LUNADAR: Homeward Bound

By Donna L. Martin

Ruler by day, a reluctant pirate by night, 18-year-old Princess Ariana fights for her subjects in the waterfall city of Lunadar. In a kingdom surrounded by fairies and mermaids, and ravaged by deadly Drundles, only a  chosen few are trusted to guard her daughter, Candra, as the secret heir to the throne.

But it only takes one ill-fate

• Language: English
• Publisher: STORY CATCHER PUBLISHING
• Release date: Jul 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9781732327801

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The setting sun bathed the deck in an unnatural light. The men were restless. Too long from land, too long from home and it weighed heavily upon them spirits. This night would be a rough one with choppy seas and razor-sharp tongues. Princess Ariana’s hand gripped the railing and her body swayed in rhythm to the waves. Her eyes peered into the fading light as if to see land just beyond the portal. She would get no rest that night.

Voices wafted up from below, a harsh word muttered here and there as men settled down in cramp quarters reeking of sweat and dirt from many days at sea with only the moonlight for company. Ariana’s body begged for rest but her mind raced. Crowded with the what-ifs and what-could-have-been of another life time. Too late to change things. The sea called to her and she was forced to follow the moon.

Ariana struggled to stay awake. Many depended on her to lead them through the rocky maze before them. She knew this path well, having traveled it many times. The Strait ahead was known as the tail of the snake after the whipping, churning waters. Tumbling over the semi-buried rocks broken away from the cliffs on either side, a ship could be stranded with one wrong turn. Beyond it was the curves.

A challenge for even the strongest captain, she could almost guide her ship safely through these shallow waters with her eyes closed. Every rock and shell were as familiar to her as the stars in the northern sky. Ariana’s fingers gripped the wheel tighter as the ship slowly made its way through the narrow gorge. Beneath her feet the deck shuddered slightly as it made its way down the last of the shallow channel and moved into deeper water.

The maze was done and once again they were on the open sea. A full moon loomed before her, the only other thing awake. Its light shining on the still water drew them forward at this time of night. Midnight hour. Witching hour. A time when the portal between the here and now stretched into the Otherworld. Ariana’s heart raced as if mere wishing would make those sails quicken the journey. At last they were homeward bound and soon would be in the arms of their families. All that stood between her loved ones and Ariana were the moon.

The familiar waters of her secret cove finally came into view. Midnight hour was almost gone and she must pass through before the portal closed. Ariana had grown up on tales of her father’s secret discovery of the link between Lunadar and the world beyond the moon. How, with each full moon, the portal opened long enough to bridge the two worlds. But the gods were not merciful to those who failed to pass through the portal in time. To linger in the Otherworld beyond the full moon would close the portal forever and damn her to life forever without her daughter, Candra.

The bow parted the still waters, the soft foam riding the gentle wake towards land. She quickly dropped anchor just beyond the shoreline as the portal faded away. Another successful run and a full bounty to share with the others. Lord Shemar might have a price on Princess Ariana’s head, but the gods favored to transport everything to shore but eventually the hold was empty. Ariana could finally kneel to bless the ground beneath her feet. She was home and eager to hold Candra in her arms once again.

Leaving the men to unload the cargo, Ariana hurried over the cobblestone path leading away from the water’s edge. Waiting for her was her faithful stallion, Aramid. Easing into the saddle, she turned his head toward Lunadar and nudged him forward. The steady rhythm of Aramid’s, her stallion, hooves striking stone almost lulled her to sleep, but she couldn’t rest until she knew Candra was safe. It had been three years since Ariana touched her father’s face after the Battle of Roth. Three years since Candra’s birth and Ariana donning the heavy cloak of responsibility for the people of Lunadar. She swore she would make Lord Shemar pay for what he had done to her family. It seemed like only yesterday she played at her father’s knee as he ran battle worn fingers through Ariana’s long, jet black hair. A lone streak of white snaked its way through the tresses until it ended just short of her waist.

Mystic hair. It is the source of all your power, child, he would chant to Ariana but never quite answered her questions as to what he meant. Have patience, little one, you will learn soon enough of your mystic gift of controlling the elements, he would say until she began to feel a whisper of something stirring deep inside her. The taller she grew, the deeper the stirring became, and she began to believe her father might be right. She would gladly cut off that hair now if it could give her one more hour with him. Now, she wore it to honor him and waited for the time when she would get her revenge.

It was a short ride to the castle grounds and the sounds of the waterfalls grew louder as Ariana entered the courtyard of the castle. Built in close proximity to several waterfalls surrounding it, the castle stood near the cliffs protecting the people of Lunadar from invaders. King Midar chose well to bring his people to this land.

A tall stone wall encircled the grounds and offered added protection. The interior was dark, shadowing the many corridors snaking through the castle; each one offering a special access to the waterfalls surrounding the castle. Ariana’s faithful servant, Macklebee, knew of her impending return and had left torches burning to light her way. Stopping only long enough to wake a stable hand to tend to her horse, Ariana wearily climbed the steps leading into the castle and slipped into the kitchen unnoticed by the dozing guard. She would reprimand him later, but for now all she sought was the knowledge Candra slept peacefully before she called upon Breana, guardian of dreams, to release her from today’s troubles. Ariana got as far as the washbasin when a pair of tiny arms wrapped themselves around her leg. Looking down, she scooped the sleepy-eyed child into her arms before turning her attention to the servant stepping into the room to stand in front of her.

Why is my daughter up so late, Macklebee?

I am sorry, Princess Ariana, but she heard your horse arrive and would not remain in her chambers without crying for her mama.

Ariana held Candra close to breathe in the smell of lilacs and sweet water still lingering from her evening bath. If Ariana were a simple woman from the village, her life would be vastly different. Her child would not yearn for a mother lost to the sea. But Ariana was of noble blood and her life was not of her own choosing. Lord Shemar made sure of that. Now she only prayed there would come a day when she did not have to leave her daughter the next time the full moon rose. There would come a time, hopefully soon, when she would extract her vengeance on her father’s murderer, so she could return to Lunadar once and for all.

CHAPTER TWO

Hours later, those same waterfalls greeted her when Ariana woke up. For a moment she forgot where she was, muscles tensing against the unfamiliar softness beneath her. Survival depended on anticipating danger and fingers reached for the dirk lying on the table next to her. Her heartbeat slowed as Candra skipped into the room. She had her mother’s mystic hair and her grandfather’s eyes. The same solitary white strand curled around small fingers while those eyes sparkled at Ariana as she climbed onto the bed. They played for a few minutes before Ariana motioned for her maid to step forward. As much as she would like to have spent the morning in bed with her child, her people were waiting for her to settle their grievances.

Dropping a kiss on Candra’s cheek before shooing her back toward the nursery, Ariana allowed her maid to imprison her in a breath-stealing corset and gather her hair into a bun at her nape. Gathering a somber composure about her she didn’t fully feel, Ariana descended the staircase and headed toward the great hall. If only she could wear the breeches and short tunic as when she was on her ship, her hair tangled by the wind and not straining against the clips barely holding it in place. Irritation quickly turned to heightened alertness when she stepped into the hallway. Tension hovered in the air and she could almost smell the fear emanating from her people. Walking over to the dais, she quickly sat down and turned to Alasdair, the captain of her troops.

Alasdair, what has happened?

He gave a quick glance to where the villagers were gathered before moving to her side to whisper, It’s the Drundles, milady. They have attacked north of Tumac Mountain and your people are afraid Lunadar will be next.

Drundles. How she loathed the mere mention of their name. For years they had attacked the poor people who lived outside Lunadar’s waterfall city, but people behind the fortress walls had little to fear. Her father had chosen the site of his city carefully. The waterfalls and city walls would deter any Drundles foolish enough to attempt to plunder there. The thick, stone walls were nearly impenetrable, and the Drundle’s fear of the water kept them from attempting to breach the castle walls. Yet, she hated the thought of them so near because it reminded her of her unfinished business with Lord Shemar. Half devil, half wildebeest, the Drundles were loyal only to the dark lord, and their poisonous barbs were known to kill a man in less time than it took to blink in surprise at the fact he was struck.

Surely the Drundles were not so foolish as to travel this far south, especially not so close to the Winter’s Solstice. All the realms would be represented, far outnumbering the dark lord’s assassins.

Alasdair, take your troops and scout to the edge of Tumac Mountain. Bring me back word of where the Drundles are hiding!

Right away, milady. I am yours to command.

Her captain strode from the room. Turning her attention to the villagers standing in front of her, fearful eyes stared back at her. They believed in her father’s oath of protection. Now she must give them some hope all were as safe within these walls as when her father was alive.

Standing tall with shoulders back, she raised her hand and almost instantly silence filled the great hall. What could she say to those who stood before her? For the past three years they had struggled to carry on after her father’s passing. Years of being forced to wait for returned trips from the Otherworld while body and soul struggled to remain together for a little longer. Lord Shemar had reduced Lunadar to this. Her father had often told her stories of them growing up together. Young nobles hell bent on changing the world. But it was Shemar who changed first and not for the better. Soon, Ariana’s father couldn’t even recognize the childhood friend in the stony-faced man threatening to destroy him and his beloved Lunadar for the crime of loving the same woman.

Since then, Ariana’s father had fought for a future without oppression from the dark lord and his minions, but what had it gained him? A cold, damp grave and an orphaned daughter almost too young to step into her father’s shoes. How many times had she wondered if it wouldn’t be easier to surrender? To open the doors of Lunadar to Lord Shemar, praying he would be merciful after all they have suffered at his hands. She only had to look into the eyes of her people to realize it would be foolishness to harbor such thoughts. This irrational quest for revenge had poisoned the dark lord’s heart and the only treasure he sought was her blood. To think otherwise was to place her people in the gravest of danger.

From the corner of the room a flash of color made its way into the great hall. Candra, free once again from Macklebee’s watchful eye, had wandered into the room. She was beloved by the people of Lunadar and the crowd parted like a great sea to let her pass by them. Just as Candra ran to Ariana’s side, she knew what she will tell her people. Scooping up Candra into her arms, Ariana planted a kiss upon her hair before turning her attention to the crowd.

"People of Lunadar, please hear me. There was a time when my father ruled this city with great wisdom. A time when your own children were free to go to nearby Dreydan’s Falls without fear of what might happen. A time when Lord Shemar could not harm us. I know of your heartache since my father’s murder at the Battle of Roth. I hear your cries of anguish when a Drundle’s barb takes the life of yet another loved one. But take heart, dear citizens of Lunadar. The fight is not over yet and there will come a day when our city will be returned to its former glory! I know this to be true because I can see it in my daughter’s eyes. Our children are the future and surely the gods will not let the dark one win. I will fight with all my strength to protect my father’s legacy. The Drundles fear the pure waters of the falls. Those same waters and our walls have stood against our foes in the past and will again if the need arises."

She would do anything to protect hearth and home. So would the people of Lunadar. Her resolve to defeat Lord Shemar returned as the crowd cheered for their leader. She could breathe a little easier as she turned to the more immediate concern of settling disputes between friend and neighbor. At least she could show the people of Lunadar she was still their leader and protector while she remained at home. But all too soon she would have to make another journey for supplies and a part of her worried what would happen while she was away.

The sun was high in the sky by the time she finished her duties in the great hall. She often wondered if her father could have done better by the people who stand before her expecting judgement and fairness from their leader. She feared she had failed Lunadar by allowing the uncertainty of their future to leech the very life out of this once great city.

Dismissing the crowd, Ariana crossed the room to gaze at the rushing water tumbling beneath the tower windows. All her life she had been lulled by the sound of the waterfalls. They surrounded her city and served as a natural barrier against their enemies. Waves crashing against the rocks and mist rising above the ocean’s tide usually calmed her, but not today. News of the Drundles attacking so close to Lunadar did not set well. A restlessness was building inside her and only one thing would help ease her worries. Heading to the stable, Aramid, was quickly saddled by a young stable hand, and she rode outside the city’s protective walls toward Dreydan’s Falls. Her father chose well when Lunadar was built. No Drundle dared come near the city if the waters flowed. They may be animals, but even they knew the waterfalls would burn their flesh like acid while their death would be slow and agonizing.

She made it to the base of the falls and dismounted to let