Upon Blue Mountain: The Everrise Series, #1

By Amanda Nassar

“Destiny has a fickle mind, the path to it is winding, and not everything is what it seems.”

 After being forced to leave their homelands, young friends Miran, Mil, Zara, and Cenwine journey to a place rumored to inhabit all races of Everrise. And despite the growing turmoil between the three Mountain Kingdoms, they live in peace. In the adventure of their lifetimes, Miran and friends fend off the many faces of danger in Everrise. But along the way, the question of destiny looms in their minds. Can they mold themselves into what they desire, or will fate have the final say?

Meanwhile, back on Blue Mountain, treachery surfaces amongst the Knights. Rheda, daughter of the King, throws the traditions of women aside, and takes to becoming the intelligent warrior she always dreamed of being. Her first task: find the mysterious traitor. With difficult choices laid out in front of her, Rheda must find the strength to direct the Blue Kingdom towards the safest path.

Grueling battles and surprising truths find these heroes questioning who they are really meant to be.

Can Rheda truly be who she wants against all odds?

Will Miran and friends continue to grow up together on the same path? Or will destiny separate them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amanda Nassar
• Release date: Jun 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533748522

Book preview

Prologue

An ominous blanket of fog clung to the air, and swirled softly in the night sky. No lights from man or the twinkle of animal eyes could be seen in the darkness.

A vast canyon disrupted the land, carved deep into the earth. There was a constant presence lurking in its depths. Something unyielding.

Standing at the edge of the canyon was a man, looking up into the sky. A gust of wind released some black strands from his unkempt ponytail.

The man wore armor made from dark purple steel. A long black cape hung down his back, and silver jewels covered both his pauldrons.

The man, known as Ratko, was a ruthless warrior. His desire for power left him cold towards all others. Yearning for authority, Ratko joined the dangerous Dark Army, and after assassinating the old leader, he assumed his rightful place as High Constable.

Ever since he was a boy, Ratko knew he had a powerful destiny. He felt an energy inside of him, one so maniacal, that he became overrun with darkness. And as soon as his ears first heard the legend of the Dark Dragon, he knew his destiny. He wanted nothing more than to be chosen by it, and become an all-powerful ruler, one that succeeded his rank in the Army. But fate did not agree with him, and he wasn’t chosen. Vengeful, Ratko set out to become the most vicious warrior there ever lived, in hopes that one day the Dragon may reconsider.

The legend of the Dark Dragon is a disturbing one. It is said, that the most heinous and evil dragon fell into a deep slumber. Resting deep in a canyon in the center of Everrise, he waits. He waits for an age of horror, and of battle and hatred. Legend has it that he waits for someone as unforgiving, and as terrible as he. Someone with a truly malevolent destiny, who will lead his Dark Army into a new age of death. And when that being is found, he will awaken, and the two of them will conquer Everrise together.

The Dark Dragon grew hopeful when he first felt Ratko’s presence among Everrise. Through his mind’s eye, the Dragon saw Ratko’s wrath.

Ratko had lived with his mother in Dunstan, a large, yet hidden city in the center of Everrise. Dunstan homes the Dark Army and those irrational enough to marry and breed with them. On the morning of Ratko’s fifteenth year, he grabbed the meat cleaver from the dining table, and sliced his own mother’s throat. He watched her hazel eyes open wide in shock as blood spurted out from her neck, seeping into her chestnut hair. Ratko looked down blankly at his kill…his first kill. Something told him to kill her, to rid himself of this last attachment he had. At first he didn’t understand what happened. It was as though something dark slipped into his mind and tightened the knot that held his destiny. Ratko wavered in and out of the hold, and soon he felt remorse for murdering his own mother. He looked into her lifeless eyes, and his heart fluttered with love and sadness. But it was only for a moment, and then the dark force in his mind took over completely. It was from that moment on that Ratko took to becoming an all-powerful warrior, emotionless, and one who would put all others to shame.

From then on the Dragon watched him. He watched him destroy towns and villages, and any man, woman, or child that got in his way. He had never seen a more skilled warrior; unable to be defeated or thwarted by any other soul. And one day he witnessed Ratko decapitate the old leader of his army.

But to the Dragon he proposed a strong servant, and nothing more. He could sense the tiniest fleck of red in Ratko’s black heart, despite the darkness in his mind. So the Dragon was forced to remain in his slumber, and Ratko became High Constable of his Dark Army. In his new position, Ratko acquired the gift of communicating with him by thoughts. Summoned by the Dragon, Ratko stood here now, about to descend into the canyon.

A howling off in the distance disrupted a tense silence.

M-my Lord? stuttered a thin, greasy-haired soldier behind Ratko. My Lord, shan’t we be moving?

Ratko turned scowling, Wild dogs Rulf. Do not speak your fears out loud again. His tone cut through the thick air like a blade.

Ratko looked back up into the black sky and saw it. That tiny red star. Whenever Ratko got the feeling of weakness, he looked to the sky to find his red star. This star was unique. Even during a starless night, it would always seem to appear before him. Ratko liked to think of it as a bloody little reminder of all those he had slayed. It reminded him of his power.

Satisfied, Ratko looked down at the canyon before him. A staircase, made by nature itself, began his path to the Dragon.

Let’s move, said Ratko to Rulf, not looking at him.

They began their slow descent into the dark. Rocks crumbled beneath their steel boots over the edge of the staircase as they went. It grew quieter and harder to breath with each step they took. The canyon was like a maze with rocks protruding out of the earth, lining the path to the Dragon’s lair.

Ratko could hear Rulf’s muffled whimpers as they traveled in the darkness. A smirk appeared on his face. He only brought Rulf for the sole purpose of feeding the Dragon. Every time Ratko was summoned to the monster, he brought food to sustain him in his slumber. Ratko could remember the first time he went down into the earth to see him. He was overzealous and naïve, craving to see the beast, and to feel his hot breath.

He went with another warrior and a prisoner, and after spending many hours searching, he finally found the Dragon. Eager to talk to him, to touch him, Ratko got too close. Expecting his food, the Dark Dragon snapped off Ratko’s left hand. The other warrior quickly pulled Ratko out of the way, and shoved the prisoner down in front of the Dragon’s gigantic maw. The Dragon consumed the prisoner, and Ratko’s first meeting came to an abrupt end as he and the other warrior retreated back to Dunstan. But instead of being taken to a healer, Ratko demanded to be taken to the blacksmith. He wanted a memento from his first encounter with the legendary beast, and he did not want it to be a mangled limb. He wanted something that showed his strength, and also showed he survived an incident with the Dark Dragon himself, and he wanted to make all others fear him even more. He did not want to be looked at as a lucky survivor; he wanted to be feared because he survived.

The other warrior who brought Ratko back waited outside the blacksmith for him to emerge. As the doors opened, the warrior stepped forward to help Ratko, but was then greeted by an iron hand with knuckles of steel flying towards him. Ratko slammed his new hand into the warrior’s face, breaking his skull through his helmet. The warrior collapsed to the ground and Ratko stood over him, smiling down at his iron hand. That man saw Ratko in pain, and saw him experience weakness, so he had to be eliminated. Ratko’s reputation was at stake. And now, all would come to know Ratko by his deathly hand, and his tight control over the Dark Army.

After walking for a while, a faint light appeared out of the fog. Head held high, Ratko marched into the wide chamber as Rulf scurried in behind him. They walked into a circular cavern with seven everlasting torches aflame on the walls. He heard Rulf gasp. In the center lying on the ground, was the Dark Dragon.

The size of him was astonishing, and still marveled Ratko to this day. As large as the keep of a castle, he is the largest of the Four Dragons of Everrise. His rough scales are a deep purple, and lack luster. The entire length of his neck is covered in sharp spikes, and the two long horns atop of his massive skull reach back and curled at the tips. His face sunken in, has spikes coming off both sides of his maw. Claws as long as swords extend from his gigantic paws, and the end of his tail resembles the spiked ball of a mace.

The ground rumbled with each snore.

Ratko stepped forward a pace as Rulf remained huddled to the entrance wall.

Just then, a low reverberating voice entered his mind.

My servant, said the Dragon.

As you command, my Lord Nidhogg, thought Ratko as he bowed.

I have finally found the one worthy of awakening me.

Ratko’s eyes widened.

Nidhogg continued, sound asleep on the ground. Using my gift of sight, I have found him. He was born today, and as he becomes a man, he will not yet understand his true devious nature. But it is there, I see his black heart…his black soul, it is unlike any other that I have felt. You must go to him and bring him to me. Then we shall awaken both our spirits out of slumber.

As you wish my Lord, replied Ratko, I will stop at nothing to complete this task.

Now bring me my sustenance and leave me be, the Dragon snarled.

Ratko bowed one last time, and then quickly drew his sword from his scabbard, its ring echoing throughout the chamber.

Startled, Rulf straightened up with a confused look on his face. S-sir?

Ratko smiled and walked forward excitedly gripping the black hilt of his sword.

Knowing what was about to come, Rulf reached for his sword, but only to find that it was missing. He looked up in horror to see Ratko’s smile grow even wider. He had taken it earlier, unnoticed, and tossed it away.

Before Rulf had the chance to react, Ratko had already pounced on him, bashing him in the shoulder with his iron knuckles, leaving a clear dent in the armor. Rulf cried out in pain and slumped to the ground as his arm popped out of its socket.

Returning his unneeded sword to his side, Ratko swooped down and seized Rulf by his neck, then dragged his squirming body towards the Dragon.

Rulf screeched, understanding what was about to happen.

With Ratko’s brute strength, he tossed Rulf’s flailing body down in front of the Dragon’s mouth, backing away quickly after he did. Before he could even have the chance to get away, with one bone-breaking crunch, Nidhogg engulfed Rulf, blood squirting between his razor sharp teeth.

Ratko could not help but flinch slightly. Even in a deep sleep the Dragon’s wrath and precision were undeniable.

With a sharp turn, Ratko began to march out of the cavern. But he was suddenly stopped by the booming voice once more in his head.

Your soldier tasted like weakness, spat the Dragon. I expect better from the High Constable of my Army. There is war to prepare for, and I need my dark legion to be ready.

Forgive me my Lord, we will be ready, Ratko replied.

It would be best for you not to fail me, declared the Dragon.

I will not my Lord. Ratko vowed to himself to personally decapitate, the way he did to his mother and the old leader, any warrior he deemed unworthy of the Dragon’s Army.

After he reaches his manhood, you must not waste any time in finding him. His name is— The Dragon spoke the name in the ancient language of the dragons.

With a quick nod of his head, Ratko left into the darkness.

15 Years Later

Chapter One

Quickly closing the large doors behind him, a boy silently entered the Royal Armory in the dead of night. During daylight he would not need to sneak, as it is part of his duty as a Page to be in there. But after hours it is forbidden, and although he knew that, something still drove him in.

The boy had always marveled at the exquisite beauty of the Knights’ armor. The Blue Kingdom is known to be lavish and ornate. There was always some extravagant party or festival happening, for the King loved to show his wealth. But the armor of the Knights is glorious and celebrated for its simplicity. The armor is tailor-made to each individual Knight out of the finest steel, and it reflects the signature clear blue of the Blue Kingdom. The boy would sometimes sneak in and spend hours just polishing the crystal blue armor. He loved the quiet time, away from the hustle and bustle of the Kingdom.

The Blue Kingdom is so full of life. Everybody has jobs, places to go, and parties to attend. An abundant Kingdom, fresh-water streams, and lakes and rivers, and gorgeous waterfalls cover the landscape, bringing prosperity to the Mountain. But it never offered a quiet place for one to sit and think.

As of late, the boy found himself in the Armory more frequently. There was much more on his mind now. Come morning, it will be fifteen years since his birth, which is the age that a boy becomes a man. This is also the age you begin to learn your true destiny among Everrise. You discover what your soul purpose is, and your body and mind will change to reflect it. You can become a Knight, a King, a blacksmith, or anything else fate deems you worthy of.

The boy pulled up a wooden stool in front of a Knight’s armor. He began to slowly polish the already shining blue breastplate, thinking to himself.

Who am I destined to be? All my life I’ve lived upon Blue Mountain, in the Blue Kingdom, working every day, polishing the very armor I so desperately want to wear. I’ve lived a life surrounded by these noble warriors, working for them, studying them, learning their techniques, and marveling at their valor. Please fates, let them be my destiny. Let me become a Knight. I would not let you down, and I certainly would not let my home down.

The boy looked at his reflection in the shining armor. He looked at his tidy brown hair, his gentle brown eyes, and his strong jaw. Would they too change? Tomorrow, is he going to look at his reflection and see someone else? And what else will change about him? Will he become a Knight? Or will he become someone without any honorable destiny?

Always living on Warrior’s Peak, the boy grew up surrounded by the Knights. At the highest point on Blue Mountain, Warrior’s Peak is the home and training grounds of the Royal Blue Army. The Barracks, training fields, blacksmiths, Armory, and some homes of citizens all reside here. The boy shares a home with four other Pages, and has been living there as long as his memory serves him. For like all the other Pages, the boy is an orphan.

Whether his parents died or decided not to raise him themselves, the boy was instead raised by the wives of the Squires, per order of the King. A Page’s job does not take skill or training, so the King thought it best to give the young orphan boys a place to belong.

The boy was never told who his parents were, or why they gave him up. And this pained him. How could he have been such a burden as a baby? Did they not even want him in the first place? They must not have, since they never even bothered to give him a name. He had to be given a name by one of the women who took care of him: Miran.

Although deeply saddened, Miran did not let it hold him back. Since the day he could first walk, Miran watched the Knights wherever they went on Warrior’s Peak. He watched them train, spar with each other, march in formation, and he listened to them talk. He heard them talk of valor, and of honor. Of what it means to them to be a Knight in the finest army among Everrise. So Miran couldn’t possibly have any other destiny. He should become a Knight. He needed to become a Knight.

Suddenly Miran snapped out of thought. He flew off the stool as he heard voices approaching the Armory doors. In a panic, Miran put the stool back where he got it and frantically looked around for a place to hide. If he was spotted in the Armory after dark, he would be demoted to stable boy for two moon cycles.

Miran saw four wooden crates stacked a little taller than he up against a wall. It looked as though he could squeeze in behind them and be out of sight. No time to decide as the doors began to open, he ran and slid on his feet behind them.

Miran wiped sweat off his brow as he looked up and saw that the crates were about a foot over his head. He put his hand over his mouth to muffle his heavy breathing. Although the Armory was large and he was not close to them, he could hear the two Knights talking. One he recognized as Lord Wymond, as anyone should, for he is the Commander of the Blue Army. He’s a very short man; the shortest grown man Miran probably ever saw. But Wymond always bore the look of an experienced warrior. His back was wide, and his arms thick. And the silver in his goatee showed his age. It was Sir Wymond’s destiny to be the Commander of the Blue Army. He is one of the most respected men in the Kingdom, as he rightfully should be. One of the few who have seen battle, Wymond was a Knight before the Time of Concord began.

It has been twenty years since the land of Everrise last saw conflict. Before the Time of Concord, the three Mountain Kingdoms were at war.

Residing southeast of Blue Mountain, Green Mountain was known for its dense forests. The tree canopies were so thick that the entire Mountain lived in darkness. The inhabitants adapted, and it is said that their eyes are a brilliant green, which allows them to see in the dark. The Green Kingdom was always the most protected, as any enemy trying to invade would be unable to navigate through the dark.

As the Blue Kingdom is known for their Knights, and large fighting force, the Green Kingdom is recognized for their stealth, and magic. The people of Green Mountain have cunning skills, or even magical powers. Skilled archers and spies populate the Mountain, while a select few are Enchanters. Enchanters are beings that can materialize their internal energy. And with the organic fortitude of the Mountain, as well as the threat these few Enchanters posed, Green Mountain was rarely attacked.

However, before the Time of Concord, the Green Kingdom was ruled by a King with an ill destiny.

The former King of Green Mountain, King Relcoventh, was an Enchanter. He tried to harness the powers of the other Enchanters and claim them as his own. It was his belief that the Green Kingdom was weaker under the darkness, and under his control, the King forced the Enchanters to destroy the forests, bringing light into the Mountain. The people of the Mountain were furious, and a revolt began.

The Archers, led by Sir Dalibor, attacked the King. Using their stealth under what was left of their dark Mountain, they proved that day the strength they had under the darkness, and exiled the King. The Enchanters were released from his spell, and although they were acting out of their own control, the