Dynasty O'Shea

By Gallahad Gnome

The Kingdom of Gammalon is taken siege by evil Lord Dravidor of Dark Vale. Its army has been driven out of the kingdom and now seeking refuge in the caves of Mount Kiznon. Their only hope lies in a man that lives in a different world- the present.

Jack O’Shea, the crown prince of Gammalon takes refuge in the present world upon directions by the General of the Gammalonian Army as they seek to reinforce soldiers and weapons after a gruesome battle with the Dark Vale army. Stuck in the present world for eighteen years, he has never spoken of his heritage to his children. So when he is recalled to save Gammalon, he least expects that his four children will be journeying with him to the World of Spassenia. As they cross the gates of dimensions, they enter a world unlike they’ve ever known-one where magic and power prevail over all who live in it. With perils at every turn they take, they must seek the alliance of the mythical shadow warriors of the Tsez Xian to win the war against Dravidor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clarissa Cartharn
• Release date: Nov 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301723072

Book preview

The battle continued to rage at the base of the mountain. The air was rife with the clashing of metal against metal blended with the warring cries of men.

Droplets of sweat glimmered through the man’s thinning silvery curls; some ran salty streams down his face. He felt the heavy brunt of the hilt of his adversary's sword thump against his left side. The blow was so intense that he heard a rib bone crack inside him. The old man let out a roar of torturous, wrenching cry. Clutching onto his side, he staggered at his spot.

The young adversary gave a menacing smile as he aimed to drive his blade into the older man.

Aaahh!! he suddenly let out in an agonising scream as he felt an arrow pierce into his right shoulder blade. However driven by his madness to slay the elderly man before him, he painfully raised his sword again. His eyes bulged with madness, his teeth grit, holding back the pain from the wound in his shoulder.

Down Macchus! shouted out another at the older man.

Macchus spotted the young warrior in the far distance, galloping furiously towards him. He held two arrows and a bow in his left hand. His bowarm was raised, his bow locked in the air. As his horse sped towards him, he was already nocking another arrow to his bowstring. He drew the string back tightly, the fletching of the arrow anchored between his jawbone and the corner of his mouth. His eyes were unflinching as he released the arrow. It surged unswervingly, piercing through the air and into the adversary’s spine. The adversary let out another menacing wail before slumping onto the ground before Macchus.

Sean, groaned Macchus and put up a trembling, bloodied hand as the young man drew closer.

Sean grabbed it as he swung past him and with a single painful leap, Macchus mounted the horse. Holding onto Sean tightly, the young man veered between the raging soldiers. He had now drawn out his sword from its sheath and swung it viciously at his enemies, trying to break away from the mass of rabid enemy soldiers caught in his way.

Pull back! he shouted hoarsely at his men. Pull back! He gritted his teeth and swung his sword with ferocity one last time at another rival foot soldier raging towards him. He struck the man across his chest, leaving a deep bloody furrow. The man recoiled in shock as he looked down at his wound. His knees buckled beneath him, collapsing to the ground, face down.

Sean raced out, his body lunged forward, his hands held tightly to the reins and the mane of his speeding horse, leaving the bloodied scene behind him.

Not too far away, he swerved his horse around to glance at the warring soldiers, the clash of the weapons and their wounded cries still rampant in the foul odour filled air. On a hill farther ahead and beyond the crimson frenzy, he caught sight of a lone figure watching the battle, his cloak waving in the cool breeze. Sean pursed his lips tightly.

Yah! he ordered his horse, dashing into the mouth of the caves of Mount Kiznon.

A hand! Someone! he ordered furiously as he leapt off his horse.

Macchus was slumped forward. His skin had turned pale and he lay lifeless, flopped onto the horse’s back.

Sean grabbed his arms and pulled Macchus towards him. He clenched his teeth as he felt Macchus’ weight shift onto his shoulders. Two soldiers ran up to help Macchus off the horse. Panting, Sean placed him as carefully and gently as he could onto the dirt of the cavern floor.

Water! he screamed angrily. Water!

He held the old man’s head in his arm. Macchus, Macchus.

The old man groaned and opened his eyes. Sean breathed out an air of relief.

Macchus’ hand trembled, as he placed his fingers at his neck and slid it into the opening of his shirt. He tugged at the chain that hung loosely around his neck, drawing out the pendant that dangled at the end of it. He touched the smooth, roundness of the stone and gave it a short tired glance. He felt the silvery, webbed veins that encased the deep blue egg-like pendant. He closed his eyes, relieved that he hadn’t lost it.

Chapter 1

David O’Shea fiddled grudgingly at his cereal. He hated cereal for breakfast. He’d rather have scrambled eggs with bacon and toast.

But today was a special day. And there was no time for bacon or toast or egg.

He sulkily watched his eight year old sister, Bronwyn at the other end of the table slurp noisily at her own squishy mix of cornflakes.

Don’t do that Bronwyn, his mother scolded. And David finish up, will you? Your bus leaves in an hour.

David glanced at the clock. An hour and eighteen minutes actually. Today was the first day of his school break and like in every school holiday, he and his brother and two sisters would be expected to take the four hour journey from Camden to their father's farm in Hunter Valley- a mundane routine that they followed for the past five years since he was eight years himself. 

His mother leant against the kitchen bench top sipping her tea. He could tell that she was upset by the vein that popped up occasionally like a beacon in her right temple. He bet she was already counting down the days to their return from the farm.

He loved the farm though. He loved the horses. His favourite was a chestnut arabian he called Rein after his favourite mountaineer Reinhold Messner. He had found Rein abandoned and callously tied to a tree. It was discovered that he was left to starve after he developed a bucked shin, forcing his owners to retire him from the races. When Rein was put up for adoption by the RSPCA, David had begged his father to take him in who relented on the condition that David take more interest in his martial training. Of course David agreed. Although his father later found that he was left short-changed because his martial arts never improved even after that. Instead David wielded every opportunity to ride Rein to the woods and then took to free running through the trees.

He had started his parkour training at only five years of age. Just like his brother Alex and his sister, Ally did before him and Bronwyn did after. And their teachers were none other than their parents. Like they were their teachers in their martial training, in their sparring, their weaponry, their…

He sighed. He wished his parents were like all normal parents who were separated and who bickered and were happy. Like Riley’s next door. But sadly it wasn’t to be. His parents had decided to argue over everything but their staunchness to ensure that he and his siblings adhered to their martial lessons rigorously.

It bothered him though, that the lessons were conducted with such secrecy; he almost felt like he was a member of some strange ancient order.

They could never partake in any regular martial arts competition, never to free run through the streets of their local town and certainly showing off his defence skills to his school bullies was strictly forbidden. Instead, he had learnt to survive his school yard opponents by timing his escape to the bus stop just as when Alex stepped out of his school bus. They would then take the rest of their walk home together. He didn’t understand it, but it was Alex’s presence alone that stopped Nelson and his mates dead in their tracks and keep them from tugging him by his collar and tipping him into the closest dumpster.

Where’s Alex? asked his mother.

In his room, David answered, reluctantly swallowing another spoonful of his revolting breakfast. As Alex always was, he thought, rolling his eyes.

Alex wasn’t the ordinary elder brother. Sure he played the impeccable role of ordering his siblings to attention, particularly since Mum left Dad behind at the farm five years ago. But he was the odd teen who preferred the silence, spending his days reading on history such as Charlemagne, emperor of the Carolingian Empire or Sun Tzu’s Art of War. 

David had not seen Alex all morning which might probably have been for the best. Alex was always tense when school holidays arrived and his tension in turn rubbed off on the rest of them. Alex and their father, despite their equivalent heights, did not exactly see eye-to-eye almost about on anything. In the same room, the tension was unbearable. Although restrained to a battle of the eyes, David would rather have them argue till they drop and get over their differences. The silence on the other hand, just somehow made it worse.

His mother attributed Alex’s rebelliousness to his father to his developing teen years. David called it a similarity clash. 

Now that Alex had turned seventeen, no one expected for him to tag along with his siblings to his Dad’s farm during the holidays. When Alex’s closest friend, Hayden suggested driving down to the beach for the holidays, David half-expected Alex to jump at the offer. But like always no one ever knew when it came to Alex. He, on the other hand, broodingly announced that he was spending his vacation at the farm- with them- again. 

No, David most definitely didn’t understand Alex. But then there were a lot of things he didn’t understand about his family.

Bronwyn pushed back her chair, grating it against the wooden floor as she did. 

Her mother winced. Please Bronwyn, how many times have I told you not to do that.

Sorry Mum, she said, genuinely apologetic and then tossed her bowl roughly into the sink, clattering it against other dishes sunk in the suds-filled murky water.

Her mother rolled up her eyes tiredly. 

Bronwyn, who was completely oblivious to her carelessness, picked up her glass of orange juice and sipped it on her way to the living room. But as she made her way out of the kitchen, she stopped abruptly, freezing. Her muscles tensed, her hand holding her glass began to tremble, rocking the orange fluid violently. Her eyes were widened and transfixed onto something before her.

Bronwyn? said her mother, noticing. Is everything alright, honey?

David looked in the direction of his sister and saw a tinge of blue foggy light clouding through the door frame leading to the living room. He rose and walked cautiously towards it, his mother following close behind him.

She gasped on seeing the bright blue luminescent light and reached for the first thing she could lay her hands on- a broom. She now stood protectively before her children, the handle of her broom tucked firmly into her fists.

A dark figure walked through the light. And when it stepped out, his mother lunged at it furiously. The figure ducked.

Rachel! It’s me Jack! Damn, woman, you almost killed me!

Dad? David muttered out, shocked.

Bronwyn’s mouth gaped open and just as much shocked.

Jack! Rachel exclaimed. What do you think you’re doing?! And why can’t you use the door like normal people do?!

Yes, yes, it’s the typical Rachel. I step out of freaking blue light and into your home and you’re worried about trivialities like you always do.

He had a point, thought David.

A lawn mower revved outside.

What if you were transported outside and the neighbours had seen you? argued Rachel.

You would think after all these years, I would now know how to use the key, said Jack. Hi kids, he added rather casually over the top of Rachel’s head.  Can we carry this on in private somewhere? he whispered to her, nodding his head towards his children.

How did you get the key? Rachel asked ignoring him.

Sam and Kent.

They’re not with you?

No, they will help out at the farm while I .... er ... Macchus sent for me, Jack hesitated, still aware of David and Bronwyn listening close-by.

Is Pa alright?

He’s fine, he replied, impatiently. Rachel?

Right, said Rachel glancing at her two children. She led him up the stairs towards her study.

As they walked up, they met Ally, David’s sixteen year old sister. Her mouth flew open when she saw her father. She couldn’t speak. And when she tried, a string of nonsensical syllables fell out of her mouth.

Hello too, honey, said her father. He stopped briefly to kiss her on her head and then continued on behind Rachel.

Was that...? she blurted at David and Bronwyn.

Yes, said David still astounded by his father’s spectacular entrance.

After the Rachel, I will never put a foot in your house line, he’s here? said Ally, unbelievingly.

Trust me, Ally, that’s the least of our worries, said David, bouncing up the stairs.

Where are you going? she shouted from behind him.

Where do you think?! said David.

*****

It was almost seven o’clock. Alex slung his backpack over his shoulders and opened his bedroom door. As he stepped into the corridor, he saw his three siblings leaning closely against the door to their mother’s study.

 What are you doing? he asked, curiously. He had never seen them listening into anyone’s conversation before but it was hard to ignore the angry raised voices coming from within his mum’s study.

 Ssshhh... said Ally, a finger to her lips.

It’s Dad. He’s in there, explained David.

 All the more reason for not standing there, he said. But what is he doing here? He’s never here.

 They’re arguing, said Bronwyn as she tried to squeeze in between David and Ally to get a better eavesdropping spot.

 About us? Alex frowned.

 Do they ever? said Ally annoyed, trying to catch up on the argument.

 It’s not about you winning this, they heard their mother say. It’s about staying alive. It’s about...

There was a brief silence. They wondered if they were discovered.

 about...about...the children, their mother burst out finally.

 Oh yeah, it’s about us, said Alex, not sure now if they should continue standing at the door. But ‘us’ was a great big word. There were four in ‘us’.

 What about the children? they heard their dad demand.

 You can’t leave the children. They still need their father. Bronwyn’s only eight and ...and...

Their dad let out a sarcastic laugh. Is that all you could come up with? Come on Rachel. Did you even think of all this when you decided to pack up and leave five years ago? His voice raised a little, with hints of irritation.

Obviously their mother was undeterred, refusing to hear him out. And Ally...

 But no, no, no, their dad rambled, in sync with her voice, unyielding and just as cantankerous. You wanted to search for yourself. Well, have you Rachel? Have you?

 What? they heard their mother say.

 Have you found yourself?

 I’m going with you,

 What? demanded their dad.

 I’m going with you, their heard their mother repeat.

 No, you’re not, he commanded.

 I’m going with you, she repeated yet again.

 No, you’re not. And repeating that over and over again is not going to help change my mind.

 I have the pendant key, they heard their mother say.

 It’s about a pendant, whispered David. Dad ...

They heard a scuffle in the study followed by a shatter of glass to the floor.

Alex didn’t need an invitation. He flung open the door wildly, the others still sitting at their eavesdropping spots, stunned.

The couple looked around nervously to see their four children staring back at them, a little critically and with a rather large degree of disapproval.

 What’d you do Dad? asked David. Rob a jewellery store?

 What? blurted Jack nervously.

Rachel bit her lip, still clinging dearly onto Jack’s shirt.

Alex pointed a finger towards Jack’s hand that was holding a sparkling sapphire shaped in an egg form. It was encased with a silvery net of webs that ran haphazardly around it. He held the gem way up and out of reach of Rachel’s shorter frame.

 This? he shrugged uncomfortably, at the same time shoving Rachel roughly out of the way and away from him.

Jack and Rachel stared at each other, wondering where they should start.

Chapter 2

The children were now seated in the living room in stunned, baffled silence after their father finished explaining the origins of the mysterious sapphire- and their family.

So let me get this straight said David at last, his left arm crossed his chest and tucked under his right elbow, his right index finger to his lips and his eyes cast towards the wooden floor as he tried to make sense of all that his dad had just said. We are from another world? Another dimension? He slowly paced the small area between the couch and the kitchen bench.

Not you...we, Jack corrected, nervously pointing back and forth between himself and Rachel. He strangely felt like an alleged criminal taken to stand while being viciously interrogated by his thirteen year old son and persecuted by the harsh judgmental looks of  the jury, comprised of his other children on the puritanic white couch.

Dad!! screamed both Ally and Bronwyn in protest.

Um..? said Jack, nervously biting his lower lip. He could clearly sense that this was not looking too good. But he couldn’t put a finger on just how not too good.

So we are from another world, continued David, ignoring the correction totally. And this other world is called Spassenia. And the one we’re in now is what you guys call Cheira.

Jack and Rachel gave each other a brief look.

And Mum is the warrior princess? said David.

Jack shrugged. I know it’s hard to believe, but yeah.

Rachel slugged him softly in the arm. Ally and Bronwyn stared at their mother, their jaw dropped in amazement.

And you are the crown prince of Spassenia? asked David.

No, not Spassenia, Jack corrected. Gammalon. A kingdom amongst many others in Spassenia. My family has ruled the kingdom of Gammalon for many years. But when we visit Cheira, we live the ordinary life of farmers. It gives us a break away from all the attention.

Interesting, said David, thoughtfully. Kings in Gammalon, farmers in Hunter Valley. Royal families take a trip abroad, yours... and... uh... ours... take one across dimensions.

What you’re holding there, Ally, continued Jack is the key that opens portals within and between dimensions. There’s only one like it for all I know and it has always remained in the possession of a reigning O’Shea until... well, until I was sent to this world while the Gammalonians sought to restore their army after a gruesome war with Dark Vale. Your grandfather and General of the Gammalonian Army, Macchus has held on to it all this time. It appears things hasn’t improved though. And from what I hear, they’ve grown even worse. 

So you’ve been stuck here for eighteen years waiting for Grandpa to get you, said David. Didn’t he come once, ten years ago?

Yeah. But it wasn’t possible to return even then. Dravidor had captured Gammalon driving the Gammalonian Army out of Byrnesbur Castle. They have now sought refuge in the caves of Mount Kiznon.

And the guys who delivered the key? Where are they? asked Ally as she ran her fingers over the sapphire egg pendant her father called the key. She felt the smoothness of the stone in midst of the silver filaments that encased the stone like a web. The pendant was no bigger than the palm of her hand and she wondered if it really was as powerful as her father had described it. 

Sam and Kent? They are with Maggie and Nate. They’ll help them with the farm while I’m away.

Do Maggie and Nate know...? asked Rachel, worriedly.

Of course not, said Jack, indignantly. He hated to think what his housekeeper would have done if she discovered that he was the crown prince of Gammalon returning to defend his throne. She had been with the family for as long as he could remember and extremely protective. Even more so since the death of his parents.

Nate, Maggie’s husband, who assisted in the management of the farm, was a grumpy old fellow but of whom the whole family was very fond of. Jack prayed that he would not have to pick up the remnants of a tornado when he returned. Nate and the two Gammalonians didn’t actually start on a good note when he had left.

So, said David. In short, Gammalon is in a war with Lord Dravidor of Dark Vale because he thinks he should be king. And... you’re going back to help defend it right?

Yes, said Jack, nodding. That’s about it.

Cool! exclaimed David.

No, not cool. And no one is to know about this, said Jack, firmly. This is going to be our secret okay. He searched for agreement amongst his children.

It’s going to be a secret because it’s a lie, Alex muttered aloud. He had remained quiet all this while as he listened to his parents’ crazy tale of another dimension. He straightened up from where he sat. Oh come on Dad. You show up at Mum’s for the first time in five years. All for what? So you can come up with this crazy story about Spassenia and Gammalon and that we, are the ‘royal family’ of Gammalon? How old do you think we are? Two?  Just when this family couldn’t get any more freaky, guess what Dad, you just upped it one further. If you two want to go off together, on your own to mend your relationship or whatever not, say so and go. And Mum, please graciously ‘leave the children’ when you do. Don’t string us along. I’ve had enough of that for the last five years.  He marched out furiously and up the stairs. But he wasn’t quite over yet.

Mum? Rachel heard him shout from above the stairs. You need to make a definitive call! What is it that you want to do with your life!

She heard his bedroom door slam behind him so loud that she jumped within herself.

Alex!! Rachel called after him.

I’ll see to him Mum, assured Ally.

Thanks honey, said Rachel.

But in all fairness to Alex, she continued. I also think that the separation has gotten to both you and Dad. I can’t believe even I almost got sucked into it. She thumped the so-called magical key into her father’s palm and ran to check up on Alex.

Jack and Rachel looked sadly at each other. 

Rachel’s shoulders drooped, her eyes welling with tears. Well David, is there anything else you have to say? 

Explain to me how the key works again, he replied in short.

*****

Hi, burst David into Alex’s room. I really hate to disturb your little sulk party here, but I need to borrow your bow and arrows.

What? said Alex as David made a dash for his archery.I mean you’re not going to need it. Because... Mum wouldn’t be here on your back to practice it. And you and Ally would be staying with Aunt Lucy.

Aunt Lucy? Mum’s crazy friend, kooky Aunt Lucy? Ally asked, a little stunned.

Ally and I? David, what are you talking about? Alex grabbed him by the back of his collar but David managed to squirm free.

He adjusted himself and explained, Mum’s calling up Aunt Lucy to arrange for you and Ally to spend some time with her. According to Mum, she is working on her marriage and so she will be spending time with Dad alone. I must commend you Alex.  Quick thinking, huh, he shook a finger approvingly. Yeah, I know. It runs in the family. But quite impressive on your part. You should do it more often. He rambled as he tried to slip by Alex. Pretty good. Pre..e..tt..y  darned good. Well-done chap. Now I must be off.

Hold on...hold on, Alex said, grabbing him back by the collar again, jerking him sharply as he did.

Will you stop doing that! snapped David, freeing himself again. Come on bro. It ruins the image.

You said Ally and I will be spending time with Aunt Lucy, said Alex.

Yes, said David, perplexed, not understanding if Alex had asked a question or searching for confirmation.

What about you and Bronwyn? asked Alex.

I’m going with them and ..hence the archery, capiche? said David, annoyed. As for Bronwyn, she’s decided to...how do you say, watching out for Ally from the corner of his eye tag..along, he completed, hesitantly.

But it was too late! Ally sprung up and slapped him on the crown of his head, followed by another on his forehead by Alex. He staggered a bit at his spot, his forehead stinging slightly.

Hey! he called after them. Respect that! It’s gonna conquer the seven world summits someday!

But Ally and Alex didn’t hear him. They were dashing out of the room in the fear that their parents had indeed lost their minds.

Chapter 3

David  re-checked his gear. Binoculars, water bottle, rope, compass. He fastened up Alex’s bow-guard and then reached for Alex’s bow. He cringed mildly at the thought of being wrung by his older brother and then sighed. He didn’t exactly get permission to borrow them but technically he had informed Alex of his intentions, he reasoned. A lame excuse but it would have to do. Any which way, consequences would have to be dealt with later.

He swung the quiver of arrows onto his back and threw the strap of his satchel across and over his shoulders. He grabbed the bow and headed downstairs and towards the kitchen. Now, the family.

He heard their loud, argumentative voices before he even stepped into the small living room. His eyes rolled up in exasperation.

 Where do you think you’re going?! screamed Rachel but Jack was already zipping up his jacket.

 I’ve had enough, replied Jack, firmly as he placed his dark akubra hat onto his head. The children need you here. It’s bad enough with me not around. It’s worse if they lose both parents in this madness. You can’t have them stay at Lucy’s forever.

 No, no, Rachel argued, instinctively picking up a butter knife she saw laying on the floor. She waved a wooden spoon like a wand with the other hand as if entrancing Jack to obey. I’m not letting you march into Dravidor’s land on your own. No one knows Dravidor better than I do. I grew up with him remember. As much as you hate it, Jack, you need me.

 Mum! Seriously! You’re still not carrying on with this Dravidor business! shouted Alex.

 You can’t be serious! Mum, you can’t leave us with Aunt Lucy?! And for how long? We don’t even know where’re you’re going. How would we get in touch with you?! Ally screamed.

 Gammalon, Ally, Gammalon!! jumped Bronwyn, excitedly. It’s true! And I’m going with them!

 No you’re not!! the entire family screamed back at the eight year old and then reverted to their individual arguments.

 Aah, David thought. Dravidor, the notorious fiend who had reportedly captured the Kingdom of Gammalon. If his father was indeed not suffering from delusion, they would happen to be the royal family of Gammalon. A rather noisy, royal family.

Cheira is what his father called this world. Spassenia was the magical world in which lay Gammalon. Spassenia is then it will be, he whispered. He searched the bench top and found what he was looking for.

He held the sapphire pendant key in the palm of his hand. He trailed the web of silver filaments that snaked the egg shaped pendant with his fingers and briefly admired the sparkle of blue it exuded in the little rays of sunshine that pierced through the kitchen window. He then gave a shrilling whistle in a feeble attempt to catch his family’s attention despite their ‘royal’ ranting. It worked. The entire family stood stunned as if waiting for David to break their frozen poses with a Simon says.

Instead he proclaimed, "Cannondoraborabora Manchuata!!".

The blue of the sapphire deepened as it began to fill with life. Streams of blood-red luminescent light ran through the fibrous silver veins. A bright