Edgehill: (The Kingdom of Shadows Book 1)

By Thomas Rouxville

A malevolent king. A world in peril. One young woman to save them all.

Athena is just four years old when a strange man whisks her away in the night and leaves her with her grandparents. When Athena is told that her parents have been killed, she doesn’t speak for a year—except in her sleep. The nightmares are relentless; she can’t escape them.

Life goes on and Athena eventually finds her voice, but the dreams persist. Athena finds solace working in her grandparents’ bakery; escaping to the nearby forest; and in her friendship with Tobin, a boy who lives on a nearby farm. The two are teenagers when they realize Edgehill has changed. One by one, the men are leaving—forsaking their families at the king’s command. The rumors are as dark as her night terrors, but no one really knows why an army is being built. Even the boys are being recruited. Their once bustling village has become a ghost town.

Something unspeakable is coming.

On her eighteenth birthday, Athena overhears her grandparents talking. They’re hiding something and it has to do with the death of her parents. When the town drunk forces his way into Athena’s home, he tells her a story that makes her blood run cold. Athena finally discovers the truth about her past and it changes her future forever.

Edgehill is the first book in The Kingdom of Shadows fantasy series by author Thomas Rouxville.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fantastic Fiction
• Release date: Nov 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370825929

Thomas Rouxville

Almost all children lie to their parents about skipping school, or avoiding homework. Not Thomas Rouxville. At ten years old, he convinced his mother that he absolutely had to stay up until the small hours of the morning, squinting into yet another novel. His English teacher demanded it, he said innocently; the book had to be read by morning. When his outraged guardian stormed the school in protest, it was gently, but firmly, explained that her son’s assignment was not due for weeks. The boy had a reading addiction, and short of barring him from the library, there was little they could do. By fourteen the obsession ran wild as fire, Rouxville losing himself in fantasy novels and role playing games; entire universes of heroes and dragons, magic and dark villains far more exciting than the endless fields and beaches of Kent. As an adult, with a degree in geography and teaching career under his belt, Rouxville embarked on exploring the fictitious worlds of his own mind’s creation, and has since become known for The Kingdom of Shadows and Chronicles of Suvaria fantasy series. He’s currently working on the new, Oswald Sherman series, and loves to connect with his readers

Book preview

Edgehill

Thomas Rouxville

~~~

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2017 Thomas Rouxville

First published in 2017 by Jonmac Limited.

All rights reserved.

This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters and places, incidents are used entirely fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Free Map of Galbar

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Rise of the Shadow – Chapter 1

About The Author

Fantastic Fiction

Free Map of Galbar

Get your free map of the Kingdom of Galbar (the setting for all my books) by clicking here

Chapter 1

Where are we going? the little girl asked, tugging on the man's sleeve. Her emerald eyes pooled with tears, fright evident on her face. What about Mummy and Daddy?

We are going to your grandparents, the man answered, holding her hand tighter. You're going to live with them now, Athena.

But why? Athena asked. She looked over her shoulder at her house, wanting to go back, but it kept getting farther and farther away, soon becoming a tiny speck in the distance. She tried to wriggle out of the man's grip, but he scooped her up into his arms and gave her a stern look.

Your grandparents are going to be excited to see you, he said. With that, there was no more talk.

Athena cried silently, wondering what was happening. She tried to wrestle out of the man's arms again but eventually gave up, defeated and tired. Finally, she fell asleep as she was carried across the dark village, the man's lantern flickering until it went black.

The man knocked on a door, practically pounding it. He gently set Athena's sleeping body on the ground, making sure her cloak was snuggly wrapped around her.

Who's there? a voice called from within the building. At this time of night!

The man knocked again. I'm a traveler, and I've brought your granddaughter, he said, trying not to disturb the child. I've also brought news.

What kind of news?

Grave news, I'm afraid, the traveler said. Please open the door, this poor girl needs you.

A face peered out as the door was slowly opened. A stern-looking woman stared at the traveler and then at her granddaughter. What are you doing with my grandchild? Where are her parents?

Her parents are dead, Miss, the traveler said, immediately dropping his gaze to the ground. What? The woman clutched her chest. I-I don't understand... She trailed off, eyes widening in shock. Jermyn, she called. Come here!

Yes dear? an older man said, appearing in the doorway and placing an arm around his wife. He smiled, not noticing the traveler or Athena.

Our daughter is dead, the woman said, voice wavering. She broke down into a sob as her husband's smile evaporated.

I best be going, the traveler whispered. I am truly sorry for your loss.

Jermyn hugged his wife, holding her as she cried. It's going to be all right, Laguna, he breathed, but he was crying too. He hardly noticed as the traveler disappeared in the moonlight, leaving the sleeping girl behind.

Look at her, Jermyn said, as Athena began to stir. She's only four years old, and an orphan. She's never going to know her parents, Laguna said, wiping away tears.

It's a cruel world we live in. Jermyn scooped up his grandchild, kissing her forehead. He brushed a lock of light brown hair out of her eyes. It's good to see you, my Athena.

Athena looked around, scared and confused. I want my parents, she thought.

Laguna sighed, holding the door open. We can talk to her in the morning. Let's get her to bed. That night, Athena slept restlessly, waking up every few minutes in a cold sweat, her heart pounding and terror flooding her entire body. She couldn't understand what was happening, having never experienced a nightmare before. She couldn't even remember what the nightmares were about, waking up just feeling lost and alone. Athena ached for her parents, wanting them to come and save her from the nightmares, but every time she called, they didn't show up.

The next morning, Athena awoke to bright sunlight filling the room. Laguna pulled back the curtains and clapped her hands together. We've work to do!

Athena yawned, groggily looking up at her grandmother's grey hair and cold blue gaze. Athena's mother had the same eyes, but hers always looked much friendlier. Laguna was intimidating, making Athena want to sink and hide underneath her blankets.

As a member of this family, you will help out in the kitchen, Laguna said, yanking a blanket off of Athena. Your grandfather and I can't run this bakery by ourselves.

Athena rubbed at her tired eyes, taking in her new environment. This was her mother's room when she was a little girl. Athena had visited several times, but she had never slept here before. She wanted her own room back. She wanted to see her parents. She wanted to go home.

Laguna sighed. I've got to tell you something, Athena. It may be hard to understand, but your parents are gone.

Gone? Athena stared at her grandmother, waiting for her to say more.

At that moment Jermyn strode into the room, flour already spotting his apron and hands. He knelt on the floor, across from Athena, and gripped her tiny hands. They passed away, he said softly.

I don't understand. Athena looked at her grandparents with confusion.

A disaster, Laguna said, coming closer to the girl. Their lives were claimed in a disaster. Athena couldn't even pronounce disaster, much less understand what it meant. I don't understand, she thought again, but she could see something was wrong. Her grandparents were both teary-eyed, and sorrow was etched on their faces.

Oh child, Jermyn said, touching Athena's face, Your parents are in heaven.

Athena