The Prince And The Sorceress Keren 2nd Edition

By Stephen Cowking

The is the second edition of The Prince and The Sorceress Keren rewritten by Stephen Cowking, from short stories to novel length with extended storyline.

Prince Alaric is under immense pressure from his mother to find a wife, so he decided to embark on a journey to Bright Moon City in the company of his trusted knight and a Sorceress with a tainted and dark past. He soon falls in love with the sorceress and in the process uncovers some unbearable truth about his own past and the Sorceress' history. Now he is set on a course that will reopen past wounds and set two kingdoms against each other. But in the face of a new and common enemy who seeks to overthrow and become the one ruler of all, will foes become friends to try and defeat the evil Overlord? Or will the cracks of enmity be too deep to mend?

The Prince and the Sorceress Keren is a thrilling epic that is bound to engage and immerse you into a world of magic, flying jellyfish, spells and a destructive villain with diabolical intentions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen Cowking
• Release date: Jan 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386638261

Book preview

~Chapter 1~

The Prince

Instead of trying to make your life perfect, give yourself the freedom to make it an adventure and go ever upward.

—Drew Houston.

Once upon a time, in a kingdom not so far away... from magic, treasures and dangerous locations. Monsters are common they include fiery dragons, big dumb ogres, wicked goblins, trolls with peanut butters and more. As the list goes on... you could have guessed, that the list might have reached your feet.

But there was this handsome lonely prince who lived in a beautiful castle. His name was Alaric.

One fine sunny day, the prince woke up to the sound of someone knocking on his door.

Your Royal Highness. I see you are awake. It is time for your breakfast and the Queen awaits you in the dining room; she wishes to speak with you. The maid servant said.

Yes, I’m awake. Tell mother that I will be there in a few minutes. Prince Alaric replied

He got up from the bed, walked to the window and opened the curtains so as to allow the warm sunlight to flood the entire room. He looked out, it was an entirely beautiful day. The fountain ran with crystal clear water, the last of the morning dew was just dissipating carrying with it the sweet aroma of the fresh green grass it has clung onto. The birds chirped happily together at the balcony. It would indeed be a beautiful day.

The prince proceeded to wash his face and dress up in preparation for breakfast and meeting his mother, the queen.

As he moved closer to the dining room, he could smell the aroma of the food forcing its way through his nostrils. The smell held great promise of being delicious and he quickened his pace.

Inside the dining room, the queen was already seated and halfway through her food.

Good Morning Mother; the food looks very delicious. Prince Alaric said

And it tastes delicious too. Have a sit my dear the queen said.

The prince quickly settled and dug into his sumptuous meal and he ate.

Alaric my son, you are already an adult. Haven’t you found any girl in the whole kingdom whom you wish to marry? The queen asked.

Mother, we already talked about this. I’m still taking my time. Besides, I haven’t found anyone suitable for me.

Surely, you don’t want to be holed up and locked inside your room playing with your pillows.

Prince Alaric stopped chewing his food and looked at her mother’s eyes (slightly irritated)Mother!

Look son, you need to go out often. How about a party? Let’s invite all the beautiful maidens across the kingdom. So you can choose from them.

No mother! I don’t want a party, it doesn’t work for me. I will go to Bright-moon city today; perhaps, I might found what I’m looking for.

That will be fine then. I will arrange some knights and paladins for your escort... The queen replied.

...and a wizard, —just in case I encounter something strange. Prince Alaric replied while finishing his meal.

~Chapter 2~

Ready for Departure

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can be stupid with them.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Prince Alaric went back to his room as he prepared his gears, he wore his classic leather armor and carried a sword, just in case things gets tough; he would have something to defend for himself.

After Alaric came out of his room, a knight approaches the prince from the hallway.

Prince Alaric, I will be escorting you to Bright-moon city today. Knight Raynaldus said.

The prince tap Raynaldus’ bicep and said Raynaldus my friend. In that case, I am well assured that my tour will be anything but unexciting.

Knight Raynaldus chuckles Indeed your highness. I just got my sword repaired and enchanted by Arch-wizard Gligor, just in case we encounter another Troll.

Haha, so you are getting ready to be trolled again?

They say don’t feed the troll, but if there is a troll jump in front of me, I’m gonna feed him with my blade. Raynaldus replied.

Haha. Rightly so Raynaldus, rightly so.

By the way your highness, Arch-wizard Gligor wishes to speak to you. He waits in the courtyard

The castle courtyard is filled with beautiful flowers and a fresh looking fountain beside a well-crafted statue of a knight, while water flows in a pristine stream. There, beside the statue of the knight stood the wizard, waiting.

Ah, Prince Alaric. Good morning. I have something I wish to tell you. Arch-wizard Gligor

Good morning Gligor, what is it you wish to tell me? Prince Alaric replied.

Well, you requested for a wizard escort, but all hands are occupied at the moment. We are busy attending to some important matters; however, I have arranged you a powerful sorceress who will escort you to Bright-moon city and back.

A Sorceress? I thought we didn’t have any sorceress at our disposal. The prince replied while scratching his cheek.

We don’t. This sorceress is from another kingdom, a mercenary if you like. Her name is Keren and you can trust her.

Prince Alaric thinking to himself  The name sounds familiar, I feel I’ve heard it somewhere.

She will meet you outside the city, just across the bridge. Arch-wizard Gligor added

As Prince Alaric is preparing to leave the castle, the Queen approaches him to specifically give him an advice. Alaric, if you wish to look for a suitable partner, I would suggest you go after the noble type... someone fit for a queen and avoid any sorcerer or witch type.

Why is that? Wouldn’t this limit my choices of suitable mates?

I hate sorceresses, they are trouble. That’s all there is to it! The Queen gave the prince that straight looked in his eyes, then she walked away.

~Chapter 3~

The Sorceress

Love is like a tornado, picks you up off your feet and sometimes takes half of your house.

—Anonymous

The Prince and seven knights journey together towards the outskirt of the city. Each one of them rides on an armored horse. And right before they reach the bridge, a big shadow suddenly flies over the sky.

Did a Dragon just fly past us? Prince Alaric asked.

I’m not sure. I didn’t saw it clearly, it moved really fast. Knight Raynaldus replied.

Worry not then, we can figure it out later. Alas, we’ve come upon the bridge, but where is that sorceress? I wonder what she looks like. Prince Alaric asked.

As soon as they finished crossing the bridge, a tornado suddenly appears in the distance accompanied by several flash of lightning.  The prince and the entire knight escorts were forced to cover their eyes. The horses neighed loudly in fear.

What’s going on? The prince replied while covering his eyes. 

Suddenly, out of the dusty smoke and chaos of the tornado, a stunning Lady dressed in silky black robes, a hat and holding a staff emerges. She was also accompanied by a small flying Angora rabbit-like creature except it had big ears that looked like a pair of wings

This was the sorceress and as the prince looked to greet her, she looked into his eyes, touched his cheeks and spoke.

You must be the prince. I’m Keren, your enchanting escort and (pointing at the furry creature) this is my pet, Fluffy.

The Prince blushes as the pretty-faced Sorceress leaned even closer towards him.

Hiya Prince! Fluffy greeted.

Oh my! It can talk. Alaric replied.

Of course it talks. What pet doesn’t talk? The sorceress replied.

eh, what?

Sorceress Keren grins and said And these men are your knights?

Yes, they are my guards...and friends.

When the prince turns around, and he saw all the knights had already pulled out their swords.

Your highness, stand back! I think I remember this sorceress; she is dangerous. Raynaldus replied while shaking.

Well, is this how you address a lady? I came here to protect your prince, and you call me dangerous? Keren replied.

Didn’t you once destroy a whole town? Raynaldus asked.

And wiped out a battalion of knights from our kingdom? Another knight added.

Did I? You might be getting your information mixed up incorrectly. Let me recall. The sorceress replied while her finger is tapping her head.

Oh yes, I remember now. You must be talking about the war times. Your facts are incorrect. I didn’t just destroy a town; I destroyed three towns including two cities infested with various diseases. And a few knights might have lost their lives while foolishly attempting to capture me. In addition to that, I also killed thousands of monsters and enemies so much so that I’ve lost count.

Upon hearing this, the prince and the knights were even more shocked.

You! -Those were not few, there were dozens of them! Raynaldus replied.

Look, am I here to escort the Prince or will we be going through my past accomplishments? Time is no friend of ours so we need to make haste.

why you?— Captain Knight Raynaldus replied with his eyebrow closed.

That’s enough Raynaldus! I trust the arch-wizard, he assured me that the sorceress will protect us. Prince Alaric replied.

What’s your name again Prince? Keren asked.

It’s Alaric

that is a name deserving of royalty.

The sorceress smiles seductively at the prince.

Alaric, I don’t have a horse with me and riding tornadoes is not exactly comfortable. Can I ride with you on your horse?

with all pleasure. Hop in. The prince replied.

2 Knights were whispering to one another and said look at that witch. Is she trying to seduce the prince?

hmph! She is getting too casual with the prince for comfort. Raynoldus replied.

And the party moved on.

~Chapter 4~

Forest Swamp

I have so much that I wanted to do, I hate wasting time

—Stephen Hawking

As the journey continued , the party comes upon and stops at a cross road; a decision had to be made on which way they should go. The left road was the safest, but It’s also the longest route; as it requires multiple stops on different town, the right road can be shorter, but the roads are tight bend, and the horses can’t run, and the middle one is not advisable, as it goes straight into the forest swamp, where most people won’t even dare to travel.

Your highness, let’s go through the left main road. It is the safest route. Knight Raynaldus replied.

but that will extend our journey by more than a day. I wish to save time traveling.

Alaric, I suggest we move via the forest through the swamp. We should reach the city in a few hours that way. Keren replied.

You got to be kidding, right? That forest is dangerous even for someone like you. Trolls and goblins lay ambush on the forest path and the swamp is filled with monsters and terrible reptiles.

Didn’t you mention it yourself a while ago that I’m dangerous? You think a bunch goblins can stop me? Come my prince, I’ll show you what I can do.

Don’t worry prince, I can smell out impending danger. Fluffy added.

Well then, let’s see if you live up to your reputation. Prince Alaric replied with a smile.

Your highness, are you actually going to believe her? Knight Raynaldus replied.

Relax Raynaldus, I can take care of myself. Besides, you have your enchanted sword with you, don’t you? Perhaps we can put it to good use.

But my prince...

I will have no more Raynaldus. Just come along Alaric replied.

As they traveled through the forest, they could hear birds and noises from animals. There were also beautiful flowers blooming around the trees. Everything seemed serene.

This place doesn’t look dangerous. Alaric said.

I smell something, let me scout ahead. Fluffy replied.

The little creature flew ahead to scout the surroundings. In flight, she was faster than a running rabbit. And after a minute or so, fluffy returned.

Keren, there’s a camp of goblins up ahead. They number about thirty to forty. What should we do? Fluffy reported

We’ll hunt them down. Keren replied

Forty goblins? That’s quite a number don’t you think? And there’s only a few of us here. The prince asked.

Coming here was a bad idea your highness. Raynaldus replied.

Don’t worry captain! Your sword won’t be needed. The sorceress replied.

So, the Party moved ahead until they came close to the camp. The Sorceress jumped down from the horse.

Come down and follow me! But be quiet. Keren said.

The Party follows and they hide behind the bush as they take a peak on the large camp of goblins.

~Chapter 5~

Bubbles and Goblins

There is no angry way to say bubbles.

—Anonymous

Goblins are monstrous creatures, they are small and mostly grotesque, mischievous or outright evil, and greedy specially for gold and silver. They group together inside the forest from time to time so they could setup an ambush for some unwary travelers.

Fluffy stops and whisper Hey Keren, they have one goblin shaman on their side.

A spellcaster? I see. Prince Alaric watch this.

Blowing air across the surface of her palm, the sorceress summoned a very strange looking insect.

Go take out that shaman. Keren told the insect.

The insect flew and dropped on the back of shaman goblin’s neck. It bit him and slowly, the goblin became dizzy, began to puke and dropped to the ground.

What happen to the shaman goblin? The prince asked.

He’s dead. That insect is very poisonous. Now, how do you want me to finish them off?

What do you mean?

Your choice. I can kill them the humane way or the sadistic way? Which do you prefer? The sorceress replied with a smile.

The humane way? I mean, if you can remove them quickly, or simply teleport them somewhere, I’m fine with that.

You soft baby. Watch this.

She blew through from a small hole on her magical staff and a huge bubble appeared. As the bubble got closer to the goblins it becomes bigger and bigger. By the time the goblins saw it, it was too late for them to react and it absorbed all of them, trapping them inside.

The goblins tried to break out by stabbing the