quietly waiting for the king’s thoughts to emerge.

  “And what would you do for the ogre kingdom in return?” he asked. “We were not prepared for a fight.”

  “What would you wish?” the princess asked. “I have yet to be confirmed and therefore cannot promise anything under the fae.”

  “But you can promise yourself,” the king replied.

  “What do you mean?” the princess replied.

  “The people of my land need a queen,” the king said brazenly. “And I need an heir to my throne and a lady to lead the kingdom besides me.”

  “Oh,” Leonetta replied, surprised by his request. “But in our culture, it is not the custom to arrange a marriage. Your Grace, may I ask your name?”

  “Forgive my manners,” he replied. “I am King Byron of Cyclopian.”

  “It
is a pleasure to meet you,” she bowed.

  “What if you agreed to give me a chance?” the king asked, stepping toward Leonetta and taking her hand in his. “If it is right, then you will become my queen. But if not, we will part ways. Just a promise to give it a try.”

  “I believe that is a promise I can make,” the princess replied. “Shall we shake on it?”

  The king lifted the princess’ hands to his lips and kissed them gently, his eyes fixated on hers. She smiled and curtsied as he lowered it back down and released her. Leonetta could feel the impatience of the Wild waiting for her in the field.

  “I will let my Wild know and return before the cover of the night releases,” Leonetta explained.

  “And I will have accommodations prepared,” he replied, bowing. “Until we meet again.”

  Leonetta walked back out of the tent and followed the ogre commander back into the field. He lifted her up and set her on the back of the dragon. She smiled at his unexpected kindness and grasped on to the Wild as he began to lift back into the air.

  Back in the ogre king’s tent, he sat alone, staring at nothing, his mind fixated on the beautiful girl that was just inside his tent. The muscles in his strong arms twitched as he ran his hand over the handle of his sword. The king was a handsome man but had been so worried about ruling the ogre kingdom, coupled with the lack of human options, that he had breached his thirtieth mark without a queen at his side.

  Byron filled his glass again and sipped at the cup, thinking about his options to woo the princess once she was settled in Athanasia. Though the ogres had been in alliance with the fae for centuries, because of their violent ways, they had never seen eye to eye with the magical realm. As a human, Byron understood this and hoped his possible marriage to a fae would bring solidarity back between the realms. Though Byron was a wise king, he was often self-confident beyond a healthy level for a human. He was born into royalty with the knowledge that he would one day rule Cyclopian.

  The king put down his cup and walked out of the tent, looking up at the starry night sky. The wind blew hard across the plain, and the flags of his camp whipped wildly. This princess was running from Avalon, and now Byron had to decide whether it was more worthwhile to take her to Athanasia or forge an alliance outside the fae kingdom.

  “Good work,” a voice spoke from behind him.

  Byron turned around as Ellijah, an Avalon shifter, emerged from a tent, his golden flame pin sparkling like the stars.

  “We shall see,” Byron responded. “This princess is not easily fooled. And I say, I kind of like her.”

  “Don’t forget our agreement,” Ellijah demanded. “This is not to find you a wife. That woman is an enemy, and I shall make sure she gets her deserved punishment for what she has done.”

  “And our agreement stands?” Byron asked, turning to Ellijah. “There will be a way out for us from the palace if things get hairy?”

  “Of course,” Ellijah replied, bowing to the king. “It is all set up.”

  “Such a pity,” Byron mumbled, staring off into the distance. “Such a pretty little face.”

  Chapter Six: The Necromancer

  “This is my favorite time of year,” Briella said cheerily as she stood in front of the princess, inspecting her gown. “In just three days, we will be whirling around the dance floor.”

  “I don’t know if I’ll be whirling,” Asphodul laughed. “But if you are anything like last year, I suggest flat shoes and pacing your wine consumption.”

  Briella looked up in feigned shock, and the two girls burst into laughter. It was the first time since Asphodul had experienced her vision that she had laughed, and it felt good. She had to admit, her mother’s mark of birth celebration was probably the most festive and exciting event of the season. There would be fireworks in the distance and music flowing, not just in the castle, but all over the Vale. For those who were not invited to the capital city, each smaller city held their own festivities. However, Briella’s favorite part of it all was the plethora of creatures that traveled from throughout the lands. She would dance with the sprites and be lifted onto the shoulders of ogres, who always dropped their bad moods and danced for Asphodul.

  “Okay, stay right here,” Briella said, giggling. “I’ll be right back.”

  Asphodul picked at the flowers that flowed from the train of her dress, and though she did love the whimsical feeling of it, there was something that just didn’t fit her about the dress. She turned her head right and left looking at herself in the mirror. She pulled her hair up on top of her head and stood still, staring at her reflection.

  “It is quite the dress,” Ardontis spoke from the doorway. “Forgive my intrusion.”

  “Your Faith,” Asphodul replied, happy to see her sister’s greatest ally. “No intrusion. Please come in.”

  “May I speak freely?” Ardontis asked.

  “I would have it no other way,” she smiled. “What is on your mind?”

  “This dress is beautiful,” Ardontis stated as he walked around Asphodul. “But I feel over the last week something has changed inside of you. Maybe you should try a more grown-up gown.”

  Asphodul smiled and clapped her hands together, producing streams of blue light that began to encircle her. Ardontis stepped forward and put his hand on hers, shaking his head. She released the magic before it could change her gown, confused as to why Ardontis had stopped her.

  “Make it a surprise,” he whispered, before turning to walk out of the room. “You really do look so much like Leonetta.”

  Asphodul smiled slightly as Ardontis left the room, Briella bowing to him as he passed. She lifted the front of her dress as she walked and entered back into Asphodul’s chambers. She stood in front of the princess and turned slowly in a circle, the glitter on her dress reflecting on the walls around her. The gown was long, and her sweet, pale skin and fae features made her look like royalty.

  “Wow,” Asphodul gasped. “You look beautiful, Briella. Where did you get such a magnificent gown? Did you use magic?”

  “No,” Briella said, blushing. “It was my mother’s. I altered it a bit, but it was a gown that her mother had made her.”

  “Oh, Briella,” Asphodul gushed as she waved her hand over herself, returning her to a more comfortable attire. “You will be the envy of the party.”

  The sound of trumpets drew Asphodul’s attention, and she walked to her window to see who was arriving. It was a bit early for anyone to be coming for the party, but it was not unheard of for messengers to send gifts. She peered down at the courtyard as the gates to the castle slowly opened. The flags of Lassliar appeared, the wind blowing them wildly. Through the gate, the commander rode, sending shivers down Asphodul’s neck. He was a necromancer, and the thought of the dead rising had scared Asphodul since she was a child. She watched as the last of the brigade followed the commander into Athanasia.

  “It is the necromancer,” Asphodul stated to Briella. “But he comes alone. King Shelton is not with him. He must be here on business.”

  “Your father and mother are out for a ride in the countryside,” Briella responded. “You must go greet the commander in their place.”

  “Ugh,” Asphodul wrinkled her nose. “He is terrifying. You can almost see the dead follow him.”

  “Yes, well,” Briella stopped her sentence and straightened Asphodul’s dress. “I will change quickly. Go ahead of me and be kind, please.”

  “I will,” Asphodul replied grumpily as she walked out of her chambers, shooing Briella’s helpful hands.

  Asphodul walked quietly through the halls, nodding at Tyriad as he moved from one of the halls to her side. The two did not speak a word but were in understanding that Asphodul would do little talking. Tyriad knew that she hated being around Alfontus since his powers frightened her. She couldn’t fathom how a man with such magic could be good. Tyriad and her father had told her over and over he was an ally, but that didn’t make her any more comfortable.

  As Asphodul and Tyri
ad exited the castle and walked down to greet Alfontus, he straightened his sword and bowed deeply at the princess. She smiled slightly and nodded back, keeping her eyes on his face. She looked over at his horse who stood as still as a statue. It was the largest steed she had ever seen, and his coat shimmered black like the night sky. She reached up and touched its nose and smiled as it bowed its head down to the fae heir.

  “The fae have always had a way with animals,” Alfontus stated, smiling at the horse. “You are looking lovely as always, Your Grace.”

  “Thank you,” Asphodul replied, turning to Alfontus. “What brings you to our capital?”

  “I sent word,” Alfontus stated, looking to Tyriad.

  “Ah,” Tyriad said, remembering the shifters that had arrived at the same time as the Faith. “Yes, we have had so many visitors. The king is aware that you would be arriving today. Our staff will show you to your chambers and your men to their quarters. Whatever you need, let them know. King Anthurium and Queen Sivelle are out on a ride. They will return shortly.”

  “And him?” Alfontus replied, looking up at the Avalon Faith standing in the doorway. “Should we guard our words?”

  “He is our ally,” Asphodul replied, stepping in front of Tyriad. “He may be from Avalon, but he is my sister’s Faith. He will be treated as a member of this court.”

  “Of course,” Alfontus replied and bowed as he sensed irritation in Asphodul’s voice. He watched as the princess and Tyriad turned and walked back toward the castle. It was no secret that Asphodul feared Alfontus, and he tried to be diplomatic. However, it did bring a bit of pleasure to ruffle the fae feathers a bit.

  “Your Faith,” Asphodul spoke as she reached the top of the stairs, “will you accompany me into the garden for tea?”