Showing posts with label #PalaceoftheThreeCrosses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #PalaceoftheThreeCrosses. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Palace of the Three Crosses



Palace of the Three Crosses


Christina Weigand




Excerpt:


A loud, obnoxious soldier on the other side of the room loudly expressed his feelings about the recent war and the funeral. “I think things’re going to get a sorry sight worse now that Theodric’s left us. Those boys of his couldn’t rule their way out of his crown. Joachim may be a small site better than his brother, Brandan, but I still think we’s in serious trouble ’fore things get better. Only Asha knows what’ll happen in Mahorg, ’specially if they send the whelp Brandan back there. He's already betrayed his family and Crato and run away with his tail tucked ‘tween his legs. Who's to say he won' do it again? Sides, I heard tell he was in bed with Sidramah along with his minion Waldrom and those dirty little Mantions. Yessir, this country's headed for trouble with those boys running it.”
Visibly incensed, Brandan stood up, took a swig of goll, and marched over to the blowhard. “You should watch what you say and where you say it. Your job and life could be called into question.”
“And who are you to question me, whelp? Maybe you should run back to your mother’s skirts and leave this business to us grownups.”
“Do you know who you are talking to, soldier?”
“Get on with you, back to your mummy.”
Brandan reached for his sword, but Joachim grabbed his arm before he could draw it. Brandan swung around and knocked Joachim to the floor. Joachim came up swinging and hit his brother in the jaw. Brandan punched him in the stomach and pushed him into the bar. The soldier grabbed a walking stick leaning against the wall, raised it over his head, and brought it down on Joachim's right arm. White hot pain screamed through his body as Joa slumped to the floor only vaguely aware of the action around him. He cradled his injured right arm with his left hand. Lukan came up behind and grabbed the man’s arms. He pinned them behind his back while Brandan hit the soldier in the stomach. The barkeep came out from behind the bar, seized the walking stick, and threatened to hit anyone who moved.
“Lukan, you had best take your guests home.”
Lukan released the drunken soldier. “Oliver, it’s time you get home to your pregnant wife. You don’t know whom you have insulted here, and if these boys want, they could see you lose your job or your life, for what you have said and done here tonight. This is Prince Joachim and Prince Brandan you've attacked.”
The barkeeper bent down and looked at Joachim. “Lukan, better get a healer here fast. He's not looking too good.”
Lukan ran out the door and soon returned with Rupert, who immediately bent down and examined the injured arm.
“Sire, I think we need to get you to a master healer. Your bone appears to be shattered, and there is extensive bleeding from the gash in the back of your head.  You need the attention of someone who can do more than I. Lukan, carry him to his horse. Brandan, come on and help out here.”
The agony in his arm intensified with the movement, and Joachim welcomed the darkness of oblivion.
* * * *
Lukan left the room carrying Joachim, with Rupert and Brandan following. Once outside, they found a wagon parked in the alley beside the tavern and gently laid Joachim in it rather than heave him onto his horse. Lukan got in the driver's seat.
Rupert patted the horse and directed him toward the palace. He turned to Brandan. “What happened? What are you even doing out here without an escort? Have you no sense in your fool head? Your brother could be crippled for life and all because of some foolish plan of yours.”
“No, Rupert, it was Joa's idea to come here. He needed to get away from the gloom and doom of the palace. He invited me to come along. That big oaf, Oliver started mouthing off about how we couldn’t even rule our way out of Father’s crown like we were a couple of spoiled brats without the good sense Asha gave us. I couldn’t listen to it anymore. I tried to convince him to be quiet…then Joachim came over. I pushed him out of the way to protect him from Oliver, and he came back and hit me. I pushed him away again. Then that crazy Oliver grabbed a walking stick and hit Joa as his arm landed on the bar. Lukan grabbed him and stopped everything. It was only then I realized how badly Joa was hurt and sent Lukan to get you.”
Watching Rupert’s silent reaction, Brandan was relieved. He had dodged another swipe of the sword.
When they got back to the palace, they found Joachim already in his quarters being tended by the royal healer with Maeve at his bedside. When Brandan came in, she ran over and hit him on the chest. “What were you thinking? How could you do this to him? He may never be able to use his arm again.”
“I didn't do it.” Brandan grabbed her wrists. “It was a drunken soldier who started everything. If he had kept his big mouth shut, none of this would have happened. This isn't my fault.”
“How can you say that? Even if you didn’t hit him, you caused this. He was probably trying to keep you out of trouble. You are so good at deflecting blame and not taking responsibility for your actions. I think you should leave.”
“He’s my brother. I have more right than you do to be here. You aren’t married to him. You're a Kningrad, no more; maybe you should be the one to leave.”
Master Adept Rupert stepped between the two of them. “If you don’t stop this bickering, both of you will leave. Let’s wait and see what the healer can do. In the meantime, you both can remain…but quietly.”
The prince took a seat in a nearby chair. Maeve went back to Joa's bedside, but soon moved a bit farther away to allow the healer more room to work.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, the healer moved away from Joachim. “I have done all I can. The radius and ulna bones are shattered. I’m not sure whether he will ever regain full use of it. There is too much damage for me to repair it all. Fortunately, for him, he’s left-handed; so once his right arm has sufficiently healed, he’ll still be able to fight along with other things requiring arms.”
“Are you sure there is nothing more you can do, not even some magic?” Rupert asked.
“No, Master Rupert. You should know better than to ask. I have done all that is humanly possible. He’ll live, if that is the will of Asha. I cannot do magic requiring extraordinary measures that go beyond ensuring his survival. If Asha wills it, then the arm will heal properly, but it is not for me to say or do.”
“You’re right, and I know it. Wishful thinking on my part. He will live, and that’s what is most important. The rest is up to Asha.”
The conversation did not satisfy Brandan. Why couldn't they perform a little magic and heal Joa's smashed arm? If Sidramah were in control, he would heal Joa's arm and make him better than ever. How could the healers settle for only partial recovery? Why didn’t they want it all?
Brandan stood and stalked out of the room. 

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Monday, March 11, 2019

Palace of the Three Crosses: Book Two


Palace of the Three Crosses

Christina Weigand





Brandan and Joachim have returned from the brink of Hell, but everyone questions if they are truly healed and one with Asha.
As each prince tries to readjust to life, they must face the funeral of their father and their missing mother.
They each take on the responsibility of ruling a country with new wives by their sides, but can they and the countries survive the trials that will ensue because of their choices?




Queen Maeve






Queen Magda/Gudrun





Excerpt

Rupert looked through the window in his tower room at the landscape of Wyrzburg. Months had passed since the Battle of Harable Valley and the spring planting season faded into the wonderful summer growing season. The land progressed in its healing and would soon be returned to its former state. As he turned from the window, he thought about the things that hadn’t healed…the twins. Brandan and Joachim still had a long way to go to erase the darkness that infected them. Joachim seemed better, but at night he still dreamed of Sidramah, and the doubts about what happened still haunted him. Brandan appeared even further from the boy that left to find his brother. The darkness appeared to follow him day and night. He withdrew to chambers as far away from Joachim as he could get.

Walking down the stairs to the great hall, Rupert remembered when the princes first returned; both had seemed healed and better than ever, maybe. But it appeared as if the tentacles of Sidramah still lingered. Any small opening the evil one could find, he exploited, and both boys were once again haunted by dark dreams.


 Palace of Twelve Pillars





Excerpt II

 “We could have been one happy family, but now, I have to kill the two of you along with Lilia. You brats have put me in disfavor with Sidramah, and the only way to regain his favor is to get rid of all three of you. I had hoped to spare at least one, but alas, that is now impossible. The only question is…who’s first? The time has come for a decision.”



Brandan stood beside Joachim, his face working with barely controlled rage. He lunged toward Waldrom.

Waldrom sensed the presence of magic and glanced behind him. Rupert and Lukan stood at his back. He grabbed Lilia and pulled her close, placing his short sword at her throat. “I suggest you stop, or I will cut her throat,” he warned Brandan. To emphasize his point, he pressed the sword against her skin puncturing her flesh.
Brandan, took another step.

“I wouldn’t do that, unless you want your mother's corpse on your hands.”

Joachim wanted to run to Lilia, but his head whirled. Stars floated in front of his eyes, their motion making him sick with dizziness. He stepped up to stand beside Brandan. “Waldrom, I’m afraid you’re mistaken. First, you’re outnumbered. Second, what makes you think you can use Mother to blackmail us? Let her go, and we’ll discuss your surrender. I don’t want to kill you.”

Brandan pushed Joachim aside. “You may not, brother, but I do. He’ll stop at nothing to destroy me. I can’t let that happen.” 

A group of Brandan's personal guard came charging down the hall. Waldrom pushed the sword point a little further into Lilia's throat. “I see you boys still don’t agree on anything. I suggest you stop the group of soldiers from attacking me. Rupert, I know you’re back there, trying to form a spell to stop me. That wouldn’t be a good idea either.”

The tableau unfolded before Joachim's eyes. Waldrom, in the center of the circle holding Lilia with a short sword slicing her throat and Brandan, his long sword drawn, advancing on Waldrom. Rupert and Lukan with sword drawn, stood motionless behind Waldrom. Conflicting voices rang in Joa's head. “Kill them all. You don’t need them.” Other voices calling, “Joachim save them.”

Lukan yelled, “Sire, watch out behind you.”

Joachim started and turned as a Mantion rushed him. He pulled his short sword from his scabbard. The attacker reached him. The king swung his weapon cutting and angering the Mantion. The foe sliced Joachim's knees with his knife, leaving a gash in his thigh. Joachim doubled over in pain. The Mantion leapt on his back and pummeled the king. The weight of the attacker lifted from his back. Joachim fearfully turned his head, expecting to see the Mantion standing over him ready to deliver the kill stroke. Instead, Brandan stood with the Mantion dead at his feet and Waldrom frozen behind him.

“What happened? I felt sure I was dead. And what happened to Waldrom?”

Brandan offered a hand to help Joachim to his feet. “I couldn’t let that Mantion kill you. I skewered him and cast a freezing spell. Let’s clean up this mess and get Waldrom and his pets locked in the dungeon until we can figure out what to do with him.”

“Think again young wizard.” Waldrom’s voice echoed down the long hall. “I believe your magic has failed. Then again, we shouldn’t be surprised. You always struggled with your spells.”

Brandan turned slowly to face Waldrom. Joachim could not support his own weight and slumped to the floor again.

“See, you haven’t even helped your brother. You foolish boy. You are useless, and I think it is time to rid the world of your worthless life. But first, let me get rid of everyone you treasure and failed. I’ll finish off your weak excuse of a brother. Then you can watch your mother die, and finally…I will put you out of your misery.” Waldrom pointed a bony finger at Joachim.

Joachim screamed as pain rolled over his body. Blood spurted from his ears and the scar on his neck. “Asha help me!” he prayed.
Fighting the waves of agony, he stood and drew his long sword. “You won’t hurt anyone in ever again. End this now! Surrender. Release Mother and I will see that you are treated mercifully.”
Brandan blocked Joachim's path. “This isn’t your battle. Let me finish this.”

 “No. We must stand as one to defeat this evil.” Joachim winced when he stepped forward, and blood spurted from the wound in his leg. “We must do this together. It’s the only way we can defeat him, as one with Asha.”

Waldrom laughed. Pulling Lilia closer, he pushed the sword deeper into her throat.

Joachim's scar tingled at the memory of his own injury. Waldrom had started it, Brandan finished it. “You can’t trust Brandan. Leave him and stand with me. I am your only hope.” Joachim shook his head. “I am here for you my son. Stand with Brandan.” The voices argued in his mind.

Joachim glanced down the hallway. Lukan was back, leading a group of Joachim’s personal guard toward Waldrom. Soon, Lukan stood directly behind Waldrom with a sword to his back.

“Let go of the queen and submit peacefully,” Lukan ordered.
Waldrom laughed. “You think your silly little soldiers will stop me from getting what I came for.”

Joachim took a step toward him. “Waldrom, you’re surrounded. Don’t you see how hopeless this is?”

“How quickly you pathetic boys forget. I’m Sidramah's Anointed One. With that comes great power.” Waldrom waved his free hand, and Lukan fell to his knees.

“You think you can take me captive and not use magic to do it? Of course, we have already seen that Brandan's magic is powerless. Joachim, you‘ve some silly notion you shouldn’t use your magic against me. So, it seems as if I’m the one with control here, not you.”








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