Blade of Envy

By Ann M Pratley

In the realm of the House of Mordasini, the three royal offspring of King Maynard and Queen Azura are beginning their journeys into adulthood. As the eldest, Prince Aldin, starts to obsess about his future role as the next king, so also begins an obsession about his younger brother. Torn between wanting to be the one who rules over everyone else, but also wanting the life that is being set up for his brother, Aldin begins a journey of envy that grows darker as time passes.

Meanwhile, as one brother ruminates about the life of the other, their younger sister, Princess Semera, appears to grow ill. In the quiet of her deep slumber, something surprising begins to happen as, from a distance, she unknowingly becomes someone else's focus.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ann M Pratley
• Release date: Mar 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005122270

Ann M Pratley

Ann M Pratley has a simple passion for words and writing of all kinds, and far too many stories in her head.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Every face within the realm of House of Mordasini was raised toward the sky as the dark shadow soared over the mountains to the east. It had moved in from the north on the fifth day after the king and his advisors had begun waiting for it to appear.

It is here! someone yelled.

The chaos that instantly ensued was immense. Despite the kingdom having waited for so long in anticipation of the beast's return, panic still set in.

People ran - some indoors; some outdoors. There was suspicion in most that it wouldn't matter how far they ran or how well they hid. The beast would still find them. The beast would still kill them. The beast would still eat them, ripping their bodies to shreds before devouring them and leaving no waste.

Stories had been passed down, enhanced and grown over generations. Every eighty years the beast came. When it did, it fed hard and it killed many. Every second generation had seen it come. Every alternate generation had contributed to the readiness for the following generation's week of terror.

When the shadow turned and began moving across the sky toward the palace, there was little that could be done. Weapons were readied but it was doubted they could do anything. Arrows were so small against a beast so large. Despite knowing their chances of success were slim, the army of archers lined up along the top of the castle walls and raised their bows. As the chief archer gave the command, arrows were released.

As expected, they did nothing.

CHAPTER 2

Seventy Years Later

Aldin 12 ~ Iztal 10 ~ Semera 8

King Maynard glanced down at his three children sitting on the rug in front of his throne. Although he was relaying to them a story of destruction that was based on truth and had been told to him by his grandfather, he could not help but feel pride and satisfaction at the way that his offspring hung onto his every word.

That was the last time that a dragon was seen by anyone in the castle or any citizen of the realm, Maynard said, looking at each of the small faces before him. It has been told to each generation that the great dragon hibernates for eighty years. After that time, it comes out for one week to feed before going back into hibernation again, he continued as he felt his face turn grave with seriousness. Before it next returns, we must prepare for the fight that may ensue. Last time it was here, it caused much destruction to this palace and many lives were lost. We do not want that to happen again.

But Father, Prince Aldin began to ask. At twelve years of age, he knew he was next in line to become the future king because he was the eldest son. It was an upcoming responsibility that kept him serious much of the time. I do not understand. You say the dragon destroyed parts of the palace, but there is no damage that I have ever seen.

Maynard smiled at his oldest son.

You are right, Aldin, he said. Now we are safe within the security of these walls once more, but it took many years to rebuild the palace fully after the damage that was inflicted on it last time the beast returned.

What will we do when it comes back? Aldin asked.

Maynard studied his oldest son's face. He could see the children's mother in Aldin's facial expression most of all. Maynard supposed that, as king, he should have wished for his children to all look like him and have features of the Mordasini family. It had never bothered him, however. His wife was alive and healthy, as were his three children. He could not wish for more happiness than what he gained from that.

You have each seen the large blades that reside on the palace walls? Maynard asked and saw all three of his children nod in reply. They are said to have magical powers that will protect us from the evil that lives within the dragon. That is why there are four of them. One sits on each of the walls facing East, South, West, and North. The legend that has been passed down from generation to generation says that each of our four swords was manufactured by the same master blade maker that created Excalibur.

Excalibur? Aldin asked. But, Father, the story of Excalibur is only pretend. It was made up merely for children's fairy tales. It is not real.

King Maynard nodded and chuckled softly at the tone of importance the future king already possessed even though he was so young.

"I have heard this also, Aldin, but take note that I did not say that our swords are Excalibur, just that they were made by the blade maker who created Excalibur," the king said.

But if Excalibur is not real, how can you know that our swords were made by that sword maker? Aldin pressed. "In fact, how can they even be made by that sword maker, if that sword was never actually made?"

Maynard smiled at his oldest son. He knew that Aldin's questions could go on for days if he continued to get answers that appeared to be unsatisfactory to him. The king had learned long ago that the only way to not encourage Aldin in his questioning was to pretend to not have heard his latest question. He was considering that option when another voice spoke.

How many years has it been, Father, since the dragon was last here? asked Prince Iztal, ignoring what his older brother had just asked.

Despite being the second child and only ten years old, Iztal was already inquisitive and eloquent in the questions he asked. King Maynard and his wife, Queen Azura, had both talked about the likelihood that Iztal had an old soul. Sometimes he spoke with a level of wisdom that far outweighed his years.

It has now been seventy years since the dragon last came, Iztal, the king said. He knew it was expected that another decade would pass before the castle and the nearby villages could be visited by the beast once again. In some ways, a decade seemed a long time. When he considered preparing for facing a dragon to protect all of his subjects and the people he most loved, ten years felt like a timeframe that might pass in a blink of an eye.

How many years will it be before it comes back, Father? asked Princess Semera.

Maynard tried not to chuckle along with his two sons as they laughed at her. Aldin and Iztal both had exceptional mathematical abilities. Given what they'd just been told, it wasn't a difficult calculation to make and they knew it. Semera, at eight years of age, didn't yet have the skills to so easily see the equation or work out the answer.

Not for a long time, my little princess, Maynard heard his wife, Azura, call out as she approached the group. Come now. It is time for all of you to go and prepare for your bedtime.

But mother! Aldin began to object. He only got two words out before his mother scooped him up in a hug. She then proceeded to do the same to his younger brother and sister.

No arguing, Maynard said in his stern fatherly king voice. Off you go. As future rulers of our realm, sleep is always of utmost importance! he continued, prompting all three children to begin walking out of the room.

"Only I will rule the kingdom, Father, Aldin said as he stopped walking away and looked back at his parents. Iztal and Semera are not special enough to do that."

Queen Azura glanced at her husband. Between them, they shared the same look they had many times before. It was a look of questioning about whether they should, in fact, have already told Aldin he was the realm's future king. It had seemed important to at the time. Since they had, they weren't so sure.

Go! Maynard said to his oldest son before finally seeing his command be taken to heart as Aldin left the room.

When the children were out of sight, Azura sat on her husband's knee and wrapped her arms around him. Despite having been married for twenty years, their affection for one another had never lessened. She was glad. He was king and she hadn't been a choice of wife for him by his parents, but he'd married her anyway and she continued to love him dearly. Sharing childhood memories of their lifelong friendship, she'd always felt proud to be his wife and his queen. Even their first pregnancies not developing into her giving birth to a living child hadn't changed how they'd always felt about each other. She'd always been grateful for that. As a queen, her initial slowness in seeing pregnancy through to the birth of a healthy child could have been a reason for her husband to toss her aside. Through staying with her and continuing to support her and keep trying to produce an heir, Maynard had proven his value not only as a king but also as a man. His patience and persistence had also paid off when they'd finally started to successfully have children.

Did we do the right thing, telling him how much power he will have one day? Maynard asked her gently. They'd had the conversation many times since they'd sat Aldin down a year earlier and explained to him that he would be the next ruler of the realm. "Sometimes he seems far too confident in the title he will have. Not only that but he acts like Iztal and Semera are lesser beings than him."

"If I remember correctly, you were quite confident as a young prince who knew he was next in line to the throne," Azura teased him.

Yes, I suppose I was, Maynard replied, smiling sadly.

Azura kissed him softly on his lips.

Aldin is different from the younger ones, she said. "He wore responsibility heavier than they do, long before he received that news. Worry not. I do not think it is his future position that makes him act in such a way or say such things. I believe it is simply a part of who Aldin is."

Maynard nodded as he looked into her brilliant blue eyes. He never tired of looking at his wife.

Yes, maybe you are correct, my love, he said. We must work to keep the three of them close. They must always remember that they are family so extremely important to one another. I would not want them to ever be apart.

Azura laughed softly.

The day will come when they will part, as you well know. I have not seen my family since before the children were born. It is a part of life as we grow up, become adults, and begin our own families, she said. Do not worry so much. With our children, all will be well.

Yes, I know you are right, Maynard said as his mind moved to quite another thought altogether.

The distinctive look of cheekiness appearing in his eyes made Azura smile. Knowing him as well as she did, she was never wrong in reading his mood changes.

Would my arguing with you, however, induce you to kiss me again? Maynard asked, his voice full of suggestion. If so, I do not think you are right at all.

Azura laughed out loud.

My darling king and husband! You know that I will kiss you happily, without any such inducement or manipulation from you, she said before placing her lips on his once more.

The kiss was one of love. It began soft and warm. In the quiet and solitude that the two of them rarely had, it changed slowly into passion.

Maynard pulled his lips away from hers as he smiled broadly.

We must go and say goodnight to our children, Azura, he said, the tone of his voice deep from the beginnings of arousal. After we do that, he continued as he gently stood, still holding her in his arms. I am going to take you to bed.

Azura smiled as she felt her feet carefully lowered to the ground. Before she let her husband move away, she took his hands in hers, stood on the tips of her toes and kissed him again.

Yes, please.

As they turned and began walking out of the throne room, Maynard smiled to himself. Twenty years of marriage and the successful births of three children had never dimmed his passion for his wife. He knew that it equally hadn't dimmed her passion for him. It came from a love that had caught him off guard when he'd first felt it.

His marriage had come about despite the extreme planning and calculation of his own father. As far as the previous king had been concerned, there hadn't been any necessity or even expectation that Maynard would like his wife, let alone love her. Because their life together had begun simply as childhood friends, Maynard had always trusted Azura completely and had grown to love her implicitly. There was no other woman like her, nor would there ever be.

~ ~ ~

As was always the nightly ritual when peace existed in the realm and the king wasn't required for urgent issues, Maynard went to see his sons in their bed-chamber while Azura went and said her goodnight to Semera. It was their way of giving the boys some time just with their father, whilst the young princess could enjoy a one on one moment with her mother.

When Maynard entered his sons' bed-chamber, he heard familiar words that always worried him. They came from Aldin frequently.

When I am king and ruler of this kingdom… Aldin started to say, unknowing that his father was entering the room.

Maynard quickly cut the sentence short as he walked toward Aldin's bed.

When you are king and ruler of this kingdom, you will be an old man so there is no need for you to think about that quite yet, Aldin, he said as he tucked in the sheepskins covering his oldest son's lithe body. This is the time when you should be having fun as a child.

I am twelve now, Father, Aldin retorted, making his father smile.

Yes. It will not be long and you will be placed into training to learn your royal duties. For now, enjoy being a child, Maynard said as he turned his body so he could look at Iztal at the same time. Both of you, it is time to relax and enjoy each other. Your mother no longer sees her family and I now rarely see my sister - your aunt. It is important to enjoy this time together while you can.

Yes, Father, Aldin and Iztal both replied at the same time. They'd heard the same speech many times.

Now, Maynard said as he kissed Aldin's forehead and then stood to do the same to Iztal. Sleep is required so you can both think clearly for your lessons in the morning.

"I shall not do any lessons when I am king," Aldin dared to say although he instantly regretted the words when they had left his mouth.

Maynard turned and looked at him, his face serious.

When you are king, you will learn lessons that are far more difficult than those you currently learn in the classroom, Aldin, he said. Do not forget that.

Aldin nodded but remained silent. He knew his father's tones. Although it was often fun to do and say things that he knew would upset his father, Aldin did possess a sense of self-preservation that also told him when enough was enough and it was time to stop speaking.

~ ~ ~

After he was certain that their father had left the room, Aldin spoke.

When I am king, Iztal, what will you be? he asked his brother.

Iztal remained quiet. They'd played that particular game too many times. He knew that bedtimes for him provided Aldin with the perfect opportunity to show a side of his personality that his parents didn't see. As serious and charming as Aldin could be toward the king and queen, towards Iztal he often showed a side that Iztal could only describe as mean.

Oh, yes. You will be a pauper living on the streets, Aldin finished, adding a chuckle that showed he thought he had said something funny.

If that is my fate, Aldin, I shall be happy, Iztal replied as he rolled onto his side, facing away from his brother. To live on the streets is far preferable to me than to not live at all, he continued. Sometimes he said things that sounded far too grown up, even to him. He had no idea where the words came from but he understood them when he said them. What he'd just said to his brother was accurate. So far he'd not known death at all but he was aware of it being something that happened to everyone. He was only ten years of age but he fully understood that the day that Aldin would be made king, would be the day that their father died.

That thought did not make Iztal happy at all.

CHAPTER 3

Aldin 12 ~ Iztal 10 ~ Semera 8

As he entered the royal bed-chamber that evening, King Maynard's mind was active. He'd just enjoyed his nightly hug from his daughter when he'd said his brief goodnight to her, but it was his visit to his sons prior that remained on his mind.

Upon opening the large double doors, he immediately saw that his wife was not already there. He knew she would be with Aldin and Iztal, bidding them sweet dreams. Each night, they did the same dance and he did believe there was some benefit to it. While he did not doubt that his daughter, Semera, adored him, she absolutely idolized her mother to a far different degree. It was important that the two of them could have a decent amount of quiet moments together. As the young princess would get older, the time she would get to spend alone with her mother would only become more important. There were things they could share that Maynard knew he wouldn't with his daughter as she got older.

Similarly, he understood that while the boys loved and respected their mother, there was a special bond they had with him. At times he felt like Iztal, in particular, was someone who he might trust with his life when he became an adult. He wasn't so certain he felt the same way about his oldest son. Aldin was different in so many ways. Already, he had the countenance that told Maynard he might not turn out to be someone he'd fully trust, even though he was his son and the king and queen both tried hard to guide Aldin in the right direction.

So deep in thought was Maynard that he didn't hear the large double doors open and close again, or the footsteps that moved close and then halted behind him.

As he stood where he was, looking out from his palace window and over the village below, lit up by the many fire lanterns, he was surprised when loving arms wrapped around him from behind.

My queen will return soon. You should be careful. It is imperative that she does not find you here, Maynard said, teasing his wife as he folded his arms over hers and pulled her even closer against his back.

Azura laughed out loud. She suspected that some women would take such words to heart and believe them as evidence of a husband being untrue. She knew better. There had never been a time in their long marriage when she had expected Maynard would want to be with another woman. There were things now and then that she felt less confident about in life, but her husband's love and fidelity was not one of them.

We should move quickly and quietly then, she teased him back. How would you like to begin?

Maynard smiled but didn't move.

Perhaps this shall suffice, just standing here together and observing the magic of the lanterns flickering across our land, he said in almost a whisper.

Azura tightened her hold around him briefly before pulling her arms out of his and moving around to face him. After studying his eyes to gauge his degree of seriousness, she pulled him close and kissed him softly.

You are thoughtful, she said simply. She knew it was all she needed to say to prompt him to speak if there was something on his mind.

Maynard kissed her back.

Our son often gives me reason to think and consider at this time of night, he said. There was no need to detail which son he was talking about. Although they did often talk about Iztal and the mature countenance he had, more often it was Aldin they spoke about.

Azura moved from him and sat on the window seat. The cool air that flowed in through the window was refreshing. When she'd watched Maynard sit down next to her, she prompted him to expand his words.

What has he said tonight that has you thoughtful? she asked, taking his hands in hers.

Maynard looked down at their joined hands. He loved how they fitted together in every way.

He did not say anything he has not said before, he said, shifting his view upwards and looking into her eyes. Sometimes I cannot help but wonder what kind of king he will be. He paused and assembled words in his head before he spoke again. The thought that I will never see that does grieve me.

Azura removed one of her hands and gently caressed his cheek as she smiled sadly.

It is true that he will become king after you leave this world, she said. "That may also be after I leave this world…"

Oh, my love, please do not speak of such a thing, Maynard said, taking her hand from his cheek and kissing it gently.

"I shall not if you shall not. Maynard, it is a part of life that when one king dies, another begins their reign. Your father never saw you as king, just as his father never saw him as king, Azura said quietly. It is not something to concern yourself with now. Our children are still so young, as are you. You have a long life ahead of you yet. Please do not think about your departure. I am not anywhere near ready to see you go, and I shall not let you, she said in an attempt to make light of their conversation. Yes, I am decided. I am sorry, my king and husband, but I am not going to let you go anytime soon. You are stuck with me for many years to come."

Maynard smiled at her. He understood her effort to not let him be sad in his thoughts. She had always been the same. When others had acted too seriously and in too much haste, Azura had always held a steady outlook.