Crown Prince: Book One of New Blood

By W.D. Kilpack III

2021 International Firebird Book Award • 2022 The BookFest Award

The future of Mankind relies on the Guardian of Maarihk. Will his Sight be true? Or will his impure Firstblood prove the ruin of us all?

Natharr is Guardian of Maarihk, one of a long line of protectors dating back to the Firstborn Age, before the Aa Conquest. Natharr’s is an ancient role, rooted in his Firstblood, giving him Sight to see what is yet to be. He adheres to his sacred duties even in the centuries since the Firstborn were forced to the brink of extinction by the Aa.

Natharr still stands guard over all men, Aa or Firstborn, Seeing what will come to pass, deciding what is unavoidable and what is not. He spends decades planning how to save the life of the newborn Crown Prince Vikari so he may one day reclaim the throne of the land where Mankind was created, back in the time when the Olde Gods still walked.

Reviews
• I’ve been won over by Crown Prince! The world is deeply conceived. The prose is well crafted. The solemn, almost-inhuman Guardian standing guard during a deadly siege as the young queen gives birth makes for a hell of a great start! That weightiness to his character was a key point of interest to me that comes across right from the opening pages, plunging right into the thick of it for a wonderful change of pace. Crown Prince is intriguing, grand, strange, and shadowed by ill-omens. It is Shakespearean. — Tom Mock, author, The Long Nights
• Natharr is very much tested as he strives to save the life of newborn Crown Prince Vikari. This book reads wonderfully, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know the story. It is full of pulse-pounding adventure and also features great, extensive world-building! Definitely a recommend from me! — Philip Chase, Ph.D., medievalist and author, The Way of Edan
• 5/5 Stars — W.D. Kilpack III presents an atmospheric and immersive journey into a richly crafted fantasy world, balancing a strong character-led adventure with a wider web of plots. There’s a clear flair for character, dialogue, and attitude from the start, with Natharr’s intense presence affecting all who encounter him. The weightiness of his responsibilities and the depth of the world-building immediately gripped my attention. This book delivers on every promise of pulse-pounding adventure. — K.C. Finn, USA Today best-selling author, The Book of Shade
• 4/4 Stars — Crown Prince stands out with amazing descriptions, complex characters, and intriguing supernatural elements. Kilpack has a flair for setting the scene and creating memorable characters. Kilpack genuinely takes the time to help us immerse in the fantasy world, no matter if he describes a battle scene, a peaceful moment, or a mythological creature, he conjures the best images ... incorporating the supernatural elements in a general atmosphere of myth and legend. There was nothing I disliked about this novel. — OnlineBookClub.org
• 5/5 Stars — I absolutely love Crown Prince! It is a very dark epic-fantasy story following a very intimate cast of characters. You’re thrown into the thick of the action right from the beginning. The way events unfold to the way characters come together, you cannot help but keep flipping the pages. You get really close with these characters, and you can’t help but want to know what happens next! — Usman, host of Bards and Books YouTube channel (BC, Canada)
• 5/5 Stars — Creating worlds and characters is not a easy [and] Crown Prince has everything you want: intertwining sword scenes, kings, queens, knights, magic, fairies, love. Kilpack puts you in the middle as Vikari starts to grow and learn. Kilpack’s ability to crystally describe a scene [was] like I was taking part in a meal or a sword fight. Crown Prince flowed smoothly and any fan of fantasy will rejoice [and] if you have never read a fantasy novel (like me), this one will get you hooked into the genre. — Jose F. Nodar, author, Books, Pens

• Language: English
• Publisher: W.D. Kilpack III
• Release date: Oct 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005544928

W.D. Kilpack III

W.D. Kilpack III, MPC, PSMC, is an award-winning and critically acclaimed internationally published writer, with works appearing in print, online, radio and television, starting with his first publication credit at the age of nine, when he wrote an award-winning poem. As an adult, his first three novels, Crown Prince, Order of Light, and Demon Seed each received the International Firebird Book Award, while Crown Prince and Order of Light received The BookFest Award. Demon Seed and Rilari were both Editor's Choice on BooksShelf and, previously, Order of Light was a Top Pick. He also received special recognition from L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest for his novella, Pale Face. In total, his books have received 18 awards. He has been editor and/or publisher of 19 news and literary publications, both online and in print, with circulations as high as 770,000. He is a partner in Safe Harbor Films, LLC, where he does their screenwriting and oversees their marketing efforts.He received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Westminster College of Salt Lake City. As an undergrad, he double-majored in communication and philosophy, while completing the Honors Program. As a graduate student, he earned a master of professional communication with a writing emphasis. He was also a high-performing athlete, qualifying for international competition in Greco-Roman wrestling.He is a communication professor and a nationally recognized wrestling coach. He is an accomplished cook and has cooked nearly every type of food on a grill. He is happily married to his high-school sweetheart and is father to five children, as well as helping to raise five step-children. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he continues to live, coach and teach.

Book preview

Praise for

Crown Prince: Book One of New Blood

"I’ve been won over by Crown Prince! The world is deeply conceived. The prose is well crafted. The solemn, almost-inhuman Guardian/seer standing guard during a deadly siege as the young queen gives birth makes for a hell of a great start! That weightiness to his character was a key point of interest to me that comes across right from the opening pages, plunging right into the thick of it for a wonderful change of pace. Crown Prince is intriguing, grand, strange, and shadowed by ill-omens. It is Shakespearean." — Tom Mock, author of The Long Nights

A very good book ... [and] a very great read! Natharr is very much tested as he strives to save the life of newborn Crown Prince Vikari. This book reads wonderfully, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know the story. It is full of pulse-pounding adventure and also features great, extensive world-building! Definitely a recommend from me! — Philip Chase, Ph.D., medievalist and author of The Way of Edan

5/5 Stars — "Author W.D. Kilpack III presents an atmospheric and immersive journey into a richly crafted fantasy world, balancing a strong character-led adventure with a wider web of plots, setting up a highly complex and enjoyable fantasy saga to follow. There’s a clear flair for character, dialogue, and attitude from the start, with Natharr's intense presence affecting all who encounter him and making for some really dynamic clashes. The weightiness of his responsi-bilities and the depth of the world-building immediately gripped my attention and, as the story unfolded, the way the characters’ attitudes and actions were shaped by the realism of the worldbuilding was totally compelling. This book delivers on every promise of pulse-pounding adventure — thanks to the swift pacing of the plot, coupled with dark storytelling, strong descriptive skills, and captivating character development that balances emotion with duty well. Overall, I would certainly recommend Crown Prince as an incredible opener to an exciting new fantasy series, and I’m all the more eager to continue exploring this fantastical realm." — K.C. Finn, USA Today best-selling author of The Book of Shade for Reader's Favorite

5/5 Stars — "I absolutely love Crown Prince! It is a very dark epic-fantasy story following a very intimate cast of characters. The way things unfold, you’re thrown into the thick of the action right from the beginning that sinks you in right. The way events unfold to the way characters come together, you cannot help but keep flipping the pages. By the end, I was so invested, I felt so intimate with these characters, that I had to find out what happens next, so I immedi-ately ordered book two, Order of Light! It’s such a good story! It’s such a dark-but-good story, with very good character work, you get really close with these characters, and you can’t help but want to know what happens next!" — Usman, host of Bards and Books YouTube channel (British Columbia, Canada)

5/5 Stars — "Kilpack delivers a stunning blow to the belief that Indie-Fantasy is worth any less that its salt. Crown Prince is a well-crafted epic with unique plot mechanisms, well-developed and believable characters, and a world grounded in the visceral and the real. I could not recommend this series any higher!" — Clay Vermulm, co-host of Sinister Soup Podcast

4/4 Stars — "Crown Prince stands out with amazing descriptions, complex characters, and intriguing supernatural elements. Book one in the New Blood [Saga], the storyline is incredibly promising. The author has a flair for setting the scene and creating memorable characters. I absolutely loved the descriptive prowess of this author, the thing I enjoyed most about the book ... W. D. Kilpack III genuinely takes the time to help us immerse in the fantasy world, no matter if he describes a battle scene, a peaceful moment, or a mythological creature like a Hamadryad or a Manticore, he always manages to conjure the best images in our minds. The author does a great job of incorporating the supernatural elements in a general atmosphere of myth and legend ... there was nothing I disliked about this novel. I am rating Crown Prince 4 out of 4 stars ... fans of sword-and-sorcery fantasy will definitely find this novel a delightful read ... the series has the potential to acquire epic dimensions ... I am looking forward to reading the sequel, Order of Light." — OnlineBookClub.org

5/5 Stars — With the maps and appendix, "the characters’ names, titles, and the names of fascinating places all conjured up by the mind of W. D. Kilpack III [helped] me better understand the intricate facets of this novel. Creating worlds and characters is not a easy, but the author did an excellent job. Crown Prince has everything you want: intertwining sword scenes, the battles of a war, kings, queens, knights, magic, fairies, love, sex, great beasts, and unthinkable dangers thatNatharr has to endure. Kilpack puts you in the middle as Vikari starts to grow and learn. So does Natharr for he begins to love the child as his own. Kilpack’s ability to crystally describe a scene [was] like I was taking part in a meal or a sword fight. Crown Prince flowed smoothly and any fan of fantasy will rejoice [and] if you have never read a fantasy novel (like me), this one will get you hooked into the genre." — Jose F. Nodar, author of Books, Pens & Larceny (South Wales, Australia)

5/5 Stars — "Crown Prince is one of the most brilliant fantasy novels that I have ever had the pleasure of reading and a book I am now obsessed with! Crown Prince is an incredible, thrilling and memorable story that will take its readers on a journey like no other. Crown Prince captivated me from the first page thanks to the book’s sharp literature and strong opening ... [the author] is not only a phenomenal writer for his flawless ability to capture his reader’s attention, but he is also a great writer for his descriptive powers and character-ization of characters which will hook his readers! Crown Prince is a sensational, thrilling and addictive story that will thrill you as well as entertain you."

— RedHeadedBookLover.com

5/5 Stars — From the start you are drawn into a world of fantasy. With each page, you want more. The author gives the feel you are the character fighting for your life and those you defend. A great read, with the power to keep you from putting it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in something new, with a twist and feel of a classic fantasy! — Tom Carr, author of Talking to Yourself in the Dark

5/5 Butterflies — "Crown Prince was such a delight to read! Normally, we don’t see the child growing up ... or really get a chance to get attached to whoever raised him. This author took that trope, shook it up and turned it into something amazing! We get to see the heir as a baby, to see him grow up [and] develop that close bond a son has with his father. It’s a really beautiful thing ... normally glazed over in this type of story ... but you get to see how strong their bond is. I’m so grateful! Something else I really enjoyed is how well Darshelle and Natharr played off each other. Often, they have deep conversations that involve a culture clash, where they may not agree with each other’s perspective, but they are willing to try to understand. I [also] loved this author’s world building, especially the magic forest and all the interesting creatures that live in it! The village of the cat-people was such a fun scene and so interesting showing the cat-people society and how it was different. It was really fun! If you don’t grab yourself a copy of Crown Prince, you’re doing yourself a huge disser-vice! It's a wonderful story and such a fun read!" — Madam Crystal Butterfly

5/5 Stars — "A fantastic world of swords and magic! A very strong start to the series! W.D. Kilpack III does know how to draw a reader into a world of swords and magic. I found myself unable to put the book down, diving deeper into the fantastic world. I can say, that I am a fan of his work and will soon be reading Order of Light, the second book from the New Blood [Saga]." — BooksShelf.com

5/5 Stars — Crown Prince illustrates the burden of knowledge and the responsibilities involved in being able to see the future. Natharr is a great hero: think Aragorn/Alanon/Teddy Roosevelt. He bears the burden of being Guardian of Maarihk with dignity but, at the same time, is human and has flaws, like having a bit of a temper. Darshelle is conflicted and a walking contradiction, being proud and strong, while still insecure and flawed. I love the world, where magic is more subtle, while there is another element that reminded me of Greek mythology, because the gods are real and took direct action in history. There is some violence, which seems to fit well within the framework of this world where epic fantasy and realism are intertwined. — Critic, Salt Lake City, UT

5/5 Stars — Crown Prince is a great mix of fantasy and action and adventure! It kept me on my toes the whole time and I was completely hooked! The world building in this book is amazing. I could read 20 books in this world. The fight scenes and characters are amazing. They pull you in so deeply ... that I didn't want to stop reading way past when I should have! — Jay.Rae.Reads

5/5 Stars — Crown Prince is a fantastic tale filled with all things beautiful, dark, and magical! Filled with adventure and drama! The author’s world is absolutely stunning, and I can’t wait to read the next installment in the story! — Cherumanalil (Bangalore, India)

4/4 Stars — Crown Prince is an adventure full of thrilling moments [that] hook you right from page one. Each page has a new secret to unfold. This book made a mark on my mind and now I cam curious to read the other books in the series. I loved reading it and have rated it four stars. Books like these deserve the hype! — Read With Emilee

4/4 Stars — Crown Prince is "an absolutely brilliant fantasy read ... [Kilpack created] a

master introduction. The plot building was incredible. The journey sucks you in so much that you immediately want to carry on with the series. I'll definitely complete this series." — Twilight Reader (Wales)

4/4 Stars — Crown Prince is a lovely fantasy. Great read! Great characters! Writing style amazing! I loved this world. A new author I discovered and hope to read more from this author in the future! — Rhianny DD Morris (South Wales, Australia)

4.7/5 Stars — Crown Prince transported me into a world where life-and- death situations were commonplace and everyone had a cause to fight for! The distinction between the Firstborn and the Aa was fascinating [and] really got me hooked! The characters are fantastic, descriptions of battles draw in you and there’s a shock in every chapter! I love fantasy books and I’ll add this to my pile of highly recommended sagas! — Books with Gina (England)

4.5/5 Stars — Crown Prince is like watching a movie. The author has narrated ... in a very fluent and visual way. It is an adventurous and twisted novel that will always keep the reader wanting more. Every page is a new unfolding and a new mystery. The plot is exquisite and emphasizes important values like willpower, determination, and truth. A captivating read [especially] those in search of something abnormally smart! — Reads.Nancy

4.5/5 Stars — "Crown Prince is one of the most fantastic fantasy books that I have read so far! The book is a blend of thrills, mystery, fun, excitement, and drama! It has got everything that a good book should have. The plot is unpredictable and twisted. So much is happening all at once, but the smooth narration takes care of it all." — Just Pratibha (India)

4/5 Stars — "A fantastic read! What a grand story in Crown Prince. I am very impressed with the writing and storytelling. Kilpack does a great job of building a world filled with princes, pasts that dictate the future. Kilpack details the scenes, filled with action, and brings the creatures to life! Crown Prince is filled with swords and sorcery, magic, myths and legends, that really bring it as believable. This author is a great storyteller. The story brings the reader on a superb journey. Who could ask for more when it’s filled with magical/fantastical creatures and other interesting beings?" — Amy’s Bookshelf

"Once I got into [Crown Prince], I struggled to put it down! The world Kilpack has created is so detailed and imaginative you can’t help but be drawn in. This book is a fantasy that give you war, knights, romance and hidden dangers. It covers it all! As the first in the series, it sets the scene brilliantly ... I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy books and fairytales!" — Kat Books Teas Cakes (UK)

"I had the pleasure of reading Crown Prince and Kilpack — he makes maps, folks! — emphasizes detail. The characters are living real lives, even though it’s a fantasy. It was well done! He built his world with great care and precision." — Ken Weene, Ph.D., co-host of the Let’s Talk It Over videocast

Crown Prince

Book One of New Blood

W.D. Kilpack III

Copyright © 2019 W.D. Kilpack III

No part of this document or related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photo-copying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.

Maps by W.D. Kilpack III

ISBN:   9781074784522

Also by W.D. Kilpack III: the Award-Winning New Blood Saga

Crown Prince

Order of Light

Demon Seed

Rilari

Award-Winning Science-Fiction Novella

Pale Face

Dedicated to

My amazingly supportive wife, Alison

(Who loves her bedtime stories)

My kids, Ella-Maereen, William, MacKelti, Siondileigh,

Garrick, Nathan, Justin and Abby

(my captive audience for so many of my stories)

My incredibly supportive parents, Bill and Jan

(who kept me endlessly supplied with paper and pencils)

My teachers, Carol and Betty

(who took such joy in my writing)

My professors, Fred and Helen

(who helped me sharpen my tools)

My readers, all of you!

(who joined the Knights of Ril, sent me photos and videos

and contacted me asking, When’s the next one coming out?)

Map of Valdiss

Map of Maarihk and Neighboring Nations

Chapter One: Sight

Green eyes bored into the shadows, grim and intent as a hundred possibilities played themselves out for the benefit of his Sight alone. He sat just as he had for hours, chin resting in his palm, an elbow propped on his knee. His callused palms were dry, despite the adrenaline flooding his frame as some of those possibilities spelled out certain damnation for the king, the nation, and all Mankind, be it Aa or Firstborn, until his eyelids finally lowered, moistening his pained eyes. He had not blinked for a seeming lifetime, unwilling to chance missing some scant detail, despite knowing full well that everything he Saw was in his mind, channeled by his gift. Of course, there were times that his Sight seized him so fiercely that he would not have been able to blink, regardless of his desires one way or the other. He rolled his eyes gently beneath his lids. They felt sticky, like a pair of fish lain out in the sun too long.

For hours, he had not moved from his seat, an ornately carved bench made from the king’s favorite cherry wood. It had leather cushions shaped like spread wings held in place by brass rivets all around the outer edge. Natharr finally opened his eyes and frowned at the thick rug covering the dark-stained oak floor. It, also, bore the spread wings of the King of Maarihk, most powerful king to the Ril of the Gulf of Braag. This time, the wings were golden in a sea of deep red. Natharr breathed deeply but, otherwise, was the same statue he had been since taking up his sentry post long before dawn the previous day. To his left were wide double doors, their dark wood ornately carved with a caravan of eagles circling skyward like a festival dancer’s ribbons twirling in endless rings. Beyond, the queen cried out yet again, her pain palpable. Her son, the heir of Maarihk, was hard pressed to escape the tiny woman’s womb.

The midwives came and went, as did clergy of Vald the Chaste, Ril the Bold, Kir the Strong, and Bohrd the Radiant, representatives of all four of the Olde Gods’ sects coming to offer the good will of their Masters upon the birth. There were sects of the New Gods in town, but the New Gods’ clergy were laughable excuses for men of faith. As often as not, they were seen drunk on the few alms they managed to collect in lands such as Maarihk. On this side of the Gulf of Braag, the Olde Gods still held a place of respect, if not more, despite the age-old treaty that dictated otherwise, proclaiming the New Gods’ places as official religions and relegating the Olde Gods to the realm of pagan sects. Yet, still, the Olde Gods were nearly as strong in some places as before. The treaty ended the Aa Conquest, which was a substantial accomplishment, but its effects ended there, despite the generations born and died in its wake. It was one of the things Natharr often used as an example when advising the king in matters of state: a king could dictate policy, but he could not dictate what his people felt in their hearts.

Here, the Olde Gods were still supreme, complete with all their conflicting practices. The followers of Ril would always be at odds with the followers of Kir. It was Ril who created the Firstborn when the world still belonged to the Great Beasts and the Olde Gods still walked. For aeons, the Firstborn ruled, until Kir finally created the Aa. Thus came the greatest war of all time, which split the world and exterminated entire races of living creatures. The Firstborn ultimate-ly lost that war, the Aa Conquest. The last survivors who did not surrender were forced down across the continent to the end of the world, an island across the Long Water. It was then that the treaty was signed, ending the war, declaring the New Gods of the Aa predominant. Now, all men this side of the Long Water called them-selves Aa, although many might claim to have the blood of the Firstborn in their veins, if they thought they were among friends. Declaring it too openly might lead to trouble, and no one in their right mind wanted another war on the scale of the Aa Conquest. Of course, regardless of claims of having Firstblood, the closer Natharr got to the Long Water, the more he was likely to believe it. When he traveled down through the world toward the Long Water, people got taller and broader through the shoulders, bore fewer children, and seemed to live to a much greater old age. Of course, Natharr had Firstblood, that was clear. He stood a head taller than most men and he had the Firstborn ability that made him the Guardian of Maarihk: Sight.

Natharr sighed, returning from his historical musings to the present, to the way the clergymen bustled about the chamber, in and out through those ornately carved doors. That the clergymen had arrived at the palace at all was nigh on miraculous. Erig, the capitol city of Maarihk, had been under siege for weeks, the Riverside Gate breached twice. It was a tribute to the clerics’ faith in King Valane that they maintained peace with one another. Although the followers of Ril and Kir both would wholeheartedly support Valane taking arms to protect his crown, exactly how to go about it would be a matter of debate. And, where the high priest of Ril carried an ornamental sword and the high priest of Kir carried a mace as tall as a Firstborn, those debates never went well. One would advise deft moves and countermoves — the virtues of an adept mind and finely tuned body — conducting a battle like an elaborate duel of swords. The other would call him a coward, unwilling to give himself over to the protection of the Wargod — stand and crush his foes with his own hands or die gloriously.

Natharr sighed and closed his eyes again, his dark hair falling down about his face to shroud his black mustache and narrow spike of whiskers below his bottom lip. In recent years, the Firstborn had been even more paramount in the people’s thoughts. Queen LaNila had come from Nordaal, one of the two realms on the Firstborn island, in order to wed Valane. It was the most momentous wedding since the Aa conquered the Firstborn. In the generations since the end of the Aa Conquest, it was the first time a King of Maarihk would take a Firstborn woman as his queen. The bitter irony was that she was such a tiny woman. Natharr had known her ultimate fate since first meeting her, but could not resist loving her — as his queen, if not more. If she had not been destined to wed Valane, even for so short a time, Natharr would have taken a place as one of her suitors, to see if his love might grow beyond that a loyal man paid his liege lady.

Natharr could still remember the first time he saw her. LaNila came to Erig for the wedding festival, leaving her island for the first time. She was the tender age of fifteen, stunning with red-gold hair and a beaming smile. When he looked at her, he was unable to look away, seized by her as strongly as ever by the Daemon of Sight, the vision of her holding him rooted. Of all the women who came to the festival in hopes of catching the young king’s eye, she alone held the rapt attention of everyone within a league. She was beautiful, intelligent, charming — and she had a rich laugh that sailed on the air with a life all its own. Valane had feigned interest in the dozens of women come to the festival to dance and sing and feast to the fertility of the land. But LaNila of Nordaal was a handful of starlight cupped in the hands of a God and nestled there for them all to bask in her glow.

Natharr let out another labored sigh. By the end of the festival, as was custom, Valane announced his engagement. The Guardian knew who it would be as surely as he could predict the sun rising in the morning. Where, before, kings might have shied away from a Firstborn bride, Valane was so taken, there was no other option, Firstblood be damned. Many whispered that she was not truly from across the Long Water, being so slight. In retrospect, they were simply trying to make excuses for their king for taking such action. Other kings would not look well on him taking a Firstborn as queen ... be it Aa kings from across the Gulf of Braag, or those with family lines leading back for generations fearing that more Aa invaders would come to take more of their realms. Of course, the loudest outcry was truly from nobles angry that their own daughters were not chosen for the throne. The outcry passed, but not soon enough. After only five years, LaNila would leave the world and all its troubles behind. She had spent too long worrying over the enmity of her subjects, not enough time enjoying their affection when she finally proved herself a just and caring queen.

Natharr almost envied her for her coming release. She would not watch her husband lose his throne, then his life. In fact, all she would know when she left the realm of the living was the joy of a healthy son to one day rule over Maarihk in all its greatness. Natharr did, indeed, envy her escape from the troubled years on the horizon. He had Seen many of the events coming, and the land was in for years of hard times. He alone knew that the next decades would ravage the hearts and souls of a generation. Gazing grimly at the floor, he knew as only the Guardian of Maarihk could know such things.

The drum of boots on the oak floor yanked Natharr out of his reflections and drew him instantly to his feet. His long sword hissed free of its scabbard, and he twirled his green cloak loosely around his free hand, winding it around his forearm to keep it from entangling his legs or, if necessary, as a shield. The warm glow of wall lamps reflected off his silver chest plate, emblazoned with the king’s spread wings in red gold, and a short skirt of chain mail draped down from its front halfway down his thighs. Above it was a worn, silver brooch holding his green cloak in place, tooled into the likeness of a screaming eagle’s head, still clear despite years of wear. It had been a gift from King Valane, as the Guardian of Maarihk and a friend. He lifted his chin even as the point of his weapon rose, and his emerald eyes sparked with menace. His bare arms, corded with muscle, flexed as he willed his limbs to loosen after so many hours of immobility.

The sound of footfalls muted as they reached the edge of the long rug leading down the adjoining corridor to the royal bed chamber. Its mate was under the Guardian’s boot soles. The approaching tread was steady, powered by the assurance of seasoned soldiers. Absently, Natharr realized that he could smell the distant lilt of smoke. For all he knew, the gate could be breached for the last time —

Lord Natharr, a deep voice boomed, even before the soldiers came into sight. Don’t run me through. I come with word for the king.

There was a moment of silence, then six men rounded the corner. They were dressed similarly to Natharr, but for their red cloaks that matched the rug, silvery plates trimmed in red gold covering their thighs, matching greaves fronting their shins, and helms clutched under their arms with protective nose and cheek pieces. Three of their chest plates boasted crisscrossing gouges and scratches from recent combat.

The foremost of the men stopped abruptly, blinking at Natharr. He was a grizzled soldier with iron-gray hair pulled tightly back in a tail that made his deep widows peak all the more apparent. It had not been nearly so pronounced even a handful of years ago. He wore a matching screaming-eagle brooch made of silver, the mate to the one worn by the Guardian. Natharr, he said, voice even as he nodded toward the Guardian’s drawn weapon, then he smiled wearily. I suppose someone could have disguised his voice to sound like mine, but wouldn’t your Sight see through it?

Natharr did not move. His sword remained raised, his eyes unblinking. He was as much a statue as he had been on the bench. Moments passed and it must have appeared that he did not so much as breathe. The soldiers exchanged wary glances.

Lord Karl ... one with a scarred chest plate said slowly, he’s seized by Sight even now. He swallowed, blue eyes slightly wide. His pale blond hair was loose about his shoulders. Even as seasoned a soldier as he was, he gazed at Natharr with a child’s awe.

Don’t touch him, Karl warned, although his lieutenants all knew that very well. He’s killed men for rattling him when seized by the Daemon of Sight. Karl shook his head, watching the larger man. Natharr remained frozen, broad jaw flexed. Then, very slowly, his lips drew into a thin line. Karl grunted in response, then said softly, Whatever his Sight affords him, it seems dire news, indeed.

Lord Karl, the same man said, dropping his own voice to a whisper, we must make our report.

Perhaps, Neils, Karl said, eyes on the Guardian of Maarihk.

Neils let out a thin breath, then said, I’ll ... I’ll stand between you and Lord Natharr, should we chance to disturb him.

Karl chuckled mirthlessly. I doubt very much he wouldn’t give a more detailed report than we ... once he is free of his Sight. He glanced quickly at the blond man, senior of the lieutenants. His blond hair tended to make people think he was younger when, in fact, he had gray in his hair at the temples, but it did not stand out against his blond hair without close scrutiny. Neils, you seem eager to test your steel against him.

Neils grimaced, shaking his head. Of course not, he snapped. But our duty is to the king.

And how will you fulfill that duty when Natharr has removed your head? Karl asked dryly, not smiling. I have known Natharr nearly all my life. We can return to the walls now. Natharr knows everything that we might have reported. He paused, glancing at Neils meaningfully. And more.

Neils sighed heavily, glancing at the other lieutenants. He had served under Karl for twenty years. The others, so much younger, had eyes only for the towering warrior who still stared blindly at them, blocking the way to the royal bed chamber —

A shrill wail split the relative silence and Natharr flinched as if slapped across the face. Karl and his lieutenants all took one step back in unison, Neils and the other two with scarred chest plates each half-drawing their swords.

"Gods! The queen —" one of them gasped.

Natharr focused on them, lowering his sword slightly. Karl, he said in scarcely a whisper as he brought down his weapon another hand span. His gaze flicked past Karl’s shoulder toward the lieutenants, and he sheathed his sword in a fluid motion. When he spoke again, his voice was curt. Neils, Jahk, Chadley, Porl, Wyand, he said, greeting each in turn. Your sergeants are good men, but they should not be left without your leadership. Particularly now.

Neils blinked, glancing at the others again. "What do you mean? We all came together because we had forced the usurper’s men back. This is the best time for us to speak to the king directly."

Natharr’s green eyes hardened. "If you return with all speed, you will have time to prepare your men for the usurper’s reinforcements. But you must go now."

The lieutenants exchanged glances again, then Neils said, Reinforcements? Our sentries saw no reinforcements. He glanced at the younger lieutenants a second time. We have the best eyes in all of Maarihk on the watch.

Natharr smiled thinly, fatigue shadowing his features. We fight men who live their lives in the Erigaan Mountains, he said slowly, clasping his hands in front of him. "Every day, they stalk Great Beasts in their dense woods. I have walked among them. I have spent a lifetime learning the ways of the forest, the secrets of the wood. Yet, still, I learned from them." He let the words settle in for a long moment, then asked, Do you think making a stealthy approach through the trees is beyond them? His grin widened, although his eyes remained lethal pinpoints of emerald steel. We are Aa, not Great Beasts. We do not have the ears of the deer, nor the nose of a wolf. It is far easier to fool a man than to fool a Great Beast. Natharr frowned at them until every pair of eyes turned toward the floor, then swung his gaze around to home in on their captain. "Karl, how is it that you allow your lieutenants to so question my authority? Is this the discipline you teach?"

Lord Natharr — Karl began, squaring his shoulders, but the lieutenants cut him off as they all touched their fingertips against the center of the red-gold wings on their chest plates. It made a single soft tap.

Your Sight is true, Guardian, they said in one voice.

Forgive us, Neils added, inclining his head respectfully, then spun on his heel in a flurry of his deep-red cloak. Come! We must make ready for what the Guardian has Seen.

Another scream from behind the door made Natharr and Karl flinch. The green-cloaked Guardian seemed to shrink, his eyes closing; the weight of knowledge weighed heavily on him. Karl, he scarcely whispered. If Queen LaNila survives childbirth ... she will not last long after.

Nonsense, Karl stated simply. She has the finest healers and midwives in the land falling over themselves to see that she .... His voice trailed off at the grim expression on Natharr’s face. Karl twitched again, clearly shaken, some of the color leaving his bewhiskered cheeks. You ... you’ve Seen this?

The dark-maned man did not move for a long moment, then gave a barely perceptible nod.

Good Gods, Karl hissed, dark eyes losing focus. Queen LaNila ... so young ....

Indeed, Natharr answered, voice thick with emotion despite his resolve to remain neutral.

The captain frowned at him for a long moment, eyes pained. I do not envy you your Sight, Natharr. Knowing this was coming .... His voice trailed off again.

Natharr nodded, rubbing his eyes with thumb and forefinger, then pinched at the bridge of his nose. When he lifted his head, his face had returned to its usual unreadable mask. The only thing unusual about it were the gray shadows filling his eye sockets, the whites of his eyes so riddled with swollen veins that they were more pink than white.

Karl shook his head. How long have you stood watch? he asked softly. You look like the Riverside Gate.

That bad? Natharr scarcely whispered, then straightened even more, squaring his shoulders and releasing scattered, soft pops from down his spine as he straightened it. When he spoke, his voice was flat and as hard as his chest plate. That you haven’t returned to the walls with your lieutenants means that you have questions. Are they for me?

The captain frowned, then nodded curtly. There are ... rumors, Natharr, Karl said slowly, meeting the taller man’s gaze. Men on the walls are worried that your absence from the fighting is a bad omen. They claim that your Sight has told you that we will not win this war of succession. Only whispers, mind you, but even that can poison morale. He watched the taller man carefully, his dark eyes intent. I will ask only a single question. He paused, waiting for Natharr’s nod, then asked, "Have you Seen our defeat?"

Natharr smiled easily. No, he answered without hesitating. It was a lie, delivered with the skill Natharr had been forced to develop over time. Having Sight was as much a blessing as it was a curse. It was times like this that he regretted his Firstblood.

Karl relaxed visibly. Clearly, that doubt had weighed more heavily on him than he had let on. Despite their long friendship, the Guardian wondered if there really were any whispers, or if the captain was voicing his own concerns.

Sight is not perfect, Natharr explained. Most often, I See paths, not destinations. Where I See the end with the clarity of fine crystal is rare, indeed. Thus, I help train soldiers to be masters at arms in places that I have Seen to be destined for hardship. He smiled grim-ly. I’m sure that you would agree: when the end is in doubt, there is no surer divining rod than a yard of honed steel.

Karl chuckled, relaxing further. You have trained us well, Natharr, he said, smiling more easily. So why do you watch so closely over the birth of the king’s heir? This has been a long, hard siege. Your mere presence on the walls would bolster the men’s spirits.

Brandt’s claim has always been based on his blood ties to the throne, Natharr said coolly. He claims his link to the throne is stronger than the king’s. It’s foolish, of course. All the same, an heir for Valane would only extend this bitter war. He paused half a beat, then continued. I am here to stop those who would slip in unseen and spill the blood of a newborn child.

They wouldn’t! Karl snapped, aghast. Even Erigaan savages respect the lives of innocents!

Natharr let out a long breath. I have Seen it, he said softly.

Karl’s face hardened until a tiny tick flicked at his cheek. I will kill their soldiers to a man, he said, voice little more than a growl. I vow it.

Natharr nodded, reaching out to rest a hand on the cold steel covering Karl’s shoulder, then patted it, callused palm rapping softly against the hard steel. As much as your lieutenants should not long leave their sergeants, neither should you abandon your lieutenants, he said mindfully.

Of course, Lord Natharr, Karl said, snapping to attention and touching his fingertips to the heart of the spread wings on his chest, fingertips tapping softly. Shall I send men to stand watch with you? I don’t doubt that you have not slept. Even the Guardian of Maarihk must sleep every once in a while. His brows rose. Or so I’ve heard.

Natharr shook his head, smiling tiredly. No. Your men must watch over each other. I have my Sight to watch over me.

Karl inclined his head respectfully, spun on his heel in a whirl of red cloak, and marched back down the hall. Natharr’s grin vanished as he watched the captain depart, knowing full well that he would never see him alive again. Good-bye, my friend, he whispered, eyes lidding against the ache of remorse, then they snapped open again as Queen LaNila screamed. An instant later, a baby’s cry tentatively took flight. Natharr glanced toward the double doors, gaze lowering a moment as he hesitated, dreading what would follow, then he crossed to them. He twisted both brass handles, mounted near each other in the modern fashion, rather than in the center of each door, and entered. Immediately, a cacophony of voices washed over him, as well as the smells of anxious sweat and fresh blood. A dozen midwives fretted about the great canopied bed, chattering like hens. Clergymen from the four denominations called to their Gods: one calling upon Kir the Strong with a raised ornamental mace; another singing out to Borhd the Radiant with a laborious tune made up of dragged-out notes; the third passing on the blessings of Ril the Bold by kissing the blade of his great sword; the fourth swaying in the rapture of Vald the Chaste.

Sweet Queen LaNila sobbed weakly, barely capable of even that, as she lay unclothed on the high mattress of a canopied bed, held up in nearly a seated position by a midwife sitting directly behind her. The tiny queen was cradled against the midwife’s body, between her straddled legs. LaNila had always been pale, with red-gold hair that reached her elbows in loose curls born of nightly plaiting, but seeing her now stopped Natharr in his tracks. Her beauty was distorted by fatigue so deep that her head lolled back on the midwife’s shoulder, her skin so white that blue veins showed across her breasts and blood-smeared thighs. Her blue eyes were half-lidded and her thin lips were nearly as colorless as her face. The dark stain of blood widened slowly from between her parted legs, the blue-gray umbili-cus still stretching from her to the newborn heir to the throne of Maarihk.

Closing the doors softly behind him, Natharr crossed the large chamber to grasp King Valane’s elbow. My liege, he said softly, leaning closer and bending down near to the shorter man’s ear.

Valane let out a long breath meant to mask his sob. My beautiful wife, he whispered. My beautiful wife .... Normally, Valane was a veritable fortress of strength. It was one of the things that the Guardian had always respected about him. The man who stood there before him was anything but. His hair, the red-orange of the setting sun, was in disarray, much of it free of the red-gold cuff that had held it bound at his neck. His face, usually clean shaven, was heavily shadowed with a reddish-brown growth of whiskers. His blue eyes were deeply shadowed, and a strand of spittle connected his lips as tears coursed down his cheeks. What have I done to my beautiful LaNila ...? he gasped, voice thick with choked tears. "What have I done?" He gripped his hair with one hand, pulling more of it loose of the metal cuff, and Natharr caught a quick glimpse of the king’s fingernails, chewed down to expose the nail beds beneath.

You have fathered an heir to the throne, my liege, Natharr said, his grip on the king’s elbow tightening. The Lady LaNila want — wants nothing more than to give you that heir. Natharr kicked himself. He must have been more tired than he thought. He had almost said LaNila wanted, as if she had already passed. His gaze rested on the King of Maarihk for another moment, and he realized that, if he had, it would have gone unnoticed, the man’s duress was so complete.

My sweet, sweet LaNila ... the king gasped, twin sobs wracking his frame.

A midwife took a short dirk and lifted the blue-gray umbilicus with the blade, then pressed down on it with her thumb to cut it. Immed-iately, she tied the umbilicus near the babe’s skin. The old midwife who held the crown prince, Lara, continued to wipe blood and white paste from the tiny form’s head, back and shoulders with arthritic fingers. Lara was an old woman with gray hair nearing white, and a deeply wrinkled face that appeared so fragile that the brush of someone passing might tear her flesh. The baby’s head was mis-shapen by spending too long trying to get free of the queen’s womb. His skull almost conical, like the carven helmet resting on the head of the statue of Bohrd the Radiant at the center of LaNila’s rose gardens. Never again would she frequent that open plaza in the center of the palace .... All at once, the infant cried out with healthy lungs, arms shooting out with fingers splayed each time he was jostled.

Your son is strong, my lady, my liege, Lara said, glancing from failing LaNila to the king and back again. She flicked at a bit of sticky white paste on the babe’s cheek, then appraised him at arms’ length, like a fine oil painting. Very strong. Very broad at the shoulders. It was his shoulders that hung him up in the womb. It’s his Olde Blood. Her gaze swivelled toward Natharr, then she nodded toward the newborn. Perhaps he will have the Sight, as well. She smiled at the child as if, suddenly, there was no one else in the room. He will be a strong and powerful man to rule over Maarihk.

My baby ... the queen scarcely whispered, hair plastered to her scalp with sweat.

The healer pressed a thick compress against the blood running from the juncture of her thighs, his thin hair waving unkempt as he glanced incessantly from LaNila’s deathly pale face to the king, to Natharr, to the long sword at the Guardian’s hip, then back again.

Please ... the queen managed weakly, let me see my baby ....

The elderly midwife carried the child immediately to the queen. Lara dropped the blankets that had been bundled around his pink body and pressed him against his mother’s skin. Here, my lady, the old woman said. Your skin will warm him. You must get him to teat or there will be no doing so for you.

LaNila managed a weary smile, her lips almost as white as her skin, gazing down on the child. I ... can’t ... she whispered, a tremor in her voice. My arms. Can’t lift ... my arms .... She continued to smile at the newborn, the old midwife holding the child at her breast. Hello, sweeting, the queen whispered. You are so beautiful. Your hair ... so dark ... but it will grow in ... like your father’s .... Her blue eyes rose and locked onto Natharr’s. The eye-to-eye lock was so powerful that Natharr took an unwilling step toward her. Your mother must have red hair to appear right with your father’s dark, she declared firmly.

Natharr stared, her words running him through, releasing an uneasy chill down his spine. He glanced furtively toward the king, then the midwives, but no one else seemed to hear; the message had been for him alone, a gift of his Sight. His limbs trembled and his breath caught in his throat at the significance. He looked back at LaNila, but she had returned to gazing at the child the old midwife pressed against her chest. Where, a moment before, she had spoken clearly, she had once again gone listless. Tears welled in Natharr’s green eyes, but he did not let them fall. LaNila was dying ... and, with death, Ril the