Chronicles Of The Shadow Prince

By Robert Osborn

Mathew. A young man forced into adulthood due to circumstances beyond his control. His first assignment to convince the humans on earth they were destroying their planet as his people did theirs. As situations changed, so to did his. Leaving others to finish what he started, he found himself traveling across space and time to stand beside a princess who's reign and world were threatened. Their marriage part or a bigger prophecy and the beginning of a life change he could not see coming. One that would change his life and any plans he had as a human being. ( His prior life in the series Seeds of Eden )

Now he is, through no choice of his own, a prince of another calling. While some still call him Prince Mathew, others call him the Shadow Prince. The latest one destined to rule a thousand years as he carries out his work. In his realm, if you need saving and you pray for help, you're asking for Prince Mathew. When situations are too bad and survival is unlikely, many pray for the Shadow Prince. Asking him to destroy the evil ones.

Mathew is both and sometimes it is difficult to separate the two when it comes to deciding who will live or die. Travel with him as he moves from one assignment to the next. Traveling by Transporter and under the guidance and direction of his controller. The stars and all the worlds out there are his playground and only his creators know where he will go next.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Osborn
• Release date: Jul 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370297191

Robert Osborn

Robert Osborn is the author of the novel series Chronicles of the Shadow Prince, with book one “A Thousand Year Rule” now in print. Book two to follow and three through seven are undergoing final editing before publication.He is living his dream to write, having written the series Seeds of Eden which leads up to the new series Chronicles of the Shadow Prince. He plans to publish several more books in both series. When he is not writing or working around the house, he works as a contract marine consultant in the oil and gas division for a major marine assurance and advisory company.Monica Thomas Osborn is the co-author of the novel series Chronicles of the Shadow Prince. She is also the artist responsible for the book covers in the Seeds of Eden Series and book one in the Chronicles of the Shadow Prince. She is responsible for much of the inspiration, sourcing and editing that has seen the books to publication.She works as a Healthcare Consultant and when not working, spends her off time, painting, hence the source of the book covers. Her other interests are making jewelry, sewing, quilting, spinning wool, gardening and canning.The two authors recently completed a move to Southern Indiana from Lewisburg, West Virginia. A lovely place, full of the sights and sounds of West Virginia they will surely miss. In their new home, along with her mother, a son, four dogs and three cats, they are getting settled in with all the work and planning that comes with a new place to live.Their first series, Seeds of Eden has been published and the titles of the first four books are, First Born, Second Seed, Prince of Bara and Comes the Shadow.“Comes the Shadow” is the introductory book to the new series “Chronicles of the Shadow Prince”

Book preview

A Chronicle

Mathew sat back in the lounge chair wondering what he was to do next. He felt the Transporter accelerate moments after he and Shadow entered the hatchway and took their seats. After the noisy closing of the outer hatch and their departure from the planet Bara, the two sat patiently waiting for something else to happen.

They didn’t have long to wait as a section of the Transporter behind the chairs opened up revealing what could only be called a control room.

There was an area within that looked much like a lounge and a place that was obviously meant for Shadow to relieve herself. There appeared to be more room inside than seemed reasonable for the size of the Transporter as seen from the outside.

Mathew wandered around the control room section taking it all in. There was a glassy screen on the rough surface above the control panels that was in fact a monitor. At the moment all you could see were stars and planets flying by at a tremendous rate, somewhat like it looked from the control room of the enterprise on the Star Trek series Mathew remembered from his days on Earth.

Suddenly, a voice was speaking to both of them.

Welcome aboard, Prince Mathew and Shadow.

Shadow, upon hearing her name, trotted near to Mathew while the voice continued.

Please make yourselves at home. I will provide you with the necessities during your trip. This one and all those that are yet to come.

The voice continued almost like a narration.

"You will find a food processor on the wall above the small table in the far corner. There is a small screen with a scroll down menu. You should find something on it to satisfy the two of you. There is a small bed room inside the opening across the room. Inside is a shower and wash basin as well as a bench for waste. I’m sure you can figure it all out.

This journey will take about two days as your time goes and for your information, the star system is Zeta.

Mathew and Shadow looked at each other as the voice continued, only the tone changed and it was less like a narration and more like instructions were being given.

"Yes, the system Zeta and the planet Zeta, the former home world of Shadows ancestors. It appears that for a few hundred years now, the inhabitants of the one inhabitable planet have been at war. A war, they claim was brought about when one spacecraft from their world shot down another one while they were on an exploratory mission.

"Two nations partnered to share the costs but since that ill-fated mission they have ceased space travel, focusing their attention on their enemies across the planet. The only agreement either side has made is to not use nuclear or atomic weapons but that has not stopped them from using all the other weapons at their disposal.

Now, a few million people from both sides have died and many more are crippled. They have managed to kill off most of the Houns on the planet. In fact, there are only three left. Two males and one female, one male and his mother are from one side of the conflict and the other male is from the other side. The older ones are just about too old to create offspring and the young male has no mate. Perhaps Shadow will consider the situation and offer a solution.

Your choice and yours alone, the voice added.

Mathew wondered how the voice would interact with him speaking.

So, they don’t know that it was a computer malfunction that caused the one spacecraft to shoot down the other who retaliated as it was going down.

No they don’t. That will be your job but one way or the other, the fighting will stop and they will either become one planetary nation or there will be only one left but the fighting and killing will stop. You have ten days, after which the Transporter will chose for you.

You mean it will pick a nation to live or die.

Yes, Prince Mathew. That’s the way it is. In other words, you are first and foremost, the mediator. If that fails, you are the judge and must decide. If you cannot, then I will and I promise you that right or wrong, when it is over, there will no longer be two sides at war. I wish you well on this your first assignment.

Thanks, I think, Mathew replied. Then he asked.

Do you have a name?

I will accept whatever you deem appropriate, the voice replied.

Mathew thought for a few moments then spoke.

Control, if you don’t mind.

A good choice, the voice replied. One I have not heard before. Control it is then and thank you as it is a very reasonable choice I think I will learn to like it.

After a good night’s rest, Mathew was up early watching the monitor. There appeared to be a planet in close range and it was approaching fast or rather they were. He wore his Baran armor and cape by choice rather than necessity.

Prince Mathew, Control said.

Yes sir, Mathew replied.

"You will find that the animals or at least those that have a semblance of a brain will do your bidding. You only have to ask or command. Just as with Shadow and the Baar, you can communicate with most any animal that has the ability and most do as you will learn. You may not need that on this assignment but sooner or later you will and I wanted you to know.

"Something else you will have to get used to. You will be able to hear the thoughts of those you choose and those who wish to act against you. On some occasions it may be necessary for me to intervene on your behalf but I will try to keep it to a minimum.

"Now, as for the people below, they trust no one, not even their own. You will have to take a hard hand to get their attention I believe. You will be able to figure that out soon enough.

"One more thing, Prince Mathew. Your weapons are no longer what they once were. You have no use for the e-displacer. In its place you have the ability to move people and objects just by thought. Much like using a rock to smash a gnat.

You think what you want to do, be it for one person or a small army. You still have the photon weapon but it has been upgraded and you can fire it as a single shot or a controlled blast large enough to melt the sands of a desert plain and all on it.

So the story of the melted plain found by the pilot visiting another planet was true.

Yes and it was only one of many. Soon, the stories will be of you. Now, Prince, it is time for you and Shadow to take your seats.

No sooner had they done so then Mathew sensed they had landed. Moments later the door opened with a loud boom and Mathew was able to look out into the night. He and Shadow walked down the ramp. As soon as they were a few yards away, the door shut and again there was the boom.

So much for the element of surprise, Mathew thought.

They landed on the side of a hill. A glow was visible from the other side and they made their way to the top. Down below, he could see lights and there were vehicles making their way towards them.

A welcoming committee, Mathew said to himself.

As the vehicles drew closer, Mathew spoke Shadow, asking her to stay behind him until they had been properly greeted. As it was dark, with daylight fast approaching, he preferred they not see her until he was ready.

Three vehicles drove up with armed men and women in each vehicle.

They are a ragged lot, he thought.

He had already taken off his head gear and lowered the hood on his cape. He would appear less intimidating, he thought, if those approaching could be intimidated.

The first man to get out, instructed him to raise his hands and drop any weapons he had on him.

Which one is it? Mathew replied, glad they spoke his language then realizing he would have understood it anyway.

Raise your hands and drop your weapons, the one man said again.

Which one do you want me to do first? Mathew replied. Raise my hands or drop my weapons.

One of the women laughed then spoke.

He has a point and besides, I don’t see any weapons.

As they approached, Mathew began to hear the voices. Their voices in his head and they were undecided what to do with this stranger. They didn’t know from which side of the war he was from. It appeared he had landed near a small village between the two sides.

Mathew used the short break in conversation to ask. Do you have a leader, someone in charge?

Won’t matter to you any, one of the men said, before adding. We don’t trust either side. You are our prisoner and may as well get used to that idea.

Mathew stared at the man who spoke. He was fingering his weapon. Till now, Mathew knew all of them were on safety but this man kept fingering his on and off.

Mathews glare was starting to unsettle the man.

Who are you? He asked.

I am Prince Mathew, he replied.

Prince to what, the man laughed. It was a wicked sound coming from him.

What’s your name? Mathew asked him.

It’s death, the man replied with that same sick sound. That’s what I am and what I do.

Well, death, Mathew replied. If you take that weapon off safety one more time, it will be your death.

The man practically snarled as he uttered, What! then he swung his gun to bear on Mathew.

Mathew quickly brought up one hand, shoving the open palm outwards toward the man who was suddenly tossed backwards as if struck by a giant paddle. His body reacting to the sudden unexpected movement like he had been shot in his middle by a cannon ball.

He came to rest against the front of one of the vehicles, his lifeless looking body contorted by the sudden blast of some unseen power. The others looked first at Mathew, then the man slumped lifeless against the vehicle.

One of the men went to the vehicle and tried to rouse him. After checking the man’s neck, he stated. He’s dead, his neck is snapped.

I mean you no harm, Mathew stated, but if you even think to raise your weapons at me, I will treat you just as I did him.

How did you? One of the women started to say, then stopped.

So, what do we do with you now? Another man asked. Why are you here? We saw something crash over the hill. Was it your plane? Which government are you from?

A lot of questions for one phrase, Mathew thought before answering.

I did not crash and I’m not from either government. I’m here to stop the fighting between both sides.

Good luck to you, another man in the group said, then added. We don’t even know what the fight is about, only that once a day the planes come over us from both sides and sometimes they drop armaments on us. I think they are just getting rid of them to save fuel and thanks to them, we only have a few hundred people left in our village.

Which way to the nearest city? Mathew asked.

About two hundred miles that away, one of the women pointed towards the north.

Mathew thought for a moment before asking. How many planes fly over every day?

Thirty to fifty from each side, a woman said. They are going pretty fast when they pass over us but every now and then one or two will come down to see what’s here. At least that’s what we are guessing they are doing. It’s never the same plane and not always from the same side.

Mathew spoke. I think it would be wise if you returned to your village and found shelter for a while.

Why? a woman asked.

You’re most likely going to have a lot of company later today.

"What kind of company? She asked.

Planes falling out of the sky, he replied, adding, lots of them, if they show up. If the pilots are smart, they’ll land on the plains nearby and once they tire of standing around, they will likely come to your village for food and conversation.

How? She started to ask, then said, Never mind. I’ll just wait and see.

For some reason, they all took Mathew at his word and drove away but not before loading the dead man into the back of one of the vehicles.

As Mathew watched and waited, his arms folded against his chest. He was grateful it was a cloudy day and late fall here or so he guessed. It wasn’t hot. It was likely cold out here at night but that was the least of his worries for now.

His mind was only now beginning to comprehend what he was now, how he had killed the man with barely a thought to do it and he could only wonder at how much he himself had changed in the last few days and he didn’t doubt that there was much more to come.

Shadow, he called out. If you want to come over here by me, I think it’s okay for now.

Shadow trotted over and lay down at his feet. They stayed there as the morning sky grew brighter.

Chapter 2 – The Solar Disrupter

It was light soon, a light breeze was blowing. Mathews long hair was fluttering around his head, his dark eyes scanning the sky. He looked at his hands, realizing they held powers he had yet to use but knowing when it was time he would know what to do.

It wasn’t long before Mathew’s ears began to pick up the sounds of approaching aircraft from the South.

Headed to the cities in the north, he thought, then said to himself. I guess it’s time to ruin someone’s day.

He watched as the planes approached in three separate V formations with a smaller three plane formation well back of that.

They look like bombers, he thought, and the three in the back were the escorts.

He picked a spot and as they began to appear above and in front of him, he raised his hands and thought a massive pulse at the middle formation. Within seconds, it was as if he had thrown a rock in a pond of ducks.

The planes began to break from their formation as they started losing altitude. He redirected his hands to the other two formations and thought another pulse, then watched as they too began to lose altitude. Several began dumping their bombs but they were well away from the nearby village and caused no damage there.

As he watched, all the planes were now in glide paths headed down to the ground. If the pilots were good, they would be able to land. If not, then that was their problem.

Fortunately for them, they all managed to land and before long, the plains area he was standing above began to look like an airplane junkyard. Some were almost a mile away while others were only a few hundred yards.

The escorts were now flying low and soon spotted him. One flew overhead while another one took a flight path that would allow it to engage the single figure on the ground. Mathew stood his ground and watched as the plane fired off a small missile. He reached out mentally while his left palm was up, his arm extended towards the missile and willed it to crash into the ground well short of where he was standing.

He could hear the chatter between the pilots. One saying his missile malfunctioned. Another saying leave the man alone, he couldn’t be a threat. Mathew took that moment to interject into their conversations.

Gentlemen, he said, knowing somehow they would hear him.

If you attempt to fire upon me again, I will bring you down just as I did your bombers.

Who was that? one of the pilots asked.

I think it’s the man on the ground, another said. He was circling above watching.

The man on the ground! Well, let me have one more go at him, another pilot said.

Don’t do it Grange, the pilot replied. You heard what he said.

He’s full of shit, Grange replied. Let’s see how he reacts when I light his ass up with my rocket.

By then a fighter was lining up on Mathew. Mathew didn’t warn him again. He raised one hand and sent a single photon blast at the plane. It exploded in a ball of fire scattering pieces of the plane all across the area before Mathew.

Anyone care to try again? Mathew asked.

What do you want? one of the two remaining pilots asked.

I want to meet your leaders. This war is over, Mathew stated.

Says who? Another pilot asked.

Tell your people, Prince Mathew has arrived and the war is over. All sides will meet with me and we will sort out this misunderstanding.

Okay, but it will have to wait. The other bombers are coming and they have more fighter escorts. We have to go now.

Stick around for the show, Mathew replied. You might like it.

Sure enough, more bombers came into view before him, this time coming from the North and headed to the south. There was a long line of bombers in the front stretching ten across, followed by another wave of them, then another wave behind that. Ahead of the bombers were three fighter escorts and behind them was another group of three.

This ought to be fun, Mathew thought as he raised his arms.

He centered on the middle of the front line of bombers and then just moved as to wipe them out of the sky. In seconds, the entire front line was disrupted as the planes lost power and began to descend. Mathew wasted no time taking out the next two lines.

Soon, the sky was filled with bombers fighting to gain altitude as they spiraled down towards the ground. Finally, sanity prevailed and the pilots began making preparations to land on the plains below.

Mathew hoped that as the pilots gathered on the ground they wouldn’t do anything stupid and give him more reasons to interfere. He was brought back to the here and now as he realized the fighters were circling.

He could once again hear the chatter of the pilots. Several spoke of firing on the village to keep the people there at bay while others said they would target the other groups of bomber crews.

Mathew chose to interject into their conversations.

This is Prince Mathew. I order you now to make no efforts to fire upon the village or the other pilots. I brought them down just as I brought your bombers down. If you want to suffer the same fate then make a wrong move in either direction and you will be destroyed.

One of the pilots spoke to the others.

Some nut case on the ground, fighters proceed. I’ll take the lead on the village.

As Mathew looked on, a single plane broke formation and began to circle around to come upon the village. Mathew didn’t bother wasting his breath but pointed at the lead plane and sent a photon charge at it. The plane immediately exploded in air and those behind it pulled up.

Mathew heard one pilot say he was warned. Mathew spoke again.

Do you have helicopters at your base?

It seemed with the type of equipment he was seeing that having helicopters was a good likelihood.

Who is asking? one pilot replied.

Prince Mathew, he said, then added, I want to be picked up here as do your pilots. I want to meet with your leaders.

I will pass it on, the pilot said, but I’m not promising anything.

Their funeral, Mathew replied. If I have to come to them, it’s not going to be a good day. The clock is ticking. You only have so much time left.

What does that mean? Another pilot asked.

Just what I said. The war is over. You come to an agreement or I destroy all your kind and we start over. It’s your choice.

#

Mathew felt like he was playing the role of a superhero facing off with the bad guys and trying to save a planet, only that was exactly what was happening. Soon, the skies were empty.

He continued to stand there, his arms folded across his chest. His hair blowing about his head in the breeze. He ignored the sun and encouraged Shadow to lie in his shadow if the sun became too hot.

Later in the day, He observed groups of pilots and gun crews making their way into the village. He didn’t hear any gunshots so it was perhaps going okay for them. Sometime after noon, a vehicle drove up to where he was standing. It was a man driving and a woman with him.

Oh! the woman said. A Houn. Is he yours? she asked.

He is a she and she is my mind mate, Mathew replied.

I thought they had all perished, the woman said.

She is a descendant of this planet but she is not from here, Mathew replied.

Her family was with the spaceships that crashed on another planet in another galaxy. Likely, with your descendants.

I believe that is what started the war, the man said. One of those ships fired on the other. That is what was reported.

The story is only half true, Mathew