Legends of Aldara: Omens

By Matthew Burkey and Taryn Gilliland

Kaidan is the prince of Geweth and the only heir to the throne. All he’s ever had to worry about was what to wear for a royal ball or the best way to ditch the palace guards to go out and have some fun. Selena, a mercenary, is constantly worried if her group’s next job is going to pay enough for food. When a failed assassination attempt and manhunt brings the two together, they must traverse Aldara looking for clues as to how and why someone would want the King and Prince of Geweth dead. Joined by their friends and new allies, the unlikely group unravel a political plot that could possibly plunge all of Aldara into war.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matthew Burkey
• Release date: Oct 25, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311648792

Book preview

Legends of Aldara:

Omens

By:

Matthew Burkey

And

Taryn Gilliland

Copyright 2015

Matthew Burkey and Taryn Gilliland

This work is the property of the authors. Do not redistribute or resell this ebook. Please respect the hard work of those that went into the creation of this story.

Check Out Other Titles By Matthew Burkey:

The Guardian Chronicles: Dark Horizon (ebook)

The Guardian Chronicles: Rise of the Phoenix (ebook)

The Guardian Chronicles: Edge of the Abyss (ebook)

Author Contact Information:

Matt Burkey – [e-mail]

Taryn Gilliland – [e-mail]

Table Of Contents:

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

CHAPTER ONE

The sun was just starting to dip below the horizon when the door was nearly knocked off its hinges. Two people, one man and one woman, stumbled into the room, fumbling to get out of their clothes. They crashed into a nearby dresser and then hit the wall, causing them both to laugh between hurried kisses. The man kicked the door shut and then together they fell onto the well-worn bed, causing it to creak.

The kissing continued as the couple struggled to lose the clothing separating them from skin on skin contact. His shirt came off first, landing somewhere near the foot of the bed and her shirt soon joined his, catching on the bedpost. Her fingers roamed over his broad shoulders, down a lean muscled back, across the flat planes of his abdomen and along well built arms and pectorals. The only mark that marred his skin was a tattoo on the right side of his chest, the symbol done in an iridescent red ink that formed the shape of a phoenix in flight.

Her slim hands snaked through his short, almost shaved black hair and the light from the setting sun reflected off his near ice blue eyes. The young man looked down at the girl underneath him. She had a slim body, deep brown eyes, and a face framed by a tangle of red curls. A mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes and she reached up to grab his neck and pull him into another deep kiss. He leaned into it, bracing himself on either side of her with his outstretched hands. She hurriedly worked the buckles of his pants and he slid them down his muscular legs. He kicked them off, adding them to the pile at the foot of the bed.

Their activities were interrupted by the door suddenly opening. The man turned around and groaned, sitting back on his legs as the women on the bed scrambled to cover herself. Standing in the doorway, framed by light coming in from the flickering lights in the corridor, stood a man in his early sixties. He was tall and lean, dressed in dark pants and a white linen shirt with a beige jacket. His blue eyes, slightly less intense than they had been in his younger days, stared at the nearly naked young man on the bed. His lips were set in a thin smile.

Prince Kaidan, fancy meeting you here.

Kaidan Lionheart muttered a rather unkind string of words under his breath while the girl on the bed looked up at him with a certain amount of confusion.

My dear lady, if you would be so kind as to excuse us for just a moment.

The young woman scampered off the bed, grabbed her discarded clothes and then shot out the door, nearly knocking over the older man. Kaidan slid off the bed and crossed his arms over his chest, locking eyes with the man who had interrupted him.

Do I even want to know how you found me so fast, Gideon?

You’re a man of certain habits.

Kaidan shrugged, clearly not inclined to get dressed. Oh come on, what’s the harm in having a little fun? It’s not like I had to beg her to jump into bed with me or anything, and I did pay her.

Gideon shook his head. You snuck out of the palace again and made your father’s elite guards look like fools. Captain Targeel is not happy. And where is Daylynn? Your bodyguard appears to be very absent, which is confusing since I thought his job was to guard your body.

Captain Targeel is never happy, Kaidan snorted. And I gave Daylynn the night off.

Would you please put some clothes on, Gideon sighed. I’d like to get back to the castle before your father sends troops out to search the entire city for you. He’ll not be pleased about this.

Kaidan looked like he was about to protest, still standing next to the bed in nothing but his form fitting undershorts. Finally, he relented and started to gather up his clothes.

You could have waited five minutes, Kaidan grumbled, slipping on his pants. I mean really, would it have killed you to wait five minutes?

It very well could have. None of us know when we might be called back to the Maker.

Kaidan didn’t say anything more as they exited the run down house and made their way toward the street. The lamps were just starting to come on and the sounds of early evening foot traffic and the street trains echoed off the buildings around them. A slight chill had worked its way into evening autumn air, though it seemed to scarcely bother either of them. They walked several blocks without saying a word, simply taking in the rather downtrodden environment that they found themselves in.

Kaidan had always found this section of the city, known as the Anvil, to be rather beautiful despite its condition. The Anvil housed Tamora’s population of unblessed, those that couldn’t use magic. Ignoring the fact that most houses and buildings looked like they could use a coat of paint, new windows, or a new roof, Kaidan found the area to be more alive than the sparkling and pristine neighborhoods that made up the rest of Tamora. You could see the dirt, smell the bread baking, and feel the pulse of life in the air.

Gideon cleared his throat and Kaidan shot him a sideways look as they turned the corner and headed toward the Anvil’s market district.

What? Kaidan huffed. I know that you’ve been dying to say something for the past ten minutes so just spit it out already.

You are making a habit of disobeying your father, Gideon said.

I’m not the only child in Aldara that disobeys his father, Kaidan pointed out. Kaidan took notice of how many people were actually looking at them now. Apparently, Gideon noticed as well as he moved in closer to the prince.

You’re the prince of Geweth, one of the most powerful kingdoms in Aldara. You have a responsibility to the crown.

Maybe I was doing charity work, Maker knows that they could use it here.

We both know that’s a lie, Gideon sighed. He stopped and gestured to the rundown buildings and homes all around them. Tamora is the largest city in all of Geweth, the capital of our kingdom, one of the largest in Aldara. You will have to rule this one day and you should take your responsibilities seriously, starting with the fact that you shouldn’t sneak out of the palace and make the elite guards look like fools.

They rarely need help in that department, Kaidan smirked. Captain Targeel is too strict, he doesn’t let his men have any fun nor does he let them think on their own. Perhaps if he did that then it wouldn’t be so easy to escape.

You make it sound like you were kept in a prison.

Sometimes being royalty can feel that way, Kaidan grunted. Always being told what to do and when and how to act-

And always having a roof over your head, food in your belly and the best teachers and trainers that money can buy, Gideon interrupted. It sounds like an awful life to me.

Kaidan ignored the comment as they headed down the dust covered and uneven street.

What responsibilities? Kaidan asked. My father is in excellent health and there is no way that he’s going to keel over any time soon. Let’s face it; aside from practicing with you, there isn’t much that I really have to do.

Gideon shook his head. That kind of thinking will only get you into trouble.

Several people kept sending furtive glances his way but would avert eye contact whenever Kaidan looked directly at them.

You have to learn control, Gideon continued. You have to learn responsibility. You can’t just go around doing whatever you want, and certainly not when you are king.

Says you, Kaidan shot back, shrugging.

It’s hard to believe that you even listen at all.

As they traveled the streets, Kaidan caught sight of several men falling into step behind him. Kaidan thought this was odd, given the fact that neither himself nor Gideon were wearing anything that pegged them as royalty. Of course, they were still some of the best dressed people in the Anvil. He cast a look over his shoulder and spied three more men that had joined the group, bringing the total to five. Still, they appeared to be keeping their distance, at least for the moment.

We’ve got company, Kaidan muttered, not even looking at Gideon. I think they want to rob us. Apparently we look like we have money.

We do have money, Gideon reminded him. Perhaps we can talk to them.

I don’t think they are interested in talking.

Kaidan whirled around just as the sound of a sword sliding free of a scabbard echoed through the night air. Gideon called out a warning but was too late, the group of men charged toward them. The first thing that Kaidan noticed was that they were all wearing little more than rags. The second thing he noticed was the pungent smell that they gave off, like they hadn’t bathed in over a week.

This wasn’t necessary! Gideon yelled. He sent one of the attackers flying with a powerful snap kick to the abdomen. We could have avoided this fight entirely!

Sure we could have, Kaidan countered. But this is more fun and I could really use the work out.

Kaidan thrust out his hand, sending a wave of heat and flame forward, launching several of the men backwards to bounce off the nearby building.

Your coin’s going to be mine, pretty boy!

Kaidan wheeled around, coming face to face with the man who spoke, who also happened to be missing several teeth. Kaidan took out a few more by hitting him across the face with a haymaker. The man grunted in response and was sent sailing backwards as Kaidan hit him with a bolt of flame.

Another man, this one wearing a tattered red cloak and leather pants that looked three sizes too big, charged toward him, sword thrust out ahead of him like a spear. Kaidan dodged the charge, grabbed the man’s arm and flipped him over, sending him painfully to the pavement. He let out a loud grunt when he hit the ground but had the fight knocked out of him. Kaidan kicked the sword away from his reach.

I’m going to gut you, old man.

Gideon quirked an eyebrow at the man with one eye. The one eyed man lunged, stabbing toward Gideon’s chest with his knife. The blade looked like it was so rusted that it would break off the moment that it hit anything harder than bread. Gideon did not want to test that theory and instead knocked the attack away with his arm and slammed a hand into the man’s solar plexus, knocking the wind from him before rendering him unconscious with punch to the face.

There’re more of us than there are of you!

And yet you’re still losing, Kaidan retorted. He back flipped, dodging away from the attacking thugs with ease. Another man came waddling toward him. Kaidan rolled his eyes, dodged the next blow and slammed a quick punch combo into him, knocking him out cold.

But even in the Anvil, lawless as it might seem, the police force still existed. Before the brawl could get even more out of hand, police officers came rushing around the corner, dressed in black pants and wearing light leather armor. Several of the officers were armed with crossbows, all of them locked and ready to go.

Your highness, one of the policemen said, recognizing Kaidan.

Gentlemen, how good of you to show up when you did. We were just having a… misunderstanding with these fine young men. Gideon brushed some dirt off his pants and looked at the newcomers.

Um, no we weren’t, Kaidan snapped. They were trying to attack us.

Gideon groaned. Kaidan…

Oh for the love of the Maker! Kaidan exclaimed. Why would you give them any sort of break? Or did you miss the fact that they were trying to remove your head from your body with this pointy thing. I think it’s called a sword.

We’ll take care of this right away, your majesty!

Gideon turned to look at Kaidan again as the policemen started rounding them up. All of them looked worried; attacking any member of the royal family was grounds for the death sentence.

Don’t look at me like I just kicked a puppy dog, Kaidan grumbled.

You know the punishment for attacking a member of the royal family.

Kaidan sighed heavily. Officer, arrest them but just charge them with, I don’t know something that won’t relieve their heads from their bodies.

You could just let them go, Gideon offered.

That’s not going to happen. Even if this is a haven for the unblessed, we still need rules.

The prince speaks the truth, the officer in charge nodded. The man speaking was taller than both Gideon and Kaidan, with a raspy voice and streaks of silver through his long black hair. We need to remind the unblessed that even in the Anvil, law and order must be maintained. I’ll have them locked up and charged with disturbing the peace. If the prince wishes it, that is.

Kaidan looked at Gideon, who gave him a pleading look in return. Fine, do that.

Prince, what were you doing here without an escort? the police captain asked.

An excellent question, Gideon added.

I was getting some air, Kaidan responded. And checking on my subjects.

We can provide you with an escort back to the palace. It would be our honor.

Kaidan was about to object but one look from Gideon convinced him otherwise. He sighed heavily again but decided that he had tortured Gideon enough for one evening. The sun had almost set completely and getting a ride back would be faster than walking.

To whom do we owe the honor of rescuing us? Gideon asked.

Kaidan’s eyebrows rose so high they nearly climbed off his face. Um, I’m pretty sure we did not need rescuing.

Gideon held up a silencing hand and cast an extremely annoyed look in the young prince’s direction.

I’m Captain Roberts, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my prince, the commanding officer replied.

Thanks, captain, Kaidan grunted.

We have a street train that can take you directly to the palace from our garrison, Roberts told them. It would be my honor. I can hardly tell Captain Targeel that I allowed you wander through the Anvil without an escort.

Fine, Kaidan relented.

That’s the first sensible thing that you have said all day, Gideon sighed as several policemen fell into step around them. The policemen formed a protective cordon as they headed through the Anvil, pushing aside the sea of people that were now starting to emerge from their homes and workplaces. Most moved away from the police, although few craned their necks to get a look at who was at the center of the protective bubble of officers.

This is Captain Roberts, the lead officer said, speaking into his wrist communicator. I have a noble that will need immediate transport to the palace. We should be at the garrison in five minutes.

The voice on the end of the wrist communicator was female; the device adding a slight metallic twang to her voice. She may have outranked Captain Roberts, judging by the gruff tone in which she answered. Then again, she could also just have hated being assigned to the Anvil.

Understood, captain.

The group walked for another few minutes in silence before they came to the garrison, one of the few buildings in the Anvil that didn’t look like it was going to crumble if a strong gust of wind hit it.

The garrison was a shining example of Geweth engineering and creativity. The building was made of solid marble with a large central tower. Lights could be seen glowing faintly through the windows and police members could be seen wandering the rooftops, most armed with deadly looking crossbows. Roberts lead them inside and toward the back of the impressive garrison.

It’s amazing really, Gideon commented. All the money, materials, and power we used to create this one building could feed several hundred families of unblessed.

Kaidan rolled his eyes as they stopped near the street train boarding area.

The street train will be along shortly, Roberts informed the pair. If your Excellency requires anything more then all he has to do is ask.

This will be fine, thank you, Gideon said before Kaidan could answer.

My prince, Roberts nodded.

The police captain and his men moved off, leaving Kaidan and Gideon waiting for the street train.

I was going to ask for food, Kaidan grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. I’m a growing boy, you know.

You won’t get to finish growing if you keep acting like you are, Gideon reminded the young prince, taking a seat on a nearby bench. And what’s wrong with your wrist communicator?

Kaidan tapped the glass face which was set into a thick leather band around his right wrist. It would appear that my aether battery died. I’m not really sure how that happened, I just had it changed the other day.

Gideon reached into his pocket and tossed Kaidan a small pulsing green shard. Lucky for me that I happened to bring another one with me.

Oh, how very fortunate, Kaidan muttered. He pressed the side of his communicator and watched as the face sprang open. He would have acted like he had to remove the dead aether battery but they both knew that he never had one in there in the first place. He snapped the battery into place and then closed it. Instantly several lights lit up on the side, signaling that the communicator was working and ready to receive transmissions.

Several minutes passed before the train arrived. The sleek looking metal creation slowed as it entered the boarding area, steam and smoke hissing from pipes and conduits. The side doors slowly slid open, allowing Kaidan and Gideon to enter the train. Though the inside wasn’t as plush as the royal transports that they were used to, it still beat walking all the way back to the palace. A few seconds later the train jerked into motion, slowing picking up speed as it headed out of the garrison and toward the center of the city and the palace grounds.

As the train climbed up the track, the rest of Tamora came into view. The thought of all those unblessed crammed into the less than stellar living situation made Kaidan wince slightly, though he pushed those thoughts away. He didn’t want to dwell on that. He wasn’t the king yet and that meant that it wasn’t his problem, at least not right now.

Amazing that in a sea of lights, we have a hole that is almost as black as night.

Kaidan turned to Gideon and frowned. Why do you always say things like that?

To make you think.

Again Kaidan shook his head. It’s not my fault that they are unblessed. I mean, the Maker is the one that determines who can use magic, not me.

Right, Gideon nodded. But if that’s their only crime, then why not allow them to live in other areas of the city? Why wall them off like they are some sort of diseased people?

Truthfully, Kaidan didn’t have an answer for that. There had always been more blessed than unblessed in the world, at least as far as he knew. History was never one of his strong points.

Because that’s the order of things, Kaidan responded with a shrug.

Do I have to tell you the story again? Gideon asked. At the dawn of time the Maker breathed life into Aldara. He created the lands and the sea and all the animals that populate Aldara. Man learned magic in all its forms. Those that could harness magic called themselves blessed, those that could not were unblessed.

You aren’t telling me anything I don’t already know, Kaidan muttered. He placed his head against the glass of the window, feeling slightly lightheaded. Perhaps he had too much wine before heading off with his companion for the night. Or perhaps he knew that he was about to have a conversation that he had been having with Gideon for the past several years. Worst case scenario it was both. Kaidan groaned at that thought.

Indulge me, my prince, Gideon continued. Man learned to control the basic elements of magic: earth, wind, fire, water, force, and the power of healing. Man used it to help create the aether batteries and to bring light to the darkest parts of the world. But not everyone could use magic and those that couldn’t soon grew jealous. Rebellion spread through the human kingdoms of Aldara, sowing destruction and death.

And the Seven Years’ War began, Kaidan finished, interrupting his teacher's lecture. We all know the rest. The rebellion was put down and the unblessed were made to serve. They were to be controlled so that they could never rise up again against the blessed. Everyone that has been to the temple has heard this story a thousand times. The temple sisters and brothers drill it into our heads every time we visit.

And what of the elves or the dwarves? Gideon asked. Do they treat their unblessed in such a way? Or the other kingdoms?

Kaidan let an annoyed sigh escape his lips. I don’t know what the elves do nor do I really care. They can barely stand any race except their own. Most dwarves cannot use magic so I doubt that they have an issue like this. As for the other kingdoms, we both know for a fact that the unblessed are pretty much treated the same no matter where they go, unless you count that isolationist island.

And you assume that this is right? Gideon asked.

I don’t assume anything, Kaidan shot back. Besides, even if the unblessed were to rise up in revolt, I doubt that they would be much of a threat. What kind of threat could they really present?

They laid waste to whole kingdoms in the war, Gideon reminded him. Even Tamora could not escape their wrath. Most of the upper city and market were destroyed and had to be rebuilt. Magic does you little good when a blade removes your head from your body or an arrow pierces your heart.

They rode the rest of the way in silence. Kaidan continued to stare out the window, watching the city glide by. The closer they got to the palace the more opulent and wealthy looking the houses became. Eventually the royal palace came into view, a gleaming spire at the heart of Tamora.

Home sweet home, Kaidan mumbled.

The palace was the largest complex in all of Tamora. The main spire was massive, thrusting into the night sky and bejeweled with sparkling lights. The spire was surrounded by three smaller ones and the main complex. A high and heavily armored wall enclosed the palace and even at this distance, Kaidan could see the numerous sentries and guards that patrolled its walkways.

The train slowed, making a right turn and then descending slightly as it came to smooth stop at the garrison that was right outside the palace walls. Gideon departed first and was met at the gates by a very upset looking Captain Targeel.

I should wring your neck! the captain’s voice rose in octaves to an almost comical pitch.

Kaidan raised an eyebrow. That would imply that you could get close enough to me to do such a thing without putting yourself in grave danger.

You are not as good as you think you are, prince. Targeel practically spit out the last word, adding an acid like touch to the word prince.

Captain Targeel was seething, though to be honest that was his general mood. He rarely smiled and if he did smile at all, it was a short lived and very rare occurrence. He was a tall man, with lean muscle, a receding hairline, and deep brown eyes. He looked harmless but Kaidan knew that was just an impression that he liked to give off. Despite his earlier comments, Captain Targeel was actually a very dangerous man. Kaidan would never admit it but there was a good chance that the captain could best him in combat.

You could have at least alerted me that you were going out! Targeel continued to rant. "Do you have any idea