Sample Chapters

Books:

Fall of Reinbect: Volume 1: This is our first novel. It was written as a collaboration.
Chapter 1 & Intro
Chapter 2


Short Stories:


Kira (first draft)

by Brendan O’Connor


Chapter 1

In a distant land there lived a princess who went by the name of Kira. She lived a carefree life as princesses are wont to do, spending most of her time riding her horse and playing in the rose gardens. The castle was her playground and everyone who lived there her friend. Though she didn’t know it yet, her world would soon be rent asunder by forces beyond her control. For as everyone knows, change is inevitable.

Kira’s father, the king, had become feeble in his old age, but was still a kindly and wise leader. Her two older brothers were heroic in her gaze and in deed. The brothers were the adventuresome type; either battling dragons, tricking evil witches, or rescuing fair damsels in distress. One year they came home married to a pair of sisters named Hezel and Brettle. Hezel and Brettle settled into castle life quickly, making Kira’s life miserable from the first day they arrived. They found pleasure in sending the princess on errands and making her do dirty chores like washing pots and pans or sweeping the walkways. They were jealous of Kira’s beauty and charm, for they themselves had little of either. Hezel was too tall, far too thin, and she had a narrow hooked nose that reminded Kira of an icicle. Brettle was short, wide, had a mass of crooked teeth as well as an unfortunately large black mole on her chin that threatened to grow thick black hairs when she grew older. In all the world of Kaelist there had never been a woman as beautiful and charming as the princess Kira. Her beauty being second only to her gentle character. Her dark curly hair was reminiscent of spun brown sugar and her eyes, a light sea green, were often lit from within by a mischievous light. Kira’s father and brothers had doted on her since her mother died when she was just a girl.

One midwinter’s eve, Hezel and Brettle brought their mother, Shrewina to the King’s court. Two months later she married the elderly King on a cold wintry day, becoming Queen. Kira was grateful her father had finally found a new wife, as he had been lonely for so long, but she couldn’t bring herself to trust Shrewina. Kira’s new stepmother treated her cruelly and worst of all, her new step-sisters treated the princes with callous disregard.

Claiming she needed the space for a larger closet, the new queen had Kira moved from the castle into a cold and drafty tower room. Kira would only be let out to do the dirtiest of chores. Shrewina cut up Kira’s beautiful gowns, dressing the poor girl in old, ill-fitting rags. She let her daughters cut Kira’s beautiful lightly curled hair short, hacking the lovely long tresses with dull sewing shears so it fell in rough, shoulder length tufts. Kira was miserable, but she loved her father and the happiness that he had found with his new wife. Indeed, the old king was filled with delirious joy, so Kira kept her complaints to herself.

This went on for several months with Kira growing sadder and more miserable everyday. Then tragedy befell the castle. A boar enraged and made wild by strange magics was plaguing the countryside. Kira’s brave older brothers, seeing an opportunity for adventure, set off into the forest to pursue the dangerous beast. Something terrible happened out in the woods. Neither brother returned and since their bodies were never found, they were presumed dead. The Huntsman returned with a sad tale of an enraged boar springing from the bushes and startling their horses. All that remained were the torn and bloody remnants of the princes’ clothes. Kira was heartbroken for she loved her brothers dearly. Her father took to his bed, coming down with a terrible sickness, one Kira worried was born of great sadness. It drove him into a deep sleep. Shrewina now taking upon herself the responsibilities of queen was left in charge and a darkness settled over the kingdom. Well in Kira’s mind it did, at least. Needless to say Shrewina was happy with the turn of events.

One day in the early part of spring Kira was shoveling hay into a stable when a procession marched into the keep with blaring trumpets and streaming lances. A dozen shining knights on brilliant white steeds rode through the gate. At their head a handsome young man with a golden crown. He sat his tall black charger straight backed, staring ahead with clear blue eyes, auburn locks flowing behind him in the gentle breeze. He presented himself before the court and Shrewina, who had taken to sitting on the throne, greeted him in stately manner. Kira, curious about this handsome young man had followed the procession in. She looked like nothing more than a simple servant with her face and hands dirty from work. She was dressed in shabby rags, her hacked off hair dull with dust and sweat. Kira stood in the back of the throne room watching as the young man bowed before Shrewina and her simpering daughters.

“I am Prince Aronius second son to Emperor Roderick, of the Rein Empire. I have traveled far and wide around the world of Kaelist on my quest to seek a bride,” The young man said, his voice ringing through the room, a clear and deep tenor.

The wicked queen sat straighter on her stolen throne, smiling down on the young prince with vulpine lips, her daughters whispering to each other by her side, “Be welcome in my kingdom Prince Aronius. You have no further to look for your bride. My two daughters here are both princesses and either would make a fine wife for you.” Hezel and Brettle beamed at the prince, each revealing an unfortunate collection of stained and crooked teeth all the while fluttering their eyelids coquettishly at him. Kira couldn’t help but wonder  what her brothers had seen in these awful women.

“Alas noble Queen,” said the young prince with a courtly bow for both Hezel and Brettle. “I have been set upon this quest by my fathers vizier, the wise and noble Keegan. Vizier Keegan gazed into the Tears of Solarthorn, known the world over as the most potent scrying bowl in all of Kaelist. He saw within its depths, a noble quest I must embark upon, to find for myself a bride.” The entire court was quiet now as everyone hung on Aronius’ every word. “My quest is vital to the security of the Empire, and only after its exacting strictures are met and I have found my one true love can the Empire be safe. I will convey the words of the quest to you ladies, the Princesses of this land as they were conveyed to me.”

The prince paused there standing up straighter and began to recite in his clear and deep voice. “For seven days and seven nights Aronius will await his one true love; to bring him gifts of three. First a dragon, blue skinned and emerald eyed; to prove to him her courage. Second a wish trapped in a gift, freely given by an ancient spirit. Thirdly and last she will give to the empire the gift of grain, feeding its people for a season; easing their hunger and winning their hearts. When these tasks are complete the true princess will present herself to her prince and love will be born with a kiss.” The prince’s cheeks blushed a light pink at that, which Kira found endearing. When he finished a low murmur of quiet conversation sprang up around the room from the various nobles in attendance.

“Well then... this is... unique.” Said Shrewina as she tapped at the armrest of the throne with one long sharp nail. “Seven days you say my daughters have to accomplish these tasks?”

“Yes your majesty. That is, if they desire to do so. I beg leave of rooms for myself and my brave knights. I can promise seven crowns gold for every day we stay and the eternal thanks of my father the emperor.” The prince said with one final bow for the queen and her daughters.

“It shall be granted and on the seventh day one of my daughters here will present you with your gifts,” said Shrewina.

The queen was all smiles and unctuous bows for the prince and his retinue. Her daughters though had a sickly look to their faces when they looked at their determined mother. The look changed to one of hope when they looked upon the handsome prince. When they caught the others look they turned on each other with eyes that spoke of the volumes of their selfish greed. Shrewina led Aronius and his knights off on a tour of the castle talking of the grand hunts she would organize in his honor and lavish feasts. Her daughters trailed the group whispering to each other and staring hungrily at the prince as if he were already theirs.

Now Kira is a kindly girl and one usually prone to level headed judgements. But she couldn’t imagine the handsome Aronius marrying either of her wicked step-sisters. They would treat the young man as horribly as they’d treated her brothers. All of this went through Kira’s mind and she came to a decision. Something else was nudging her mind to this decision and it had everything to do with the quickening of her heart and a heat in her cheeks when she’d first laid eyes on the prince.

But where to begin? How was she to get a wish freely given from a spirit? Was that even possible? Spirits were notoriously fickle, not to mention almost impossible to find. How could she feed an empire? Perhaps she should start with the emerald eyed dragon. Kira’s brothers would have known where to begin searching for a blue dragon but since they were probably dead and most assuredly lost there was only one other person Kira could question about it. Her father’s master of the sword, Roberto.

Immediately Kira went down to the large courtyard where Roberto held his lessons. When Kira’s brothers had been alive they’d practiced for hours under the honourable Roberto’s tutelage and Kira would often watch. Sometimes she would even spar with her brothers or the squires. Roberto would look on, grim and gruff as ever, correcting her as he would any of the other lads. Kira had always been nervous around the small tough old man but her father and brothers trusted him completely. Kira only hoped her wicked step mother hadn’t won him over as she had most everyone else in her father’s court.

She found Roberto in the courtyard observing practice sessions as he always had. He had close cropped white hair and a massive mustache that would twitch whenever he was displeased. His light blue eyes were hard as nails and could correct a swordsman with just a look. His mustache was twitching when she found him looking over a group of young squires sparring on the black and white tiled courtyard floor. Their wooden blades making an awful racket as they battled each other back and forth.

When Roberto noticed the princess there was disapproval in his eyes, though for what Kira couldn't say. “What is it Princess? I am a busy man and I’ve no time for your silliness now.”

Kira’s fear at talking with Roberto was washed away in anger as she drew herself up to her full height steeling herself to confront the intimidating sword master, “I have a question for you Master Roberto. It concerns a blue dragon with emerald eyes.”

“Humph,” grunted Roberto with a twitch of his mustache, “So the princess wants to trap herself a pretty prince does she?”

Kira could only wonder how Roberto had found out about the quests so soon. She had come straight here from the throne room, the Queen was even now leading the prince on his tour of the castle. “What I want is my concern, thank you very much.” She said sharply. Roberto grunted again and Kira couldn’t be sure if it was in disparity or if it was a laugh. “My brothers always said you knew where every dragon was for a thousand leagues. Please Master Roberto.”

Roberto turned to regard her fully with his hard blue eyes. “It’s dangerous, girl,” he said simply.

“It seems everything is dangerous for my family lately.” Kira said quietly, “I think staying around the castle might prove more dangerous.”

Robertos mustache twitched at that but Kira still couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Then without saying a thing he turned and walked into the armory. Kira could hear him digging around through trunks and barrels before finally emerging with a leather belt that had a slim almost delicate blade attached to it. Roberto held the blade out to Kira who took it with a curious look on her face.

“Like I said its gonna be a dangerous journey. You will need all the protection you can get. You have learned enough over the years from me and your brothers not to stab yourself in the leg but you’ll need more than just a sharp blade if you’re to make it to the dragons lair.” Roberto pulled from a back pocket a piece of parchment and a stub of coal. Kneeling down he began making markings and notes on the parchment as he talked. “What you seek is in the northern mountains of the kingdom, through the Dreary Downs and across Hangman’s Leap. Thats a bridge by the way.” He explained as he drew out the river and an arching bridge over it. “Once across the river you’ll have to head into the untracked forests where you will find a witches hovel. Moredeneth is a nice enough witch so she probably won’t curse you. Not too much anyway.” Kira started in alarm but Roberto just kept talking, “You will need to get an ever-burning lamp from her. Its the easiest way to pierce the darkness of the dragons caves, without it you will be lost in those mines for an eternity. Then, once you’ve met with the witch, just head up the mountain slope till you see a rock formation that looks like a man smoking a pipe. Head beneath the pipe and you’ll see the entrance to the cave.”  Roberto finished off his map with a big “X” beneath the profile of a man’s face with a pipe jutting out its mouth. Chewing on the end of his bit of coal he scanned the map with a critical eye. Finally giving a grunt of satisfaction, he stood up and handed the map over to Kira.

“Thank you Master Roberto, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.” Kira said with genuine gratitude in her voice as she rolled up the map carefully.

“I hope this pretty prince of yours is worth it girl. Now get off with you, I have a class to teach.” With that he turned back to face the still sparring squires crossing his arms over his chest and blowing out his mustache in a great breath.

Kira couldn’t help herself, she threw her arms around Roberto in a big hug kissing the tough old man on one leathery cheek. Roberto stood frozen in place his cheeks coloring a rosy red. Kira sprang free turning quickly and racing up to her room to pack. On her way to the drafty tower cell she noticed several of the Huntsman’s warriors loitering outside her door. They had heavy cudgels at their sides and grim looks on their faces. They gave a shout when they saw Kira and sprinted after her. Kira fled through the castle ducking into servants hallways, rolling under kitchen tables, and vaulting over chapel pews. Other guards joined the first two, trying to capture Kira; for what reason she couldn’t say but probably on some evil errand for her wicked stepmother. The castle had been a playground to Kira since she was a babe, so escaping the guardsmen chasing her proved easy. After leading the sweating men on a long and merry chase, Kira slipped into a secret passage, one she and her brothers had discovered years before. It led from her brothers rooms out to a hidden spring behind the castle.

Kira slipped through the dusty passages heading to her brothers rooms first, thinking to get supplies there. When she entered her eldest brother’s room she saw that everything remained unchanged. Her wicked sister-in laws had disliked the rustic rooms, preferring the more stately rooms for visiting dignitaries. Heading quickly over to a closet Kira began digging through the mess of clothes. She found near the bottom some smaller breeches and shirts her brother had worn when he was younger. Finding that they fit her well, Kira changed out of her ugly old dress and into the pants and shirt. Marvelling at the strangeness of walking in pants instead of skirts, Kira belted on the sword Roberto had given her. She also found an old canvas backpack that she threw the map into and pulled over her shoulders. Not seeing anything else that could be of use and worrying she might get caught buy the searching guardsmen Kira left. Slipping back into the hidden passage. Taking one last look around the room, Kira felt her eyes grow misty at the memories she and her brothers had shared here.

When Kira got into the passage, planning to head out of the castle, she heard an odd high pitched chirping coming from the other direction. Back towards her other brothers room. Kira felt a pressing need to be gone but she couldn't stop herself as she moved up to the other secret door. Opening it carefully she found her other brothers room looking just as she remembered it except for one strange thing.

Sitting in the middle of the room was a large golden bird cage. Wrapped around the cage was a fine golden chain held together with a large golden lock. The chirping was coming from two small silver finches that flew around in furious circles inside the cage. When Kira walked into the room both birds flew to the wall of their cage gripping the golden bars in tiny claws and began chirping at Kira with insistent voice, cocking their heads to peer at her.

Now Kira as you know is a gentle girl and could never abide seeing an animal caged. So she moved quickly into the room searching for a way to free the birds. The golden chain and lock were wrapped tightly around the cage, making it impossible to open. The small silver birds inside flew in maddening circles cocking their heads at Kira and chirping loudly. Kira began to grow frustrated not knowing what she could do to help them and knowing her time was growing short. Then she heard a banging and a crash coming from the room she’d just left. Followed shortly after by the sound of guardsmen throwing furniture and clothes about and the pounding feet as more came up the hall outside the room she was in. Her frustration coming to a peak Kira drew her sword and slashed at the golden chain in anger.

There was a brilliant flash of showering sparks and a loud detonation that put a ringing in Kira’s ears. Kira was stunned by the explosion of magics but the chain clattered to the ground, having been cut in twain by her blade. The little silver finches flew free of their cage. The two birds buzzed around Kira’s head turning a few tight circles and trying to draw her out of her shock. They chirped in her ears and tugged at her hair, finally bringing the princess back to herself. Kira turned quickly and dashed back into the secret passage, watching as the finches both flew out the window singing loudly in their freedom. The secret door closed just as Kira heard the door to the room crash open and several guardsmen stomp in. Moving quietly, hoping they hadn’t seen the closing door, Kira creeped down the secret passage and out the castle.