The Price of Betrayal

By M.A. Abraham

They are twins, brothers who have been separated by a foolish act caused by the jealousy of one for the other. Arlyn is sentenced to exile for a crime he did not do. Ayden has been left to live with the guilt that his actions have precipitated. Arlyn leads those who follow him into exile as he lives in the shadow of the Empire. Ayden allows the despair that knowing his actions has caused his Empire and family pain. This is their journey, one that spans more than a millennium. This is the story of the Empire that they serve. The friends and family that each of their lives touch, as they live their lives, and how those lives bring them back home.

Surrounded by mystery and legend the Elves live their lives shrouded in the natural power and gifts of the light that guards them. Is it really that easy? As we travel with them we find they too have their problems, dealing with the powers that drive them. Living with feelings they cannot control. They make mistakes. They have problems living with the results of those mistakes. They make choices that are not perfect. They seek ways to correct them. They fight to find who they are as their gifts would overwhelm them. These are the lives of the Legends. They make the history of their people real. These are their battles, their reality.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.A. Abraham
• Release date: Jul 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476462592

M.A. Abraham

I don’t really know what to say about myself.I have been writing books since before I became a teenager. Most are still hidden in the closet. I used to make up my own stories as a child, everyone used to act them out while we were playing outside. As a teenager someone issued me a challenge. I told her that her stories stunk, she told me to do better.My job growing up was to play guardian to my little brother, keep him safe. That meant I ended up getting into more fights than enough – makes sense now that I write about warriors.My family will try to tell you that I’m not innocent, I have a personality that keeps them on their toes. Over my lifetime and theirs I have earn several nicknames – The Godmother, The Evil Christmas Elf (comes from making my nieces wrap their own Christmas presents), Mistress of Ambush. My favorite response to them when they try to get me into trouble is just to look at them with a wide doe eyed expression and say “Moi?????”I have a seal point Siamese cat named Snoop, named after my favorite cartoon character and hobby. I have a “healthy” but small collection of Snoopy memorabilia. He is a character alright; never met a cat who can talk back like he does. He expects daily dosages of adoration on his schedule when he wants it – not when it’s convenient for me and he HATES snow.I come from a very large family (mostly brothers) and I could outrun the whole works of them (I’m the shortest!). It was called survival.This book has been in the making for a long time now. Over a half a year to write it, about the same amount of time to edit it, and probably about the same amount of time to get the art work and website! I have learned you can’t control the timelines of other people – Murphy likes to step in.So for now I am setting up good luck charms everywhere... didn’t know I had that many stuffed Snoopy’s. *Fingers, legs, toes, eyes and anything else I can crossed*

Book preview

THE PRICE OF BETRAYAL

The Price of Betrayal

Published by M.A. Abraham

Copyright 2012 M.A. ABRAHAM

Dedication

To Cattibrie .. beyond every moonbeam there is a dream

Acknowledgements…

I would like to take this time to thank all the people who have helped to make this book possible, the family and friends who have believed in me enough to insist that I take this step. To Charlene who helped with the editing, Becca, who set up my website, as well as saw to the formatting and behind the scene support. My proofreader Eniko. Also to all my friends who gave me support and nursed me through bouts of nerves and insecurities… not so sure I have gotten past that yet. Without all of this none of what you are about to read would have happened.

CHAPTER I

Ayden watched as row after row of Elven warriors filed past him. They were leaving the Light Elven Kingdom. Those who had families had packed what they owned and were taking it with them. Parents either carried their infants or led those old enough to walk by their side, by the hand. They were beginning a new journey, a new life. There was no cheers or smiles to see these Elves off: it was not a happy time, not for anyone. There was, however, a lot of tears.

Tears Ayden fought to keep contained. The Elven Empire was being torn apart by the rift the leaving of these Elves was causing. He was ashamed to admit the fault for the separation was his, and his alone. All the trouble and strife that would be caused by the Elves leaving was of his doing. There was nothing he could do to stop what was happening. Nothing he would do, if he were to be truthful. He was ashamed of this weakness of character deep inside. Yet he did nothing to change things. He could have. Deep inside, something told him that it was not too late to correct the wrong he had done. He did nothing.

As Elves passed Ayden on their way out of the Empire, no one looked at him. In fact, those who were leaving looked at no one. They held their heads high and walked proudly from the world they had called home. They had no idea where they were going, but they were sure that the creator would lead them to another place where they would settle and create a home. Theirs was the journey of the just. They had done nothing to deserve this exile. The one they followed was innocent of the charges that had been brought against him. They would not support the judgment of a King that would condemn one who was innocent.

Ayden watched as the old King stood looking stern and proud. He would not back down from his decision. He had done what he had felt he had to. This was the price of being King. Row after row of warriors passed before the King’s sight. They had been warriors who had proven themselves time after time to be honorable and true to the King and the Empire. They had, however, chosen to disagree with his edict in this case. They would follow the one they considered right. The one that was being punished for no reason other than that others thought he might be guilty of treason of the worse type imaginable. The speaking of secrets to the enemy at a time when it seemed war was imminent.

He had done that; he was the guilty one, Ayden. He hung his head in shame as he remembered the circumstances. He had thought himself so smart. Spite can do nasty things to a man’s mind. When he thought about it, now that it was all over, he realized he had nothing to feel spiteful about. He had convinced himself that all the lies that he had made up in his mind were true. He had lied. He felt a set of eyes on him and lifted his face to follow the connection, but no one was looking at him. Not that he could see. Had someone been watching him? Someone who noticed that he was seeking where the other was? There had been something special in that look, he had felt it, but he didn’t know what it was. With the thread severed between him and the one who had watched him, he turned his attention