At The Foot Of a Mountain

By Olga Rybkina

Emma and George are brother and sister (twins) and heirs of the great kingdom. Lost the parents at an early age, they fall in the thick of political games. They try to keep sincere devotion and love for each other, but the intrigues weaved around them completely change their relationships and lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olga Rybkina
• Release date: Mar 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463839751

Olga Rybkina

Just a good girl :)

Book preview

AT THE FOOT OF A MOUNTAIN

Chapter 1

There was a brave regiment at the foot of a mountain, which was ready to fight to death for its queen. They had to get to the summit and dethrone so hateful George. All the army of her great kingdom was with her at that moment and prepared to destroy evil ones and for all.

Dressed like a warrior, holding the sword, inspiring her soldiers could she ever to imagine that now, after some years she would be ready to fight against her beloved brother.

But, even though she did not forget all that had tight them, the last years built her world over again, overshadowed all her love and devotion to him.

It seemed nothing has changed inside her native kingdom, and her family castle raised above it like obvious proof the power of Blickertem.

Looking back, she saw Steff. He nodded her approval and saw some doubts in her eyes he reached for his sword not giving her even the slightest opportunity to retreat.

Giving a deep sigh of crystal air so familiar her from childhood, she raised her sword and shouted: Forward!

Chapter 2

It was one of the wealthy and success kingdoms in its days that Emma was going to fight for. Blickertem is situated at the south side of Multon Island. Beside it, there are two kingdoms: Tiderdof and Kibor.

Several centuries there were close links between the kingdoms; traditionally dynasties were related through marriages between their children. It was for strengthen the relationship an also gave various benefits for trading.

The trading was at neutral territory near the borders. Each kingdom had a market town near the border, which was developed no worse than capital. Many people with joy take part at different shows and competitions it also was the place for meetings and declaration of laws and news. It was the same picture in all kingdoms except the Sunday, when the markets of two of them were empty because the main part of buyers gathered at the border of Blickertem.

Fact is that Sunday was the only day than the catchers of dragons offer for sale their prey. Mainly the young or even not hutch dragons were being sold. Hunters caught them at south side of island with countless numbers of lively water where dragons build their nests.

The people of Blickertem called lively water a huge number of fresh lakes filling these places. The convenient location of the lakes and the proximity of the ocean made these areas the most attractive for permanent habitat of various types of dragons. For many centuries, they lived here at their pleasure performing frequent raids into the northern part of the island and disturbed the locals a lot. Those, in turn, began to create special detachments of soldiers to ensure the security of their states. As the southern part of the island was the territory of Blickertem, there was nothing for it but to create entire regiments of warriors for capturing and even taming dragons.

Dragons were used everywhere. They were grown from small lizards, tamed and made the perfect assistants in agriculture, construction, transportation and even the war. Naturally, the kingdom, which had the largest dragon army, used an immaculate authority. Keeping the best animals, Blickertem being sold only a small part of what they had, being a constant object of envy the neighboring kingdoms.

But not only dragons were the cause of constant envy. According its geographical location, Blickertem had much milder climate than Tiderdof or Kibor. Wheat crops, vegetables and fruits, mild and short winters - all of it created excellent conditions for the development and prosperity of the kingdom.

The nature of this part of the island did not leave anyone indifferent. Mighty mountains and flowing rivers, venerable trees and fragrant flowers filled the air with an extraordinary fragrance dwelled in person’s memory for a long time.

People of Blickertem have always been hardworking and cheerful. The knowledge was their power; they developed the cities and culture of their kingdom.

An ordinary farmer could been much richer and happier here than anyone merchant from neighboring states. Minding their own business, people were confident in the future and felt the support of their king.

During the three hundred years of the dynasty, there was not one rebellion or discontent. People respected their rulers by sending them their prayers and reverence.

Particularly successful among the inhabitants of the kingdom was Emma's father, King Tvidor. He had ruled Blickertem since he was sixteen. He was distinguished by extraordinary intelligence, justice and kindness. His wife, Queen Selena, was the daughter of the ruling king the neighboring Tiderdof.

Being married at a young age, they did not realize the full value of their marriage immediately, but after a while, real love came to them.

Reared by his father, Tvidor had the necessary hardness of character and the nobility of the future king. The relations of his parents were not an ideal example of a good marriage, but the father expressed his wife the necessary respect, coming out rather from a good breeding, than from the heart.

The father blessed Tvidor to the throne before he died. There were only two words the young prince remembered for life.

Be fair! the father said and died a few minutes later, leaving his 16-year-old son to manage one of the most powerful kingdoms of that time.

Before the coronation, Tvidor had to be married, but there were no talks about the nearest marriage because no one had expected the sudden death of his father. In the shortest possible time, the Queen Mother organized a trip to the nearby Tiderdof to the bride of the future king.

Young Tvidor, still deeply worried about the death of his father, regarded the trip as a necessary ritual, not giving a single part of his soul for the best result of it. Turned in upon himself, he was silent all the way, not paying attention to the picturesque landscapes around, nor to the instructions of his mother regarding the choice of the bride.

He knew perfectly well that he had no choice in this point. His mother, being herself a native of these places, has already determined for herself the future daughter-in-law, which would fully meet her needs. Taking advantage of her temporary power, and the deep sadness of her son she felt like a real queen she had never been near her husband, being all the time in his mighty shadow. Now, feeling her majesty, she allowed herself more. Like the Queen Dowager of Blickertem, she wrote a letter to the neighboring kingdom that she was going to visit their region with her son and asked to arrange everything necessary that he could choose his future wife who meets all royal requirements.

At her request, eight girls from the nobility were selected, including the daughters of the King of Tiderdof. Although the choice of the queen fell on his youngest daughter Selena long ago, she could not ignore the traditions of choosing a bride.

As soon as he was at the gate of the Tiderdof castle, Tvidor began to pay attention to what was going on around him.

Have we arrived? asked he the mother, knowing the answer.

Yes, the Son, the queen answered in a rehearsed, majestic voice long ago. The son even looked at her with some interest, already beginning to realize that this trip promises to be somewhat more amusing than expected.

So little guards said Tvidor, inspecting the special ledges at the top of the castle. According to his expectations, there had to be wars with specially trained black-winged dragons, just like in Blickertem.

Let’s go, my boy, his mother continued to rehearse, without hearing what he had just said.

Stepping forward, they were in a chic garden adjacent to the castle. Around were amazingly beautiful flowers and trees, the purest fountains and expensive statues, everything that would have surprised anyone, but not the crown prince of Blickertem, surrounded by a similar luxury since childhood.

In the depths of the garden they were already met by representatives of the Tiderdof dynasty. The king and queen surrounded by a son and three daughters.

Welcome, Your Majesty! delivered the chief consul standing next to. He hanged his head to hide who exactly he was addressing to avoid awkward confusion.

Tvidor with his mother passed him, following directly to the castle owners.

During the acquaintance, Tvidor naturally drew attention to the youngest daughter of the royal couple, because no matter what, he remembered the name of the princess recommended to him during the road.

To his joy, she was sweet. She looked at him with interest, a little bolder than her sisters, because she already knew that her candidacy was considered like the main.

Met face to face for a moment, their eyes quickly fled to not betraying the value of mutual interest.

Inside the palace, the guests were suggested to rest from of such a tiresome trip. No one objected.

Having settled the son and mother separately in the best chambers of the castle, they were announced that the ball on the occasion of the choice of the bride would be at nine and until then, guests can feel themself like at home without depriving themselves of the pleasure doing what they wish.

The two queens: the Blickertem dowager and the real Tiderdof found a place to stay alone to discuss the all-necessary details of the upcoming engagement.

Tvidor had no intention to go out of his chambers. Everything around him was happening as according to a script and was no interest to him. He was a diplomat. He saw his mother’s dedication to the process and gave her the long-awaited opportunity to shine in the society and show all her significance and power.

He knew that her time was limited. After all, as soon as he marries - he will mount the throne and the power will rightly pass to him. So let her rejoice. In the long run she deserved it.

Having studied the bookcase in his chambers, Tvidor decided to distract himself with an interesting book and chose stories about the Knights of Honor's campaigns. He settled down in a beautiful armchair by the fireplace. The love of books was a generic feature of their dynasty. From little up young princes and princesses were taught to read a lot. What exactly they read was selected the council of teachers and the participation of the king. Thus, books never came to the children's library by chance. They were the result of careful selection depending on the wishes of the monarch.

In Tvidor’s library there were many books about adventures, campaigns, mighty and valiant knights, in general, all that at one time was selected to him by his father.

He had read The Knights of Honor’s campaigns more than once, but this book in his opinion would distract him now best of all. He was so absorbed in it that did not even hear how someone knocked timidly but loud steps attracted his attention. He put the book down and looked towards the door.

May I? asked the young lady. She was standing in the middle of the room, examining the prince with genuine interest.

You have already entered, Tvidor muttered. He saw that this slightly embarrassed the girl and added, How long have you been here, Selena? He knew that she would certainly pay attention to the fact that he remembered her name. So it happened. Selena smiled and came closer.

Just came, she answered.

I knocked by the way, you did not hear. What are you reading?

The Knights of Honor’s campaigns Tvidor replied, closing the book.

Interesting? asked Selena.

Didn't you read? surprised Tvidor.

No, she answered. Tvidor noticed her embarrassment and added.

It's okay, there is not much interesting for the princesses. Did you want something?

Me? Selena answered in surprise. She realized that she looked a little silly and decided to invent an excuse. I forgot something here and came to pick it up.

Tvidor smiled, she was so cute, she came to look at him, at her future husband and maybe try to find out something about him before connected her life with him forever, according to agreements between their parents. He was very pleased that with all her beauty, which he noticed at a glance she has courage and curiosity.

He saw that she was cunning, but it was forced cunning, which made her feel guilty, but it was better than looking like a girl who shows an interest in the boy. True ladies and besides the princesses do not act like that. Everything was written on her face, and she seemed more beautiful.

You can take that you forgot Tvidor decided to play up to her. Selena quickly glanced around the room and said.

I will send my maid as not to disturb you.

She was about to go, but Tvidor stopped her with his question.

Selena?

Yes, she answered, without