Dark Shade of Gold

By Goldie R.P. Boslem

Dark Shade of Gold represents one side of the first step in the Branches Progression. It follows the Terravardn family, with particular focus on Lexandrik, the father, and a Lorduke of the city Grandport. He possesses a locust trinket which he covets jealously and it affords him an unnatural affinity with magix. A long-term rival strongly desires to purchase the talisman, and others are trying to kill him for it. The story also follows the viewpoint of his two eldest children, his daughter Elizabelle is set to take over the family’s cult of assassins, and Edguard his son the heir to his family empire. There is strong focus on his youngest daughter, Violet, who seems to be leading an increasingly duplicitous life.
Terravardn is trying to revolutionise Grandport, and in turn the entire Kingdom Mother Vixen, and he needs his power and Violet’s security to do it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Goldie R.P. Boslem
• Release date: Dec 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463619056

Goldie R.P. Boslem

Goldie R. P. Boslem is the pseudonym adopted by Will R. Boslem and Dan P. Goldie, two Scottish authors making their debut in the world of Fantasy-Fiction. The unreleased Mother Vixen is the humble first step into a world that will grow faster than readers can anticipate, through The Cycle of the Skulk series and beyond. Will and Dan bring different assets to the table as authors, having taken entirely different experiences from the world, to create their own. Dan has graduated from university and came out the other side with a degree in English and History, and has spent the last few years working with the public, enlightening him on countless different personalities and lives. Will spent a few years touring the country with his band, and now excels as a tattoo artist, enlightening him on countless personalities and lives in a completely different setting. Together they have a broad range of experience with people, environments, culture and the world. On top of that they are both avid readers, gamers and TV marathoner's, which helps in keeping their ideas unique and fresh. Since their school days, long before all of that began, they have been creating together. For almost a decade their world has been in the making, moulded and transformed, ideas batted back and forth every week, until the Kingdom Mother Vixen was finally born. The beginning, middle and end have been in the two authors' minds since the very first night the world was imagined, they knew the ending of the series before they even began to write. However the way that ending is reached has dramatically changed over the last decade, growing beyond anything they ever imagined on that first night, and continuing to grow every day. They both love creating their world, and are never happier than when they are writing, and hope the readers enjoy their tales as much as the authors did spinning them.

Book preview

The Branches Progression

Dark Shade of Gold

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One - Half Welcome Guests

Chapter Two - The Pyrian Investment

Chapter Three - Ruby Eyes

Chapter Four - The Curse of an Uprising Daughter

Chapter Five - Secrets

Chapter Six - Frostbite

Chapter Seven - The Nature of the Trinket

Chapter Eight - The Violet Arrangement

Chapter Nine - Blood and Sweat

Chapter Ten - Lexandrik's Fall

Chapter Eleven - It All Begins Tonight

Chapter Twelve - What Happened That Night?

Chapter Thirteen - Hooded Pursuit

Chapter Fourteen - Family Gathering

Conclusion

Prologue

Hello my Lord and Lady Terravardn! The bastard's mostly-bald head bobbed as he pattered softly from the door, a merry crinkle around his eyes that blatantly betrayed his aptitude for lying. What the hell does he want? His ridiculous silken gown looked every bit as offensively casual as the one he'd worn to the feast two nights hence.

Lexandrik had no time for this particular 'guest,' especially not tonight. A lot had been...discussed in his office already, his daughter fled the room not two minutes before the unwanted interruption, and his wife and son were still supplying him with uncomfortable glares from across the desk. Like they expected him to blow up at any moment.

Beautiful evening, is it not? The bastard's smile widened as he supplied the window a quick glance.

Indeed it is, Lord Qaarius, Inahoward answered. She sounds positively delighted with his intrusion. Don't mind me, I was just about to leave. Here, take my seat.

Don't let me chase you away my dear! Qaarius said only too politely. I am perfectly happy to stand.

I would prefer you sit, Lexandrik informed curtly. So I can face you at my level as we debate.

What of your son? His dark eyes flickered to Edguard.

What of my son?

Will he be staying, or shall we look across the table at each other alone, 'at each other's level,' so to speak?

He is my closest confidant, and the heir to my estate. Whatever you tell me will almost immediately be relayed to him, since he'll be deliberating long and hard with me about whatever nonsense your proposal might contain. Is it not easier to cut out the hassle of repeating the same information twice, from two separate mouths?

I suppose, Lord Terravardn. If it makes you feel more comfortable, then I will not complain.

Oh don't worry, if it's violence you're plotting Qaarius, he's not really what you'd call a...threat, to be honest with you. It's my darling wife you should worry about in that regard. Lexandrik smiled her way.

I propose no violence, my Lord. I am not a violent man. I simply came to show you something I think you might be quite taken with, and ask you to reconsider my previous offer.

I'll leave you all to it then, if my...services aren't needed, Inahoward chuckled, supplying Lexandrik with that look. She'll be watching the room before she's even out the door. His confidence was always strengthened with the knowledge of his wife for security.

You came to show me something? he asked immediately after the door closed behind her, making no attempt to veil his contempt.

Indeed, Qaarius smirked. He removed from his robe a silver goblet. To the untrained eye, there was nothing at all remarkable about the item. It was basic in design, no ornamentation to stand it out from any cheap goblet one might find in the Portside of town. But Lexandrik knew better.

The design of the metal, it was simple. Very simple. Almost offensively simple. The curves of the bowl, where the stem met the base that held it upright and the bowl connected to the stem were entirely unblemished. There was no sign of it ever being crafted by any hand, it looked as if it had grown that way and been plucked from a shining-silver-goblet tree.

It was reminiscent of the architecture of his own trinket, sat behind him atop the cabinet and calling out to him louder with every second that passed. It's voice rattled around in his head, whispering sweet promises, urging him to pick it up, pick it up, pick it up!

But he would never do that in front of guests. It would unnerve them, probably more than a little. And it would likely be just what this bastard was hoping for.

Simply put, he knew where Qaarius' silver goblet came from, but not how he acquired it. Where did you get that? Lexandrik marvelled. Can I hold it? He strongly desired to see if it had the same feel as his own trinket, if it made him feel the same when it was against his skin. If it did, he simply had to have it.

You can hold it if you'll show me yours. The mostly-bald bastard winked a purple eyelid. Lord Grandport sold it to me, Qaarius answered, an infuriatingly triumphant smile on his face. How did he know!? How was the devious prick always two steps ahead!? He has quite a few, if my information is correct.

He has more than one? Lexandrik asked, his voice betraying his surprise and the emotion that entailed. The urge to hold Qaarius' goblet was filling his chest, making his extremities tingle.

He possesses half a dozen, at least. He's been visiting our good captain for much longer than you have, my Lord. And being Damascus Grandport opens a good few doors, as you can imagine.

So it would appear.

It's silver, Edguard interrupted. Elizabelle said that -

Enough, Lexandrik silenced him. I know what my daughter said. It's beautiful. It doesn't compare to my own, perhaps. But I desire it nonetheless. Are you selling it? He stared directly into Qaarius' golden-brown eyes.

I'll trade you mine for yours, the bastard quipped. He chuckled to himself. Only joking. No, I'm not selling it. But I would be willing to trade it, add it to the offer I made you a few nights ago and asking for nothing extra in return.

No, Lexandrik answered immediately. He didn't even have to think about it. Edguard's right. The colour of the metal is significant. Elizabelle said she's read about these artefacts before. She might be a pain in my arse, but she knows her literature. I must admit I've become quite attached to the...benefits my locust has to offer. The silver will likely still hold power, but of a much lesser nature. Like the value of the metals themselves.

What if I were to purchase two more from our esteemed Lord of the Land, and add them all to the generous sum I originally offered?

The fact that you would offer so much for only one item, silken trader, tells me how powerful and valuable my trinket truly is. I wouldn't sell it to you for a hundred beautiful prostitutes and ten silver goblets. Also, you have just informed me Lord Grandport possesses more than one. Lexandrik smiled to himself, victorious. And besides, it's power will 'guarantee that we have the full support of the Therx in the Pyrian involvement,' will it not? You said so yourself. Lexandrik supplied him with his most superior smirk. He'd been practicing it for years, perfecting it for just this kind of situation. To my son. Did you not?

But if Qaarius was troubled at the extent of what Lexandrik knew he'd offered his son, he didn't show it. I can't disagree with that, I suppose. He looked at Edguard, a worryingly triumphant smirk adorned across his marble jaw.

Suddenly it all made sense. That's what it is! That's what's wrong! The little shit! It was him that Qaarius spoke with, not his brother. That's what he's been hiding all night. That's why he was awkward around the subject. The lying little shit! Lexandrik glared at his eldest son and closest business partner.

But I do question whether or not you know what you are truly letting yourself in for, getting involved with the Pyrian regime. Qaarius smirked and removed a beautifully carved pipe that looked to be made of the same quality of gold as Lexandrik's precious talisman.

His mouth watered, he could taste his own desire like a burning acid on his tongue. The bald bastard had stunned him out of a response, once a-fucking-gain. Do you mind? He held up the pipe in full display.

Clever bastard. Always an extra card to play. Always a fucking step ahead. I can't let him see how much I desire nothing more than to swipe that bloody thing from his hand and batter him on the side of the head with my candlestick. It was a big candlestick, brass, with a thick foot and neck. It could do some serious damage to a head. Especially one that was mostly bald. But this bastard likely had a Dead Trigger set up, not something Lexandrik wanted to bother dealing with right now. Not at all. Take a seat, Lord Qaarius. I find it is preferable for smoking.

I'll take you up on that now, he answered, sitting his arse down finally. Straven in particular requires a seat, I find. He chuckled to himself, producing a box of matches and a strip of flintpaper. It took Lexandrik a moment to realise that he was talking about the ærb, not the place.

I know perfectly well what I'm getting myself into, he answered Qaarius' prior question as if there'd been no conversation in between. A fairer, more equitable system.

"More work for the people, every day, who you hope will become your people eventually. Will they approve of that?" He blew an acrid fog into the air that reeked of green. Lexandrik reached for another of his Pyrian cigars to combat the green with some brown. He preferred the scent.

My people will do what they must when the time inevitably comes. I was under the impression that you were my biggest supporter, given your display at the feast the other night. You certainly seemed keen.

I am an exemplary member of the Union of the Wheel, Qaarius answered, a little too pompously. I cannot give you my support, regardless of my personal opinion. At least not openly.

I wasn't counting on your open support Qaarius, don't pretend to patronise me. I just need your assurance that you'll stay out of my affairs. You won't get involved. Your...family won't get involved. And when I win the Therx over, I will promise never to meddle in your affairs in return. Perhaps then we can come to some kind of formal alliance.

Three sharp raps at the door stopped Qaarius from answering. Talk about bloody timing. How does he always catch me at the worst possible moment?

Two Nights Earlier...

Chapter One - Half-Welcome Guests

You forget yourself. You forget where you stand. This is my home. My castle. I am the King here. Do not take me for one of your Drocum simpletons.

It is yourself who forgets, Lord Terravardn, just who you are speaking with. A smile graced the shining, clean-shaven face.

Lexandrik faltered in his reply, staring perilously at the curiously-dressed guest doing the direct opposite of gracing his office rug. It was a beautiful rug, he'd paid nearly ten entire golden castles for the right to display the rare striped fur of the now-extinct scythetooth on his floor.

They weren't extinct, Lexandrik knew this for a fact. The proof was spread across the marble for all to see. They were very much still alive on Kai, and numerous. The Vixens had just wiped them all out in their endless quest for meat and...rugs. Which is why he'd had to pay so highly to acquire one from a Union vendor.

But it didn't change the fact that the mostly-bald bastard was happily taking liberty on it, like it was him who owned it, him who'd been fleeced out of enough money to buy a row of Portside houses for it. He might as bloody well have. He's right, I have to be careful here. He has connections that could ruin me. Tonight.

But Lexandrik was loathe to back down. I apologise for any offence I may have caused, he carefully worded, but surely you must understand? My precious, my prize possession... I cherish it, possibly even more than my own darling wife. And I wouldn't sell her for double what you're offering, so I'm half as likely to accept even triple that double for it.

There is no sum? the half-welcome guest enquired. His expression showed nothing regarding his feelings about their barter. His cold face never showed unless it was well calculated.

Lexandrik shook his head. I wouldn't part with it for sex nor cheques. He clasped his hands, sat back in his chair, and smiled. And the world only runs on those two wheels.

A disappointment. You realise...no, never mind.

Do I realise what?

Nothing.

Qaarius, dare I ask, what is it about my trinket that drives you so? Enough to insult me -

I did not insult you, Lord Terravardn, he interrupted. I merely stated a fact.

Lexandrik smirked. "Alright then, I'll bite. Why is it wasted on me, exactly? I think it sits beautifully here behind me, atop my oakenpine cabinet. It blends well with my burgundy walls, don't you think? That's a new colour of paint they've come up with