King of Legend

By Carey Mozena

Everyone thinks he’s the reincarnation of the legendary king, Irdisae, but Orion doesn’t believe in that nonsense. Twenty years old and recently crowned, young king Orion must deal with a threat to his kingdom by a violent alien queen. When peace talks fail and thrust the aliens into a bloody civil war, Orion must risk the lives of his people by joining the band of rebels against the queen’s military might. It’s a fight for survival on an alien world with 100 plus degree temperatures, acid rain, and gigantic, carnivorous birds, as Orion carves his own legend into the rock of history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carey Mozena
• Release date: May 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781482535570

Book preview

Who was Irdisae?

Irdisae was our first king, she said. "He was incredibly powerful and built a peaceful kingdom in ancient times. As a symbol of his power, he forged a magic ring from the golden horn of a unicorn and the emerald scale of a dragon.

You now wear that ring.

Dark of night, shining bright,

Transparent unicorn

Legend's king, peace, he'll bring

To a kingdom torn

Night or day, who can say?

When you have no eyes.

Determination, liberation

Jisbae army flies.

Worlds at war fighting for

What does not exist.

Irdisae will come this day

And rule with mighty fist.

1

The dagger had belonged to his dead brother. An older brother. A brother who had tried for four years to kill him. Orion twirled the dagger, wondering why he had kept it. The dagger itself was nothing special; a simple gold-plated handle wrapped in brown leather cord and a ten inch, straight steel blade that ended in a point. It was nice for throwing, but Orion could easily get a better one made. He sheathed it so he wouldn't drop it off the high tower roof he was laying on.

A breeze blew up from the city below and with it, a thousand smells, including roasting meat from the palace kitchens, warm sweat from the horses in the stables and on the street, pine from the nearby forest, and the perfume from dozens of flowers at a florist. Orion pulled a few stray strands of his long, light blonde hair out of his face and readjusted his eyepatch. It was made of soft, black leather. He wore it everyday since he lost his right eye in a terrorist attack when he was six years old. The attacks began again when Orion was sixteen.

His brother had been the leader.

Since losing his eye, Orion had trained every day to become a warrior to fight the terrorists, but he never imagined that he'd come face-to-face with his brother in a life-or-death struggle. Orion glanced over at a nearby tower where his friend and bodyguard, Alex, lay. Unlike Orion, Alex had dark skin and black hair. He appeared to be asleep, but Orion could see his long, pointed ears twitching at every little noise. Orion reached up and ran his fingers along his own pointed ears, but let his hand drop to his eyepatch and rubbed his empty eye socket.

Angry voices rose above the uniform buzz of clip-clopping hooves on cobblestone, clattering wagon wheels, and the talk from hundreds of people, and grabbed Alex's attention from his perch. He leaned over and surveyed the city below. Orion did the same. The palace sat at the northern border of Royal City, with a surrounding forest as far as the eye could see. He couldn't understand what the voices were saying, but he guessed that it had something to do with a fruit cart sitting on it's side with it's load dumped in the street. Accidents and arguments were uncommon this close to the royal palace, and he briefly wondered if he'd need to get involved if a fight broke out.

Don't worry about it, Orion, Alex called form his tower roof. This happens every now and then. They'll work it out. Orion nodded and laid back on the warm shingles. Do you really think we oughta be up here?

It's my palace, isn't it? Orion fiddled with his ring, turning it over and over, tracing his fingers over the symbols on it. The ring was magical; only Orion could touch it without getting an electrical shock. Because of that ring, and the fact that he was now the ruler of two kingdoms that had been at war, several people thought that he was Irdisae, a legendary king of ancient times. Orion only scoffed that kind of talk. If you don't want to be here, go somewhere else, he looked over at Alex with a bright blue eye.

Nah, Alex leaned back, I like it here. Orion closed his eyes as another chilly breeze ruffled his clothes. It's just that there's so much work to do. What with joining the kingdoms, I mean.

That's exactly the reason I'm up here, Orion replaced the ring on his finger and looked up at the sky. There's so much to do, I needed a break.

Yea? Alex glanced over at Orion again, And what about Tanya? She's probably wondering where you are.

I know, Orion replied slowly, It's just that, well, with all that's happened, I guess I need a break from her, too.

No, way! Alex exclaimed, sitting up and staring at Orion. Before you were married, you couldn't get enough of her. You stared at her all the time, and when she wasn't there, you'd talk my ears off about her. Don't tell me you need a break from her! Orion smiled.

Yea, well, that was then, and this is now. Orion's smile withered. She keeps talking about wanting to have a baby.

A baby! Ha! Alex folded his arms above his head and leaned back. You guys just got married not too long ago, and already she wants a baby. So what's wrong? Not so sure about being a daddy?

It's not just that, it's- I don't know. Orion looked away and stared into space.

Just what, buddy?

With all that's going on, you know, with the terrorists and all, Orion took a deep breath, I'm not so sure I'm ready to bring a child into the world.

Yea, right, Alex sighed, You're just nervous about the dance, aren't you? Orion scowled at Alex. The dance was the dance of joining, the way jisbae babies were born. Both Alex and Orion had heard about it, but still had no idea what it was. Any idea why those purebloods can't be born the normal way? We were. Orion harrumphed. Both Alex and Orion were halfling jisbae; half telblec and half lunimorf. There were only a handful of pureblood jisbae who had crash landed near the palace years ago. Relax, buddy. It'll happen when it happens. Personally, I can't wait to see what your kid looks like. He looked sideways at Orion,With a hottie like Tanya for a mother, the kid's sure not to look as ugly as you.

Shut up, Alex! Orion sat up angrily and glared at Alex, completely missing the playful insult. You know I don't like it when you talk about my wife that way.

Aw, come on, Orion. I know you've only got one eye, but you've gotta see that she's gorgeous. It's just too bad she married you and not me. Alex looked up just in time to see Orion's dagger hurtling at him. Laughing, Alex scrambled out of the way as the dagger hit the roof and stuck. Nice way to treat your bodyguard, buddy! Alex called.

Just be quiet and give me my dagger back.

Yea, okay. So you can throw it at me again? I don't think so. Alex braced himself against the slippery shingles and pulled the dagger free. Sitting back down, he twirled it around. Where'd you get this, anyway?

It was Rick's. Orion watched as Alex's expression turned from playful to tense. Alex had saved Orion's life by killing Rick.

I'm, uh, kinda surprised you still have it, Alex said uncertainly, holding the dagger gingerly as if it might jump up and bite him. He did try to kill you, after all.

I know, Orion said as he spread his large, white wings, glided over, and landed next to Alex, almost stepping on Alex's black feathers. Jisbae resembled normal people, but with large feathery wings, furry cat-like tails, and pointed ears. Orion and Alex both were halflings, which meant that one of their parents was a telblec and the other was a lunimorf. Neither telblecs or lunimorves had wings or tails. It also meant that they had been born looking like one or the other. Telblecs were tall and muscular, with dark skin and hair, where lunimorves were short and slender, with pale skin and hair. On a halfling's seventeenth birthday, he went through a painful transformation, when his wings and tail grew in. I guess I kept it as a reminder of what could happen. Alex closed his eyes and turned away, ashamed. Orion took hold of Alex's chin, and looked directly into his gold eyes. You killed the leader of the terrorists, the ATA, not my brother. You saved my life in doing so.

Alex nodded, I know, he said, breathing hard. Orion could hear Alex's heart pounding. But it still hurts to think about it. I've never killed anyone before, and your brother-

He wasn't my brother! Orion replaced the dagger in it's leather sheath on his right leg under his knee and stood up. I never had a big brother. He glared down at Alex, watching his expression change from submission to wonder to amazement. Alex's eyes went wide and he opened his mouth, but was unable to form words. Orion twisted around so fast he slipped and had to catch himself before he fell off the roof.

A huge, green metallic vehicle was slowly descending out of the sky, and headed straight towards the back of the royal palace, where Orion and Alex stared, stunned. They had both seen ships that could travel through space before, but they were mostly silver, not green. The lunimorves, most of who lived on the moon, Lunspae, built ships to go back and forth to the planet's surface. Those ships were also much smaller than this behemoth that was trying to land. The newly constructed landing pads behind the palace were way too small to take on this ship. Orion watched as the ship landed anyway, taking up 3 separate landing pads. The landing pads were set up so that Orion couldn't see the doors opening, or who was on that ship. He leapt off the tower roof, his long, blonde hair flowing behind him.

2

Majesty! a servant called as Orion landed in the palace courtyard, near a five-tier water fountain. As he landed, he began levitating himself so that he could stand. He was so good at it, no one could tell that he was actually paralyzed from the waist down, thanks to one of Rick's terrorist attacks. He had spent a year in a wheelchair, practicing levitation with his twin brother, Joshua, until he was able to get around, and eventually walk and fight, all on his own. Unfortunately, since he never regained true use of his legs and tail, he was still completely numb from the waist down.

What is it? Orion folded his wings behind his back. Who's here?

You're Majesty, the servant bowed. The largreti are here, led by their prince.

The largreti? Orion stared at the servant, his argument with Alex forgotten, Nunu is here? He hadn't seen or heard from Nunu since he sent him back to his home world, three years ago. Orion and Alex had gone flying over the forest when Orion dipped down into the trees to hide from Alex. From there, he heard a strange noise and went to investigate. He found Nunu in a clearing, crying for home. He learned that Nunu was the only survivor of a crashed space ship that no one knew about. Orion led Nunu back to the palace where he got into a fight with Lee, a pureblood jisbae who hated largreti, over sending the largreto back to his people. Orion learned that Nunu's ship had actually shot the ship that Tanya and Lee were on down just before crashing themselves. He also learned that largreti and jisbae had been enemies long ago, and the largreti were still looking to destroy the last of the jisbae. Orion's kindness, however, had changed Nunu's mind and he promised to speak to the queen about peace on Orion's behalf. Orion would finally get the answer he had been waiting for years for. Where are they?

They are waiting for you in the great hall, Majesty, the servant bowed again and stepped aside for Orion.

Those giant, ugly toads are back? Alex disdained as he followed Orion inside.

Alex! Orion shot his bodyguard a nasty look.

What? Alex looked back at Orion innocently. They're ugly toads. That's all there is too it. And, uh, the great hall is that way, he pointed off to the left.

I want to stop by my rooms first, Orion said. He wanted to change into clothes that were more majestic than his simple white jumpsuit, and grab his crown. He didn't like wearing the crown because it got in the way when he was flying and training, but he'd need it to meet with a foreign monarch.

Bright, pink eyes surrounded by soft, brown hair greeted Orion when he reached his rooms. Orion never saw anyone with pink eyes before. Most telblecs had brown, black, or hazel eyes, while the lunimorves had blue or green eyes. Her pink eyes had captured his heart, and he still couldn't help but smile when he saw her. Strawberry lips smiled at him as his wife, Tanya, pulled him into a warm kiss. Where have you been? she pouted. Busy being king? Orion smiled.

Yea, busy, Orion lied. Listen. I don't have much time. I need to get changed. Nunu's here! Orion trotted up to a large, walk-in closet and began changing clothes.

Who's Nunu? Tanya asked.

A largreto, Alex answered indifferently. Their ship just landed outside the palace.

Largreto? Her playful pouting quickly turned into fear. Here? Now? Why?

For peace talks, no doubt, Orion called from inside the closet. He pulled an undershirt over his head and wrapped an open-fronted shirt with gold trim around him, tucking in the loose ends, and careful not to bend any feathers as he pushed his wings through the slit in the back. Remember when I sent him back to his home planet? I asked him to speak to his queen about peace. Orion stepped out of the closet as he fastened his brother's dagger to a gold belt. How do I look? he asked, turning around.

A flash of silver through one of the large windows in Orion's room caught his eye. Orion did a double-take as it darted in and out of the trees outside the city. Stepping closer to the large window, he watched the silver streak zigzag among the trees, getting close to the edge of the city, then dashing away again.

Whatcha lookin' at, Orion? Alex asked, stepping next to Orion and gazing out the window.

That silver thing, darting around there, Alex, Orion pointed with his chin towards the forest, where the silver streak was still active.

I don't see anything, Alex said.

It's there, Orion gestured with a hand, in the forest just outside the city, he looked at Alex, See it now?

There's nothing in the trees, Orion, Alex said blankly, still searching for the silver thing Orion saw.

Yes, it's right there! Orion couldn't understand how Alex couldn't see something so obvious.

What's right there? Tanya asked, her curiosity getting the best of her as she sidled closer to Orion to peek out the window, too.

Look there, Tanya, in the trees. Do you see that silver thing? Orion asked.

There's nothing in the trees, Orion, Tanya said, worried.

Come on, buddy, Alex gently pulled Orion away from the window. You've got to go see those toads, remember?

They're not toads, Alex. Orion scowled at him. And I'd appreciate it if you stopped calling them names. He grabbed his crown and headed out the door and down the hall. Tanya and Alex followed him.

Orion, Tanya said, I'm worried about the largreti.

Why? Orion asked.

Just remember, they did shoot my ship down and kill most of my shipmates, she stopped.

Tanya, Orion began, stopping and turning to her, that was a long time ago. I really think that they're interested in peace now.

I'm not so sure, she looked down. Largreti are ruthless and cunning. This may be a trap.

A trap? Orion took her shoulders, They're awfully daring to set a trap for me in my own palace. Where, I might add, I have lots of warriors to come to my aid, should I need them.

You wouldn't be so confident if you knew all the horrible things they've done to the jisbae, she looked into his good eye. I've heard stories that gave me nightmares. Stories that would make even Irdisae shudder. Don't trust them.

Tanya, please-

They're monsters, Orion! Tanya cried, They're like a plague, killing and consuming everything in their path! They would have laid waste to the entire universe long ago if they hadn't been stopped.

And who stopped them?

I- I don't really-

Tanya, Orion cut her off, I don't believe that. I don't believe it's possible for one race to destroy everything. I think they're just misunderstood. You know, like the telblecs and the lunimorves misunderstood each other? Tanya shook her head.

You don't understand, Orion, she said, The largreti aren't people like we are. They're cruel, savage monsters. They'll kill you the first chance they get! Orion sighed. He could understand her fear after the largreti attacked the space ship she and several others had been living on. There had been over five hundred people living on that ship as nomads, but there were only eleven survivors of that fiery crash, and Tanya would have been killed in it, too, if Orion hadn't gone in and rescued her. She had the right to be afraid, but Orion thought she was exaggerating a bit. He had learned through experience that, just because some people look threatening and have done bad things, that didn't make them monsters. The lunimorves had attacked the telblecs countless times, but only because they were afraid of them. Perhaps the largreti were afraid of the jisbae, too?

At least let me find out what they want, okay? He gave her a reassuring kiss on her cheek.

Alright, she sighed nervously, but I'm still worried about them. She allowed him to take her hand and lead her the rest of the way to the great hall. They entered through a doorway at the top of a grand staircase that joined with an opposing staircase above another set of stairs at a platform where the thrones sat well above the main floor. A group of twenty creatures resembling giant toads were waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs. The largreti stood at least three times taller than the tallest telblec, and were just about as wide. Orion had a hard time trying to figure out how their tiny little legs could hold that kind of body mass. Their arms and legs were about the same length as Orion's arms, and ended in three fingers or toes. There were no distinguishable necks. Their large mouths came right out of the top of their chests, and held lots of sharp teeth. They didn't have noses, either. Their beady little eyes were positioned close together and below the corners of their mouths. Their ears were nothing more than holes in either side of their heads. The largreti were bright green like toads, and had dark green spots all over the top of their wrinkled heads and down their backs. One largreti was intimidating; twenty in a group was overwhelming.

Orion scanned the group and noticed that most of them looked pretty tough, like they were largreti warriors. The warriors all wore what looked like yellow sashes over each shoulder, and pinned together where they crossed in the front and back. Colorful patches and medals of honor that each largreto had earned decorated the front of the sashes. There was a long sword in it's sheath attached to the bottom of each sash, so that each largreti had two. One of the largreti had a vest rather than two sashes, and wore it open. His wore his swords on a belt. He also had a gold circlet atop his head. Orion assumed that the circlet was a crown, and that this largreti was the prince. A quick glance at the group and Orion found the only largreti he knew.

Nunu! Orion exclaimed with ninmisn as he rushed down the steps. The largreti couldn't understand a jisbae's verbal speech, but ninmisn allowed it. By communicating with ninmisn, everyone in the room could hear and understand what was being said. Nunu turned in surprise, but greeted Orion warmly.

Ah, Prince Orion! Nunu said, although Orion needed ninmisn to understand him.

Nope, Orion ninmisned, Not 'prince' anymore. He smiled and pointed to his head, See the crown? I've become king. Several of the largreti began murmuring among themselves. Orion thought he heard the word 'Irdisae' a few times, but ignored it. I'm also married now. That's Tanya, Orion said, pointing up the stairs to where Tanya was leaning on the banister, watching what was going on below.

King? And married? Nunu said with awe, Amazing. Congratulations!

Thanks. Hey, you remember Alex, don't you?" Orion said, turning to face his bodyguard, who was watching from the platform with his arms crossed.

Yes, Nunu smiled, I remember him yelling at you in the forest. Orion chuckled. Alex snorted.

King Orion, or shall I call you Irdisae? the largreto with the vest and the circlet stepped forward. Orion rolled his eye. The largreto appeared uptight with a big scowl, but Orion figured that he was just nervous about being on Olhoe, surrounded by a people he had been taught to fear. I am Prince Eemyu. I carry a message for you from my queen. Orion thought he heard the largreti's voice waver. She says that she wants to meet you in person.

Really? Orion was confused, Then why didn't she come here with you? Nunu looked down but didn't say anything. Nunu? Orion started to worry.

Our queen is not one to accept change so easily, Nunu said quietly. Orion stared blankly at him. She hates jisbae. She always has, although I don't know why. If you go to Togrenia, our home world, there's a good chance that you won't come back. 

3

Orion, no! You can't go! They'll kill you! Tanya ran down the stairs and threw her arms around him.

Why can't anything be easy? he thought, groaning and rubbing his empty eye socket.

This is a big decision, Orion's father, King Frederic, stepped around the group of aliens. Orion hadn't realized he was there. Hard and unmoving like a tree trunk, King Frederic seemed indifferent to the conversation that was going on. He pushed a stray lock of curly hair, blacker than the night, out of his dark face and looked at Orion with vivid, red-brown eyes. Orion felt his composure slip away under his father's intense gaze. Tanya backed away from Orion with lowered eyes as King Frederic stepped closer. Let's discuss this in a meeting room.

***

Orion was seated on one side of a large, ornate, black oak table in the center of an equally large, ornate room. There were paintings on the walls and statues in the corners. His father sat on his right, Alex on his left. Nunu and Eemyu were seated across from him, each on two benches placed back-to-back, since the largreti were too big to sit on a chair. Two more largreti stood near either end of the table, while the rest waited in the great hall.

Your queen says that she want's to meet me in person to discuss peace, Orion ninmisned so that everyone could understand him, but you think that it's a trap, right? Nunu nodded.

Then you can't go, Alex crossed his arms.

Well, that's easy, I won't go. Orion shrugged.

Ah, but that's where we hit a snag, Prince Eemyu said, If we return to Togrenia without you, the queen will see that as refusing to make peace with us, and, well- he let his voice fade and looked away.

Well, what?

She'll attack your people. Nunu finished the sentence and looked directly at Orion, Without mercy. She'll send the army to destroy you. She made that pretty clear. Orion stared at back and forth from Nunu to the largreto prince, unsure of what to do.

It doesn't seem like I have much choice, then, but to go to Togrenia and speak to the queen. Orion lowered his gaze.

No! Absolutely not! Alex jumped out of his seat and slammed the table with sweaty palms. As your bodyguard, I will not allow you to go and get yourself killed. There has to be another way.

He's right, King Frederic ninmisned softly, almost like a whisper. We haven't explored all our possibilities yet.

Well, how about this? Alex sat back down. How about I dress up as you, while you act like one of my warriors? That way, if something goes wrong, you'll have a chance to slip out, while everyone comes after me.

But then you might be killed, Orion ninmisned.

Better me than you, Alex replied. Orion raised an eyebrow. Think about it, you're the king, the Irdisae. I'm just your bodyguard. It's my job to protect you.

So you are the Irdisae? one of the standing largreti asked. Orion didn't bother to answer.

You're more than that, Alex, Orion said, You're my friend.

Besides, Prince Eemyu interrupted, our orders are that you come alone. No warriors, no guards, no nothing. Both Orion and Alex stared at him.

That settles it, Alex crossed his arms. It's obviously a trap. Give me some of your clothes. I'll disguise myself as you, change my colors with fysimae, and go in your place.

That won't work, Alex, Orion covered his mouth in thought. He didn't really know if it would work or not. He just knew that sending Alex to Togrenia - alone - was as good as sentencing him to death. And Orion wasn't about to sentence one of his closest friends to death. He racked his brain trying to come up with some excuse as to why Alex couldn't go.

You're right, Orion. It won't work, King Frederic frowned. And the queen will be furious to learn that she's been duped. Orion didn't voice it, but he was relieved that his father agreed with him, albeit for a different reason. He sat there a while longer, without any other ideas coming to him. The others remained silent, too.

Can I have some time to think about it?

Of course, the largreti prince nodded. We can wait on our space ship. The little one we landed behind your palace is just a transport ship. Our mother ship is waiting in orbit.

Little one? Alex gaped at the largreti. That huge thing? That's bigger than any space vehicle we have!

After the meeting, and seeing Nunu and his company off, Orion headed to his in-laws' rooms, followed, as always, by Alex. He wanted to check out that silver thing he saw before the sun went down, and he figured that his wife would have gone to gossip about the largreti to her parents. He knocked.

Orion! Alex! Vivian, Tanya's mother, greeted him warmly. She and her husband were survivors of the wreckage, too. Come in! How was your day?

Tiring, Orion answered, not wanting to attempt explaining everything that went on. Where's Tanya?

Right here, Tanya said, getting up from a couch against the wall.

I wanted to go check out that silver thing I saw earlier, before it got too dark. He glanced out a window. The windows in his in-laws' rooms were smaller than his, and facing a different direction, but he could still see the light pink hue in the sky that signaled the beginning of dusk.

Silver thing? Vivian asked with unusual earnest, Did it look like an animal? What animal was it?

I, uh, I don't know, Orion was surprised by her reaction, I don't even know if it was an animal. It could have been the sun glinting off some machine or something like that.

I don't think that a machine can 'dart' around trees the way you described, Alex crossed his arms.

What does it matter, Mother? Tanya asked, It's no big deal.

Who else saw it? Vivian asked, ignoring Tanya's question.

Actually, no one, Orion said, thinking back, Neither Alex nor Tanya could see it when they looked. Isn't that weird? Tanya's parents exchanged worried glances. What? What's wrong? Do you guys know what that thing was?

I'm not sure, Vivian took a deep breath, but I think it was an emerring. Tanya gasped. Orion just stared at her.

What in the world is an emerring? he asked, Is it bad?

An emerring is a silver light that takes the shape of an animal. It's like an omen. Only the person to whom the omen is meant can see it.

So should I be worried?

Definitely, she bit her lip. It's extremely rare that an emerring brings good fortune. Every emerring that's been seen has been a bad omen.

How bad? Orion was starting to worry. He didn't believe in omens and such like that, but the reactions from his wife and in-laws was troublesome.

It depends on what animal the emerring looks like. Most of the emerrings look like large wolves. That kind of emerring means great misfortune, usually- she stopped.

Usually, what?

Usually, the person who sees a wolf emerring doesn't live very long, she whispered. Orion knew where this was leading. He could already see tears shining in Tanya's eyes.

Well, what other kinds of emerrings are there? He asked, trying to change the subject.

Others, she sniffed, "others can look like any animal. The bigger the animal, the worse. I've heard that a dragon emerring means a great disaster is coming, one where not only