The Daughter of the Puppet King

The Daughter of the Puppet King

Copyright © 2022 by Veronica Brown Dubroc

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ISBN

978-1-959365-16-7 (Paperback)

978-1-959365-17-4 (eBook)

978-1-959365-15-0 (Hardcover)

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my mom, Diana, my tenth and eleventh-grade English teachers, Ms. Grace and Mrs. Abraham, and to the late Mr. John Sutcliffe, my very first English professor in college, for telling me to pursue writing even though I am dyslexic. They wouldn’t let me listen to those who told me to give up! Thank you. This book is also dedicated to those people like me who learn in a different way—this book is proof that you can succeed at your dreams too!

PROLOGUE

Hello, I am Cadmus. I am the keeper of the history and stories of this land. This land is the kingdom of Ashenland. The kingdom is a valley; we have tall mountains on three sides and a sea to the east. Our ancestors came over the mountains from the west or the south. That history is lost to the world now. We know only that the journey was difficult and took several weeks. When they finally emerged from the mountains, they discovered a large amount of fertile land that led to a vast sea.

The founders of Ashenland came across those mountains as refugees from a terrible civil war. The place they came from has been lost to the years we have been here, as Ashenland grew into a great and prosperous kingdom. We are left alone by other kingdoms because crossing those mountains in large numbers is vastly difficult, so we are not at risk of being attacked by an army.

Most of the people of the kingdom stay away from the sea. There are fishermen and trappers who live near the waters of course, but they keep to themselves. There are stories of dangerous sea monsters and pirates from lands south of us on the other side of the mountains.

We have no trouble with the pirates ourselves; our land has few minerals that are naturally occurring here. The fishermen and the farmers closest to the water do trade with the pirates when they need supplies. I suspect that is how much of the capital city and the palace of the king acquired the gold that is used there. We acquired a few of their words into our language as well. The most common word you will hear us say is aye. That is the last you will hear of the pirates. They do not play a role in our current situation.

When our ancestors crossed the mountains, they had two or three in their number with special magical powers. These were powers they were born with but could not gain full use of them until they were near or past adulthood. These people became known as sorcerers.

The sorcerers grew into protectors of this land. Their offspring are still here and are still protecting this kingdom. Some of the sorcerers have crossed the mountains and know what is on the other side. They are also the guardians of the town and cities. They use their wisdom to solve disputes and keep the laws. In this way they keep us safe.

However, one of these sorcerers was enticed by evil to turn on his people. His name is Kybon. Kybon holds the position of high advisor to the king. This job is considered the highest honor. Who better to advice the king than someone who possesses magic in his bloodstream? But Kybon is no longer advising the king. He is ruling the kingdom while holding the king captive in the king’s own weak and sick body.

So this is where the kingdom stands now—on the brink of a civil war sparked by Kybon’s desire to wipe out any threat of a stronger king that could replace his puppet on the throne.

But you will see as the story unfolds that there are those who can still save Ashenland and restore the peace that we had enjoyed since our ancestors came here so many years ago.

There is a great and ancient magic that was set forth to protect us from corrupt sorcerers like Kybon. It has weakened and eroded over the years, but not even Kybon can end its power of protection over us.

I will say no more. I bid you farewell until we meet again on a cold winter’s night at the solstice festival in the forest near the town of Bale.

CHAPTER 1

Secrets Revealed

Rupert shivered in the cold. He had not meant to fall asleep in the stable. Now stretching his legs outside in the snow, he looked toward the familiar house in the moonlight. There was a fire burning inside. Rupert could almost hear the fire crackling as the flames licked the wet wood while it burned white.

He knew the rooms in the small house were warm. It was always warm in Uncle Thomas’s house. Rupert had no uncles by blood, nor did he have a father. Thomas was the only man around to look after him, and Rupert called him uncle to show respect. Because of the fire, Rupert could see into the small window.

Thomas was awake and sitting in a chair close to the fireplace. His niece, Victoria, was asleep in a cot nearby. Rupert could not see her, but he knew she was there. She always slept in the common room close to the fire when she was fighting an illness in winter.

In the dim mixture of moonlight and firelight, Rupert could see as Thomas’s tall, broad-shouldered frame got up and walked to the door, opening it just enough to slip out so he would not wake Victoria. Quickly Rupert slipped back into the stable. He didn’t want to tell his surrogate uncle he had been so irresponsible that he hadn’t gone home. It had been many years since he had fallen asleep in the stable, but with so many things happening now, he stayed too long in the barn because it was the place he was most comfortable. He had always stabled his horse Thunderstorm in Thomas’s barn. There was no adequate barn on his mother’s property.

There was a special bond between Rupert and his horse. Thunderstorm was from a special breed of horse that carried with them some of the magical properties and longevity that their sorcerer counterparts had. Rupert was seventeen now, and the horse had been his companion since his birth. The horse was still young for his breed so he would be with Rupert for another many years. Being near his horse made Rupert feel safest. Thomas understood that, but he still would not have been happy that Rupert had not gone home to his mother the night before.

Rupert peeked through the door as Thomas trudged in the dark, through the shin-deep snow that covered the path he had helped shovel clear at nightfall, to the stable. Rupert ran to the farthest stall where Thunderstorm was housed.

Thomas walked in, sighed, and shook off the snow. He lit the small lantern hanging by the door. It gave off very little light, but Thomas had done this many times before. Then he went to the firewood and stacked several pieces onto a small litter so he could pull the wood back to the house in only one trip. Rupert rubbed his horse and whispered to him to keep quiet. It was not easy to hide the oversized horse and himself in the stall. If Thomas found out that he was there, Rupert would have to endure another lecture on being careless. He would hear it from his own mother soon enough. Thunderstorm woke the other three horses in the stable somehow. They made a little bit of noise in their stirring, enough at least to mask the fact that there was an extra person in the stable.

Rupert hoped the darkness would conceal their presence also. He was afraid that Thomas would figure it out anyway. He didn’t want to startle Thomas while he was stacking logs, so Rupert remained hidden and quiet.

As Thomas stacked, a woman appeared next to him. Rupert had nearly jumped out of his skin but was able to stifle a scream as he hid. Thunderstorm shifted in his stall to hide the sound Rupert made from being startled. Rupert was thankful again for his extraordinary horse.

Thomas was not startled when the woman appeared. He didn’t even look up to speak to her.

Hello, Ashel, Thomas said in a dry tone.

It is time, Thomas.

I know! But she is all I have left. Your magic has taken everyone else. He was just short of scathing.

Our magic, Thomas.

He took a deep breath and looked up. Rupert couldn’t see his expression in the darkness, but he could feel the wave of sadness that filled the small room.

Ashel stood only a foot from Thomas, but she had appeared just in front of the lantern. Rupert could see her clearly from the side. She matched Thomas’s height of six feet; a long auburn braid fell down her back. Her clothes were black and very plain, but in contrast, she wore a vibrant red cloak. Rupert was taken by this woman’s beauty and agelessness. He had seen her once in a painting when he was a boy. He had been told then that she had been born long before his father. He nearly gasped again when he remembered who she was. Despite her youthful appearance, she was the leader of the council that governed the sorcerers and wizards in the kingdom. Her decisions on any matter that had to do with magic were final. Rupert wondered what business she had with Thomas. His mother said Ashel did not often leave the council.

Thomas’s voice broke the silence; his internal sadness had been brief. Yes, you are right. It is everyone’s magic, especially now. Are you staying for breakfast? His tone had softened as he finished speaking.

No, I only have a few minutes. Kybon has found our hiding place again. I have come to tell you that I have sent Colin here. And remind you firmly that his mistakes will catch up to him.

Thomas said nothing. This time, Rupert felt anger fill the room, but it wasn’t just from Thomas. He felt it welling up inside of himself. He wondered why the name Colin had made them both so angry.

Whether you like it or not, Thomas, most of this is out of your control. The council and I are very busy protecting the rest of the sorcerers from Kybon’s tyranny. But I will be keeping an eye on Victoria and her friends.

Can you keep a spell of protection on them?

They will not need it. There is enough magic on our side until Rupert gets his full powers.

I wish I had your faith.

Your lack of faith is what is keeping you miserable! I am sorry about the tragedies in the past, but our lives go on. I did not come here to argue with you again. I know where you stand. Colin will be here any minute. While he is here, we will move to a new location. He must think he is on a mission from us. And he must stay a full day.

Thomas still did not respond.

I must leave. I cannot be here when Colin arrives. Do not worry about things you cannot control.

Rupert thought he saw her glance in his direction, but it had been so quick, he wasn’t sure if he was just nervous about being caught hearing something that was not his business.

Ashel reached out and put her hand on Thomas’s shoulder. He was not an affectionate man, but they appeared to have had a long history. Rupert was only mildly surprised when Thomas leaned in reluctantly and accepted a hug. Before Thomas released his arms, she was gone. He finished stacking the wood and dragged the litter out of the door.

About a minute later, Rupert left the stable with his horse. Thunderstorm, despite being larger than a normal horse, had a knack for walking lightly when he felt it necessary. He looked back as he walked slowly next to his horse, watching Thomas in the dim moonlight.

It took Thomas only about five minutes to unstack and restack the wood on a small platform under the overhang Rupert had helped him build several years earlier to keep the wood out of the wet snow or rain. When Thomas was finished, he slipped back in quietly with three logs to set on the stone hearth. Rupert watched as Thomas came back into view from the window and settled into his chair to presumably wait for Colin.

When Rupert reached the gate, he mounted his horse and headed for his mother’s house, which he could barely see just down the road in the first beams of sunlight.

CHAPTER 2

The Dream

The room was large but dark. She was a very small child being taken away from a man sitting in a large chair. He tried to stand but fell to his knees. His blue-gray eyes were now on her level. The eyes looked into her face.

I am sorry it has to be this way. I will never stop loving you! Then the man raised his eyes to the person behind her that she could not see but knew was there. Tell Thomas to take good care of her! He looked back at her. There were tears in his eyes. I will always love you, Victoria. The man reached out and stroked her face.

She began to cry. I don’t wanna go came from her own throat.

The sound of footsteps outside the room could be heard faintly in the hallway. The man retracted his hand. Go! he said, looking to the wall in great fear. Then two arms grabbed her and hastily took her from the room.

The man holding her was running, but he was going the wrong way. They could not get out this way. But then they went through a door in the wall. There were disembodied sobs. But somehow her two-year- old form knew that they were her own sobs. Someone was carrying her through a dark corridor. She didn’t want to go. The man tried to console her and told her things would be all right. But she didn’t believe him.

Victoria awoke with a start. The pain in the pit of her stomach was there again. She was cold and shivering even though she shouldn’t be cold in the house. She sat up to grab the extra blanket Thomas had left for her. Her long brown hair was still braided. She did not want to be sick today. It was too important of a day. But this dream always made her feel sick. It was happening more and more. She had hoped the years would make it stop, but she now knew for sure that she was wrong. She sighed as she rolled over and tried to will herself back to sleep by thinking about the fact that it was her sixteenth birthday at last. After a few minutes, she grabbed her journal and flipped to her favorite page. She rubbed her green eyes and began reading the familiar words she had written years ago.

I met a strange but interesting boy today. He is a friend of Rupert’s. I remember seeing him a few years ago at school, but he stopped attending soon after. I am looking forward to getting to know him. He is thirteen.

I was in a carriage on my way to school with Rupert. I would rather walk, but Uncle Thomas will not allow it in the rain. Something very strange happened today! We were attacked!

There was a scream from the carriage driver, then a very sudden lurch. The carriage skidded to a stop. I could hear shouts outside. Rupert looked out the small window and pulled his head back in.

Highwaymen! he said in a hushed, confused voice. The carriage driver was being robbed. His angry shouts were not decipherable over the rain on the carriage top. Then there was the sound of something hitting the side of the carriage and another voice shouting.

Suddenly, a boy who knew Rupert’s name burst in through the cab door and announced that the Highwaymen were gone and that he was going to accompany us to school but that we would have to walk the rest of the way because one of the carriage wheels were broken. He introduced himself as Cornelius. He reached out and shook my hand. Nice to meet you finally! I have heard so much about you. I shook the boy’s hand, and a chill ran through my spine at the contact. It was a strange feeling. I have never felt that before. I stepped out of the cab into the rain still holding his hand. He took off his cloak and put it around me…

She awoke again, feeling nauseous and cold. She was very nervous about her birthday. Something important was going to happen today. She hoped for a betrothal agreement, but she could only tell that Thomas had something planned. He had been quieter than usual for the last few days and had reminded her again and again, Do not get your heart set on a quiet life! The world has other plans for you!

She had been hearing this from him as far back as she could remember. The words went through her head again. At least she would know soon what he meant by those words.

She closed her eyes and tried to regain the picture of Cornelius at thirteen. She couldn’t quite remember the details when she was awake. All she could remember was his smile and only because it had not changed in the five years she had known him. The window was visible from her position on the cot. She could see that the sky was graying. She closed her eyes once more to get a few more minutes of troubled sleep.

CHAPTER 3

The Awakening

Victoria awoke for good to the sound of Thomas’s voice, deep and heavy and low across the room. There was another voice too, much higher but definitely male. She could sense fear in the second unfamiliar voice. She listened intently for a moment as her senses returned to normal. It became clear that the two men were speaking about her and Rupert, her best friend.

The stranger’s voice was louder than her uncle’s, and she heard his last sentence clearly.

The war is finally upon us. It will be the girl and Oberon’s son. What’s his name? Rupert, I think, that will decide the outcome.

She knew that a civil war was coming, and the tough times were going to get tougher, but she couldn’t figure how she and Oberon’s son would figure into the outcome of anything. It was widely accepted that war would be useless and the outcome predetermined by the evil power contriving it. Rupert might be important to a war since Oberon had been a powerful sorcerer, and Rupert stood to inherit his power, but not her, she thought to herself. She was not special at all.

She opened her eyes slightly. Sunlight was starting to fill the room. Thomas rarely let her sleep past dawn. She took a deep breath. There was no pain in her chest, and the air filled her lungs completely. She was well again. It was time to get up and find out what brought a stranger to see them so early on her birthday.

Uncle Thomas, can you and your visitor leave the room for a moment so I can change out of my night clothes?

The stranger gave a start at the sound of her voice. Thomas let out a chuckle. Victoria could tell that he had already known she was awake.

Yes, Victoria, and then we must talk. Are you feeling better today?

I feel much better, I think. With a good breakfast, I’ll be completely myself again.

Thomas stood up and motioned the visitor to do the same. It was still to dim in the room for Victoria to see the features of the man, but she did not know him.

Thomas shoved the stranger to the door and then led him outside. We must go to the stable and check on the horses anyway. There was more snow last night. I must make sure they are warm and dry. His voice tapered off as the door closed behind them.

Victoria got up and looked out the window. The stranger was a gangly middle-aged man, with short graying hair; he had sharp features that reminded her of a portrait of the king she had seen in school. The stranger looked familiar, but she was sure she had never met him before. Her stomach growled loudly, so she left the window and quickly dressed so she could begin breakfast. She could hear the muffled voices of the two men outside. She went back to the window and opened it slightly so she could hear what they were saying.

Colin, there is an open stall for your horse. I am sure he is tired from steady riding in the snow. Thomas’s voice was carried back to the house. Victoria saw an unkempt brown horse already covered in a thin layer of bright white powder tied to the lone tree next to the house.

Get your horse to the stable. I see you have the same disregard for horses as you do for humans, Thomas said with discontent.

He’s an animal, Thomas!

Yes, and for many days, he is your only companion, and to repay him for his labors, you leave him to freeze the first chance you get. That horse may be the only friend you have left in this life. I hope he teaches you a lesson you so richly deserve.

Colin scoffed. Dumb creatures cannot hurt the likes of me. Sorcerers need not worry about the lesser four-legged. He untied the horse and pulled roughly on the reins. The horse did not move. Come on, stupid! he screamed and kicked the horse in the leg.

The horse whinnied and reared up wildly. Colin jerked harder on the reins causing more pain and discomfort for the horse’s mouth. The horse pulled away from him because of the pain, causing his master to lose his grip on the reins. Colin raised his hands and began to mumble words of a spell.

Thomas shoved Colin roughly to the ground in front of the spooked horse. Never treat an animal that way! he yelled. And never use magic on a defenseless animal!

Victoria gasped from the house. She had only heard stories of her uncle’s temper, but she had never seen it.

Colin fell under the rearing horse. Thomas grabbed the horse’s reins carefully with one hand and rubbed the animal’s nose with the other. The horse clearly calmed just at Thomas’s touch but not enough to keep him from stomping the ground. Victoria smiled at her uncle’s special talent for soothing animals.

As he calmed the horse, he kicked Colin hard in the ribs, getting him out of the way of the horse’s powerful kicking legs. The horse stomped the ground with enough power to rattle the door of the house. Colin sputtered and rolled over, wincing in pain from Thomas’s foot.

That hurt! he yelled, finally wheezing and wincing as he got to his feet. Clutching his ribs, he hobbled forward and took the reins from Thomas weakly.

I am sure it did hurt. I should’ve let him stomp on you! It would have been an accident. Your own neglected nameless horse would have killed you. Ashel would have to accept that! Now get a move on! No horses will be neglected or abused on my property. Thomas pushed Colin roughly again with one hand while he kept his other hand on the horse to keep him calm. They both started toward the stables twenty yards away.

Victoria continued to watch as they entered the stable. She pulled the window closed. She thought for a moment about what Colin must have done to Thomas. But her uncle had taught her to concentrate on the task at hand. She looked out the window one last time, took a deep breath, and turned back to start breakfast.

She noticed that five chairs had already been placed around the cluttered table, and a smile crept into her face. Cornelius would be back today. He told her he made sure to leave with enough time to be back for her birthday. Whatever today would bring, she was happy to know that Cornelius would be with her.

CHAPTER 4

Rupert Overhears Again

As Thomas pushed Colin inside the stable quickly, he again did not notice that there was a teenaged boy sitting very still in the farthest stall. Rupert had returned in clean, warmer clothes only a few moments before the door of the house opened. He always went directly to the stable to stow Thunderstorm before going to the door of the house. Thomas and taught him to take care of his very special horse. Thunderstorm always went to the last of the eight stalls in the stable, though Thomas had never stabled more than three horses of his own since Rupert could remember.

When the men entered, Thunderstorm went to the very back of the stall, trying to hide his large frame from Thomas’s sight, but he tried to keep an eye over the stall. Rupert smiled. His horse was as curious as he was to see how Thomas would react to this stranger.

Colin and his horse were in front of Thomas. The horse went into the fourth stall. Thomas did not take his eyes off the man in front of him. Rupert sat perfectly still out of fear and guilt of being caught eavesdropping for the second time that morning.

Thomas’s voice cut through the silence that followed the stable door closing.

I will tell Victoria what I feel she needs to know. You keep your mouth shut. It is my place to tell her. I know the high sorceress sent you here to make sure I send Victoria and Rupert to help lead in the war. But I will do it as I see fit.

Thomas, I know that you dislike my being here, but we are old men now. For the sake of the whole kingdom, we must be civil to one another. Colin sighed and continued. "I will stay quiet, but I’ve got to tell the Sorcerers Council everything that you tell Victoria and Rupert. You know Oberon was a dear friend of mine. I was as sorry as you when he was