“Shhh,” he said, emotionless. “You are injured. Put your thoughts aside; we will talk when you are better.”
“Where are you going?” she asked, watching him stand and walk toward the door.
“To speak to the king,” he replied. “We both know that my life is in jeopardy for this grave loss, and I must right what is wrong.”
“And my brother?” Malaya asked reluctantly.
“Dead,” Holland stated coldly before exiting the cottage.
Holland walked directly toward the saloon, the remainder of his wounds healing as he walked. By the time he had reached the creaky, wooden doorway, his muscles were loosened, and any pain from his injuries were gone. He looked in at the old dusty floor where the king sat propped up against the bar. A bottle of whiskey sat between his legs, and he looked up at Holland with defeat in his eyes. Holland walked over and sat down next to the king, taking the bottle and drinking from it.
“I should kill you,” the king stated. “You know I should kill you.”
“Your death would be mercy,” Holland replied. “It was a grave loss, but not the end.”
“You are damn right it’s not the end,” the king said angrily, pulling himself to his feet. Holland listened patiently as the king went off on a tirade about his utter hate for the fae and his decision to move forward, taking realms one by one until this land was left like the Cinder Territories. He stumbled through the saloon and out into the night air. Holland followed behind him, watching as the king’s glory evaporated into a bottle of liquor.
Osiris gulped the last sip of the liquor and chucked the bottle into the rolling tides. The moon reflected off of the waves of the Fortune, and as Holland stood thinking about his revenge, anger began to darken his heart. He walked forward and took the king by the shoulders, looking him straight in the face. The king’s attention perked, and he stood waiting to see what Holland had to say. His boldness surprised Osiris, but something inside him saw his own reflection in the young shifter’s gaze.
“On my life,” Holland began, “no matter what strife, how many men we lose, or what dark clouds are brought upon us, I will exact revenge. Whether the gods will it or the hand of man brings down this wrath, by the end, I promise my king that Leonetta’s head will hang from the trees in front of her precious burning city.”
“Then it seems…” Osiris stated, a smile flashing across his face. “We have a war to plan.”
*** To Be Continued ***
Book 3: The Battle For Cascading Seas
Prologue
Across the prolonged expanses of waving grasses, blossoming fertility, and plush villages, in the northwest corner of the realms east of Fortune sits the port capital of Edann Piers, in the realm of the Cascading Seas. From the bustling wharf on water’s edge to the broad extension of farms that lead to the threshold of the kingdom, Cascading Seas is always moving, producing, and trading. Though the realm of the Vale has the most lucrative ports in the land, Edann Piers is invariably assiduous.
Edann Piers holds a mixture of masses, from humans and dragon shifters to fae and ogres. Both the rich and the poor congregate and comingle, and for centuries there has never been an empty plate or a dry cup in the realm. The streets are laid in wood, and most sit just above the crashing waves of Fortune; it truly is a city of the sea. The smell of salt and the sound of squawking seagulls float through the air, the corridors of the modest cityscape, and up into the castle built upon stone stilts, as close to the heavens as a man could get.
Within the castle walls, King Osharus sits upon a salt throne surrounded on both sides by his daughter, Princess Aralea, and her husband, Prince Georges. From a passing glance, the royal family seems like no more than ruling humans; however, in the depths of their veins sits a stronger magic than even the fae have possessed. King Osharus has ruled the Cascading Seas for nearly five centuries, and his daughter and son-in-law, who married just a mark ago, have sat at his side for over half of his reign. Through magic, the royalty of Cascading Seas is youthful and vibrant but with wise souls older than most of the realms themselves.
The rule of Edann Piers, though long in allotment, has not been without its fair share of contention from the realms west of Fortune. When the east realms were created, King Osharus was one of the founding fathers and was given the right to tax ports as he saw fit. Sometimes, depending on the needs of the land, his taxes outdid those of the Vale. The ships that landed in Edann Piers were there for a particular reason, and therefore had no choice but to pay the higher taxes. From this, Edann Piers not only had one of the strongest guards in the world, but they also had a tenacious alliance sitting just outside the edge of the land, deep within the crystal waters below.
Set at the edge of Fortune in the Inlet of Naiad, the ports look out over the limpid blue waters of the raging seas. The Inlet is somewhat of a royal holding in itself, as the mermaid kingdom is situated just off the shores. If you walk along the creaking pier out into the high waves of Fortune and look just slightly north, you can see the glimmering domes of the top of the mer-people capital of Naiad. As you break the surface of the ocean and dive deep into the waters below, a world within a world erupts. Glimmering jewels of lost civilizations, colors more vibrant than any land foliage, and the shimmering, waving tails of the elusive and resplendent mermaid move gently in sync with the raging tides. Their beauty was known in legend, and though they enjoyed their privacy, were confessed to singing sailors to their deaths from time to time.
The mer-people were as old as the oceans themselves. Their lives were considered short – as an average mermaid would live to only seventy to eighty marks – but the ruling monarch had carried on for centuries. The current throne was held by King Ebin and Queen Diona who had one heir to the throne, Prince Picarus, or Pike as he liked to be called. Ebin had ruled for nearly twenty marks and was pegged as one of the fairest mer-rulers in history. He had successfully created peace between him and the rest of the creatures lurking in the oceans, managed to protect the human sailors across Fortune from the wrath of the Enteroctopus, the largest monster of Fortune, and his city was more than prosperous. Osharus’ relationship with Ebin was robust and fierce as well, and the two worked together on a regular basis.
Recently, with the death of the fae King at the hand of a guard from the west realms – the Cinder Territories – and the battle of the fae against the Cinder’s King Osiris, Ebin kept both the sea and the ports of Edann safe and prosperous. Osharus and his family had traveled from Piers to the Vale to pay homage to both the King and the Queen, who had given her life during the battle for the Vale. The fae had chased Osiris off, but not without grave consequences. When arriving at the east realms, King Osiris and his shifter army had taken the ports of the Vale, leaving Edann Piers as the only coastal city available. However, with King Osiris’ destruction of the west realms, even Edann lay quiet.
Long ago in the realms west of Fortune, trouble began to brew in the former realm of Avalon where King Osiris had fallen into disparagement and allowed his kingdom to wither away from its former glory. When realizing his need for resources, he began to take over the other realms, his greed and anger fueling the fires from the bellies of his dragon shifter army. His commander, having killed his predecessor, led the Avalon army into victory, but at the loss of his true love, the fae-born Princess of Avalon, Leonetta. Leonetta betrayed her father after learning of her mother’s murder, and after watching him destroy his land, traveled to the Vale where she took her rightful place as Princess. However, before she could truly rule at her birth father’s side, an Avalonian knife was plunged into her heart, and her father gave his life to save hers.
The Vale is left to be ruled by the young Queen Asphodul and her newly acquired younger sister, Leonetta. King Osiris sat brewing in his anger on the shores of the Vale and, at last, had gathered his troops to make a movement toward other realms in the land. King Osharus would meet with the Queen of the Vale while paying memorial to her father and repor
t back to Ebin upon his return. Ebin could feel the waves of Fortune crashing above him, the gods angry at the death of the fae King and his mate. Storms raged through the days and nights, washing the cinder from the west realms onto the sparkling black sands of the Cascading Seas. It wouldn’t be long until the mer-people once again braced for war.
Chapter One: Beneath the Great Waves
Rays of light pierced the calming ocean surface, seeping through the water and casting shadows that danced along the sandy seafloor. Pike flipped his fishtail, slapping it against the ocean bed and watching as glimmering specks of churned sand drifted through the streaks of illumination. He looked up, following the emanation to the surface where he could see the distorted, shining ball of light above. It had been days since the sun had made an appearance, and just the sight of it brought an end to the dismal feeling in Pike’s chest.
He lifted off the large boulder he rested on and moved his muscular arms through the water, pitching his scaled tail back and forth, the vibrant colors of the coral reflecting off its mirrored finish. The water was warmer than usual following the surge of currents from the storms, and Pike closed his eyes as the balmy drink flowed over his face. He didn’t slow down as he reached the foamy surface and leaped out of the water, feeling the warm sun against his skin. He bobbed up and down in the waves for a few moments, allowing his eyes to adjust to the air and light around him. The sky had cleared, and the birds had emerged, hoping to find dinner swimming close to the surface.
Pike pulled his hands through his long, blond locks, tying his hair in a knot at the nape of his neck. The air was crisp and cool on his skin, and it brought back memories of his childhood and swimming blissfully beside his best friend, enjoying the sun’s warming rays. He was nearly nineteen marks now, and his best friend, Juno, had joined the mer-army. Pike, however, was expected to stay close to the Kingdom, now old enough to be immersed in royal activities, including talks he had avoided about an arranged marriage his parents had contrived. Pike frowned slightly at the thought before jerking his head toward the shoreline. It was nearly time.
With excitement erupting in his chest, Pike skimmed quickly across the top of the water, leaving only a small wake from his moving tail. He pushed through the currents that slipped over his body and pulled him toward the open waters, rounded the jagged edges of the inlet and slowed as he turned the corner. The breeze caressed his golden skin as he searched the shoreline. Pike put his hand up as the sun reflected off something to the left, and as the rays diminished, he smiled at the young girl perched atop a boulder jutting from the sea floor.
Shayla was a human, a merchant’s daughter from the Piers, and though their love was forbidden in the mer-world, Pike couldn’t resist her strawberry hair, fair skin, and freckled nose. She smiled over at Pike, the silk from her gown flowing behind her in the breeze and her hair pulled back, secured by a lavender bow. She moved her barefoot quickly to the lowest part of the boulder and sat with her legs submerged in the warm sea water. Pike smiled and swam quickly to her, stopping at the edge and running his hands down her smooth legs. She blushed slightly, but excitement took over, and her green eyes sparkled in the sunlight.
“It’s about time,” Shayla stated playfully.
“Sorry,” Pike replied, splashing a small bit of water at her. “My father wanted to go over my duties as the Prince for the nine thousandth time. The man is exhausting.”
“It’s important,” she stated, her face becoming serious. “The whispers in the port say that the Whip is coming for us.”
“The Whip?” Pike asked, scrunching his nose in dislike.
“Haven’t you heard the stories? His punishment of choice is to whip his people until they beg for mercy,” Shayla said with a glimmer of fear on her face. “At least that is what they say.”
“Well,” Pike said, leaning in close to Shayla, “don’t worry. I will protect you.”
Shayla giggled and closed her eyes as Pike pressed his lips against hers. Shivers ran up her arms, and she kept her eyes tight even after she felt him pull away. The sun beat down on her face, warming her skin, and she smiled.
“Have you talked to your parents yet?” Shayla asked cautiously.
“No,” Pike said, sighing and leaning back into the water. “I will, I promise. It has to be the right moment. You have to understand, it’s not as easy as getting their permission. Laws will have to be changed. It’s huge.”
“I know,” she pouted. “I just…I don’t know. I know I can get the King to grant me a tail, but I don’t want to ask until I know we can be together. I can’t go back, and without you, I would never make it down there.”
“Don’t say that,” Pike frowned, pulling himself back up for another kiss. “We will be together one way or another. I promise.”
As Pike leaned in, the sounds of trumpets caught his attention, and he stopped, turning his attention to the procession leading up to the castle of Edann Piers. The King had returned from his trip to the Vale. Shayla, noticing the distant look on his face, followed his eyes to the waving teal flags in the distance.
“He has returned,” she said nervously. “I have to go. My father will be looking for me.”
“As do I,” Pike replied. “I have to let my parents know the king has returned.”
Pike grabbed Shayla’s hand as she started to lift herself from the rock. He pulled her down and kissed her hard on the lips, wrapping his hand around the back of her neck. She gasped slightly and relaxed into him, feeling tingles shoot through her chest.
“Tomorrow?” Pike whispered.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Shayla replied with a smile.
Pike watched as she tiptoed back across the narrow, natural stone bridge that led her back to the black sand beach. She turned and waved before disappearing over the grassy hills. Pike leaned back momentarily, not wanting to let go of the euphoria of love he was feeling. The sound of bells shook him from the moment, and he groaned before diving down into the water and heading for the castle. He moved quickly through the waters until he reached the tall, golden gates of the castle. The guards nodded as they grasped their shimmering tridents, opening the tall gates to allow him through.
It was after lunchtime, so he knew his father and mother would be in the Throne Room preparing for the council meeting that evening. Pike slowed his pace as he entered the room and nodded at the help as he passed. His parents were listening to the Commander of the Army, Dragor, speak about the issues with cinder and ash from the west realms that was clouding the waters. Pike swam to the side and hovered just off the platform of the thrones. When the Commander was done, he nodded at Pike and moved back to his place with the guards. Pike swam in front of his parents and bowed.
“Picarus,” the Queen said happily, “what brings you to us today?”
“Please, Mother, call me Pike,” he replied, rolling his eyes. “And I came to tell you I spotted the King’s return on land. I figured you would want to speak with him immediately.”
“Thank you,” his father replied. Pike turned to swim out but stopped frozen at the sound of his father’s voice. “Picarus, how exactly did you know the King was back?”
“I, uh…” Pike said nervously as he turned toward his father. “I was swimming in the inlet since the sun was out.”
“No doubt with that human,” the King replied. “What have I told you? You are offending the very marriage we worked so hard to procure.”
“Father…” Pike said calmly.
“No,” his father said with a surprisingly harsh tone, “you are far past the point of childish games. Elaina is a fine mer-woman and an excellent fit for Queen. Do not make me tell you again. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Father,” Pike responded with gritted teeth. He had swallowed his fears and was about to continue his protest when the queen looked up, drawing everyone’s attention to a messenger swimming toward them. Pike swam to the side and watched as the messenger handed a parchment to the King. The King read it silently bef
ore handing it to his Hand and clearing his throat.
“King Osharus will meet us at the shore with his daughter, Aralea,” the Mer-King announced before glaring over at Pike and taking his wife’s hand.
Pike swam silently behind his parents as they made their way to the shore to meet the King of the Cascading Seas. The other mer-people of Naiad parted to make way for the royal procession. The royal family was loved by all, and many smiled and waved as the King and Queen passed by. Pike kept his head down, still reeling from the conversation he just had with his father.
As the distance between the black sandy bottom of Fortune and the sea’s surface grew shorter and shorter, Pike could hear the trumpets signaling King Osharus’ arrival. Slowly, the three submerged aristocrats rose through the rough surf, the water droplets in their flaxen hair sparkling in the light, and the jewels encrusted in the King’s royal trident animating with the sun’s luminous touch. To watch the mer-people emerge from the sea was quite a sight, and the gasps of awe could be heard from the crowd surrounding the King of the Cascading Seas.
Standing on the shore, the tall, royal wizard King Osharus had high shoulders, a firm chin, and wisdom deepening his eyes as he smiled down at King Ebin with familiarity. He, too, carried a staff in his hands. The twisted wood was carved in a flowing motion as if to mimic the very waves of Fortune. Perched on the top was a blue, oval crystal that glimmered in the light. Osharus tapped the staff on the ground three times, and the onlookers watched as a blue smoke began to seep from the stone, whirling around Osharus and his daughter, from their feet to their heads. Before the smoke had cleared, the sound of water splashing could be heard, and sparkling blue tails could be seen swimming toward King Ebin and his Queen.
The wizards of Edann Piers didn’t always transform into their mer-brother, but in this case, with the impending news of wars, Osharus found it wise to speak telepathically, as all merpeople did, and in the secret scape of the undersea world. The five members of royalty made their way slowly back to the castle where they locked themselves in the Council Room for discussion. Unlike the land-bound castles, there were no large tables or flickering candles. Instead, the underwater castle was lit up with the use of glass placed strategically throughout its walls. This glass magnified the rays of light from the ocean ceiling and cast whimsical shadows through the rooms. Osharus swam slowly next to the wall, running his fingers across the smooth glass.
War of the Realms Box Set Page 25
