Fire and Fantasy: a Limited Edition Collection of Epic and Urban Fantasy

by CK Dawn

  When she was finally laid bare beneath him, his eyes traveled the length of her, marveling at her perfection.

  It’d been seventeen years since his wife died giving birth to their daughter. She was the love of the King’s life. It was a love born of turmoil and despair, but nothing would ever compare to it.

  He’d had many mistresses in the years since. That was nothing new. But as he held Lorelai against him, he knew with complete certainty she was important. They were important.

  A loud pounding woke the King from his restful sleep. He and Lorelai hadn’t gone down to dinner the night before, opting to have it brought to them instead, knowing that by morning, the entire palace would know the King slept in her rooms.

  That didn’t bother him, but the pounding was a reminder he must return to his duties. He rolled Lorelai onto her side away from him, kissed her soft cheek, and covered her with a blanket. On the way to the door, he quickly pulled on his clothes.

  He pulled open the door to find two guards standing there with worried expressions on their faces.

  “Sire,” the one the King knew to be named Garret started. “You need to come with us.”

  “Has something happened?” The King stepped out into the hall and shut the door.

  “Rion has returned.”

  “Rion?” Alarm bells rang in his head. “But I sent him with my son.”

  “He says he has an urgent message from the Toha for your ears only. He’s in your office.”

  The King all but sprinted down the hallway with the guards trying to keep up. He turned the corner and marched across the palace as fast as he could. Trystan’s mission was delicate and if something had already gone wrong, it didn’t bode well.

  All thoughts of the night before had drifted from his mind as soon as he had to be the king again. That was the price.

  The King’s brother, Lord Drake, was waiting outside his office.

  “I saw Rion return,” he said. “He was riding his horse as hard as he could. He refused to tell me anything until you arrived.”

  “That’s because I’m the king.” He put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. He hated constantly having to remind the younger man of that fact, but it was necessary when he constantly tried to help him rule.

  Lord Drake looked away to hide his scowl as the King entered his office. He nodded to his brother that he could follow.

  The young Rion was pacing nervously and didn’t hear the other men enter. Lord Drake cleared his throat and the boy turned abruptly, red stretching from his cheeks to the tips of his ears.

  “Your Majesty,” he croaked out, bowing abruptly.

  “Why have you returned?” Lord Drake asked.

  The King shot his brother a harsh look and then sighed. “Have a seat, young man, and tell us what is going on.”

  All three men took their seats and waited in suffocating silence before Rion began speaking.

  “The Duke of Isenore has betrayed you,” he blurted.

  The King’s brow furrowed in confusion.

  Lord Drake growled. “If you’re going to start accusing our allies of treachery, boy, you best start showing us your proof.”

  “The Lady Alixa,” he stammered. “We found her fighting off her father’s men in the woods. They were trying to drag her home.”

  “If she disobeyed her father than they’re within their right,” Lord Drake said.

  “Geran.” The King held up a hand to stop his brother. “Let us get the rest of the story.”

  “She found her father meeting with agents from Dreach-Dhoun about an alliance. They’ve been sending supplies to Isenore. They have whole storerooms of food and other necessities. As soon as she saw this, she ran. Not only were the Duke’s soldiers sent after her, but they had Dreach-Dhoun soldiers with them, Sire.”

  “How are we to trust the word of a girl who betrays her father?” Lord Drake asked.

  The King’s calm demeanor began to slip as anger seeped into his very bones. He jumped from his chair, startling both the other men. “I was going to give them my daughter,” he yelled. “My little girl. The best part of me.” He kicked at the chair he’d been sitting in, sending it crashing against the wall with a loud crack.

  “A damn fool. That’s what I am. Eisner has always been a slimy little slug, but even I didn’t think he’d go this far. Ahhh.” He pounded his fist into the wall, thinking of the deal he’d made for Rissa. She’d sat in this very office and cried, begged, pleaded because she knew before he did. The Eisners weren’t to be trusted. And now everything could fall apart. They were a powerful ally and would now be a powerful enemy. “Has he been betraying us all these years? We’ve been scouring the palace for a spy, but was it one of our own nobles?”

  “We don’t know it’s true,” Lord Drake said calmly.

  “Don’t be an idiot, Geran. Of course, we do.” He was still yelling. “My son would not send Rion back unless he believed it. And if Trystan says Isenore has betrayed us, then they surely have.”

  The King looked to Rion who was gripping the arms of his chair, afraid of his very own king.

  The sight made the king’s burst of anger fizzle and fade. There was no time for anger, only action. “First things first,” he said, more in control now. “Rion, rest up tonight because tomorrow I’m sending you out to some of the minor nobles. We need to keep a lid on this until the time is right, but there are those who need to know – especially ones whose land borders Isenore. You can go.”

  Rion hurried from the room and the King turned to Lord Drake. “I’m sending you into Isenore. Eisner betrayed us, but it doesn’t mean his nobles have. I need you to find out how many of them have succumbed to Dreach-Dhoun’s persuasion. I’ll have personalized letters drawn up saying you’re performing inspections. Those that resist will be put under suspicion. You leave tomorrow. This is a dangerous mission. We don’t know who is in league with him.”

  “I can handle it.”

  “I know you can.” The King opened the door. “Garret,” he called.

  Garret entered the room.

  “We’re cutting off supplies to Isenore until we know who we can trust,” the King said. “Even though it doesn’t seem like they need our supplies. Garret, I need you to ride as fast as you can to cut off the supply wagons that left two days ago. Leave immediately.”

  Garret nodded and went to prepare.

  The King turned to his brother. “It’s more important than ever that Trystan succeeds because now it looks like there will be war either way.”

  Eleven

  This journey couldn’t get any more complicated. Davi scratched the side of his head and squinted out at the dark horizon. The waves crashed against each other as they churned in the strong winds. Even the seagulls had abandoned the docks today, the sky empty of life except for the threatening clouds blotting out the sun.

  “There won’t be any ships setting out for Sona for at least a week, maybe two,” the captain told him as he wound a rope neatly around his large hand.

  “We’ll pay handsomely.” Davi untied the pouch at his waist and shook it. The gold coins inside made an enticing sound.

  The thick-necked captain leaned forward as if called by the coins then shook himself. “No. Those coins won’t spend at the bottom of the sea and that’s where we’re likely to end up if we set out today.”

  Davi pulled the pouch away and sighed as he turned to walk further up the dock. He’d been the fifth captain to turn him down. They all said the same thing – the crossing was too dangerous in these conditions.

  The weather wasn’t expected to let up any time soon, but it was hard to tell. It was too unpredictable without magic to keep it in balance. But they didn’t have a week or two to sit around Whitecap scratching their asses. With the new information about Dreach-Dhoun and Isenore, it was more important than ever they accomplish what they set out to do and do it before it was too late.

  Trystan was waiting further along the docks. He looked towards his friend hopefully, b
ut Davi just shook his head.

  “Everyone I talked to said it was too treacherous,” Trystan said.

  “Ever wonder if we should listen to them? Maybe they’re saving our lives.”

  “We have to risk it.”

  “Well, unless you’d like to swim … That might be hard for the Lady Alixa in those skirts of hers.” Davi smiled wryly. “I still don’t see why we’ve allowed her to come.”

  “She believes Sona is the safest place for her.”

  “Not if we drown trying to get there. Besides, you were so adamant your sister stay behind. What makes Alixa different?”

  A grimace passed over Trystan’s face. “This mission is not for Ri.”

  “She’s capable of anything Alixa is. Hell, she’s probably a match for you or me.” Davi paused. “I hate what we did to her.”

  “If you’re so desperate for her company, she’s here in Whitecap,” Trystan snapped. “But I will not put her in danger.”

  “I don’t see how that is your call. She’s not one of your soldiers under the Toha’s command.”

  Trystan pulled his cloak tighter across his shoulders as the wind whipped around the pair and Davi watched the man he considered a brother. He’d do anything for him and that included telling him he was wrong. As Toha and eventually as King, there would be very few people who would speak honestly.

  The two men walked shoulder to shoulder back to the inn where they were staying. Avery was already sitting in the inn’s tavern with a mug of ale in front of her. She wasn’t alone. An older man wearing the green and gold of the house of Lord Coille sat in front of her.

  When Trystan and Davi entered, he stood.

  “Toha.” The man bowed.

  “The Duke knows we’re here, I’m assuming,” Trystan said in reply. They hadn’t planned a visit to the Duke because they were anxious to be on their way and wanted as much secrecy as they could manage. The prince visiting the Duke would be anything but secret.

  “He does. Noblemen asking around the docks to charter a ship into a storm raises suspicion. I’ve been sent to fetch you.”

  So much for secrecy.

  “We don’t have time for a royal visit.” Trystan’s irritation stemmed not from the request, but from their failure to accomplish their task.

  “Then, sir, it’s a good thing there will not be one. I’m not taking you to the estate. I’m to bring you to a ship that departs for the Isle of Sona in only a few hours’ time.”

  Trystan snapped to action. “Davi, gather our belongings from our rooms. Avery, I need you to make arrangements with the inn about stabling our horses until we return. I will find Alixa.”

  Davi returned with their packs only moments before the rest of the group joined him outside the inn. Excitement fought with nerves inside of him. He’d never been on a ship. The King had taken his children on many state visits to Sona, but never the orphan boy in their household.

  He shook those feelings and followed Lord Coille’s servant through the narrow streets of Whitecap. It was a coastal town down to its core. The smell of fish sat heavy in the air. Vendors sold anything and everything ships brought in from the sea – fish, shrimp, crabs, oysters, shells. It all had a worth. But alas, even the sea’s offerings were dwindling with no magic to bolster it.

  The docks had seen better days. Raging storms and surging seas had warped the wooden planks. The only industry in town was the sea so boats, large and small, lined the docks. They were all in for the duration of the storm and jostled for position at the overcrowded mooring.

  They were led to the far end of the berth where a small vessel rose and fell in time with the waves beneath it. Any paint that had been applied when it was new had long since peeled away; leaving the planks blistered and bubbled like they carried some disease. The sail attached to the mast was multi-colored swatches, attesting to the numerous repairs it must have undergone over the years. Even the figurehead, possibly a mermaid at one time, had eroded away to an unrecognizable lump with a tail.

  “We’re going in that?” Davi asked. “I think I’d rather swim.”

  “Then go ahead,” someone said, stepping up on deck. “No one is stopping you. Idiot.” The last word was spoken under her breath, but Davi still heard the unmistakable disdain that meant Rissa was there. A smile spread across his face as quickly as he’d come to expect when he saw that girl. No matter what, she could always make him smile.

  “Ri?” Trystan asked. “What are you doing here? What’s going on?”

  “I found you a boat, brother. A simple thank you would suffice.”

  His look of disbelief escalated to annoyance. “You’re still not coming.”

  “I didn’t ask to come.”

  “Good.”

  “Let me finish. I didn’t ask because that would mean you have the option to say no. You don’t.”

  Davi swung his head back and forth between brother and sister like he was watching a chess match. A grin spread across his face. Rissa had always been better at chess.

  “Father said you were not to come.”

  “I don’t see him, do you? Besides, I know you’ve been having trouble finding a ship. The fact of the matter is without me, you don’t get this one. Lord Coille seemed to think it was a good idea – once I convinced him.”

  “You would jeopardize the mission?” Trystan stared at her incredulously.

  “The way I see it is if you say no, it’s you who’s putting it into question.”

  Rissa was well-versed in twisting words to suit her needs and it caused Davi to laugh. Trystan glared at him, Rissa shot him a grin.

  “Why should she not have the same opportunity to do whatever you’re going to do in Sona?” Alixa jumped in. “Do you have something against women?”

  Trystan sputtered. “I let you come.”

  “Only to protect me. When we got to Sona, I was going to demand to help you even though you were planning to leave me with the Duchess. You don’t think we can actually help.”

  “What about Avery?”

  “She’s the exception, not the rule.”

  Trystan looked at the still grinning Davi. “I’m not going to win this one, am I?”

  “Sorry, Toha. You are only a pawn in this and they are the queens.”

  Davi stepped on board the boat and had to catch himself as it swayed beneath him. He walked towards Rissa and a warmth took over from the cold that had been in his bones since leaving the palace. “It’s good to see you.”

  Rissa threw her arms around him and he stumbled in surprise.

  “I’m happy to see you both,” she whispered, pressing her face into his shoulder. “I’m glad you’re okay. But I must admit, I’m truly curious as to how Alixa Eisner has ended up accompanying you. There had better be a damned good explanation.”

  Davi grinned. “There’s an excellent reason. I will tell you shortly, I promise.” He breathed her in, smelling the salty sea air on her skin, and closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth that pulsed through him when she was in his arms. Footsteps sounded behind them as the rest of their group came on board and they reluctantly broke apart. Davi watched the warmth in Rissa’s eyes turn to ice as she looked at her brother. A huff left her lips and she turned towards the new man who’d just appeared.

  He was a middle-aged man - short in stature, but broad in the chest. His sun-browned, wrinkled skin spoke of the many hours spent staring into salt-sprayed horizons.

  “This is Captain Andric,” she explained.

  “Toha,” the captain said. “It’s an honor to have you aboard my vessel.”

  “Can I ask why you’re sailing when everyone else refused?” Trystan shook his hand as he waited for an answer.

  “I don’t have a choice, sir. I’ve been ordered by the Duke to obey your every command. The Duke says your mission is important and I am to help you to the best of my ability. Plus, the fiery redhead over there who paid my fee can be very persuasive. I don’t know what I fear more, her or the storm.”

  “Ar
e we going to drown?” Davi asked.

  Rissa laughed.

  The captain kept his expression serious. “If we do, I promise it will be quick in these waves.”

  “Not making it any better.”

  Humiliation stabbed at Davi as he laid against the solid wood of the ship.

  “Just let it all out.” Rissa patted his back and he hung his head over the side of the ship and heaved for the third time since their departure hours before.

  “I’m not a child,” he grumbled as his stomach rolled once more.

  “Of course not.” Her tone was indulgent and Davi would have scowled at her if he didn’t feel the contents of his stomach coming up once again. At this point, it was only water and acid, but it hurt just the same. He heaved once more, finally running a shaky hand across his lips.

  “I think I’m done.”

  Rissa helped him sit up and when he almost fell sideways, she made him lay on the ground. Sitting beside him, she pulled his head into her lap and stroked his hair, trying to ignore the chill from the constant sea-spray.

  He hummed deep in his throat. “Now I know why I never got to take ship as a child. It was the fates saving me from this.”

  Rissa laughed and Davi closed his eyes to savor the sound, letting it soothe his aching head.

  “You wanted to go on a ship?” she asked. “I always hated having to leave the palace for dull royal visits.”

  “I was jealous of you and your brother – getting to see the realm while I was left in a home that was never really mine.”

  He knew these were things he shouldn’t admit, but his foggy brain couldn’t seem to stop them from crossing his lips. When he opened his eyes and saw the pity on Rissa’s face, regret stabbed at him. He didn’t want her to feel bad for him.

  Her next words surprised him because they were filled with more hurt than pity. “You didn’t feel like it was your home?”

  “I’m sorry, Princess. I don’t know what I’m saying. I’m just so dizzy.”

  “You do too know what you’re saying and I want you to hear me when I say this, Davion.” She put a hand on each side of his face. “The palace is your home. It may not have always seemed like it as a child, but we are your family. The next time you say differently, I’ll kick your ass.”