The Black Swan: The Realms of Faegor, #1

By Alno Highking

The gods of old are no more... long forgotten in these webs and knots of fate. Here are the tales of the new. That stretch beyond the plentiful lands and realms of the great tree, across many eyes and ears from mortal to myth, monster to god, child to king. Here are their triumphs and victories. Here are their tragedies and woes. The First and Second of many has arrived. A new seed begins again.

The Faegor Universe Begins... It all begins with The Black Swan.

 

"The Swan is worth more than a kingdom. Any king or his army. It is more than just a home for the small and weak. It is a symbol, a warning for those beyond our walls. No matter how low they stand when compared to others, still they stand. We still stand as the Swan, the feared and the dangerous. And that is all because of you, An. All because of you. No matter what happens, you will always stand higher than the skies to me."

 

The Realms of Faegor Continues... With The Raven with Green Eyes.

Dark. Epic. Beautiful. Worlds that embrace power rather than flee from it. If you love fantasy of that nature, then this universe may be for you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HIGHKING
• Release date: Nov 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393755982

Book preview

Also by Highking

Dream One: Ire of the Outsider

Ire of The Outsider

The Realms of Faeger

The Black Swan

The Raven with Green Eyes

The Star Eater Epic

Star Eater

Tokyo Paradise

Tokyo Paradise: Vol 1

Read Previews Ahead …

A Thief

‘A thief. That is all I am. Since a child, all I've known ... It's all I am. Ha ... Was ... How,

How did I get here?

Chapter One

I

I will not say it again! yelled a man while raising a gulp of bad taste above his head. A good amount spilling as he lowered the glass over the round table.

It. Is not. Uh, what were we-

Magic, another swaying voice across from him reminded.

Yes! Real. The man pointed his finger to a smiling Ron as well as his mead and narrow eyes. Nothing but damn tricks and cabbage, he added. Sparking laughter across the room between children and adult alike.

Your too biased, Ves. Everyone here knows you don't believe that.

Is that so? Ves questioned after gaining the first taste of his fifth round. Its remains deciding to keep alive on his overgrown beard. The detail earning a few more giggles throughout the young ones.

Well, he started with a smile and look to his right shoulder, where only a wall of dark brick stood a arms length away. if I tell lies, may lighting- A clap of thunder rumbled above the Swan's roof. Prompting most of it’s eyes to give a glance upward before looking to Ves.

You were saying? Ron said with furrowed brows. The thief allowed a moment to ponder as he finished the rest of his beverage. Wiping his mouth before scanning the room. This drink is shit.

Ray shook her head with a smile while crossing the wide room. From wall to wall, big as a street, the old crone always called it before the end. To where one of the few still silent stood leaning against one of the Swan's pillars, placed at the center of the floor. Eyes closed like an owl. How could he always be like that? So patient, and calm. Revealing nothing. The man had barely reached thirty yet his mind was wise. More than Ray had ever seen in her life. Though recently ... Despite what is said or believed, he looks like himself, more then he has in years. Walks like himself, every step perfect. Ray swallowed. Like her, everyone he has touched knows well that the illusion can only hold for so long.

What

An ... An.

Was that?

The owl's eyes opened.

Are you alright?

Fine, he answered still with crossed arms. Ray offered a small smile as the two met sights.

Alright, she said. We're here though, if you decide to change your mind.

I know. An leaned forward, off one of the sturdy pillars that held the heart of his home high as he began slow and patient steps while rounding Ray. Stop worrying. She nodded. Her smile collapsing just as he passed her, as if the others couldn't see. There were more eyes on them than she would have liked, but she couldn't help it. As she or anyone else cannot resist the inevitable. The sudden quiet spoke without words, different than the usual, and continued long after the sound of his steps vanished on the other side of the front door.

Of course... She let slip away when his ears were beyond her reach. Soon, a more subtle act grabbed the Swan's attention. Two in fact, a clap along with a caring voice.

Children. For now, you must say your goodbyes. Groans and awes filled the air. Yes. Yes. Now come along, spoke the woman with a stretch of blond hair filled with curls running down her simple green dress, following her trail just as the troops of small waving hands to the door An had just exited.

After a few threats regarding studies and home training for their guardians and elders by the Swan’s finest, the children moved on their way onto the woman's path as she held the door open wide for each of them. She would step through also, but not before flashing a glance to Ray with a brief smile. Ray offered the same before the door came to a close. Giving birth to a new air, filled to the brink with well hidden tension.

How long, Ray? We have waited long enough.

The Black Swan

The sound of the old gates wining grazed An's ears as he scoped the deep blue sky with a lingering exhale. No sense running away from it. The truth is the truth. No reason to fight it. His legs moved on as the few designated strangers gave a nod as he past by onto a rounding walkway of stone, shutting the gate in his stead. Only he had every reason to fight.

What should be said? What should be done? What could be done? An asked himself while shaking his head with a snicker, his hands deep in his pockets as he approached a opening into the busy city depths. He couldn't help picturing Ray. The face she would make... It twisted something inside him, almost breaking. But no matter what he did, it never went away. Only took small steps backwards into the shallow pit of his mind, but always ready to remind him of its presence when the two met eyes.

An paused his little walk, eying the worn brick beneath his boots, now replacing the stone. He'd never felt so cold