War of the Realms Box Set

by Sarah J. Stone

  Holland stood for a moment, looking out over the ocean. The waves had calmed quite a bit since the night before, and the feeling was almost one of peace. Leonetta’s face flashed through Hollands mind, and he shook away the vision, dropping the pebble into the surf in front of him.

  “The gods,” Holland lied. “They visited my dreams.”

  “And why do they want us to wait?” the king responded.

  “They do not always spell those things out,” Holland replied, starting to guide the king back down the beach. “Just know they are looking out for us and believe two days is necessary. Besides, you can get the much-deserved rest you need with the sound of the ocean at your window.”

  Osiris walked along in silence, mulling the commander’s words over in his head. Holland did not push the notion any further and instead waited for the king to answer. Osiris stopped and looked down at the ash floating to shore with each wave. He bent down and picked up a small shell and rolled it around in his hands.

  “I trust you, Holland,” the king replied. “And for that, I will wait your two days.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace,” Holland stated with relief. He was worried the king had seen right through the thought.

  “It’s interesting you say two days,” the king stated, turning back toward the large, wooden docks. “I had a dream last night with the same message, but I couldn’t tell who was bringing it to me. It seems the gods have visited us both.”

  “That it does,” Holland replied. “I have one other matter, and then I will leave you be to enjoy your restful time,” Holland stated, nervous to bring up Malaya. “I have chosen a bride.”

  “You have?” the king stated with excitement. “Who?”

  “Malaya,” Holland replied, holding his breath.

  “Holland,” the king said, stopping and turning to him, “she is but a slave.”

  “In Avalon,” Holland replied. “But in Broom, she was of the royal court, niece to the queen herself.”

  “Is that so?” the king said, rubbing his fingers through his white beard. “Well, when we return, I shall verify that fact. If it proves true, then she shall be your bride.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace,” Holland replied, smiling.

  With those words, Holland set off back toward the cottage, ready to relax a bit before meeting with the others. When he arrived back, Malaya was gone, and though Holland wanted to give her the good news, he also was happy to have some time alone. He laid down on the bed and closed his eyes, his exhaustion finally getting the best of him. Though the sun was now shining brightly outside, the commander’s eyes closed tightly, and he fell into a dreamless sleep.

  Across the port, Malaya walked quietly in and out of the shadows, not wanting to draw attention to herself. She followed the servants as they made their way to a larger stone building near the edge of the town. Alfontus had chosen, not surprisingly, a rather rich dwelling with thick draperies and ornate furniture. Malaya waited outside until the servants had left before slipping into the living room. Alfontus was sitting at the table, sipping a glass of wine and eating fruit.

  “Hello, Malaya,” Alfontus stated without looking up from the parchment in his hand.

  “Hello, brother,” she responded. Alfontus looked up, smiling before standing and rushing over to the small woman standing in front of him. He hugged her fiercely, lifting her small feet from the stone floors.

  “I have missed you, sweet sister,” he whispered. “I saw you with Holland yesterday but was waiting for you to come see me.”

  “No one knows,” she replied as he sat her back down and motioned to the table. She walked over and took a seat, grabbing a bunch of grapes. “I think we should keep it that way since I will one day be queen.”

  “Queen?” Alfontus chuckled. “How did you manage that?”

  “That silly man,” Malaya laughed. “He was dying of loneliness. I saw my avenue and took it. Besides, it could be worse. He could be old and fat like Osiris.”

  They laughed for a moment, rekindling their sibling love that had been missing for years. Malaya tapped her fingers on the table as she ate the grapes in front of her. She poured a glass of wine and sipped at it before speaking again.

  “That was a nice little showing yesterday,” she giggled.

  “You like that?” he replied, smiling. “Though I know it is nothing compared to the giant armies you used to gather as a child.”

  “It has been many moons since I have been able to practice freely,” Malaya responded. “If I tried now, I may bring a whale carcass to shore.”

  “You know I came for you,” Alfontus replied with a serious tone. “I was given word you were here, in Avalon, by none other than Osiris’ old Faith while I was in Athanasia. I don’t think he knew we were kin, but he suspected you had some sort of gift.”

  “How did he know I was here?” she asked, surprised.

  “He knows all,” Alfontus replied. “But it didn’t matter to me how he knew. I was just ready to find my family again. You must join us. Your magic would set this battle over the edge.”

  “That will hurt my chances for queen,” she replied, shaking her head.

  “On the contrary, my little raven,” Alfontus replied, leaning forward. “I believe the thought of a necromancer as the queen will excite Osiris.”

  “What about Holland?” Malaya asked.

  “He will do whatever the king tells him,” Alfontus stated, leaning back in his chair. “Leonetta is gone, and he has nowhere to go.”

  “But there is no way he will let me freely walk into battle,” she replied.

  “Then we hide you,” Alfontus stated. “You can finally go head to head with Leonetta. And don’t act like I don’t see that hate building inside of you for her.”

  “She is a foolish fae,” Malaya muttered. “I will rejoice in being able to take her down. You know I saw the Broom Isles. We stopped there before I was discovered.”

  “Ah,” Alfontus replied. “How is the old homestead?”

  “Wet, smelly, and drab,” Malaya answered. “You know – the same.”

  “I am sure Mother would have loved to see you,” Alfontus said, waiting for the reaction.

  “I would have killed her while I was there,” Malaya responded through gritted teeth. “Unfortunately, for me, she died last year of cholera.”

  “I am sure she would have just loved to watch her only daughter slice through her with ease,” Alfontus laughed.

  “Oh well,” Malaya shrugged her shoulders, “there is plenty of time for revenge. But to answer your earlier idea, I will go along with you. We will make quite the show.”

  “Good,” Alfontus stated as he stood and lifted Malaya to her feet. “Then it is settled. I will make a plan and get you word.”

  “All right,” Malaya stated as she leaned in and hugged Alfontus tightly. “Be careful.”

  “As always,” he replied with a boyish smile.

  “When I am queen,” Malaya stated as she turned from the door and back toward Alfontus, “you will rule the lands at my side.”

  “I look forward to it,” he smiled. “My Queen.”

  Malaya smiled at the sound of queen and slipped out of the house and back into the streets of the port. She pulled a scarf over her head and quickly stepped from shadow to shadow. As she rounded the corner of the alleyway where Alfontus stayed, Malaya froze at the sound of King Osiris’ voice.

  “Do you not find it strange,” the King stated, stepping out of the doorway of a small cottage, “that the woman my commander is in love with is tiptoeing around the city and exiting our new addition’s quarters?”

  “Your Grace,” she bowed. “There is an explanation.”

  “I am sure there is,” the king rolled his eyes and stepped forward, grabbing Malaya by the arm. “But let me assure you, Princess Malaya, if you do anything to stand in the way of my victory, you or your brother, I will swing your bodies from a flagpole and have the ogres carry them into battle. You’re not the only ones that can
make an army of the dead.”

  “I see you have done your research,” Malaya stated, pulling her arm back. “Then you should know we have no ill intentions toward you. We are here for the victory, and when you see me in the crowd during battle, I expect you to ignore my presence and act as if you had no idea.”

  “I am the king,” he gritted his teeth. “I do not take orders from you. However, I can see you possess powers of your own, something very fitting of a queen. Win us this battle, and you will have your place on the throne.”

  Malaya pulled her scarf back up over her head and nodded at the king before turning back toward the streets. She wasn’t pleased that the king was in on the plan, but one thing she knew about the Whip was that you don’t cross him unless you wish to lose your head. Still, Malaya had found her opening to rise from the ashes of Avalon, over the algae-laden stench of Broom, and back into a palace she could easily stand at the head of. If that meant bowing to Osiris for a little longer, then so be it.

  When Malaya reached the cottage on the shore, she found Holland sitting outside in one of the handmade chairs, watching the waves crash against the rocks in the distance. She pulled the scarf from her head and smiled as she approached. He didn’t seem to be suspicious of her disappearance at all, and she was relieved she didn’t have to make up even more lies.

  “You disappeared,” Holland stated, smiling as he pulled Malaya onto his lap. “Where were you off to so early?”

  “I went to find some food,” she replied. “But I turned around when I saw all of the men out in the city. I didn’t want to be questioned.”

  “Good choice,” Holland replied. “But there is much food in the cottage still. In fact, I pulled out some fruits and bread for us. I thought we might take it to the beach and have a day.”

  “Aren’t we due to leave today?” she said hesitantly.

  “We?” Holland said, laughing. “Are you joining my army as well as my kingdom?”

  “I only meant ‘we’ figuratively,” she blushed. “Wait, joining your kingdom?”

  “Yes, my love,” Holland replied, kissing her on the head. “The king has given his blessing for our marriage.”

  “Really?” Malaya feigned excitement and hugged Holland tightly. “What wonderful news!”

  “And we decided to wait two days to push forward,” Holland continued. “So, I am taking half of today to celebrate our engagement.”

  “My sweet commander,” she cooed. “Though I can think of nothing short of time with the gods that would please me more, don’t you think you should take this time to prepare for the battle? Your men are not looking so well today.”

  “Maybe you are right,” Holland sighed. “But first, breakfast.”

  Malaya giggled as Holland swooped her up in his arms and carried her into the cottage, shutting the door behind them with his foot. He walked past the table filled with food and into the bedroom. Holland laid Malaya on the bed and kissed her passionately.

  “I thought you were hungry,” she giggled as he pulled the scarf from her neck.

  “Yes,” Holland mumbled. “But not for food.”

  ***

  Even in the bright morning sun, the wisps of magical spells could be seen across the gorge in a field laid for training. Queen Seville emerged from her chambers and stepped out on the balcony, stretching her eyes high into the air. Her days of mourning were over, and she would spend the morning being briefed on the events that occurred while she was away. Then, as the sun begins its descent toward the horizon, the Mourning Gala would commence. Though her heart was not complete, Seville was looking forward to laughter and music, something her king had always loved.

  Seville turned and entered back into her room and stood, watching the workers open drapes, extinguish incense, and allow life back into her world. The door to the castle was open, and Seville looked up at the Faith standing in the chamber opening. He bowed deeply and reached his hand out to her. A warm feeling filled her, knowing she was no longer alone in her solace and could see the bright faces of her daughters.

  “Your Grace,” the Faith stated, “we are so happy to have you back with us.”

  “Not as happy as I am to break this chain of mourning,” Seville replied.

  “Your daughters request your presence in the garden,” he replied. “Shall I accompany you?”

  “That would be much appreciated,” she said with excitement in her chest. “Have all the arrangements for the evening’s events been made?”

  “Yes, Your Grace,” the Faith replied. “The other realms have really created a beautiful party for your king.”

  “Good,” she said as they walked along the corridors. Seville smiled and nodded at each worker they passed, filling herself with the radiance of love from those around her. “And what of Avalon?”

  “We have much news,” Ardontis replied. “But first, take some moments with your kin. They have been waiting.”

  Ardontis stepped to the side while Seville walked out onto the steps leading to the garden. She smiled widely at the sight of Leonetta and Asphodul dressed in beautiful gowns and standing before a large table filled with fruit and bread. Their hair was almost identical in color and length, and the ends of the golden locks blew wildly around them in the wind.

  “Oh, mother,” Asphodul stated, running forward and hugging her tightly, “we have missed you.”

  “And I have missed you,” she replied, kissing her on the forehead and reaching for Leonetta. The three women stood embracing in the flowering garden floor. The smell of pastries wafted through the air, and Seville realized just how hungry she was after her four-day fast. “Shall we eat? I am starving!”

  As the women sat down around the large table and talked gently, Ardontis slipped back through the halls of the castle and out into the courtyard where Tyriad stood speaking with Bartoth. The two nodded at the Faith as he descended the stairs to join them. Bartoth stared out the gates and across the gorge to where the army was training. Blue and green lights of fae magic flashed, creating a light show in the surrounding wooded area.

  “We meet with the queen when breakfast is complete,” Ardontis told Tyriad. “As long as everything goes to plan, we fly out before the sun rises tomorrow.”

  “Perfect,” Tyriad replied as he looked over across the garden to where Asphodul was sitting. Her bright smile and laughter calmed his anxiety, and he turned back to Bartoth and Ardontis, ready to complete their strategic plans. “We should set up the council room.”

  “I will walk with you,” Ardontis stated, turning toward Bartoth before walking with Tyriad into the castle.

  “I will stay and oversee training a bit longer,” Bartoth said gruffly. “I will join you when the queen is ready.”

  The two men walked into the castle and through the halls, carrying maps to show the queen. The mood was tense, but Tyriad knew it was important to allow the queen to reintroduce herself to daily life in the kingdom before throwing a war in her lap. She was still unaware of the Avalon army’s appearance at the port.

  “Has word been brought to Osiris?” Tyriad asked as he placed the different parchment maps on the table.

  “According to my sources,” Ardontis replied, “Alfontus is firmly placed in one of the buildings in the city.”

  “Good,” Tyriad responded. “Though I do not look forward to facing the dead, Alfontus has become a key person in all of this. I am assuming he will not be happy when he realizes that.”

  “There is one thing I have learned,” Ardontis whispered as he stepped closer to Tyriad. “Alfontus’ sister, the Princess of Broom, has surfaced in an entirely unexpected place.”

  “Go on,” Tyriad said pausing to listen.

  “Malaya was just a servant in Avalon,” Ardontis explained. “I did not notice her until Alfontus arrived here. She is now at the side of Holland.”

  “What does some princess-turned-slave have to do with this war?” Tyriad asked.

  “I met her when she was just a small child,” Ardontis
explained. “Her magic is unlike anything I have seen in the realms. She is a necromancer, but her swarms of dead could fill up the sea if she willed it.”

  “Do you really believe, if she is with Holland, he will allow her anywhere near the war?” Tyriad scoffed. “He may have changed from when Leonetta loved him, but he still possesses the sentimentality of a young boy.”

  “She is at the ports,” Tyriad replied. “And though I don’t think Holland would let her near the battle, I do not put anything past Alfontus, or Osiris, if he has caught wind of this.”

  “Then we will be prepared,” Tyriad replied, looking back down at his maps.

  “Have you considered allowing Seville, Leonetta, and Asphodul to use their magic to defeat these necromancers?” the Faith said calmly.

  “Absolutely not,” Tyriad replied with a bit of anger in his voice. “We have already suffered as a kingdom from one death. I fear another would end us.”

  “These girls are stronger than you think,” Ardontis argued.

  “I know how strong they are,” Tyriad said angrily. “I am not questioning their strength. I am questioning the strength of the people of this kingdom. The people not blessed by the courage of a royal bloodline. The hard-working families, the innocent children, that is who I am looking after.”

  Tyriad slammed his pen down on the table and walked toward the Faith. His anger had hit a hard line at that point, and he was ready to stand against any involvement of the queen and princesses in this battle. He stuck his finger up and pointed at the Faith.

  “You came for Leonetta,” he said through gritted teeth. “Don’t think for a moment I believe you are here for all of them. I don’t know what your angle is, Ardontis, but I have heard your story. Be careful.”

  “It seems things are worse than I had expected,” Seville stated from the doorway.

  Tyriad dropped his hand and stood at attention as the queen entered the council room followed by Leonetta and Asphodul. Asphodul glanced up at Tyriad in confusion as she passed. She had never seen him that angry before. They took a seat around the table and watched as Tyriad recapped the last few days after the king’s death. Queen Seville sat emotionless taking in all of the information.