The Lost Son

By Katherine Cook

As the head of King Andrion’s army, Kalen Ysindroc is tasked with investigating reports of Koleri sighted along the kingdom’s borders. An attempt on Kalen’s life, however, makes it clear there’s more afoot than random breaks in the land’s defenses. Plagued by dreams no human should endure, Kalen discovers a past he never expected -- and a future he can’t escape.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arian Derwydd Books, LLC
• Release date: Mar 30, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224171590

Katherine Cook

Katherine Cook has been an avid fantasy nut all her life, and she places the “blame” squarely on J.R.R. Tolkien. At the age of nine, she devoured The Hobbit and the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy. She never looked back.Although this isn’t her first foray into writing, it’s the path she always wanted to take. So she decided to stop procrastinating and just do it.Katherine lives in Delaware with her husband, one of their three grown children, and an elderly dog. When she’s not dreaming up worlds, Katherine is usually playing computer games or watching forensic shows.Katherine Cook is the alter ego of gay romance author Mychael Black and het romance author Carys Seraphine.

Book preview

Secrets of Socendor, Book 2

Kalen Ysindroc has risen far from his humble beginnings as a blacksmith’s adopted son. Now the head of King Andrion’s army, he is tasked with investigating reports of Koleri sighted along the kingdom’s borders.

An attempt on Kalen’s life, however, makes it clear there’s more afoot than random breaks in the land’s defenses. Plagued by dreams no human should endure, Kalen discovers a past he never expected—and a future he can’t escape.

This title was previously published but has been extensively rewritten.

eBooks are not transferable.

They cannot be sold, shared, or given away. It is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Arian Derwydd Books, LLC

https://arianderwyddbooks.com/

The Lost Son

Copyright © 2024 by Katherine Cook

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission.

Cast

Koleri

Braen Vondrasek –king

Lyvis Izreih – advisor

Elia - spy/assassin

Renir - hunter

Elves

Vanya –archer

Vala Thierauf – Micheil's mother (deceased)

Micheil Thierauf –mage

Marilee Thierauf – Micheil's sister

Soren Krelius –mage

Lerian –queen

Humans

Kalen Ysindroc - general for King Andrion's army

Andreas Villetas - prince

Philip Villetas - prince (Andreas' twin)

Sherie Villetas - princess (twins' sister)

Andrion Villetas - king

Lavina Villetas - queen

Josiah Petiet - Kalen's second

Jéan Bastien - soldier

Emil Ysindroc - Kalen's adopted father

Myra Ysindroc - Kalen's adopted mother

Chapter One

I promoted you to general for a reason. This is your chance to prove you deserve that title. Find out where the Koleri are amassing and deal with them.

Kalen Ysindroc bowed. Thank you, Your Highness.

The king’s advisor and court seer, Micheil Thierauf, bent to whisper something to the king. Kalen kept his expression neutral with a good deal of effort. Everywhere he turned, the damned elf managed to be there. Thierauf was a relatively recent addition to Andrion’s court, and Andrion held him in high esteem. What business did an elf have advising a human king?

An excellent suggestion, Andrion announced, dragging Kalen’s attention back to the matter at hand. Master Thierauf will accompany you on this mission, General.

Kalen bit his tongue before he could say something he’d regret. He’d worked hard for his position. His father was too frail to continue working as the town’s blacksmith, despite having an apprentice. Kalen had sworn he would provide for them in their old age, and he had every intention of keeping his promise.

As you wish, Your Highness.

You leave at dawn, Andrion said. You are dismissed.

Kalen bowed once more and glanced at Thierauf. Be ready.

The elf said nothing as Kalen left the throne room, but Kalen felt the sharp gaze follow him out the door. The king’s advisor may have been good at his job, but it didn’t make up for his elven arrogance. Thierauf’s mother, Vala, had been no better. The moment her son stepped into the role after her untimely death, Kalen tried to avoid him.

You don’t look happy.

I’ve no issues going to see what the Koleri are up to, believe me, Kalen grumbled as his friend Andreas fell into step beside him. I do, however, despise that charlatan your father puts his faith in so much.

Micheil does have my father’s ear more than anyone else, I’ll admit. Give him a chance, though. He isn’t that bad—just a bit annoying.

"His mother was annoying. He is insufferable."

Andreas laughed and clapped a hand on Kalen’s shoulder. His magic should prove useful, at the very least.

I don’t trust him or his magic.

Good thing humans can’t use it then, Andreas said.

They entered the barracks and joined a group of soldiers seated at a battered wooden table. The men had adopted Andreas as their standard even though he’d asked them not to. Kalen couldn’t blame them. Andreas’ twin Philip was the politician the king had always wanted, so it left Andreas to hone his swordsmanship and establish tight bonds with Akuron’s army. Their sister Sherie, however, was the apple of Andrion’s eye.

Josiah Petiet, Kalen’s friend and second-in-command, nodded in acknowledgement when Kalen and the prince sat down. What are our orders, General?

We leave at dawn with a small contingent to find the bulk of the Koleri and drive them out. The king believes it’s a small group, but we can’t let them gain any strength. Kalen took the apple Andreas offered. Unfortunately, the king’s advisor will be joining us.

The collective groans gave Kalen a bit of vindication. No one particularly liked Micheil Thierauf. Elves weren’t unknown in Akuron, but they weren’t trusted, either. Everyone either remembered the mad sorcerer Breasal Vondrasek, or they knew the tales. Because of him, most humans looked on magic and those who practiced it with unbridled distrust.

Why is the king sending Thierauf? Jéan Bastien, the army’s newest recruit, asked.

I imagine to keep an eye on things from a diplomatic perspective, Andreas answered. At Kalen’s raised eyebrow, the prince just shrugged. "My father didn’t outright say to kill the Koleri, so I’d venture to guess he hopes to forge a treaty at some point."

Kalen had his doubts, but he didn’t voice them. The Koleri people had been driven out of Akuron after Breasal had murdered the elven queen and subsequently met his own fate. They were the offspring of elves and humans, and like the elves, they used magic. No one knew why they looked so different from their parent races, though some claimed it was the result of a curse the gods placed on them. At any rate, Kalen didn’t share Andrion’s aspirations of peace. The Koleri most likely wouldn’t either.

Kalen and the men finished their dinners in relative quiet. Thoughts of what they were heading into lingered, though. The Koleri seemed to have little fear when it came to combat. That alone made them especially formidable. Kalen had only met a few tiny scouting bands over the past several years, but nothing as large as what he had the feeling awaited them.

When done, Kalen left the barracks with Andreas. He’d known the prince all his life, and they’d grown close over the years. Andreas was nothing like his father or brother. He cared little for politics and more for enjoying life. Kalen didn’t resist when Andreas dragged him out into the village and toward their favorite tavern.

Lively music filled the air as they neared the building, and several drunk villagers stumbled out into the road.

One of them spotted Andreas and laughed. A drink for the prince! Then he promptly landed on his rear in the dirt. His friends helped him up, gave Andreas a quick bow, and hurried their inebriated friend on.

Inside, the crowd appeared much the same, though many weren’t quite as drunk as the patron outside had been. Not yet, at any rate. Andreas and Kalen found a table, and a young woman approached them.

Kalen stared for a moment before his wits caught up with him. Two ales, he shouted over the din.

She smiled and headed over to the bartender. Andreas seemed quite… mesmerized.

Kalen chuckled. I wouldn’t if I were you. She bears a striking resemblance to your father’s advisor.

She’s beautiful.

When she returned with their drinks, Andreas asked, what is your name?

Marilee Thierauf. Normally, I’d ask the same, but I know who you are. She curtsied. It’s a pleasure, Prince Andreas. She looked at Kalen. You are General Ysindroc, yes?

I am, Kalen said. Though I’ve not seen you before.

My brother finally let me out of his sight. Her laugh seemed to light the prince up from the inside. Micheil is very protective, especially since our mother died.

I am deeply sorry, Andreas said.

Marilee smiled at him. Kalen half expected his friend to melt into the wooden bench. Thank you, Your Highness.

Please, call me Andreas.

Her eyes widened. Oh, I-I couldn’t. It’s just not proper.

Would it be proper for me to ask you to sit with us later?

Marilee bit her lower lip, glanced over at the bar, then back to the prince. I will certainly try, Your Highness. Thank you. She curtsied once more before rushing off when another table called for more drinks.

You, my friend, have it bad.

Andreas shrugged as he watched her bustle around the busy room. Do you blame me?

No, Kalen said. "She is beautiful, but I prefer…"

Micheil Thierauf stepped up to the bar, swiftly joined by his sister. He laughed at something the bartender said, then glanced around the room. His smile faltered when he met Kalen’s gaze.

Think he would allow me time with his sister?

Kalen rolled his eyes and tore away from that unnerving stare. Good luck, lest you get on the wrong end of his magic.

I’d be more worried about his sword, Andreas said.

Kalen chuckled. You mean he knows how to hold one? The thought of Micheil Thierauf trying to wield a heavy sword amused Kalen to no end. A dagger, maybe. But a sword? Definitely not.

People greatly underestimate him, you included. I’ve sparred with him, Kalen. His prowess could give many of our soldiers pause.

I’ll take your word for it, Kalen said.

Micheil didn’t join them as Kalen had half expected. Instead, the elf stayed at the bar, clearly enjoying the music and his sister’s company when she could get away from the crowd.

Kalen took the chance to study him a bit more now that they were out of the castle. Micheil stood nearly half a foot taller than many humans, but he was much leaner. No longer in the advisor’s robe, he looked like any other man in the tavern. His brilliant, white-gold hair lay tied at the nape of his neck, though it still brushed his waist. Had he been human…

Kalen shoved that unwelcome notion to the farthest reaches of his mind.

* * *

He has no idea, does he?

Micheil glanced at his sister. No, and he never will. I’ve taken great care over the past twenty-five years to maintain distance from him.

She smirked. You like him.

Micheil ignored the statement. He wasn’t about to admit he’d noticed just how alluring Kalen had grown. He had sworn years ago to protect Kalen—not seduce him. Besides, the general absolutely hated him. It worked in Micheil’s favor in the end. He could fulfill the promise he’d made long ago without the general suspecting anything.

The prince is cute.

Micheil glared at Marilee. Get that notion out of your head. He is human and heir to the throne.

Prince Philip is more likely to take Andrion’s place, Marilee pointed out. Why do you dislike humans so much?

I don’t. At his sister’s disbelieving expression, Micheil sighed. I don’t, Mari. I am just cautious. Humans care very little for elves. We are here on the king’s good graces.

Andreas seems different, Marilee said as she gazed over at the prince.

Micheil shook his head and tossed back the last of his ale. Humans are all the same, Mari.

I see more of them than you do, Micheil. Get out of the castle and down here more often, and you will understand.

My duty is to the king, Micheil said. Not General Ysindroc, or any other human, for that matter.

Before Marilee could reply, a table of thoroughly drunk patrons shouted for more ale. She gave Micheil a quick kiss on the cheek, then, with a smile, hurried off. The townspeople loved her, and she seemed quite fond of them. Micheil, however, kept his guard up at all times. Vala’s position as King Andrion’s advisor had been contentious at best, and the people disliked Micheil almost as much as they had her since he’d taken over after her death.

He glanced over to where Kalen and the prince sat, now joined by Marilee. Gods, if she got involved with Andreas, there’d be hell to pay from the king’s house. Humans were weird about their social statuses, and that didn’t even count the issue of