Sky Whale Trilogy

By S. E. Fearon

In the Sky Whale Trilogy we meet three heroines, with three destinies, in three unique novels set in the developing civilisation of the Draca Lands spanning some two-hundred and seventy years. In each story the sky whale (a mythical omen of destiny) is a mostly invisible but strong presence presiding over the destiny of our heroines as each heroine faces the turmoil of their times.

Sky Lily
One morning Lily Newman sees a whale in the sky! Despite her grandmother’s assurance that people who see sky whales are destined for great things life goes on as usual in her sheltered mountain village – that is until her path crosses with Viscount Odin Fairchild.
Suddenly Lily is thrust into a world of kings and queens and a kingdom in turmoil. Where will her convictions lead her? And can she find the courage to discover whether people who see sky whales really are destined for greatness?

Pearl Empire
At the tender age of six Eira is taken from her family and sent to the Keikoku Academy. The night before she leaves, her mother tells her a whale appeared in the skies above Hreinnby on the day she was born – an omen of destiny.
Years pass and Eira finds herself a position as a lady’s maid within the Imperial Palace. However trouble is stirring in the heart of the Empire. Driven by her conscience and a deep love for her people she will need to find the strength and courage to rise through the ranks and save the Empire from ruin.

Northern Dawn
Dawn and her father Balen flee to the safety of the Independent Archipelago to escape the great war ravaging their country. After twelve long years the war is finally over and peace begins to settle – but not for long.
Barely six years after the ceasefire whispers of war reach the islands of the Archipelago. In a bid to protect his daughter, Balen sends Dawn to the frozen north to marry – but neither snow nor ice can hold off war indefinitely. So far Dawn has been one step ahead of the seemingly unstoppable war. Will the war finally overtake her, or is this man from the north, who once saw a sky whale, able to change the course of history?

• Language: English
• Publisher: S. E. Fearon
• Release date: Jul 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9780994100887

S. E. Fearon

Although I was born in the United Kingdom I am for all intents and purposes a Kiwi as my family immigrated to New Zealand shortly after my first birthday and we have been here ever since.Growing up I had a wonderful childhood full of imaginative play and make-believe worlds and, to be perfectly honest, nothing much has changed. I drink in the heroines of Studio Ghibli and lap up the imaginative worlds of C. S. Lewis, and I revel in the complexities of J. R. Tolkien and Fuyumi Ono.I did not study writing or literature, however I have been telling stories in one medium or another ever since I was a child. With a background in the Performing Arts and Disability Studies, and with varying degrees of Dyslexia I have my own way of telling stories which I will continue to hone as my focus shifts to the medium of the written word.S. E. Fearon

Book preview

In the Sky Whale Trilogy, we meet three heroines, with three destinies, in three unique novels set in the developing civilisation of the Draca Lands spanning some two-hundred and seventy years.  In each story the sky whale (a mythical omen of destiny) is a mostly invisible but strong presence presiding over the destiny of our heroines as each heroine faces the turmoil of their times.

In Sky Lily we meet Lily Newman.  Despite sighting a sky whale as a child, it seems unlikely that adventure will find her in her isolated mountain village – until a chance meeting leads her right into the heart of Kingsleigh and the royal palace and through much of the known world.  The Maaknalach (Beast People) are introduced in this first novel and their fate is a thread that continues to weave through its sequels.

Between Sky Lily and Pearl Empire great wars have been won and lost and Kingsleigh is now the centre of the Ryuugi Empire.  Eira, a young lady’s maid in training with a cool head and a strong intellect finds herself at the centre of a ruthless political landscape where the choices she makes have the power to change the direction of the Empire forever.  

Several new countries and an era of industry have emerged from the ashes of the fallen empire in Northern Dawn.  Dawn lives with her father and adopted Maaknalach brother Paal in the Independent Archipelago, safe from the increasingly close conflicts that beset a brave new world.  A twist of fate sees her living amongst the tribal Northern Men in the frozen north alongside another character who has also been touched by the sky whale.

S. E. Fearon has created a world rich in flora and fauna, history and mythology and three very different heroines who must all find the courage to stand strong and fight, each in their own way, in the face of greed, power, danger and uncertainty.  

May the song of the sky whale enchant you too as you turn through these pages.

R. Bates

Sky Lily

Prologue

The Farmers’ Market

Goodbye Islingdale

The Absent Prince

Of Men and Beasts

Man from the North

Talk of War

A Call to Arms

The Price of War

King of Ragnarr

Rise of the Rebellion

Siege of Kingsborough

A King’s Wrath

The Days that Followed

Epilogue

Prologue

When I was a child, I saw a sky whale. I was down in the valley just before sunrise when suddenly a large shadow fell upon the field. I looked up but I couldn’t make it out. Just then the sun came up over the mountains and light flooded the valley and right there in the sky above me was a sky whale. The sky whale swam through the air effortlessly, a weightless, gigantic beauty. It sang out three melodious notes before it disappeared into the bright light of the rising sun. My grandmother told me that people who see sky whales are destined for great things. Well, I don’t know about that, but what I do know is ever since that day I’ve been known as Sky.

I was born in the Draca Lands in the kingdom of Kingsleigh which sits in the centre of the known world. To the west sits the kingdom of Ragnarr, infamous for its warlords of old, and Arnmoor, whose shores our ancestors once landed upon when the men of the west first set foot upon the Draca Lands. Below us lies the queendom of Kenwold and the lands of Na Lu’um, whose tropical jungles are filled with many wonders. To the east across the sea is the Isle of Wivern, a mystical land split into four kingdoms, Ryuugi, Takaiyama, Shinjo and Honjo. Directly to the north of our borders is Narsaqna, the kingdom of the northern men who once sailed across the Matuvoqimaq Sea from the frozen lands of the far north, Sikununa and Aaningasoq. This is as far as my knowledge of the world outside my valley stretches; you see, I live in my own little corner of the world in Islingdale, a village that sits at the foot of the western mountains of the Vale of Langdean. Islingdale is a typical small country village with houses of white stone and thatched roofs, whose occupants for the most part are farmers. Down in the valley crops are grown and tended by the men while the women keep house. Meanwhile the young children of the village are schooled by the single women until the age of thirteen, at which time they go to work with their parents or apprentice in a trade. Thus, life in the village goes ever on with nothing much happening except the daily goings-on of life in the country. So much for being destined for great things. I guess my father’s right - Grandma always talks such nonsense.

Chapter One

The Farmers’ Market

Sky, Sky, wake up! Someone was knocking on my window in the early hours of the morning. I got up and opened the shutter and there was Dalan, dressed in his best with a big grin on his face.

The sun’s barely up, what do you want?

You’re coming with us to the farmers’ market. My father said you can, but you’ve got to hurry. We be leaving any second, Dalan replied.

Why didn’t you wake me earlier? I’ll be right out. I closed the shutters and ran to my wardrobe. What to wear? It’s not every day you get to go to Chippingworth. Usually only the farmers and their families will go to the market, therefore I had never been, seeing as my father was a tradesman. I had only ever been as far as Isenham, a village built around an iron mine on the other side of the valley. Isenham was barely larger than Islingdale and no more exciting but Chippingworth was a large town with all sorts of shops and people from all around the Heahling Mountains. I put on my best clothes - a long sleeved shirt with a sleeveless red dress with an embroidered hem worn over the top. I was the only young woman in the village who owned such fine clothing. All the other young women made do with plain coloured one-piece dresses whose skirts could be pinned up short when working. I borrowed some of my mother’s pendants and pulled on my boots as I sped from the house.

I’m going to the farmers’ market with the Ackers, is that alright? I called to my father as I passed. He was in the yard fixing a wheel of a wheelbarrow in the early morning light.

Well, I cannot see how I can say no when you have just stated that you are indeed going with them, my father replied. My father was always saying things like that. He liked to tease everyone about how they talked, just because he came from a large town where he had received a proper education; he was schooled at a proper school which you couldn’t leave until you were sixteen. Hold on there, my father said as I made a dash for the gate, you will need to take some money with you and you need to pack yourself a bag. It is a two-day journey to Chippingworth and you will be there for a few days.

But Dalan said they’ll be leaving any second.

Well then, I will only be a second. Now go and pack yourself some more clothes. Defeated, I returned to my room and packed some spare clothes into my father’s rucksack. Outside my father was waiting for me at the gate. He handed me my mother’s purse which was nice and heavy.

Have fun and bring something nice back for your mother, and something for Alex. He will be green with envy when he hears where you have gone. Take care, my darling, he said, giving me a kiss on my forehead before I dashed off to the neighbours’ house. Cecily and her mother were just stepping out of the house with arms full of luggage.

Ah, there you are! The men are already down loading the cart. We should be off across the valley by the breaking, Mrs Acker said as I joined them.

Here, let me help, I said, taking one of the bags from her.

So, Sky, this’ll be your first time going farther than Isenham. You must be excited. You’re going to love Chippingworth, there’s so much to see and do, Cecily said.

We stay the night in Isenham then the next day leave for Chippingworth and we’ll be there by evening?

Just about, and the very next morning is the market. I hope you brought some coin with you. There’ll be a thing or two you can’t get your hands on this side of the mountains, Cecily replied. Shortly after we were in the valley and the men were near the storehouses loading up horse carts with the stock they were hoping to sell. Five families were heading to the market that day - the Ackers, the Applebys, the Bakers, the Carters and the Barneses. There were seven horse carts, five loaded with goods and two for carrying passengers and the few odds and ends which didn’t fit on the already heavy-laden stock carts.

Come sit with me, Sky. I’m going to be driving the cart, Dalan said. He helped me up onto the driver’s bench and just as Mrs Acker had said, as the sun finally broke over the eastern mountains, we were ready to set off across the valley. I hadn’t ridden in a cart before and it was bumpy and uncomfortable. Every time it ran over a rock or twig on the dirt road we were jerked about. However, I seemed to be the only one affected by it. Everyone else appeared unfazed and content as the caravan swiftly rode on towards the eastern mountains.

By noon we had reached the foot of the eastern mountains. It was then a slow and steep climb up to Isenham. By the evening we arrived and the horses were stabled, and we all settled in to the Isenhund Inn for the night. I shared a room with Cecily and Annabel Barnes.

Dalan is pretty keen on you, Sky, Annabel said as we prepared ourselves for bed.

Don’t be ridiculous.

It’s true, all we hear day in and day out is, ‘Did you see Sky today? Her hair was braided with flowers.’ ‘Cecily, did you see Sky today? She was out picking hwit berries in the woods and shared them with all us farmers’, Cecily said chortling.

You’re making it up!

She’s not, Sky, it’s true. Dalan and Henry are always fighting about it. Henry fancies you too but he’s too shy to talk to you, but Dalan, he just can’t leave you alone, Annabel said.

Why do you think he asked you along? He’s been going on about it for weeks, saying, ‘but Father, Sky’s never been to Chippingworth and since Alison Baker has caught cold there’s a spare seat.’ He pleaded and pleaded till finally my mother told my father, ‘Just let him take her, it’s about time he started wooing a wife.’ And so here you are, Cecily said, before bursting into a fit of giggles, in which she was joined by Annabel. I tried to ignore their sniggers and pulled the covers over my head. The next morning, I had installed myself firmly in the passenger cart. I didn’t want to spend another day next to Dalan, listening to him ramble on about who knows what, especially after last night’s conversation. Dalan couldn’t fancy me. Me, who schooled with him, whom he always went out of his way to annoy by putting stones in my boots and leaving lusard tails on my desk. Sure, he didn’t do things like that anymore - instead he would just lean against the fence post at the end of each day and drone on about something until my father came home and gave me an excuse to go inside.

What you be doing in here, girl? Dalan’s waiting for you by the stock cart. Don’t be holding us up now. Away with you, Mrs Acker said, shooing me out of the cart. Annabel and Cecily giggled as I stomped off towards the stock carts.

Ah, there you are! Come along, we’ve got to make some ground before sunup, Dalan said, picking me up and putting me on the bench. Dalan had always been very tall, a good head and shoulders above me. Picking me up and placing me on things had been another one of his favourite pastimes. He’d pick me up and put me on a wall which I couldn’t get down from and leave me there. Once I was stuck on the wall behind the bakery for hours and it wasn’t until my mother went round the back after closing to put out the rubbish in the midden that I was rescued. There was no way I was ever going to be wooed into being Dalan’s wife. Fortunately, it was a sweltering summer’s day so it was too hot to hold a long conversation, and so we were silent and only exchanged words when we wanted the other to pass the goteskin bag for a drink of water. I had never been outside the Vale of Langdean before and as we rode down out of the Heahling Mountains I found myself amazed at the vast countryside which spread out before us. I was even more awestruck when I caught sight of Chippingworth. Chippingworth was situated at the base of an enormous beoreow tree. The tree had a vast trunk which was as wide as a hill and it grew almost as high. Its branches were spread widely apart allowing the sunlight to shine down onto the town below which was nestled in and around its raised roots. Chippingworth was a complete contrast to Islingdale. It was four times the size and its white stone houses had red tiled roofs and were two or three storeys high, built closely together with pokey little cobblestone alleyways running between them.

We reached the town as dusk fell and all along the main road the storefronts were lit up, revealing wonderful displays of goods which even at sundown shoppers were still perusing. We also passed by some large public buildings, a school, a library, several banks, and the town hall.

How do you like it? A bit different from little Islingdale, is it not? Dalan said.

Completely, I replied. It was indeed and my world had suddenly doubled in size. The road opened up into a big square and to my surprise, people were already setting up their market stalls. Our caravan pulled up and no sooner had we touched our feet to the ground than an official came bounding over to greet us. He checked off that we had all arrived and assigned everyone a stall.

What do you think, Sky, it’s a nice town, isn’t it? Now, we women are off to bed. The men will set up the stalls and put away the horses so that we can get our beauty sleep, Mrs Acker said.

We would all be staying in the Lytel Mare Inn which was a few streets away from the square. That night I could hardly sleep. I was dying to go out and explore and meet new people and spend money. When the sun finally shone in through the window the next morning, I felt as if I had hardly slept a wink but I jumped out of bed and rushed to join the others down in the dining hall.

About time you woke up, we were just about to leave. Mother’s taking the first shift on the stall so we get to go look at the shops, Cecily said.

You can get something to eat on the way, Annabel said, taking my arm and leading me out of the inn before I had a chance to eat breakfast. We set off for the farmers’ market. In the market there were all kinds of stalls, not only selling crops but there were also cheese sellers and wine merchants and people selling homemade candy, and other stalls which sold handcrafted jewellery and clothing. Some of our farmers were out brokering deals with other sellers. Mr Appleby had just traded a sack of wheat for a barrel of ale and Mrs Carter was purchasing some fresh fish. But before I could get a good look around, Cecily and Annabel left the market, taking me with them, and headed for the High Street shops.

We browsed the shops for most of the morning, and I was amazed at the array of goods instore and by the interiors of the shops. There were bookshops stacked with old tomes, an apothecary stocked with weird and wonderful herbal remedies, potteries with beautiful ceramic vases and kitchenware, a glass blower’s studio shop, and even a shop which specialised in goods from the outer kingdoms.

I bought a beautiful silver necklace for my mother from an artisan jeweller and some carpentry textbooks for my brother from a carpentry design studio but when it came to something for myself, I couldn’t decide. There were amazing dresses in the dressmaker’s but I couldn’t think of an occasion when I could wear anything so beautiful. However, Cecily did persuade me to purchase a new pair of black leather boots and a winter cloak with a fur collar.

Now all the boys will fall in love with you come winter, Annabel teased.

In the afternoon the girls took over from their mothers at the stalls. The mothers and fathers then shopped while the young men slept all afternoon. They had, after all, been up all-night unloading stock. And so, I was finally left alone to explore the town. The main streets were full of people young and old; I’d never been in such a lively, busy place. I made my way through the town, drinking in all the sights and sounds.

Where are you from? Are you one of the farmers’ daughters? a stocky young man asked me. He had stopped right in front of me, blocking my path.

I’m from Islingdale, and no, I’m not a farmer. Now, if you’ll excuse me...

You have the sweetest country accent, he said, refusing to let me pass. Are all Islingdale girls as pretty as you?

I’m not a girl, I’m a young woman. I attempted to walk around him but he blocked my path once more.

I could show you around Chippingworth if you like?

There you are, Sky, I’ve been looking everywhere for you, Dalan had just walked out of one of the alleyways. Can I help you? he said, addressing the young man.

I was just offering to show this lovely young woman around the town, he replied.

Well, there’s no need. I’ll be doing that, Dalan said, taking my hand and dragging me up the street.

What’re you doing? I said, pulling my hand free.

Don’t you want me to show you around?

That’s not what I meant.

Alright, good, Dalan said, striding off up the street, Chippingworth is brilliant, such an industrious town. Did you know they are building a sewer way underground? Soon even the Vale of Langdean will catch up with the rest of the kingdom. It won’t be long now! I saw in a shop a miniature of the water tanks they use in Kenwold for catching rainwater. They boil it then drink it, imagine that! And have you seen the number of oil lamps? I lost count. My father’s thinking of buying one for the village square. Wouldn’t that be great? We could have dances in the evenings. There is also…

As Dalan continued to ramble on, a store caught my eye. A sign was hung above the door of the shop, Maida’s Menagerie. I opened the door and a little bell sounded. I was met by the smell and sound of a great number of animals. There were snaca inside glass boxes and an assortment of lusards. There were also catts and hund pups and little rabets in cages. There were a number of birds with impressive plumage, no doubt from somewhere exotic like Na Lu’um or the Isle of Wivern. In fact, there were a vast number of animals which were not native to Kingsleigh, many of which I had never seen or heard of before, one of which caught my eye. It was inside a large cage and it was a round, catt-sized creature with large furry ears. It had a flat, naked face with huge yellow eyes and its little arms were bare and clawed but its hind legs were large and furry and it had a long, thin tail. It was a grey speckled colour and was sitting on a suspended tree branch with four other similar creatures of all various shapes and sizes, but this one was both ugly and cute simultaneously, and it was staring at me. Slowly a huge grin spread across its face.

I think he has taken a fancy to you, the shopkeeper said, over my shoulder.

What is it?

He is a tuuchoolis, an apa from the very depths of the jungles of Kenwold, she said. He will make a good pet. Only a thousand coins.

A thousand coins!

That one’s cute, Dalan said, suddenly appearing. He was pointing at the one sitting next to my apa. It was little and fluffy all over.

I’ll give you five hundred.

I cannot sell one for so little, they are hard to come by, the shopkeeper said.

Five hundred as a deposit and I will return to pay the full amount at a later date.

I do not accept deposits.

I could pay the difference, if you really want him, Dalan said.

No, you can’t do that.

Why not?

I won’t accept your money. Shopkeep, I’ll give you five hundred coins and this gold chain. It’s worth roughly two hundred coins, I said, taking off one of my mother’s simple gold chains and presenting it to the shopkeeper.

You will have no money left for food, she said.

What do they eat?

Insects mostly, but to keep him healthy you should feed him plenty of fruit.

No problem. We may not have tropical fruit but we have plenty of orchards and wild berries.

You will need a cage. They can be difficult to train; you would not want him to disappear into the woods.

You would never run off, would you, Pip? I said to the apa. He promptly shook his head, See, he won’t run off. Five hundred and the gold chain makes seven hundred, it’s my final offer.

You drive a hard bargain, little miss. I suppose, since the apa has taken a shine to you. You have yourself a deal. Five hundred coins and the gold chain.

The shopkeeper took my money and the necklace and she opened the cage. Pip immediately leapt into my arms and then perched himself upon my shoulder.

A pleasure doing business with you, the shopkeeper said with a grin.

I guess he is kind of cute in his own way, Dalan said, as we stepped back out into the street.

My mother and father are going to kill me.

Well then, why did you buy him? Dalan said laughing.

I don’t know, I just had to, I said, petting Pip. He purred contentedly.

What on earth! Sky, what is that? Mrs Acker said, as we returned to the inn that evening. Don’t tell me you spent all your money on that thing! What are you going to eat for the next few days? Didn’t think about that, did you? Well, you can jolly well earn your keep by minding the stall all day tomorrow and the following day and I’ll make sure you’re fed. I don’t know, head in the clouds, buying a… what did you say it was, an apa? What on earth is a tradesman’s daughter going to do with an apa?

I looked forlornly at Pip and he just ginned at me and so I returned to bed, dejected. My plans to further explore the town were dashed. The next couple of days were long and boring and Dalan kept coming over to keep me company at the stall. I kept telling him that it wasn’t his turn to man the stall and that he should be off with the other young men. Finally, on our last day in Chippingworth, Mrs Acker let me off the hook. However, since I had spent all my money, I couldn’t do much, but even so I was excited. Perhaps I would finally get to have a proper explore of the town.

Sky, would you like to join me? I thought I might take a look round the library, Henry, who had never spoken to me in my life, suddenly asked me at breakfast. Dalan, who was sitting at the other table, choked on his eggs.

Uh… alright. We left promptly and headed towards the library. I’d never been in a library before and it was lovely. It was large, and books lined the walls from floor to ceiling. They had everything from horticulture to poetry.

What books do you like to read? Henry asked, as we perused the shelves.

I like the books about plants and animals.

I like books on mythology. Last time I found a book that mentioned sky whales.

Sky whales, where? What’s it called?

Uh… I think it was over this way. I followed him over to a section labelled Myths and Legends. He soon found the book and handed it to me, Compendium of the Mythological. We found an empty table and sat down and I quickly flicked through the pages.

Here it is: ‘Sky whales are mythological creatures that are said to live high up above the clouds. They are described as being white and extremely large in size. Another common feature in recounted sightings is that the sky whale will sing. Eadgard the Great was reported to have seen a sky whale as a young man and thus the belief began that those who encounter this legendary beast are destined for greatness.’ I closed the book. How can they say they are mythological? I saw one with my own eyes.

Well, creatures are often considered a myth until one has been captured.

I’ve never been captured, does that make me a myth?

Uh... There are some other interesting creatures on this page, Henry said, taking the book from me and flicking through the pages. It was some sort of a shadow beast which supposedly ate people’s souls.

We soon left the library in search of a place to dine. Henry stopped at a small restaurant to read the menu posted in the window and at that moment Pip decided to jump off my shoulder and run down a tiny alleyway.

Pip! I called after him in vain and gave chase. He was very fast. He ran down another cobbled path and then down a crack between two houses. I squeezed in after him. He climbed up onto some windows and jumped from one awning to another. I had a job keeping up with him. He ran down some stairs and into another gap between the houses and out onto another alleyway. Why was he running from me? Perhaps the shopkeeper was right, but I wasn’t going to lose him; I ran faster.

We began to head uphill on the far side of the beoreow tree. We turned onto a little earthen path between two stone walls. Pip then turned and climbed up over a high wall. There was a door in the wall but it was locked and so I was forced to climb up over the wall instead. Pip was on the other side, a few paces away, waiting for me. He grinned and then scurried off down the garden path. What was he up to?

He turned left into a small street and then right down another alleyway. We were now close to the trunk of the tree and one of its roots curved in a large arch ahead of us. Pip ran under it and into the private courtyard that lay behind. He then climbed up onto the shoulder of a strange man. I stopped in my tracks.

Chapter Two

Goodbye Islingdale

Why, hello little fellow, the stranger said. He was a man of around forty and he was dressed in a finely embroidered tunic. You belong to whom? I entered the courtyard and the man turned to me.

Ah, here is your master. Pip climbed down his arm and onto my own outstretched arm and sat himself firmly on my shoulder once more.

I’m sorry, he doesn’t usually climb onto strangers.

No need to trouble yourself, my child, no harm is done. How may I call you?

Sky.

What an unusual name.

Well, Sky’s not actually my name, it’s just what everyone calls me.

Why, may I ask, is that?

Well, when I was a child, I saw a sky whale.

Fascinating, and what then is your given name?

Lily Newman.

Sky Lily, what an enchanting name! Absolutely perfect for such an enchanting young woman, the man said.

I should probably get going. My friend will be wondering where I’ve gotten to.

I will not keep you. It was a delight to meet you, Sky Lily, the man said, bowing.

Oh, do you know which way to the main square? I think I’m a little lost.

Take a left and then another left and you will be on the main thoroughfare. Until we meet again, Miss Sky Lily.

This time, he took my hand and kissed it gently. I didn’t really know what to do in reply, so I just left. It took me a while to get back to the square and once back I could see everyone crowding around the carts preparing to leave. By now the sun was beginning to set.

What do you mean, you just lost her? Dalan said.

We were looking for a place to eat. I was looking at a menu and when I turned around, she’d gone, Henry replied.

We’ve got to be on our way but we can’t leave without her.

Oh, thank goodness! Where on earth have you been? Mrs Acker said, as she spotted me entering the square. We were beginning to get worried. I can’t believe you, wandering off without a word. You were gone the whole afternoon. Henry’s been looking everywhere for you. Meanwhile we all got to load up the carts without a clue when or if you’d be back. No wonder no one will take you on as apprentice! I don’t know, buying foreign creatures, wandering off, seeing sky whales… Why, if you were my child, I’d have gone grey by now.

But Mother, you are going grey, Cecily chimed in.

Cecily Acker, you be minding your manners or you’ll always be in want of a husband, Mrs Acker snapped. I was then hurriedly bundled into a passenger cart with the other young women and off we went. The trip back to Isenham seemed shorter than the previous trip but that was probably because my head was so full of all the things I’d seen. Who was that well-dressed man? He had called me Sky Lily and thought me fascinating. I’ve never been called that before. How strange it all was. Had Pip led me all that way just to meet this mysterious man?

So, first it’s all about Dalan, but then you go out with Henry, but with poor Henry you got bored and ran off, Annabel said, when we were once more settled into our beds at the Isenhund Inn.

I didn’t run off, Pip did, and I had to go after him.

It can’t have taken the whole afternoon to catch him.

Well, he took me all the way to the other side of town and into a private courtyard. There was a strange man there. Well, he wasn’t strange exactly, but what he said was strange. He said I was fascinating and delightful and he kissed my hand.

Oh, my, so there’s a third man. Well, aren’t you the lucky one, Cecily teased.

It wasn’t like that; he was at least forty, far too old to be interested in me.

Oh, what little you know of men. Men don’t care what age you are, as long as you are pretty, Annabel said.

So, are you in love with this mystery man, or is it Dalan? Cecily asked.

Or perhaps poor Henry, Annabel added.

I’m not in love with anyone and I certainly don’t fancy Dalan. Not Dalan, who used to make a game out of tormenting me, nor Henry who’s barely spoken two words to me.

Oh, well, that’s a shame. Poor Dalan, he was trying so hard to win you over, Cecily said with a sigh.

You might yet come around, I mean, Dalan doesn’t tease you anymore - that was just child’s play. You will see, he’ll become a handsome farmer and all the young women will want him, then you will fall hopelessly in love with him and live happily for the rest of your life, Annabel said, before blowing out the lamp.

The next day I spent the ride home to Islingdale in silence and just as I had predicted, as soon as I stepped through the front door of my house, my mother gave me an earful.

Lily, I can’t believe you, buying such a creature! What are you going to do with it? Five hundred coins and my gold chain! The skies above, what are we going to do with you? I presented her with the gifts I had brought back for them in an attempt to appease her.

Oh, so you didn’t waste all your money. Thought of us, did you? My goodness, an apa! Lily Newman, what am I going to do with you?

He’s so creepy looking. You should have called him something better than Pip, it doesn’t suit him, Alexander said, interrupting my mother’s rant. I wish you could have gotten me one too.

Oh, and what on earth would you do with an apa, teach it to chisel? Mother snapped.

Now, dear, it’s not that big a problem. At least now Lily’s got something to occupy her spare time, something to look after. It’s got to be better for her than wandering the forest alone, Father said.

Fine, you can keep the creature, just don’t let it run riot, my mother sighed.

Over the next few days, it was my job to take the children into the woods and teach them the local botany. The children loved Pip and he seemed to revel in their attention. We ate hwit berries straight from the bushes and picked wild flowers and I taught the children which plants to avoid and which ones had medicinal properties. Pip made a game of continually running past hydan bushes whose leaves and branches curled up when anything approached.

But soon the children resumed their regular lessons with Cecily and Annabel, leaving me and Pip with nothing much to do. However, I managed to convince Mr Stoddard to lend me his horse so that I could ride upriver to watch the floodgates being constructed. But alas, soon everything in Islingdale became dull and ordinary once more. Everything seemed insipid in comparison to the few days I had spent in Chippingworth. I found myself hoping that Pip would go running off again and lead me somewhere new and exciting, but he did not.

The summer was now beginning to fade away and the countryside became a wash of golden orange. Then one afternoon, a small envoy turned up in the village square. This was something formerly unheard of, especially since the people were complete strangers. A crowd soon gathered around them.

His Lordship, the Right Honourable Viscount Odin Fairchild, a herald announced. Then I heard a familiar voice say that he was looking for the Newmans. My father must have been in the crowd because I heard him answer.

I’m Mr Newman, how can I help you, Your Lordship?

I am here in regards to your daughter, Miss Sky Lily.

It was the man from Chippingworth. What on earth was he doing here? Perhaps Annabel and Cecily were right, and he was in love with me! I quickly shrunk out of sight behind a stone wall.

My daughter? I’m afraid I don’t understand, My Lord.

I had the pleasure of meeting your daughter when I was in Chippingworth. I have come on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, the viscount replied. At this, the crowd gasped unanimously. The King and Queen rarely had any dealings with the people of the Heahling Mountains. They ruled from afar in Kingsborough. What Her Majesty the Queen wanted with me; I had no idea.

If we may continue our conversation in private? the viscount continued.

Of course, my house is this way, Your Lordship, my father said, leading them towards our house. I quickly ducked out of sight as they passed. When they left the crowd was all abuzz.

Oh my, Her Majesty the Queen, said Mrs Stoddard.

What would royals want with our Sky? Mr Acker said, And what’s all this about her meeting some strange man in Chippingworth. I’d not heard of it.

I have! She met him the afternoon she went off chasing her pet. Bumped into him, and he was such a charmer. What if he’s come for her hand? Annabel chimed.

Surely not, Mrs Tailor gasped.

There must be a mistake. Sky isn’t about to marry any strange man, Dalan protested.

No, she’s just for you, isn’t she? Miss Primrose Stoddard teased.

I couldn’t listen to any more of their gossip so I snuck off towards my house. I went around the back and Pip and I peered through the window. My mother and father were sitting at the dining table and the viscount was sitting across from them. The rest of his envoy merely stood around the edges of the room.

Mr and Mrs Newman, I have come to Islingdale on specific orders from Her Majesty the Queen. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is of marrying age and thus it is Her Majesty’s desire that suitable suitors be brought to Kingsborough Palace. I have been granted the great honour of scouring the kingdom for eligible young women. When in Chippingworth I was fortunate enough to meet your charming daughter and her mischievous apa. I was at once struck by her beauty. If she is not otherwise engaged it would be my delight to present her before Her Majesty the Queen, the viscount explained.

She is not engaged, Your Lordship, my father replied.

Our Lily, a suitor for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince? my mother said in disbelief.

She is most eligible. A beautiful, unaffected young woman. What was with this man? Had he confused me with someone else? I wasn’t beautiful, I’m too short and pale with ordinary brown hair. The only interesting thing about me is my dark green eyes. The young women in the village said I was pretty, but surely, I am not pretty enough to marry a prince, and aren’t princes supposed to marry ladies of noble birth? How was I an eligible match for a royal?

But our Lily’s barely been outside the Heahling Mountains. Why, Chippingworth is the furthest she’s ever gone from home. To go all the way to the capital city…?

I assure you, she will be given the best of care, the viscount said.

But she has a choice? I mean, if she decides she doesn’t wish to marry His Royal Highness?

Why of course, love must be allowed to blossom. Though I am certain that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will be enchanted, and she with him. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the very best of men and exceptionally handsome.

I don’t know, it’s just so far away, Your Lordship, my mother said.

She will be free to write as often as she wishes and I shall personally ensure that any messages are swiftly delivered.

Forgive me, Your Lordship, but we will have to discuss this with our daughter. I know a request from Her Majesty the Queen is not to be taken lightly, but even so, I will not send my daughter away without her consent, my father added.

Why, of course. We will afford you three days to come to a decision. I will await your reply in Isenham. You will find me at the Isenhund Inn. Thank you for your time and hospitality. At the front door my father and the viscount shook hands and I watched the envoy leave. I sat down on the grass, leaning against the wall of my house. Me, a prospective bride for the Prince? But I knew nothing of royal life, of kings and queens and palaces. Although, that being said, it would be an adventure, a chance to see the world. Just imagine, me exploring the streets of the capital city, living in the palace, dressed in fine clothes and adorned with jewels. Anyway, to refuse the Queen’s request would be discourteous. Besides, if I stay in Islingdale I won’t get a moment’s rest until I’m married off to Dalan Acker. Mrs Sky Acker, how awful does that sound? Now, Princess Sky Lily, on the other hand, sounds far more appealing.

What do you think, Pip? After all, you are the one who led me to him. Pip just gave me a big grin and curled up in my lap. I guess it’s up to me, then. Stay here and become Mrs Acker Junior or become the future Queen of Kingsleigh.

The next morning, I told my parents that I wished to go with the viscount to the capital city.

Lily, dear, you have three days before you need to make a decision. You should give it some proper thought, my mother said.

Your mother is right. For all you know, the Prince could be ugly, or worse - he could be a philanderer, my father added.

I doubt he’s either. Besides they are allowing me the choice. If I don’t fancy him, I can return home.

Wait, if you become a queen, that will make me a duke. I’d be set for life! my brother said.

I have thought about it properly and I want to go, I said, before leaving the house.

It didn’t take long for the news to spread through the village. I could hardly walk five paces without someone asking me, Is it true, are you really going to marry the Prince?, or Oh my, a princess is in our midst. Always knew there was something different about you.

By midday I’d had enough of it and so I went to the only place I knew I would get some peace. My grandmother’s cottage was in the woods a little way from the village. She was always a bit of a recluse and the children in the village believed that she was mad, which I suppose you cannot blame them for thinking as she was always talking about strange things.

Well, my dear flower, I always told you, didn’t I, that -

‘People who see sky whales are destined for great things.’ I know, Grandma.

Well, it’s as true now as it ever was, but even so, my dear, we do have some hand in our own destinies. If you choose to go down this road, who knows where it will lead you. There is a whole world beyond this valley, beyond the Heahling Mountains. I should know, I’ve been to most of it.

Grandma, you’ve spent your whole life in the village. The farthest you’ve ever been is Chippingworth, just like me and everyone else in Islingdale.

Ah, but in my dreams, I’ve walked between the great trunks of the beoreow trees of Lindfirth, and danced with dukes and duchess in the Kingsborough Palace, swum in the Astwind Strait, and climbed to the top of Mount Sorg on the eastern ridge of the Heahling Mountains.

My father is right, Grandma speaks nothing but nonsense, but at least she has dreams no one else in the valley seems to. I mean, no one has really big dreams. They all hope for a good husband or wife, a family, and to be prosperous, but you never heard of people wanting to go study history in the universities of the capital city or wanting to explore the wilderness of Geatfirth. Only my grandmother has big dreams.

I will go for you, Grandma. I will go and live out your dreams and then I will come home and tell you all about them.

Oh, bless you, my little flower, but don’t go for me or my old dreams - go for your own dreams.

But I don’t have any dreams.

That can’t be true, my little flower. Think real hard, look deep inside and you will find one. As I looked out of my grandmother’s window, I could see a corner of the village square. The children were all together playing and laughing.

It may sound strange, but sometimes I feel like such an outsider, Grandma. I want to find a place where I’m not the odd one out, somewhere where there are people like me. Somewhere I can truly belong.

You are just as I was at your age, but don’t you go getting yourself stuck in one place as I have. Perhaps out there you will find your place in the world. And now that you have Pip by your side to keep you company you can make a real adventure of it.

Thanks, Grandma. We then hugged, just like old times. She sat in her chair and I sat curled up in her lap and we rocked back and forth for what seemed like hours.

You’re not really going off to the capital to marry a prince, are you? Dalan asked, when I opened the gate to my house later that evening.

I am going to the capital, but I might not marry him, he might not like me.

Impossible.

Well, I might not like him and besides, that’s not why I want to go. It’s a chance to see the kingdom and go places I’ve never been before.

If you stay, if you stay with me, I promise I’ll take you anywhere you want to go, and don’t you worry about the cost, I’m a good farmer and a saver. I have plenty stored away for a rainy day.

Dalan, even if I did stay, it wouldn’t be for you or anyone else.

With that I left him in the garden and went inside. My family was very quiet that evening, a silence had descended upon us. I hadn’t changed my mind about going and my parents were feeling the weight of my decision. I was, after all, going to go miles and miles away from them for an unknown period of time. I knew I would miss them and get homesick but after talking with my grandmother I was more certain than ever that this was something I just had to do.

The day finally came for me to leave for Isenham. My father had purchased a new rucksack for me and so I packed up all my worldly possessions. The whole village was waiting for me outside my door to wish me well. Cecily and Annabel said that I had to make them my ladies-in-waiting when I become a princess and Mrs Acker told me not to mess up my chances by running around after my apa. Dalan gave me a steorra flower for safe travels and Henry gave me a slight nod of farewell. We had been lent horses for the trip. My mother and I shared one and my father and brother rode their own. As we rode across the valley, I looked back towards Islingdale and I had this overwhelming feeling that I would never see it again.

When we arrived in Isenham, the viscount was waiting for us in the lobby of the Isenhund Inn and no sooner had I given my answer than the carriages pulled up outside.

I thought we would at least have time to lunch together, Your Lordship, my mother pleaded.

Alas, I am afraid we must away at once. We must complete our journey before autumn’s end, the viscount replied.

Lily, my darling girl, you take care of yourself and do try to behave, Mother said between the tears and sobs which were engulfing her.

Pip, you take care of our little Lilypad, Father said.

Bring me back a sword, Alexander said, smirking. We had one big family hug before I was shoved into a carriage which swiftly drove off. I leaned out the window and waved goodbye to my family.

I love you; I’ll miss you, I called out to them, and Pip even offered up a farewell squawk.

I cannot tell you how pleased I am that you have accepted my offer. I am sure Her Majesty the Queen will be enamoured with you, the viscount said, but I did not reply. I was doing my best to suppress the rising lump in my throat and the tears welling up in the corner of my eyes. All I could hear were my grandmother’s words replaying over and over in my mind, people who see sky whales are destined for great things.

Chapter Three

The Absent Prince

The journey to the capital was long; it must have taken the good part of two months. We stopped at various towns along the way and I saw an ever-changing landscape, from rolling hills to wooded forests, open plains and rocky moors. We were heading north to the heart of the kingdom. The viscount told me that the capital city was situated in the middle of a great lake and was the jewel of the kingdom. He was right - it was a sight to behold, and bigger than any town I’d seen thus far. The city floated upon the serene waters of the lake, white towers rose from the waves going up and up - I’d never seen buildings so high. In the centre, towering high above all the rest was the palace, its golden roofs glittering in the sunlight. The land around the lake was well set out with farms that spread out in all directions which were clearly marked out by low stone walls. The main road passed down the middle of it all and every so often a little collection of houses and shops were clustered around it. At the end of the road there was a long, white stone bridge which stretched out over the lake in a series of great arches. It was an impressive sight.

So, this is the capital city.

Kingsborough in all her glory, the viscount said. We crossed the bridge and I stared out the window the whole time. Peering down at the crystal-clear water, I could see the rocks at the very bottom.

The water is deceptively deep and has strong currents; you will find no one swimming within its waters.

We passed through a colossal gatehouse at the end of the bridge and rode up through the city. The buildings were all made of white stone and were at least five storeys high. The city was beautiful. There was such lavish craftsmanship put into each façade - the doors were flanked with curved decorative arches, the window architraves were gilded with blue and green and every cornice was painted gold, and at the top of the buildings were lush rooftop gardens. The streets were paved with smooth yellow stone slabs that the carriage glided effortlessly over. We drove past a large park filled with bright flowers and a main plaza with an enormous ornate pond in the centre. It had a little island in the middle of it with a beautiful statue of a young woman nestled amongst the greenery.

There will be time enough to explore our marvellous capital, but first we have an audience with Her Majesty the Queen, the viscount said as we passed through another gatehouse, and then came to the entrance of the palace. Tall towers flanked the palace gatehouse and its vast golden gate opened as we approached. We passed through it into an expansive courtyard. The carriage stopped and a footman offered me a hand getting out. The palace towered above me. I was led towards a great wooden door which opened as we drew near. Inside was a large entrance hall held up by a big white stone colonnade and the floor was a shimmering blue. The effect was extraordinary. I suddenly felt so small and ordinary.

Lady Sumner, I will leave Miss Sky Lily in your capable hands, the viscount said to a very beautiful woman who was walking towards us.

It is an honour to make your acquaintance, Miss Sky Lily. Please come with me, she said.

You cannot present yourself before Her Majesty the Queen without the proper attire. Lady Sumner will prepare you, the viscount explained.

I followed Lady Sumner through a door to the left of the hall. We passed through numerous hallways and eventually came to a large room lavishly decorated with gilding and painted wooden furniture.

This will be your room, Lady Sumner explained.

My room? But it’s enormous.

This way, a bath has been prepared for you. She motioned me to an adjoining room. There was a large bath built into the floor. It smelled divine. There was even a basin brought out for Pip to be washed in. I’d never felt so relaxed and pampered in my life. Lady’s maids appeared to attend to me. They washed my hair, covered my face with clay and scrubbed my hands and feet till they shone. I could hear Pip purring happily while he was attended to. Afterwards they varnished my nails, braided my hair, put rouge on my lips, and charcoal on my eyelids.

When they were finished, I was astonished at my reflection. For the first time in my life I looked beautiful. They dressed me in such finery - a dress similar to my own but made of a dark blue silk with such fine embroidery and a golden lace undershirt. Golden chains were slung across my waist and I was adorned with necklaces and bracelets and rings.

Pip’s fur was puffed up, making him nothing but a ball of fur. He sat once more upon my shoulder as I was led towards the throne room to be presented before the Queen. The golden doors of the throne room opened, revealing a large, high ceilinged hall with a white stone colonnade, gilded columns and a white stone floor which was covered with beautiful coloured patterns as light streamed in through the many stained-glass windows. Between each set of columns sat an alabaster statue of a previous king or queen and at the end of the room was a raised dais, upon which sat the most elaborate golden throne. On this throne sat Her Majesty the Queen of Kingsleigh. She was most beautiful with long black hair, sky blue eyes and porcelain skin. She was wearing an extravagant gown of layered silks and lace and her hair was styled up in braids. Lady Sumner gave me a nudge through the door.

Her Majesty, Moira of the House of Langley, Queen of Kingsleigh, a herald declared. I walked forward towards the dais. It was deadly silent. The room was empty but for a few attendants. The Queen sat there looking down on me with intent; she didn’t speak a word until I had reached the dais.

What is your name, my child? the Queen asked.

Lily Newman, but I am known as Sky, Your Majesty, I replied.

Explain.

When I was a child, I saw a sky whale. Since then everyone has called me Sky.

What was it like?

The sky whale, it was the single most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, Your Majesty.

Who is this? the Queen asked, looking towards Pip.

His name is Pip, my apa. I bought him in Chippingworth.

Where were you born?

Islingdale, Your Majesty.

What professions have your parents?

My father is a tradesman and my mother, a baker. I also have a younger brother, he’s an apprentice carpenter.

What is your education?

Basic, Your Majesty. I completed my schooling at thirteen.

Have you a profession?

I have none, Your Majesty.

No profession? What is the cause of this idleness?

I have little aptitude for trades and I am not a good enough scholar to teach. However, on occasion I have instructed the children of my village in the local botany.

You are an admirer of nature, like myself. What age are you?

Eighteen, Your Majesty.

You are skilled in the arts?

"No, Your Majesty,