The Parallel Kingdom

By Roberto Donini

The Chronicles of Aron
The second book of the trilogy, the protagonist will realise that the voices that torment him are more real than what he thinks.
Peace has been restored in the Valley of Destiny. Bhaal has been cast out and no one knows anything about Kros. Finally, Aron and Misha can live their life and their love. However, Evil slowly comes back from the darkness, and new challenges loom in the horizon. Aron will be faced with one of the most important decisions of his life, that will lead him to lose what he loves the most...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Babelcube Inc.
• Release date: Mar 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781071529379

Book preview

FUTURE?

ROBERTO DONINI

THE PARALLEL KINGDOM

The Chronicles of Aron

Contents

Contents...................................................................................................................................3

NEW LIFE................................................................................................................................4

THE DOUBT............................................................................................................................8

BETRAYAL.............................................................................................................................14

A DIFFERENT DIMENSION............................................................................................19

A LONG NIGHT....................................................................................................................22

THE DARK POWER.............................................................................................................27

A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS..........................................................................................30

FIGHTING AGAIN...............................................................................................................37

WHICH FUTURE?...............................................................................................................44

NEW LIFE

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Where are you?

Aron opened his eyes. The question was echoing in his mind, resounding in the void around him until it dissipated. The answer was close, almost clear.

‘Honey, come back to sleep. It’s still early.’

He was still half asleep when he heard Misha’s voice, and he slowly regained awareness. He felt the weight of his body and the different temperatures on the bed. He felt the unique smell of his home and his wife, who was lying down next to him, looking at him as if she was looking for protection.

‘Don’t worry. Go back to sleep. I’ll go for a walk.’

Aron sat on the bed but waited before getting up. He couldn’t shrug off that sense of void that had caught him, that feeling of not knowing where he was. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. When he reopened them, he awoke completely from the dream. The dim light of the sun which had just risen transpired from the window. He stood up and, just like every morning, checked immediately that his sword was still in the sheath where he had left it the night before. It was a fine sword. Lightweight, a good quality blade forged by the best blacksmith, the hilt separated by the blade of a golden dragon, symbol of the alliance with the immortals, and recently renovated after the events of the past year in the Valley of Destiny.

It was obviously nothing compared to his real sword, but that did not matter. What mattered was peace and the safety of the people. Both came with a price.

He walked to the kitchen and ate his usual sweet breakfast. Starting the day with something sweet was always the best choice - you never knew what the day might bring. And what was sweeter than Misha? She was his soul mate. Together, they had rediscovered themselves and faced the darkest enemies. They had married only a few months after the hunt of the demons - they didn’t want to wait. The previous events had happened so quickly that they had decided that life was too short to keep on dwelling on doubts and hesitation. Deep down they didn’t know what the future had in store for them, but they had an idea. People might say: she was his other half. However, he knew that the question that had woken him that morning, and that had been echoing in his mind for months, was not addressed to her.

When Misha entered the room, this thought was still running through his head.

‘I heard you last night...before you woke up you kept on repeating the same question over and over again. Are you sure you’re alright?’

‘I’m sorry but... sometimes I am still afraid to lose you...after what we’ve been through...’

Misha approached him and hugged him. He felt her arms holding him tight as if she wanted to protect him.

‘It’s all over, you know that, don’t you? We can live our life now. What was doesn’t need to bother us.’

‘I know,’ he sighed.

‘Have you talked to Koran about it? He could help you better than anyone else.’

‘For as much as I respect him, I don’t want some immortal creature to search through my head looking for God knows what. I don’t need anyone to read my mind, I can deal with it.’

‘As you wish.’

Misha sat down and in that moment Aron, who had finished his breakfast, started walking towards the front door.

‘I’ll see you tonight,’ he said.

‘Are you not coming back for lunch?’ She asked, her face sad now.

‘We’re inspecting new recruits today. It will take the whole day. Denor might be the Commander in Chief of the army, but my job is to form a competent unit.’

‘Yes, you’re right. I’ll see you tonight then. Be careful.’

‘What do you think can happen? That I’ll meet a demon along the road?’ He said opening the door and forcing a smile. He hated lying to her.

She didn’t reply but lowered her gaze.

The rays of the pale morning sun were starting to shine through the foggy air when Aron approached the doors of the White City. They shone on the magnificent marble of the stone walls. Some new festive sculptures had recently been added symbolizing the happiness of the people who had escaped the most dangerous times. Nevertheless, Aron didn’t feel like he was part of that. Something was still there inside of him, something not even Misha had managed to make him forget. He walked to the armoury to inspect it.

‘These armours are too heavy,’ he said to the blacksmith when he entered.

‘Good morning, Sir Aron. It is an honour. Would you like us to reduce the weight on some parts?’

‘Good morning to you. I apologise for my bad manners. Today I am not feeling very well. But no, there is no need. They are suitable for footmen and horsemen. However, I want to reassess the equipment of Oder’s Special Guards. We can’t overlook those. We need something more lightweight,’

‘Dragon’s scales?’ The blacksmith suggested.

‘Dragons don’t give up their scales so easily when they’re alive, not even the ones of whom have died. We need to think of something else. We’ll talk about it later.’

‘As you prefer, sir. I wish you a good day.’ Said the man returning to his work.

‘My friend,’ a voice echoed.

‘You too here,’ said Aron recognizing Denor’s voice.

‘I find your affirmation rather odd. I am the Commander of the army, where do you think you would find me? In the kitchen?’

‘I am sorry, Denor. I am not thinking straight today.’

‘If my memory serves me well, you were supposed to inspect the new recruits today. Do you wish to do it on a different day? I am not in a hurry, we can do it some other time.’

‘No, thank you. Don’t worry. Feeling unwell won’t stop me. We went through worse times,’ Aron replied smiling.

‘True,’ Denor agreed. ‘I’ll see you later then. I have to go to-’

‘I thought of decreasing the weight of the armours of the Special Guards. They are difficult to handle and not suitable. What do you think?’ Aron asked suddenly.

‘I think it’s your choice, and I trust you. You are the best swordsman of the Kingdom, not me. The Special Guards are your responsibility. I only deal with the stinky rabble, with their heavy armours and their shield that-’

‘See you later, Denor.’ Aron said walking away.

You cannot exist...

Aron was looking at the horizon while a gentle breeze blew from the ground up to the walls where he was. Maybe he should talk to Koran like Misha had suggested. Or maybe not. Dragons were powerful, but they weren’t human. What could they possibly know about it?

‘I knew I would find you here,’ a voice echoed in the dark startling him.

Aron waited before replying.

‘My lord,’ answered Aron gently bowing. Oder came out of the darkness.

‘Still so formal. You don’t have to bow to anyone, I have already told you this,’

‘I apologise, your Majesty, but I am a warrior and have my code to follow,’

‘As you wish,’ said Oder knowing how stubborn Aron could be. ‘So, what are you doing here?’ he continued, ‘I thought you would be elsewhere at this time of the night,’

‘I inspected the new recruits this morning and the job is not done yet. If I had gone back home I would have lost so much time,’

‘So, you preferred to just walk around the towers by yourself? You know that my offer still stands, don’t you? The apartments next to the royal ones are yours and Misha’s if you want them. I would be very pleased if I knew you were close and safe,’

‘I thank you, your Majesty, you are always kind,’ Aron replied, ‘However, Misha and I love our home in the countryside, and one-hour walk in the morning is good for the