Racing the Red Moon

By Ruby Gates

A race against time.

But time is running out.

The Red Moon is on the rise.

When Stella's mysterious trainer went missing he left a letter that held a secret that the king has been hiding for years. Forced to make the decision, Stella sets off on a quest to save her kingdom. With a greedy king and her father not far behind, Stel

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katy Speer
• Release date: Feb 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781088014011

Book preview

Racing the Red Moon

This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to persons living or dead are completely coincidental.

Paperback ISBN : 978-1-7923-8427-1

Ebook ISBN : 978-1-7923-8430-1

Copyright © 2022 by Ruby Gates

Illustrations © 2022 by Ruby Gates

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or means electronically or mechanically, including photocopying and recording, without permission from the publisher.

Published in the United States by The Lost Compass using program Ingramsparks.

The Lost Compass and its compass colophon belong to Ruby Gates.

Cover design by Ruby Gates

Contact The Lost Compass or Ruby Gates

Instagram: ruby.gates.illustrator

Gmail: [e-mail]

For my brother, William Bennet.

Who was always wondering, what happens next?

But the path of the just is

like the shining sun,

That shines ever brighter

unto the perfect day.

Proverbs 4:18 NKJ

Contents

Preface

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Preface

How It All Began

I swear! Even if it costs me my life, even should I have to sacrifice all that I love! I will find the impossible cure to your sickness! King Quinidar pulled at his tousled blond hair. I will lead all my men into battle and fight to the last man if it means you would be well. He sat at his wife’s side and held her pale hand. I will continue the search for a cure. There must be! he cried.

He held his wife’s hand to his chest. The queen smiled.

Your love is what makes me strong, even in my pain. Continue to search, but do not trust to hope.

The king kissed her hand.

You have been sick for so long, he whispered.

The queen sighed.

The doctor said I have no more than ten years of life left. In that time, it is my desire to give you an heir.

But it would kill you! Quinidar replied.

Death is destiny, love. We can only try to delay the inevitable. But if I can bring another life into this world, should it cost me my life, it is my final wish. That you may have a child to treasure after my parting.

Quinidar pushed a strand of radiant gold hair from her thin face. Get back your strength first, my love.

She smiled before she drifted off into sleep. Quinidar surveyed the room before he let his long-subsided tears fall.

If you traveled west, as far west across Lydaeth as you possibly could before you reach the coast, you would find a path of mountains that stretched north and south as far as one could see. There, at their midst, is what many people called the mother mountain. She rose over all the rest, nearly solid rock. Her zenith, chilled by the clouds, was forever capped with snow, while at her base flowers were abundant, and the gardens and brilliant pastures of the Klidorians were fruitful. The mountain was called Sclyvar, for the name of the king, a commonality in southern Lydaeth.

The kingdom was chiseled facing seaward out of the side of the mountain’s face. Towers and ramparts, homes and markets, their foundations were of the mountain. Small villages were scattered throughout the majestic forest, Villa, which lay in the mountain’s shadow, far below the kingdom.

The people of the mountain were of Klidorian blood. The Klidorians were highly skilled with their hands when it came to agriculture and the seas. Their crops, which were traded across the lands, were famed in song and literature. Peasants and vagabonds of rural places had even heard of their success.

To the east, several leagues from Villa, was the great city of Cadace where the farmers of the mountain’s shadow would travel and trade with other kingdoms. Even the Eleorians of the eastern and southern realms would travel for days to reach the city. Peace was plentiful in those days, aye, but alas, times change.

King Sclyvar sat alone on the balcony of his bedroom. He stared out at the breath-taking view of the Sclyvar coast, thousands of feet below. He watched, unblinking, as the thunderous waves sent white foam up into the air, roaring like a living thing. The sea had to hold something incredible. Something wonderful. Something magical.

Just two days before, he had been strolling along the coast with his son, Tyler, when they ran across the most incredible creature they had ever seen. It was washed up on the shore and was barely alive. It took the form of a woman but had a long, slim, fish tail, a creature thought to only be a myth.

King Sclyvar took a deep breath of the salty air, then looked down to his hands. For a moment, his breathing stopped. He had found a prize more valuable than any diamond or a river of gold. Around the mermaid’s neck was the key to his kingdom’s new wealth: The pearls of eternity. King Sclyvar’s son had taken them from the creature, then pushed it back out to sea. It was a double strand necklace of pearls. The top strand was a mixture of ocean blue hues. The bottom row was iridescent, seeming to absorb the orange light of dusk. Originally the pearls would have been sold for a tremendous sum of silver or gold. But as far as the king knew, he, his son, and his wife were the only ones who knew of the pearls. It was their secret.

King Sclyvar touched a pearl of the top strand to a pearl of the bottom. The two pearls shone. Between them a light appeared, like a little white star before it faded away. There in his palm laid a coin-sized gem. The gem appeared to be a professionally cut diamond, but it emitted a soft light. At its center blue and white light ran together like the waters of the seas, crashing over each other and sending colors flying. This was his key to getting everything he ever dreamed of.

Years passed, and word spread quickly of Sclyvar’s wealth. Rumors were rampant, some said the king had discovered a gold mine but decided to keep it secret. Soon the wealth of the kingdom was so great, that the people gave up their farms. The forest men moved out of Villa and to the city. Crops were no longer needed, for everything the people wanted, the king could provide. Life became nothing but fun, and even the lowliest cripple did not have to work, nor sleep on the street. It was a paradise.

One spring when King Sclyvar journeyed to Cadace to trade with the people of other realms, he was greeted there by Quinidar Endor, king of the Eastern Eleorian Realm, named Endor. The Eleorians were mostly known for their skill with woodworking, but the Eastern Eleorians were woodsmen, highly skilled in architecture, woodworking, and for their fine silks and gossamer fabrics. King Sclyvar had ordered a custom cloak of the Endorian’s famed rose petal velvet, with softened Endor wolf fur lining.

Greetings King Sclyvar, King Quinidar said. We have your cloak. ‘Tis an honor to see you again, my friend. Tell me, how is your son?

King Sclyvar sat on a plush sofa across from King Quinidar.

Oh, everyone is quite well. My kingdom prospers presently. No doubt you’ve heard, he said proudly in his strong Klidorian accent. He leaned forward and folded his hands.

I have a marvelous secret, my old friend. More marvelous than the mountain drakes. King Sclyvar scanned the room.

King Quinidar’s personal footman stood in the corner of the room. King Sclyvar cleared his throat and nodded to the man. He turned swiftly and scurried out the door without a sound.

Surely it is not as majestic as your fair drakes that guard the mountain’s shadow, King Quinidar said.

We found a treasure more valuable than all the gold of this world. The pearls of eternity are what we have named them. Let me show you. Rosamunde!

Queen Rosamunde gathered her skirts and sat next to her husband. King Sclyvar reached behind her and unclasped the necklace. He placed a top pearl to the bottom. The light glowed and the gem formed. King Quinidar rose to his feet, his mouth agape.

How? These pearls are not of the ordinary! This is how you have acquired great wealth! he exclaimed.

There is another secret we have discovered to them too, King Sclyvar said, as he clasped the pearls back around Rosamunde’s neck. The one who wears the pearls, will not age. My gift to my wife.

Rosamunde smiled. King Quinidar’s gaze locked on the pearls. Rosamunde fanned herself uneasily. King Quinidar’s face twisted awkwardly.

My wife is sick. She is dying. Could you possibly lend them to her? Could they heal her? he asked.

No! They do not heal. I have tried. My wife was sick after the birth of our second child, who was stillborn. They showed no healing results. But since the day we found them, years ago, my wife has not aged a day. She is still young and beautiful. She will never die. King Sclyvar said.

Surely they can heal. Please let me try with my wife! She is now with child and grows weaker every day! King Quinidar said.

He moved closer. Rosamunde stood up, curtsied low then went out the back door and into the gardens. King Quinidar’s gaze did not leave her all the while. Then he turned back to King Sclyvar. He stepped closer.

Please. For my wife, he begged.

They do not heal. Now I will be taking my cloak. We are hosting a grand banquet in a few weeks in celebration of our son’s wedding. You’re welcome to come.

Behind the closed door, the young footman listened. Magical pearls did not impress him. He had seen many incredible things and he did recall hearing of these pearls before. But one thing did catch his attention. The tone of King Quinidar’s voice. It was cold. Threatening.

The floor creaked slightly on the other side of the door, and the young man ran to the storage room and brought back the cloak, folded neatly on a silver tray. The door opened. King Sclyvar stood and eyed the footman for a moment, then took his cloak and continued down the hall. King Quinidar exited the room and stopped next to his footman.

Can I get you anything sir? the footman asked.

King Quinidar shook his head. You have nothing I really need. But Sclyvar... Sclyvar has it all.

It was a few weeks later, Tyler and his bride sat together in formal attire at the end of the long banquet table. King Sclyvar conversed with the other guests. A choir sang slow love songs and ballads as a little girl played the harp next to them. The sweet scent of banquet delicacies hung on the air throughout the entire kingdom. Flower garlands and wreaths of roses decorated every balcony, window, railing, and doorway. Out on the palace lawn below, young girls made daisy chains and the boys battled with wooden swords. Commoners danced in circles. The ladies’ dresses fanned out around them as they spun. Laughter sounded over the crowd chatter. Not a cloud flawed the brilliant sky. Birdsong echoed from the trees.

A little distance away, several thousand soldiers marched in time with swords out and shields before them. Another two thousand rode behind them. They entered the forest, then split into two groups. The mounted soldiers rode around the mountain hastily and attacked those still in the markets and homes along the foot of the mountain. The rest of the soldiers split at the side of the mountain. Half flooded into the palace and the homes carved on the face of the mountain. The rest attacked those in the meadows, beach, and the palace lawn.

Up in the banquet room everything turned to chaos. Mothers rushed their wailing younglings to safe places. Men drew their swords. King Sclyvar pushed his wife, son, and daughter-in-law down the hall toward his secret safe room. They ran into the throne room, but their way was blocked by soldiers. The number of the invaders was multiplying rapidly. King Sclyvar motioned for them to go back the way they came, but that way was blocked as well. The soldiers stepped aside. King Quinidar stepped through them.

The footman had taken a treacherous climb on the mountain’s side. Rocks slid out from under his feet. He looked up. His destination was only twenty more feet. Finally, he grasped the edge of a hole that worked as natural lighting for the room below. He tied a rope around the base of a bush next to the hole, then tied it around his own waist. Slowly, he repelled his way down into the treasury.

King Quinidar drew his sword. He strode up to King Sclyvar. Sclyvar shielded his family. Rosamunde clutched onto her husband’s arm.

I thought we were friends, Quinidar! You have killed nearly my entire army! Those men had families! What do you want? he shouted.

The pearls, Sclyvar. Where are the pearls? he asked.

No! Those pearls are the only wealth of my people! If I give them away… I would lose everything! Everyone’s lives would be ruined! King Sclyvar shouted.

King Quinidar looked over to Rosamunde. The pearls were not around her neck.

Where are the pearls? he asked.

I will not say! Sclyvar shouted.

King Quinidar stepped closer.

I’ll kill off your family one by one if you don’t tell me where they are right now.

Archers’ bows creaked behind them.

No! Do not kill them! The pearls are at the center of the treasury on a green cushion! King Sclyvar said.

Thank you, friend, King Quinidar said.

He thrust his sword into Sclyvar’s chest. Rosamunde screamed and fumbled to catch her husband as he fell. Tyler drew his sword and charged King Quinidar. An archer shot from behind him. The arrow stuck from his knee. Tyler dropped his sword and fell.

I swear! If you do not return the pearls before the next red moon, I will summon an army too great for you and all your kin! he shouted.

King Quinidar stepped forward and hit Tyler over the back of the head with his sword hilt. Tyler slumped forward to the floor.

Have Firman’s company meet me at the treasury, King Quinidar ordered his second in command.

The footman could hear Prince Tyler shout his threat. Footsteps approached the treasury. The footman untied the rope from around his waist. There, upon a green cushion at the center of the room lay the pearls. If he could get them away before King Quinidar got them, he could return them back to the king of the mountain, who owned them by right. The young man ran forward and removed the pearls from their resting place. A click came from the treasury doors. He ran for the rope. The door was thrown open, and King Quinidar stepped in. When he spotted his footman, he ran across the room. The young man scrambled to get up the rope, but King Quinidar pulled him down. The young man fell to the floor. King Quinidar put his sword tip to his traitorous footman’s chest.

Nice attempt, footman. Now give me the pearls, he ordered.

The young man clutched the pearls in his hand tightly.

They do not belong to you! They belong to King Sclyvar! he cried.

He is dead. The pearls are my spoil of war. Now give them to me or I’m going to kill you.

The young man looked around. There were no swords. No daggers. There were only professional soldiers and a ton of jewels and gold.

Originally, he was highly skilled with fighting. Far more than this king would expect. If he had a weapon on him, he would have drawn to the side, swipe away the king’s sword, and thrust upward. But there was no way.

The young man tossed the pearls aside. Captain Firman snatched them up and handed them to King Quinidar. The young man looked up the blade of the king’s sword. He laid there still, with his eyelids half closed, a single lock of long sand-blond hair over his eye.

On your feet. King Quinidar commanded.

The young man pushed the sword aside and rose.

You are hereby banished from all Eleorian kingdoms. For treason against your king. I will send out the order to Sääria and the Wildlands as soon as possible.

King Quinidar sheathed his sword and left the treasury. The other soldiers plundered the treasury quickly. Captain Firman closed the doors behind them. The click of a turning key echoed in the large chamber. The room was now dim, the only light came from the hole dozens of feet above. The young man stood still in silence for a long moment. The beat of bird wings startled him as a falcon flew through the hole.

The young man sighed. Warman! You nearly frightened me to death!

The falcon landed on the young man’s shoulder. It bobbed up and down as it cackled,

Why are you here?

The young man stroked the falcon’s smooth feathers.

I thought I had finally found a place where I belonged. I tried to serve the king. But... he just was not doing what was right. I had to stop him! Now I’m banished! the young man cried.

He slammed his palm against the wall. Warman fluttered in the air for a moment, then landed back on his shoulder.

Maybe you were meant to be alone. You once told me you loved trees of Endor. Maybe is where you belong. Alone, out in forest, Warman suggested.

But I’m not the kind to just settle in one place. I tried it after wandering the Wildlands. How could I settle knowing what is happening in Lydaeth? I would feel useless, the young man shouted. Besides, King Quinidar just banished me. If I did live in Endor, I would have to be sure to hide.

Have you considered being a soldier? Warman said.

I can’t follow orders when all kingdoms are corrupted! What could I do? Soon every kingdom will hear the story of Sclyvar’s fall. In a week’s time the story will be being sung in every village. Everyone will know of what happened. I cannot go to the Klidorians, they would kill me. I cannot go to the Eleorians, for I am banished.

Then be one of your own kind. You wandered Wildlands once; you saved many kingdoms and villages. You have seen more than most any elderly person has seen. Why no go back to your old life? Warman asked. He paused a moment. Why no take back Dothan?

Because it would be dangerous, and impossible! One man is not an army Warman, and the few rangers I have trained in the south are not ready to take the entire kingdom back. Besides, all the friends I ever made ended up betraying me or dying because of me! I no longer want to be alone! I am tired of trying to fit into this life. Besides that, you know what orders were commanded of the fire drakes. They would kill me as soon as I showed my face.

The young man grabbed the rope and began to pull himself up. Warman fluttered up to the edge of the hole.

Have you ever considered having an apprentice? Warman suggested.

How could I possibly find one? the young man asked.

As incredible as you are, how you strive for justice, I doubt it will take long. I’m sure that they would find you.

The young man pulled himself through the skylight.

Yes. I will try that. I will teach another. I will pass on my skills. I will teach another how to be not just a ranger of the Wildlands, but a ruler and a leader. So that Dothan may rise again. Tyson smiled at Warman. Come, we have an army to train.

1

The Making and Breaking

of Promises

Fifteen years later

The Endor forest was the largest forest in Southern Lydaeth other than Villa. But no forest was so beautiful. Nearly all the trees were Endor gum trees. Through summer their leaves were a most pleasant bright green, come fall they faded out into a brilliant red. In winter, their leaves would curl into tiny red-brown balls. The whole forest floor was clean and matted with grass, ferns, and wildflowers. At the north edge of the forest were long cherry and apple groves, which separated the forest from the great hills and meadows of the Central Eleorian Realm.

Many said that the Central Eleorian Realm was by far the most becoming of all Eleorian kingdoms. The palace was a pale tan, with ornate carvings, statues, and moldings decorating its peeks, walls, and railings. Its arched windows, trimmed in gold and silver, caught the colors of the forest around it. Behind the palace was a garden of tulips, roses, irises, and the rare Signet Orchids. Bree moss, which was only indigenous to that region, ran alongside the limestone roadways throughout the kingdom.

Once, many years ago, the kingdom had not nearly been so great. No commoners knew exactly how the king had acquired such mass wealth, but many believe what they were taught in their schools: That the king had collected the great wealth from the Klidorians when he attacked them because of the murder of his well-loved wife, Sundae. There were numerous rumors, but only the king and his first in command knew the truth.

It was winter,