Medley of Treason Read online

  Medley

  of

  Treason

  The Lady of the Water Series

  Volume Two

  Elskidor

  Copyright @2019

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

  Published 2019

  Medley of Treason

  T rust no one. Betrayal runs rampant, self-serving and self-righteous alike.

  Lonewolf, a man of dubious ethics, uses his cunning to bring his vision of ultimate power closer to fruition when he aligns himself with Neighraellium and the Overlords to take over a country.

  In opposition, Laelliandir, whose entire world has been turned upside down after he witnesses the murder of his father and experiences twisted justice that lets the perpetrators go free and forces his mother to marry one of the fiends responsible.

  From disbelief, springs a rebellion that pits one, driven by revenge and injustice against the other, motivated by greed and curiosity. In a treacherous game of deceit and trickery, where even the virtuous scheme to betray, a medley of treason ensues. With victory but a heartbeat away for both sides, the devious Lonewolf’s and honorable Laelliandir's clash will determine the fate of a nation.

  Who will win in this game of wits and at what cost?

  Map Legend

  1. Frenmere Pass

  2. Lockage

  3. Garroth of Gargurthian

  4. Magwhen of Nova

  5. Aviway

  6. Malor

  7. Sangorus

  8. Haunted Forest

  9. Verdan

  10. Verdia

  11. Neweora

  12. Nabor

  13. Athran

  14. Ordros

  15. Nyflia

  16. Hallowed Ro

  17. Black Cliffs

  18. Darvane Mountains

  19. Pallae River

  20. Glenmoore

  21. Laeluffian

  22. Urnen’s Gut

  23. Orzo

  24. Crystal Palace

  25. Vallens

  26. Forbidden Lands

  27. Starspire Islands

  Medley of Treason

  The Lady of the Water Series

  Volume Two

  Elskidor

  House Javalla

  Arrival of the High Queen

  Binding of Loyalties

  People in the Cellar

  The Calling

  Final Attempt

  The Harbinger’s Rebellion

  Fair Maidens

  Unexpected Guest

  The Other Man

  Wine

  Homecoming

  The Lion and the Wolf

  Sundown

  Sword Practice

  Plot Against the Throne

  Exordium of the

  Sovereign Innovation

  Turtles and the Protégé

  Something New

  Lady Laella

  Engagement

  Sozzled

  Duty Calls

  Runaway

  Obsession

  Storming the Capital

  Ensnared

  The Road Not Taken

  Service Pay

  A Fool's Errand

  City Fair

  Possessed

  Chapter One

  House Javalla

  This man I've been seeing is not of this world, but I think of him even when I'm awake. I can't explain it. There's this feeling that washes over me. I dare not tell Bella, Mark, or Fern. I hinted to Laelliandir. I trust him for reasons I can't explain, but even then, I could not say that he came from my dreams for fear he would think me mad. Maybe I truly am. He believes Fern is who I speak of. As funny as that is, I find no harm in letting him continue to think this way. The truth is far more embarrassing.

  No. The man I have fallen for is not dear Fern. This man of my dreams I call Twilight Prince, and he means the world to me. It's been so long since I've seen Bella, I cannot be sure the dream version of me remembers anything or anyone beyond this prince.

  We float above the world, and live within the clouds, always smiling, and our days filled with laughter. I'm ashamed of myself for feeling the way I do for a man I only see in my silly dreams, but it seems so real. I can’t remember if I've ever been happier than I am right now. I wonder how much time I've wasted daydreaming about this man and looking forward to seeing him again.

  It's so sappy I genuinely am abashed. Maybe I'm just a silly girl half-mad myself, but I think I'm in love. Is this possible? From a dream? Whatever the cause, it has only helped my life in Garroth. Everyone says it’s my nature to be welcoming and always wishing to help. I believe I've always been that way, but I can't deny my days are merrier since Twilight Prince found his way into my heart.

  - Luminear's Journal

  I n the aftermath of the events in Gargurthian and the trial, the decisions regarding the fate of the Javalla family changed daily life for everyone involved. Neighraellium's bizarre behavior led him to take a temporary leave of his duties, ostensibly to give him time to grieve his fallen brother. Grief did not cause his changed persona and strange behavior, but only one other knew Neighraellium's secret.

  Thanks to Lonewolf's deceitful tongue and Neighraellium's convincing performance, Lonewolf remained in Magwhen under Neighraellium's supervision. This gave him time to earn the trust of the Nova Overlords and keep his head firmly on his shoulders, which was very much to his liking. Lonewolf could not leave the castle without guards following him, nor get anywhere near Luminear or Bella before he served the minimum term of one year. After that time, if his behavior was deemed above reproach, he would be free to visit. While that ruling didn’t satisfy Neighraellium or Lonewolf, neither was foolish enough to break the law. They had escaped a much harsher outcome and had no intention of allowing their buried secrets to come to light.

  Neighraellium wanted to take the throne by force. However, two significant things prevented an attempt. The first being, he no longer had his medallion. This was a catastrophe for Neighraellium. He sent for soldiers and accompanied them back to Garroth himself to find it, but the late King Casen's body had been buried, and no one seemed to know where. Despite his efforts, he soon reached a dead end and returned to Magwhen empty-handed. During that same time, Lady Laella and Lord Laelliandir moved to Garroth with their family, along with Luminear and Bella.

  Neighraellium's behavior continued to alarm and distress the Javallas, and he had done almost everything imaginable to be a terrible uncle, including demanding to see Luminear and Bella. He disgusted the recovering family who reported his every obscenity. By the time Neighraellium returned to Magwhen, the High Queen and King ordered him never to step foot in Gargurthian until he resolved the situation with his family. Lonewolf, who had been stuck dealing with a patrol watchman during Neighraellium's absence, was not happy. It seemed Neighraellium could accomplish nothing without his help, and Lonewolf’s sentence prevented him from playing his role as a partner, adviser, and caretaker.

  The second roadblock to attaining the throne was the ever-present bodyguards of the Overlords. Separating the guards from the royals seemed impossible even if Neighraellium had found the medallion. There were far too many of them to overtake. Lonewolf, acting as an adviser, helped Neighraellium get some perspective, "Your obsession with Tragmont is unhealthy, my friend. Your pendant will be found, but even without it, we are in an excellent position. We can reach this goal. Your wish will be gran
ted, but it requires patience and a lot of it. Take these six months to obsess on the smaller goals you'll need to achieve before being able to seize power, and Tragmont will follow. Without patience, our agenda will fail. You are one step away, and have the ears of the Divoxian Overlords. You can persuade them to take the last few southern mortal kingdoms, then hatch a plot against the state that frames Tragmont and triggers this war. Whether the non-Novanians of Divox wanted it or not before, they need to be one kingdom united. During your time of leave, take advantage of the opportunity. Learn all you can of how Neighraellium behaved and focus on becoming him. You are not Casen, and this is not Gargurthian, Icaz. This will not be easy, but it is far from impossible. Make amends with Laelliandir and convince him his uncle has not become corrupt and hateful. If he forgives you for forcing his mother, your brother’s widow, into marrying a minotaur, then it will serve us well. If not, then once I've proven myself, you'll be stuck relying on me to update you on Bella and Luminear. Use this time to reflect on the main goal."

  After the sentencing, Lonewolf made his argument to Icaz, and Icaz mostly agreed, although they both realized making an ally of Laelliandir was unlikely. He'd lost his father, for starters. Now he must endure the inconceivable. Laelliandir's beloved mother would marry a minotaur, of all creatures, to keep the peace between Lamisdoria and Divox. If the death of a parent by foul play had not enough, Laelliandir was now expected to suffer even more insult to the Javalla family name.

  Regardless of whether Icaz tried to make amends, Lonewolf was determined to reunite with Bella and Luminear. Somehow he had started as a poor adventurer and become a wealthy mercenary, from a champion to an adviser, and he now lived in luxury in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, within a grand tower made for royalty. Even though Lonewolf’s plan was incomplete, he was certain he was precisely where he needed to be.

  With no choice but to move to their new home and claim the defeated lands of Gargurthian, the Javallas packed up and left Magwhen, Luminear and Bella now in their care. Like Neighraellium, Laella had also been given six months of mourning before her wedding date. Many changes happened in the house of Javalla. While Albatros, son of Lamisdoria, became an honored guest of Nova, and was treated like a celebrity in the months leading up to his forced wedding, the Javalla family, along with a small army, took charge in Gargurthian. This was, in part, to secure the borders, but it also kept Neighraellium and Laelliandir far from one another. The Overlords hoped that the distance would help ease the tension between Neighraellium and his family. Ishanna and Pathorus Maelor also claimed gifting Gargurthian to the Javallas would be a blessing that would soften their losses. However, the primary reason for the move had been for Laelliandir and Laella to help rebuild and re-govern the fallen kingdom and set it on a path of righteousness. With Casen gone, the province needed new rulers. The esteemed and influential house of Javalla would take up this mantle and lead Gargurthian into a new era.

  Laelliandir, now the Lord of Gargurthian, and his mother, the ruling Lady, governed the kingdom. Laella and Laelliandir were only leaders by title, for they still made no significant changes without the approval of the Overlords. Albatros would suffer the same fate. Novanian leadership never let any of their lesser Lords and Ladies act on their own accord, and Nova had been running Divox like this for years. People had freedom, but only if the Overlords allowed it. Given Orion’s death and the High Queens abhorrence for Lady Laella, it was a wonder the Overlords had given Gargurthian to Laelliandir and Laella at all.

  Yet, having the Javallas live and manage Gargurthian offered many benefits to those dwelling there. Laelliandir, despite being devastated about the entire ordeal, kept his word and brought Markus and Fern along with them as adopted Javallas. They too would return to Garroth where Luminear, Bella, Markus, and Fern had lived happily in the past. The citizens of Gargurthian would have hope again. The city would be replenished and rebuilt, and criminals would be jailed. In Garroth, the walls would be rebuilt while homes would be restored, enabling families to grow and thrive again.

  Here Bella, Luminear, Markus, and Fern felt safe, and the tension for the girls faded away, while the terrible conditions for the boys disappeared overnight. Just shy of age fifteen by a few months, Luminear and Bella returned to Garroth yet again under different circumstances. Luminear loved it here, and in a short time, Bella was also pleased. The castle of Garroth had been the best place they'd ever lived, and under the care of the Javallas, there was little to complain about. The Javallas treated Luminear and Bella very well, and the two, already familiar with Garroth, had the privilege of escorting and showing Lady Laella and Lord Laelliandir around the castle. They even shared a few secret passages they'd found when living here before. In honesty, save the death of their dear Zynoa, Luminear and Bella found their new life a good one. That's not to say Bella didn't complain, for she often carped about this and that, but Luminear respected and appreciated what the Javallas offered them knowing well enough they didn't have to.

  Most of the private struggles within the house Javalla stayed behind closed doors, and in secret chambers, so the younger crowd was not privy. The young people attended school, but also enjoyed some recreational time. Lady Laella was a strict woman, who, at times, seemed cruel, but it was clear she was in despair. Before her husband died, she had been much lighter and friendlier to everyone, but in the months that followed his death, she didn't come around the children much, leaving their care up to guards, teachers and hired servants. Lady Laella had little to look forward to. A cursed and forced marriage approached while she still wept daily for her darling Orion.

  Luminear and Bella spent most of their free time with Mark and Fern because of the wide age gap between themselves and Laelliandir's younger brothers and sisters. The four orphans had grown close and were nearly inseparable. Without both Zynoa and Lonewolf, the sisters adjusted to their new life. Laelliandir had kept his word to them, and Garroth provided Bella and Luminear a much more stable life. No longer did the sisters need to move from place to place, and an established secure family cared for them. To their knowledge, Icaz was dead, and in time they would see Lonewolf again. While life differed from what Luminear and Bella had been accustomed to, the two had long ago realized their life would never be typical. It didn’t hurt that Markus and Fern were more like them than anyone they had met before.

  The four were the same age, fourteen and closing in on fifteen which meant they shared interests and similar life experiences. Although there were other Javalla children, none of them related to what they had been through except for one. Laelliandir.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  "Oh, it was fine. Learned a bit about Lord Kald today, and the origin of the city, Kald's Rest in class. How's been your day?" Luminear implored on an evening stroll through the courtyard with Laelliandir Javalla. She dressed as Lady Laella expected here in Garroth, in a long flowing green dress with golden embroidery, with her black hair held in place with a clasp. With a gentle smile and caring voice, she reached for the ever-doleful young man's attention. Laelliandir, in his long lavish golden and white robes, could not make peace with all that had happened, so he welcomed the distraction Luminear offered.

  "Reasonable, I suppose. And Kald's Rest has a long history. It was once the capital of Divox,” Laelliandir responded, now enthused. Luminear smiled, watching his interest spark. She realized the history of his nation was one of the few topics Laelliandir always seemed to love discussing.

  "I know,” she answered with a smile. "That's what I learned!" Although she wasn't nearly as interested in such lore, Luminear always sought ways to lift his spirits, the same as she did with everyone. "Will you tell me more about why Magwhen is now the capital?" she asked. Laelliandir took the bait and found himself eager to go into every bit of history he remembered, while Luminear listened as Laelliandir's personal turmoil slipped away in favor of a merrier topic. This was Luminear's strength. Being there for everyone, whether or not they knew what she was doing
.

  Now nearing nineteen, Laelliandir was a few years older than Luminear and Bella, but Luminear was drawn to him sensing his sadness and anger. He was part of her family now. Luminear wanted to be there for them to show appreciation for what she and Bella had been gifted. Bella might have taken it for granted, but Luminear understood just how lucky they were. Laelliandir, at first, kept his distance from them all, but now and then they'd see him wandering the castle halls or window gazing from his high tower. Occasionally, he left in the night to be gone for days. Luminear was more intrigued by the sad young man than Bella, and eventually, she approached him within the castle's courtyard. Here he sat alone, jotting something down in a tome. The way he daydreamed and wrote in his personal pamphlets, reminded Luminear of herself. Her dreams of late had taken on a life of their own, and she wasn't comfortable enough to share them with anyone but seeing the loner in Laelliandir made her sense a kindred spirit that pulled her to him. The attraction was innocent and curious as her heart belonged to the man within her peculiar dreams. Laelliandir was wary of her attempts to befriend him at first, but he soon found something soothing about Luminear that settled his tension. They both shared a love of writing, and Luminear, being the person she was, helped bring a smile to his face and made daily life a little easier on him. As the wedding grew near, Luminear noticed just how distraught and upset he was over the entire ordeal. Laelliandir needed a friend.

  Earlier he had ridden back to Nova to plead for reconsideration of the horrific wedding between his mother and minotaur, but to no avail. He had no choice but to watch helplessly as events unfolded he could not prevent. As their friendship grew, Laelliandir confided in Luminear how he had tried persuading his mother to abandon their home and take refuge elsewhere. His loyalty to Nova had been waning since his father's death and the unjust arranged marriage of his mother. Everything in his life was crumbling. He blamed his uncle for all of it, and often mentioned how he wished him dead. Luminear could relate to the pain but tried to keep him from his darker thoughts. Instead, she encouraged him to focus on what he had instead of what he did not. She promised him her friendship and said she would be there for him any time he wished for a shoulder or an ear. The young lord took her up on this offer more than once. Often, they took strolls together into the city, before or after school, which both enjoyed. However, one person was not so keen on their newfound friendship.