Solanoire Ascending

By Stephanie Ayers

In the aftermath of King Arthur's demise and with Queen Guinevere in hiding, a new prophecy emerges:

Powers that were, powers that be, there's only one who holds the key. Sword of dark and sword of light, only one can make it right. Born of sin and kind of heart, a power hidden from the start. From out of two there comes one, a child of a forgotten son. A power to find, a power to duel, a power to ignite and the last to rule.

Between light and darkness, only one can rule.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crazy Ink
• Release date: Sep 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201772420

Book preview

Dedication

For Jim

Prologue

Y ou’ll not find your way to the heart of the cave today, the dragon said, its blue scales shimmered as it moved.

Merlin scrambled backwards to avoid the ice dragon, but it was no use. The icy flames created a tomb around him, and the heart he clutched—Arthur’s— tumbled to the ground.

Arthur! Merlin shrieked as the ice separated him from the heart, and flames threatened to destroy it.

Icicles formed on his face where the tears had fallen. Short bursts of steam frosted the ice in front of his mouth. Fear burned in his eyes as the dragon transformed in front of him.

That was easier than I thought it would be. Morgan le Fey pressed her finger against the ice and waited.

When no more steam hissed against the ice, she cackled.

Yes, getting rid of Merlin was much, much easier than I expected. Losing Arthur must have weakened you, old man.

She caressed the ice in front of Merlin’s eyes. A shift of light from the ground caught her attention. A dark stone lay in the dust where the heart had lain before.

An obsidian formed with the Dragon’s Breath. How appropriate, she said as she picked it up. She admired it for a moment. What a fine sword this will make. Camelot will be restored.

Chapter One

P lease, I have nowhere else to go, Guinevere pleaded with Morgan le Fey, her husband’s half-sister. Even though my husband is dead, this baby is still in danger.

Morgan studied Guinevere’s large belly from the doorway. Where is the father?

Does it matter? He’s not here. I conceived the babe after Arthur’s passing. I fear for the baby's life. I had to run. Camelot is no longer my home. I can’t return to my village. Please, I’m not sure how much longer I can keep going.

And where do people think you ran off to?

They think I’m in a convent. And I went to one at first until they saw my stomach grow. They forced me to leave then. You’re my last hope. She breathed hard, and her face pinched together as a wave of pain washed through her.

Morgan placed a hand on Guinevere’s stomach. A sneer crossed her face for a moment before she looked at Guinevere. The babe is a girl. I’ll take you both in; however, no one needs to know you’re here. We appreciate a certain hierarchy here, and it’s not you, nor was it Arthur. She stepped aside to let Guinevere pass. Come.

Guinevere doubled over as she crossed the threshold and screamed. A puddle of liquid formed under her feet.

Quickly, to the bedroom.

Morgan took her arm and led her to a small room near the door. Guinevere collapsed onto the hay-covered bed. Within moments, another contraction hit, and she screamed. Morgan busied herself gathering supplies and set a chair, a bucket of water, and a blanket at the end of the bed. She flipped up Guinevere’s skirt and tsked.

Could you have waited even one moment longer? She is crowning. Push now!

Guinevere pushed until her face turned purple, and her breath quit. The contraction subsided, and she fell back against the pillow.

Good. She’s almost here. The next push should do it.

As if summoning the baby, a wave of pain washed through Guinevere, and she locked her jaw together and grunted. She screamed as she pushed, only relaxing once a wail breached the air.

Morgan muttered words Guinevere couldn’t hear, and she was too tired to focus. She lay back on the bed and waited for the baby to be placed in her arms. Sleep overwhelmed her, and she jumped when Morgan tapped her.

The baby, Morgan said, extending the small body to her sister-in-law.

Guinevere took the bundled baby and looked her over. Thick dark hair covered the baby’s head over a round face with fat cheeks. Guinevere smiled.

She looks so much like her father, she said.

Her lips scorched with the memory of Lancelot’s kisses. Her heart yearned for his presence, but she knew he wouldn’t come.

Morgan leaned in for another peek, but Guinevere nestled the baby and let her nurse.

She’ll be named Analiese. We’ll bring her up to be a queen, Guinevere said as she rolled over and faced away from Morgan.

Analiese settled in the soft place between the straw mattress and Guinevere’s breast and suckled contently.

Morgan smirked again. Yes, indeed we will.

And so they did. Guinevere taught Analiese all the aspects of a royal court and how to be a proper lady, while Morgan taught the child how to read and write while secretly teaching her the ways of sorcery.

Chapter Two

I ’m taking Analiese into the forest, Morgan said on the morning of the girl’s fourteenth birthday.

Why? Guinevere questioned. Is there a reason she needs to leave the village?

Morgan squinted her eyes at Guinevere. There are too many people wandering around for her to ride freely. If she’s to learn how to ride properly, she needs room to let the horse run.

Guinevere looked at Morgan for a few moments before answering. Don’t take her past the creek bed, and—

Morgan interrupted. I know, I know. Don’t let her talk to strangers. She started to turn away but changed her mind. You can’t keep her in a bubble forever.

Her words came out sharper than she intended, but she couldn’t take them back.

Guinevere pounded the dough she kneaded. "I’ll keep her in that bubble as long as I can. I lost Arthur. I lost her father. I will not lose her. She pounded her fist into the dough again for effect. She turned teary eyes on Morgan. I will not."

Morgan placed a palm on Guinevere’s shoulder in an uncharacteristic display of affection. We will do all we can to protect her if I have anything to say about it. She will be safe with me. Don’t you worry about that.

I know she will. Now go, before I change my mind.

Analiese’s squeals of delight filled the small cottage. Clapping hands accompanied tapping heels as they left the house. Guinevere watched them leave with trepidation in her heart. No matter how hard she tried, she could not shake the bad omen away.

Give your horse its lead and follow me, Morgan told Analiese.

She watched as the girl complied and led her through a break in the trees.

Where are we going? Analiese asked, ducking to avoid a low-hanging branch as the horse followed Morgan’s into the woods.

I have something to show you. A gift for you.

Morgan smiled away her impatience. She had waited for this day for fourteen years.

Analiese’s eyes sparkled as a rosy glow formed on her cheeks. Anticipation and impatience filled her, and she dug her heels into her horse’s side. The horse jumped and ran forward. Morgan waited to see what would happen, but when the girl could not regain control of her horse, she had to act.

Paro, Morgan said, her finger flicking in the air.

The horse halted. Analiese tumbled from its back and landed on the ground hard. She stared up at Morgan. Did you do that?

Morgan only nodded. Fright and anger overwhelmed her, so she could not speak.

Why? Did you only bring me out here to hurt me? the girl accused.

Analiese rose from the ground and whisked the dirt from her skirt.

Morgan swallowed hard.

Are you injured? she asked.

Analiese rolled her eyes before she answered. Like you care.

Morgan sighed again. I think the only thing injured is your pride. And I did that because you could not gain control of the horse. Shall I let him throw you next time?

Her eyebrows rose on her forehead as she waited for a response.

Analiese threw a scowl at Morgan and did not answer.

Very well. Collect your horse, and let’s keep moving, Morgan said. She pointed to another gap in the trees farther ahead. It’s not much farther.

Morgan ducked as her horse passed through the narrow opening in the trees and Analiese followed. They rode for a short bit until they came to a patch of tall oak trees guarding a clearing. It was to this clearing Morgan led the girl. She tethered her horse to a tree.

Secure your horse and come here. I want to show you something, Morgan said.

Analiese did as instructed but approached Morgan with suspicion. She had never been this far into the woods before.

Morgan rolled her eyes at the girl’s slow approach. "Seriously? Why would I harm you? There’s nothing here to