Lady Shilight - Lady Cobra - YA

By Sheril Lee

This edition includes books 7, 8, and 9 in the Lady Shilight Series Young Adult Version -- Lady Shilight, sent by the king to escort his sister across land and sea to a faraway kingdom, has a nasty run-in with pirates that causes her to lose her memory. Finding herself in a strange land, she forms newfound friendships and love fills her life, all the while struggling to remember her past.
As fate would have it, a shocking event spurs her desire to return home. The long arduous journey home becomes increasingly dangerous when she learns there is a bounty on her head.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9780359917464

Book preview

LADY SHILIGHT

LADY COBRA

Young Adult Version

Includes books 7, 8, and 9

in the

Lady Shilight Series

Lady Shilight - Lady Cobra

Lady Shilight - Adrift

Lady Shilight - Homeward Bound

by

Sheril Lee

~ ~ ~

Other books

in the Lady Shilight Series

Young Adult Version

Lady Shilight – Lady Warrior

Lady Shilight - Giant Slayer

~ ~ ~

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

A sincere thank you to my great editors,

Dune, C.A.T., and T.J.O., for taking the time

to edit my books.

My beautiful book cover came from

Cover Design by Melody Simmons of eBookindiecovers

~ ~ ~

1st Edition

Copyright © 2019 Sheril Lee

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-359-91746-4

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike3.0 Unreported License. To view a copy of this license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/

or send a letter to:

Creative Commons

171 Second Street, Suite 300

San Francisco, California 94105

USA

http://www.lulu.com

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, without the written permission of the publisher, Sheril Lee, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in the context of reviews.

LAND MAP

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LAND MAP

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LADY COBRA - BOOK 7

Chapter 1: A Queen's Secret

Chapter 2: News Of My Death

Chapter 3: Two Past Lovers

Chapter 4: Official Announcements

Chapter 5: Hevarah's Threat

Chapter 6: Harborfel

Chapter 7: The Ship Sails

Chapter 8: Pirates!

Chapter 9: Lady Cobra

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ADRIFT - BOOK 8

Chapter 1: Fishing Village

Chapter 2: Uncle Diny

Chapter 3: Chess Game

Chapter 4: Looking For Work

Chapter 5: New Bricktun

Chapter 6: Festivals

Chapter 7: Love Abounds

Chapter 8: Wedding Vows

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HOMEWARD BOUND - BOOK 9

Chapter 1: Kidnapped

Chapter 2: Traveling Pageant Show

Chapter 3: Ladybug

Chapter 4: Seaside towns

Chapter 5: A New King Reigns

Chapter 6: Distant Grumblings

Chapter 7: Huntirrplan Rebels

Chapter 8: March to Grunpland

Appendix: Land Map

LADY COBRA

BOOK 7

CHAPTER 1

The ship was rocking back and forth. The winds had whipped up earlier in the morning before daybreak. The sky was getting darker and the swells were pushing the ship through the water on its way to who knows where. All the pirates were standing on the main deck looking up at the captain. Two wooden boxes had been rope-tied to the deck in a makeshift platform. The captain and I were standing on top of the boxes. My hands were bound with rope and a small trickle of blood could be seen at the corner of my mouth. I looked up at the mainmast and watched the sails flapping violently in the wind.

Captain Blackstrap grabbed the hair on the back of my head and roughly shoved me forward to the edge of the boxes.

Look at the wench, my rovers! Who thinks we should show her mercy or should she walk the plank? shouted the captain trying to be heard above the roar of his men who were clamoring for revenge.

Walk the plank! shouted several men in unison.

Push her off if she balks! shouted one pirate.

Cut her so she bleeds and let the sharks feed off her! shouted another.

The men on the ship were out for blood - my blood! What did I expect? My presence infuriated them. It was bad luck to have a woman work on a ship and I had proven the superstition true. Now I was about to meet my death by drowning or by being eaten by a shark. Things were not looking good for me.

How did I get into this predicament? Before I continue my story I should tell you what events happened before the pirates came into my life and what circumstances led up to this horrible day.

Before I was captured by pirates I had participated in a land war that had threatened my homeland. A large invading band of Giants, led by their vicious leader, Borzarm The Mountain, had crossed over the Ablakun Mountains and attacked the City of Dovonshar. The Giants were soundly defeated by soldiers from three different kingdoms that had joined forces to defeat them. I had a hand in persuading the kings from the kingdoms of Condinmire and Esglund to join together, along with the king of Dovonshar, to stop the Giants. This united front successfully crushed the enemy and sent a strong message to all Giants everywhere that an attack on any of the three kingdoms would be futile.

In the city of Dovonshar, King Kuandel had arranged a meeting for all three kings. He had sent two of his palace guards out to my father’s home to request that both of us attend the meeting. I wondered if I would be arrested upon my arrival because of something I had done prior to the war with the Giants. I had ignored a direct order from King Kuandel to have my Royal Tattoo altered. Instead of complying, I left the kingdom.

When my father and I arrived in the city I was not arrested but invited to sit in on a meeting attended by the three monarchs. The two kings from the far-off kingdoms, King Moorzelt and King Verzdon, praised me for forging an alliance between the three kingdoms. Sadly the leaders from my homeland were reluctant to acknowledge any of my contributions. As usual, Lord Pardorg was the main naysayer.

The main area of discussion was about the defeated leader of the Giants, Borzarm The Mountain. What was to be done with him? The final decision was left up to King Kuandel.

Days later King Moorzelt and King Verzdon led their soldiers out of Dovonshar to return to their respective kingdoms. Their departure meant life in Dovonshar could once again return to normal.

One morning a royal messenger tracked me down to let me know the queen needed to see me as soon as possible. Upon entering her drawing room the queen blurted out that she had the most wonderful news to tell me. All of her movements were animated. She spoke rapidly and paced back and forth in the room.

Without warning she collapsed on the floor. I grabbed her hand and implored her to speak to me. Her hand was limp and her face looked pale. Other people in the room saw her fall and rushed to her side.

Get back! I snapped, Give her room to breathe.

The first thing I did was check to see if she had a heartbeat. I put my head on her chest and listened intently. It was faint and hard to hear over the turmoil that was happening in the room. When I put my ear near her mouth I could feel her shallow breath.

Sounding like a military sergeant I took control of the room and shouted out orders to those who were milling around.

I pointed to the first guard I saw.

Fetch the royal physician! I commanded.

To another guard I ordered, Summon the king!

I sent a nearby handmaiden to get a wet cloth to put on the back of Queen Bonasha’s neck. A male assistant helped me carry the queen to a nearby divan where we gently laid her down on her back.

Your Highness, speak to me, I begged.

It did not take long for the royal physician to arrive. He asked everyone to leave so he could examine the queen. I backed away from the area but I refused to leave the room. The physician used a pungent herb to revive the queen. She smiled weakly and asked him what had happened.

It appears you fainted, Your Highness. Have you been feeling sick? Have you eaten anything lately? asked the physician.

The queen admitted she had not eaten all day. She explained she was trying to lose the extra weight she had gained while she carried her son.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the queen open her eyes and heard her speaking with the physician. She saw me and lamented, Lady Shilight, I never got to tell you the news.

Before she could speak again King Kuandel burst into the room. He looked at his wife lying on the divan and then he looked at me.

What did you do? he asked in an accusatory voice.

Nothing, Your Majesty! The queen fainted while we were speaking and I immediately sent for the royal physician to come treat her.

The king turned to the physician and began grilling him on the queen’s condition.

What did I do? What would make him ask such a stupid question? I love the queen as much as he does.

My attention returned to the queen who was begging her husband not to spoil her surprise. She refused to be carried to her bedchamber until after she had words with me.

King Kuandel looked at me.

I believe she has become more spirited and hardheaded since meeting you. When you two are done talking, have a guard bring her to her bed.

The king left, ushering most of the people out of the room except for two elderly handmaidens who remained behind. The queen was in an upright sitting position on the divan sipping some kind of juice. All of her frantic movements were gone and she appeared calmer.

My husband must think me a weak woman unable to control myself, the queen moaned.

He loves you very much, Your Highness. He will be proud of you if you learn from this event and never repeat it, I assured her.

I do want to please him, she replied wistfully, and I will consider your words carefully. Enough about me. I have the most wonderful news for you, she teased.

She ordered the two handmaidens to go fetch her a different juice to drink. They squawked like two brooding hens about leaving her alone in her delicate condition, but they obeyed their queen and left. Looking around the room one last time to make sure there were no stragglers, the queen motioned for me to come closer.

Speaking slightly above a whisper the queen announced, The king has decided to grant you a new title. I learned of this earlier today. The news is so gigantic we will have to have a celebratory drink after I tell you. Perhaps we should include Bardeth too, she said with a sly smile. Have you seen him? We should…

We can talk about Bardeth later, I interrupted, after you tell me your news.

The king knows full well what you did to help Dovonshar, even after some of his stuffy old generals insisted you did nothing. They were firm in their belief that they had everything under control, even though our soldiers were dying by the score.

I could see she was becoming agitated.

My queen, please remain calm.

She looked up at me from the divan and blurted out.

How can I remain calm when you are going to be named a Paramount? A Lady Paramount! There has never been a Lady Paramount. You, my dear Shilight, will be the first one ever! The former king had a Lord Paramount who held great sway over the king. You will wield as much power as the king’s right hand man!

The look on my face was one of astonishment. In one week I had gone from fearing my arrest to being elevated to an unprecedented and prestigious position. My legs became wobbly and I had to lean on the back of the divan for support.

Do I get to keep the tattoo? I asked in a stupor.

The queen’s laughter answered my question before she could say anything more.

Yes, you may keep your Royal Tattoo.

Queen Bonasha stood up and put her arm around me.

Does your new title make you happy?

Yes, Your Highness, it does, I answered, trying desperately to remain dignified.

We did not know if ears were cupped to the door, but the moment the queen stood up a guard and the two old handmaidens rushed into the room. Before they drew near, the queen whispered something to me.

Keep this news to yourself. No one must know before the king makes a formal announcement.

I understand, Your Highness, I answered.

The guard approached Queen Bonasha. He insisted he follow the king’s order and carry her to her bedchamber.

We must have looked a strange sight as the five of us moved through the halls of the castle. The guard carried the queen in his arms as she chatted with me while I walked alongside her. Bringing up the rear were the two handmaidens.

The guard gently lowered the queen onto her bed. It was clear to me she was still feeling weak. I suggested she take a nap and regain her strength. We agreed to meet later.

Before the war I had been living in the far off kingdom of Condinmire. When I returned home months later to help defend my homeland against the Giants, I was stunned to learn that someone had told the local townspeople I had died in the Land of the Giants. Before I left the room, I asked the queen who had informed her of my death.

General Agiont. He said one of the soldiers that had accompanied you into the Land of the Giants had returned to Dovonshar, barely alive, to report that everyone who had traveled with you had perished fighting the Giants. No one would have known your fate if he had not made it home, explained the queen.

I thanked the queen and left the room.

CHAPTER 2

My next goal was to find General Agiont and find out the name of the soldier who advised him I was dead. It took me awhile to track him down. When I did, the general was happy to see me. We exchanged pleasantries for several minutes before I asked him about the rumors of my death.

All my life I had come to know General Agiont as an honest and straightforward man, but his next statement shocked me.

Lady Shilight, I have known you since you were a little girl, too small to look over the top of a banquet table. Your father and I have been friends longer than I have known you. What I did was done to spare those who love you undo angst and pain.

While he was speaking I began to feel uneasy.

General Agiont continued, It was my idea to tell everyone you were dead.

Why? I asked.

After you left Dovonshar your father came to me with your letter in hand and asked me if I knew anything about your leaving. I told him I had spoken with the mapmaker and learned you were leaving immediately for the Land of the Giants. I told your father I had arranged for several of our soldiers to accompany you.

Was he mad at you for not stopping me? I asked.

No, he was not mad. He was actually relieved that I had sent soldiers with you.

Then why did you say I was dead? I inquired.

"Over the following days and weeks I watched as your father and mother worried about you. Your friend, the queen, was worrying herself sick. She rarely ate and lost weight. I was concerned for her and the child she was carrying. Everyone was aware that no party of men who had traveled into the Land of the Giants had ever returned. Their fate to this day is unknown. I could no longer watch your family and Queen Bonasha pining away for you. After a month I told them you were dead. I made up the story