《Shelter in a New World》


 Chapter 1 - Free to Die Warm

    Arelyn Aurora


    Lyn purposefully moved along the shelves of the library, striking matches to the candles she had strategically placed, as she went. It was a pity what she had to do since this place had been her haven in this horrible existence but this was her only chance of escape. She couldn¡¯t believe that King Relskald had allowed himself to get distracted and forgotten to put the collar back on her. It was the only thing that prevented her from using her magic freely and Relskald was meticulous about making sure it was secure on her.


    The only time the collar came off was when he would force her¡ªby threat or punishment¡ªuntil she gave in and performed whatever magical task he wanted. At those times, Relskald kept her heavily guarded or his wizard, Fognor, watched closely. Even though she¡¯d never given her all and always resisted, lately she¡¯d been giving in easier.


    She¡¯d waited for this moment for the last three years, ever since she stumbled on that book about portal magic to distant planets. Everything was prepared and Lyn would make her escape. She¡¯d either be free or she¡¯d die in the raging inferno that would take over the library in a few moments.


    She wasn¡¯t a fire mage but she knew cause and effect. Once the first candle she placed burned down enough, the board it was on would tip and knock the second¡ªslower burning¡ªcandle over. From there, a series of events would follow that would set the entire library on fire.


    If her portal magic failed her, at least she¡¯d die warm. She snorted. If her portal magic succeeded, she might still die warm but at least she¡¯d be able to see the sun shining on her face. Death¡ªit was her only release from the pain and suffering she¡¯d endured. It was the only release from this prison.


    Hurrying closer to the barred window of the library, Lyn squatted down by the table and dragged out the dark bag hidden there. It was filled with all the things she¡¯d collected over the years and squirreled away for when she could use them. Quickly opening it, she started setting up everything she¡¯d need to perform the portal magic to enact the enchantment that would breach the barrier between worlds.


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    She opened the book; there was a world described there as an elemental planet that supported human life. It was the furthest from her location. The hardest one to reach. If she made it, she hoped that Fognor wouldn¡¯t be able to follow her.


    Lyn heard the click of metal falling on metal and knew her chain reaction had started. She hesitated. Should she change direction, go home instead of so far away? Who would even remember her?


    Closing her eyes, Lyn pictured the day Relskald had come. Death, destruction, he¡¯d murdered everyone important to her. She¡¯d witnessed the slaughter of her family. Lyn watched, powerless, as her beautiful boys died at the hand of Relskald¡¯s men. Elsa, her cousin and best friend, fell at Fognor¡¯s hand. The most shocking of all had been when Edward tried to defend her. Maybe he¡¯d cared for her more than she¡¯d thought or maybe he was just buying her time for the others? Reese and her two youngest hadn¡¯t been accounted for, but there were so many dead¡ªmen, women, and children. How could they have escaped?


    She¡¯d opened a portal for her villagers to escape but when she could no longer hold the portal open, when all the people who tried to defend her were dead, she let go of the magic. Facing Relskald and his men, Lyn was too weak to fight him. She was prepared to die but he¡¯d taken her.


    Lyn couldn¡¯t go home; she had no home left to go to. She ruthlessly pushed those thoughts down, that was how she¡¯d survived so far and she needed that bit of strength to survive a bit longer. She would die in the way of her choosing and not at Relskald¡¯s hand.


    Striking her last match, she lit the ingredients laying on the cold stone floor and pulled the magic to herself. She felt the familiar warmth and knew her eyes glowed faintly as the spell took hold. Just when she thought she couldn¡¯t hold on to the magic any longer, the portal opened in front of her. She didn¡¯t hesitate to step through. Looking back through the closing portal, the library was engulfed in flames. As she stepped forward into the heat of the desert, her only thought was, at least she¡¯d die warm.

 Chapter 2 - His Duty

    Kayden Lionheart


    Kayden finished cleaning his sword as the sun rose, promising another hot and ruthless day. Even though the war had been over a year now, and Kayden was king, he was still on the move, helping to clean up the mess in the desert.


    The pile of demon bodies caught fire as the first rays of sun touched them and Kayden sat to pour the sand from his boots and change his bloody uniform to something clean and more comfortable. He¡¯d cleaned up as much as he could, using a flask of water to get rid of the blood on his face and hands, but he yearned for a nice, hot shower to wash away even the memory of fighting, sweat, and sand. A few hours of sleep would be nice too, but they had to get going to make it to an oasis by nightfall. Thunder shook her white mane and walked to Kayden¡¯s bag, poking it with her nose.


    ¡°Not now, girl.¡± He put his boots back on and stepped to the horse, running his hand over her black and white neck. ¡°But tonight. I promise.¡±


    He only had two apples left, and she¡¯d be upset with him if she didn¡¯t get her evening treat. And when Thunder threw a tantrum, it meant he didn¡¯t get a good night''s sleep. After spending three nights in the desert hunting demons, and only catching a few hours of sleep during the day, Kayden needed a peaceful night.


    Thunder snorted and kicked the bag for good measure. Kayden smiled and instead of spoiling the mare further, he offered some water for her.


    The lights shone brighter for a moment, and a wave of magic reached them. It penetrated his skin like thousands of needles. Then the sensation was gone. A temporary change in magic like this could only mean one thing.


    ¡°Not again,¡± Kayden groaned and looked at his warlock.


    The man¡¯s aura vibrated as he cast a spell. ¡°A portal has been opened not far from here, my king.¡±


    The man cracked his knuckles, nervously glancing at him. And he had every right to feel that way. If Kayden could allow himself to show his emotions, he¡¯d look pretty much the same. With the war, with the opening of the portals, magic had changed. No one knew the rules anymore, and no one knew what dangers could cross from other worlds.


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    ¡°Is it still open?¡± Kayden asked, hiding his worry behind a well practiced cold surface.


    ¡°No.¡± The man wet his lower lip. ¡°I only sensed it for a few seconds.¡±


    Kayden pulled his shoulder length hair into a quick bun before sheathing his sword and checking his pistol on his weapon belt. A few seconds meant that not many beings could¡¯ve crossed. A handful of them, tops. And hopefully, they weren¡¯t some kind of demons.


    He took a deep breath and mounted Thunder. ¡°I¡¯ll go in alone. Tell the others to circle whoever entered our world. Perform an illusion spell to hide them.¡±


    The warlock bowed and went to give the orders.


    Kayden moved with a small, but effective team: a warlock, a healer, and three other trained wielders. One of them was his brother, Kieran.


    They exchanged a look and with a nod he signaled to Kieran to shift and keep an eye on the events from the sky. Kieran¡¯s form vibrated, and a hawk flew to the sky a moment later.


    Kayden looked after him, motioning to Thunder to follow Kieran. Why were relationships so complicated? He rubbed his neatly trimmed beard.


    For months now, Kayden tried to tell Kieran that he was sorry. He knew he¡¯d blamed him for no reason. But he couldn¡¯t find the words. It would lead to a conversation he wasn¡¯t ready to have. A talk about their mother.


    So instead of apologizing, Kayden tried to change their relationship and spent as much time with him as possible. To finally live up to his promise he¡¯d made as a child; to train Kieran, teach him, and be the brother he deserved.


    Kayden shook his head and pushed aside the thoughts. He needed to concentrate on the task at hand.


    The hawk screamed a moment before Kayden saw her, too. A woman, shedding thick, furry clothing, walking alone in the desert with nothing but what she had on her.


    Even from a distance, she was beautiful with her long wavy blond hair, hourglass shape and full round breasts. Maybe if he stopped now, she¡¯d take off all of her clothes. Kayden sighed. He¡¯d end up in an early grave because of how distracting women were.


    He kept up his guard as he approached. Just because he couldn¡¯t see anyone or anything nearby, it didn¡¯t mean she was alone. After all, his men were hidden from her eyes.


    A few meters from the woman, Kayden stopped. ¡°What are you doing in this land?¡± His hand rested close to the hilt of his sword, and he kept his fire magic at the tip of his fingers, ready to use it if needed.

 Chapter 3 - The Stranger

    Arelyn Aurora


    "Stupid," Lyn muttered to herself as she looked up at the sky and used the sun''s position to gauge which direction was east and started walking. She walked with her head down and the first thing that went was her warm winter overclothes.


    Who strands themself in a desert with a few magical trinkets, heavy winter clothes, and no food or water? She did, apparently. The thought of escape had been the only thing on her mind. Lyn had prepared, or so she thought, for when the opportunity would arise and she took it without a moment''s thought.


    Right now, walking through the desert sands with the hot sun beating down on her she''d wished she''d taken that moment to grab a flask. She''d been so focused on where she was stepping that she didn''t even know anyone was there until she heard his harsh voice.


    "What are you doing in this land?"


    Lyn''s heart skipped a beat and she looked up quickly. Freezing in place, she kept her hands at her side in a show of peace. Her gaze traveled over his horse, a magnificent creature, she was bright white and almost blinding in the sun but for the black spots that dappled her coat. A strong horse with intelligent eyes that looked at her as if it knew her secrets. Or at least one of them.


    Her gaze moved further up to the man sitting on the animal. He was tall and strong, broad shouldered. His long hair, tied in a bun, and well trimmed beard were a soft brown with highlights that gleamed in the sun. She couldn''t see his eyes but from the hardness of his voice she assumed they were cold and harsh. His hand rested casually on his sword and he looked like a man ready and willing to use it. Even against a seemingly defenseless woman. He didn''t remind her of the barbarians of the north but he didn''t exactly remind her of her people either.


    Lyn knew the man was trained, a fighter, a warrior. A killer. She saw it in his stance, in his confidence. She knew his eyes took in everything around her even while he seemed to be wholly focused on her.


    Lyn kept her hands where they were, a sign of peace to her people. She''d been hard pressed to pull enough water to satisfy her thirst, let alone protect her from this man. She was exhausted from opening the portal and traveling so far, making it difficult for her to use her elemental abilities and would have to rely on her wits and diplomacy.


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    She suppressed her fear, straightening her spine, and spoke with as much confidence as she could muster. "I am here seeking refuge. I mean you and your people no harm, sir." When she finished she put her hands, palms facing each other, to the center of her chest and gave a slight bow while maintaining eye contact the best she could. It was the formal greeting of her people and she did it without much thought in spite of not using that greeting in the last five years.


    The man frowned. "Are you alone?"


    She dropped her arms back to her side and said, "Yes, sir."


    Watching him with trepidation as he slid down from his horse and moved closer she went over what she had that might protect her from this man. A charm to stop thrown objects from penetrating but she didn''t think he''d throw any of his weapons. One to heal cuts, safely covered in its lead casing. She didn''t want it to heal minor wounds and run out of magic. Her toe ring that she could use to shape shift but it had a limited time period and she''d never tested it. Finally, she had a potion to stop poisons, it worked on most poisons and one that Relskald had her make often so she''d been able to steal some for herself. Thinking of Relskald reminded her of the anklet but she didn''t think pregnancy prevention was anything useful at the moment.


    "I¡¯ll decide if you mean harm to me or my people." His head tilted in an assessing way. "What kind of magic do you have?"


    She looked into his deep brown eyes, seeing hardness but something else there too. A challenge, perhaps? "I am a water elementalist and I have some protective enchanted items and a small dagger, otherwise I am unarmed."


    "Water elementalist?" The man stalked closer, looking ready to fight. He stared into her eyes as if he could see the truth of her words.


    She stood as still as she could, not breaking eye contact. Lyn was ready to fight for her life if she needed to, which was interesting since she''d come here ready to die. As he closed in, her voice was not as steady as she''d like it to be. "Y- yes, I can command water." She swallowed, steading herself. "Where I am from we call those who command elements, elementalists."


    "Someone with magic is never without a weapon. If you agree to come with me freely, and you give your word you won''t harm anyone, I''ll take you as a free woman.¡±


    "I said I am not here to harm anyone."


    ¡°If you betray my trust you''re dead." He moved even closer to her and Lyn flinched only slightly when he reached up and caressed her cheek. "It would be a shame if I had to end your life."


    She hadn''t run from Relskald to be treated like a play thing and she''d make that clear to this man. Standing taller, she looked him in the eyes and said, "As long as you do not attempt to force me into anything I do not wish for, then I will do no harm. I did not run from the cruel mistreatment of a barbarian king to be treated the same in this world."

 Chapter 4 - The Ride

    Kayden Lionheart


    The woman wasn¡¯t just beautiful, she had courage too. Those icy blue eyes looked at him like she could see through him, right into the depths of his soul. It was both arousing and terrifying.


    She stood her ground, taking him on as her equal, but a few subtle movements and flashes of fear in her eyes betrayed her.


    Kayden should be more cautious, especially with someone possessing alien magic, but he needed to touch her, to feel her skin under his fingers. So he caressed her cheek, telling her that it would be a shame to end her life.


    "As long as you don¡¯t try to force me into anything I don¡¯t want then I will do no harm. I did not run from the cruel mistreatment of a barbarian king to be treated the same in this world."


    Kayden grinned as he stepped back. "Oh, darling, I''m not that kind of monster. I''m a king. I''m not always kind, but I''ve never hurt a woman in my life."


    He¡¯d never hurt an innocent, unarmed woman in his life. Those who had fought in the war against him were a different story.


    Thankfully, his words hit the right cord because her muscles relax. "Please forgive me. I know what it is to be a leader and have to protect your people. It is why I wound up where I was."


    For a few more seconds, Kayden searched her eyes. Leaving her here would mean she¡¯d die, but taking her was a security risk.


    ¡°The desert is a cruel lover,¡± he said. ¡°Luckily for you, this nation believes that a person wandering in the desert shouldn¡¯t be judged by their past, but by their present.¡± He walked back to Thunder, knowing that he¡¯d probably treat a man harsher. Hadn''t he learned that women could be just as deadly as men? But his instinct told him that this woman wasn¡¯t here to harm them. Or maybe it was his lust telling him that. Either way, he¡¯d suffer the consequences of his action, hopefully without fatal results.


    "You can take down the spell," Kayden called out.


    A moment later, the air shimmered around them and his men were revealed a few meters away, lowering their weapons.


    Surprise flashed on the woman¡¯s face, and fear gleamed in her eyes, but she regained control quickly, and once again, stood tall, even though she wouldn¡¯t have a chance against all of them. Or maybe she had. The implication of that thought scared Kayden, but he chased it away. No one could be that powerful. There were six of them, and only one of her. And water was limited in this environment. Unless she could control blood. Then they were in trouble.


    "We need to get going to make it to safety before dusk." He mounted Thunder and reached down to help her up. "I''m Kayden Lionheart."


    She gave a slight bow, bending at the waist and keeping her eyes on his. "Arelyn Aurora, you may call me Lyn." She took his hand and he pulled her behind him. "This is a magnificent animal. I love horses."


    Kayden sighed, not wanting to chat, but he also didn''t want to be rude. "Thunder is a great horse." He looked at the woman. "Hold on tight." He winked. "I don''t mind when a beautiful woman is clinging to me."


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    He turned Thunder and slowly galloped north. Arelyn¡¯s hands rested on his waist lightly, but not out of fear of touching him. She moved with Thunder, holding on without the need to cling to him. The sign of an experienced rider.


    "The village I lived in before." She paused, only for a moment then cleared her throat. "My village had both wild and tamed horses. My husbands were excellent trainers."


    Husbands. As multiple men warming her bed. What a strange concept. No wonder she¡¯d looked at him as her equal. This woman was used to bossing men around. How else could one have multiple husbands?


    "How many husbands did you have? And what is the point of having multiple men? It¡¯s not like they can provide for more children."


    She laughed. It wasn¡¯t a pure, joyful sound, but it was a laugh, and it meant that she wasn¡¯t too tense and afraid. "I had three, on my continent the men outnumber the women so it is either multiple husbands or men go without love or the warmth of a woman''s bed. As far as children, I had four. A set of twins, both boys then a boy and girl separately. The men care for the children as much as the women do, if not more once they are weaned. I do realize this isn''t the case in all cultures."


    He¡¯d only asked about husbands, and not the number and gender of her children, and all the other things she¡¯d shared. Men caring for children more than women. What a strange and yet fascinating culture.


    Maybe he should¡¯ve been concerned about her ability to talk one¡¯s head off instead of her magical abilities. Next time he met a stranger, he¡¯d start with the question: ¡®How much do you talk?¡¯ Kayden smiled. Yeah, that sounded like a good strategy to stay alive and sane.


    ¡°What about you? Do you have wives? Or is your society strictly monogamous?"


    Maybe if he kept his answer short she got the hint and wouldn''t talk so much. "I don''t have a wife. I have chatelaines. Three. And only one daughter."


    ¡°What are chatelaines?¡±


    He rolled his eyes. ¡°A committed lover in a lower status than a wife would be. Women I take care of and in return they take care of me.¡± He hoped this was satisfying enough for her.


    "Is there a reason you have chatelaines and not wives?"


    The truth was ugly because marriage was about politics and not love. Love would activate the curse and the woman would die. So he, and other noble men in his country, stayed away from love because why feel it just to lose it?


    ¡°Because I didn¡¯t find the right woman to marry,¡± he said simply. ¡°But they¡¯re under my protection, and I¡¯m providing for them.¡±


    Arelyn shuddered behind him. "Are your women not equal in status to men?"


    Was that fear in her voice? For a woman used to bedding multiple men it must be odd not to be in control.


    "No, they aren''t." He shrugged. "My country... Well, it''s complicated. But we need women to provide enough sons. Mostly because men die young."


    "Why do they die young?"


    Kayden rolled his eyes. Elaborating on the question hadn¡¯t been his best idea to keep her silent.


    "Traditions," he said simply. "My country is based on sheer strength, and its traditions are cruel. In most cases, you only get higher if you deem worthy."


    Not to mention the fact that until recently, northern tribes had tried to gain land in his country for as long as people could remember. But adding that would mean she asked more questions, and he wasn¡¯t in the mood to talk all day.


    He looked up at the sun. "We''ll reach an oasis around sunset." There was one more thing he wanted to know before they made camp. "Why did you escape?"