The Moons of Ocaña: The World of Ocaña, #2

By Jessica Kemery

She's between a rock and a hard place. But will setting her kingdom's sights to new horizons threaten her father's legacy?

Bryn faces her biggest challenge yet and is forced to take on a role she never expected to have to tackle so soon. After a disaster in the mines, grief and despair threaten to destroy both her kingdom and her relationship with her mother, who is just now finding her place. Torn between leading her kingdom and caring for the one she loves she must make the hardest choices of her life.

Determined to blaze a new path, Bryn sets off in her airship, to face down the forces that threaten the very fabric of the kingdom. With her young son now showing alarming magic above and beyond Bryn's understanding, she must again reach out to her daemon relatives for help. But she finds that not all of her family wants to take her into their warm embrace, in fact, they would wish she didn't exist at all.

Can Bryn trust her magic, her mother, and the rest of the family to deliver her from evil, or will her plans doom them all?

The Moons of Ocaña is the engrossing second book in the World of Ocaña Fantasy steampunk series. If you like airships, mechanical automations, and godlike powers, then you'll love Jessica Kemery's action-adventure story.

Read the Moons of Ocaña and get swept away by steampunk and magic today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hot Mess Express Publishing
• Release date: Aug 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223418528

Jessica Kemery

Called by some a multi-tasking ninja, Jessica Kemery lives in Crystal Lake, Illinois, where she works a day job so that her dog, Rocky, can live a life of pampered luxury. The Hobbit is the first book she read, and she has been searching for dragons ever since. She has two teenagers who firmly believe their mother is slightly unhinged and roll their eyes every time she starts playing the greatest hits of the '80s. She also has a husband who dreams of becoming her business manager one day when she "makes it big." Powered by caffeine and the bare minimum of sleep on a nightly basis, she thinks the world's greatest invention is meal delivery services.

Book preview

1

A BAU DAY

Bryn was in a cheerful mood this morning. The sun was shining through the kitchen window, and she looked out onto the glorious spring day outside.

Spring was her favorite time of year in Vale. The courtyard of the Keep was filled with early spring flowers, their white and purple heads poking out of the ground. A few robins hopped around the flower beds, looking for some early worms. The spring rains promised a season of prosperity. The drought had lingered these past few years, and she dared to hold her breath and think it may be over.

She was bustling around the kitchen, and placed a ham sandwich in the pail, along with a piece of leftover birthday cake from Jamie’s fifth birthday party.

Daddy! Little Jamie said excitedly, jumping up and down, his dark eyes flashing.

Ricco bent down and kissed his son’s little cheeks. Be a good boy for your mother today. He ruffled his son’s dark hair and picked up his lunch pail from the counter. Their son was wild, and Ricco chuckled. His son took after him in more ways than just looks. Jamie stood up quickly, his eyes pleading.

Can I go with you, Dad, and see the goats? Jamie asked. Bryn clasped the squirming boy by his shoulder and wiped his face with a warm towel. He struggled at first and then gave her a dirty look and let her clean his face.

Jamie, I’m going to the mines today. Your Grandpa needs a little help. You can come see the goats with me tomorrow, Ricco said, grabbing his mining hat as Edmond came downstairs, followed by Atena.

Good morning! Bryn chirped brightly, giving her father a canteen of tea and a breakfast muffin. She kissed his cheek, and then turned to her mother. I’m going to be interviewing nannies for Jamie today. Would you like to join me?

Of course, although I don’t know what to look for in a nanny, Atena said, sitting down and pouring herself a cup of steaming tea.

Bryn thought as she turned to the sink and observed the dishes waiting for her. She could leave them for the maid but preferred to do them herself if she had time in the morning. I can ask Maura if she can watch Jamie this afternoon, and then I want to go to the mine and check in with Dr. Voss and the clinic. After the last nanny left, I feel like I’ve been leaning on her hard, but she doesn’t seem to mind.

Maura is a kind soul. I don’t know what we would do without her, Edmond said, looking pensive for a moment. He leaned against the counter and drained his mug of tea in one long gulp. With a sigh, he put it down on the counter next to the sink, and then picked up his hat. Come on, Ricco boy, let’s be off. I wanted to show you the new area in quadrant X. The core samples look promising. We’ve got high concentrations of flonium. If we continue to collect good samples, I’ll have to bring Bryn or Atena down, and they can use their magic and tell us if anything good is behind that wall of rock.

Atena pursed her lips. It was the one thing she and Edmond argued about. She knew how dangerous mining was, and she could sense the pressures building in the mountain. I don’t like it. It’s too deep. I trust you added more supports in that area?

We are working on it. I had to order some big timbers from Nurnan. No more old-growth trees left in Vale, Edmond said, quickly leaning over to kiss his wife. We aren’t moving forward in that area until those timbers arrive. Don’t worry, dear. I’ve been going into the mines since I was Jamie’s age. I know what I’m doing.

Please, Edmond. Your father did not take you in the mines when you were five, Atena laughed, kissing him and pulling the brim of his mining hat down.

He gave her a lopsided grin. Okay, you got me there. I was a little older.

Ricco and Edmond exited their quarters, which were a large apartment on the bottom floor of the Keep, with its own entrance out onto the main street that wrapped around the sturdy building. In the main building were the armory, kitchens, banquet hall, servants' quarters, guest rooms, and the King’s study. A hallway at the back of the apartments led into the Keep proper, but the Rizzas had always preferred to keep their home separate from the hustle and bustle of the main Keep.

Because Vale was such a small community on the mountain top, there was no need for a lot of soldiers and guards. Edmond kept a small force of about fifty men, and they guarded the walls, but it was mostly to keep the monsters from ambling out of the mist.

Should we take Jamie for a walk this morning? Atena asked with a smile, picking up her grandson. Oof, child. You are getting big. Look at those muscles! she joked, smiling down at Jamie.

He giggled and buried his face in her shoulder. Gran, will you play tag with me?

Bryn felt a moment of pang. Her son should have a brother or sister to play with, but that had not happened yet. She didn’t want her son to grow up an only child, like she had, and there weren’t a lot of children who lived at the Keep. She would have to take him to the little mining village, about a 20-minute ride by bird. A governess had tutored her at the Keep. Maybe she should put him in the school instead.

Of course. Let’s get ready to go outside, Atena said, glancing out the window. It was a sunny and warm spring day, but she grabbed a sweater for Jamie. The weather on the mountain could change quickly.

Bryn tucked his hand into hers. Her baby was getting too big to carry. He looked up at her, his dark eyes smiling. Can we go on an appa ride today, Momma?

She considered for a moment. Maybe a short one, if you promise to be good and sit still.

I promise, Momma, he said, his brown eyes pleading with her, pulling at her heartstrings.

First, let’s take that walk first. Your Gran and I are going to push back the fog, Bryn said. They exited the house, and the day was just as glorious as it promised from the window. The Keep of Vale was coming to life. The stable master lifted his hand in greeting as he headed for the appa barn, and she told him they would be by after their walk. They ran into Maura, hurrying up the path with a bag of potatoes for the kitchen. She was red in the face and looked exhausted already, even though the day was just beginning.

Maura! What are you doing carrying that huge sack? Doesn’t the kitchen have someone younger to take care of that for you? Bryn exclaimed. Maura put down the dusty bag with a laugh, huffing and puffing.

Oh yes, we do. She hasn’t shown up yet this morning. You know how young folk are. She was having a bit of a sleep in. Anyway, we needed taters. Today is stew day, and I didn’t want to wait around. Think I’m getting too old to be hauling taters back and forth, she said as she tried to catch her breath.

Oh, Maura, Bryn said, shaking her head. I hate to ask you, but could you watch Jamie for us this afternoon? Mother and I have an errand to run.

Of course. I’ll make that young tart take my afternoon kitchen duties. That’s what she gets for sleeping in, Maura said with a chuckle. She went to pick up the bag of potatoes again, and Bryn stopped her.

Sir! she called to the guard striding by, on his way to report to the gate. Could you please take this bag of potatoes to the kitchen for my friend? If it makes you late, tell your supervisor it was a direct command from the Princess.

Of course, Princess Bryn, the solider said, giving her a little bow. He easily swung the bag of potatoes onto his brawny shoulder. Maura smiled and mouthed Thank you! to Bryn before hurrying to follow the guard.

Exiting the gate, Bryn told the soldiers not to worry about them. We won’t go far. Mother and I are pushing the fog back.

They nodded, happy that the fog would be gone. When Bryn and her mother worked together to push back the fog, they could push it back all the way to the foot of the mountain. It usually lasted a few hours before the fog rolled back in. It helped keep the mountain clear of monsters, and they hadn’t had a huge attack in some time. The monsters didn’t like to venture into the clearing. It made them targets for the wild appas that lived in the heights above Vale.

Approaching the edge of the fog, Bryn clutched Jamie’s hand tighter. He was always inquisitive and gave her a panic attack the few times he had run straight into it without thinking. Of course, they easily found him when she pushed back the fog. She had done something similar when she was a child, chasing her ball into the fog without a thought. It was the first time she had seen her mother. It was also the first time Bryn realized she was different from other children.

She heard a bau chatter in the fog and glanced at her mother, who nodded. They closed their eyes. Bryn dropped Jamie’s hand, and the two women held both of their hands up, palms facing out. Blue light flowed from her hands, and she pushed her hands toward the fog. Bryn’s magic joined her mother’s magic, and it swept the fog down the mountain.

Opening her eyes, she was shocked to find her son a few feet in front of her. He was crouched down and petting a bau.

The baus were small mammals with long tails. Its pinkish brown face erupted in a smile, and it clambered up Jamie’s arm, perching on his shoulder. Jamie laughed and patted its gray, fur back.

Baus could be ferocious. They hunted in packs, taking down large predators with their sheer numbers. This one was alone and looked like a runt of its pack. Glancing down the hill, Bryn could see no other baus, just a few megas, their enormous horse-like bodies ambling along the foothills.

A wild appa bird flew overhead, its silver wings spread wide. It saw the bau and screeched, diving with its claws outstretched. Then, it spotted the humans and quickly pulled back. Typically, unless instigated, wild appas would not attack a group of humans. Setting its sights on a small rabbit further down the hill, it turned, snatched the rabbit, and flew away.

Jamie, could you put the bau down? Those are wild creatures, and Mommy doesn’t want you to get bit, Bryn said, in a voice more calm than she felt.

Okay, Jamie said, pouting. He knelt again, and the bau scampered down his arm, looking sad.

Bryn quickly grabbed Jamie’s hand, pulling him away from the creature. She had seen firsthand what their sharp fangs could do to a person, and when they hunted in packs, they went for the jugular.

Jamie, you can’t just go picking up wild creatures from the fog, Atena admonished her grandson. They are monsters, and they can hurt you.

Oh, he won’t hurt me. He’s my friend, Jamie said happily, skipping around. Can we go fly on the appas now?

Okay, Bryn conceded as they turned away and began walking back to the barn. Oddly, the bau followed them, about ten feet behind. It was strange. Usually, that bau would have been long gone.

When they got to the gate, a soldier ran out with his sword drawn. I was watching this beast follow you up the hill! he explained, raising his sword high. The bau huddled with its hands over its head. Its long, pink fingers looked almost human-like as it whined pitifully.

Don’t kill my friend! Jamie cried, jumping in front of the soldier. The man looked perplexed and then looked at Bryn in confusion.

Don’t kill the beast. Leave him be. But he can’t come inside the Keep, Jamie. He’s not a pet, Bryn said firmly.

Okay, Jamie sighed. He leaned down and patted the bau’s head. Mom says you have to stay outside. Sorry, buddy.

Shaking her head, Bryn walked back into the castle, holding her son’s hand.

The bau sadly watched them go, and then scrambled away, following the outskirts of the Keep. It got to the barn and found an old ladder leaning against the wall. With agile hands and feet, the bau scampered up into the hayloft. This seemed like a safe place. He would stay here for now.

Heading into the appa barn, Bryn listened to Jamie’s excited chatter. Years ago, before she had married Ricco, they had only two birds, Moxie and Brutus. Ricco had moved to Vale from Santiago, and they now had a large flock of birds, all born and bred to race. Brutus had died in an attack on Vale, and they had retired Moxie to breeding stud. They took him out to ride, but his racing days were over. Ricco’s hobby was birds and racing, and he had been breeding his golden racers with wild birds from the highlands of Vale, picking out birds with desirable traits. Now five years into the breeding program, the birds they produced were smaller and faster than the original golden racers he had brought from Santiago. He was excited to race his new steed, Lancer, at the World’s Fair this year.

Along with the birds, he had also started goat ranching in Vale. Locating his herds on the relatively flat highlands west of Vale near the town of Clovis, he had established the first successful attempt. It was nothing like the vast herds in Santiago, but it was enough to supply Vale, and provided some excess to trade with the gars.

Bryn was happy with the life they had built, she thought, as she led out her bird, the gentle Lira. Lira wasn’t a golden racer; she was white and large. Lira was a powerful bird, but she wouldn’t be winning any races at the World’s Fair. She was Bryn’s favorite, because she could trust her not to bite or fly erratically with both her and Jamie on her back.

You want to come with us this morning, Mother? Bryn asked, looking at Atena. She knew her mother really didn’t care for flying appas.

Oh, I suppose, she said, with a sigh. Let’s fly up to the peak and see how deep the snow is. Give me that bird I rode last time. He and I got along okay.

Bryn quickly finished saddling her bird and led Lira out. Lira waited patiently, allowing Jamie to pet her. She turned to the bird her mother usually rode, a golden racer from Ricco’s first generation named Abbott. The bird was so named because he was very prim and proper, and while he could fly fast if prompted, he usually flew with his head held high, and his back perfectly straight. He also had a ring of white around his neck, and it reminded them of a priest’s collar.

She saddled Abbott, who seemed happy to fly today. Atena swung up on him, turning her green eyes on Bryn with a smile.

Bryn put Jamie in the saddle. He held on tightly to the pommel, a huge grin on his face. Normally, he rode with his father, who promised him he would have his own bird someday, and told him he had to practice, because it was his duty to win the World’s Fair Appa Race and uphold the Zapeda-Rizza name. When he rode with his parents, he pretended he was racing. He would lean over like he had seen the racers do at the fair. He was obsessed with all things racing, which his father was happy to oblige.

She slid on behind her son, wrapping her arms around him, but she wasn’t worried he would fall off. He was a natural. Her bird hopped up and flew, heading up to the hayloft and out in the awaiting blue sky.

On their way out, Bryn spied the bau in the hayloft. She really would have to take care of that problem. They couldn’t have a bau lurking around. She wondered if the bau was diseased or something. She had never seen one act so strangely before.

Her mother followed close behind on Abbott. Jamie giggled and lifted his face to the sun.

Keeping a firm hold of her rambunctious son, they flew to the top of Mount Vale. Her bird flew steady, with firm flaps of his wings.

Faster, Lira! Faster! Jamie said, bouncing up and down on the saddle.

Lira seemed to listen to him, giving out a huge squawk and increasing her speed.

First, they few out to Mirra, the small mining town just to the south. They flew over the settlement, and the citizens below looked up and waved. Then they turned their birds back around and headed for the summit of Vale. Making a couple of passes, Bryn noticed that the top was mostly clear, with just a thin dusting of snow.

Her mother landed first, jumping down, and giving Bryn a thumbs up. She quickly settled her bird on the top of the summit. She grabbed Jamie, holding him tight. The top of the summit was flat, but quickly dropped thousands of feet on all sides. She wrapped arms around his shoulders and tucked her loose shawl around them both. He looked around with