The War of the Gilded Beasts Read online

  When Yarma reached the mermaids, she greeted them with sign language, saying, “Greetings, friends of the sea. I come bringing fruits from the surface. What do you have to offer in exchange today?”

  The mermaid holding the net swam forward and, with sign language, replied, “We offer the Surface Folk an assortment of fish and mollusks you have no access to.”

  Yarma and the lead mermaid traded nets and mutually said, “Farewell, friend.”

  After that those unspoken words, Yarma and the mermaids parted ways, with the mermaids descending into the clear depths and Yarma swimming back to the surface. Within minutes, Yarma breached the surface and saw her cog drifting a couple of yards away. Inside the cog were Yarma’s personal bodyguards, who wore scale and leather armor that resembled like fish scales and light helms with poleaxes in their hands. The cog’s sail bore the sigil of House Ganjol, a white leaping dolphin on a blue field.

  When Yarma climbed aboard, her guards looked at her hopeful faces and she assured them, “The trade is complete. Our alliance with the mermaids remains strong. Return us to Unmeld Harbor.”

  The guards sighed at Yarma’s words and prepared the cog for the return journey back. While her guards tended the sails and steering, Yarma laid down on deck and basked in the warm sun. The light was welcoming and gave Yarma a sense of hope for the future that awaited her. For eight years of her life, Yarma had met with her betrothed, Prince Caelum Magnus. Yarma was always an adventurous girl while Caelum was a timid scholar. It was a chemistry that charmed her because she always enjoyed teasing Caelum to come out of his comfort zone. Yarma smiled at the thought of spending the rest of her married life pestering her husband. She remembered meeting the future brides of Caelum’s brothers over the years and looked forward to seeing them again. Even though they were marrying the Magnus brothers for political reasons and may have had doubts about marrying their future spouses, Yarma did not care about the politics and was eager to be Caelum’s wife.

  Sighing, Yarma reached out towards the sun and softly said, “Caelum.”

  After a couple of hours, Yarma’s and her entourage woke her up, saying, “Your Highness, we’re here!”

  Yarma sat up and saw they had reached Unmeld Harbor, Aemarr’s capital city. It was a beautiful port city filled with many markets and hundreds of cogs. Behind the city were lush rainforests and jungles as far as the eye could see. Unmeld Harbor was a paradise that welcomed traders from all across the Empire. Everything from gold, grain, silk, wine and countless other commodities flowed into and out of the city. The atmosphere that enveloped the harbor was one of joy, ambition, and opportunity.

  Resting outside of the harbor was Gymber Castle. Gymber Castle was situated on an island that was a natural fortress with high sea cliffs surrounding the castle. The only way in or out of the castle was a single port that connected Gymber Castle with Unmeld Harbor. Gymber itself a relatively modest stronghold with four wooden towers, palisade walls, and a firm yet simple keep in the center, all made from palm trees. Apparently, Gymber Castle relied more on the defenses of its island for protection than its own walls.

  As Yarma and her guards approached Gymber Castle, Yarma noticed her mother, Queen Baela Ganjol, and her cousin, Prince Thanon. The Queen of Aemarr was gaunt with flowing silver hair and blind eyes. Resting on top of her head was a mother-of-pearl crown that was decorated with silver pearls and points made from the teeth of a great white shark. Baela wore robes made from fine aqua-colored silk along with a necklace and bracelets made from seashells. Thanon was a couple of years younger than Yarma and was an athletic youth with shoulder-length hair and piercing eyes. The pair were enjoying a group of dancers with drums and lutes playing in the background.

  When Yarma and her entourage docked, Thanon leapt with joy at the sight of his cousin, shouting, “Yarma! You’re back!”

  Smiling, Yarma got off of her cog and approached her kin, answering, “Aye. I’m back and I bring good tidings from our allies under the sea. They accepted the trade and remain on good terms with us.”

  Rolling his eyes, Thanon said, “Why is this so important? All you did was give those fish-heads some fruit. What’s so special about that?”

  Despite her blindness, Queen Baela smacked Thanon over the head and chided, “It is a tradition the Aemarran people have maintained for over ten thousand years. As sea creatures, the mermaids have no access to the fruits of the surface. In addition, the mermaids provide us with deep sea fish and crustaceans our fishermen can’t reach. As long as we trade these treasures with the mermaids, they will permit us to fish their waters at a reasonable amount. That is why we have kept our kingdom and our fishing lifestyle for so long. All it will take is one lapse in the pact for everything to descend into chaos. If that happens, the mermaids will thwart every attempt to fish and trade, which will starve and bankrupt this kingdom overnight. Every Aemarran has this obligation, which includes you too, Thanon!”

  Softly scowling, Thanon replied, “Yes, Auntie Baela.”

  Unable to contain herself, Yarma professed, “I am eager for the wedding up north! I can’t wait for me and Caelum to be together!”

  Raising an eyebrow, Baela said, “Our pact with House Magnus was for Caelum to be your husband, not your plaything.”

  Shrugging, Yarma protested, “Can’t he be both? I do adore teasing him.”

  Returning to business, Baela explained, “We will be leaving in the morning to rendezvous with the other northern kingdoms. In one week, Caelum will be yours, my daughter.”

  Smiling mischievously, Yarma said, “I look forward to it.”

  ______

  Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Storuuk, Princess Freya Donard rose on a proud unicorn with a spear in hand. Freya was a wild and feral beauty with shaggy jet-black hair, sky-blue eyes, and a honed build with scars earned from countless hunts. Around her were her fellow hunters, who were riding unicorns of their own and wielding spears and crossbows. Running with the hunters were packs of hounds that ran so fast that they seemed like blurs on the forest floor. Ahead of the party was a sprinting, stag-like Megaloceros, which was more than twice the size of a normal deer.

  The Megaloceros’s stride was wider and more graceful than most prey in the forest. Its giant antlers resembled great tree branches while its fur was a dark brown with white speckles. Still, as agile as the Megaloceros was, it was starting to slow down from exhaustion. Freya and her companions had been hunting the creature for days, chasing it multiple times to wear it down. Now they were finally reaching the end of their arduous game of cat-and-mouse.

  One of the hounds caught up with the Megaloceros and bit down hard on one of its ankles. The giant deer squealed in pain before kicking the hound away. However, even though the Megaloceros fended off the dog, the struggle caused it to stumble and slip. With her prey off balance, Freya threw her spear into the Megaloceros’s side. The deer yelped grossly as blood started to drip from its mouth. Freya’s other hunters also launched their own spears and arrows at their quarry until the Megaloceros went down permanently.

  With the hunt over, Freya and her companions surrounded the dead Megaloceros and dismounted. They drew their daggers and started butchering their kill where it lay, the hounds watching hungrily. The group talked amongst themselves in a language that was borderline musical, gruff, and relied a lot of usage of the throat while speaking. It was an old tongue that was spoken by their ancestors, the Homantians. It was the language of Homani from the fallen continent. Out of all the kingdoms in the Empire, only the people of Storuuk still spoke Homani while the rest of the Empire adopted a crisper and more refined Common Tongue.

  “That was a superb spear throw, Your Highness!” one hunter exclaimed.

  Mirthlessly, Freya scoffed, “Bah! That Megaloceros was weaker than most. It is getting harder to find a worthwhile quarry to hunt these days.”

  One of the younger hunters commented, “What will we do if the day ever comes when there is nothing left to hunt?”

&nbs
p; Scowling, an older hunter sarcastically suggested, “We could use trade like our soft and weak neighbors do.”

  Firmly, Freya declared, “We are a kingdom of hunters. Hunting is our way of life regardless of the circumstances. Nothing is ever going to change that. The other kingdoms may train to fight in their courtyards and their tournaments, but we get our training in our woods and battle everything in our path. That is a life worth living!”

  Suddenly, the ground started to shake under their feet for several moments. Despite the continuous rumbling, Freya and her companions were not alarmed. Not even the hounds were afraid. In fact, the dogs were excited by the noise. These small quakes were common throughout Storuuk. They were a sign that the humans’ neighbors were approaching.

  Out of the trees emerged a male giant. The giant was about twelve feet tall and wore clothing completely made of animal hides decorated with animal bones. He was physically strong and stout with powerful four fingered hands as well as long, shaggy hair that was colored gray, black, and brown. His face looked human, but his features were broader, his nose larger, and his mouth wider. A crude sword that somewhat resembled a falchion hung from his furry belt and he carried a collection of thick logs under his left arm. When the giant smiled, a pair of long canines could be seen amidst his rough teeth.

  Waving, Freya said, “Good morning, Urrluk!”

  As the giant answered in Homani, his voice was deep and growling. “Good morning, Your Highness!”

  After that greeting, Urrluk continued on his way through the dense woodland. With the giant gone, Freya and her companions continued butchering the Megaloceros.

  ______

  Freya and her hunting party returned to Motkar Hall, the capital of Storuuk. While all of the castles in Storuuk were of motte-and-bailey design, Motkar Hall was in a league of its own. Tall and thick wooden palisades surrounded a large bailey that housed a modest town. Hunters from all across the kingdom gathered to trade food, ivory, and furs, among other items. At the center of the town was a great castle that resembled a mead hall and was constructed from red-gold wood. The castle sat at the top of a manmade hill and was encircled by a dry moat. Hanging from the towers and battlements were the banners of House Donard, a bronze rampant bear on a green field.

  While traversing the town, Freya spotted her older brother Marek Donard. Marek was a hulking young man with thick arms, broad chest, and sinewy shoulders. His coarse black hair flowed over his neck while his blue eyes possessed a welcoming glimmer. The Prince of Storuuk was amongst the townspeople near the tavern, drinking horn cups filled with ale and singing ancient songs of honor and glory. Freya scowled at her brother’s behavior. Even though Marek was a strong warrior in his own right, Freya always found him to be too soft to be a member of House Donard.

  Upon crossing the drawbridge into the keep, Freya and her fellow hunters entered halls that were just as wooden as the outside of the building. The walls were decorated with the skulls and antlers of numerous animals House Donard hunted. Also, there were weapons of fallen members of House Donard put on display along the corridors.

  At the end of the mead hall, sitting in a simple oaken throne, was Queen Aurren Donard. The Queen of Storuuk had the demeanor of a hardened warrior and goddess of war. Her muscular arms and shoulders carried the scars of countless battles and hunts. A cloak made from wolf pelts hung from her shoulders while the rest of her outfit consisted of boiled leather. Her face was rough and he black hair had started to gray. Over her right eye was a crudely made eyepatch, while her left eye was deep blue. Resting on top of her brow was a crown that was a wooden circlet decorated with stag antlers. Leaning against the right side of Aurren’s throne was a great battle axe with Ferruman blades.

  Upon seeing Freya enter, Aurren gave her signature sneer and said, “Welcome, my daughter.”

  Nodding, Freya added, “And I brought tonight’s dinner, mother.”

  “I see your skills are still sharp. If given the chance, you would make a good commander in the field.”

  “I hope to one day please you, mother. I just wish Marek was as eager as I am. On the way here, I caught him wasting his time in the tavern. Can you make him take his duties as a prince more seriously?”

  Chuckling, Queen Aurren said, “Marek is a great warrior and hunter. Storuuk is a kingdom of warriors and hunters. Whatever he does when he is not fighting and hunting is not my concern. There is a reason why our family’s sigil is a bear. Bears are strong fighters and ferocious predators, but even they need to be lazy from time to time. Marek embodies that philosophy and that makes him fit for the crown. You need to stop being so serious and uptight, my daughter. You should join your brother in the tavern sometime. It will bring you closer to the people and relax your mind.”

  Scowling, Freya countered, “I see your logic, mother, but I am more comfortable out in the woods hunting or beating anyone who crosses my path.”

  Raising an eyebrow, Aurren asked, “Are you going to be this difficult when you marry Vaeron Magnus next week?”

  Smiling, Freya said, “I won’t be difficult with Vaeron at all. He is just as passionate about hunting as I am. He is a strong rogue who is nothing like the other barons and princes I met. I cannot wait to bring him here and hunt for the greatest game Storuuk has to offer. Maybe he will give me a ride on his dragon.”

  Grinning, Aurren commented, “I am pleased that you are excited, Freya.”

  ______

  Deep underground, Queen Mya Barran relaxed in a hot spring. A cloud of steam hung from the ceiling as the water boiled. Mya was lithe and willowy with short blue hair and amber eyes. The chamber the hot spring was in was a large room carved out of glittering granite. Sitting on the edge of the hot spring were Mya’s sky-blue gown and her ancestral crown. Mya’s crown was a roughly forged circlet made from iron and decorated with finely carved obsidian shards and five flame-shaped spikes. Mya sighed blissfully as the water soothed her muscles and joints.

  As Mya basked in the nurturing heat of the hot spring, she thought about what was going to unfold the following week. Her family had endured so much hardship and they sought for a solution to arrest their decline. Now that solution was about to come to fruition.

  Mya’s ten-year-old younger brother, Ronald Barran, entered the chamber in the traditional blue and silver garb of a prince of Varland. Even though Mya was eight years older than Ronald, Ronald was wise beyond his years. Like Mya, Ronald had deep blue hair and amber eyes, though his were a darker shade.

  Irritated, Mya asked, “Can’t you see I am bathing?”

  “Sorry sister, but I came to report that all of the preparations are made for the journey north.”

  Shrugging, Mya said, “Well, that’s good. Turn away for a moment and we will discuss this further.”

  Ronald did as he was told and faced the nearest wall while Mya rose from the hot spring and put on her gown and crown. After Mya was dressed, she and Ronald walked out of the steaming chamber and down a series of rough hallways. Eventually, the siblings reached a vast hall with magnificently crafted stone statues and iron weapons and armor from fallen kings and queens. Hanging from the ceiling were tapestries that bore the sigil of House Barran, a flaming volcano on an orange field. Mya and Ronald kept walking until the came to a wide balcony, where they were greeted by the extraordinary view of their kingdom.

  Varland was a unique land filled with green farmland along the coast and ashen hills further inland. Scattered across the hills were pools of lava, where miners shoveled the raw ore for iron and steel. Multiple stone castles rested on top of extinct volcanos while a few modest villages peppered the landscape. Laying before Mya and Ronald’s castle, Kaebonar, was the wealthy city of Gabbo Town, which was a walled settlement filled with masterfully constructed buildings. Kaebonar Castle itself was a sturdy stronghold with high curtain walls and surrounded by a dry moat full of iron spikes.

  As the Barran siblings surveyed their realm, Ronald asked, “Are you sure you want to marry Daeg
aer Magnus?”

  “What I want is irrelevant. As Queen of Varland, I have an obligation to put our kingdom and dynasty before my own desires. Our House has been declining in recent years until only the two of us remained. If I do not marry Daegar and secure an alliance with Umbran, I will not be able to arrest our family’s decline.”

  “I’m asking you not as Queen of Varland. I am asking you as my sister. Do you really want to marry Daegar Magnus?”

  Mya paused for a moment before replying, “No. I don’t want to marry Daegar. He may be a great warrior, but he can be a dumb brute sometimes. However, I also don’t want our family to fade into obscurity because I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my desires for the greater good.”

  Taking his sister’s hand, Ronald assured, “If Daegar gives you any trouble, I will be there to protect you.”

  Smiling, Mya said, “I am lucky to have a good brother like you.”

  CHAPTER 5

  Emperor Autem III Sylva sat in the sauna, contemplating on recent events. The sauna was an enormous cavern with glittering walls and steaming hot springs. Like all the chambers in the Imperial Palace, the sauna was large enough to occupy an army. Autem was not alone in the sauna, as several of his courtiers were enjoying the relaxing steam and waters.

  Autem looked at his body with disgust and worry. After eighteen years of contributing to his wife Agatha’s blood magic, his body and health started to slowly deteriorate. Autem’s skin became translucent, faintly revealing some of his veins and muscles while developing severe scoliosis that twisted his spine sideways. Despite being forty years of age, Autem looked twice as old, with his silver hair becoming bone-white and his aqua-colored eyes turning glassy. To make matters worse, he felt his stamina start to fade. Autem could still fight like he did in his prime, but he could only keep it up for a few minutes.