The Surpen King
Part Two: Rise of the Elves
By
Charity W. Kelly
Copyright © 2019 Charity W. Kelly
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and actions are all products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or events, etc. is purely coincidental.
Table of Contents
Cast of Characters
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Acknowledgements
About The Author
Cast of Characters
THE SURPENS
Rhen – Emperor of Surpen – adopted by Andres and Orpel, Thestran by birth
Ceceta – Empress of Surpen, Rhen’s wife, Neptian by birth
Andres – ex-King of Surpen – Rhen’s adoptive father – Deceased
Orpel – ex-Queen of Surpen – Rhen’s adoptive mother
Bosternd – Commander of Surpen’s Army
Nk – General in Surpen Army
Jet – Lilly’s husband, Lieutenant in Surpen Army, Rhen’s guard on Thestran
Ngi – General in Surpen Army, teaches Rhen’s class
Authe – General in Surpen Army
Aul – Andres’ guard, works for Loreth
Narseth – Andres’ guard, works for Loreth
Deirda- Nk’s wife
THE THESTRANS
Kate – Thestran Queen Mother, retired Queen of Thestran, mother of the Royal Family
Henry – Thestran Royal Father, retired King of Thestran, father of the Royal Family
James – King of Thestran – Kate and Henry’s first child
Reed – Wood Elf Prince – Kate and Henry’s second child – elfin
Lilly – Thestran Princess – Kate and Henry’s third child, married Jet
Sage – Thestran Princess – Kate and Henry’s fourth child, married Ryan – elfin
Rachel – Thestran Princess – Kate and Henry’s fifth child, doctor, William’s twin
William – Thestran Prince – Kate and Henry’s sixth child, chemist, Rachel’s twin
Charlie – Thestran Prince – Kate and Henry’s seventh child – elfin
Max (aka Rhen) – Surpen Emperor and Thestran Prince – Kate and Henry’s eighth child, adopted by Surpen’s King and Queen
Susan – Queen of Thestran, married to King James – Children: Henry Jr. and Catharine
Ryan – Merman, married to Thestran’s Princess Sage
Mary – Interpreter hired by James, Charlie’s girlfriend
Henry Jr. – King James’ son
THE ELVES
Layla – First Wife of Themrock, Water Elf
Estan – King of the Wood Elves
Ralis – Queen of the Wood Elves
Lilo – Wood Elf Princess - married to Thestran’s Prince Reed – Children: Lir and Alexa
Shno – Wood Elf, Estan’s nephew – Rhen’s bodyguard
Chaster – King of the Air Elves
Din – Queen of the Air Elves
Jack – Air Elf Prince - son of Chaster and Din – Rhen’s bodyguard
Naci – King of the Fire Elves
Reman – Queen of the Fire Elves
Aaron – Fire Elf Prince, son of Naci and Reman – Rhen’s bodyguard, married to Sarah
Latsoh – Fire Elf Princess, daughter of Naci and Reman – In love with Erfce
Plos – King of the Water Elves
Neka – Queen of the Water Elves
Sarah – Water Elf Princess, daughter of Plos and Neka – Rhen’s bodyguard, married to Aaron
The Supreme – Supreme Elfin Priest, head of all tribal priests
Fire Elf Cardinal – Head of the Fire Elf Temple
SCHOOL FRIENDS
Crystam – Princess of Ventar, a member of Thestran’s Council
Latsoh – Fire Elf Princess, daughter to Naci and Reman
Erfce – Prince of Ponto – a member of Thestran’s Council
Tgfhi – Prince of Tgarus – a Surpen planet, member of the Convention
THE NEPTIANS
Te – Neptian’s Delegate to Thestran’s Council
Yfetb – Son of Te, Ceceta’s ex-fiancé
Ceceta – Married to Rhen, lives on Surpen
Chisten – Neptian girl kidnapped by Thaster and taken to Hell
THE GENISTERS
Loreth – Te’s advisor – Therol’s alter ego – Appears mortal
Themrock – Blue Genister God, creator of the Universe
Thaster – Red Genister God, ruler of Hell
Therol – Purple Genister God – alter ego is Loreth
Thellis – Dark Green Genister God
Thamber – Gold Genister God
Thestrst – Orange Genister God, wears a mask
Theta – Turquoise Genister God
Tharis – Pink Genister God
Thatch – Silver Genister God
Theter – Dark Brown Genister God
CONVENTION MEMBERS
Sinter – King of the Rasacks (Snake-like head, horse body.)
Nirs – King of the Vivists (Large hairy scorpion body.)
Pada – King of Zorthan (Human)
Pento – Prince of Zorthan (Human)
OTHERS
The Black Angel – Anonymous individual who rescues people in trouble – now know to be Rhen/Themrock
Tgonar – King of Tgarus, father of Tgfhi – Tgarus is a Surpen planet
Chara – Queen of Ventar, mother of Crystam – Ventar is a part of Thestran’s Council
Tgart – Tgfhi’s Office Assistant
Professor Dewey – Headmaster of the Elfin University
Chapter 1
Private Hospital Room – Thestran Royal Palace
“I thought I might have Thellis erase everyone’s memory,” Ceceta said. It was the only idea she could come up with. Thestran’s King James had been asking her what they should do about the fact that so many people had been present when Themrock had appeared on the palace’s lawn. Just seeing Themrock, however, wasn’t the problem. By now, most people knew that their Genister God had escaped from the void box in which he’d been imprisoned. No, the problem was that Themrock had announced to those present that he was visiting from the future in order to give them the medicine they would need to save his mortal body, Rhen.
Ceceta glanced down at Rhen as he lay unconscious on the hospital bed beside her. Rhen didn’t know he was a G
enister God. Themrock had locked up his memories and powers so that he could relive his life as a regular mortal. Ceceta snorted. Regular mortal. Right. Rhen was anything but regular. He’d been born into the Thestran royal family, then stolen by the Surpen King and then later crowned as Surpen’s Emperor, the most powerful man in the Universe. Nothing normal about that.
“Do you think that would work?” James asked. Ceceta shrugged. She had no idea. All she knew was that they had to keep quiet about Rhen’s identity. If Rhen learned who he was, Themrock would awaken and that was something she, in particular, didn’t want. James persisted. “Isn’t there something we can do to make sure no one tells Rhen he’s Themrock?”
Ceceta turned towards James. He was leaning against the white metal frame of Rhen’s hospital bed. She had chosen one of the larger hospital rooms on the second floor of the palace and had asked Bosternd, Surpen’s military commander, to move the furniture about so that Rhen would be comfortable. Themrock had told them they’d have to keep him confined to the hospital room until he’d finished all of the anti-venom shots, so he was going to be there for a while.
James’ brow was furrowed, his lips thin. His black coat was still dirty from the battle. Ceceta could see that he was struggling with the truth, trying to come to grips with the fact that his youngest brother was actually a Genister God. She recalled when she’d first learned the truth about Rhen. She’d been on her way to the portal to escape Surpen. Rhen had been away on some military maneuver for what had seemed like ages, and she’d been disciplined by the king for not bowing low enough when he’d entered the room. After he’d finished with her, she’d wiped the tears off her face and made up her mind. She would leave Surpen. The only thing that had kept her there for so long had been Rhen, but he was away more than home those days. Without wasting any time, she’d raced through the palace on her way to Surpen’s portal room. Thellis, the green Genister God, had been waiting for her. As soon as she’d walked into the room, he’d told her she had to stay because if Rhen lost her, his grief would overwhelm him, forcing Themrock to the forefront. Thellis had promised to protect her and had hinted that her time of suffering was almost at an end. Of course, she’d agreed to stay. Back then she was still in awe of the Genisters.
It’d taken her a while to get used to the idea that she was actually married to Themrock, the strongest Genister God. She’d been shy around Rhen at first, but eventually, she’d settled down. Ceceta put her hand on James’ sleeve. He’d be fine. It would just take some time. “The only thing you can do is to ask your people not to tell Rhen he’s Themrock. The Surpens won’t tell anyone.” She glanced towards Bosternd. He stood protectively beside Rhen’s bed, his hands on the hilts of his swords, his eyes on the door. There was no way he would let anyone harm Rhen. Not only did the Surpens know how to keep secrets, but they were also completely trustworthy and very protective of their Emperor.
“The elves wouldn’t dare tell anyone, would they?” Ceceta asked, turning to her left, where the other members of the Thestran royal family were standing. Interspersed among them were a few of Bosternd’s soldiers and her school friends. They were all still in shock from learning Rhen’s secret and had yet to leave his side. “They worship Themrock more than anyone. They’re waiting for him to give them back their powers. If they were to let it out that Themrock was living his life as a mortal, he might not give them any powers.” Ceceta turned back towards James. “So, James, if you can get the rest of your people to keep quiet about it, we should be okay.”
She could see from the tightness around James’ mouth that he still wasn’t satisfied. He wanted to do more to protect Themrock. “James,” Ceceta added, “it’s fine. Themrock limits what his mortal body hears and sees. He does it to all of you, too. As long as no one tells Rhen, to his face, that he’s Themrock, we should be alright.” The scowl that remained on James’ face prompted her to add, “The best thing you can do is control who Rhen has contact with and what information he receives.”
Jet, Rhen’s friend and Surpen bodyguard at the Elfin University, stepped closer to Rhen’s bed. He leaned down to study Rhen’s face, then shook his head and stepped away. “I don’t know if I can do this,” he said softly. He was still reeling from the discovery. Every time he looked at Rhen he felt weak. How could he possibly maintain a normal relationship with Rhen now that he knew he was a God?
Ceceta smiled. She knew just how he felt. “It took me a while, but I got used to it. You will too. Eventually, you’ll think of him more as Rhen than Themrock. You’ll forget he’s a Genister. You’ll think of him as one of us.” She chuckled. “It can be fun. Especially, when you hear him criticizing the Genisters. They’re always asking him for help. He finds them rather annoying.”
“Speaking of the other Genisters, why do Therol and Thaster want to hurt Themrock?” Bosternd asked. He stepped to the side so that he could see Ceceta while he guarded the door.
It was a good question. Ceceta walked over to the wall of cabinets on the right side of the room. “Thaster is mad at Themrock for locking him into Hell. Themrock is the only one who knows the codes to the locks that will open Hell.” She opened the top white cabinet to make sure the anti-venom shots were lined up properly then took the mason jar with the cream for Rhen’s wound off the top shelf and put it in the drawer below the sink so it’d be easier for her to reach. She was hoping they wouldn’t have to use it, but Themrock had given her a lot of ointment, so chances were they would need it. Turning, she noticed Bosternd was staring at her. “What?” She reached up to tug on the blue metallic timing bracelet Themrock had put around her wrist so she’d know when to give Rhen his next shot.
“You didn’t tell us why Therol wants to kill Themrock, why he disguises himself as a mortal so he can hurt Rhen?”
“You’re asking why Therol turns himself into Loreth?” Ceceta clarified. Bosternd nodded.
For years, Therol had worked as the Surpen King’s advisor under the guise of a mortal named Loreth. Loreth had convinced the king to send Rhen to Punishment Island, where Rhen was tortured and beaten until his powers manifested themselves. He had caused both Rhen and Ceceta a lot of pain.
“I don’t know why Therol pretends to be Loreth. I’ve never learned what his motives were from the other Genisters. For some reason, they still haven’t told Rhen who Loreth really is. What I do know is that Therol hates Themrock. Genister law states that if a Genister is reliving his life as a mortal, none of the other Genisters are allowed to interfere. Maybe Therol disguises himself as Loreth so Themrock won’t know he’s violating the Code Book’s rules?”
Bosternd crossed his arms over his chest. “We really should find out what drives Therol, why he’s so intent on hurting Themrock. It will help us protect Rhen.”
Ceceta agreed, but the likelihood of getting the Genisters to tell them the truth was non-existent. She walked over to sit down on the side of Rhen’s bed, then leaned forward to pull the white blanket up under his chin. She’d tried many times to get that information out of the other Genisters but had never had any success. “I don’t think you’ll get anywhere with the Genisters,” she said, stroking her blue fingers along Rhen’s forearm. They have a tendency to disappear whenever you ask them a question they don’t want to answer. Rhen should be fine. As long as he stays ignorant about his identity, everything will work out. Once he learns the truth, he’ll have a battle on his hands because Thaster and Therol will be allowed to attack him openly.” She glanced up to find the people in the room had formed a perfect semi-circle around Rhen’s bed, almost as if they were afraid to approach. Ceceta leaned back against the pillows. That would change. As soon as Rhen started growling at them again, they’d forget he was their God and everything would go back to the way it was before.
“It’s almost time for his next shot. If I had to guess, he’ll wake up right before I have to administer it. You may want to go to the elves now so you can explain the situation to them.” Rhen’s birth family left the room,
along with Bosternd, who wanted to return to Surpen to check on any emergencies that might have come up. Ceceta waved goodbye to her friend, Erfce, who followed them out so he could be with his fiancé, Latsoh, when she woke up. Knowing Latsoh, she’d have a lot of questions.
Chapter 2
Private Balcony – Thestran Royal Palace
Erfce sat down beside the lounge chair where Latsoh was sleeping. He’d carried her up from the lawn, right after Themrock had left. When he’d placed her on the chair, there hadn’t been anyone else on the balcony, but now he counted at least forty elves. They were lying passed out on the tiled floor, draped over the other lounge chairs and propped up against the balcony railing. It was a grouping of elves from all four of the elfin tribes. For some reason, when Themrock had created the elves, he’d tied them to himself and as a result when he lost consciousness, they did too.
A spacejet flew overhead, its thrusters whining as the jet prepared to land in the palace’s spaceport. Erfce lifted his head at the noise and looked out over the balcony railing towards the City of Oceanside. Spacejets and a few landjets that ran on fuel flew back and forth across the sky. If he hadn’t known any better, he’d think it was just a normal day.
He wondered how many people knew that Themrock had been hurt. How many would search for the reason why their portals had stopped working? How many Thestrans would question why the elves and dragons had fallen unconscious? Erfce didn’t think King James stood a chance at keeping Themrock’s identity a secret. He wished he could foretell what would happen.
His ability to see the future worked well with most people. He’d known when he first met Latsoh that one day they’d be married. He’d foreseen that they’d be best friends with Crystam and Tgfhi. He could even see that one day, Latsoh’s father would accept their union. But unfortunately, his powers never seemed to work when he tried to see Rhen’s future. At first, he’d thought it was because Rhen blocked his own visions – thus affecting Erfce’s – but now he realized it was because he was a Genister. Erfce couldn’t read any of the Genisters’ futures, nor could any other oracle.
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