Marcael: A Terraneu Novel, Book Five
Read Marcael: A Terraneu Novel, Book Five Online
Authors: Stormy McKnight
Marcael
(A Terraneu Novel, Book
Five)
By
Stormy McKnight
Disclaimer
Copyright
Pending, Stormy McKnight
Cover
Art by Brandi Doane McCann
Published
by Stormy McKnight
http://www.stormymcknight.com/
Marcael is the fifth book in the Terraneu series. I would advise that the
books be read in order, to enhance the experience. However, I do try to write
them as stand-alone as possible.
Marcael is a work of fiction and the characters,
events, and dialogue found within the story are of the author’s imagination and
are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons,
either living or deceased, is completely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including but not limited to digital copying,
file sharing, audio recording, email and printing without the permission in
writing from the author
.
of Contents
The great city of Hedal
The King was winding his way through the streets of Hedal on his way
home. It had been a futile endeavor to try to talk with the ambassador of
Aekaetum without the Queen present. The latest skirmishes on the western border
needed to stop. The people of Aekaetum must not care that they were allies now.
Sighing the King realized the Aekaetum were a stubborn people and their leaders
would not listen to reason. Though the two countries were bound by marriage, it
seemed not everyone was willing to recognize the alliance.
Coming around a corner the King and his entourage stopped when their path
was blocked. He recognized the square they were in, the Palace was straight
ahead, and this was one of the more popular market areas. At this time of day,
it would be busy but not completely blocked.
“Thaylen can you see what is happening?” He asked the head of his guard.
“It appears to be street beggars fighting my King.” His guard replied.
Sighing over the negative changes in his beloved city since the alliance
with Aekaetum, the King moved his mount until he was able to see the skirmish.
To his amazement there was a smaller boy standing in front of five others, his
arms were out to his sides as if to protect them. He heard the boy’s voice call
out.
“You will have to go through me to get them.” The poor thing could not be
more than nine or ten years. His voice had not even changed yet! In answer to
the boy’s threat a brute of a fellow across from him laughed.
“That will take about one second you gutter rat.” He strode forward with
his weapon drawn, his gang spread out to stand next to their leader. “After I
gut you like a pig, I will take your
girlfriends
that are hiding behind
you to sell in the slave pits of Aekaetum.”
At being called ‘girlfriends’ the boys started to protest, but the little
fellow stopped them with one flick of his hand. The King was impressed the boy
had not let the taunting sway him from his purpose. The little fellow just
stood there waiting to see what move the others made. The lad did not have long
to wait. The King watched as the leader jumped at the boy, swinging his sword
and yelling. One second the man had his weapon, the next he was holding his own
guts as he fell in the dirt. The King had been watching and still could not
believe his eyes. The boy had bent backward farther than a body should be able
to bend, then spinning and hitting the other fellow had forced him to drop his
sword. Picking it up and killing, the fellow had only taken five seconds.
Before the gang of bullies could react, the King ordered his men to clear
the area.
“As you will my King.” Thaylen slid to the ground, the King’s guard
following him. They did not have to say anything, their armor, and cloaks
proclaiming to all who they were. The merchants and citizens of Hedal that had
been standing by watching took a knee as his guard worked their way to the
fight.
“We will gut all of you for that little pig.” The self-appointed new
leader of the gang snarled at the boy.
“No. You won’t.” Thaylen drawled as he hit the fellow over the head with
his sword handle. “That should shut you up.” The other gang members had turned
when Thaylen made his statement and when they saw whom they were facing a few
tried to run but were rounded up by his guard. “Take them to the city hold and
let the Magister decide what to do with them.” Thaylen ordered his men then
turned to see what his King required.
The King noted with surprise that the boy and his friends did not try to
flee. The little fellow had moved to stand protectively in front of the others
yet again. For the whole of the fight, the King realized the boy had not moved
from in front of them. Even when he had grabbed the sword to kill the brute
bullying them, he had managed to stay in front of his fellows. Sliding to the
ground, he made his way to stand in front of the boy. As he approached, they
just stood in the same spot, their faces impassive. When they did not take a
knee or make any kind of move the King just laughed. “Do you know who I am?”
“Judging by your clothes I would say some kind of High Lord.” The boy
answered back, his brown eyes flashing brightly in his gaunt face. Long black
eyelashes fluttered against high cheekbones when the boy blinked away the dirt
flying about the market.
Not minding the impudence in his answer the King asked instead. “What is
your name?” Now that he was close, the King could see that the boy was
extremely dirty. His shirt was about three sizes too big, his pants a few sizes
too small. Torn, dirty, and frayed the King was amazed it was wearable.
“I am called Marcael.” The boy answered.
“Where are your parents?” The King asked even though he knew the answer
he wanted to see what the boy would say.
“I have no parents.” The boy did not cry or tear up, “They are dead to
me.” His voice was emotionless when he made that statement.
“Ah.” The King let out a breath. “That does say a lot.” He smiled down at
the boy.
“What does it say?” The boy snarled up at the King.
Thaylen moved closer his hand going to his weapon. He would never
interfere with his King. He was only moving closer to protect him in case the
little scamp attacked. The King waved his hand and Thaylen moved back.
“You said they were dead to
you
.” The King replied, “Not that they
were dead.”
The boy’s eyes narrowed on the King, his mouth opened then closed against
what he would have said.
The King laughed, he really liked this boy. “How would you like to come
with me? I can give you food, clothing, and training.”
With total disdain the boy said, “I know what old Lords like you want
with young boys. I would not do
that
for all of the food, clothing, and
training in all of Hedal.”
The Kings eyes widened and then he burst out laughing. He laughed so hard
he thought his sides would split. The little beggar had just accused him, the
King of Hedal of either buggery himself or perhaps wanting this little fellow
to sell
into
buggery. The King had not had a conversation this
entertaining in a long time.
When he was able to catch his breath he said, “No boy I am giving you a
chance to leave the streets and come to the palace to train.”
“I was told they only accept noble boys into the palace for training.”
The boy looked at him suspiciously.
“That is not true.” The King smiled kindly. “Would you like to come or
no?”
The boy looked at him for a second longer then turning to look behind him
and back. “I will only go if we are all allowed this chance.”
The King burst out laughing again. The little imp was bargaining for all
his friends too. That showed true loyalty and intelligence for one so small.
“I agree to your terms.” The King said, “Would you like to know my
terms?”
“We are to train to be warriors. Our loyalty will be to our King, to do
as he commands us in all matters. To protect those who are weaker and to give
our lives in the service of our Kingdom if that is what is required. To honor
our King we should value what he values: honesty, loyalty, and valor.” The boy
bent his knee, and his friends did the same. “Is that not close to the vow your
warriors take, my King?”
Astounded again the King bit back his laughter. “You are going to be
entertaining.” He turned to regain the saddle. “Thaylen make sure the boys all
have a ride. I will take Marcael with me.”
“As you will my King.” Thaylen made sure that everyone mounted with a boy
in front of him.
“You will ride with me Marcael.” The King held his hand out for the boy.
Seeing uncertainty in the boy’s eyes for the first time was a surprise. “I do
value honesty, loyalty, and valor above all things.” He told the boy. “But you
forgot one thing in your vow that I value even more...family.” The King smiled
again, “By blood or by choice I value those I call
family
.” Grabbing the
small hand in his the King helped him into the saddle. “I have sons by birth,
five strong boys who are training for their duties. However, I also have sons
by choice. The men of my guard are such sons. You will be one of those
Marcael.” Holding the boy steady against his armored chest he whispered, “You
may even earn the right to be my Knoet’un.”
“The King’s First Knight?” Marcael whispered. “I vow I will my King. I
will be your Knoet’un.”
The King wanted to laugh at the fervor in the boy’s words, but when he
saw the glowing certainty in the boy’s eyes, he just smiled instead.
Marcael would go on to be the youngest Kings Knoet’un in the history of
Hedal. He had many titles by the time he was done. Legendary warrior, faithful
Kings Guard, traitor, infidel...
murderer of the last great King of Hedal.