The Demon and The Raven

By Paul Willson

Ten years after riding out of the small kingdom of Galitia on a brutal war of conquest, its ruthless young king, Andras earned himself the chilling moniker 'The Demon of Galitia'.

In the tumultuous aftermath of war, the fates of Korbela and Andras intertwine in "The Demon and The Raven."

Korbela is given as tribute to the conqueror of the kingdom of Jortrel by her father. Andras is instantly intrigued by her. For her part, instead of a mindless tyrant, Korbela discovers a complex soul in Andras. An intelligent man who is capable of tenderness and ferocity in equal measure. Amidst his inner turmoil lies a demon that fuels moments of extreme cruelty, leaving Andras tormented with remorse.

As they are unexpectedly drawn to each other, can Korbela help Andras break free from the demon consuming his soul as he struggles to adapt to peace? Dive into a tale of redemption, unlikely bonds, and an unconventional love.

"The Demon and The Raven" is an unconventional fantasy romance from the author of the epic "The Fall of Cadoria" and the heartbreaking "The Dance of The Blacksmith and The Huntress" trilogy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul Willson Fantasy
• Release date: Apr 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9781738578481

Paul Willson

Paul Willson is a fantasy writer with five published books. He began writing after being made redundant from his IT job during the Covid pandemic. This was short stories at first then he began attempting longer fantasy novellas. It was then that the fantasy action romance, "The Dance of The Blacksmith and The Huntress," trilogy was born and Ophelia and Doyle began their eternal dance. Not long afterwards, "The Demon and The Raven," come to fruition which has received 5* ratings on Amazon. This year his first full-length fantasy book, and the first book in the "Gods and Runes series", "The Fall of Cadoria" was released.  

Book preview

Prologue

Many, many years ago, before the rise of the five kingdoms, a demon rode out of his castle in the underworld ahead of his horde intent on conquering the human world. This demon was cruel. He defeated each kingdom in turn until the human world was under the yolk of his tyranny. Any king that stood in his way was dismembered. Their screams continued after death as their souls were sent to the underworld to be tortured for eternity. Any heroes that tried to kill him were boiled alive and devoured by his pets.

He took delight in seeing the humans in chains, watching as his horde flogged the humans, breaking their will so they grovelled on their knees in front of him.

As the demon surveyed what he achieved a raven with green eyes flew down and sat on the back of his thrown.

Your Demonic Majesty, the raven said. You have conquered the human world. Are you now pleased?

Of course, I am pleased. Why would I not be? The demon replied proudly.

What have you left to achieve now you have achieved your ambition?

The demon realised that the raven was right. What did he have left to achieve? No one in the human world opposed him.

Maybe I will conquer the underworld then the heavens. The demon replied.

Are you sure you are strong enough to do that? If another demon attacked your lands in the underworld, could you stop them? cautioned the raven.

The demon realised that the raven was right again. He was not. There were stronger demons in the underworld with greater hordes, but his ambition set him apart. The human world was the weakest of the three plains of existence and easily conquered by a strong enough demon and great enough horde. Conquering the human world would have also angered the angel hordes in heaven.

What would you have me do then Raven? the demon demanded.

Return to the underworld while you still have it all content in the knowledge you achieved your ambition. the raven suggested.

If I do that the human world would be free. All that I have done would be for nought.

Yes, it would, the raven conceded, but is keeping the human world worth losing all that you have in the underworld?

The raven was right yet again. Normally the demon would have punished the person who talked to him this way, but he liked this raven, and he was enjoying this debate. For once someone was not talking to him in a subservient way.

I like you raven, the demon said. If I agree to free the human world and return to the underworld, would you come with me?

Agreeing to the demon's request the raven followed the demon back to the underworld and the human world united, ruled by a council with each tribe represented. The human world then enjoyed one thousand years of peace and prosperity.

The demon and the raven continue to debate to this day.

Chapter 1

Andras confidently walked into the large throne room, a throne room dedicated to the vanity of a conquered dynasty. His black armour gleamed malevolently, his red cloak flowing behind him, contrasting with his blond hair. His cold blue eyes stared straight ahead. The scar running down his cheek gave him an added appearance of malevolence. Soldiers from his conquering army stood to attention on either side of him creating a guard of honour. All that stood against him were defeated. Kings, heroes, assassins, alliances. They all failed. None could match his power and guile. Any hope that could stop him was extinguished. Each victory brought him more power and more people subjugated themselves to him. Those who didn’t were executed in the most brutal way possible. Andras enjoyed their screams as they were dismembered alive. At just 32 years old he achieved something no one in history had. He conquered the whole of the continent of Ostria. A brilliant ten-year campaign of fear, subterfuge, and brutality.

Andras sat on the throne. The jewel-encrusted, golden crown was brought to him and placed on his head by his grand vizier Melchom signifying the completion of his conquest. This was the end of freedom and Andras’s total control of the continent. His ambition was fulfilled. They said he was evil, they called him the Demon King of Galitia. Now none dared to call him this.

Andras stood with his head adorned with the crown, Melchom bellowed theatrically,

All hail His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Andras! Ruler of all Ostria, King of the heavens and the underworld! Kneel before him and show your obedience to your new emperor!

All in the room knelt. Andras glared at all who were kneeling before him looking for anyone who may defy him. He didn’t get where he was by being complacent. There are always a few who feign loyalty only to later turn against him.

Satisfied Andras finally commanded.

Bring me the prisoners.

The army that was swept aside when he invaded was given the choice to serve him or die. Some knelt, others chose death. Their king and generals were kept alive, their fate already sealed.

The prisoners walked into the throne room in chains. Dirty and humiliated. Few had signs of resistance in their eyes. Once before the throne, they were forced to their knees. How was this, Jortrel, the most powerful nation in Ostria being led by these men, Andras thought contemptuously. What did this country do to deserve such cowardly and self-serving leaders? As soon as defeat was inevitable, they ran, the cowards. The men who they commanded showed more bravery. These cowards betrayed their soldiers. If any of his generals or advisers did what they did, they would die painfully. Andras would enjoy seeing them dismembered.

You, cowardly former rulers of this nation, Melchom delivered the judgement and sentence of death. You shamefully ran from battle in defeat while your men fought on and died bravely. You will not receive mercy from his Imperial Majesty. You will be dismembered in front of your former subjects. If you remain silent while you are dismembered, you may recover the honour in death that you denied yourself in life.

The prisoners shook with fear. Some wet themselves, tears rolling down their faces unable to contemplate the fate that awaited them. Andras looked at them with unconcealed disgust.

Take them away, the Vizier ordered with contempt.

The prisoners were taken away begging for their lives, pathetically, as they did so.

Bring in his Imperial Majesty’s new loyal subjects! Melchom now commanded.

The Jortrelain nobles walked in and one by one professed their undying loyalty and laid gifts before Andras. Andras looked at them with explicit boredom as they gave jewels, gold, and other expensive gifts. However, one noble did make him take notice. Unlike the other nobles, he didn’t have any chests of gold or jewels, expensive clothes, no expensive spices. Instead, kneeling next to him was a woman with her head and face covered. The noble was nervous. With fear in his voice, he addressed his new master,

Your Imperial Majesty, I, Duke Priam of Tyrese, may be a noble by birth but my lands are poor. Even my family goes hungry when the harvests fail. I cannot offer you gold or jewels. The only thing that I have of value is my only daughter.

Andras noticed the other nobles sneer in contempt. This man is looked down upon by the other nobles. With his short speech complete Duke Priam removed the cloth covering this woman’s head and face. Long black hair cascaded down her back. Her clothes were not of the finest quality but looked like they were the best clothes she had, which showed that the duke was telling the truth but this woman….

What kind of tribute is this? Melchom thundered. The noble shook with fear. You lie. You are not poor. For this insult……

Andras raised his hand, stopping Melchom mid-sentence. For some reason, this woman had intrigued him. Very few people intrigued Andras. People were easy to read. But this woman, there was something about her. While her father trembled next to her, she knelt unmoved.

Raise your head, Andras commanded the woman. She complied. What Andras saw took his breath away, although he hid it from view. From a young age, he had become skilled at hiding his emotions.

This woman had deep green eyes which looked straight into his own. It wasn’t out of defiance; it was like she saw herself as his equal. Her face, although attractive, was not that of a great beauty, but she had an inner beauty which shone out of her. She remained utterly expressionless and her calm, strong demeanour made Andras, feel for the first time in his life, unnerved. Andras had no idea what she was thinking. Finally, after several moments Andras stood,

We are done for today. Looking at the kneeling noble he said, I will accept your tribute. Take her away. Bathe and clothe her. Make sure she is treated well. Give her a room near mine and keep her under guard until I call for her. Give the tributes of gold and jewels to our victorious soldiers and the widows and orphans of the fallen, Andras ordered as he walked out of the throne room.

Melchom bowed in obedience. The young woman was taken away. Andras needed to rest.

Bow for His Imperial Majesty! Melchom demanded as Andras left the throne room. No one dared to disobey.

Chapter 2

Andras sat alone in his chambers. He had removed his crown and armour and was just sitting slouched in a chair with a goblet of wine, massaging his temple. He was tired. For ten years he had done nothing but war and conquest. He became king of Galitia at the age of seventeen when his father died. Due to his inexperience and youth many in the kingdom attempted to control him and have undue influence over him for their own personal gain.

He had a happy childhood. His mother the queen, unusual for a woman of her standing, nursed and raised him. He was given a tutor called Hywel, appointed by his father the king, who was strict with the young Andras, for good reason. The young Andras was not one for listening. There was no interest in learning. He wanted to be outside, play, climb trees, and play soldiers with the other children living in the palace be they