The Viscount of Sternboard, A Realm of the Light Novella

By James Quinlan Meservy

Civilian life is not what Cyrus McCreed expected. All he wants is time to unwind from his ten year miliatry tour on the Indian Peninsula after he returned home to the kingdom of the British Isles. With each turn he is hounded to claim his title of Viscount, to uphold his promise to marry his childhood friend upon his return and to stave off another woman's attempts to steal his heart. While Cyrus is distracted a new threat appears hunting him from the shadows. Questions of trust and loyalty are at stake as his family and loved ones keep secrets from him. Will Cyrus claim his title, keep his promise and uncover all that is hidden? Or will he become the threat's next victim?

Enjoy this novella (28.5K words) by Amazon & International Bestselling Author James Quinlan Meservy

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Quinlan Meservy
• Release date: Dec 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393383765

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JN Tomczak, Karen Eisenbrey, KR Martin, and Tessonja Oddette

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THE VISCOUNT OF STERNBOARD, A The Realm of Light Novella

Copyright © 2019 by James Quinlan Meservy. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law. Published by James Quinlan Meservy.

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Cover art: Alicia Scarborough

Editor: Dorcia Beland

I

Christine – Realm of the Light

Christine paced back and forth on Sternport dock, waiting for her little brother, Viscount Cyrus McCreed.

‘Or is he a Viscount?’ she thought.

She knew that the Royal Family of the British Isles offered her little brother the title of Viscount of Sternboard.  What she did not know was whether Cyrus accepted it.

What is taking him so long? Christine asked, staring up at the military vessel.  Calling the massive floating vessel a ship or a boat demeaned the craft.  Christine knew ships and boats.  Not only did she grow up in the coastal city of Sternboard, but her family ran the most successful fishing business in the entire British Isles Empire.  She had learned the difference between a ship’s bow and stern, and port and starboard before she learned about cardinal directions. 

This vessel was no ordinary ship.  It was twice as wide, and twice as tall as the size of the next largest ship in docked on the port.  She attempted to examine the ship, but it was so tall, all she could see was the starboard hull.  She looked up, and could barely make out four funnels, or smokestacks, that looked to be touching the clouds.  Her families fleet of fishing vessels mostly sailing vessels, and she itched to climb the gangplank to examine the funnels, and take a tour through the ship’s engine room.

‘It this wasn’t a military ship, I would,’ Christine thought.

She muttered an incantation and examined the metal hull with magically enhanced sight. 

I thought so, she said, noticing that there is not a seam or rivet in the hull.  Crafted with magic, no wonder it is so large. 

A light rain fell, despite the clear sky.  Christine muttered an incantation and the rain around her evaporated.

I bet he got lost, Christine mused to herself. 

A gust of wind blew past her.  She took a deep breath of the fresh sea air, and she relaxed. 

At length Cyrus appeared on the gangplank.  He was slender, more slender than when he left home ten years ago.  He carried a duffle bag over his shoulder, and shuffled his feet.  Christine guessed he was reluctant to leave not just the ship, but military life. He smiled when he saw her, and his pace quickened.

I am so glad you are home, Christine said, embracing him. 

What took you so long? she asked, pulling her shawl around her as another gust of wind blew through the dock.

Cyrus shrugged and touched the edge of the shawl.  I remember this shawl.

Christine smiled; it was their mother’s favorite shawl.  She wore it nearly every day since their mother’s death two years ago.

Cyrus looked around the dock, then at his sister.  Thank you for waiting, I had a few things to take care of before I could leave.  Military stuff. I hope you understand.

Christine smiled and nodded. 

‘Probably top secret paperwork,’ she thought to herself.

I was surprised to see that the ship’s hull was created with natural magic, Christine said.

You noticed that? Cyrus asked, holding out his arm.  I was surprised, too.  As it turns out, Master Ship Builder Smith learned how to craft vessels with natural magic from his uncle, Arctyrus.

A shiver ran down her spine. She stopped in her tracks, and looked Cyrus in the eye. 

What are you not telling me? he asked.

She shook her, and whispered.  I hope you understand, but it is not my secret to share.

Cyrus nodded.

Christine began to walk, and she led Cyrus across the street to her new automobile.

What is that? Cyrus asked.

It’s my new automobile, Christine said.  My husband bought it for me.

Cyrus muttered an incantation and examined the six wheeled machine from a distance.

What does it do? Cyrus asked.

It moves.  Under the hood of the front of the automobile is an engine that propels the car, like a horseless carriage, Christine said.

Why is it so close to the ground? Cyrus asked.

The tires are made of pure rubber, Christine replied, believing that to be explanation enough.

It doesn’t have enough clearance, Cyrus said. 

Maybe for the dirt roads of Indian Peninsula, but here in the British Isles, all the roads are paved, Christine replied.

What happens if one of the paving stones gets loose or a tree falls in the road? Cyrus asked.

We have road workers whose jobs it is to keep the roads in good repair and clear of trees or other debris, Christine explained.

Cyrus shook his head.  A vehicle would never work in India.

Christine ignored him.  She walked to the back of the vehicle, and opened the trunk.

Go ahead and place your bag in the trunk, Christine said.

Cyrus eyed the trunk.

It is not magical, just a simple storage compartment at the back of the vehicle, Christine explained.

Cyrus walked forward slowly, and placed his hand on the side of the vehicle.

There is no magic, Cyrus said.

This is a purely mechanical, Christine replied.

Cyrus placed his bag in the trunk, and Christine closed it.  She walked over to the passenger door and opened it for him.

You want me to get in that thing? Cyrus asked.

I’ll drive you over to Rachel’s Pie and Mash Shop, Christine said.

You know how to operate that thing? Cyrus asked.

I insisted to learn when Arctyrus bought it for me, Christine smiled.  ‘Did I just say Arctyrus?’ Christine thought.  She muttered an incantation, altering Cyrus’s memory so he heard her say ‘Simeon’ instead of ‘Arctyrus.’

It is such a nice day out, do you mind if we walk? Cyrus asked.

Christine rolled her eyes, and accepted her brother’s arm.  They walked in silence through the streets of Sternport.

The weather is nice today, Christine remarked.  Well, nice for Sternport, I mean.  The sun is out, the breeze is calm with only the occasional gust, and it is only drizzling.

Cyrus ignored her.

They turned a corner, and she tried again.  I have not been to Sternport since Mother and Father’s accident.

Still nothing. 

How was your visit with Grandmother and Grandfather? Christine asked.  Their mother was born in a village on the Indian Peninsula.  As mother told it, the first time she met eyes with Viscount McCreed of Sternboard ‘it was love at first sight.’  They married in a traditional Indian wedding a couple months later, and when their father’s tour ended, they moved to the McCreed estates near the British coastal city of Sternboard.  Christine never met their maternal grandparents in person, but she had exchanged letters with them over the years; sometimes frequently, other times not so often.

Still nothing.

The Royal Family is holding father’s position in the Council of Nobility vacant for you, she said.  Cyrus nodded at that.  Encouraged, Christine continued, Do you intend to accept?

Cyrus touched his sister’s arm as the only response and quickened his pace.  He was in one of his moods, or he was suspicious.  Either way, she knew she was not going to get any word out of him until he was ready to talk.  She walked along side him in silence.

When they walked in Rachel’s Pie and Mash Shop, a waitress led them to a corner booth, and they both ordered promptly.  Christine was irritated. Cyrus spoke to the waitress, but not to her.

After the waitress returned with their food, Cyrus leaned in close to his sister, and whispered, I am grateful to see you, and am sorry your husband was not able to accompany you to Sternport.

Why are we whispering? Christine asked.

You see those Americans across the room from us?

Christine nodded.  She had noticed three gentlemen sitting at different tables of the room, each wearing a black suit and tie and dark-tinted glasses.  She knew they were American by their accent and appearance.

‘Where did they get those glasses?’ Christine thought.

"I believe they have been following me since we