《A Contest of Lords》 Chapter One: Lanaul Advent The boy was handsome, that much could be said. He had pale blond hair, fair skin and piercing blue eyes. A silver, bejeweled crown rested upon his head. He smiled at her. The girl was barely fifteen with flowing gold hair and emerald eyes. She was dressed in a silver dress with glowing rubies embedded in it. She dreamt she stood by his side as he sat upon the throne. Lords and Ladies scurried below them, vying for attention from the royal family. And the girl was happy, a wide smile across her face. "I''ll tear down everything you''ve built, everything you''ve horded and thieved." The voice rang around the room and the girl cowered in fear. Everything was beginning began to collapse and the girl screamed as her happiness was ripped from her. Then she saw but the face of her sister. "I''ll rip everything away from you." The voice said to Lanaul and she woke up in a screaming fit. The girl''s wide and paranoid eyes travelled around the bedroom. There was no sign of her sister, Luna. Lanaul was alone, safe and protected in Castle Advent. It was the last night she would spend in her room and in this palace. For tomorrow she would sail to Merinium and begin preparations to marry the soon to be crowned king. The girl sat up in her bed, thinking about her dream. She imagined Luna standing over her with glee after she had ruined her life and finally ended her. Lanaul shivered, it would matter, she assured, soon she''d be queen, safe from any threat. Lanaul slipped out of her bed and grabbed a torch from the wall, she walked over to the door and pushed it open, a loud creaking filling her room and the hallway. The princess strode down the hall, her bed gown trailing. She finally stopped when she reached the door of her sister''s room. Not even bothering to knock, Lanaul pushed the door open instantly waking Luna. Lanaul secured the torch to the wall and sat in a wooden chair near Luna''s bed. "Hello, dear sister." She cooed. The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Luna blinked, a suspicious look. "What do you want?" She asked, rubbing her eyes and yawning. Lanaul''s lips crept into a small smirk. This is meant to be my destroyer, she thought. "Must I need a reason to check on my sister''s wellbeing?" A sister who was meant to destroy her, like she destroyed our brother. Lanaul recalled the memory of Lunarus'' death on a mission to retrieve herbs for the sick Luna. Lanual would not become a casualty, she would burn cities to the ground before that happened. She was meant to be king, to rule by Lucian''s side. "No," Luna said, sitting up. "But what do you want?" Grinning widely now Lanaul stared at her younger sister. What a stupid girl, does she truly have no idea, of what she will do? Lanaul''s eyes flashed with anger at her sister''s stupidity: "I just came to see if you were alright." Luna raised her eyebrows, "You never come to see if I''m alright." She remarked. "Why now?" Because I wanted to see how weak my enemy truly is, Lanaul answered wordlessly, the nightmares may portray you as strong, but you''re really not. She didn''t need to fear her sister, the girl was of small stature, only thirteen years. She wasn''t capable of harming, Lanaul. Or was she? At this thought Lanaul stood up in rage and stormed out without uttering another word. She walked briskly back to her room and slammed the door shut. She couldn''t stand the repugnant presence of her sister any longer. Lanaul turned to the direction of her desk and pushed everything off of its surface in rage. Books, paper, scrolls and ink pots all fell the ground. The girl screamed and sat on her bed, sobbing. _______________________ Yeah, she has a lot of issues and hates her sister to the bone for many reasons. You will find out more as the story progresses. Thank you for reading and I apologize for any grammatical errors. Expect updates weekly. Chapter Two: Divear Advent The morning was cool and crisp making Divear Advent shiver even though he wore a heavy coat. The nine year old boy¡¯s chestnut hair blew in the wind as he stared at the massive ship that would take the family up North. The Bringer of Storms it was called. The transport boat was the pride of the Advenian Navy. The ship has six tall masts, each of them possessed sails that were marked with the sigil of Advenia, the great Trident of the Sea. ¡°It isn''t a bit cold for you to be standing out here staring at a ship, little brother?¡± A voice questioned. Divear turned to see Seadda smirked, his blond hair tied in a tail which slipped down past his shoulders. ¡°But it''s so big!¡± Divear said, grinning childishly. Seadda chuckled at his brother¡¯s excitement and stepped closer to Divear, ruffling the boy¡¯s hair. ¡°Stop it.¡± Divear whined, pulling away from his brother¡¯s grasp. A pouty look, which amused Seadda, appeared on his face. ¡°Yes, Divear,¡± The older boy said, ¡°It is quite large. Do you know how Clan Advent acquired it?¡± Divear shook his head. Although he had a few guesses which included a giant water spirit and an immortal crafter. All imaginations his mind had conceived. ¡°We stole it from Clan Eanno.¡± Seadda said, ¡°Those seafaring bastards arrived on our shores and demanded a coveted strip of land which bordered our territories and rightfully belonged to our Clan. Do you know what we did?¡± Divear bounced on his heels eagerly, ¡°We took up arms and drove them out!¡± He stated proudly, Advent pride radiating from him. Seadda laughed softly. ¡°You are correct, we drove them out and pushed them back all the way to their fortification. They surrendered their navy to us as pacification for their crimes. The pride of their navy was this ship, now they have nothing.¡± Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Divear¡¯s blue eyes widened, ¡°Nothing.¡± He repeated, ¡°Not even one ship?¡± ¡°Not even one ship.¡± The two stood in silence until Divear asked a question that had been bothering him for a while. ¡°Seadda, what happens when father dies.¡± The older looked surprised by the question. He took a while to think. ¡°The family would continue on with Lanaul as Lady Marshall of Advenia.¡± Divear shuddered, ¡°I don''t want her to rule Advenia.¡± He commented, ¡°Only a fortnight ago she had a servant girl beaten to death for trying on one of her bracelets.¡± Seadda sighed. ¡°Lanaul is complicated, but let''s not get tied up over your sister. Father is of perfect health.¡± ¡°I hope so.¡± Divear muttered. He dreaded to even think of Lanaul. Another silence ensued before it was broken by Seadda. ¡°If you want I can show you that sword technique that you''ve been hounding me about before we prepare to depart.¡± Divear¡¯s eyes widened with glee and he nodded his head rapidly, rushing off to training yard. His mind full of joyful, not realizing that this was one of the last times his family would be happy. ---------------- Two chapters in one night! I was not expecting that! So yeah, this is definitely the calm before the storm. A train filled with troubles is about to hit Clan Advent and it''s not going to be pretty. Thank you for reading and make sure to comment with your opinions. Basic Plot Points (I will add more on as time goes on) -The land of Euna is divided into territories under the jurisdiction of a clan which answers to the King. - King Rahne and Queen Verena are dead, leaving their thirteen year old son Lucian as the King. - Lanaul is going to marry Lucian to forge an alliance and bring Advenia under the control of the Crown. - The entire Advent family is going journey to Merinium, except for Lord Advent, who is sickly. (Seadda lies to Divear about his health) Stolen story; please report.- Levia Advent had already left Advenia before the events of the book happen to join the guard in the South, a dream she had always had. - Lanaul hates Luna because Lunarus, the eldest child of the Advent family died on a journey to recover herbs for Luna who was sick at the time. Chapter Three: Amaris Caerthan The Vainfort was no place for a child but neither was any stretch of land that formed the Dreadlands for that matter. However the Dreadlands were home to man, woman and child and all had learn to adapt or perish. Amaris Dugon was the living example of a person forged by the cruel, ruthless nature of the Dreadlands. Growing up in the South for most of his life did nothing but harden the boy and teach him a much needed lesson of life. It was cruel and remorseless. Along with possessing the standard persona of a person living in the Dreadlands, he also had the looks of one, despite being of Caerthan blood on his mother¡¯s side. Amaris had black hair, gray eyes and a serious face that revealing nothing, features which heavily contrasted the soft blond locks and innocent blue eyes of the Noble Clans of the North. Even though the boy had the appearance of a sixteen year old youth, his eyes, which unnerved most, were hardened and serious, signaling trauma of some sort. Mentally, the boy was definitely a man. He stared at the man in the chopping block with a cold passiveness, before looking off at his foster mother, Sela Dugon. She nodded at him, her eyes possessing the same hardened look in them as well. Only the two of them, both heads of Dugon family, were allowed to be at the sacred grounds of execution. Amaris drew his sword, Nightbane, a blade wider than a hand and taller than Amaris was in his early adolescence. The hilt was embedded with a single jewel and the ancestral symbols of Clan Dugon. He had forged it himself and his mother had congratulated him and said his father would be proud. The boy stabbed the sword into the dirt and looked down at the ground. "For your crimes of the rape and murder of an innocent, in the name of my father, Michael Dugon, Lord Advisor to the King who rules in the North and his father, I Amaris Dugon, Lord of the South, Master of the Vainfort and Head of Clan Dugon, sentence you to death in the sight of Gods, Man and Nature." Amaris raised his blade and brought it back down upon the back of the man¡¯s neck, removing his head in one clean stroke. Amaris sighed and sheathed his blade. ¡°You did well.¡± Sela Dugon said grimly walking up to him. Her pale skin was framed by dark hair which matched her dark eyes. ¡°Your father would be pleased.¡± ¡°I miss father.¡± Amaris said, linking arms with his mother to safely escort her back to the Vainfort Castle. ¡°As do we all,¡± Sela responded, ¡°But you father is serving the realm, better than most can and more loyal that most will.¡± A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡°Father is serving in a pit of vipers, the North is dangerous and dishonest, I could probably count the amount of loyal lords up there on my hand.¡± Sela chuckled, ¡°I have no doubt,¡± she responded, ¡°but you must know that you father is not as blind to the corruption in the king¡¯s court as most think.¡± It doesn''t matter, Amaris thought, the North will still swallow him up. ¡°But King Rahne is dead and now a child is going to sit on the throne. Father is going to be surrounded by dangerous lords vying for the king¡¯s attention.¡± Dangerous lords willing to kills especially since probably half the kingdom would probably sell their half their gold and lands to deface the righteous Clan Dugon. Amaris left the rest unsaid. The sound of approaching horses ripped Amaris out of his thoughts, a riding party of about fifty men rode along the pathway. The lead horseman stopped his horse, signaling for the others to halt as well. ¡°My lord.¡± He said removing his helmet, shoulder length raven hair spilled out. Amaris already knew what was going on. ¡°Problems in the west, Ethin?¡± He asked his commanding bannerman. The boy nodded briskly. ¡°Mercenaries with the crow sigil, my lord.¡± He answered. ¡°An extra horse was brought along for you.¡± Amaris looked down in contemplation before exhaling. ¡°Spare a knight to escort my mother to the castle.¡± He commanded, ¡°I will accompany you.¡± Ethin nodded and gestured to a knight, who rode up to Sela and helped on her on his horse. ¡°Be careful.¡± Sela said, her eyes filled with worry. Amaris climbed up on his horse and looked at his mother. ¡°I''ll be fine.¡± He promised, grabbing the reins of the horse. She gave him one last glance before the knight yanked the reins and the horse began to gallop away. ----------------------- This chapter was just to introduce some important characters. Next chapter is where the true story will begin. Some important plot points -Micheal Dugon serves in the capital as advisor to the king. -Amaris is the product of an affair between the Queen and someone else (who I will not name), he was sent to be fostered in secret with Micheal Dugon, a childhood friend of hers, so the king wouldn''t find out. -Since Micheal Dugon is in Merinium (the capital), Amaris serves as Lord Regent of the Dreadlands) Thank you for reading and please make sure to comment. I apologize for any grammatical errors. The Great Clans of Euna undefined House: Clan Stewart-Lanniveer Kingdom: Euna Seat: Thieris Fortification: Castle Meaden Motto: Stay tall through it all Colors: Blue, white, silver and gold Liege: 40,000 Vassals: Lamsley Meagomery Pitlins Merryledge Dyeford Moontree Lord: Jon Stewart undefined House: Clan Aberdeen Kingdom: Euna Seat: Iesyn Fortification: Diernus Motto: For the Crown! Colors: Black, silver and gold Liege: 35,000 Vassals: None Lady: Cearlia Aberdeen undefined House: Clan Moniwid Kingdom: Euna Seat: Crius Fortification: Tip of Tiin Motto: Union creates harmony Colors: Black, green, blue, silver and gold Liege: 40,000 Vassals Watcox Lepard Townwen Crowburn Grossguard Fullerwin Preencus Freenso Anton Drooren Eesteph Multoss Flainthens undefined House: Clan Arncard Kingdom: Euna Seat: Adroiden Fortification: Caverns of Arncard Colors: Red, silver, black and white Liege: 30,000 Vassals: Bottrice Werfield Townmour Davenson undefined House: Clan Caerthan Kingdom: Euna Seat: Lucaen, Caerthlands. Fortification: Merinium, Castle Caerthar Motto: Veritas Defendit Nos. (Defenders of Truth) Colors: Purple, Black and Gold Liege: 130,000 Vassals: Clan Norhas Clan Fireen Clan Doros Clan Taen Clan Gerhen Clan Pearwood Clan Crowling Lord: King Lucian Caerthan Queen Verena Caerthan (Lady of the Caerthlands) Primary industry: Minerals, valuable natural resources undefined House: Clan Wooddwin Kingdom: Euna Seat: Alzenia Fortification: Castle Raien Motto: Deeds not Words Color: Green, white and gold. Liege: 60,000 Vassals: Clan Talbrook The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.Clan Hubmar Clan Droenbread Clan Augustgard Lord: Terin Wooddwin Primary industry: Lumber undefined House: Clan Dugon Kingdom: Euna Seat: The South Fortification: Vainfort Motto: Hold the Line Colors: Red, Green and Silver Liege: 70,000 Vassals: Clan Morisrett Clan Steder Clan Lanbrick Clan Gallowell Clan Moredall Clan Brewland Clan Glonsaird Clan Raiwnogs Clan Naildwey Clan Prolbrern Lord: Micheal Dugon Primary industry: Blades, Armor, metal works undefined House: Clan Eanno Kingdom: Euna Seat: Tretia Fortification: Eanno Manor Motto: Fate, Courage and Sea Colors: Blue and Gold Liege: 20,000 Vassals: None Lord: Vasen Eanno Primary industry: shipbuilding undefined House: Cleinan Kingdom: Euna Seat: Buertomia Fortification: Calydonea Halls Motto: Live Long and Free Colors: Blue, Black and Silver Liege: 50,000 Vassals: Harrice Taydal Whitford Richmond Collwood Solomore Booydo Vowdeach Roodseng Pludkain Lord: Aeren Clienan Primary industry: Fish undefined House: Kilgour Kingdom: Euna Seat: The Islands of Silver Fortification: Darfield Castle Motto: Fortune favours the bold Colors: Purple & Silver Liege: 15,000 Vassals: Houses of Mobrin Lord: Mauria Kilgour Primary industry: None undefined House: Clan Riverwynd Kingdom: Euna Seat: Seadda Fortification: Blackforge Castle Motto: The eagle does not catch flies Colors:Red and White Liege: 30,000 Vassals: Goldnor Ruxridge Putpard Smalltree Davenmour Grandmere Pleeccosh Sheadway Plokkooch Floccaitn Lord: Serin Riverwynd