Rebel and Traitor - a fantasy adventure: The Rebel and Traitor series

By Chris Lowry

In the first installment of the epic fantasy series, Rebel and Traitor, we follow the journey of Arin, a skilled warrior and natural leader, as she rises from the ashes of a fallen kingdom to lead a rebellion against the tyrannical ruler, King Roderick, who has plunged the realm into darkness.

 

Arin is aided by her mentor, the wise and powerful mage, Gwendolyn, and her loyal friend and fellow rebel, Garrick.

 

But as the rebellion gains momentum, Arin must confront the possibility of betrayal from within her own ranks, and the ruthless King Roderick will stop at nothing to maintain his hold on the throne.

 

Will Arin's rebellion be enough to topple the tyrant, or will she fall victim to his cunning schemes?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chris Lowry
• Release date: Apr 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223964872

Chris Lowry

Chris Lowry is an author and adventure seeker who has traveled the globe exploring new worlds and writing about his thrilling experiences. With over one hundred thrillers, science fiction, and urban fantasy novels to his name, as well as more than a thousand articles published across various publications, Chris has established himself as a master storyteller and a leading voice in the world of action and adventure. Whether he's fighting off hordes of undead in a post-apocalyptic wasteland or braving the depths of outer space, Chris is always ready for his next thrilling adventure. Follow his journey as he battles against impossible odds and becomes the hero that the world needs.

Book preview

Chapter 1: A Promise of Revenge

Arin watched as the rebels were executed one by one, their bodies hanging from the gallows in the town square. She clenched her fists, her heart heavy with grief and anger. They were her people, her kin, and they had dared to defy King Roderick’s tyranny.

As the last rebel drew his final breath, Arin swore a vow of revenge. She would make King Roderick pay for what he had done to her people. She turned away from the grisly scene, determined to start her journey towards vengeance.

Days turned into weeks as Arin traveled through the kingdom, seeking allies and resources for her rebellion. She had heard whispers of a secret rebel hideout in a burnt-out village, and she made her way there with a sense of purpose.

As she approached the village, she saw a figure darting between the ruins. Arin drew her sword, ready to defend herself, but as the figure drew closer, she saw that it was a young girl, no more than ten years old.

The girl’s eyes widened in terror as she saw Arin’s sword, and she cowered behind a pile of rubble. Arin lowered her weapon and approached the girl slowly, trying to put her at ease.

What are you doing here? Arin asked gently.

The girl hesitated, then spoke in a small, frightened voice. I was hiding. I saw soldiers of King Roderick coming, and I was scared they would hurt me.

Arin nodded understandingly. Don’t worry, I won’t let them hurt you. Come with me.

She took the girl’s hand and led her towards the secret rebel hideout. As they approached the entrance, soldiers of King Roderick surrounded them, their swords drawn.

Arin and the girl fought bravely, using their swords and whatever else they could find as weapons. They managed to take down several soldiers before Arin heard a voice shouting her name.

Garrick! Arin called out in relief.

Her loyal friend and fellow rebel had come to their aid, and together, they fought off the rest of the soldiers. Arin and Garrick took the girl to safety in the rebel hideout, where they met the leader of the rebellion, a man named Thomas.

Arin explained her reasons for wanting to join the rebellion and offered her skills as a warrior. Thomas was impressed by her determination and offered her a place in the rebellion.

But Arin knew that simply joining the rebellion wouldn’t be enough to take down King Roderick. She needed allies and resources, and most importantly, she needed to strike a blow against the tyrant’s forces.

She set out on a mission to prove her worth to the rebels, determined to make her mark and bring justice to her people. The journey ahead would be long and dangerous, but Arin was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Chapter 2: Betrayal

Arin sat at the long wooden table in the center of the rebel hideout, her eyes scanning the faces of her fellow rebels. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. She had completed the mission they had assigned her, but something about the way the other rebels were looking at her made her uneasy.

Garrick sat next to her, his hand resting on his sword hilt. What’s wrong? he whispered.

I don’t know, Arin said. I feel like something’s off. Like they don’t trust me.

Gwendolyn, the wise mage, entered the room, interrupting their conversation. Arin, she said, we need to talk.

Arin followed Gwendolyn into a side room, where the mage closed the door behind them. What’s going on? Arin asked.

I’m afraid there’s been a betrayal, Gwendolyn said, her voice low. One of our own has been working with King Roderick.

Arin’s heart sank. Who? she asked.

We don’t know, Gwendolyn said. But we suspect it’s someone close to the rebel leadership. We need you to keep your eyes and ears open, and report back to us if you hear or see anything suspicious.

Arin nodded, her mind racing. She couldn’t believe that one of their own would betray them like this. She felt sick at the thought of it.

As she returned to the main room, Arin couldn’t help but wonder who the traitor could be. Was it someone she knew? Someone she trusted?

As the meeting continued, Arin tried to stay focused on the task at hand, but her mind kept wandering. She watched the faces of her fellow rebels, trying to read their expressions. Who was the traitor among them?

Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the far end of the table. Two rebels were shouting at each other, their voices rising in anger.

Arin stood up, drawing her sword. What’s going on? she demanded.

The two rebels glared at each other, their hands on their own weapons. He’s the traitor! one of them yelled, pointing at the other.

The accused rebel looked stunned. What are you talking about? I’m not a traitor!

Arin stepped between them, holding up her sword. That’s enough, she said. We don’t know who the traitor is yet. We can’t go accusing each other without proof.

The room fell silent as Arin’s words sunk in. She sheathed her sword and turned to the rest of the rebels. We need to stay focused on our mission, she said. We can’t let distrust tear us apart. We’re stronger together than we are apart.

The other rebels nodded, and the tension in the room began to ease. But Arin knew that the threat of betrayal was still looming over them, and that they would need to stay vigilant if they hoped to succeed in their rebellion against King Roderick.

Chapter 3: The Secret Hideout

Arin paced back and forth, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. She was still reeling from the recent ambush, and the betrayal of a fellow rebel. Garrick stood next to her, his arms folded across his chest as well.

I can’t believe it, Arin muttered under her breath. One of our own turned on us.

Garrick nodded solemnly. We never suspected a thing. He was one of our most trusted.

Arin sighed deeply. We need to be more careful from now on. We can’t let King Roderick get the upper hand.

Just then, Gwendolyn walked into the room, her staff tapping against the stone floor. Arin, Garrick, I have news, she said, her voice grave.

What is it? Arin asked, turning to face her mentor.

I’ve been keeping an eye on the kingdom’s main roads, Gwendolyn began. There are reports that King Roderick is gathering his troops for a massive attack on our secret hideout.

Arin’s heart sank. How did he find out about us?

I don’t know, Gwendolyn replied. But we need to act fast. We don’t have much time.

Arin nodded, her mind racing with thoughts. We need to move everyone to a safer location.

Garrick spoke up. But where? We’ve already scouted the surrounding areas and there’s nowhere else we can hide.

Arin thought for a moment, then an idea struck her. What about the abandoned mineshaft we found a few miles from here? It’s well-hidden, and King Roderick’s troops would have a hard time finding us there.

Gwendolyn nodded. That could work. But we need to be quick. We should leave tonight.

Arin nodded, determination etched on her face. Agreed. Let’s gather everyone and prepare to move out.

As they began to make preparations, Arin couldn’t help but worry about the traitor in their midst. She had no idea who it could be, and the thought made her feel uneasy. She knew that their success depended on trust, and if she couldn’t trust her own people, they were all doomed.

As they made their way through the underground tunnels, Arin couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. They were safe, for now. But she knew that they couldn’t stay hidden forever. Eventually, they would need to face King Roderick head-on.

As they settled into their new hideout, Arin called a meeting with the rebels. She stood at the front of the room, her voice steady and strong.

We’ve faced many challenges and setbacks, she began. But we will not be defeated. We will continue to fight until King Roderick is toppled from his throne.

The room erupted in cheers and applause, and Arin couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. These people were fighting for a cause, and she was their leader. She would not let them down.

As the meeting ended, Arin pulled Garrick aside. We need to be on high alert, she whispered. I don’t know who the traitor is, but we need to find out before it’s too late.

Garrick nodded, his expression serious. I’ll keep my eyes and ears open. We won’t let you down.

Arin smiled, grateful for Garrick’s loyalty. She knew that they had a long road ahead of them, but she was ready to face whatever challenges came their way. She was a rebel, a fighter, and a leader.

Arin, Garrick, and Gwendolyn continued their discussion, strategizing about their next steps. They knew that King Roderick would not rest until he had crushed their rebellion, and they needed to stay one step ahead of him if they were to succeed.

We need to gather more information about Roderick’s forces, Gwendolyn said, and we need to do it quickly. I have a few contacts who might be able to help us, but we’ll need to move fast.

Arin nodded in agreement. "We can’t afford to wait around. If we want to win this war, we need to take the fight to Roderick. We need