The King's Decree

By Nancy Howard

 

King Gelpher, Janna's grandfather, banished her from the castle just after she was born. So disappointed that she was a girl, he writes a decree that will forever ban her from being the queen. Janna is four, when Del Ruggar, rescues her from the orphanage and raises her as his own daughter. But Janna feels something is missing. Who are her actual parents? She searches for her birth family and discovers she is the heir apparent to Calbria's throne. Janna has known she must build an army to defeat the Castillian Empire, rulers of Calbria, since before she was born. Then she can claim the throne. All of this is happening with Janna against the backdrop of her falling in love with Tristan Eller, her lifelong friend, and the challenges they face together.

 

But opposition is building against Janna as she wages war with the Castillians and the evil emperor Kristoff. A second copy of Gelpher's decree exists in the hands of a man who wants to topple Janna for his own gain. But he wants to wait for her to kill Kristoff and ascend to the throne before executing his plan. The question is, will he succeed before Janna topples him?

   

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nancy Howard
• Release date: Nov 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215540060

Book preview

A LEGION OF ONE

Janna Ruggar rides her stallion, Khan, through blinding, wind-driven snow that pelts her half-covered face. She’s been riding for hours on end—it’s the middle of the night. Frozen to the bone from the bitter cold, Janna slumps in her saddle—fighting fatigue. Her head hangs down—she grips the reins with frozen hands, covered with her wool mittens. Janna must stay mounted, she can’t fall off. She knows if she were to fall off of Khan out here, it would mean certain death for her. She would freeze to death on the snow covered tundra.

Janna manages to raise her head and look up—she knows she’s close to home. Despite her sleepy eyes and the blinding snow, she manages to see lights still on and burning in her tiny home village in the distance. She shouts out with excitement through her fatigue, Truken! The sight of home giving Janna hope as she rides Khan closer.

Tonight, she relies only the keenness of her senses to guide her. Janna leads Khan through the darkness and the pelting snow across the rocky, rugged terrain near Truken. She’s survived her journey here. It was long and treacherous, making her wonder if she would ever see home again. Eight days have passed and now she’s here.

Janna rides down the narrow streets, and as she does, a sense of calm and relief overcomes her. Truken is not a big place. It’s a tiny farming and fishing village situated on the coast of the Alaine Sea. She guides Khan down one street, then another, but he knows the way—it’s just another couple of blocks. Janna turns her last corner, and sees her dad’s archery shop, making her heart leap in her chest and she begins to tear up.

She stopped Khan in front of it. She sits straight up in the saddle, not moving, and not dismounting immediately. Wind gusts whip snow all around her, but she doesn’t notice. She wipes away soft tears with her mittens that have formed and are trickling down her cheeks. It’s all so surreal to her. She’s finally home. Janna’s father is Del Ruggar, a local war hero decorated for bravery in battle. Battles that took place long ago. He owns the archery shop that’s on the edge of Truken’s small town center, occupying a modest log building at the end of a block.

After she had sat for those few minutes, Janna collected herself and slowly dismounted, her feet making contact with the ground. She turned around, and leaned her head against the saddle, closed her eyes, and said aloud to herself. I’m home. I’m safe. Janna’s exhausted; she’s beaten—crushed. She’s just spent the last year commanding a group of brave souls—patriots—in Calbria’s once proud army. They battled in one last stand to the bitter end against the overwhelming forces of the Castillian Empire near the capital of Kersopolis. Janna was there because she’s a soldier, a warrior like her father taught her to be. But despite all that, she’s dead inside; her spirit is gone. Janna has no fight left in her. She realizes she’s lucky to be alive, and all she wants to do is see her father and rest in his house.

Janna unties her gear and bedroll from the back of the saddle and tucks them under her arm. She sauntered up to the big, heavy wooden door, hoping it’s not locked. It’s not, which she thinks is odd—she opens it and enters, closing it behind her. She turns and leans against it. Janna wants to look at a room she’s longed to see for months. It is warm and cozy inside. The big fireplace that covers the wall across from her still has flames flickering and glowing embers are still rising into the flue.

Janna sees no sign of of her dad either, meaning he’d gone off to bed long before Janna arrived home. The lamps in his workshop in the back are off, but the ones here in the store area are still glowing. Suggesting he forgot to blow them out.

Janna lays the slat across the door, securing it. She walked around and blew out each of the of lamps in the store and walked quietly into her room in the back. She dropped her gear on the floor in the darkness, not caring where it lands. Janna removed her scarf, fur hat, heavy fur-covered coat, and mittens, letting them all fall to the floor. She kicked off her boots, turns, and plops down onto her bed on her back. Janna lays there, opening and closing her eyes, staring at the ceiling, getting drowsier by the minute. It’s so good to lay down on my own bed again, she thinks. She reaches for her big wool blanket, which she left a year ago, at the foot of the bed—unfolds and pulls it over herself. She soon falls asleep, not even bothering to undress.

LITTLE ONE! MY GOD, it is you. You’re home, my child! Del Ruggar exclaimed the following morning, seeing his daughter in her bed. He walked over to her as Janna gradually rises up, leaning on her right elbow. She rubs her eyes, still not fully awake yet. He sits on her bed beside her, and she reaches for him just like she did when she was a little girl. They hugged each other for several seconds. Reluctant to release her, he kisses his daughter on her cheek and forehead, squeezing her tight. He’s so glad to see her home and alive.

Janna wakes up enough to sit on the bed next to him. He hugged her tightly then held her at arm’s length, his expression somber and said, I had heard nothing from you for months Little One. I figured you were... maybe dead.

She shook her head and began to cry. Del held her tighter and kissed her on her forehead and hugged her again. He placed a hand under her chin and used the other hand to wipe away the tears. Shush, shush. Little One, you’re home now, safe with me, he cajoled her.

She looked at him with sadness and tears, rambling, daddy, it was awful. We got slaughtered. It was all I could do to escape. I’m lucky to be alive. She’s looking down and shaking her head. I wanted to contact you, but I couldn’t. I was just trying to get away from the Castillian Army. I just wanted to come home and be with you.

I wondered, where were you?" he asked.

Near the capital, in the old, Rugged Mountains near the coast, just as we planned. We held up there for days, surrounded. We did all we could to hold them off, but it was pointless. They were much too powerful for my troops and overwhelmed us. I watched my men get slaughtered. The ones left standing would come to me with bewildered looks on their faces, looking to me for answers, and I had none. I could do nothing but tell them to go home. I told them not to stay in this battle and get killed needlessly for a lost cause. Dad they were decimated and defeated. They couldn’t fight anymore. I told all the commanders that were left to go home, too. They understood the situation. We had no choice. She paused with a far-off look. Daddy, they fought so hard. They were all so brave. I did all I could. I... I—

Del listened to Janna intently, then hugged her again, and said, yes, Janna, you did all you could. You managed to get away, how?

We escaped during the night through the gaps in their battle lines. That was precarious too, and many of us got killed trying to get away. I didn’t stop to find out how many. I just ran, and I wanted to get away with my life. She looked at her dad and asked, Are you disappointed in me for coming home and running away as I did? I mean, like, I’ve given up. I... I was so scared, afraid, all the time I was there daddy I—

Gently embracing her, he whispers, Shush, shush, then firmly grasps her shoulders, assuring, No, I would never think that about you. I know you better than that—Janna Ruggar would never give up. You are my daughter. I taught you to be a smart soldier as well as brave. And given the situation that you were in and just described to me, I would have done the same thing."

She smiled a little, hearing his unconditional confidence and love for her.

He puts his hands on her shoulders again and said, Despite all of that, you want to know what I think?

She looked at him. He’s smiling at her from ear to ear.

I am so glad to see my daughter home and alive, sitting next to me after thinking you were dead and that I’d never see you again. Images would run through my mind, Janna, seeing you lying on the hard cold ground in some God-forsaken place. Where your flesh would rot away from your bones or eaten by wild animals. That you, a brave soldier, wouldn’t get a proper burial. Now I see you in your room, at home with me, it is a sight to behold for this old man’s tired eyes. God, I missed you so much, Janna.

I missed you, too, dad. I just wanted to come home, she said.

Taking a pause, he says, Things were not going well for you, we had heard. I was so worried about you. All I wanted was for you to come home to me someday, that you would come walking through that door. You did, and now you’re here.

She looked at him with a slight grin, hearing him say that. She said, speaking of that, the slat, it wasn’t on the door when I came in last night. I thought you were still up when I got home—the lamps in the store were still on.

I’ve had a habit of doing that a lot... I guess.

You’ve been waiting for me to come home, haven’t you? she confided.

Yes, even though I thought you were dead. I’m sorry for thinking that Little One. Forgive me.

There’s no need to apologize. There’s nothing to forgive? You had no way of knowing if I wasn’t dead.

You are here now—home with me. But I have one question for you.

What’s that?

I wonder if you will be leaving again. I’m sure Kristoff is looking for you. He may even come here looking for you himself, and may put a price on your head. I’m sure he wants to arrest you and try you for treason, before he kills you. That worries me, Janna.

She looked at him and said, well, to answer your first question, no, I’m not planning on leaving or going anywhere soon, if ever. If Kristoff is searching for me, then... let him look; he knows where I will come. He may think I got killed, which is what I want him to think. Many of my men’s dead bodies got hit by cannon fire and blown to bits or burned beyond recognition. It would be difficult to tell whether the dead person was a man or a woman. If Kristoff wants to capture me and try me for treason, that won’t happen. I plan on killing him myself when that opportunity presents itself to me, until then I will just be patient.

PART ONE

ORPHAN GIRL

1

TWENTY-FOUR YEARS AGO

A storm rages outside, with rain pouring in sheets—lashing the castle walls, blown sideways by a wild, ferocious wind. Lightning illuminates the night sky, striking the ground violently, creating deafening thunder that shakes the castle, making it feel like the walls would collapse. Then, in just minutes, the storm suddenly eased as quickly as it had begun. A calmness ensues outside the castle, but inside, that is short-lived. The cries of a newborn baby girl quickly shattered the quiet as she boldly announced her arrival into the world.

King Gelpher’s daughter, Castia, has been in labor for many hours with the child—far too long. Her labor has become more arduous by the hour, causing much concern for the king and queen. They know something is wrong. The midwife Nerva informed King Gelpher and Queen Colara that both mother and child’s lives hang in the balance—both of them could die at any time. Thus, this could dash the hope that the little child may never have the chance to live and grow up. But the baby’s first cry dispelled that notion.

The king is anxious about the birth of this child. He wanted a male child to be born. One who will grow up to be not only a great monarch but also a brave soldier. One who can carry on the family name and save the kingdom from upheaval and danger at the hands of the Castillians. He has been asking the wizard Vesper if the child is a boy—if the signs point to that. Vesper replied he didn’t know if it would be a boy or a girl. It is, of course, a girl, and Gelpher did not want this. And he has made his feelings known about that for weeks. Queen Colara told him it didn’t matter if the baby is a girl or a boy. It will be a great ruler no matter what it is, because it will have the blood of royalty in its veins. It will grow into a mighty warrior and ruler and defend the kingdom against the Castillians.

But King Gelpher doesn’t buy that. He’s grown old and bitter. Once he and the queen are gone, there is no one to take over the throne. Before he learned of the impending birth of this child, he had planned on making Castia’s husband, Gabbard, the heir to the throne by decree. But Gabbard is dead, killed in the violent skirmish at Babette with the Castillians back in the spring. With him dead, this makes the birth of this child even more critical to the Calbrian king and his queen. He wants a grandson, but learns that is not the case.

The door to the bedroom opened, and the midwife, Nerva, came forth, holding the baby in her arms. She carries it over to present to the king and queen.

The storm has ceased, and it is quiet outside the castle.

Nerva walks up to Gelpher to present the baby to him first. Your majesty, may I give to you, your granddaughter. She said, attempting to hand the baby to the king.

Granddaughter? he snapped, with indigence. He glared momentarily at Nerva and didn’t even look at the baby. He refuses to take the baby or even look at her. Instead, he abruptly turns his back and marches to his throne, and sits down. He folds his arms in front of himself and turns his head to the right, not wanting to look at the baby or associate with her.

Yes, your majesty, your granddaughter, Nerva said to him, maintaining a polite tone, still holding the baby girl.

He sits there and looks at her, not saying a word, pouting like a petulant child that has not gotten its way. Nerva then hands the baby to the queen, who is now holding her in her arms, smiling. The baby has quit crying as Colara comforts her.

Standing up, the king shouted, get rid of it!"

What did you say? Get rid of it? Colara responded, expressing disbelief.

Yes. You heard me, Gelpher shot back at her.

You can’t be serious, Gelpher. Colara glowered at him. What do you mean, get rid of it? It is a mere infant, a baby. Angry at him, she turns to Nerva and asked, Castia—can we go in and see her?

Nerva doesn’t answer her right away. She lowered her head to speak and says, my Lord and my Lady, I... I have some terrible news for you about Princess Castia.

What about Castia? the king stood up and shouted at her.

Both he and Colara looked at her with a great deal of apprehension filling their faces.

I... I am very sorry to tell you that the beautiful Princess Castia has passed away giving birth to this child. Colara shrieks, screaming in anguish at the news that her daughter has died. She runs into the bedroom, still carrying the newborn baby.

The king steps down from the throne, says nothing, and walks calmly and coldly toward his daughter’s room. He goes inside and stands at the foot of the bed and doesn’t look at Castia’s dead body. With the baby still in her arms, he turns to Colara and demands harshly, give that thing to me.

In an attempt to shield it from Gelpher, she turned away and clutched the baby tighter. What are you going to do to her? she sassed at him, crying.

This... thing, this wretched little thing you’re holding, has just killed our beautiful daughter so that it could have life.

He’s standing over Colara, and she looks up at him through eyes filled with tears and says, how dare you to be so cruel as to want to kill this precious child that is part of our daughter and us. She is now the rightful heir to the throne, Gelpher.

She is the rightful heir to nothing, he hissed. It is of no use to me. It killed our Castia to have life.

But that is not true, and you know it, she retorted. She’s furious at the king and is trying to process Castia’s death at the same time.

It is a girl. I need a male to take over my kingdom after we are gone. This child is unacceptable. Give it to me, he demanded again. Then he reaches for the child to yank the baby out of Colara’s arms.

In an attempt to protect it, she tries to retreat and pull the baby away from him. But he’s too strong, and he reaches for the child again, ripping the baby out of her grasp.

Colara shouts and pleads with him, don’t do this, Gelpher. The baby is only a newborn. She is our granddaughter.

She’s our grand nothing, he bellowed back to her.

Vesper has followed them and is standing in the doorway, listening to this. Gelpher sees him and commands him, Vesper, get in here.

"Yes, my Lord. What can I do to help? he asked approaching the king. Who is holding the baby in front of himself, like a sack of potatoes.

Here, you, you, take this... this thing and dispose of it for me. It has killed my daughter.

But, my Lord, the queen is right. The baby isn’t responsible for Castia’s death. She was in labor for a long time and was having great difficulty. Nerva told you that this could happen.

I don’t want to hear excuses; this child is not welcome in my castle or my kingdom, Gelpher ranted.

What should I do with it, my Lord? I know nothing about babies.

I don’t care. Kill it if you must. Just get rid of it. He growled, his voice filled with disdain for the baby girl.

Vesper takes the baby, reluctantly, from the king, bows his head and said, very well, as you wish, my Lord. I will do my best.

Colara screamed in anguish, crying and begged Gelpher not to do this—get rid of the baby girl. Vesper left the room, unsure of what he will do with her. He knows for sure he can’t murder an innocent child. Hurriedly taking the baby out of the castle, he rushed into the courtyard, crossed it, and brought the baby to his quarters at the far east end of the castle property—away from King Gelpher. After opening the door, he put the baby on his bed and pondered what to do with her. He’s an advisor, and he knows nothing about newborn babies. After sitting in the dark, Vesper thinks about what he could do with the infant, who is only a few minutes old.

Vesper thinks Gelpher is wrong and his cruelty is disgusting because the child is a girl. He will do his best to do something with the little girl, but he will not kill her and abide by Gelpher’s meanness. Vesper is also aware that the child will need care, which he knows absolutely nothing about, but he knows someone who does. Nerva. He will wait for a while and hope that the baby will stay asleep until Nerva is back in her quarters. Once he assures himself that she is, he will take the baby over to her. She will know what to do to take care of the baby. He hopes.

After waiting for a few hours, Vesper gets up and proceeds to pick up the baby girl who is still sleeping. She’s wrapped tightly in her blanket to keep her warm. He’s about to walk out the door when he hears a soft knock. He opened the door, hoping it’s not the king. It’s Nerva, thank God.

Relieved to see it’s her, he said, I was just about to come in search of you.

I came here right after we were done in the castle, as they took Castia’s body away. I stayed with the king and queen until we finished that task.

Tell me, how did it go?

I suppose it’s as good as expected, given that she’s dead, Nerva replied.

What about the king? He was very upset about this newborn being a girl.

He said no more about it after you took her away, she says. I was hoping I would find you home, and that you had not done as the king wanted you to do.

No, it is not in me to kill, period, especially babies, Nerva.

Nor me, she agreed. He hands the baby to her.

What do you think we should do with her? he asked.

Nerva thought for a second before answering, we could take her to Truken

Why Truken?

They have an orphanage there, or they used to. Maybe we could persuede them to take her. That is, assuming it is still open.

Yes, you’re right. That’s a good idea.

When do you want to go? she asked.

At first light in the morning. Until then, I want you to take the baby and keep her with you. I know nothing about little ones, and you do.

Nerva shook her head and agrees to that. Vesper tells her he will get a buggy and knock on her door at sunrise. She promises to keep the baby quiet and to take good care of her. Vesper opens the door for her, and she left. It’s dark as she walked across the courtyard to her quarters, doing her best, carrying the newborn in her arms and avoiding the castle guards.

2

An hour after the sun comes up, Vesper, Nerva, and the baby board the buggy and travel several hours to the little village of Truken, which is about twenty miles away. They travel and stop several times on the way, resting here and there and tending to the newborn, reaching their destination in the early evening. The orphanage is on the north side of Truken, and Vesper stops the buggy in front of it. He and Nerva sit for several seconds and looked at the building.

This is it, if I remember correctly, Nerva says. Though it’s been years since I’ve been here.

Well, you are one up on me. I have never seen this place or been to Truken. It looks like it’s still open.

The Truken orphanage is in an old log building that is run down and in dire need of repair. It’s not a becoming sight with just one story; it looks like it was a school at one time, perhaps. The building has large windows that are open during the summer. The place has a flat roof, and the look of it concerns Vesper. He wants to find the baby a safe-haven and give her a chance to grow up. Due to the rundown looks of the Truken Orphanage, Vesper has doubts. However, he and Nerva have little choice but to explore leaving the baby here, given their circumstances. They want to keep the infant safe and from being killed by Gelpher.

They got out of the buggy and walked to the front door with Nerva holding the child. Vesper knocked—no answer. He reached down and opened the latch—it’s unlocked and they walk in. The place is dead quiet.

Are you sure this place is still here? he asked.

It looked like it from the outside, she said. I would have kept her myself—kept her hidden, but I was afraid that Gelpher would find out and kill her and me.

I know. In my opinion his refusal to not allow this little girl to grow up and take her rightful place on the throne is wrong. What Gelpher is having us do is despicable. He really wanted me to kill her. I cannot and will not do something that heinous and cruel.

Nor will I, Nerva agreed.

They walked down the hallway and came upon a room where they see a lamp on and peer inside. A woman is sitting at a desk. She has graying hair, and she appears to be in her fifties. She’s wearing a blue dress.

She looked up from what she’s doing, surprised to see people at her door. She snapped curtly, can I help you? The sharpness in her voice tells them she’s aggravated to see them.

Who might you be? Vesper asked.

Me? I am the headmaster here, Ducette Jardean. That’s who I am. Who are you, and why did you come in here? she asked. Her voice crass and still sharp—she looked at Nerva carrying the baby.

I am the grand wizard of the kingdom, Vesper, and this is the head midwife of King Gelpher and Queen Colara, Nerva. We have come here for your help.

Yeah, what kind of help? she said with indifference.

Well, this is an orphanage, isn’t it? Vesper said.

Yeah, she scowled.

You see, we have this baby here, a newborn girl, less than a day old and it needs care. We were wondering if you would be so kind as to help us and take her into your care? Nerva said.

Why should I take it? the headmaster said with a shrug.

Vesper said, could we come in and explain to you?

Sure suit yourselves. She shrugged.

Vesper and Nerva sit down.

The headmaster looked at them, and questioned coldly, who’s kid is it? Causing Vesper and Nerva to look at each other, wondering if they’re doing the right thing for the baby. They are both attempting to come up with a way to answer her question.

It is a child that was born illegitimately at the castle, and the king doesn’t want it there and under his care, Vesper said. Thinking quickly, making up a story.

Where’s the mother? Jardean asked.

She died at birth. She was living in the castle, Nerva replied, lying to convince the woman of the baby’s origin.

Why does the king want to get rid of her?

As I said, she is a bastard child and not of royal blood, and he doesn’t deem it necessary for her to remain in his care.

Where’s the father? Ducette asked bluntly.

We don’t know who the father is, Nerva answered. She looked at Vesper with concern covering her face.

Ducette said dismissively, it must be Gelpher’s kid, then. That’s the only reason I can think of him wanting to get rid of it. The woman has gotten up and out of her chair. She walked over to them and pulled back the baby’s pink blanket. She peers at her, then says, I don’t take babies. They’re too damn much trouble. Then she goes back and sits down.

If you would make an exception, would you consider taking this one, just this once? Vesper asked. I will put in a good word for you with the king if you do.

Why? If that kid is illegitimate, then why would he care if it got placed somewhere?

Vesper said, that even though he did not want to take care of the baby, he told us to find it a home, and here was the only place we could think of.

The woman sat there and thought about it. Okay, I’ll take her, but you have to promise to help me with the cost of raising her. She will need special care and attention. I ain’t got those kinds of resources, she said.

In what way? Vesper asked.

I want money from you to help raise that little brat.

Money to help raise her? This is an orphanage.

Yeah, it is and you heard me. So, I can provide care for her twenty-four hours a day until she’s at least four years old.

Four? he responded, shocked at her continued indifferent attitude toward the child.

That’s what I said. I want you to guarantee that you’ll support this kid until I say it’s okay. Otherwise, no deal.

That’s blackmail, Vesper said, astonished at this woman’s comments.

You can call it whatever you want. That’s how it’s gonna be if you want me to take that kid off your hands.

You certainly show little compassion for children, Vesper criticized.

You think, bud? I don’t give a rat’s ass about any kid here. I work here and run this damn place, that’s all. It doesn’t matter to me what happens to any of these kids. If you help me, I’ll take her.

Vesper thinks about what he just heard this woman say. He’s very leery of putting the baby in her care. He and Nerva have little choice but to go along with Ducette’s proposal. Very well, he agreed. We will bring you or have provisions sent to you to take care of her on a regular basis. But you have to promise us something."

Yeah, what’s that? she says in a surly tone—tired of their presence.

"You must take good care of her and keep her safe until you find her