Piercing Wings

By Tessa Barsi

Destiny, adventure and rebelion all rolled into an action filled good time of a read.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667851068

Book preview

Prologue

The snow filled the dark night sky. There were no stars and the moon was completely hidden by the clouds. Down below the clouds was a magnificent castle in the middle of a large village. At the tallest tower of the castle, a large fireplace lit up the room.

A man dressed in red armor sat in a chair just a few feet away from the blazing fire. His hair was slid back and was a dark black. His eyes were just as dark as his hair and he bared a crown upon his head.

Suddenly, the door to his chambers swung open and he jumped up in alarm.

Zane… it’s only you. What do you want? The man asked.

Zane was wearing clean silver armor and the fire’s reflection was seen on his chestplate. He removed his helmet to reveal his brown short shaggy hair.

Y-your majesty, forgive me for barging in at this hour. I didn’t mean to disturb you but… there is urgent news that King Benjamin and Queen Zeline of the North territory have… both been assassinated. Zane said gravely.

What? How? Who did this?

It was the sorceress from the West territory of Elves. The King and Queen’s daughter is currently being escorted here by her personal guards.

The Prince sat back down in his chair and thought for a moment.

In two days time we will send out a small army to the West and attack the elves.

Prince Troy! Should we not assess the situation first? I mean… how do we know that all of the elves were in on this? Zane asked.

We don’t and that is exactly why we will attack. When they are all weak after our attacks and realize what we are after, they will turn on the witch themselves and we will have no blood on our hands… at least not the witch’s blood. Prince Troy said.

Zane’s face was filled with shock.

If you do not agree, you can leave.

Zane’s expression changed quickly.

Now go give the order to prepare for war.

I shall not! I will not allow you to kill such innocent and wise people!

Prince Troy rose to his feet and unsheathed his sword.

Zane, consider the consequences of disobeying me. I do not want to have you beheaded. Be reasonable. Prince Troy said calmly.

Be reasonable? You be reasonable! Think about the lives you will have taken and all for a witch? What is it worth? Can you not reason with the Elf King? Zane asked.

It is his sorceress. You think he will just give her up? This is the only way.

If that is true, so be it. I will stop you right here.

Prince Troy sighed before charging at Zane with his blade in front of him. Zane dodged the blade and hit the door. He unsheathed his sword and it collided with Troy’s blade causing tiny sparks to fall to the ground.

Troy kicked Zane in the stomach causing Zane to gasp. Zane quickly pushed Troy back and took a few steps away from the Prince. Prince Troy ran at Zane once more and swung his blade. Zane blocked the sword with his own and he saw a sort of storm raging in the Prince’s eyes.

There was no way one of them would get out alive if they kept fighting. Zane pushed the Prince back once more and darted out of the door. He charged down the stairs pushing past a maid who was carrying some sort of cloth. She screamed in shock and watched as Zane continued to run.

Zane ran down a hallway lit by torches. He continued to pass maids and at one point he saw a guard next to a door. At the end of a hallway was a door guarded by two men. Zane pushed his way through the men and into the room to see a pedestal with some sort of rock in an oval shape.

Without thinking, he grabbed the silver rock and turned around to see the Prince with the two guards that guarded the room.

Zane, put it down. You don’t know what that is. Prince Troy said, sheathing his sword.

Well clearly it’s of some importance! I’ll just save you the time of wasting two guards to guard this room and take this thing with me. Zane said.

Not one of your brightest ideas. You can’t get out.

Zane turned to see the window next to him. The Prince noticed and ran towards Zane only to have him pierce his shoulder with his sword.

Prince Troy!

Forgive me, old friend.

Zane then turned and jumped out of the window and into the moat below.

The guards helped the Prince up only to be shooed away.

Don’t worry about me. I can survive this wound. He snapped.

What about Zane? A guard asked.

What of him? He should be dead. It is the egg I am worried about.

Chapter 1

Almost there. Just a little more.

A young elf woman laid in the grass with her bow aimed at a buck with magnificent antlers. She could make a fortune out of them.

C’mon. Just a little more, friend.

Lady Jan!

The buck looked straight at her and ran off into the woods.

Lady Jan? Where are you?

Jan was very pale for an elf. She had pointy ears and light pink hair. Her clothes were a leafy green and slightly ripped and she had a dark brown belt.

Jan sighed and put her arrow back in her quiver and stood up, carrying her bow with her. When she rose to her feet, she met the eyes of another elf and yelled in shock.

Dragons fire! What in the world do you want? Jan asked.

Lady Jan-

Could you drop the lady part? Anyways, continue.

I…. ma’am, you are-

Just Jan. Just call me Jan. Is it that difficult?

My lady! P-please. Your uncle has called for you. He wants to see you today before your mother’s return feast. The elf servant said.

Mother is home? Well why didn’t you just say so! Pip pip! Let’s go! We don’t want to be late! Jan said.

Jan pulled the servant behind her and threw him onto her white mare. She then pulled herself up and hung her bow on her shoulder. She then snapped the reins and the horse took off into a gallop.

By the way… what is your name again?

My lady! This is the fourth time I have told you! It’s Norice!

Well Norice you kind of scared my prey away. It would be very nice if you apologize. Jan said with a sly smile.

Lady Jan, I must protest! I thought you weren’t allowed to hunt alone? Norice said.

Touche.

The horse galloped across a draw bridge and into a field of flowers. Houses were scattered across the land and the sun blazed in the sky. Children played in the flowers with small creatures such as young griffins.

Princess Jan! Princess Jan! Come and see! One child cried out.

Jan stopped the horse and got off to see the child who carried a large egg.

A griffin egg? How did you get your hands on that? She asked.

My mother found it in the haystack at our house. I think it’s starting to hatch!

The child was right. The egg began to shake and crack. Norice leaned over Jan’s shoulder with wide eyes of wonder. The egg suddenly lost a piece at the top and a small beak poked out.

Be sure to find it’s mother. Probably best if you put it back into that haystack.

Yes Princess!

Norice got back onto the horse allowing Jan to get a better look at him. He wore green clothes like her but they weren’t ripped. He also had a rope for a belt and black boots. His hair was in a low ponytail and it was a blonde color. He also had a strange scar going down from his chin and down his neck. A pair of small glasses sat on his nose.

Jan got back on the horse and snapped the reins once more, taking off towards the castle. On the way, two centaurs joined the Princess on the way. Jan smiled at them and snapped the reins once more.

Finally, she saw her uncle and aunt standing side by side in a field with her mother beside them in a gorgeous purple robe.

Uncle! She called out.

Her uncle turned and smiled warmly.

The horse stopped at the sight of its former owner, allowing Jan and Norice to get off. Jan ran into her mothers arms.

Her mother, Jora, had pale light blue hair and dark blue eyes. She carried a tall staff with a dark purple crystal at the top.

My little Jan! How are you my love? Jora asked.

Just great. I saw a Peryton yesterday. Luckily it didn’t see me. Jan replied.

It is good to have you back, Jora. Your daughter has been getting very brave these past few months. King Duncan said.

Brave? You mean cheeky? What did she do?

She was hunting without permission, your highness! Norice whispered with a squeak.

Jan shot him a dirty glare.

I could have caught something too if Norice didn’t scare away the buck I saw.

A buck? Norice, how could you? Queen Loren teased.

Without permission! I repeat! Without permission, my Queen.

Loren laughed and ran her fingers through Norice’s hair.

My nephew… there is no reason to be so tense. Now, how about we all prepare for the feast? I’m sure everyone is just famished.

Of course. Also, brother?

Yes?

May we speak in private?

King Duncan’s face became full of concern.

U-uh yes. Yes of course.

Norice then grabbed Jan’s hand and they both began heading towards the castle. Jan gripped her mare’s reins in her hand, pulling the horse behind her.

The castle was large and flowers grew on the walls. Mainly honeysuckles. Children ran by with wooden toy swords.

The children seem more active today. Norice said.

Indeed. It is a nice day. Nice to go hunting too. Jan said with a smirk.

Norice