Chapter 2: The Protected     Chapter 4: Ancient Horrors

Chapter 3: The Bandits of Borgo

The next morning, we were high in the mountains. Stark brown peaks rose yet higher above us, unclad by much except moss and the occasional bush.

“The local villagers tell me that Bazba’s Bandits keep their lair nearby,” Seth told me at the last town. “A few of them saw a lad matching the description of our bracelet thief.” This seemed to match the boy to being one of them.

I was shocked at the information that bandits still made their home in Renais, and said as much.

“It wasn’t always like this,” my general told me, regret thick in his voice. “The knights used to protect the citizenry… However, with Renais in ruins and her army tattered, law and order are hard to find.”

I nodded. The Grado army was not most concerned with preserving order. “If nothing changes, Renais will continue on this sad plunge into savagery.”

A dark-lilac haired girl with a bow and quiver stepped hesitantly up to us. “Um… hello? Pardon me for asking… but are you all some sort of mercenary troop?” Her eyes were the same colour as her hair, but they and her nose were red with weeping.

“Is she one whom you spoke with?” I asked Seth quietly. He shook his head. “Why do you ask?” I questioned her. She stepped closer, glancing about nervously.

“Please, you have to help Colm!” she exclaimed, and burst into tears. “I told him it was too dangerous, but he wouldn’t listen to me!” Continue reading →

Chapter 1: The Escape     Chapter 3: The Bandits of Borgo

Chapter 2: The Protected

King Hayden greeted his daughter warmly, with a hug and a kiss. “Oh, Tana – I’m grateful to see that you’re home safe and sound again! You’ve no idea how I worried when I heard that you were under attack at Border Mulan. You are not to leave again without my permission. Do you understand?”

“Don’t be mad, Father. I bring good news with me!” She beckoned me. I had been waiting outside the door shyly. Seth and Franz stood patiently with me.

“King Hayden, I’m happy to see you again, even in these dismal times,” I smiled.

“As am I. It does my heart good to see you safe.”

I curtseyed. “I managed to escape the castle before it fell, but I think my father did not…”

King Hayden sighed and looked down. “I have news of your father.”

My heart froze in my chest. “Please, tell me!”

“My good friend, King Fado,” said Frelia’s king slowly and heavily, “did not survive the attack.”

“No…” I whispered. The room blurred in front of my eyes. I must have half-fainted because I saw things shift and suddenly felt two pairs of hands supporting me: Tana and faithful Seth. “…It cannot be…” Continue reading →

Prologue: The Fall of Renais     Chapter 2: The Protected

Chapter 1: The Escape

I awoke to find Altha grazing in a meadow. Seth was asleep with his head sunk on his chest, and my head was on his shoulder. Our arms were still tightly wrapped around each other. For a moment, half asleep still, I studied his face. His thick, dark, red hair brushed my face, but I saw his striking profile; sadness filled his mouth and closed brown eyes. I closed my own eyes for a moment, and then opened them hurriedly.

Rather alarmed by our… intimate position, I wriggled. Seth started and woke, grunting. When he realized where he was, he gasped and blushed.

“Please, forgive me,” he said quickly, also alarmed.

“There’s nothing to forgive,” I said, sliding to the ground to allow him to dismount and begin setting up breakfast. “You were tired. It was all completely unintentional.”

“As you like, Princess,” was his only answer, and I knew he was not going to forgive himself. I sighed inwardly. Stubborn man.

Seth found some firewood, and I made toast and tea – simple, and good for a journey. That was my opinion, anyway. Then, we continued riding, going more slowly so that Altha did not get tired out. I was forever pointing out different beautiful sights in the bright day. The sun shone brilliantly in the cheerful, cloudless blue sky. Around every bend was something new.

“I’ve been here often, but the times I came were mostly flying with Tana. One has a completely different perspective on the ground, and as I recall, yet another view while walking. Oh! There’s the waterfall of Clover Village!”

Near to lunchtime, we came to the castle of Border Mulan. I was happy to be in Frelia – I was friends with most of the young royal families on Magvel, and Princess Tana of Frelia was not an exception. My dear brother often had tension with her brother, Prince Innes, for Innes had high goals and viewed Ephraim as more of a rival than a friend.

Anyway, we drew over the hill above Castle Mulan and stopped. Grado soldiers were crawling over the landscape.

“Oh, Seth, look… ” I pointed as my voice trailed off in shock. Continue reading →