Last Heir

By Laura Ware

The fate of a kingdom lies in the hands of a child. The fate of the child lies in the hands of Kele Targossa, the soldier sworn to protect her. Can Kele thwart the schemes of an evil woman who wants the throne for herself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JJ Press
• Release date: Oct 29, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452365251

Laura Ware

Laura Ware writes in a variety of genres. Her novels are mostly inspirational fiction, although she is currently working on a fantasy series as well. Her short fiction ranges from mainstream to fantasy/science fiction and several things in between. Her stories have been published in a number of Fiction River anthologies, including Past Crime, Last Stand, Editor’s Choice and Feel the Fear. Laura also writes a weekly column for the Highlands News-Sun and her essay “Touched by an Angel” was published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Random Acts of Kindness in 2017.

Book preview

Last Heir

by

Laura Ware

Published by JJ Press at Smashwords

Copyright 2010 by Laura Ware

Last Heir first appeared in Leading Edge Magazine, November 2007

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Kele Targossa ran up the white steps that led to the large paneled doors of the palace. The two guards that flanked the doors in their gleaming mail snapped to alertness as she stopped in front of them to catch her breath.

She knew she presented quite a picture to them. The leather armor she wore was spattered with blood. Her helmet had come off sometime during the battle, and her red hair was matted with sweat and dirt. A knotted rag on her right bicep was stained yellow with the unguent that she had hastily applied to the slash wound there. She had refused to let a priest attend to it – they had their hands full with graver injuries. She didn’t want them wasting their spiritual healings on her minor wounds.

Heaving in great lungfuls of air, she spoke. I am…Kele, a…a soldier of…the King’s Army. I need…to see…Prince Rennly. News…from…the front.

On whose authority? the older soldier on the left demanded, his hand on his sword.

Kele raised her right hand to display a ring. The sun glinted off the rubies that made a cross on its surface. Her commander had given her that ring when he had given her the responsibility of delivering the dire message she carried.

The soldier who had spoken stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, examining the ring closely. With a nod, he released her. What news, soldier? Can you tell us?

She looked from one face to the other. Both men carried expressions of hope mixed with dread. She shook her head, swallowing the lump in her throat. I must deliver my message to the Prince first.

The younger