Achilles Maestri and the Unchallenged King

By Victoria C Preston

A royal wedding awaits the people of Burgdul as two kingdoms will be united. With the coming war, Meiren struggles to gain popularity with her people and prepare. Arlo finds the truth of his origins and travels to the Third Empire amid the growing tension in Burgdul. Achilles has admired the brotherhood he's gained as a squire with hopes to be knighted and earn Meiren's favor. In an attempt to gain control over the elder dragon Wornix's soul, Achilles travels to the Valley of Kings to meet Valron, the Unchallenged King.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887939360

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Achilles Maestri and the Unchallenged King

Victoria C Preston

Copyright © 2023 Victoria Preston

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2023

ISBN 979-8-88793-927-8 (pbk)

ISBN 979-8-88793-936-0 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

To the light of my life, my incredible son, Joey

An Unexpected Alliance

A Step Ahead

Second Impressions

Verdaire's Warning

Bathing in Peace

Finnegan's Secret

Unwelcome Memories

The Millen's House

Pemdora's Arboretum

Plans of Entanglement

Sallum

A Forfeit and Gain

The Council of the Third Empire

A Tale of Two Witches

Three Days

The Prince of Sallum

The Dragon's Brew Tavern

Hiding in Plain Sight

Summoning a Wizard

Not Your Average Steed

The Taste of Success

The Dragon Slayer of Arkloft

The Wedding Commences: Part 1

The Wedding Commences: Part 2

A Loyal Friend

Nazrael

A Place of Respite

Meiren, Queen Regent of Burgdul

The Kingdom of Seethren

The Queen's Guard

Matters of the Crown

The Final Favor

About the Author

To the light of my life, my incredible son, Joey

Chapter 1

An Unexpected Alliance

Sunlight trickled down through the scattered clouds onto the stone courtyard. The faint rush of water from fountains created a mist that carried with the breeze. The smell of salt from the sea spray below and the white flowers that wrapped around the statues and fountains encapsulated his senses. He saw Meiren standing by the railing overlooking the sea and approached her.

Her voice came to him like the scent of honey on a morning draft. Achilles? Where are you? Her line of vision fell through him, desperation underlying her words.

I am here, he replied, though his voice was muffled to his ears.

I can't find you. She walked through him, her words to the wind.

I'm here with you, in your courtyard. He tried to grasp her hand but couldn't seem to reach her. Can you not see me?

No, Meiren answered, her attention drawn to the whispering willow.

What…do you see? the young man asked timidly.

The long branches wavered, a few leaves floating down to the soil. She was motionless, listening to the undecipherable voices he heard coming from the tree. She reached over a flower bed and cupped a sunset orange tulip in her palm. Her thumb gently brushed the petals before she crumbled it in her clenched fist. Peril.

Peril? What peril do you see? All I see… He paused, losing all words as he looked into her eyes. Her tender gaze seemed to land on him for several moments as he murmured, I see…you.

Achilles… Her voice was fading. His stomach churned as he was forced away from her. He was sucked through a tunnel of darkness, violently ripped away from Meiren and the briny breeze of the sea. He opened his eyes that were clouded with sweat and cursed. The tranquil sounds of the courtyard were lost; the steady dripping of water was the only noise that greeted him.

His clothes and personal belongings were stripped from him when Lord Grun discarded him into the cell. As he attempted to prop himself up, his elbow slid through a viscous puddle, leaving muck caked to his skin. He groaned and tried to scrape it off on the floor, the abrasive stone dragging painfully across his skin. The darkness mingled with the horrid stench of mildew from the damp stone made him feel sick.

Meiren had visited his dreams every night, trying to sense his location. He wasn't as skilled at dream walking and, as a result, was difficult to work with, but she hadn't given up. She begged him to use his magic to escape. Though, his efforts in waking life had been unsuccessful. It irked him that Pemdora showed him the dungeon and believed she knew he would end up trapped in the very same place.

She had told him the cells were heavily enchanted against magic and tried to remember her words. These cells are entirely magic proof. The metal bars have been heavily enchanted to repel magic and the stone to absorb it. It cannot be dispelled easily, making them nearly inescapable.

She had made him promise to remember another cell, but he wasn't sure how that would help him now. No matter what Achilles tried, he couldn't command his magic inside the cell. He tried in vain to create a gateway to escape, but each time he ended up in a different corner of the same cell. It was maddening and draining work that he gave up shortly after the second day. He even tried prying the bars of the cell apart with brute force, but they didn't budge.

The Veiled Prince had won. Achilles was trapped. Four days confined in an enchanted cell had left him hopeless and chilled to the bone. With each passing moment, he felt his hope dwindling. Lord Grun hadn't returned since they threw him in the dungeon, and he was starting to realize he'd been left to rot. He spent much of the first two days trying to understand how Lord Grun survived. He was different somehow. The color of his eyes and skin changed.

Achilles remembered the moment he plunged his sword into him, the feeling he had in his heart when he saw Grun's eyes close for the last time. He didn't believe it was possible to resurrect someone from death and wondered if the Veiled Prince was behind it. The feeling of remorse for slaying another human was washed away when he saw the shadowy eyes of the man that murdered his grandmother.

Meiren's urgent voice seemed to come from all around. Achilles! Where are you? Her words sent a jolt through his body. A powerful ebbing of purple light surged beneath his skin. He thought back to what Pemdora said: nearly inescapable. He felt the memory surface from his first day in Burgdul, reminding him of how he dispelled the barrier spell Meiren taught him. He let the memory reveal itself in his mind, helped along by the princess's magic.

He wasn't sure where to begin, though he supposed it was a better time than any to try. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to summon the elder dragons' power through his fingers. An effervescent light shattered through the air, momentarily blinding him from the stark contrast to the darkness. The spark roused his hopes, this time letting it grow and dance above him. He looked around and walked toward the door, peering out through the bars to see a set of stone stairs to his right and more hanging cells to his left.

When the light came too close to the bars, it fizzled out with a pop. Achilles grumbled and stepped back, reigniting the spark in his palm. His energy was quickly diminishing, a noticeable effect of the enchantment. He wasn't sure how to go about breaking the spell that bound him within the cell and wanted to use his limited energy wisely. He couldn't help but wish Pemdora had given more helpful instructions. He closed his eyes, calling Meiren's magic to him and letting it steadily build until his skin became hot.

Achilles turned and pushed his hands forward. A force emanated that shook the cell as a ball of light exploded from his hands into the metal bars. The ball of light rebounded and came hurdling back. He ducked just in time for it to fly over his head and hit the wall in a shower of sparks. He waited for the commotion of guards rushing to subjugate him, but when no one came, he decided to try again. He cast an even larger ball of light that shattered with a resounding crash.

He groaned with frustration and slumped back onto the floor, dropping his head into his hands. When he dispelled the wall with Meiren, he only needed to imagine it coming down. It hadn't been that difficult at the time, although he hadn't planned on flooding the room either. He tried to relax, but the elder dragon soul was overwhelming and almost impossible to control.

After defeating Daedra, Wornix's soul seemed satisfied and lessened its influence on him. But now he could feel the rising tension of being imprisoned again. Neither Achilles nor Wornix wished to be captive, and now they were one and the same. He rose to his feet, focusing all the power on the enchantment that surrounded him, and imagined it melting away. The barred door of the cell started to hum as he concentrated on his goal.

In his head, he could feel the enchantment waning. The words that created it rippled through his head, coming undone. The humming grew louder until it hit a crescendo that tore through the dungeon. He lit a spark in his hand and looked around. The cell and metal bars were still in place. This time, when he walked up to the door, the spark in his hand didn't sputter out.

He put both hands up in front of the door and propelled it outward, leaving a gaping hole in the wall. The metal door crashed onto the path and fell over the other side. He half expected to meet an invisible wall, but as he exited, he saw the enchantment was truly broken. Still anxious to move forward and embarrassed about his naked escape, he used the light in his palm to look at the neighboring cells. He walked down the narrow path to the cell Pemdora showed him and peeked inside.

In the corner, just out of reach of his light, was a hunched figure on the ground. He tested the door for an enchantment but found it was ordinary. He broke the lock and flung the cell door open with a quick movement of his hand. The figure cried out and scooted toward the wall. A female voice whimpered beneath the hood.

I didn't mean to frighten you. I'm here to help, he said in a lowered tone, trying to cover himself awkwardly with his arm.

She buried her head in her knees, crying softly. Who… she started in a disheartened voice. Are you? She tried to look up at him but blinked against the light he carried.

My name is Achilles, he said as he knelt down. What's yours?

Camille, she said, directing her vision away. She took the cloak from around her shoulders and extended it to him.

Achilles blushed, wrapping it around himself. It's nice to meet you, Camille…but neither of us should be here. As he helped her to her feet, he said, Come with me. He led the way down the path and climbed the stairs, listening for incoming footsteps. At the top, they came to a large wooden door. Achilles cautiously stuck his head around the edge of the door and whispered in awe, Wow.

Piles upon piles of gold pieces, jewels, chests, hefty sacks of treckles, adornments, and scrolls mounted half the height of the walls. The sunlight from the narrow windows near the ceiling glittered off the fortune of treasures, making the room glimmer. Achilles let the spark in his hand fizzle out as he stepped inside. Across from the wooden door they exited was a path the gold didn't touch. The chamber was different than the barren one Pemdora guided him through.

He walked down the path where he saw a dark outline of a door in the stone wall. Pemdora showed him how to open the door. If only he could find the right stone. As he poked and prodded, they heard a great rustling behind them. Treckles tinkled from piles and rolled across the floor. Camille gasped, and Achilles warily turned around to see an immense pearlescent pink dragon emerging from the treasure.

Long white claws slammed down onto the floor, making loose treckles fly into the air with a clatter as they landed. Its white eyes glowered down at them as a crown of tendrils on its head stuck up with alert curiosity. The tendrils bewildered the young man as they flowed in the air, tussled by an unseen current. Silence filled the room as they assessed the beast in front of them. The dragon took up half the room, its head reaching the ceiling even though it was lying down.

Achilles couldn't help the pounding of his heart and the slack-jawed expression on his face. He marveled at its size compared to Wornix and was barely able to find his voice. Are you…kin of Feren?

A name unfit for mortal tongue. A powerful feminine voice came from all around. The dragon hadn't moved its mouth, but the words were undeniably its own.

Achilles bent into a low bow. I am sorry if we disturbed your slumber. We mean you no harm.

A throaty chuckle danced through the air. If it is your avowal to cause harm, be assured I will be impervious.

I offer you the greatest of apologies for my blunder, he responded, trying to make amends if he offended her.

The voice came again with sadness immersed in her words. Obeisance is long lost for my kind…by days that pass my animus grows prostrate…only grave bereavement lies in my hereafter. Achilles considered himself clever, but the way the dragon spoke left him baffled.

You are Verdaire, Camille spoke with wonder and bowed. Forgive us for our insolence.

Her crown of tendrils seemed interested as the dragon eyed her closely. How have you come to know this sobriquet?

I was born of the Druids of Merendere. We shared stories of the compassionate dragon that protected us. Camille paused. I never imagined that I would meet you.

The dragon watched her with an obstinate smile. What is your name, druid child?

Camille…Camille Maestri, she answered, earning a blank stare from Achilles.

Verdaire turned her attention to the young man. And who are you?

Achilles stood straight. I am Achilles Maestri. Camille gave a sidelong glance at the young man as she got back to her feet, though she didn't interrupt. The dragon stared at him expectantly, and in a panic, he added, I…I am a wizard.

A loud chuckle echoed through the room. Do you discourse such calumny to thrill or impede me?

The young man put his fists to his hips, standing with emphasis as he belted, I will have you know that I am a great wizard!

I will have you know that you are nude. The dragon gave a mischievous expression as her tail flicked back and forth.

Achilles flushed, closing the cloak more tightly around him. It was terribly difficult to convey bravery in the presence of a dragon while in full armor, let alone nude. An unforeseen obstacle, but I'm making the best of it! What of you though, dragon? How have you found yourself trapped in this chamber? Achilles countered.

Her crown fell flat against her head. With a bit of apprehension, the dragon lifted her claw, halted by a colossal chain around her wrist. The chain was anchored by an immense hook to the floor. She placed her claw down as he said, I don't understand. Who would do this?

Verdaire turned her head toward the beams of sunlight spilling from the windows. The Veiled Prince captured me and trusts that I will bend to his will…so as to make me a divine weapon in the war he wages…or to assume the power that is my elder soul.

But why don't you break free? Camille asked.

Enchantment fosters this shackle, nay, only the same magic may free me from this prison. As Verdaire stared absently at the sunlight, a rumbling of stone was heard.

Achilles revolved to see the outline of the door being pushed forward and sliding over. He grabbed Camille and dove behind a pile of treckles. Verdaire moved to block them from the view of the men that entered. Camille pressed herself against the mound of treasure and peeked over the edge. Achilles leaned with her, keeping as low as possible.

Lord Grun stalked into the room with two guards flanking him. The first guard held a torch and a sword in his off-hand. When the second guard ducked through the doorway, he paled at the sight of the dragon. He carried a large sack saturated with blood and halted to gawk at the beast from the safety of the doorway. The guard holding the torch was unaffected, twirling his sword as he met Verdaire's murderous gaze.

Feed the best and see that the boy is settling in, Kaiden commanded in a deep voice, void of emotion. He turned around. The nervous guard shied away from the door to allow the lord through.

As the door slid back into place, the fearful guard trembled. I-I thought h-he was staying?

This beast is no different than a wild dog. Just throw it the scraps, and we will be on our way, the guard with the sword coaxed. The other guard readjusted his grip on the bloody sack, realizing it had leaked onto his boot. He took a deep breath and stepped forward to throw the scraps when the former guard said, You'll have to get closer than that. What would the prince say if you got blood on his gold?

The fearful guard paused and gazed up the length of the dragon's neck, looking ill when he watched her crown sway. With a gulp, he moved ahead.

Closer, the other guard encouraged and shoved him forward, causing the sack to drag along the floor. The guard gestured with his sword to the long smear of blood on the floor. The prince won't be too pleased about that.

You shoved me! the fearful guard shouted. For a moment, he forgot his surroundings as he thought of the prince's punishment. It wasn't my fault! He dropped the sack in frustration and stepped away. "You can feed the dragon. He moved closer to the wall and mumbled, I hope it swallows you whole."

The other guard picked up the sack and approached the dragon with a patronizing smirk. Eat up, he said with a cruel sneer and dumped the foul contents onto the floor. Achilles couldn't tell what the seeping lump on the floor consisted of, but the smell alone was offensive. Verdaire curled her lips back, showed her teeth, and snarled. The guard smirked with satisfaction and turned around. I can't believe you're actually afraid of that thing.

Even wild dogs bite, the fearful guard retorted, refusing to make eye contact.

Then who would bring them their scraps? the other guard challenged, walking toward the door to the dungeon. Achilles and Camille heard something cut through the air like a whip. A gleaming pink blur swept the guard off his feet and into the wall. The fearful guard ran for the door as Verdaire blocked his path with the claw that wasn't shackled. He backtracked, on the verge of screaming, when Achilles came up behind him.

Achilles withdrew the guard's sword and pressed it into his back. Don't make a sound.

Camille leaped over the mound of treasure and slid down the other side. Don't hurt him!

I won't…as long as he doesn't scream, Achilles said. Then he added, I'm going to let you go. Don't be senseless.

The guard nodded eagerly, and Achilles let his grip loosen. The guard relaxed and then darted for the door. Verdaire swiftly knocked him off his feet and held him under her claw as he squirmed. Camille rushed forward, tore a piece of fabric from the guard's surcoat, and shoved it into his mouth.

If you are a wizard… Camille looked over her shoulder at Achilles. Help us get out of here.

Chapter 2

A Step Ahead

Achilles looked around the treasury, trying to formulate a plan. He knew Verdaire would never fit through the door and ventured to ask, "Verdaire… and I mean no offense by this , but…do you have a… smaller form? He gestured to her grandiose size and was met with an agitated stare. Achilles elaborated, I've heard tales of dragons being able to turn into…well, having a more human form."

"I understood your intent," Verdaire countered with a low growl.

The young man decided to try a different approach. You are by far the most breathtaking elder dragon I've ever met…but trying to sneak you out of a human-sized door will be impossible.

Verdaire seemed tickled by his words. Her voice was softer when she responded, If liberated, sneaking wouldn't be necessary. Alas, as long as I am bound, I cannot do as you request.

Fair, Achilles said with a nod. He neared the chain and analyzed the cuff around her wrist. He could feel the same draining effect of the magic that enchanted his dungeon cell. He touched the shackle and brought the spell into his mind, trying to unravel the words that created it. His magic came to him easily, shattering the enchantment and, in the next moment, breaking through the metal.

Camille gasped at the loud noise and glanced at Achilles with an unreadable expression. They watched Verdaire lift her freed claw and flex her talons. "I may have misjudged you, wizard." Verdaire's voice faded as she spoke, and her pearlescent pink form started to glow a pure blinding white. When they could withstand the withering light, they saw that the elder dragon was gone.

A tall being with waist-length pearly pink hair, pale glittering skin, and white eyes was standing at the center of the room. She wore a sleek yet intricate gown with a pearl and opal embedded bodice. A matching tiara of fine silver, studded with pearls and opals, lay upon her head. Verdaire's voice came from around them. I have not had to occupy this form for thousands of years. I am not accustomed to present traditions.

You might want to use more common words as a start. I can hardly understand what you're saying, Achilles stated in an understanding tone.

"Is it the experience of my celestial voice?" Verdaire asked, her voice echoing through the room. Or does this favor you? she inquired, her voice ringing through Achilles's head instead.

Achilles shook his head as if to shake out her voice. "No…no, that's not what I meant. I don't think I've heard the word sobriquet used in a sentence…ever."

Verdaire considered his suggestion. I will try to acclimate.

Achilles suddenly remembered the guard under Verdaire's claw and exclaimed, The guard!

Verdaire glided up to them while she said, He's in the dungeon. I saw to it while I shifted. She stopped before them and turned her attention to Camille. The young man studied her angular jaw and inquisitive ghostly eyes. The hard expression of her features belied the soft colors she was decorated with. He was confused at first when Verdaire and Camille were silently staring at each other for so long.

Then he heard a sigh, and Verdaire's voice came through the room. If you are unable, wizard, I will transport you to a gateway of your choosing.

What about Camille? Achilles wondered, glancing between them.

After much deliberation, she has decided to return to Aurorus, Verdaire replied.

The young man put a hand to his chest and thought about the key and rucksack taken by his captors. The prince's men took something from me. I have to get it back.

"You can't go up there, wizard or not, Camille reasoned. There's thousands of men up there. I heard the guards talking about it when they brought me in."

I promised to protect it with my life. If I walk out of here without it, I have failed. He went over to the guard lying unconscious by the wall and removed his armor before discarding him on the dungeon stairs. He locked the door with a spell of his own and changed into the armor behind a heap of treasure. He went to the stairwell and pushed the brick to open it, adjusting the helm to cover his face. You don't have to wait for me. If something happens…

We will stay, Camille said firmly.

Achilles nodded, feeling a little more confident as he went up the stairs. The door slid closed behind him. The stairwell was dark, but he felt his way up to the top. It was hard to tell where he was until he saw a sliver of light ahead. He came to a door where he heard hammering and overlapping voices. He steadied his breathing, stood straight, and walked out onto the spiraling ramp.

Thousands of men were mining and hauling stone to dump into the dark pit at the center. Armed guards were watching and yelling commands at the worker's heels. Many of the men resembled the druids in Aurorus, but others he was certain he'd seen at Daedra's castle in Gromar. Ropes were tied around the worker's waists, attached to the person before and behind them. As he ascended, he saw men faltering or being grabbed in the middle of a long line of miners, armed guards prodding them to keep moving with swords.

The pit was emanating a rotting odor that made the young man move closer to the wall. A sword flashed in front of Achilles, and he stopped dead in his tracks. A rope was severed in front of him, the withered corpse of a druid man being dragged at the end of the line kicked into the pit. The guard ignored the glares from the druids and ordered them forward. Achilles was stunned, falling a few feet behind before he continued.

He went on faster, glancing up the many spirals of the ramp to see an illuminated chamber at the top. The torches on the ramp seemed dulled by the abyss in the center. He sensed a thrumming heartbeat somewhere deep in the mountain. The power around him was terribly dark and made his blood run cold. The effects of the ominous darkness weren't as noticeable as he climbed higher.

He walked through a group of guards with his head down and noticed the mid-levels were scattered with armed guards. There were fewer miners and more guards that gradually thinned out toward the top. The guards nearing the top looked suspicious of Achilles, though no one stopped him. He wasn't sure why until he realized that no one else was walking upward. The commotion wasn't as overwhelming at the top, and now a different sound caught his attention.

Two men were having a conversation that carried through the illuminated room. He stopped outside, turned his back to the wall, and impersonated a guard to listen in. He recognized one of the voices from a momentary slip in Burgdul when he caught the imposter prince trying to cast a spell on the king.

What have you found out from Gaines's boy? the prince inquired.

He's anxious to earn my approval and is eager to help, but he has not found the book. The voice answering wasn't familiar to Achilles.

I thought he would have kept it close. He must have stashed it somewhere, the prince conceded.

Victor said he was staying in the Knight's House with the other squires. The rucksack he carried was his only belonging, the voice responded.

It's empty, the prince answered with a frustrated growl.

Could it be an illusion? the voice wondered aloud.

I showed it to an enchantress. She swore it was ordinary, the prince replied and then paused. The silence was broken by the sound of someone pacing.

Have you spoken to him? the unfamiliar voice asked curiously.

There was a longer pause before the prince retorted, I don't wish to.

He could tell you where it is…with persuasion, they suggested.

No, the prince said firmly. I do not wish to speak with him.

Perhaps a guard or…

No, Eko! The pacing stopped, and the prince huffed. You are mistaken to think this was up for discussion.

Forgive me, Eko muttered.

After a moment, the prince started pacing again. What news do you have of the king?

The spell had a stronger effect on his mind than intended. With Arlo chasing his tail trying to find Achilles, no one has noticed the change in the king's behavior. He's taken to the idea of uniting the kingdoms and stepping down from the throne. Achilles's stomach flipped, but he remained silent.

And the princess? the prince asked zealously.

She trusts Gaines's judgment. I've convinced her she could become queen and take over the political aspects of ruling. She doesn't believe Jasper poses a threat to her rule. Her decision is to send Jasper back to Merendere after they are betrothed and rule as two kingdoms separate but united. Achilles's heart fell, and he hoped what he was hearing wasn't true.

Everything is falling into place, the prince expressed in a lowered tone. Daedra was beautiful in her own way, but not like Meiren.

What if she opposes you? Eko questioned carefully.

We should go. They'll be expecting us. The prince ignored the question, and the pacing ceased. Lord Grun's reappearance and the prince's mention of Daedra seemed to fall hand in hand as he understood the rallying of Gromar's goblins, and Lord Grun's men was a distraction while the prince moved in on Burgdul. He couldn't believe he hadn't realized what was happening. He waited a few moments and walked inside, nearly jumping when he saw two guards in the room that glanced his way.

Achilles nodded solemnly to the guards, who seemed satisfied by the gesture. He spotted the table on the other side of the chamber with his belongings. He casually walked across the strange design on the floor and picked up his rucksack, clothes, and the key lying on the table.

Where are you taking those? one of the guards asked.

He tried to think of a cunning excuse and fell short. I-I'm sorry. I don't have time for this. He froze the guards in a panic and hurried down the ramp. He slowed his pace when he saw guards coming into view and tried to contain his anxiety. They watched him with interest but didn't interfere. He rounded a few laps of the ramp to the mid-levels when he heard raised voices from above.

The guards and miners took notice of the commotion, halting their duties. He saw the door to the treasury a few levels down and quickened his pace, earning a few concerned glances. The uproar was growing louder as word spread, though he kept his head down and didn't stop. He made it to the same level as the door when he heard Grun's voice behind him. You were to report to me when you were done.

He clenched his teeth, trying not to break his cover. He clutched his belongings to his chest and didn't turn around as he mindfully replied in a deeper voice, The dragon gave us trouble.

Where is Kiel? Grun questioned.

He forced an excuse