A New World: The Arcadian Chronicles

By M.L. Ruscsak

In the world of Lite & Darke, not everything is as it seems. Those we look up to as our friends might be the enemy waiting to strike.

 

And the ones hiding in the shadows, maybe the greatest hero of them all.

 

Have you ever looked around and thought I don't belong? Well Govard does, the only issue is the is the crown prince of Arcadian. Well, Govard certainly does. The only heir to the throne, Govard is also the Crown Prince of Arcadia.This makes walking away out of it impossible. Yet, if what the seers are saying is true, he'll never rule the city. His journey may lead him into far-off lands, but the cost is steep.A cost that's written in blood.

 

The choice is his, but will the price be one he's willing to pay?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trient Press
• Release date: Feb 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9781953975744

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M.L.Ruscsak

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Ruscsak, M.L.

A title of a book : A New World: The Arcadian Chronicles

ISBN Hardcover 

Paperback 

E-book  

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Dedication:

For my dad who is missed every day. And for light in the darkness who lights the path from the darkness. 

Dear Readers,

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Though this is the final book in the Lite and Darke series is on the horizon the tale does not end there.

For with every story there is more than one point of view. And in order to know the truth you must know all the knowledge. To understand everything please be on the look out for The Obsidian Chronicles and the Chronicles of Cronan. But to keep moving forward Legends of the Mind will begin oh so soon.

But please remember with everything I write everything is intertwined. And just because you read it does not mean it is truth. Just because you see it , it may only be half of the story.

Dig deeper because this story is about to be torn apart and the pieces may not fit back together.

Happy Reading

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M.L.Ruscsak 

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prolouge

Aanshi pulled back from her looking glass. Not many knew she was a seer and for those who did, ah well their tongues as their loyalty belong to her. Taking a claiming breath she steadied herself. Slowly she covered the looking glass with the dark cloth. More for show than for need to keep things hidden.

Only a seer could use it. And only she could gain entry withing this room.

A few deep breath before turning to her most trusted guards. Small adjustments to her green dress that suited well against her bronze skin. Her hair draped around her long enough to be a shawl. Yet it was the crown upon her head that gave her the power that was needed.

Have my consort brought to me. The rest of you I’ll speak to you shortly.

She didn’t dismiss them. Didn’t give then answer to any question. But they would remain in her private room guarding her looking glass. 

Not that anything could destroy it, or get near it, but they would guard it just the same. All of them facing the single entry point to this room... the heavy wooden door that she alone could open.

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She entered her bed chamber watching the black candles flicker in their holders. The crushed red velvet soft under her feet. Soon her consort would arrive and they would reach an agreement of what needed to be done. Words spoken now would decide the war that was still many light cycles away. Yet it would her , the Queen of Akrsna that would decide the fate of all the fey.

My queen?

Proper words coming from his soft tenor voice. He would behave as her consort while eyes were upon him. In truth he was her most trusted confidant. The man she allowed to rule over the armies. He was as ruthless has he was hansom. The brother or Azia. Thou if any knew that... ah, well it didn’t matter.

A beat of silence the door clicked shut and the lock in place. None would hear them, nor would they dare.

Our daughter as done well by her boy. He grows stronger by the day. However we have decision to make.

Mabuz carefully walked over to the bed. It was the only suitable place for him to be seated other then her dainty chair where she would brush her hair. No the bed was the best choice of seats even if he would rather stand. What have you seen?

She was fay looking in on children that were sent as consorts to other cities was beneath her. Yet she was still a mother, and her child would always be her child.

Of course that couldn’t matter. Not today.

Akrsna will decide the outcome of the great war. Arae will choose the side we deem for her. Both will be the beginning of the end for all fey.

That tells me nothing. he paused shifting his weight just enough to show it was the queen’s general asking and not her consort, "What is my brother’s hand in

this? And who stand against him?"

Aanshi shook her head. This is long after his rule. Another more reckless will ascend. His child and your bothers stand against him. Our grandchild stands with them. Yet each side searched for the ...

For Arae. They seek something that can’t be control without a price.

Is that what you think? That I do not control Arae...

Green mist started to cover the floor the black candles no longer dripping wax but blood. The smell of death hung in the air. I control Arae as my blood before me has done. Yet it is your blood that will decide who will rule long after my bones turn to ash.

His eyes locked on hers never wavering. Anyone else would cower from the rage with in her. Anyone else would have been dead when the poison mist filled the room. He was not anyone else. No, it is your blood that will decide. Nor mine. I have never wanted to rule and none without the blood of the first would ever survive Arae’s wrath. I just pray his temperament is that of his father’s and not that of our daughter’s.

A sly smile filled her narrow face, So you do know what your youngest is up to?

Some one had to keep the army sharp should she decide to take on Pallas.

part 1

3000 years before the Great war

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"The stars have aligned and it breaths new hope for all of the star cities. A whisper of fear still echos through our lands. But hope can chase the darkness away...

Unless the whispers know what we do not."

-unknown

From the lost scroll of Akrsna

Chapter 1:Arcadian

The fire blazed in the forge. The fire giving his room a haunting glow as head and dust swirled around. His hammer hit the glowing red metal in front of him. Metal clanged. Sweat dripped from his short hazelnut hair. Wiring fell from his work bench. No matter it wasn’t needed yet. First he needed this sheath then he would figure out how to attach the wires.

A soft cough from behind him. No need to look behind him. None. Not when he was the crown prince of Arcadian and he was in his private work room.His private sanctuary. 

Pausing for only a moment he spoke letting his intrude know that he was aware of him, I had an idea on how to enhance the shields and outer defenses. 

A deep sigh, but his father would never openly criticize him. After all, it was he who had taught him the art of the forge and helped hone some of the most delicate designs.

A heavy withered hand resting hand on his shoulder as his father peered around to look at the metal circle. What gauge wiring are you thinking?

A common teacher to apprentice question when said in that tone. Good he had the old man intrigued. I’m thinking 30 gauge. He paused dunking the red hot metal into the bucket of cold water. What do you think about trying the fiber optic cable.

Hmmm, it’s still new and we haven’t tried it outside of the communication hubs. His father pulled back wandering around the room of haphazardly laid tools and shavings of metal. His muscles ripping under the his armor. How soon do you think you can have it running?

Not an idle question. He wasn’t speaking to his father or even his mentor. He was being asked a question by the King of Arcadian.

The tone didn’t sound right. But he couldn’t ask. Not yet.

Squaring his shoulders he took a deep breath. If I have the guild’s help I think we can do a test as soon as tomorrow.

A quick turn and something flickered his his father’s eyes. Get it done. I want the battlements prepared as soon as possible. Then his father gave a smile that always meant trouble, And Govard, you are the crown prince not some ordinary Fey. You should be proud of your wings.

In his two hundred light cycles he had never felt the need to allow his dark blue wings be shown. Never felt the need for the woman of Arcadian faun over how the red and white veins ran over the flesh as delicate as wiring covering the latace outside of the throne room.

Yet this was his father’s attempt at trying to get his son out of the workroom and doing something else... like finding a suitable bride.

They get in the way while I’m working.

Two steps and father was standing before him. His brown hair starting to gray at he sides. His hands no longer that of a young man but one in the later years of his prime. You are my son and I will always support your work. But you are also the crown prince, you need a bride.

I know. But the women here... he turned picking up some wiring just to have something to do with his hands. ... they are dull. I’ve known all of them since I was a small child and I can’t think of any that I can see spending my life with. None that I see standing on the battlements should a conflict start.

Lines of laughter filled his father’s face even if he never let the sound slip his lips. My boy, I never said anything about finding a bride here. Go visit the other star cities, or find a seer to point you int he right direction.

A... seer? But...

Drawing closer he leaned in as close to Govard’s ear, They dwell on the dark stars. Stepping back he placed his finger to his lips, Speak not of that. But give Abdou my regards.

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The streets were lined with lighting. Orbs of colors on poles of polished steel. Cobbled streets made from the finest stone from any of the star cities.

This was his father’s legacy. Trade routes. Finding ways to give the people light on the darkest of nights. The Guilds where contraptions were discussed and made into prototype had been his grandfather’s legacy.

But what would be his legacy? What would he leave behind for the next generation of fey?

Legacy’s were built on passion and desire. Built hand in hand with the help of the queen. Built for the betterment of their people and one day the betterment of all fey.

Govard looked around the streets. His skin glistening from sweat and speckled with dirt. The unattached woman watching him. Too many trying to attract him by puffing out their breast. Turning just enough to give their form more curves. Not one of them appealed to him.

How could anyone be attracted to woman who try that hard to win a warrior’s heart. No maybe he would seek out a seer. Or at the very least get away from here for a short time.

Yes... yes he would do that just as soon as this idea was made possible.

His foot posed at the first step of the guild.The all building housed so many. Outside of the castle it was largest building in the whole of the city. But it wasn’t the building that caught his attention. A streak of white light darting across the void. A messenger going from one city to another.

Shaking his head he opened the double doors. When will the other cities understand our communication hubs can relay a message without ever leaving the city?

It wasn’t said to anyone directly yet all movement withing the large room ceased. Fey clothed just enough to save them from injury from burns but not so much not to see their muscles and true forms. All of them, nearly two hundred men, watched him.

A loud clap from the back of the great hall and the men started going to and from. Weaving in and out of the work benches. While an older fey approached him.

Abdou?

He crossed his arms shaking his head. His silver hair long past the days of his prime. You are your mother’s son. She is the only one since this guild was created that could get every worker to stop what they are doing.

Yes well, mom does demand attention.

Abdou rolled his eyes. He wouldn’t agree but he also would never disagree the truth of that statement. Come tell me what you are needing and how soon do you need it done?

A little chuckle slipped past his lips, I have a design to increase the shields and fortify the battlements... if it works. he paused blowing out a breath, Father wants a prototype by tomorrow.

A low whistle, Must have something to do with the on goings of Obsidian and Lunaista. Or the rumors coming from Pallas.

The rumors of Pallas weren’t just rumors. Not that he could say that. Arcadian had spies on most of the star cities. From those who held positions as guards to a few that were consorts to either the king or queen. But only a few knew that. And none outside the war room would discuss it.

I’m sure my father only wished to build to his legacy to be more than just some pretty lights and cobbled stone.

Abdou paused and slowly looked Govard up and down. Slowly he leaned in. Your father’s legacy is you, never forget that. Pulling back he took his normal stoic stance, "Now what of this design?

A bit of mischief lit Govard’s eyes. I was thinking of playing with the fiber optics an tapping into the power of Arcadian.

Ah, so trying to blow something up. Well at least you are giving me fair warning. 

Chapter 2: Pallas

The morning light stuck the place allowing light to shine over the great city. Streets of gold gave way to homes with lavish gardens. Beauty all round. And why shouldn’t this grand city be the most lavish of them all? It was in fact the capitol of all of the star cities.

The center of the realm. The light of the void. The home of all of the secrets that only he the great Azia would ever know.

Stepping out onto his balcony Azia pulled his robes around him. Maybe a show of modesty but more so his citizens didn’t take notice of the loss of some his muscles.

Stepping over to the low rail he allowed himself this time to take in all that Pallas had to offer.  The lush, mystic gardens. Vibrant green with flowers of a rainbow of colors. But those gardens had a secret.

Ah yes. A dark and terrible one that only a few knew and even they wouldn’t speak of. At least if they wanted to live.

A small smile formed upon his face as he took a sip of his wine. While he watched he could feel the gardens draining the life, the power from every fey that tended them. He could see the outlines of those fools basking in the heat to keep the flowers pristine.

Turning his hand over he called in his looking glass wishing to see the gardens more closely. One of the workers fell to his knees. His body little more than skin and bones. It didn’t