Prologue

Two Years Ago

(Set at the exact same time as the prologue in Book One)

A young man stood in the shadows of the northern fort, hidden safely from the rays of the two moons that were dancing a brilliant path over the long grassy plains and rolling hills of Centaurea. When the wind blew in his direction, he could hear the sounds of the mountain clanswomen singing as they went about their evening chores. He could also smell the scent of the purple small flower the mountain clanswomen had brought with them eight years earlier, and which was now responsible for the name of the land they all stood on.

A sole figure climbed the stone steps, their identity hidden by the cloak and hood that surrounded their body. They moved slowly, steps shuffled, but nothing could hide their distinct chesty cough and familiar smell of tobacco that was embedded into their skin.

The young man smiled and swept a hand through his red hair. He knew who approached.

“Julus,” the old man said simply in greeting.

“Master Ren,” Julus answered.

He was impressed. Master Ren held his grandson in his hands. It was a mean feat at his old age to hold a child at the same time as navigating the narrow winding stairs. The young boy was a curious six-year-old with tosseled red hair and vibrant green eyes. Julus took him from Master Ren, who was just like a grandfather to him as well, and allowed the old man to catch his breath. Julus swung the young boy round and helped him sit on the wall of the tower, keeping a strong protective arm around the child’s waist.

“The mountain women sound more joyful than usual,” Julus commented after several moments.

“Indeed,” Master Ren replied. “They celebrate an additional life into their clan today. A baby boy, I have been told.”

“Wonderful news!” Julus exclaimed, and then his smile fell away. “It could be a while before another is born with the mountain men now captive in the Keglar Kingdom.”

“That is true,” Master Ren agreed sadly, casting his old eyes in the mountain women’s direction. “But as you know, they are welcome to stay for as long as they like. May the mountain clansmen escape and reunite with their tribe.”

“Why do we like the mountain clanswomen so much?” the young boy suddenly enquired, surprising both Julus and Master Ren that he had been taking heed of their conversation.

“The land of Centaurea owes everything to the mountain clan tribes,” Master Ren spoke, wisely and kindly. “They gave us the cure to the plague: the Centaurea Mountain Flower. They helped us learn how to grow and cultivate it. When The Others ran, they stayed. That is why we return their gracious kindness and help them now.”

“Their men are fierce warriors,” Master Ren continued. “How brave and strong! They allowed their women to flee when the Keglar soldiers slowly encroached on their lands, starving them out. They sacrificed themselves so their women could survive. Who knows what would have happened, if the Keglar soldiers had gotten their hands on them?”

Neither spoke for they both knew what would have happened to the mountain clanswomen.

“The Others?” the young boy asked. He had heard the story before, but obviously he wanted to hear it again.

“The Others: The Brandeen Royal Family,” Julus spat in disgust.

“The Royal Family ruled our lands before the plague, but they were only interested in helping themselves,” Master Ren explained. “You were not born, so you do not know how we suffered. The Brandeen Royal Family never stayed and fought for their people. They fled, leaving the Brandeen people to fight for themselves. Alone, scared and sick, the people fought to hold on, and they held on with all their might.”

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“The people revolted,” Julus continued for Master Ren, his voice thick with enthusiasm. “Amongst the decaying bodies and dying, royal establishments were attacked, ransacked and burnt to the ground. Anything to do with the Brandeen Royal Family was destroyed or burnt to a cinder! Their graves were robbed and the immense wealth they had accumulated was dispersed to the everyday people. It wasn’t spitefulness or revenge. It was necessity! It was survival! It was all an act to save the people who had been left behind.”

“You remember your lessons well,” Master Ren complimented. “And who is responsible for the land now called Centaurea?”

“A group of men, descendants from several families who were prominent in the running of the old Brandeen Kingdom.” Julus smiled at the boy who now had a frown on his forehead as he no longer understood the words they were saying. Julus continued however, “They led the revolt, and they have now formed a government to run the lands. Any Brandeen family members who remained, no matter how distant, were all murdered in their sleep or while they fled in their caravans. Some escaped but they have not dared to return.”

“All but one of them,” Master Ren said quietly, very quietly.

Julus clamped his mouth shut and cast his eyes around his immediate surroundings, hoping that no one had heard Master Ren’s words. He didn’t even trust the young boy in front of him. Six-year-old children did not understand what should be kept as a secret or not.

“Why do you mention this now?” Julus breathed. His pulled the young boy down off the wall so he could focus all of his attention on Master Ren.

Master Ren took a step forward, his right hand held out in Julus’ direction. “You and I both know who you are,” he said at a whisper. “I do not have much time left, I…”

“What?!” Julus exclaimed. “Are you of ill health? What are you saying?” Fear pummelled through his body.

“I need to give you something,” Master Ren continued, ignoring the young man’s outburst. “I was with the party of men who robbed your grandfather’s grave that day. I managed to get my hands on the most important item of our time.”

Master Ren opened the palm of his hand.

Julus stared at the medallion lying on the end of a gold chain. A bright blue stone shone in the evening light, so brightly that the young man reached out and covered it with his own hand fearful that someone might see it.

“All items were meant to be destroyed!” he hissed.

“Not this one,” Master Ren shook his head. “This medallion has nothing to do with the old Brandeen Kingdom. It has everything to do with the ancient past and our future.”

Julus frowned. “Wh-What are you talking about?”

“I know you want to seek revenge, but now that you are a young man, you must push those feelings aside. A long time ago, there was a time when the four lands came together and stopped a tyrannical force from controlling our lives. The prophecies foretold that they will return. One of them will be strong, so strong he will break through the spell that is contained in this medallion and that is holding them at bay. He will be strong enough and he will bring them back.” The old man stepped even closer. “We can’t let this happen! Do you understand me? We can’t let them come back! Don’t let them come back!”

Bewildered, Julus only stared, his eyes flicking from the medallion that glinted in the moonlight and back to Master Ren.

“What prophecy?” Julus asked after a moment. “I’ve never heard of these stories before.”

“Not many people know of these old days. They have been lost over time and only the Temple of Lekonin have the records.”

“Then why did you keep the medallion if this person is meant to be able to use it?”

Master Ren chuckled, a sound that came from deep within. “You were always a smart young man.” He placed the medallion in Julus’ hand. “Because if the spell is broken, the medallions can also be used to reignite the spell again. The spell took so much strength from the monk who created it, he feared that others would not be able to replicate it so he locked it inside the medallion.”

A shout came from below and both Master Ren and himself jumped. Master Ren leaned down and took the small child by the hand. “You must keep it safe. Don’t let anyone else get their hands on it,” he said. Without another word, he turned and headed down the stairs.

Stunned, Julus stood, breathing fast, alone once again at the fort. He turned back to the scenery, but this time, he ignored the sights and sounds that surrounded him, his mind racing with the information he had just been told. He glanced down at the medallion in his hand.

Maybe he could do both. Maybe he could get revenge for what the Brandeen Royal Family, his family, had done to him and the rest of the people in Centaurea. And maybe, just maybe, he could exact that revenge through the use of this medallion. Could this mysterious race of beings help him destroy the Keglar Kingdom and the Talbecan Empire? He would love to see their demise. After all, they had killed helpless Brandeen civilians and allowed the remaining Brandeen Royal family members to live on their lands.

They all deserved to pay for their actions.

Julus looked down again at the medallion in his hands.

He was determined to find out.