The Return to Alcastar

By Michelle Mueller

By all appearances, the kingdom of Alcastar is thriving and enjoying a time of peace, but things are not what they seem to be on the tropical island. When young Prince Leon discovers the wicked plan executed to subjugate his people, he sets sail to Shalimar to enlist the aid of King Lazar. Together, they are thrusted into a fierce battle on land and sea in an effort to free his people.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984552587

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Copyright © 2018 by Michelle Mueller.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

All scripture is taken from The Holy Bible (KJV)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 09/10/2018

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Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Preface

Glossary

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Epilogue

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my husband, Jim, our children, our grandchildren and to all our friends who lovingly supported me in this endeavor. Thank you for all your encouragement and prayers. I would also like to dedicate this book in loving memory of our little dog, Jubilee. You are the treasures in my heart.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I AM ETERNALLY THANKFUL for my Heavenly Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit for their wisdom, knowledge, understanding, revelation, inspiration, creativity and imagination in writing this book. With you, all things are possible.

PREFACE

M Y LOVE FOR the novels of J. R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis inspired me to continue the adventures of my beloved characters of Shalimar. My desire in writing this book is to reveal the truth of the supernatural realm and God’s unconditional love for you.

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

~Psalm34:7

GLOSSARY

Alcastar

Amarisa: Princess of Alcastar; mother of Leon; daughter of Davion and Nadia; wife of Croloch

Davion: King of Alcastar; husband of Nadia; father of Amarisa; grandfather of Leon

Jubilee: Leon’s puppy

Leon: Prince of Alcastar; son of Croloch and Amarisa; grandson of Davion and Nadia

Nadia: Queen of Alcastar; wife of Davion; mother of Amarisa; grandmother of Leon

Locations of Alcastar

Alcastar (Ale-ka-star): Island in the Falcon Sea; Motherland of Shalimar

Blue Tang Bay: Bay surrounding Alcastar and other islands, including Shadow Island

Falcon Sea: Sea beyond the Blue Tang Bay

Tangridge Mountains: Mountains of Alcastar

Tangridge Pass: Pass between Tangridge Mountains

Shadow Island

Captain Cutlass: Captain of the Black Crow

Erik Seeger: Quartermaster of the Black Crow

Captain Scully: Proprietor of the Scalawag Tavern

Isabella: Captain Scully’s wife and Madam

Pirates

Shalimar

Adalein (Ad-a-line): Daughter of Ayden and Katrina; sister of Aaron and Daniel; granddaughter of Lazar

Aaron (Air-in): Son of Ayden and Katrina; brother of Adalein and Daniel; grandson of Lazar.

Ayden (A-din): Knight and Prince of Shalimar; husband of Katrina; father of Aaron, Adalein, and Daniel.

Daniel: son of Ayden and Katrina; youngest brother of Aaron and Adalein; grandson of Lazar

Dante (Don-tay): Orphan befriended by Ayden; raised by Lady Jordanna and Sir Lancelin

Eon (Ee-on): Holy man of Shalimar

Grace: Daughter of Lady Jordanna and Sir Lancelin; younger sister of Ayden

Katrina: Princess of Shalimar; daughter of Lazar and Kaylein; wife of Ayden; mother of Aaron, Adalein, and Daniel.

Kaylein: Queen of Shalimar (deceased); mother of Katrina; wife of Lazar

Lady Jordanna: Mother of Ayden and Grace; wife of Lord Trevonis and Sir Lancelin; grandmother of Aaron, Adalein, and Daniel

Lazar: King of Shalimar; husband of Kaylein; father of Katrina; grandfather of Aaron, Adalein, and Daniel

Lord Trevonis: first husband of Lady Jordanna (missing at sea, presumed dead); Ayden’s father; Admiral of the royal naval fleet

Mr. Kruger: Quartermaster of The Windsong, Ayden’s ship

Shalimar (Shall-i-marr): Location of the Kingdom of Shalimar, across the Falcon Sea

Sir Lancelin: Knight of Shalimar; friend of King Lazar; Lady Jordanna’s second husband; father of Grace

Angels

David: Angel assigned to Princess Katrina of Shalimar

Elshanel (El-sha-nel): Angel assigned to Prince Leon of Alcastar

Jakar (Jah-Car): Angel assigned to King Lazar of Shalimar

Lekki (Lek-key): Angel assigned to Dante of Shalimar

Ramiel (Rah-me-el): Angel assigned to King Davion of Alcastar

Rayel (Ray-el): Commander of Angels over Alcastar

Shonesse (Show-nee-see): Angel assigned to guard church in Alcastar

Tikvah (Teak-va): Angel assigned to Prince Ayden of Shalimar

Trekon (Tray-con): Commander of angels over Shalimar

Uriel (Your-ee-el): Angel assigned to Princess Amarisa of Alcastar

Zuriel (Zour-ee-el): Angel assigned to Queen Nadia of Alcastar

Ships

Ancora (Ann-core-ah): Ship of Admiral Trevonis Of Shalimar

Black Crow: Pirate ship of Captain Cutlass

Windsong: Ship of Prince Ayden of Shalimar

Strongman over Alcastar

Astan

Wizard

Caitiff Croloch (Kay-tiff Crow-lock): Husband of Princess Amarisa; father of Prince Leon; former knight of Shalimar

PROLOGUE

T HE W OOD OARS of the launch sliced through the crystal clear blue waters of the Falcon Sea in rhythmic harmony. Seagulls circled above the craft, their piercing cries heralding the first morning light. The two figures standing on the shore slowly shrank from view as Admiral Trevonis rowed out to his ship. A wave of regret washed over him in leaving his wife and small son behind. During this time of peace, the royal naval fleet of Shalimar acted as merchant ships, trading with others across the sea. Once aboard the Ancora, Admiral Trevonis stood on the foredeck and raised his hand in a final farewell to Lady Jordanna and Ayden.

Several days later, the Ancora arrived on the shores of Alcastar. After dropping off their cargo, Admiral Trevonis and his crew set sail once again for home. They had not sailed far when a black sail was sighted on an approaching pirate ship. A fierce battle ensued between the two ships. Black, billowing clouds of smoke filled the sky above the Ancora and great orange flames licked her sails as the pirates set her ablaze.

His sword drawn, Admiral Trevonis fought bravely as the pirates took the lives of his crew. As the ship pitched and rolled, the blade of a cutlass pierced his heart. The ship’s rail behind him gave way and he fell overboard. The waves of the sea curled her fingers around him, clutching him tightly to her. Slowly, he sunk down, forever in her embrace and his crimson blood mingled with her. His soul, once released, flew upward, a translucent white light in the sky. The angel, Trekon, his white wings shimmering, waited for him on the bottom step of an ancient, winding stairway reaching into the heavens.

Come, said the angel, smiling.

Trevonis looked into the beautiful face of Trekon. He knew it would be a long time before he would be reunited with his family again in eternity. What will become of my wife and son? he asked.

The Lord is watching over them, said Trekon, gently reassuring him.

Trevonis smiled, feeling God’s peace. Together, he and the angel ascended the pearl steps in a brilliant white light as Trekon led him home.

CHAPTER 1

A STRONG, EASTERLY WIND filled the sails of the Windsong as she made her voyage home. Depending on wind conditions, she could make the five hundred seventy-six mile journey from Alcastar to Shalimar in three days time, traveling at the speed of eight knots per hour. Prince Ayden, the captain of the galleon, stood on the foredeck, looking out across the Falcon Sea. We are making good time. We should arrive home by the morning light , he thought, watching seagulls swoop down from the sky, catching fish in their beaks.

Ayden loved the sea. Like his father before him, he found himself drawn to it at an early age. His father, Admiral Trevonis, had gone missing at sea when Ayden was seven. After a year when he had not returned, he was presumed dead. Even now, Ayden missed him. He often thought of his father when he was at sea. Somehow, it made him feel closer to him. I miss you, Da, he thought. As a small boy, his father had taught him how to swim and often took him on short voyages. At sea, his father taught the young boy much about sailing. Curious about everything that had to do with ships, Ayden was a quick learner. Smiling to himself, he could still hear his father’s voice.

You have the makings of a fine sea captain. One day you will have your own ship, his father had told him. Ayden had never forgotten his father’s words.

His mother had taken it especially hard when his father had not returned. Secretly, Lady Jordanna hoped Ayden would not follow in his father’s footsteps. However, it was not to be. Her son had a yearning in his heart for the open sea that was too strong for him to ignore. The sea seemed to call to Ayden and he finally answered her call at the age of eighteen. In the end, despite her reservations, Lady Jordanna accepted his decision, putting her trust in God to protect her son.

May our Lord watch over and protect you and may you be His light wherever you go, she had said to him before his first voyage. Through her tears, Lady Jordanna stood on the shore, waving goodbye to her son, just as she had done with his father, eleven years ago. She is a remarkable woman of great faith and courage, thought Ayden, remembering that day.

He was glad when his mother had accepted Sir Lancelin’s marriage proposal. She deserves to be happy, he thought. Lancelin had been a close friend of his father’s and had helped them both through difficult times after his father’s disappearance. Taking it upon himself to look after them, Lancelin cared for them and loved them. In many ways, he had become a second father to Ayden. When Lancelin discovered Ayden’s love of horses, he had taught the boy how to ride. When the boy expressed his desire to be a knight, Sir Lancelin was the one who trained him.

Now, Ayden divided his duties on land as a knight and at sea as a captain. During times of peace, the royal naval fleet of Shalimar acted as merchant ships trading goods with other lands. His wife, Princess Katrina, shared his love for the sea and together they traveled to faraway places, experiencing other cultures and being God’s light in a dark world.

His thoughts turned to Katrina. Thank you, Father, for Katrina, he thought, smiling to himself. Ayden had known Katrina for as long as he could remember. They had grown up together in the castle and had always been very close. It was evident to everyone the two of them shared a special bond and they were inseparable. From an early age, they both knew in their hearts one day they would marry. Shortly after Katrina’s eighteenth birthday, the two of them were wed. They adored each other and their love deepened with each day that passed. Ayden’s thoughts were interrupted when someone hugged him from behind.

Why did you not wake me? Katrina asked.

Ayden turned and Katrina smiled up at him. Locks of his curly, brown hair showed beneath his three-cornered hat.

You needed your beauty rest, he teased.

Ayden’s olive green eyes dancing with merriment as he hugged her, smoothing her tousled blonde hair.

Katrina laughed. Why sir, whatever do you mean? she asked, playfully. A sudden movement caught her eye.

Ayden, look, she said, pointing excitedly.

A small pod of blue whales surfaced not far from their ship. Enthralled, they watched the giant creatures leap gracefully into the air before diving into the sea.

Magnificent, said Ayden.

He never grew tired of the wonders of the sea. Gently brushing the strands of long, blonde hair the from Katrina’s face, he kissed her tenderly.

There is something I must tell you, said Katrina, smiling up at him.

What is it? asked Ayden. They had no secrets between them.

I know why I have not been feeling well, as of late, she said, mysteriously.

Are you ill? Do you have a fever? asked Ayden. His brow wrinkled with concern as he put his hand on her forehead. Katrina had not been her usual self for several weeks now and it was beginning to concern him, although she had assured him she was fine.

Katrina laughed, taking his hand from her forehead and placing it on her belly. No, my love, you are going to be a father, said Katrina, happily.

A look of joy and wonder crossed Ayden’s face as her words registered. I am going to be a father? You are you going to be a mother? We are having a baby? he asked, excitedly. When? How did you find out?

Katrina laughed, enjoying his reaction. Before the Spring. King Davion’s physician confirmed it, she said.

Ayden was overcome with concern for her. You must sit down. No, you must lie down and rest…all the time. Here, let me help you to the cabin, said Ayden, excitedly, taking her by the arm.

Katrina giggled. Ayden, I am fine. I will let you know when I need to rest. I promise, she said, reassuring him. She was deeply touched by his concern. I cannot wait until we tell everyone back home, she said happily.

Katrina’s father, King Lazar, Lancelin and Davion were old friends. Lazar and Lancelin usually accompanied Ayden and Katrina on their voyages to Alcastar but had stayed behind this time. Lady Jordanna, Ayden’s mother, was home with Ayden’s younger sister, Grace. Katrina’s own mother, Kaylein, had died giving birth to her. Lady Jordanna, the queen’s friend, helped Lazar raise Katrina and loved her as her own daughter. Katrina loved Ayden’s mother and was very close to her.

Your sister will have another playmate, said Katrina, smiling.

Hearing a shout above them, they turned. Dante