War of the Realms Box Set

by Sarah J. Stone

  Chapter Seven: Burn It to the Ground

  The heat rippled through the air, distorting Malaya’s view of the dead working diligently below her in the pits of lava. They hammered weapons and created monstrous towers from the cooled ashes of the volcano. She wiped her hand across her forehead and smiled as she rolled her amulet through her fingers. The dark clouds above her rumbled in anger from the gods, but only pride filled her empty chest. She no longer feared the gods as she once did long ago when she floated across the seas, destined for a life of servitude. She was in her rightful place, and would soon be the Queen she had known she was meant to be her entire life.

  “You’re still holding on to that thing? It’s kind of gaudy, don’t you think?” Alfontus chuckled, looking down at the dark blue amulet.

  “I figured Osiris might notice if I weren’t wearing it, but then I remembered what an idiot he was,” Malaya laughed. “I can’t wait until he is out of my hair.”

  “All in due time, sister,” Alfontus replied, looking out over the valleys. “All of this will be yours, and when it is, when you are in your rightful place as Queen, you can dispose of whomever you wish, whenever you want.”

  “If he doesn’t get to them first,” Malaya stated, looking over at Ghede who was standing higher up on an adjoining peak. “His power is so strong.”

  Malaya and Alfontus watched as Ghede raised his arms into the air, shooting large electric bolts into the clouds as if he were challenging the gods themselves. The bolts collided with those from the clouds and created a loud explosion, raining sparks down over him. Again and again, he released his powers toward the heavens, creating a lightshow unlike anything Malaya had seen before. She turned back to Alfontus who looked slightly frightened by Ghede’s might.

  “Fear not, brother,” Malaya responded. “You are my kin. No harm will come to you.”

  “I’ve heard that before,” he snickered. “But if the wizard gets ahold of me…well, that just may be my end.”

  “The wizard is nothing,” Malaya laughed. “He is so simple, I tricked him into believing I lost my powers. He was quick to give me this amulet, thinking he had some kind of control over me. Weak men bring weak armies, my dear brother.”

  “I do not fear his armies as I do his alliances,” he replied.

  “Has history taught you nothing? The only being able to defeat my great husband to be is dead, and the others are old and withered. Do you really think that Aralea or Leonetta have the power to defeat this great being? I look forward to turning them to ash,” Malaya stated as she tossed the amulet over the edge, watching it fall into the lava below.

  The blue crystals in the necklace popped and sizzled as it slowly sank into the fiery abyss below.

  “I must get back to the Vale port before Osiris starts panicking,” Malaya said, rolling her eyes. “Take care, sweet brother. I will see you soon.”

  Malaya clapped her hands together, drawing the attention of the dragons sitting on the ledge above. She reached her hands into the air and grasped their claws and looked down at the dead as they lifted her into the air and began to fly from the mountains. She sighed a sense of relief as the heat began to dissipate and allowed the cold breeze to push past her, covering her skin in goosebumps. The dragon pulled her up into his claws, creating a seat for her to ride in as they swooped across the realms, making haste toward the Vale ports.

  She looked down at the forests below, the leaves beginning to show a hue of orange and red from the coming fall. It was almost the solstice, and she knew that daybreak would bring a drive toward the realm of the Cascading Seas. She smiled as the dragons opened up, driving faster toward the destination. The dawn would bring her one step closer to her rightful seat upon the molten throne of the realms.

  ***

  Osiris watched as his troops, looking stronger than ever, loaded their weapons and goods onto the large pallets that would be carried by the shifters. Half the shifters would fly low, the pallets balanced beneath them, while the other half would move the Avalon army high above the cover of the clouds. They would reach their place of encampment in just one day’s time where they would sit and wait until the moment was perfect for striking. With Malaya’s returned powers, Osiris was more than confident that taking the Cascading Seas, regardless of what filthy fish they aligned with, would be simple and quick. The ports would provide them goods, and they were ordered to take the townspeople as prisoners, forcing them to serve in the Avalon Army in future battles.

  The Avalon King looked over as his newly appointed Commander, Elijah of the shifters, made his way toward him. He carried a long sword on his belt, and his stature was closer to a giant than a man. His broad shoulders and muscles sparkled slightly in the light as if he never fully changed from his dragon. He wasn’t the brightest of people, but Osiris wasn’t looking for brains; he was looking for brawn. Elijah stopped and bowed to Osiris, dropping a satchel of fruit on the ground in front of him.

  “Any sign of him?” Osiris asked Elijah.

  “None, Your Grace. We suspect Holland was picked up by the fae. There is no trace of him anywhere,” Elijah responded. “We can continue looking if you would like.”

  “No need,” Osiris said, waving the idea off. “Let the fae have him. I will add him to my list of people that may need to meet my whip before I sever their heads from their shoulders.”

  “There is a crazy storm to the north near the mountains,” Elijah stated, turning in that direction. “We can see the lightning and clouds from afar as we do our flights. However, oddly enough, it doesn’t seem to be moving.”

  “Probably one of Osharus’ spells trying to deter us,” Osiris said, rolling his eyes. “Pay it no mind. Are we almost ready for the morning’s departure?”

  “We are, in fact, completely ready,” Elijah replied, turning his attention toward the packed pallets. “They are throwing everything else on the ship for our solstice ritual before we leave.”

  “What do you think those nasty non-believing fae do on this holiday?” Osiris questioned.

  “I don’t know, boss, ride unicorns?” Elijah said, laughing.

  “Wait!” the King said, stepping forward and staring at the ship. “Why didn’t I think of this earlier! We’re not sending that ship out to the gods.”

  “We’re not?” Elijah asked, looking at Osiris in confusion.

  “We’re going to go out Avalon style,” the King replied, laughing. “We’re going to burn the whole damn port to the ground.”

  Chapter Eight: The Tithe of the Sea

  The sun began to creep through the open window, over the stone floors, and across the bed. The King took in a deep breath and stretched his arms, laying them back down on Coventina, who was curled up under the covers. She smiled, keeping her eyes closed against the coming sun, and sighed as Osharus ran his hands down the curves of her sides. He tickled her waist and rolled over on top of her, holding himself up with his hands placed on each side of her face. His dark beard blew with the breeze, and Coventina reached up, running her fingers through the ends. The breeze blew harder, and Osharus scrunched his nose at the smell of the salty air, forgetting he was in her room and not his own.

  “Your beard is getting long, old man,” Coventina teased. “Before I know it, I’ll be looking up at a white tuft of hair coming from your face.”

  “Ha! Never,” Osharus replied, rolling back over on his back. “Even in my death ritual, I will look young and vibrant, much like you.”

  “That’s why I keep you around,” she teased as she bounced her naked breast up and down. “Forever young.”

  “Unless the dead get me first,” Osharus replied, only half-jokingly.

  “I have told you of my visions, my lord,” Coventina stopped and looked down at Osharus. “The gods have great things in store for you.”

  “Right, but was that before or after the fire and massacre you saw as well?” Osharus asked, sitting up on the edge of the bed. “I fear the gods toy with me.”

&n
bsp; “They only play with love,” Coventina replied, leaning against his back and rubbing her hands down his chest. “You are older than the fae, and you haven’t seen much more than a bruise or scratch in all of these years.”

  “Physically, yes, but mentally I have watched my heart break over and over at the loss of those I love,” Osharus grumbled. “It’s almost like torture.”

  “We will win these wars and go back to our life lounging in the sun, swimming in the ocean, and enjoying peace for another few centuries,” Coventina whispered in his ear. “I don’t understand your fear of Osiris all of a sudden.”

  “Osiris?” the King asked, looking at Coventina over his shoulder. “You think that fool is plaguing my thoughts? Hardly. It’s the dead king that worries me. I may look young, but my powers are not nearly close to what they were when we beat him last time.”

  “But your children’s are,” Coventina reminded Osharus. “There is twice as much power behind the alliances as there was last time. You need to stop worrying. Besides, it’s the Solstice. We should be joyous and thankful.”

  “I just…” Osharus’ voice trailed off at the sound of trumpets for incoming guests. “The guests are arriving. I should get to the courtyard.”

  “I won’t be far behind you. Just want to freshen up a bit,” Coventina stated, kissing Osharus on the cheek and walking over to the window. “Ah, Ardontis has arrived. This should be an interesting Solstice celebration.”

  As the trumpets blared out and guests meandered through the gates of the Cascading kingdom, Aralea could be spotted walking nervously behind Georges and Tyriad through the gardens. She fidgeted with her hands, glancing back at the castle and hoping all was set for the guests who were arriving. She knew drawing a close relationship with the new fae King was important, but she couldn’t help but wish it could be done later. Georges glanced back at Aralea and winked as they walked through the flowering bushes.

  “It’s strange to have so many blossoms this time of year,” Tyriad said, looking down at the blooming hydrangeas.

  “Oh, no, we can barely grow grass as salty as the land is, and up this high, a garden is nearly impossible. My lovely wife enchanted this garden. She loves her flowers so much,” Georges replied.

  “Ah, well, it surely is beautiful,” Tyriad complemented.

  “We hope you are comfortable in your stay. We are sorry Queen Asphodul could not join us,” Georges said. “However, I do believe this is the most important time for us to grow a stronger and tighter alliance.”

  “I couldn’t agree more, Georges,” Tyriad replied, stopping to speak to them both. “With the threat of not just one war, but two, the fae are strong in their resolve to stand with all the realms of the east in any fight they may endure, especially our precious and oldest community here in Cascading Seas.”

  “We are much relieved to hear that,” Aralea responded. “Though we have the mer-army and our own, which is strongly trained, we fear with the dead king’s arrival that we may be unprepared.”

  “I was not alive for the first Battle of the Dead, as you weren’t either, but I believe that relying heavily on the knowledge of our elders and joining our magic will give us the edge we need to find peace,” Tyriad spoke diplomatically. “My time as a royal is new, but I assure you I have the best interest of the fae, the shifters, the magical, and everyone else at heart.”

  “That is wonderful news then. We hope – though we know you don’t celebrate the Solstice – that you will join us in the festivities tonight,” Georges said, extending a cherished ritual to his ally. “See what it is we do at these events.”

  “I would love to,” Tyriad replied. “Actually, though I do follow Fae tradition, my father was a communal faith before working for the fae King. They met through my father’s talk of the gods. Solstice was my favorite holiday growing up.”

  “It’s still mine,” Aralea said, laughing. “I am like a child.”

  Tyriad smiled kindly at Aralea as he raised his hand to wave at Ardontis. The Avalon Faith was greeting Leonetta, and the two were taking a walk around the grounds. They hadn’t had a chance to say goodbye before Leonetta left for the port, and they had much to catch up on. Tyriad, Aralea, and Georges wandered back into the castle to finish up preparations as Leonetta took Ardontis around to the stables.

  The Faith looked vibrant as always, calm in demeanor and ready to listen. He was a listener, and that in itself led to his ability to know what was happening before most others did. Leonetta and Ardontis were inseparable, and he knew with Holland on the mend, his presence would be needed at her side.

  “How is he?” Ardontis asked as they strolled along.

  “He is healing,” Leonetta replied. “I have stayed away. I fear my resolve may not be as strong as it needs to be.”

  “A wise choice,” Ardontis replied. “Your sister sends her love. She told me to tell you to be strong in your choices.”

  “Kind of her,” Leonetta responded as she stopped to pet the horses.

  “Osiris left the Vale this morning,” Ardontis stated. “And in his blazing glory as usual.”

  “He burnt the port?” Leonetta said angrily, turning to Ardontis. “What a fool.”

  “I don’t truly believe that surprises you. Osiris has always been impulsive. He probably didn’t think about the fact that he will have no way to retreat when the troops overpower him again,” Ardontis spoke carefully so as to not upset Leonetta any further.

  “I have a thought, but I need your guidance, dear Faith,” Leonetta said, stopping and turning to Ardontis. “I believe I should appeal to Osiris.”

  “Appeal to his what? Anger? Thirst for revenge?” Osiris replied. “I find it hard to believe he will listen to your words at all, especially with Malaya in his ear.”

  “He does not know what lies ahead of him,” Leonetta responded. “Though he is a tyrant, he is not stupid. He does not want to die; it’s his biggest fear. I only wish to enlighten him of his double-crossing best friend and the dead king’s plans.”

  “Your intentions are truly honorable and ring the inner workings of the fae,” Ardontis replied. “For that, I stand behind you in your decision. When will you go?”

  “I thought I might go during the festivities,” Leonetta responded. “Take the Wild Dragon you rode in on and meet him at his camping spot. I’ll leave right before they start the Ceremony of Light.”

  “I will send a guard with you,” Ardontis replied.

  “Of course,” Leonetta replied, turning toward the castle. “In the meantime, we can use this party as a way to create new relationships with the fae. It’s a new order in the Vale, and many are curious.”

  “You are starting to sound like a Queen,” Ardontis teased as they walked back toward the castle.

  “Don’t get used to it,” Leonetta laughed in response.

  Leonetta and Ardontis meandered back into the castle where they began to greet the guests arriving and help Aralea with the ongoing preparations. Pike and Shayla had emerged from their honeymoon chambers after some alone time and were brightly bouncing around the hall, speaking with the guests, and introducing themselves to the local council members. In the distance, the guests could hear the piping of the flutes, signaling the coming arrival of King Ebin and Queen Diona. Shayla fidgeted with her dress, and Pike took her by the hand.

  “No need to be nervous,” he whispered. “You look so lovely. The King says they are already aware of my new…form, shall we call it? They also know of our marriage. The fact that they are coming is a good sign. My father would never make a scene at the Solstice.”

  “That doesn’t really make me feel better,” Shayla responded. “I want them to love me, accept me as family.”

  “How could they not?” Pike responded as he turned to Shayla and kissed her on the nose. “You are perfect.”

  With those words, Pike spotted his father entering in through the gate. He pushed his nerves down, straightened his jacket, and wrapped Shayla’s arm around his. The two
walked out the doors to greet Pike’s parents. King Ebin walked forward first and looked Pike up and down. He tugged on his jacket and looked at his own.

  “I have to say, you make a fine human, Picarus,” the King stated, relieving the stress in the air. “And this must be the beautiful Shayla. Welcome to the family, Princess.”

  Shayla smiled big as the King leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. She looked at Pike wide-eyed in excitement before turning to Queen Diona. The mer-Queen wrapped her arms around Shayla before she could even curtsey. She then turned to her son, winked, and smiled as he kissed her cheek. She walked forward with Shayla, arm in arm, as they made their way up the stairs to greet Aralea and King Osharus.

  Osharus warmly welcomed Ebin and Diona before leading them outside to peer down at the platform floating in the water off the pier. Guests were placing their gifts on the platform before turning to walk up to the castle or meander around in the port, waiting for the ceremony to begin. The King looked out at the horizon as the sun began to disappear into the Fortune. The music played through the kingdom, bringing a sense of peace and harmony among the allies gathered closely.

  “Did you bring your archery skills this year?” Osharus joked with Ebin.

  “I have been practicing,” Ebin said lifting his eyebrows. “This year, I hope to actually hit the float.”

  “I have my magic on standby just in case,” Osharus chuckled as the procession worked its way down the steps toward the port.

  Once at the end of the pier, Osharus turned to the large crowd that had gathered. They were all holding small candles that flickered in the ocean wind. King Ebin, Queen Diona, Pike, Shayla, Aralea, and Georges all stood behind Osharus, awaiting the ceremony’s commencement.

  “I thank you all for coming,” Osharus bellowed, trying to quiet the crowd. “We ask that the gods hold us in their safety and bring forth a fruitful season before the winter begins.”

  “All be to the gods,” the crowd said in unity.

  “May our celebrations begin,” Osharus stated, turning to Ebin.