Realms Gate: A Realm Divided

by Juliet Anderson

  REALMS GATE

  A REALM DIVIDED

  BY

  JULIET ANDERSON

  This ebook is a work of fiction. Whilst references may be made to actual places or events, the names, characters and incidents within are from the author’s imagination and are not a resemblance to actual living or dead persons. Any similarity is co-incidental.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  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 1

  Erin was curled up in her father’s study with her nose buried in the book she had borrowed from the Lokranor archives. Since returning from that realm, she was dead set on increasing her powers, she had a mother to free after all. The portrait of Lodraill that her father had hung in his concealed chamber was now on display in the study. It was the closest Erin was going to get to her new found mother for now.

  She really was in another world when her mobile rang.

  “Hey, Sasha,” she yawned. “How’s the dark destroyer?” She found it highly amusing that her closest friend was actually dating her arch enemy.

  “Heinrekh’s still as delicious as ever,” Sasha giggled. “I was ringing to see if you remembered what today was?”

  “My birthday is not for another two weeks, so what am I missing?”

  “A level results day.”

  “Oh crap,” Erin groaned. “Perhaps I could slip back to Lokranor before Birdie realises.”

  “You are supposed to be fearless,” Sasha laughed.

  “If I’ve messed up, Birdie will not be happy. And you know she can make Heinrekh look like a pussy cat when she’s cross.”

  “Wuss,” Sasha retorted. “For the record, I got straight A*s.”

  “Swot. Besides, it doesn’t really matter what I get as I’m not going on to University.”

  “It matters, and you know it. Now stop being such a coward and log on and get your results. If not, I’ll text Birdie to say you completely flunked.”

  “I hate you,” Erin hissed and hung up. She rubbed her back and looked over at the laptop on her father’s desk. There was no evading it, she might as well get the pain over with now before Birdie started on her. For such a small person, her aunt could certainly instil great fear in anyone.

  She peeked gingerly at the screen a few minutes later, completely unaware she had been holding her breath. Three A’s and a B. It could have been worse. She clicked off the site and went back to her book, she was curious to see how long it would take before Birdie cracked.

  Her aunt appeared in the study a short while later. “I brought you a cappuccino, Erin.” She placed it on the table.

  “Thanks, Birdie. I was buried deep in the history of Lokranor.”

  “I was wondering if you’ve heard anything yet?” Birdie hinted.

  “From Wilhelm, sadly not.” She touched the royal medallion around her neck. She had not seen or heard from him since her return. Not that she really expected to. It was not like they could phone each other or send texts; they hadn’t yet invented inter realm communications.

  “I was meaning your results?”

  “Results?” Erin played innocent.

  “Your A levels.”

  “Oh, them. Yes.”

  “Yes what?” Birdie snapped, losing her patience.

  “Yes, I’ve had them.”

  “Unless you want me to batter you with that volume, child, perhaps you might be good enough to tell me?”

  “3 As and a B.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Where you expecting me to fail?” Erin teased.

  Birdie gave her a hug. “I am glad it is not just me who has some brains in this family.”

  “And I have been blessed with brains and beauty,” Magnus slunk into the room. “I’m glad to hear you’re not a complete dimwit.”

  Erin raised a hand and Magnus ducked instinctively behind Birdie for self-preservation. Her hands were classed as very lethal weapons.

  “You’re a chicken, Selvig.”

  “No, I just like my face as it is,” he grinned. “Now are we going to practice?”

  “If I must,” Erin stretched and hauled herself out the chair. Magnus had her practicing her sword fighting skills every single day, for at least an hour.

  “It is hard to contain my enthusiasm when I have just a willing student,” he grunted as she sloped along the corridor.

  “Hey, I’m a teen. This is me ecstatic.”

  Once her Talmar was in her hand, she felt rejuvenated, such was the power of her sword.

  “How was your visit to Lokranor?” Erin asked as she swung the sword at Magnus.

  “Cold,” he shrugged.

  “Is Wilhelm making any progress on finding links to the Third Realm gateway?”

  “Not much. Olav is not keen on him researching it for some reason. He has him heavily involved in upskilling the army.”

  Erin stopped fighting for a moment. “Perhaps that is something you can do when you become unemployed in a couple of weeks.”

  “Unemployed?”

  “Yeah. Your current protection assignment ends on my eighteenth birthday. You can take a trip to Norway with me.”

  “Oh joy, just what I always wanted,” Magnus groaned.

  “It will be your first aeroplane ride,” she grinned. “On second thoughts, cancel that. You don’t have a passport. Crap, it will have to be boat. Just like your ancestors.”

  “And why are you so keen to find this other gate?”

  “Because it should link to Vasmaar. From there it will be far easier to rescue Mum than go riding across the entire length of Lokranor and Vasmaar hoping Heinrekh won’t see us coming.”

  “Heinrekh will be expecting you to try to rescue Lodraill. It would be futile to attempt it.”

  “But not from the Third Realm. I can’t desert my mother,” Erin glared at him. Not that she really had any memories of her natural mother, she had not seen her since she was four.

  Magnus swung at her, Erin reacted with speed. “You’re not going to catch me out, so quit trying.”

  “You need to be continually prepared for what Heinrekh might throw at you. He’s seen what you’re capable of and he will be coming at you hard.”

  “I think he’s given up with the mercenaries and creatures.”

  “Yes, but his powers are still far stronger than yours. Do you remember how he very nearly killed you?”

  Erin’s hand went instinctively to her neck. How could she forget, he had practically strangled her with pure energy. Had it not been for her mother, she would have died that day.

  “So why am I messing about with a sword. Our fight will be won with blue energy. Surely I should be concentrating on that?”

  “You will need all your skills to defeat him, not just one.” Magnus replaced his sword in its holder. “Perhaps you are right though, you need to practice your summoning abilitie
s too.” He opened the French windows. “But that is an outside activity, otherwise Birdie will hurt me if you destroy the house.”

  Birdie appeared by Magnus’ side as he watched Erin summon her blue energy.

  “Has Erin talked much about her birthday?” Birdie asked.

  “Not really. I know she’s worried.”

  “We all are, I guess.”

  “She’s scared she’ll turn evil like Heinrekh and Valkarin, that she won’t be able to control the black blood that runs in her veins.”

  “Evil can only take over when you allow it to. Heinrekh was not born dark, but tragedy and the need for revenge led him to embrace his black blood. We will make sure that does not happen to Erin.”

  “Her powers are growing daily. We need to find someone who can tutor her properly, Birdie. She is beyond my help now.”

  “That will be difficult, as the only other person who has blue energy is Heinrekh.”

  “She talks still about the Third Realm. Perhaps there is someone there that has the ability as well.”

  “Maybe after her birthday, you two should take that trip.”

  “Bizarrely, Erin just suggested that.”

  “We’re McLomards, we think alike,” Birdie shrugged. “Now on the subject of her birthday, we need to start making the necessary arrangements.”

  “For her extra protection?” Magnus’ brows knit together.

  “No, you idiot. The girl is turning eighteen, she’ll want a party.”

  “I don’t think we should have a house full of guests. It could go disastrously wrong if Heinrekh tried anything.”

  “True. Perhaps just a dinner with close friends. Maybe Sasha and Angus. Heinrekh wouldn’t attack knowing Sasha was here.”

  “She’d prefer Wilhelm to Angus,” Magnus snorted. He disliked Angus intensely and the feeling was mutual.

  “Then it’s about time the prince visited the First Realm. Make sure he is invited, he can stay here a few days.”

  Great, Magnus thought, Wilhelm and Angus in the same room together. Perhaps he should go out that night.

  CHAPTER 2

  Heinrekh was heavily cloaked as he headed through the gateway into Frejboren. It wasn’t the first time he had been through the gateway into the Third Realm. Frejboren was very much stuck in the past. The gateway was in the ruins of Voktere castle, from where Valkarin’s loyal followers got their name.

  Gravel crunched under foot as he walked through the stone ruins. It was dusk and the light was starting to fade, as he headed towards what would have been the crypt. He detected movement in the shadows.

  “I am Heinrekh of Vasmaar. I come to visit the tomb of Valkarin.” His voice echoed around the ancient site.

  One of the shadows stepped forward. “Only one of his blood can visit Valkarin.”

  Heinrekh produced an orb of blue energy and hit the cloaked guard with it. As he disintegrated into dust Heinrekh shouted, “Is there anyone else here who wishes to question my credentials?”

  As he thought, no-one stepped forward. Heinrekh continued on his way, aware that it had been almost a little too easy getting passed the Vokteren. In the tumbledown remains of the chapel he found the entrance to the crypt. Descending the crumbling steps, he waved his hand and the old oak door swung open. He tossed a bolt of energy at the candles and they leapt into life. At the far end of the small cavern was a black marble tomb.

  Heinrekh had to fight the eagerness rising within him. Just a few feet away was his goal, but he was still expecting a trap. He approached with care and ran his hand along the marble top. Strange, it should spark with blue energy when touched by the same blood line. He tried again. Nothing. He did not doubt his lineage, which meant the tomb in front of him was not Valkarin’s. He waved both hands and the lid slid back. It was empty.

  He let out a frustrated howl that echoed around the small room before stalking back out. Valkarin had been here at one time, of that he was sure. He could sense it. But where the hell had he been moved to?

  Spotting a dark cloak behind one of the pillars, Heinrekh ensnared him with blue energy, lifting him clean off the ground.

  “If you wish to live, tell me where Valkarin’s tomb has been moved to?”

  “We answer only to Valkarin himself,” the man gasped as the hold around his neck increased.

  “Valkarin is dead and I am his closest living ancestor. So tell me.”

  “I cannot, we are sworn to secrecy.”

  Heinrekh killed two guards that attempted to approach without even looking. “This is your final chance before everyone here dies.”

  Thirty seconds later all the guards had been vaporised except one. He was younger than the rest and might be easier to break under interrogation. He could come back another day to interrogate the locals. He needed to prepare himself for his date with Sasha.

  He crossed back into Vasmaar, leaving his guards to escort the prisoner to his castle. It had been two days since he saw her last and he had missed her terribly. Just the thought of getting close to that red-headed vixen made him feel all warm inside.

  Life had returned to normal for Wilhelm after Erin’s departure, he was back to arguing regularly with his father.

  “I don’t understand your reluctance to find the gateway for the Third Realm,” Wilhelm growled angrily at Olav.

  “Because it does us no good,” Olav barked back.

  “I disagree. It would give us another gateway through which we can attack Heinrekh.”

  “Have you not learnt that we do not attack him?”

  “We need to help Erin rescue her mother. The gate from the Third Realm will be the only way we can reach Heinrekh’s castle.”

  “We are not rescuing Lodraill.”

  “She is our priestess. Now we know she lives, we are honour bound to try and retrieve her.”

  “Do not talk to me about honour, Son,” Olav stood up angrily and poured himself a goblet of wine.

  “We owe it to Erin to help release Lodraill.”

  “We owe Erin nothing. The child is meant to serve us.”

  “Have you forgotten that the child, as you call her, will be almost as powerful as Valkarin. We, by rights, serve her. And if anything happens to her mother, she will hold us jointly responsible.” Wilhelm could not control the anger in his voice. His father was being stubborn and unrealistic.

  “I am a king, I bow to no-one,” Olav thundered, turning on his son. “If the child is as powerful as you think she will be, then she can rescue Lodraill herself.”

  “But father…”

  Olav held up his hand. “No more. Now leave.”

  Wilhelm let out a frustrated howl and stormed out his father’s quarters. His mother was seated in the living area as he stalked through.

  “You look troubled, Wilhelm,” she rose to greet him.

  “I am,” he scowled. “Father has become quite useless with age.”

  Gudrun laughed. “I have missed your fighting.”

  Wilhelm snorted in response. “He will not see reason. I want to act in the best interest of Lokranor and he is being nothing but stubborn.”

  “That is because you seek to change him overnight, you are moving too quickly.”

  “How I am trying to change him?”

  “You have shown everyone you are worthy to inherit his crown and perhaps wise enough to rule these lands. The Council and elders now listen to you and I believe it is taking him a while to adjust to this.”

  “Are you saying he sees me as a threat?”

  “Yes, my dear son. He will come to terms with it soon, but give him some space and do not continually push against him.” Gudrun sat down and indicated for Wilhelm to take a seat next to her. “Now I understand you are invited to Muirhead for Erin’s birthday?”

  A smile finally crossed Wilhelm’s face. “Yes. She is hosting a small dinner.”

  “Your first taste of the First Realm,” Gudrun sighed. “I imagine you are eager to see Erin again?”

  Wilhelm rolled his eye
s. “Of course I am, mother, but I will say no more on that subject.” He had missed her, life was far too quiet without her turning his realm upside down. And that beautiful soft mouth, when it wasn’t chewing his ear off.

  “You must take a gift from us for Erin,” Gudrun brought him back to the now.

  “Yes mother,” he said dutifully and rose to leave. He had to be at the practice hall with his soldiers.

  “And Wilhelm, whilst in Muirhead, you might want to search for details about the Third Realm. It is they who are most likely to have any hard evidence on it.”