Witches and Kings

Book Two

by J. H. Wear

The two feuding orders of witches study a prophesy that forecasts the rise of a great evil. Their reluctance to join together is accented when peace is broken, and war breaks out between two warring kingdoms.

Prince Terrowin, the youngest son of King Grayson, is forced into exile, when the Kingdom of Dwykath attacks the Kingdom of Allisure. Magic is used in the bloody battle, signifying the evil force, controlled by Master Diablo, will use any means to win. Terrowin travels to the remote parts of the world, waiting for a time he can return to reclaim his heritage.

As an evil force asserts control of the land, Dorian of the Dark Rose witches, and his step-sister, Ayleth of the White Rose order, conspire to fight the evil forces. They know they must reunite the two orders of witches, and need the help of Prince Terrowin, if and when he returns.

Excerpt

Chapter One

“Mother, hurry. I want to have a good spot to see them.”

“We have plenty of time.” Ululla took her daughter’s offered hand and smiled. Ayleth had busied herself earlier that morning, brushing her long, golden hair and even rubbed a pink pigment made from flowers on her cheeks. Ululla didn’t know why she was so eager to see the king and the royal family when they came to visit the city of Jital.

The witches in King Grayson’s Kingdom normally avoided direct contact with the king and the king’s army, wanting to show they were independent of the laws of the kingdom. Although the Allisure Kingdom was one of the kingdoms that allowed witches to operate freely, recognizing them as a positive influence. That contrasted with the Dwykath Kingdom, who wanted to exterminate any witches within its borders.

Ayleth and Ululla stepped out of the terradomus into the bright sunlight and made their way down the stone pathway to the street. As Ululla expected, there was plenty of space for them to stand alongside the cobblestone roadway. They picked a spot to stand, and Ayleth immediately peered down the street, showing her anxiety as she twisted a wood carving in her hand.

“What is that you have in your hand, dear?” She saw a small piece of carved wood with a leather cord attached to it.

“An Ego Taue.” Ayleth looked up at her. “I asked Brother Ukail to make it for me.”

“I see. Ego Taue means ‘I am yours’. Are you planning to give it to the king?”

“No. How much longer will they be?”

“It will be a while longer.” She traced her fingers through her daughter’s hair. Even at twelve, her beauty is showing. She’s going to be a beautiful woman. Too soon for my liking. She looked across the street and saw Orienla standing with her son, Dorian. Ululla offered a smile and a wave at them. Dorian was Ayleth’s stepbrother, and the two got along very well. Ululla’s husband, Alric, had become a positive influence on his son, wanting the two families to spend time together. Ululla was at first apprehensive, worried that Orienla’s good looks would make him feel tempted by the ex-lover, but those fears never materialized into a problem. As time passed, Ululla became friends with Orienla as well. What prevented the families from becoming even closer were the restrictions placed by the two competing orders of witches. The Whiterose and Darkrose witches tolerated each other, sometimes supported each other, but at other times battled with each other. Their distrust with each other manifested in subtle ways. In this case, they stood on opposite sides of the street to view the royal procession.

Time passed as a lonely cloud drifted overhead, giving a short period of shade. The king's entourage made its way in the distance, cheered by the people, as the sun reappeared. First were four uniformed horsemen, riding as pairs, ahead of the royal carriage. Inside the decorated, open carriage sat the king and queen. They waved at the cheering population. Following the carriage was another smaller one. The open carriage held the two princesses, who giggled and waved enthusiastically. A governess tried to keep them from jumping up and down on the seat cushions.

Following the second carriage on horseback were the four princes. They were more reserved in their waves but appeared to enjoy the attention of the townspeople. Foot soldiers walked next to the princes, ensuring the crowd stayed away. Following the princes were four more horsemen. Like the lead horsemen, their hands were on the hilt of their swords, ready to protect the royal family in the unlikely event there was an attack. The population loved and respected the king and trouble wasn’t expected.

The first of the horsemen came by Ululla and Ayleth, and the crowd increased their cheering, with shouts of ‘Long live the king!’

Ululla noticed Brother Bruhamoff was standing close by. She saw tension in his face, as if the royal family was of significant emotional experience to him. Ululla didn’t notice Ayleth had slipped away until she heard the crowd gasp. She saw Ayleth step forward toward the royal family.

The foot soldiers looked at lost what to do as the slim, blonde girl walked past them and straight to the last prince. Prince Terrowin stopped his horse and stared at her. He bent, reaching with his hand to take her offered gift. She spoke to him, and he nodded, looking surprised.

Ayleth turned around and returned to her mother.

Ululla heard the crowd buzz with excited whispers. The young girl had broken all protocol in approaching the prince and the guards acted as if she had the right to do so, not even offering a verbal warning to stop.

“You gave him the Ugo Taue. What did you say to him?”

“I will wait for him until the time is right.”

“What made you say that and give him the Ego Taue?”

“Mother, don’t you understand?” She looked up at her. “Prince Terrowin will be my husband someday. He needs to know that.”

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