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First Things First About The Prologue

Thank you all for your support. It has taken me longer than expected to complete the edits and to get the revisions typed up so that I could get the Beta Version out to those of you that signed up as Beta Readers. For that, I apologize. However, it is coming, although slower than expected.

Softball season is in full swing and between two kids that are playing and helping to coach one of their teams, most of my time in the evenings is already spoken for. The weekends are when I get to spend any time on writing and editing, hence the reason I’m writing this now.

There is one thing to remember before reading the prologue. This is technically still in edit version and is subject to change. As mentioned before, the Beta Readers have not had a chance to review the book yet and I plan to take their suggestions and recommendations to heart. With that said, I hope you enjoy this little taste of what Reborn: The Battlemage Trilogy Book 1. Let me know what you think in the comments below or shoot me an email here.

Prologue

King Riehner stared out the window, engrossed in the mixture of purple and orange as the sun began to rise over Lake Aleesia. The King enjoyed beginning his mornings this way. He had spent much of his time of late admiring the beauty of the countryside while at Rhys Castle, though he could not remain much longer. Spring was his favorite time of year. It was almost upon them and soon he would become a father. The announcement was to take place in the capital as soon as he returned. Ribbons and streamers were being placed this morning throughout the streets.

Riehner was the embodiment of a king; tall, strong, handsome, adored by his subjects. He had become the first Battlemage, combined the kingdoms, and held peace for an unprecedented one hundred years. He ruled beside his beautiful elven wife, Beltia. Despite all their years together he could still get lost in her emerald green eyes.

Riehner, lost in thoughts of his wife and upcoming child, nearly missed the subtle creak of the door as Iwan slipped into the room. Iwan was tall and strong but could move with the grace and stealth of a rogue. His hair was cut short to keep it from being grabbed in battle. His gray eyes could pierce even the hardiest of soldiers while melting the heart of the local ladies.

Iwan cleared his throat to announce his entrance. Riehner took a deep breath without looking away from the window. “Tis a beautiful country is it not? I am hard pressed to not move the capital here after the child is born.”

“Aye, it is a beautiful place Sire,” Iwan said. “But we must make way to Cèrhin. Preparations have been made to depart after you break fast. The horses are saddled and await your command.”

“If you rise early, before the sun, you can see the smoke begin to settle above the water just as the sun begins to paint the sky,” Riehner said. “The flowers are just beginning to bloom and the trees hunger for the sun’s rays. Spring is the grandest time of year. It brings new life from death and gives us hope of a better tomorrow.”

“Your Highness,” Iwan interrupted, “your wife could deliver at any time. The servants are preparing the celebration and announcement in the capital as we speak. We must not delay.”

The King turned from the window, looking at his old friend, his eyes almost sad at the thought of departing the small fishing village. “Ah, see now. That is why you are my most trusted adviser.”

Iwan gave the king a mischievous grin. “There is no use for a general when we have been at peace for so long. You had to have some use for me.”

Riehner smiled back at him. He slapped his friend on the back as he walked away from the window and pointed to the door with his other hand. “Shall we? My wife is not known for her patience, especially in her current condition.”

Before they could reach the door, a commotion could be heard outside and a young soldier stumbled into the room. He was gasping for breath and held a wound over his left arm “Raiders… in the castle! Hundreds of them!”

Iwan leapt into action. He had not been in a true battle in decades. That did not dull his reflexes in the least. Before the young man could finish, Iwan had already drawn his sword and dagger and began gathering information and giving orders.

“Hundreds you say? Are you sure? Alert the rest of the men. Tell them to assemble in the throne room. There are not enough of us to withstand their advance for long. We must protect the King and Queen at all costs. As soon as you have rallied the men, make way to the town and warn the villagers. Once you have completed that task, make all haste to Cèrhin and notify the rest of the war band. They will need to be prepared. Tell them we come quickly. Do you understand? Speak, man! Do you understand your duty?”

“Yes, sir!” he said, and sped out of the room.

Riehner straightened to his full height and drew his sword, an amazing sight in its own right.  The blade was completely clear, forged by the elves with diamond and mythril. The silver handle was braided with gold thread and a diamond was fixed upon the pommel. He was an astounding warrior, receiving training from humans, elves, and dwarves. His abilities in magic were without rival, even among the elves. He looked at Iwan, his blue eyes betraying his disappointment. “One more time, my old friend?”

Iwan squinted as the light from the window reflected off the King’s sword. He crossed his fist over his heart. “My life for yours!”

Riehner and his general raced through the castle, dispatching enemies as they went. They burst into the throne room. Queen Beltia stood in the middle of the room, her dagger in her hand poised to attack at any sight of an intruder. She was guarded by two young soldiers. The rest had yet to arrive to the throne room. Riehner hoped that the soldier that had alerted him to the attack had lived long enough to sound the warning.

Riehner rushed to embrace his pregnant wife. She was trembling in his arms. He held her tight, reassuring her with his touch. He whispered words and the crystal pendant around his neck began to glow and Beltia seemed to calm. “We must get you to safety,” he told her, brushing her jet black hair from her eyes. “Iwan, the horses are prepared to depart?”

“Yes, my lord,” Iwan said, scanning the entrances to the room.

He ushered Beltia closer to Iwan and toward a hidden passage that lay beneath a statue of an armored warrior. His eyes flitted between Iwan, Beltia, and the door.“Iwan, you must take Beltia and flee. I will hold them off to give you safe passage.”

“But Sire,” Iwan said. He was met with a stern glare that advised him not to test the subject further. “Aye, I will guard her with my life.”

“You cannot stay,” Beltia said, running up to his side. “I will not leave without you.”

He wrapped her in his arms and squeezed her tight, forcing the tears from welling up in his eyes. “I love you with all that I am. I can serve you better by ensuring you have plenty of distance between you and our attackers. Iwan, give me your satchel.”

Iwan did as the King asked. Riehner shoved his crown in the bag and ordered Iwan to take the Queen to Arebel Forest. “Once inside the forest she can lead you to Gaer Alon. It is an ancient elven city. Her people will look after you both.” He paused, placing a strong hand on Iwan’s shoulder and handing him the satchel with the other. “If something should happen to me, present this crown to my child. They will be the new ruler of this land, not these scum that seek to take it by force.”

Iwan stared up at his grieving King and emotion almost overtook him. “I will do as you command. If I do not see you by the morrow, I will return for you. On that you have my word.”

Riehner kissed his wife’s forehead, wiping a tear from her eye.

“I will await your safe return to me, my love,” Beltia told him. “I love you.”

“More,” he whispered to her. “Go, now. With all haste, go.”

They turned to flee through a hidden chamber below the statue just as raiders began to pummel the door. With one last look back at his beloved King and friend, Iwan nodded, his brow furrowed. Riehner returned his look, sorrowful for only a moment, and crossed his arm over his chest. “My life for yours.” Iwan returned the sign and lead the queen away to safety.

The king turned to the door, a determined look in his eye, gripping his sword at the ready. There was a loud crack and then an explosion as the door gave way to the might of the raiders. The enemy, at least twenty strong, fanned out in the room, wielding swords, daggers, and bows. The King and two of his soldiers stood their ground, ready to attack at the slightest movement.

As the debris settled, a man dressed in all black armor strode into the room with an air of confidence, glancing around the room slowly. Around his neck hung a polished black stone fixed in a silver necklace and in his right hand he carried a hand-and-a-half sword. The blade appeared to be made of pure obsidian, the handle solid black, with a bright red ruby in the pommel. The way he held the sword made it easy to see that he was a master of the blade, all but an extension of his arm. Riehner could not see the man’s face but something seemed familiar about him. He stared at the pendant around the man’s neck. A Battlemage, but whom, he wondered.

A hearty laugh rolled from behind the man’s helmet as he glared at Riehner through the slit. “What old man? You don’t remember me? Surely it is not that difficult”. The man removed his helmet and tossed it aside, steel clattering against the stone floor. “Now?”

Riehner’s eyes widened in shock but shook away the look. It was Tzelder, a prior student, but he had never completed the training needed to be granted his pendant. “How? Why?” asked Riehner.

Tzelder cackled as he crept closer to Riehner. “You fool! I have studied magic that you could only hope to comprehend. You are nothing in my presence. You shunned me before, but now you will bow to me!”

“You have much to learn if you think to defeat me, Tzelder!”

Tzelder snarled at him as he hoisted the black sword to the ready. “I will enjoy watching you die!”

Tzelder lunged at the King, striking at his head followed by a thrust to the gut. Riehner deflected the strikes without effort. He could tell that the man in black was toying with him. Riehner unleashed a flurry of blows and Tzelder danced around the room, avoiding each strike. The two soldiers of the royal guard leapt into the fray with reckless abandon, daggers spinning, slicing into enemy flesh. The raiders responded with counter attacks against the soldiers.

As the two Battlemages circled each other, Tzelder raised his hand and sent a bolt of lightning coursing toward Riehner. He  leapt to the side, countering with a blinding flash of light that temporarily blinded everyone in the room except himself. Tzelder began to whisper, the jewel around his neck glowing brightly, and his sight was restored. He picked up the attack with a frenzied pace. The Battlemages exchanged blow for blow until Tzelder feigned a strike to the King’s knee followed by a blow to his shoulder, slicing deep into the muscle. Riehner grasped the wound, wishing he were wearing his armor. Tzelder rushed forward him and kicked him in the chest, sending Riehner soaring across the room. He moaned and twitched as he landed hard, sprawled out on the floor.

The Queen rushed back into the room from the hidden exit followed by Iwan and two other soldiers of the King’s guard. The battle in the room came to an abrupt halt as Beltia entered. Tzelder’s eyebrows arched and he smiled mischievously as he approached the Queen. The two soldiers that escorted her leapt into action, attempting to draw attention away from the Queen. Riehner attempted to regain his footing and make his way to his wife but his injured arm did not want to support the weight of his body. One of the other soldiers seized the opportunity to surprise Tzelder. He grabbed a spear from a suit of armor and launched it at Tzelder’s blind side. The dart should have caught the warlock unaware, killing him immediately and bringing the battle to an end. To Riehner’s surprise, Tzelder simply raised a hand, while fighting off the other two soldiers, stopping the spear in mid-air. A cruel smile curled across his lips for a brief moment, then, with a flick of his wrist, he sent the spear barreling toward the Queen, where it found a home firmly in her chest.

Beltia stood in disbelief as she stared up at her husband, a tear rolling down her face and blood pooling on her blouse where the spear shaft protruded. Riehner rushed to her side, catching her before she fell to the ground. She tried to speak, the words caught in her throat. The fighting had stopped and Tzelder stood by, relishing in Riehner’s torment. A low cackle escaped his throat as he sheathed the sword over his shoulder and ambled to the throne, sitting sideways with his leg draped across the arm rest.

Riehner held Beltia close as tears fell down his face. “Iwan,” he said. “We must leave if I am to try to heal her. The elves will assist. Quickly!”

Iwan grabbed a sword and cut the spear so that the Queen could be transported. Riehner picked her up and scrambled to the hidden exit. The soldiers made a line between him and the raiders, but Tzelder made no attempt to stop them, unable to control his laughter.

Riehner looked at his wife, her beautiful face becoming ashen. “You would have… made a…wonderful father,” she whispered.

“Do not speak of it my love. I will make this right,” Riehner whispered, calling upon the magic to heal her wounds to no avail.

Beltia’s breaths became shallow and rapid. “My time has come, my love. Oh, to have seen our son…”

“A son, a proper king,” Riehner said. “I love you my dear, forever.”

“More,” she whispered and closed her eyes forever.