Tales From The Renge: The Chronicles Of King Qarkis, Book 1: A Youth Favored By The Gods

By Jaysen True Blood

The Renge, a wedge of land that lies bewteen two great rivers, is divided amongst three great warlords. Qarkis, the princeling of the southern and western lands, is favored by the gods. His story, recorded by his beloved scribe, Drynnyn, begins at the end of his father's...with a marriage that will unite the three remaining kingdoms into one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jaysen True Blood
• Release date: Dec 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393404408

Jaysen True Blood

Jaysen True Blood was born and raised in the Midwest where he currently resides. His first taste of writing came early in grade school with a class assignment. a few years later, his love for writing would return as he found himself with another class assignment, this time a poetry unit. through junior high, he would write a series of novels, many poems, and begin his long interest in writing song lyrics as well. In high school, he would learn the value of tall tales, myths and other kinds of stories as he continued to build his store of stories. upon graduation, he went for a semester at a university, where he would write two stories, one of which would become a serial online for about six months. Returning home, he worked at just about anything he could find, but never strayed far from his love of the story. After his first marriage, he signed on with Keep It Coming, an e-zine, where he wrote two serials, "Tales From The Renge" and "Breed's Command" (the same characters appear with Fancy Marsh in several subsequent westerns. The serial was taken from a manuscript written for a class assignment while in high school). H also wrote writing and music related articles for the print version of KIC that came out for just three issues. When KIC went under, Jay was once again forced to work at different jobs just to make ends meet. between 2007 and 2010, Jay would release "Seven By Jay: Seven Short Stories", "The Price Of Lust: Book One Of Faces In The Crowd" and "So Here's To Twilight And Other Poems".

Book preview

Prologue

The Renge had always been home to the Assassinidii. They had always shared it with the Darkmoor, the Succubi, the Incubi, and other beings both dark and light.

And though the Assassinidii wandered the Renge, they had never claimed it as their own. Yes, they had built small villages. They had settled into a semi agricultural lifestyle, growing crops and slowly learning the art of animal husbandry.

But, at the heart of it all, they were still nomads. Nomads who loved to make war on themselves. They loved to raid their neighbors and steal stock and crops.

But things were beginning to change. They were starting to advance. And with this advancement came the urge to unify.

Over 1000 generations, they had been little more than nomads moving from place to place. They had slowly progressed to semi-nomadic with portable housing. Then to mostly stationary.

1000 generations. Or was it more? All any could remember was that they had been so since the dawn of their collective memory.

Perhaps it was all illusion. Myth. Legends built out of lies.

After all, their oral histories were like any other. Nothing but a collection of muddled memories and myth. And those myths led back to their gods.

Gods like Aath Moraq, the creator god. Or Tamnan Req, the goddess of harvest and the seasons. Of course, there were others, but these were the most important. One gave them their chieftains, the other ensured they would have food enough for winter.

And their scholars, with their flowery script, aided in the myth when collecting the oral histories for the first time. Their historians, too, supported the myths. And these bound the Assassinidii as a people, though not peacefully.

Though they worshipped the same gods and spoke in the same tongue, that was as far as it went. There was nothing more to unite them as a people. At least not as they saw it.

BUT EACH TRIBE OF ASSASSINIDII had their own chieftain. The eastern Assassinidii fell under the control of Calynarqus, the western under Valyndarryn. To the south, Vranruq controlled the Assassinidii and to the north, Ramnaq. Four major chieftains. Warlords, really.

Each made war on the lands controlled by the others. Or tried to defend their own. But none were allied. At least not with each other.

There were already kingdoms to the east and south, and rumored kingdoms to the west beyond the lands of the hordes. Beyond the great rivers that separated the Renge from the rest of the lands.

But Vranruq was not satisfied with his lands. Sure, Sudia was a plush forested land. But forests couldn’t feed his people. Nor could the sparse farms that had sprouted up on the edges of those forests.

His people needed more. They deserved more. Besides. Rumor had reached him that Calynarqus was growing old and weak.

Those same rumors held that the western warlord was also childless. Heirless. A land with an aged chieftain was fair game.

He would have to move with precision. With planned campaigns. But first, he would have to send spies in to search out the truth.

He had to make sure that the rumors were true. After all, rumors were just that. Rumors.

And so he picked his seven most trusted lieutenants. Crynn. Sanbrynn, Calyppus, and Thram had been his childhood companions and knew him best. The other three had merely worked their way into the ranks.

He had married Crynn’s sister and she was now heavy with child. His heir. A future chieftain.

He had taken in Sanbrynn’s son to be trained by his scribes. And Calippus’ brother was his current court scribe while Thramm’s sister was his concubine.  His four most trusted were family, at least from his perspective.

The others were mere warriors. Able leaders. Valiant heroes.

Now, he awaited their return. He waited to make his move.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN? Vranruq inquired.

Old Calynarqus is indeed growing weak, Sanbrynn assured him, and is without an heir.

What is your assessment of the land? He pressed.

It is rich in abundance, Calyppus responded, and the people will fall into line under your command once the old king capitulates.

His warriors will defect, Crynn nodded, as they all grumble that he is no longer in control of his own body. Some think he is possessed. Others believe that he has lost his genius. Either way, we can easily remove him and take the land as our own.

Any nobles we need to be concerned with? He looked from one to another.

Possibly those on the borders of the eastern lands  or to the north,  Thramm answered.

"Have none of the other three I sent have anything to report?" He demanded.

The southern cities are small and will be easy to take, one replied, the other two agreeing in unison with him, and we could burn crops as we move north.

The object is to gain crops, he glared at the speaker, not to destroy them. He sighed. Not one of you three have anything to report  about number of warriors, position of defenses, or anything important?

We saw no warriors near the southern settlements, the second responded nervously.

Did you scout the cities? He pressed. Or the smaller villages?

They did not look to be of much importance, the third answered.

You must never underestimate the size of a war party, he took in a disappointed breath and let it out, or the importance of a city or village. It may not hold a strategic value, but it is still just as important as all the rest and may hold reserve warriors able to defend their land. Seems you three still have much to learn. He glanced at his four trusted friends. Do you think you could infiltrate his lands and spread dissatisfaction? A desire to join with us?

Yes, milord, the four answered as one.

Then, he smiled, go do your worst.

1.

Three months after the conquest of the western lands, Qarkis Prydm was born to Lord Vranruq and the Lady Vanlis. And he grew into a child of such strength, wisdom, and beauty that all believed him favored of the gods.

~ Drynnyn, court scribe to Qarkis Prydm

LORD? DRYNNYN INQUIRED. Lord, are you well?

What say you? Qarkis returned, rousing from his thoughts.

Are you well, milord? He inquired again.

Yes, the princeling nodded, quite. Though I believe I will go on a boar hunt this afternoon. Qarkis looked at him. Want to accompany me and write of my exploits?

Yes, milord, he chuckled, you know I must. It is part of my duty. He paused. Will you be taking Nrav with us?

I suppose, came the less than enthusiastic response, though I tire of that borish priestling. But I know. He must go where I go also since he is my confessor.

Yes, he nodded, I don’t much care for him either. Too holier than thou.

Why Drynnyn! The prince feigned shock. How can you say such a thing about a man of the gods? The two friends laughed.

All too easily, milord, he stated dryly, still, I will do penance after the hunt if it pleases you.

Oh, please, Drynnyn, the prince chuckled, there’s no need. Even his father says that of him...and he’s the high priest!

Who else will be going? He inquired.

Ah, well, the prince began, Turinuq, Landouyll, and Tarnuq. Seems a fine hunting party...doesn’t it?

Indeed, he smiled.

Good. They would be with excellent company, despite the presence of the priestling. All those the prince had named were excellent hunters and close friends of both of them. Not to mention amazing warriors in