The Castellan

By Megan Derr

Years ago, Bedros was the right hand lackey to a cruel prince who became a crueler king. He's not proud of the role he played in that cruelty, but those days are well behind him. All he wants now is to take care of Castle Rehm, and enjoy the peace and quiet that comes from being a despised outcast.

That peace is shattered when the very last person he expected to ever see again arrives with dire news: that the king wants a war, and he is going to engineer the slaughter of Bedros and his people in order to get it.

Bedros has very little time to prepare to face the royal army and all the force it can bring to bear, but he'll do everything he can—include cooperate with a man who despises him, whose life Bedros once saved at the cost of everything he once thought he held dear.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Megan Derr
• Release date: Nov 9, 2020

Megan Derr

Megan is a long-time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.meganderr.compatreon.com/meganderrmeganderr.blogspot.comfacebook.com/[e-mail]@meganaderr

Book preview

Years ago, Bedros was the right hand lackey to a cruel prince who became a crueler king. He's not proud of the role he played in that cruelty, but those days are well behind him. All he wants now is to take care of Castle Rehm, and enjoy the peace and quiet that comes from being a despised outcast.

That peace is shattered when the very last person he expected to ever see again arrives with dire news: that the king wants a war, and he is going to engineer the slaughter of Bedros and his people in order to get it.

Bedros has very little time to prepare to face the royal army and all the force it can bring to bear, but he'll do everything he can—include cooperate with a man who despises him, whose life Bedros once saved at the cost of everything he once thought he held dear.

The Castellan

Castle Rehm 2

By Megan Derr

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the publisher, except for the purpose of reviews.

Edited by Samantha M. Derr

Cover designed by Zoe at Rainbow Danger

This book is a work of fiction and all names, characters, places, and incidents are fictional or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is coincidental.

First Edition November 2020

Copyright © 2020 by Megan Derr

Printed in the United States of America

Bedros was doing his level best to stay awake, but with the droning rain, his lap blanket toasty warm, his coffee and brandy even warmer, and the only thing to do reading reports on that season's crop yields from his tenants, staying awake was something even the gods would struggle to do.

Unfortunately, his only other choices were to read tax reports instead or go outside to see what all the earlier ruckus had been about. Though if Kohar or Nerek hadn't come to see him about it, the matter couldn't be too serious.

He managed to slog through another report, this one on the thrilling life of oats. Yields had exceeded expectations, which was good, because as usual, the winter was likely to be brutal and last seemingly forever.

Giving up, he scribbled a few last notes to himself and threw the papers aside, rising from his cozy cocoon of blankets and brandy to see what his castle residents were up to.

He hadn't taken a dozen steps when he crossed paths with one of the maids who maintained the rooms on that hall, including his own. What was all that noise in the yard?

Some of the children got their hands on a few potions and thought it would be funny to give it to the chickens. The maid rolled her eyes. Master Kohar was not amused, though he says the effects are harmless.

Where did they get the potions?

From a traveling merchant stupid enough to leave his bags where curious children can inspect them, she replied with a sigh. Kohar had some words for him; that was probably most of the shouting you heard. But all the chickens are bright colors now, and they've gotten loose everywhere. Kohar insisted the merchant be the one to gather them back up, and it's going… She shrugged a shoulder and pressed her lips together in an attempt to stifle giggles before finally managing to finish, Interestingly.

Just another day at Castle Rehm, Bedros said with a laugh. Thank you.

She curtsied and carried on, and Bedros headed for the great hall, where he was met with an irate Kohar, a frazzled stranger, and about a dozen or so chickens ranging in color from bright blue to dark purple, with a couple of orange and yellow for variety.

He nudged a plump turquoise rooster out of his way and went to join the harried-looking crowd at the table. I've been hearing interesting tales, and I see they do not exaggerate. What manner of potion or potions could do this?

It was Kohar's brother Taniel who replied, from where he was traipsing about the hall collecting fallen feathers in a small basket. Festival potions. They're not really more than toys, which is probably why the children latched onto them. People use them to dye their hair for a few hours or to alter a dress for a day, that sort of thing. Easily made, easily used, easily foisted upon unsuspecting chickens.

Also easily capable of killing children should they drink it like they're taught with healing draughts and the like, Kohar said from where he glowered at the merchant in a way that said murder was not yet dismissed as a possibility.

I didn't anticipate they would paw through my belongings and steal them, the merchant replied.

That did nothing to soothe Kohar's ire. You're not a very good merchant if you fail to anticipate something as basic and common as theft and stupid children.

I'm to blame for being stolen from?

You're to blame for being stupid enough to leave untended toys where children were sure to find them.

Enough, Bedros said. Good sir, have you been reimbursed for your lost wares?

The merchant tore his gaze from Kohar. Yes, Your Grace. Master Kohar here saw to the matter. I apologize for the upheaval I've unintentionally caused.

Bedros waved the words aside. I wish all our problems were as mild as rainbow chickens. Why are you collecting the feathers, Taniel?

Experiments, and possibly to mess with Kohar at a later date.

Bedros laughed. Kohar glared.

I'm surprised Nerek isn't about.

He's down at the armory having a word with some soldiers who decided to show up for duty still drunk.

I see, Bedros said with a wince. Not so much for the soldiers, who were getting what they deserved, but for the rest of them while Nerek was in a bad mood. Soothe the beast for us, would you?

Kohar laughed. Sit and have a late lunch with us, Your Grace.

Rolling his eyes at the formal address, because they were all well past such things in their Castle of the Middle of Nowhere, Bedros took a seat as Kohar sent one of the hall attendants to fetch him a bowl of what looked like a promising pixie soup. So what else is going on today, other than crop yield reports, tax reports, and rainbow chickens? Will it affect the color of the meat?

No, it's entirely superficial. By the end of the day most of them will be back to normal, and any stragglers will definitely be white and brown again by morning.

Pity, there's probably money to be made in such a peculiar thing. He scooped up a bite of potato and carrot. Any other excitement I should be concerned about?

Maybe, Nerek said as he came striding in, rain sloughing from his light armor, making a mess the servants would kill him for when they caught him. "I've just gotten word from scouts at the eastern garrison that some nobleman and his retinue passed through headed this way. Asked