The Power of Balance

By Mark Ducker

Having been born the tenth son of the tenth son, Prince Fairhand of Greenwood must endure his training on the island of Mastery, to become King.

The Dark Alter-Lord has other plans. To prepare his son, Prince Shadowcast to cross over to the side of light, to cause disruption and hatred.

Follow the Princes th

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: Oct 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781649904881

Book preview

PROLOGUE

A

mournful scream ripped through the choking black smoke in the den of darkness, the ceremonial cry for silence among the hoard-masters when the dark lord was about to address his subjects. An occasional flash of torchlight through the thick swirls of soot was the only source of light in the cavernous meeting hall. The pounding of drums and a guttural chant from the masses greeted the foul master as he approached center stage. Standing tall, he slowly stared into the red eyes of the shadow-like creatures—staring as if looking for disloyalty in his realm.

On either side of the dark lord stood an alterdragon, whose presence could only be seen by the red beams from his eyes piercing the blackness. A nod to the dragons, and another cry for silence was obeyed as a shriek reverberated off the glossy-black walls and all fell silent. Masters of the Night, began the dark one. Our hoards can no longer stand by and witness the scarcity that plagues our land. His audience dared not breathe, for any sound could bring the foul master's wrath. We must focus our anger and hatred and absorb the negative forces that empower our world. We must halt the abundance of the light world above us. The creatures of the day have been well fed and have prospered at our expense for too long. The time for destruction is now! Let the forces of hate bring death to the sun creatures! Let darkness prevail!

Hatred oozed from the pores of the hoard-masters as they eagerly waited for their leader to continue. Fill your hearts with hate. Gorge yourselves with anger. Focus upward, and let us disembowel the sky and suck the abundance from the light.

With his words, each of the hoard-masters reached his arms upward and shot negative bolts of red lightning to the ceiling. The bolts shot off the ceiling and walls in all directions. Increasing in speed, the red bolts started to form a circle over the heads of the masters. Like a halo of hate, it spun, slowly rising to the ceiling. As it hovered over them, the ceiling started to open. The grinding of old gears and pulleys in need of greasing echoed through the room. Higher the red halo climbed, finally clearing the ceiling, then the roof. Rising into the poison blackness of the Alterworld sky, it was soon out of view.

A sense of pride filled the congregation as they looked up to see the wicked smile on their leader. Again, the dark lord spoke. This ring of fire will continue to rise until it burns through to the side of the sun. In order to ensure that destruction and famine rip the land of light, my son, Prince Shadowcast, will journey across. Upon his arrival, Prince Shadowcast will seek out and destroy the very source of their power—the light that has driven the many years of abundance they have undeservingly enjoyed.

CHAPTER I

THE JOURNEY

L

ong ago, across an ocean, hundreds of miles from anywhere was the small island kingdom of Greenwood. The island had dense green forests—hence its name—and wide-open meadows for grazing and growing crops. Greenwood had a myriad of rivers and streams for fishing and irrigation and long white beaches for relaxing and recreation. Sitting in the center of the island was Greenwood Castle, whose golden towers pierced the clouds and tickled the sun. Open gates surrounded the castle, which was as much the treasure of the common folk as it was of the royal family.

Greenwood was ruled by the kind and fair King Justice and his beautiful wife, Queen Equella. The royal couple had but one child, Prince Fairhand.

All the people of the island led fulfilled lives and were abundantly fed. They had nice homes, and their children were well educated. Good health was the norm, and any excuse for celebration was welcome. There were farmers who traded their produce with carpenters for structures, and artists who traded their works with tailors for clothing. Bakers traded their tasty delights with the healers for medicines, and the metalsmiths traded their wares with the ale masters for spirits and brew. All the good people worked together and depended upon each other to aid in producing everything they needed to make life good.

The good king and his family took daily strolls through the city or the countryside, talking with their subjects, and hearing and arbitrating arguments. Crime was unheard of on the island, and most problems were solved by those directly involved.

As the royal family took their daily strolls, the prince closely observed the different ways people lived. He envied the common folk and was bored with his easy lifestyle. As a boy, he would often play at being a laborer, digging or baking, carving or hammering. Although he knew he would never have to work, as he grew older, he yearned to taste the sweetness of earned rewards. When Fairhand would speak of these desires to his father, the king would explain how difficult this could actually be. Not all crops grow to harvest, he would say. Or It takes two structures built to replace a single broken tool. Still, the prince yearned to work for rewards—or at least have something to show for his life other than just being the prince.

The king never prevented his family from interacting with the common folk, regardless of the economic stature or personal beliefs of the people. All the good citizens