Chamaeleon: The Secret Spy

By Lynda Wilcox

Kel is a very special thirteeen year old with the unique ability to disappear into any background. With his country under threat from the evil Grey Lord, Kel is recruited and trained as a spy. Together with Rostyn the King's Messenger, he is sent to infiltrate the forbidding Grey Keep and destroy their enemy's deadly new weapon.

On their dangerous journey into the mountains of Keraylia, Kel's growing self-doubt convinces him that he will fail. When Rostyn is taken prisoner inside the Keep, Kel's talents are stretched to their limits — and his only helper is a bossy princess. Soon Kel is involved in a desperate struggle to save his friend and successfully complete his mission.

Set in a strange, medieval world where old and new technologies combine and swords are pitted against lasers, Chamaeleon: The Secret Spy is an exciting, fast-paced adventure you won't want to put down.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lynda Wilcox
• Release date: Oct 29, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465898418

Book preview

Chamaeleon: The Secret Spy by Lynda Wilcox

Chamaeleon: The Secret Spy copyright 2011 by Lynda Wilcox. All rights reserved.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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All characters are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Acknowledgements:

Book cover design by Scarlett Rugers Design 2011

www.scarlettrugers.com

Edited by Harry Dewulf

www.densewords.com

Special thanks to Sam and Colm — first readers

Dedication:

This book is dedicated to the TWIGS — Emma, Julia and Sue — in memory of picnics on sunny days and to Richard, always.

Prologue

Metal crashed against metal, sword clanged on sword, men screamed, horses whinnied and over it all lay the sharp, sickly smell of blood freshly spilled. The battle that had started mid-morning was now at its height as the day moved towards its end. War hammers came down on heads, necks, shoulders and thighs. Swords were thrust through bodies and lopped off limbs. The slaughter was scored by a harp-like thum, thum, thum, as hundreds of arrows were released by archers, their deadly metal–tipped points slicing through chain mail — the flesh beneath offering no more resistance than a ripe peach. In the press of bodies there was no room for horses to turn and men, fighting on foot between them, often slapped their swords into the poor beast's hams, thus bringing down both horse and rider. The warriors were tiring now, bodies running with sweat and blood, heavy arms and muscles still trying to raise their swords or cut and jab with daggers. The plain below the mountains was littered with the dead. Grey clouds hung over the white-tipped peaks, grey light washed like a dirty film over the carnage. In the trees around the plain the carrion birds gathered.

Finally, the victorious forces of the Grey Lord disappeared back across the mountains whence they came. For a long time all was quiet on the battlefield except for the flap of wings as the crows and vultures feasted. Then, from under the a pile of bodies a man emerged. His face was smeared with mud. Blood trickled down his temple from the wound to the head that had rendered him unconscious for so long. Looking around him in despair, he saw a horse close to the trees, cropping the grass, riderless. Mounting the horse, he set off towards the south. There was only him to carry the news and the warning: beware! The Grey Lord is on the move.

Chapter 1

The day that Kel's life changed forever, happened shortly after his thirteenth birthday. At the hammer of approaching hoof beats, the boy raced for the stream, his heart pounding, brown hair flying in all directions, where Uncle Frax was fishing. Throughout the Clearing people scattered and ran for the trees to blend. By the time the dark haired rider entered a few minutes later, Maple Clearing was empty. With a shiver of apprehension the man dismounted, looping the reins of his mount and of the other horse he'd brought with him over a bush. His quick scrutiny took in the smoke rising from the fire beneath the unattended cooking pot, the discarded tools and neat pile of logs next to the sawhorse, the basket of folded washing and the semi-circle of huts up against the trees. The quiet, unnatural stillness unnerved him. These Woodlanders are strange people, he thought, patting his horse's neck before moving closer to the fire where he could be clearly seen.

I am Rostyn, the King's messenger. His loud, deep voice rang through the Clearing. I have come from the Citadel of Crell to speak to the boy, Kel, and his mother, Maya. I have letters for them from the King.

His hand went to his bag withdrawing an envelope which he raised over his head. The silence ticked on; not even a bird could be heard.

I mean no harm, said Rostyn, casting quick, nervous glances around him, but the King's business is urgent. Please show yourselves.

A woman opened the door of her house and stepped outside.

Good morning, Rostyn. I am Maya, mother of Kel. What business has King Edred with me and my son?

Rostyn took a step towards the woman. As if from nowhere, the Woodland people reappeared. Men moved away from trees, children got up off the ground and women materialised from in front of bushes. There were now twenty people in a Clearing that, ten seconds previously, had seemed totally empty and as silent as the grave. Happy that he posed no threat, the people ignored him and carried on with their work.

The messenger relaxed and held out the envelope to Maya.

From the King, my lady. My orders are to wait while you read it and return with ... Rostyn caught himself in time, he had been about to say 'the boy' ... your answer.

Then you had better come in, said Maya taking the envelope from his hand. My house is humble but you are welcome to hospitality here.

She turned and went back through the door leaving it open. Inside, she poured him a beaker of ale and offered bread and cheese. He accepted and watched as she opened the envelope and took out the two sheets it contained. One page, he knew, was the King's letter; the other came from Quercus, the King's Spymaster. She read the King's letter first, her green eyes widening in surprise as she scanned the paper.

Do you know what this says? she asked. What the King commands?

Yes, Lady.

She put the letter down on the table and opened the second sheet. The blood drained from her face, leaving her so pale Rostyn wondered if she might faint. She clutched the edge of the table and sat down heavily on a chair. She looked stunned and miserable. Whatever Quercus had written had certainly upset her. He stood up to go to her but she waved him away with her hand.

Lady Maya? Are you all right?

Yes, thank you. Please give me a moment.

Of course. I do understand what a shock this is to you.

No you don't, she snapped. You don't understand at all.

She took a deep breath and appeared to come to some sort of decision.

So, my son is to go with you to be trained by this Quercus? She said the name with a venom that puzzled Rostyn. And then to do a dangerous job for the King?

For all of us, Lady. The threat is to the whole kingdom and —

Yes, yes, that has been explained to me, she waved the letter in her hand. And only my son can do this? Does the King not have other men he can call on? Kel is only a boy, he's only just reached his age of adulthood. Surely there are other trained men in the Kingdom who can do this. What about this Quercus?

Quercus is an old man, Lady, responded Rostyn. And Kel does have special, erm, well, talents.

She sighed.

Yes, Messenger, I know my son is a talented boy.

Does she know just how special he really is, he wondered, thinking back to the day before when a meeting between himself, King Edred, and his Spymaster, had taken place in the king's private room in the Citadel of Crell, and lasted late into the night.

"Tell me again, Quercus, why Rostyn has to find this boy.'

Well, Sire, the old man scratched at his head with a bony finger, "Kel can blend with trees, grass and bushes, like all Woodlanders can, but only Kel has the ability to blend with any background. Brick, stone, rock - even the walls of the Grey Keep itself."

There was silence in the room after the Spymaster said this. They were all aware that Zagroz, the Grey Lord, was developing a terrible new weapon and intended to march south from his kingdom of Keralyia and attack them.

And if he gets into the Grey Keep, he can destroy the weapon?

Quercus nodded.

So, Rostyn put in, I find the boy, bring him here, and we train him to fight and be a spy.

Yes. Kel lives in one of the Clearings of the Woodland. Maple Clearing. I'll give you directions but it is off the road beyond Wallbeck and easy to find.

Very well. Bring the boy to me when you're back in Crell, the King had instructed.

Rostyn dragged his attention back to the woman sitting opposite.

You must forgive me, she said. We will obey the king, of course. I only want to protect my son.

He nodded but said nothing. Maya read the king's letter again.

"If you are to return with Kel today, I had better pack him some clothes and some food for you both on the journey.'

At that moment, the boy himself burst into the cabin along with his uncle.

What is it, mother? Why have we had a message from the King? What does he want? How does he know us?

Seeing Rostyn, he stopped abruptly. With brown eyes as big as saucers, he stared at the messenger.

Hush, Kel, so many questions. Sit down and Rostyn will explain everything while I pack you a bag.

The messenger smiled as the boy sat down at the table, his face both eager and fearful. With the adults still within earshot he was careful in what he told Kel, explaining only that King Edred needed him and that he had come to take Kel to the Citadel of Crell where he would be trained.

Trained? What sort of training? Training for what?

I'll explain it all on the journey. We've a long way to go and it will help to pass the time. Do you ride, Kel?

A little and not very well, and I don't have my own horse.

Don't worry. I've brought one for you.

"Wow! My own