Crown of Tears

By Scott Ashby

King Kaddick is dying and the coronation band that chooses the next ruler is missing. Princesses Calla Lily, Gladiola, and Marigold set out on an unprecedented worldwide journey to find the magical crown. Who stole it, and where is it now?

Robbers, a barbarian prince, a recalcitrant king, and even a member of King Kaddick’s own council stand in their way.

Can Kaddick’s three daughters find the crown of tears before time runs out?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Electric Scroll
• Release date: Oct 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781940311340

Scott Ashby

Scott Ashby is a somewhat self-taught web designer who prefers to write fantasy and science fiction. He lives and works in Gilbert, Arizona in a tiny bedroom office that is only saved from being called a garret by virtue of being on the ground floor. Like most computer geeks, he doesn’t really notice the passing of hours, or days, so long as food arrives on a regular schedule. When not at the computer, Scott enjoys board games, hiking, and letterboxing.

Book preview

A Fairy Tale

Scott Ashby

Copyright 2015, The Electric Scroll

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America by The Electric Scroll. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the publisher. For information contact The Electric Scroll, 745 N. Gilbert Rd. Ste 124 PMB 197, Gilbert, Arizona, 85234.

The characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and entirely in the imagination of the reader.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Thanks & Dedication

World Map

Chapter One

About the Author

Books by Scott Ashby

Connect with me online

Chapter One

15th day of the Worm Moon

Princess Gladiola held her embroidery nearer the lamp as she placed delicate stitches into the book cover she was making her father for his birthday. The door of the chamber burst opened without warning, startling her, and a single drop of blood oozed from her fingertip, staining the linen. She motioned the breathless page into the room as she sucked on her injured finger.

Begging your pardon, Highness, the page said breathlessly, giving a short bow and rising in all but indecent haste, but I was sent to tell you Healer Kovere and Castellan Andrew are needing your presence in your father's bed chambers, as quick as may be.

Gladiola removed her finger from her mouth. I'll be there directly.

The young page nodded, turned, and hastened back down the steps from the dimly lit room in the old tower Gladiola had converted to her personal sanctuary. The westering sun didn't reach this room's windows directly and the lamp was necessary to see the fine stitches of her needlework.

The princess checked her finger; the bleeding had stopped. She dampened a bit of scrap cloth with her own spittle and cleaned the bloodstain from the linen. If it was not removed while still wet, she would have to begin again and the book cover was more than three quarters finished; time was running out.

It took but a few seconds to clean the linen. Gladiola set her work aside, blew out the lamp, and hastened after the page.

Her father, King Kaddick, had been ill for several weeks, and earlier reports had indicated all would be well. Abruptly summoned to see not only the healer but also the man in charge of making the castle run smoothly for the king, boded ill.

Her simple day dress allowed a faster pace through the castle halls than heavier court dresses would have, her feet flying down the steps with unprincessly haste as she hurried to her father's chamber, gaining speed as her concern mounted.

She reached the door to her father's chambers at the same time as her sisters, Princesses Calla Lily and Marigold.

Both her sisters, red-haired Marigold and dark Calla, were neatly dressed down to the last hair, as usual. Calla wore her tiara as though this was some important affair of state.

With their father's ill health, it may well be. Gladiola knew Calla often wore her tiara, though, as if she needed to remind people she was a Royal Princess.

Feeling slightly dowdy beside her more formally dressed sisters, she hastily removed her apron and smoothed the front of her plain day-dress. She handed the apron to one of the door-wards, knowing it would make its way through the laundry and back to her room. She quickly finger-checked her own locks to ensure her blonde tresses hadn't managed to escape their bonds.

Together, the three girls passed the door-wards and entered their father's sitting room. Castellan Andrew stood near the door to her father's bedchamber. He was so intent on his conversation with the healer he didn't appear to notice their entrance.

The healer's dark frock coat was rumpled and looked as though he'd slept in it. Gladiola couldn't remember ever having seen the kind and gentle man when his appearance had been less than pristine. Her concerned deepened.

The door-ward closed the door behind the girls. At the latch's small rattle, the healer looked up. He nodded at the girls, acknowledging their presence, and made a vague gesture toward the chairs of the sitting room, as he turned back to his conversation with the castellan.

The sisters sat next to each other on a settee, Gladiola between them. She could feel the men's tension, and her fear for her father increased. She reached out to her sisters on either side of her, and grasped their hands.

Calla's hand was dry, her grip firm. Goldie clutched Gladiola's hand in her damp and shaking grip. Goldie's tangible fear increased Gladiola's concern. She wished the men would finish their deliberation and let them know the situation.

Within a few minutes, the two men concluded their discussion. The castellan gave a summoning gesture to the page standing just inside the door and all but whispered in his ear. The page's eyes grew wide, his face pale; he stood as still as a work of marble.

The castellan made an impatient gesture, and the page started and scurried from the room. The healer came over to where the princesses sat, and perched on the edge of a chair opposite them.

Your father has taken a turn for the worse. I believe he doesn't have much time left. I feel, and Castellan Andrew agrees with me, it's time for you girls to try on the coronation band. We must know who the rightful heir is so King Kaddick has time to turn things over to her before his death. I've sent for Zolo; he can represent the King's Council and witness the coronation band's pronouncement of the heir.

Cold fear wrapped itself around Gladiola's heart and constricted her breathing. She'd expected her father to get well. The foundations of her world trembled with the uncertainties of the changes now looming before her.

Used to discern the correct heir only when there were multiple candidates, the coronation band had been unneeded now for four generations as each king had produced just one heir.

The band always chose the right heir regardless of birth order. King Kaddick had three daughters and the coronation band would have to choose the proper queen to rule Notia.

Kept in the treasury, the magical circlet was one of the most valuable treasures in the kingdom. The ruler wore a simpler, non-magical crown for daily use.

Gladiola reviewed the choices for their new ruler as she waited with her sisters.

Calla made no secret that she assumed it would choose her because she was eldest. More interested in her appearance than serving the needs of the people, the prospect of Calla being the ruler wasn't comforting.

The coronation band might choose Goldie, also an unsettling thought. Both physically and emotionally younger than her sisters, Goldie believed in a fantasy world where people behaved as they should and everything was fair.

Gladiola was terrified it would choose her. She'd always had the feeling, deep down, she'd succeed her father as monarch, but was now the time? She was barely seventeen! She didn't feel ready to rule a kingdom, even one as uncomplicated as Notia.

The law was explicit; once the band had chosen the heir, he or she ruled from that moment forward. The previous ruler could assist and counsel them, but the heir became the ruler in the moment the coronation band glowed blue.

In a few minutes, the page would return and the ceremony would begin. Either she or one of her sisters would become queen, while the other two would be free to pursue their lives as they wished.

The healer rose and crossed the room to King Kaddick's bedchamber. Gladiola rose and followed him, her sisters trailing in her wake.

She heard the outer door of the suite opening, and a moment later Councilor Zolo, the longtime head of the King's Council entered. He nodded a greeting to the princesses and bowed to the bedridden king. The three princesses, Councilor Zolo, Healer Kovere, and Castellan Andrew gathered close around King Kaddick's bed.

Marigold and Calla Lily sat on the corners at the foot of their father's bed. Gladiola sat on the left side of the bed and took her father's hand in hers. It was dry and cold, and it felt like his papery skin would peel from his bones at any moment. Gladiola treasured the moment to herself, just to be with her father, as his daughter, and not his possible heir.

He looked at each of his daughters in turn, his eyes warm with the love he felt for them.

Where's the coronation band? His voice was weak and wheezy. Fear for her father clutched at Gladiola's heart, chasing out her anxiety for the future. It was plain the healer was right; her father was dying.

The door of the outer chamber opened again, and hurried footsteps clattered across the carefully laid, attractive stone floor. The page entered the room bearing a tray with a large square object wrapped in purple silk. He set the tray down on the right side of King Kaddick's bed.

Castellan Andrew removed the silken wrappings from the beautifully carved box which held the coronation band. He placed his hand on the hasp, and then paused.

As Castellan of the Kingdom of Notia, I place my hand to this box. Upon a careful inspection, I see the seal on the hasp is intact, and all is in readiness for the box to be opened.

As head of the King's Council, Councilor Zolo added, I concur. The time has come for the opening of the box, and the coronation of the heir.

Open the box and get it over with, King Kaddick wheezed. His fingers trembled in Gladiola's grasp as a result of the exertion of merely speaking.

The castellan broke the thin wires and removed the leaden seal from the hasp, then unlatched the box and pulled the lid open. All eyes were eager to see the powerful, magical silver band with its blue stones and tear-shaped swirls.

Councilor Zolo gasped.

The box is empty! Marigold said.

King Kaddick's hand tightened on Gladiola's hand, squeezing it painfully. She sat, staring at the empty box. There was a depression in the velvet, just the size the circlet would be.

Where is it? Calla asked. How can we tell who should be heir?

I swear to you, the box has been undisturbed, Castellan Andrew babbled to Councilor Zolo. You saw the seal on the box. I broke it myself in your presence. You cannot lay the blame for this at my feet. I've carried out the protection of the box in accordance with the duties of my office!

No one is blaming you, my dear Castellan, Councilor Zolo soothed. The seal on the box was indeed intact, and you would only have been remiss in your duties had you broken it before today.

King Kaddick weakly raised his hand. All conversation ceased, and all eyes turned toward him. The sudden silence in the room was almost overwhelming, as though even the walls leaned closer to hear what the king had to say.

Coronation band…missing?

Yes, Majesty, Councilor Zolo replied.

It must be found. To confirm...wrong heir...worse than…confirm…no heir. The king's strength was failing.

It's been missing a long time. That seal has been intact for as long as I've been on the council. Where should we begin looking?

Ask...hermit...who. Send all three…daughters. Crown... heir...as soon as...found.

His strength gone, King Kaddick lapsed into unconsciousness.

Castellan Andrew closed the box with shaking hands and wrapped it tenderly within its purple silken shroud once more. No one must know of this loss outside of the King's Council.

Councilor Zolo nodded his agreement. The people would panic if they knew either of the king's failing health, or the loss of the coronation band.

The healer made shooing motions to all and set about checking his patient.

Gladiola placed her father's hand on the bed beside him, then stood and led her sisters from the room. Castellan Andrew and Councilor Zolo followed. As soon as the door closed behind them, Gladiola waved everyone to seats in the king's outer chamber.

When does the next trading ship leave for The Dragon Reef?

Councilor Zolo's eyes rolled back in his head as he checked his memory.

I know there's a ship leaving tomorrow evening for Guanomas, on the island of Anatidae. Whether that will be faster than travelling overland to Honortia and taking a ship directly to the reef, I'm not certain. I'll look into the schedules and find the quickest route for you.

Thank you, Councilor Zolo. My sisters and I will pack our plainest gowns. We'll share a single maid and take only one groom to care for our horses. We'll be safer travelling if we're taken for minor nobility rather than princesses.

Horses? asked Calla. Must we take horses? Glads, they stink! Everything we own will smell like horses.

We'll need the horses when we get to The Dragon Reef, Gladiola said. I'm sure the hermit doesn't live near the trader's enclave where all the ships dock.

Calla sighed. If we must.

We must.

You must be extremely careful when talking to the hermit, Councilor Zolo said. He knows all, but he'll only answer one question for you.

We'll just ask him where the coronation band is, then, Calla said.

No; father said to ask him who took it, Gladiola replied.

We can ask both questions, said Marigold, since he'll answer one question for each of us.

Zolo shook his head. Not one question each, one question per quest. And Princess Gladiola is quite correct; the king commanded you to ask who took it. From that answer, you should be able to figure out where it is, and you'll be much more prepared to retrieve it when you arrive there. Now, if the three of you'll go prepare for the journey, I'll arrange for your passage and some funds.

With no further discussion, they parted to make their individual preparations.

Chapter Two

16th day of the Worm Moon

Gladiola looked at the tall clock standing in the entry hall of the palace as it chimed out the half hour. Anxiously, she nudged her small satchel of belongings lying on the floor at her feet. The clatter of boots on the stairs heralded the arrival of their maid, Annette, carrying her sisters' things. If Calla and Goldie didn't hurry, they'd miss their ship.

Gladiola was pleased the younger maid was coming with them instead of the older, more staid Martha. Even short journeys were physically demanding, and she felt Annette could handle the rigors of travel more easily.

Glads heard more footsteps on the stairs, and looked up to see Calla, Goldie, and Castellan