The Amondine Kings

By Alexander Moone

What would you do if you were given magic that the only limitations were your own will, and then told you were of royal blood? Would you use that new power to take back what’s rightfully yours from a tyrannical king? That’s exactly what Mathea did. Teamed up with his sister and best friend, Mathea faces hard odds to right some wrongs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Feb 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781663218292

Alexander Moone

Alexander Moone is a simple man from a small Midwest town with big ideas.

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Copyright © 2021 Alexander Moone.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by

any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author

except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue

in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-6632-1828-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-1829-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021902481

iUniverse rev. date:  02/04/2021

Contents

Name Pronunciation

Prologue

Chapter 1     The Home

Chapter 2     Treasure Hunter Troubles

Chapter 3     Class In Session

Chapter 4     Hidden Heritage

Chapter 5     Class Dismissed

Chapter 6     The Road Ahead

Chapter 7     Just Another Step

Chapter 8     Destinies Revealed

Chapter 9     The Tenth Element

Chapter 10   New And Old Acquaintances

Chapter 11   Short Walks And Long Roads

Chapter 12   Lost And Found

Chapter 13   The Winds Of War

Chapter 14   Now You See Me …

Chapter 15   Bold As Brass

Chapter 16   Desperate Measures

Chapter 17   Blood In The Water

Chapter 18   Last Stand

Chapter 19   A Hero’s Welcome

Epilogue

Name Pronunciation

Lithoma= lith-o-ma

Amondine= am-on-dine

Destrian Kainan= dest-ree-ahn kay-nahn

Mathea Kainan= muh-thay-uh kay-nahn

Jemini Kainan= gemini kay-nahn

Chera Shiren= chair-uh sheer-an

Toven Tsediqua= toe-ven zed-ih-kah

Malum Krest= mal-um crest

Tiamara Vulpez= tee-uh-mar-uh vul-pez

Aduro= ad-oo-row

Orius Baine= o-rai-us bane

Ralen= ray-len

Zacarius Shoudenraik= zack-uh-rai-us shoe-den-rake

Eru Mortai= eroo mort-i

Aussir= aw-seer

Thirku= theer-koo

Prologue

At a time, similar to what is known as between the end of the Dark Ages and the start of the Renaissance, peace is weaving its way across the whole world except for a small, well-hidden country called Lithoma, where chaos continues to reign. Secrets are whisked away to safety in a secluded town. A prophecy begins to unfold. The story before you is the only documentation of a place that no longer exists. Continue only if you wish to delve into a hidden world of magic and war. You have been warned.

Thumping of padded feet and scraping of claws were heard through a stone corridor. The inhabitants of a modest room noticed the footsteps grow louder and closer. All at once, a tall humanoid wolf burst through the door to the room. The wolf was dressed in fine, intricate robes, and a fancy crown rested haphazard upon his head. His fur was as black as coal, and his eyes burned with emerald fire.

Destrian, what is it? one of the inhabitants asked.

The day we feared. He’s gone mad—he’s wiping out them all! Destrian growled through gritted teeth. You, Great One, he called out to the other occupant, you have to take them. Get them to somewhere safe, hide them, keep them with you, do whatever you must. Just take them and go. Now!

The figure Destrian referred to as Great One stood up, towering over the other two in the room. Without saying a word, he picked up a basket where the things he was charged to take had been laying. A shimmering portal opened behind the Great One, and he stepped through, vanishing from Destrian’s sight forever.

An empty street miles away from there was deathly silent. It was early in the morning, just before daybreak. The Great One’s portal put him precisely where he wanted to be. He landed just outside of a small town, where the nightly lanterns burned dim. Shifting shape to a more humanoid size, he casually but cautiously walked down the cobblestone street to one of the two brick buildings there, the other being a church. A worn-out brass sign in front of this one read, Boarding School.

As dark clouds moved overhead, he heard a distant thunder as he carefully set the basket down at the door, knocked three times, and vanished before the door opened.

A tall, graying man sleepily answered the door in his nightwear. Hello? Is anyone there? he called out into the chill morning air. After getting no reply, he turned to go back to his slumber, but as he did, the basket caught his eye. He picked it up and was surprised to find two babes inside wrapped tight, a parcel pinned to them.

Oh, dear, he whispered with a bit of worry. He looked around one last time before he decided to take the two little ones inside.

Chapter 1

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THE HOME

S ixteen years since my sister and I were left in this home. It wasn’t exactly good living, being in a boarding home for orphaned and abandoned youths, but it was what we knew. And it could have been much worse. It was no secret what went on in the world around our hidden sanctuary, despite what the adults and teachers did or said to hide it.

For the past twenty years or so, the country had been under the rule of an evil and psychotic tyrant named Malum Krest. I had been told he was a fox with tainted white fur. I suppose at this point, I should mention that humans generally avoided this part of the world. Lithoma was our own private corner of the earth. There were a few humans here and there, but for the most part, this land was inhabited by what one would call fairy-tale creatures.

That’s right—ogres, fairies, elves, and a huge majority of Amondine lived here. The Amondine were a peculiar race of anthropomorphic animals. We could be anything, as far as I knew. We stood on two legs as opposed to four, and our paws were similar to that of a human with four fingers and an opposable thumb. We still had paw pads but natural claws instead of fingernails.

I was one of these Amondines—a wolf with pure-white fur and deep purple eyes. My nose and paw pads were a soft pink. I kind of stood out in a crowd. My sister was more of a champagne cream color with blue eyes, though she was color-blind.

My life was fairly boring—until last week, when my sister was put into a special class without me. I have to admit I was jealous of her. Then we came to the celebration of our birthday, or at least the day we assumed marked our births. Both of us got the day off from studies.

I was on my way to my sister’s room when Docent Tzediqua called to me from the bottom of the stairs. Mathea, may I please have a word with you in my office?

Fearing the worst, I changed my direction. Yes, Docent Tzediqua.

Everyone hated the long walk down the corridor to his office, including the teachers. It rarely happened. This was either very good or very bad.

By the time I reached the door and was about to knock, the docent was already seated behind his desk. Come in and have a seat, he ordered before I could lift my paw. The docent was an elderly human with a bronze complexion, thick frameless glasses, and a long white beard that almost reached his knees.

I did as I was told without hesitation. There was nothing out of the ordinary in his office. Some parchment placed on his desk next to a bottle of ink with a quill, and two great bookcases filled with various leather-bound books. Directly behind the docent’s seat was a sword and sheath in a glass box—a token to his days before building this home, I assumed. We’d all heard stories of his time as a blade for hire.

You can relax, Mathea. You’re not in trouble. As I relaxed, the change in my body language must have been noticeable. He looked up and chuckled. I’m not as mean as they say. Now, my records show that today, you and your sister, Jemini, turn sixteen, correct?

I nodded. Yes, sir. Today is when we were told our birthday was.

This means we can now enroll you in the special classes. That will begin the first day of next week. Most of these classes are taught by me, and the rest are by Ms. Rolund. Also, you must swear to keep secret what you learn. Can you do that? Nothing must leave that class.

I admit I was both scared and intrigued, and perhaps even a bit confused as to why secrecy was so important. But I nodded again. Yes, sir. I swear not a soul will know.

Good. You are to be put in the evening group. We meet out in the commons yard one hour before dusk, and the class will last till an hour after dusk. Normal morning classes may be continued, if you wish, but this is not required. One last thing. Your sister, Jemini, will be in the same class, so try not to cause any mischief, please. He shifted his spectacles.

I gave him a smirk. Yes, Docent. I’ll do my best.

Docent Tzediqua let out an amused grunt. Yes, well, that is all. You’re excused. Go enjoy your day off from classes.

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Just one question first.

He raised an eyebrow.

Why did Jemini start last week, and I’ll start next week?

Ah, yes, I had forgotten. We have the girls start this class the Monday before their sixteenth birthday and boys the Monday after because it’s easier on everyone. That way the class isn’t overcrowded at any one time.

Ah, OK. That makes sense.

And, yes, that means there are things you will learn at the end of the class that others learned at the beginning. It’s about nine weeks, give or take. Now, run along. I have records to update.

I smiled politely, nodded, and left the office. Once I was out of earshot with no adults around, I took off like an arrow, bounding up the staircase and sprinting down the hall. My sister’s room was directly across from mine. Uncaring about anything, I burst through her door and practically shouted, Jemini! Guess what?

All rooms had bunk beds in case the home ever became overcrowded. She fell off her bed into a heap on the floor, got up, and flashed me an indignant look. Apparently you haven’t learned how to knock, so what’s the big deal?

I rolled my eyes. Ha, funny. Docent Tzediqua just called me down to his office. I’m going to be in your special class starting Monday! I just don’t understand why it’s so secretive.

So, baby brother Mathea finally gets invited to learn with the big kids. That’s so cute, she mocked while pinching my cheek.

Hey, back off. We don’t know who’s older. Anyway, what’s the class about? Surely you can tell me now that I’m in it.

Jemini shook her head. Nope. All talk of class outside of the yard is off-limits, even to each other. And don’t call me Shirley.

That all sounds fishy to me. Can you at least say if it’s a good class? I pleaded. I had to know something.

I’ll say this: what you’ll learn is both entertaining and necessary.

I sighed. Guess that’s all I’m getting till Monday. I’ll take it.

The three days until then were going to seem like forever, but at least I was relieved of other classes today, and the weekend started tomorrow. So, what are you doing for our birthday?

I was actually thinking of heading to the library to do some reading. I think there are a few stories that I haven’t read yet.

That sounds boring, I complained. Why don’t you come to the arena and spar with me? It’ll give you a chance to hit me—if you can land any.

As tempting as that is, we can’t. The morning class is doing their own sparing today. I can go, but you can’t yet. And I don’t really want to. Therefore, I will do some reading in the library.

I shifted my stance in her doorway. Y’know, you’re more fun when you eat cake—more ditzy and less like a bookworm.

Jemini’s eyes widened at that. Is there cake?

Afraid not. I sighed again. Guess I have to go find something to do, then.

Toodles. Oh! If you find any cake, can you bring me some? She smiled, lolling her tongue out the side of her muzzle.

I laughed. Someday you’re going to be fat. I’ll keep my eyes open.

Well, there go my plans today, I thought as I left my sister to herself. Suddenly, reading didn’t sound so bad. Maybe the commons yard would be available, because the secret special class was in the arena. There were always straw targets at the end of the yard. I decided to do a bit of target practice.

Three years ago, I’d been in an archery class. The first lesson was to study various bow types and then to construct one using whatever we found lying around the house and the yard. The teacher complimented that mine was so well done I could use it for the rest of the class and even for years after, if I took care of it.

I headed to my room to fetch that very bow, a recurve, made from the branch of an oak that grew in the yard. I used braided horsehair for the string and added beeswax for strength. Various designs were lightly burned into the handle to show off.

It was nearly midday, so it was