The King Revealed

By Kevin J. Kurtz

As the crew of The Morning Star battles crashing waves and a storm of monumental proportions, Leviathan, ancient serpent of the Sea, rises from the ocean depths to capsize the ship. But when a crew member commands the serpent to return from where he came, a young sailor named Mortimer breathes a sigh of relief, for now the ship will make it to its destination of Barwick’s Bay where Mortimer must fulfill his destiny—a story foretold in the stars.

As soon as the ship glides into the bay, Mortimer is gifted with the vest of honor, worn by only the most trusted servants of King William. But will the vest be enough to save him from the deadly assassins and dark forces who not only seek his powerful sword, but also his life? As the Western Lands are propelled closer and closer to war, Mortimer soon discovers that the events from his past are what will determine his future.

Within the walls of an ancient castle ruin, Mortimer finally discovers the source of power for his sword—just as the dark forces gather for one final showdown and a fierce battle for his soul.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: May 25, 2011
• ISBN: 9781426962936

Kevin J. Kurtz

The Appearing is my sixth published book and third in a series of speculative fiction novels featuring my twist on biblical end times prophecies. My goal is to create engaging characters that the reader will care about and be invested in their outcome. The novels are written as suspenseful page-turners for an entertaining read. Actual settings and events are woven into the plot to set a tone of realism. For more personal info about me, check my website: KevinJKurtz.com.

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The King Revealed

KEVIN J. KURTZ

©

Copyright 2011 Kevin J. Kurtz.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4269-6291-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4269-6293-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011907030

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Trafford rev.  04/12/2019

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toll-free: 1 888 232 4444 (USA & Canada)

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To my wife, Wendy, who has been my inspiration for Gwendolyn. She has been my encourager and faithful ally.

I also need to recognize Sue Clark for her countless hours of helping me through the editing process, to search for the strongest verbs, to write dialogue that revealed tension and character development, and to create scenes that moved the plot along.

Special recognition needs to go out to my nephew, Shaun David Smith, for his amazing illustrations. I am constantly asked who did the artwork for my books and I proudly tell them it was my nephew. You can check out more of Shaun’s artwork at www.visionisticdesigns.com.

And lastly, I want to thank the readers of the Mortimer trilogy. I hope you find this an entertaining and satisfying ending to the Mortimer saga.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1   The King Revealed

Chapter 2   The Story in the Stars

Chapter 3   King William’s Trusted Servant

Chapter 4   The Book of Names

Chapter 5   Assassins

Chapter 6   Mercenary Gold

Chapter 7   The Garrison

Chapter 8   The Sword of Fodoric

Chapter 9   Bloodline

Chapter 10   Destiny

Chapter 11   Ruins at Caer-Colun

Chapter 12   Oath of Allegiance

Chapter 13   Battle Plans

Chapter 14   A Disturbing Dream

Chapter 15   The Narrow Gate

Chapter 16   Garrison Release

Chapter 17   Friends and Allies

Chapter 18   Rebellion

Chapter 19   A New Threat

Chapter 20   The First Battle

Chapter 21   Triumphal Entry

Chapter 22   Reunion

Chapter 23   The Day Before

Chapter 24   Day’s Journey

Chapter 25   Preparations

Chapter 26   Darkness Approaches

Chapter 27   The Battle Begins

Chapter 28   Bloodshed

Chapter 29   The Face of Death

Chapter 30   Battle’s Aftermath

Chapter 31   Castle’s Gate

Chapter 32   Dark Corridors

Chapter 33   A Feast for a King

Chapter 34   A New Beginning

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The King Revealed

by Kevin J. Kurtz

CHAPTER 1

LEVIATHAN

The ship leaned and rolled with each crashing wave as the wind whipped and lashed against the canvas sails of the rigging.

Tighten down the mainsail, Oberon shouted to the deckmates. A giant, white-tipped swell slammed into the side of The Morning Star, knocking the crew members off their feet.

Mortimer tumbled down the tilted deck in danger of going over the port side. He reached out for anything to stop from falling. Then his arm gripped Oberon’s thick leg.

Oberon stood like a pillar at the ship’s wheel. Hold on tight, lad. We’ve got ourselves a tempest.

One of the crew tumbled off the heel of the mast, over the railing, and into the churning water.

Man overboard.

The first mate flung out a rope line toward the sailor’s outstretched arm. It was inches within his reach.

Just then, bursting through the waves, a huge serpent’s head emerged and opened its mouth. Rows of sharpened teeth lined its gaping jaw. The serpent swallowed the flailing seaman and dove back into the ocean.

It’s Malworg the Serpent, someone shouted.

No one panic, Oberon commanded. Keep your wits about you. Oberon looked down at Mortimer still clinging to his leg. And don’t let go, lad.

Mortimer saw three distinct charcoal gray humps with scales rise and fall in the water. The ship’s timber began to creak and groan. The wooden hull started to crack.

Malworg’s squeezing the ship, a sailor yelled.

A long, green-scaled tail rose from the waves and stretched across the deck, then constricted like a boa. The creaking and cracking grew louder.

Eonder, King William’s Ambassador, strode across the deck. Salty spray splashed against his white hair and beard. A gust of wind caused his cloak to flap.

What seems to be the problem? Eonder said to Oberon.

Malworg the Sea Serpent has risen with the tempest, Oberon said.

Just then, on the port side of the ship, Malworg raised his head from the waves. He looked straight at Eonder. Malworg’s yellow eyes glared with hatred, his hinged jaws opened wide.

Eonder pointed at the sea serpent. Leviathan, Serpent of the Sea, bane of the ocean deep, return from whence you came.

Malworg closed his mouth and uncoiled his grip on the ship’s hull. The serpent slithered and disappeared into the frigid depths.

A blast of wind ripped at the mainsail, tearing a corner of the canvas.

Eonder spoke again. Be still, he seemed to be saying to the storm.

The waves ceased their raging. The wind stopped its howling. The Morning Star no longer rolled and reeled upon the water. Mortimer could not believe what he saw.

Mortimer stared at Eonder. How did you do that?

Eonder placed his hand on Mortimer’s shoulder. Storms and serpents would only delay our journey. Then Eonder turned to Oberon. Maintain course for Barwick’s Bay, Captain.

Yes, my Lord.

The crew of The Morning Star saluted Eonder as he walked by on his way below deck.

Mortimer closed his eyes for a moment. Could Eonder really have commanded the sea serpent to go away and the storm to stop?

As he opened his eyes, Oberon whispered, All is well. You can let go of my leg, now.

Oh, sorry, Mortimer said, feeling quite embarrassed. He stood up at attention.

Alright, lads, let’s get to work and check for damages. I heard the cracking of timber. Seal the planks with pitch. Repair the mainsail. The crew jumped to their duties at Oberon’s commands.

That was quite a storm, was it not? Oberon said, placing his arm around Mortimer.

Is Eonder a wizard?

Oberon let out a deep bear laugh. A wizard? No lad, he is no magician. But he is more than he appears to be.

Mortimer wondered what that might mean as he watched The Morning Star glide through the water.

The Story in the Stars

CHAPTER 2

Clouds peeled back to reveal a full and shining moon. Silver shards of light reflected and danced on the ocean waves.

Mortimer imagined the light as a secret passageway to the end of the earth. Once at the ocean’s edge, a door would open to a new world.

He looked up. Stars beamed and pulsated, their brilliance more glorious than all of the gold he had left in Gharma, the troll’s cave, so many months ago.

Have you ever tried to count the stars? Oberon said as he turned the wheel of the helm.

Mortimer shook his head. I have never seen them so bright.

Have you ever heard the star’s story? Oberon looked up to the sky.

Stars do not talk.

Oberon let out a deep laugh. That they don’t, lad. But they tell a story just the same. Oberon pointed his finger at the largest flickering star. That is Regulus, heart of The Lion. Follow my finger and you can see the outline of The Lion’s body. His paw is raised to smite his enemies.

Mortimer moved in closer. Do you know the story?

Aye. Every sailor worth his salt knows the names of the stars in this story. Oberon put his arm around Mortimer. The sky is clear and the month is right to see what has been foretold.

You sound like Eonder.

Oberon chuckled. Do I, now? Well, there are worse things. Find Regulus, then The Lion’s Paw. Just below, and to the right, is Draco. The stars are shaped like a dragon. Above the last star of the dragon’s tail is Riguld, the star that forms the hand of Virgo. She holds the balance of justice. Mires and Mira are the stars of her eyes.

I do not see them.

Oberon tilted Mortimer’s head upward. They fade, then flash red.

Oh, I see the eyes now, and her face.

Good. Follow the eastern horizon. Virgo points the way with her left hand. You will see three white stars in a row. These form the Sword of Alwyn.

I thought the Sword of Alwyn was a legend.

Oberon rubbed his black beard. Aye, it is a legend, from the beginning of time…stories passed down from my father as told to him by his father from generations past. Do you see the outline of a man?

Mortimer squinted his eyes, then relaxed. He could see the shape holding a sword. I see a man holding a sword. What are the stars on his head?

Good, you see the triune. Not all who gaze can see. My father told me the triune forms a helmet for the warrior, but I believe it to be a crown.

But what is the story?

Oberon took a deep breath. The Lion is king of all the constellations, and foretells of an earthly king who will put all enemies under his foot. The Dragon is constantly rising up to challenge The Lion. Their stars are closest when the summer wanes.

They are almost touching now.

Aye, the saga continues. Every one thousand years The Lion and Dragon collide in the sky.

But who wins?

In a few weeks you will see for yourself.

Are there more stories?

Oh, yes, many more. A woman has been chosen who will bear the future king. Her right hand holds the balance of justice and wrath. From her offspring will come a mighty warrior who wields a sword that cannot be destroyed. The warrior and dragon will battle with the dragon overthrown.

Mortimer’s mind raced. He felt the pointed stick in his belt loop. He had a powerful sword. He had killed a dragon.

There you are. You slipped away after dinner. Marallon, Mortimer’s mother, approached. He is not in your way, is he? she said to Oberon.

Not at all. I was enjoying the boy’s company. Would you like to take the wheel, lad?

Mortimer started to shake his head, then changed his mind. Yes, I would. He slipped in front of Oberon.

Oberon placed his giant hands over Mortimer’s. Feel the water and the ship as one.

Oberon let go, leaving Mortimer to steer the course. Mortimer watched as The Morning Star cut through the dark green waves while he turned the wheel to the left then to the right.

Mortimer glanced back to see Oberon grasp his mother’s hand. She seemed to enjoy it.

Land ahoy, a sailor shouted from the crow’s nest. Specks of light appeared on the coastline.

Better let me steer, now, lad. We are coming into Barwick’s Bay.

As Mortimer stepped back, Marallon slipped her arm around him and kissed him on the cheek. Mortimer wanted to return her hug, but he kept his arms at his side. Afterall, he had just steered the ship. He was too grown up now to be hugging and kissing his mother.

Mortimer looked at her hands. They showed years of hard work and her dress was common like a peasant would wear. She did not smell like lilac, either. She was nothing like Queen Valora.

Yes, Queen Valora wore fancy gowns and lived in the White Castle. She was beautiful. Mortimer once thought she loved him. But so did Gharma, her Chief Advisor, and it cost him his neck. No, his mother was not anything like Queen Valora.

Mortimer let a grin creep across his face. His mother saw him.

What is that look for?

Oh, I was just thinking. He looked to see if anyone was watching, and then he wrapped his arm around Marallon. Together he and his mother watched The Morning Star glide into Barwick’s Bay.

King William’s Trusted Servant

CHAPTER 3

A stone and mortar lighthouse stood atop the cliff wall. A bronze bowl filled with whale oil burned through the night, steering ships away from dangerous rock outcroppings and into the horseshoe-shaped harbor of Barwick’s Bay.

Two massive stone towers loomed over the bay at opposite ends of the harbor to help the city defend against marauders. Catapults, positioned within the towers, could be launched with flaming projectiles at any ship not flying the flag of The Lion along its