Rhea Doom of Undal: DRAGON COURT, #2

By Katrina Sisowath

The Dragon Court has ruled Tiamut uncontested for millennia Yet all is not as it seems.

In the land of Undal, the Queen and her children are struck with a mysterious illness and perish.

Her grieving son, trained in the dark arts by the goddess Eris herself, swears vengeance. When he and Rhea defy the Dragon Court the consequences are severe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: KS Dragon Court
• Release date: Jan 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215244999

Katrina Sisowath

Katrina Sisowath is a British mythological fantasy writer and researcher. She is known for her captivating stories that blend ancient myths and legends with elements of fantasy to create unique and immersive worlds. Her passion for mythology and fantasy began at a young age, leading her to study  Asian Languages and Literature at University. With a background in research, she brings a wealth of knowledge and authenticity to her writing, making her stories both entertaining and educational. Katrina's debut novel, "Ninkha Serpent Priestess", published by KS Dragon Court, was met with critical acclaim, and earned her a spot on the "Amazon" bestseller list. Her follow-up series, "Dragon Court," has also been a commercial and critical success, solidifying her place as a leading voice in the mythological fantasy genre. Beyond her writing, Katrina Sisowath is an active member of the fantasy writing community, often participating in book festivals, conventions, and speaking engagements. She is also a mentor to aspiring writers, sharing her knowledge and experience to help others achieve their writing goals. Katrina Sisowath currently resides in the United Kingdom with her husband Charidy and her two children, where she continues to write and research for her next projects.

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Rhea- Doom of Undal

Dragon Court Book

Copyright ©2023 KS Dragon Court / Katrina SIsowath. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

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Books in this Series:

Ninkha—Serpent Priestess

Rhea—The Doom of Undal

Cronous—The Fall of Undal

Innana—Queen of Heaven and Earth

Aset—Holy Crocodile

Tur—Serpent Slayer

I,THOTH, the Atlantean, master of mysteries,

keeper of records, mighty king, magician,

living from generation to generation,

being about to pass into the halls of Amenti,

set down for the guidance of

those that are to come after,

these records of the mighty wisdom of Great Atlantis.

In the great city of KEOR on the island of UNDAL,

in a time far past, I began this incarnation.

Not as the little men of the present age did

the mighty ones of Atlantis live and die,

but rather from aeon to aeon did they renew

their life in the Halls of Amenti where the river of life

flows eternally onward.

——-The Emerald Tablets of Thoth.

Chapter One

Shhh said a childish voice in a faint whisper, it’s time to wake up.

The sleeping figure emitted a strangled gasp as it re-entered the world of the living, jerking its head to the side to wriggle out of the grip of the hand currently entrenched over its mouth and nose. After a sharp inhalation followed by a long exhalation the now wide-awake body sat up to reveal a child, looking very much like the one standing by the bed.

Rhea, what were you thinking? You know I hate it when you do that. said the child in a hiss, her curls bouncing in rhythm to each syllable uttered, as if in agreement with her statement.

Sorry, but you said to wake you up if Great –Great-Grandma passed by, and she has, with that strange old man Sobekh says is our Great-Great-Great Uncle, Rhea rejoined,  her eyes firmly fixed on the floor, looking very much the penitent.

Just then their older sister whispered from the doorway, Will you two hurry up? We’re going to lose them.

With that, the two younger sisters scrambled as quickly as they dared on bare feet, hoping their great—great-grandma’s notorious sense of hearing had not detected them.

The three girls were Princesses of the Royal Dragon Court of Magan: Sobekh-Nefru was the eldest at eleven, and so the future Queen, ruling Magan alongside their brother Chifu. Hathor was eight and Rhea, the baby of the family, five. The three were blessed with full heads of dark curls that glinted red in the sunlight, eyes as green as emeralds and skin the colour of prized cedar wood. They were intelligent, curious and vivacious, with tempers that flared if provoked and subsided just as quickly. They questioned everyone and everything, which was a source of stress to their tutors and nurses, but were defended by their venerable ancestress, who was very ancient indeed, having outlived her own grandchildren. No one had quite explained why she was so old, or how she had lived so long yet appeared younger than her own parents, but she was the only one who the three sisters, for reasons unknown even to them, were always respectful and obedient to.

And now they were trailing after her through the darkened hallways and grand rooms of the Royal Palace, stalking her as though they were lions hunting their prey. To an alert guard, they would have appeared as shadow figures, emerging for the briefest of instances under the flickering light cast by the torches set at intervals only to meld back into the darkness. But, such an alert soul, if he had seen the phantom figures, would have raised no alarm, figuring the venerable old matriarch would deal better with them then the captain of the guards.

So they passed, starting and stopping with equal force, until they saw the two figures pause at a wall at the end of a hallway which suddenly began to slide back, revealing an even darker hallway. The man coughed, struck the end of his staff on the floor and the top began to glow. The venerated couple proceeded to move into the hidden passage.

Rhea began whimpering, I don’t want to go anymore, I want to go back to bed.

Come on, we’re almost there, don’t be such a baby, said Hathor, in a voice harsher than intended, covering her own fear at the unexpected development.

You two go back to bed and wait for me, I’ll go on and see where they are going, Sobekh valiantly volunteered, not wanting to pass this opportunity to see what lay inside, but also considering two frightened girls as being more of a hindrance than help, not to mention increasing the chance of discovery.

The two little ones did not need to wait any longer; they turned and ran as fast as their little legs could carry them, the pitter patter of their feet echoing in the empty rooms and passageways. The guard smiled to himself hearing the familiar echoes, this particular ritual having been enacted since Princess Sobekh was seven years old, her sisters having joined her but recently.

Sobekh calmed her nerves and stepped into the darkened chamber just as the wall began to slide back. This was the first time she had seen the wall move, having always followed Great-Great-Grandma Kispu Tashmetu at too great a distance, which meant that she had inexplicably vanished every time Sobekh had turned the corner—until now.

She followed the vanishing glow of the staff, holding her hands out to each side to prevent herself from stumbling. The walls and the floor were smooth and cool to touch. She surmised it had been dug out of stone but without so much as an indent or raised bump to disfigure it. The level of craftsmanship was apparent even without the use of her sight. Her love of beauty and perfection overriding her concern about her safety, she let out a sigh. At that, the glow stopped flickering and became a steady glow, the two ahead having stopped. Sobekh held her breath, fearing discovery, but after a moment they began to move again.

Eventually she realized she was on a gentle downward slope, the pressure increasing around her and the heat intensifying. She wondered where it led to and why her relatives were there. As she moved along, she tried in vain to feel for a shaft that led away from the passageway in hopes of finding an air current or escape route, but there was none.

The passage came to a sudden end; opening up to an octagonal room with cubicles carved into each side in the rock itself. The glow was gone but there was enough light from crystals embedded in the roof of the chamber that cast an eerily beautiful glow, like that of moonlight, throughout the room. Each cubicle contained an object that appeared to be made of gold; the floor was comprised of black and white tiles laid in a cross-grid pattern and in the centre of the chamber there laid an altar, made of a single block of pink stone.  Further examination revealed the tiles to be made of onyx and quartz, while the altar was of moonstone, the same sort that had been fashioned along with lapis lazuli into her crown.

She walked slowly around, perceiving there was no one in the chamber with her: the objects were beautiful, but of the same sort used in religious ceremonies she’d known all her life. Why it was hidden in this subterranean room was beyond her comprehension, after all the risk and discomfort she’d gone through and the fatigue she’d suffer through her lesson this day, it was a disappointment to find nothing more salacious than a chalice, Athame, shuhadaku and paten. Belatedly she recalled the two she was following and looked about to see where they might have disappeared to.

As she came to the far side from where she entered, she noticed a crack where two walls met, and pushing the one that seemed further ajar ever so slightly, found that it moved outwards, revealing a slope leading upwards. A stream of fresh air hit her as she stepped through, invigorating her, lessening the weariness she felt as she began to climb. Upon reaching what appeared to be a landing, she saw two large rooms, one on either side. The one on the right was a vast library, while the one on the left a laboratory. Pausing to consider which room to look at first, she heard two voices further up the slope. Curiosity regarding her relatives overcame her love of scrolls and so she pressed on. The light changed as she walked, the first hint dawn had arrived.

She came to a large room with two windows at the far end cut in a peculiar shape. Shading her eyes against the sudden influx of light she failed to notice the two figures directly in front of her.

Where have you been? We were just about to come look for you, said Kispu Tashmetu, with a vague hint of a smile playing at her mouth.

You knew? Sobekh managed to stammer after a quick glance at both to determine in what manner of trouble she was in and how she might escape.

It never fails to amuse me, this certainty of each generation, that they are the only ones capable of such subterfuge and night-time escapades, said the man.

Sobekh, this is my brother Magi Ningi, your uncle so many generations ago, even I have lost count Kispu Tashmetu said, a hint of Formality alerting Sobekh to be on her best behaviour.

Greetings, most illustrious one, Sobekh bowed

Come child, it is wonderful to see you again, when last I saw you, you were but a babe in your mother’s arms. We have so much to talk about, Magi Ningi said with a welcoming smile, kissing her on both cheeks and once on the forehead, as was customary amongst their family.

Sobekh looked around, her relief at the apparent reprieve restoring her usual audacity and at last she was compelled to ask, Where are we?

Ahh, come and look, replied Magi Ningi, bringing her to a window. Looking out she beheld the mighty Nile flowing past, but could not determine which building they were in, or whether they were in front of, behind, or to the side of the Royal Palace.

I can’t tell what this building is, are we in a Pyramid? Sobekh finally admitted, hazarding a guess.

We are in the secret depository of our sacred texts and my final resting place Kispu Tashmetu said, shuffling over, We are in the western Statue of Sirius, and the Three Pyramids are over there. The Palace is to the north east, upriver.

Why is it secret? I saw only our normal temple objects below.

Because my dear, we have experienced much in our lifetimes that you will learn about now you are of age. What humanity perceives as change, growth, strange or new, we who have lived through many ages know to be cycles. In these cycles there is much to gain and much to lose. With power comes threat and there are many who seek to take from us what we have. My brother and I will not be around forever and so to protect our legacy we have stored these objects and texts here. That way, if Magan is overrun by enemies and the Temples destroyed, this will still be here.

Why are you telling me?

As the future Queen, it is your job to protect your people, your country and your lineage. These ceremonies and objects are the heart of who we are, and you must remember to protect them always.

With that, they slowly began to move back down the tunnel pausing only to allow Magi Ningi to walk into his laboratory and gather a scroll before rejoining them on their descent.

When they reached the chamber, Sobekh allowed herself to look more thoroughly at the beauty of the room. The crystals now flickered softly with a hint of rose, as at dusk. It was peaceful in its majesty rather than intimidating as the Temples of Youth and Life were.

A quiet movement woke her from her reverie; the altar slid to one side, a darkened crypt gradually revealing itself. Sobekh stared in fascination as a serpent slithered out and began to glide up Kispu Tashmetu’s legs, to her torso before settling around her shoulders. Kispu Tashmetu whispered something in a language Sobekh vaguely recognized but could not comprehend. The serpent began to slither again, Kispu Tashmetu extending her arm towards Sobekh until their hands touched allowing the serpent to wind its way up Sobekh’s arms. Sobekh hesitated for a brief moment, before relaxing under the calming influence of the two elders. Magi Ningi held up a jar of alabaster to the light as if inspecting it for flaws, then, seemingly satisfied, offered it to Sobekh to look at, motioning with his hands to open the lid. As she did so, a puff of smoke blew into her face and her world went dark. She fell back as the figures of her ancestors receded as though through a tunnel.

Thus it was she did not feel the bite as the serpent sank its fangs into her neck, or the two pairs of hands catching her as she swooned, gently laying her to rest in the soft plush bed in the crypt, or see the altar close back over head.

Chapter Two

You’re certain this was necessary brother? Kispu Tashmetu turned to her brother, after covering Sobekh with a coverlet and making certain all was well.

I am. The blood has weakened with each generation and we know not which of the offspring has the gift. She must be shocked and brought near death and only then will we be able to tell upon her awakening whether or not she is the one to train with you.

Well Chifu was sent to Attar in Tartaria and Rhea will be given to Eris in Madayi Kavu, which leaves two. What I fear is neither having the gift of supreme essence as we discovered with their parents.

We must prepare for that eventuality; it will come unless our fellow Annunaki decide to return to Tiamut.

A snort of disbelief answered this pronouncement and the two gathered mats and proceeded to settle cross-legged on the ground, folding their arms in a posture of contemplation.

One would think this gets easier with practice, but my joints beg to differ. I shall welcome death as a favoured lover if only I have found my replacement before then.

Dear sister, I too long for the release offered by death. We have lived far beyond what we intended, but our time is not yet. Let us begin our vigil for our dear little Sobekh. If all is well, we will have the outcome we desire.

And if not, I will have her mother to contend with, Kispu Tashmetu answered, accepting the Highward Stone offered by her brother, swallowing it with practiced ease before closing her eyes and beginning to chant, her brother joining after a pause.

The two remained there through the cycles of the sun and moon, meditating and humming the song of awakening without faltering, the sound passing through the altar which eventually began to vibrate, adding to the waves produced by the two ancients whose eyes began to glow as the orme took effect and stimulated the most hidden reaches of their mind, reaching far below to a little figure locked in a dreamless state, her consciousness searching as if for a beacon to direct the path she should go.

Far above, her sisters had grown most anxious, with little Rhea beginning to cry when it was time for breakfast and their older sister had not returned. The nursemaids noted the absence of the future Queen and one ran to inform the King and Queen. Hathor and Rhea were promptly called to their father’s inner sanctum.

The King was at his table looking at reports when they came in timidly. Come my children, what has happened? I perceive you are most upset

The Queen joined him at that moment, looking pale, but greeted her daughters with a kiss, as she did every morning.

The two girls stammered out what they had done and where Sobekh had gone and the Queen began to cry, increasing the two girls’ distress.

Come my dear, you are scaring our daughters; you know what our ancestress’ orders are regarding our children’s initiations. We know what she’s experiencing as the Old Lady did the same with us. She’ll be fine.

Will she? What if she isn’t? The Queen answered, until a sharp look from her husband brought her up short, forcing her to regain control of her emotions for the sake of her children.

I’m sorry dears; I don’t mean to frighten you. Sobekh is with Kispu Tashmetu and her brother Magi Ningi. Nothing is wrong. It is merely a formality now she has come of age, one which you will experience when you are ready.

Indeed, if Sobekh hadn’t followed our venerable ancestress in the middle of the night, she would have eventually been called anyway. We wondered when it would happen, The King said, settling back into his chair.

The Kispu does love surprises the Queen said, a wry grin stealing upon her flushed features, rendering her slightly gargoylish in appearance.

When will Sobekh come back? asked Hathor, in a small voice.

Two days hence. Don’t cry dear, she’s fine. I just had a nasty fright this morning hearing one of you was missing, the Queen reassured her daughters, pulling them both into her lap and showering them with kisses.

Am I to be merely an onlooker? the King asked with a smile.

The two princesses raced over to him engaging in a scuffle to determine who would be the first to kiss him and who would get to sit on his lap. Laughing, he scooped them both up before proceeding to tickle them until they squealed with laughter.

At that moment their older brother entered. The two ran over to him, their parents forgotten already. At 14 he was almost full-grown, strong through many hours spent each day at sword play, yet as playful as a kitten when with his younger sisters. He held out his arms and both girls clasped their hands around one arm each as he swung them around. When all three had tumbled in a dizzy heap, they jumped on him, demanding a horse ride, which he indulged them in.

After begging release from his captors, he turned to his parents and said, So is it true? Is Sobekh with Her Majesty?

Their parents nodding their heads in affirmation, he shuddered and said, I hope all goes well, I remember when it was my turn, I wanted to kill her

Chifu!!! His mother exclaimed

His father chortled, And that is why they sent you to Tartaria to train with General Attar instead of remaining in Magan to become a Priest like the Magi. Perhaps the climate in the North will cool your blood, though if your behaviour on this visit shows anything; it demonstrates that any attempt to train you is futile.

Chifu bowed his head in acquiescence, failing to completely hide his grin. His sisters began to giggle, their fear for their sister forgotten as they let their imaginations run wild, enacting what they imagined the initiation ceremony to be (lots of boring ramblings and lecturing from their venerated ancestress) and how they would respond (much like their older brother). The prince and his parents said nothing, merely smiled at their childish imaginations, as the initiation process was to be kept secret until they experienced it, the ceremony not working if they were expecting it.

On the third day Sobekh awoke, the serpent coiled by her side slithering up to the surface alerting Kispu Tashmetu and Magi Ningi who were still in their trance. They came out of it slowly, not a hint of fatigue as would be expected with the deprivations endured by two elderly folks over a period that length. Opening the crypt, they beheld Sobekh shielding her eyes from the sudden light, struggling to sit up. Climbing down the stairs, limbs creaking with effort after being in one position for so long, they reached the bed she was laid in and helped her up.

Sobekh drew back in alarm, screaming in fright as the memories came rushing in on her. The scream did not cease for several minutes, primal in its energy, incomprehensible in its rage and fear. The elders stood back, so as to give her time to come to herself and realize they meant her no harm. She looked around, driven with the urge to flee, but unable to move her limbs. The paralysis further added to her desperation until she glanced down as saw blood on the sheets between her legs. It all became too much and she fainted once again.

Kispu Tashmetu watched this with the aplomb expected of one who has witnessed this scenario, or one similar many times.

At least she internalized her emotions, her brother had his hands around my neck so fast I had no time to react, She whispered to Magi Ningi.

As I recall, it took all my strength to pry his fingers loose, at one point I thought you might succumb. He is a strong one; Attar has a challenge facing him.

Perhaps we should call her mother, it might help. I fear she has awoken truly and has the gift. I can sense her mother has been feeling such anxiety these past few days that Sobekh, now being attuned to the energies around her and connected to the Queen, will be feeling her mother’s emotions along with her own.

You may be right. Magi Ningi raised his hand gently and a young priestess entered silently. Go fetch the Queen, bade her come swiftly. The priestess inclined her head and left as noiselessly as she came in.

A drink—that is what is called for in moments of extreme emotions such as this. Kispu Tashmetu said, walking back up into the chamber over to where a carafe had been placed, filled with wine.

We will have to eat soon as well, to nourish our bodies. Our spirits have been fed by the orme, but my physical self is famished

As soon as the child and mother have been calmed, we will repair to my chambers where a feast has been prepared

It is good that little Sobekh appears to be strong in the gift, you may have found your replacement. Surely you must have had an inkling of her ability, to order a feast before the initiation

I had my suspicions, but was unsure, so much of human ability covered by such wild, uncontrolled emotions. I love my descendants but have found it ever incomprehensible to decipher what is real and what is imaginary when they are explaining what they are feeling and what has led them to feel that way. It is the same when trying to determine who has a gift, as, with the exception of those marked by the Dragons and destined at birth to be trained by Eris, there are only vague suggestions of a predisposition to a gift, at all times overshadowed by wild, rambunctious laughter, abject misery or deep boredom. It is only through a shock like this that the shallow emotions are driven away, and the real nature comes through. I know you have your reservations about the Darkesthai experience, brother, but after two thousand years our blood has so weakened that it is the surest way of bringing out their ability.

I know you are right in your surmises and that you love your little children, but it hurts to see them in such a state, even if it’s for the best. The pain inflicted on their parents is hard to bear as well. I just fear that as it is a Mulla Xul ritual taught you by Eris, it may not be beneficial for those who serve the Temples of Life and Youth.

Our parents went through a similar process in Aden.

Yes, but it was by choice. Though they did not know what it entailed, they knew it would happen. These children do not.

It has to be this way, we tried to enact the ritual as the one our parents faced, and the results were skewed. Humans are unable to practice discretion and every once in a while, word would get out, usually by a chatty nurse.  The parents too, are useless, always trying to prepare their children, slipping in food and drink, violating the rules. This way is better, I can at least demand their silence if they don’t know when it is going to happen, the threat of banishment should they slip and tell their child too much sufficient to ensure their compliance.

Yet nothing can prepare them for the possible death of their child or assuage their grief should it happen.

I wish it were not so, I feel each death personally, as they are my flesh and blood and it is by my doing. But it must be this way, for the sake of our dynasty.

A flurry of movement brought their attention to the passageway connected to the Palace. The Queen arrived, accompanied by the King. She knelt before Magi Ningi and Kispu Tashmetu to receive their blessing before they told her to rise. The fear was palpable; she clearly was expecting the worst.

Do not be so fearful, my child, we have good news. Sobekh has the gift, though she is panicked. We feel she needs the reassurance only her mother can give. So come, cease your fretting and go and tend to her.

The Queen rose, hurriedly wiping away her tears and descended to where her daughter lay. Taking the drink offered by the Priestess, she drew her daughter into a seated position and bade her start sipping it. At first Sobekh was unresponsive and more dribbled down her chin than passed through her lips. Her mother began to chime softly, soon joined in by the Priestess, "Nothing to