Kings of Euphoria (Euphoria Duology Book Two)

  Kings of Euphoria

  By Franc Ingram

  Text Copyright © 2017 Franc Ingram

  Cover Art Copyright © 2017 Debra Calhoun

  Map Copyright © 2017 Debra Calhoun

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 1981319093

  ISBN-13: 978-1981319091

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any form or means without the written permission of the publisher.

  In memory of:

  Hazel P. – loving mother, kind soul, and devourer of stories

  Cover Art & Map: Debra Calhoun

  www.facebook.com/designsbydebra.calhoun

  Edited by: Cynthia A. Boswell

  boswellprofessionalwritingservices.wordpress.com

  CHAPTER ONE: EMMARAY’S DECISION

  Gaeth.

  Cornelius never liked stepping foot on the hot and humid island. He hated even more the way the people treated him, like some outsider encroaching on their territory. Speaking with Emmaray was important enough to endure it. The second he stepped off the borrowed Failsea ship, Cornelius felt the heat hit him in waves. He secured his frozen face mask over his mouth to prevent breathing in too much of the hot air. The feel of it against his exposed flesh gave him a sharp reminder of the flames Daycia had threw in his face not long enough ago. He caressed the scarred side of his face, feeling the gentle ridges there where his burns had healed just a little off, marring the once clean lines of his face.

  "This way," his guide urged, pulling Cornelius back to the present.

  The man was one of the Elevated, a special class of elite soldier on Gaeth. He wore the black and crimson red of their order. He was a tall man, for a human. Coming up to Cornelius's shoulder. The sides of his head were shaved and the swath of coarse hair at the top of his head was dyed a startlingly deep red. Four golden rings punctured his right ear, which marked him as a lieutenant in the order. The fact that Emmaray sent such a high-ranking escort gave Cornelius some hope that things would work well between them. It boded well that she gave him enough thought to send one of her best to make sure he made it to their meeting.

  Cornelius didn't need an escort. He could have found Emmaray in the middle of a desert with his eyes closed. He'd known her longer than her new sycophants could even imagine. There was a connection between them that brought them together when they were in need, and just as much repelled them when things between them weren't going well.

  He had every intention of playing on those feelings to get her to do what he needed her to. Those Heirs hurt their son. There was no answer that would get him to leave other than her complete cooperation.

  Cornelius nodded to the man and followed him along the rock path into the jungle. The thick leaves slapped against his arms as they climbed in elevation, leaving the flat, wide open beach far behind. After several minutes of walking through the barely contained wilderness Cornelius was almost convinced that there was no civilization to be found on the island.

  Then the tree line broke, a clearing spread out before him, and the first signs of humanity became visible. Cornelius was surprised by how far Gaeth had come in his absence. A hundred years and Emmaray had done her best to replicate the delicate structures only seen in Evermore. The towering volcanic rock buildings started at the heart of the city and spiraled out in regular intervals with what looked like small workshops taking up the gaps in between. It gave the place an odd sense of balance and organization yet blended into the wild seamlessly, as if there was no beginning of one and no end of another, but a hybridization of the two.

  Far in the background lay the string of volcanoes that made Gaeth in the first place. The last time Cornelius left the island, the highest mountain, Mount Kilana was sputtering and spitting smoke out of her top, agitated by Emmaray's fury. The ground beneath his feet shook as he stalked down the hillside and back to his boat, leaving his son Tannin behind. Yet Tannin, when strong enough to make his own choice despite his mother's wishes, chose to be with his father.

  When he first reached out to Emmaray, warning her that he had bad news about their son, Cornelius was sure she would greet him with a fireball, blaming him for any ill that had befallen their child. She'd already lost her first child to the pull of the humans. Now he had to tell her that he'd failed to protect their son. It would not be easy, but now she must see the need to join the fight and defeat the Heirs once and for all. Otherwise, people like him, Emmaray, and Tannin would all be exterminated. The Heirs of Eternity would make sure of that.

  They snaked their way through the city. Plenty of brown faces, bronzed by the relentless sun, stared at him as he passed. Cornelius wondered how many of them would be coming back with him to fight a war that they knew nothing about. They would do whatever Emmaray ordered them to.

  At the center of the city Emmaray's castle sat at the center of a spiral. It was a dark sister to the Crystal Tower in Evermore, a shorter, less imposing version. This tower had more curvy, natural lines to it. Much like Emmaray herself compared to the Keeper of The Tower, Kameke.

  The guide pulled open the dark wooden door with its intricate leaf and flower carved design. Cornelius was surprised to find the building was mostly one large room with a loft area and catwalk along the perimeter.

  Emmaray sat on her throne, draped in a shear turquoise green dress that fell over her knees. Her red curls cascaded over her shoulders and brushed the top of her thighs. As many villagers as he spotted outside were inside sitting around her. Many had baskets in theirs hands or various offerings ready to give to her.

  Two women stood in front of the throne. They were older women, gray hair gathered in neat ponytails atop their heads. One was so thin and frail looking that Cornelius didn't know how the weight of her hair didn't break her in half. The other had some meat to her, but her skin looked dried out from too many years in the sun. Her caramel skin was covered in dark blotches that made her look like an overused pin cushion.

  Cornelius couldn't hear what they said, but whatever it was had everyone's attention, and the thin elderly woman in tears. Emmaray smiled at them as if they were wayward children she needed to correct. Of course, Emmaray always had that look in her eyes. She thought everyone was a child compared to her. In her defense one long look into her shimmering violet eyes and many people were reduced to childish behavior.

  Emmaray didn't give Cornelius a second glance as he overtook his guide and moved closer to within feet of the throne. Cornelius wanted to cut through the crowd and get on with his business. But he knew trying to rush Emmaray would only result in her shutting him down. So, he took as close a position to her as he dared and watched her work. She was the goddess of this island, worshipped by its inhabitants for generations. She was the only ultra on the planet who had such a large and devoted following and she kept it that way by not interfering in the plans of others. So, Cornelius knew he had an uphill battle to fight with her, but he knew how to dig in and wait for the right moment to strike.

  The older women continued with their tale of woe. "... the last piece of our family that we had. My sister and I have nothing left. No other means to support ourselves. Without your mercy," the thin woman's voice broke. Her frail body shuddered as her sister hugged her tight, "we will die on the streets. We wish not to burden you with our problems. We know of your great mercy toward your servants."

  "We are asking for that mercy now," the other sister continued. "We both lost our husbands to your service. We just ask that you please take care of us in the last days of our lives."

  Cornelius could only imagine what the husbands of these two women died doing. There were plenty of jobs in the
service of Emmaray that were more dangerous than she would ever admit to. Now they were asking for help. Cornelius knew Emmaray wasn't as merciful and kind as these two women claimed she was. If they truly believed the words they said, desperation wouldn't have been dripping from every word out of their shaking lips.

  Emmaray glanced over at him, as if she sensed what he was thinking. Maybe the Fire Goddess could tell by Cornelius’ body language that he doubted her. She offered him a smug smile then returned her attention to the women in front of her. Emmaray rose from her throne with a flutter of brightly-colored fabric, stepped down to the floor level, and placed her hands on the thinner woman's shoulders.

  "My dear faithful women, of course your loyal course will be rewarded." Looking out into the crowd, Emmaray gave them the full power of her soft, concerned public mask. "You should have come to me sooner. I would never have let you suffer so long. If you had only reached out for my help at the onset of your problems I could have spared you such indignities." Emmaray turned to the guard on her left, another of the Elevated. Two rings in his ear, a scimitar in his hand, and broader in build than the one that led Cornelius in. His hook nose distorted the otherwise baby look of his face. "Jotham here will escort you to the Temple of Plenty and the sisters there will provide you what you need." Emmaray looked out to the crowd, making sure all were aware of her generosity. "Let no one say Emmaray is uncaring. That she lets down those who serve her with a complete heart. I give much, it is up to you to come to me with your burdens."

  The gathered beat their hands on the ground in the ceremonial sign of their jubilation. The women smiled, crying all the harder now that their burden was lifted. Jotham stepped forward and lead the women away.

  "My people, I'm sorry for the interruption but another matter calls my attention. I will open my doors again tomorrow and keep them open until sunset to assuage any inconvenience that this may cause you. Peace be with you, and I will see you again." Emmaray blew kisses to the crowd then sat back on her throne dismissing the gathered with a wave of her hands.

  No one so much as groaned as they got up to leave. By the looks on their faces, plenty of them were upset but they most likely feared making any noise about it. Cornelius appreciated the iron hold Emmaray had over her people. A hold she managed to keep for centuries. Despite her isolationist attitude she could prove to be the best ally he could have.

  Ivar did his part. His eagerness and raw resources made up for his lack of intelligence and his short-sightedness. But it was now time for Cornelius to find an equal partner. One that brought in as much as Cornelius did, and Emmaray was that one.

  When it was just the two of them, the guards at her side fading into the background, Cornelius finally dared to move up on the steps that led to Emmaray's throne. "That was an impressive display. You always had a way with your people that I admired."

  The beginnings of a smile tugged at the edges of Emmaray full lips, but she tightened up, sitting straighter in her high-backed seat, chest out, back arched, arms gripping the padded arm rests. "Get to your business, Cornelius. Having you here doesn't sit well with me. The sooner you state your case, the sooner I can be rid of you."

  Cornelius bit back the ball of rage that collected in the back of his throat. He wasn't used to being talked to that way. It stirred up the blinding anger that sat in the back of his mind, always straining to get free. But the task at hand was more important than his pride. He thought of Tannin locked away, thought of how sweet the victory over the Heirs would be with Emmaray at his side.

  "I apologize for disturbing you so Emmaray. I came to explain to you what has happened to our son and beg for your help to right the wrong."

  Emmaray stiffened. Her eyes narrowed but she said nothing.

  Cornelius powered forward. "The news must have reached even you by now, but the Heirs of Eternity resurfaced recently. They showed up in my backyard and I was forced to confront them before I was completely ready. Tannin went after them and that Guardian of theirs injured him gravely."

  Emmaray stood, her dress billowing around her as she closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye, her cheeks blistering red from the anger burning inside of her. She grabbed the collar of his shirt. "Where's my son? What has happened to him? Why didn't you explain this in your letter?"

  Cornelius stood his ground, not willing to give her anger an inch. "I saved Tannin. Froze him to give his body time to heal itself."

  "If he'd stayed with me none of this would have happened. He would have been safe. Why did I let him go anywhere near you? I knew you would bring him nothing but pain."

  "I don't think you had much choice," Cornelius stated flatly. Emmaray reared back as if she were going to slap him but Cornelius pulled away from her. "I only meant he is as stubborn and strong willed as you. That fight would have been never ending."

  "So, you have told me of Tannin. Now can you be off?"

  "No," Cornelius closed the gap between them and snatched Emmaray’s wrist before she could turn away from him. "While the incident with Tannin is unforgivable, it’s only the symptom of the larger problem. The Heirs have been crowned. They wage war against our kind. They won’t stop at the sea and continue to leave you to your paradise. It is time to pull your head out of the sand and stand and fight with me. They must be destroyed, otherwise they will destroy us."

  Emmaray looked down at Cornelius' hand on hers. He dropped her hand like a hot stone. Still she stared down, lost in thought. "I can't leave my people. I have promises to keep. What else could I possibly do for you?"

  Cornelius sighed. He was hoping for more but at least she didn't shut him out or try to run him away as she had before.

  "You don't have to leave your island to be of help. You have trained soldiers and resources beyond mine. Join in this fight and lend me men to fight with. I will bring you the heads of those who dared to hurt our son."

  Emmaray looked him in the eyes and smiled. It was a mischievous look that brightened her face. "You know that I reward my loyal ones. All you had to do was ask. Now I'll grant all that I can to demonstrate my power on your behalf, in return for a small favor of course."

  CHAPTER TWO: THE WALL

  Leith stood on the banks of the Sea of Adenach wondering if he squinted hard enough he could catch sight of the ships headed in from Gaeth. He'd been a king for six months. The biggest test of his reign so far would be coming soon, storming the beaches of Caledon. Leith didn't know if he was ready to take on the role of warrior king, he was still adjusting to so many other aspects of his job. He had even less faith in his co-rulers' ability to face the challenge.

  "Are you sure this will be of any use?" Jonathan said, arguing his point for the fourth time. He'd already developed the nickname, Bulldog of Darten.

  As part of the Heirs' initiative to unite the realms, the three kings encouraged the loyal realms to send representatives to make up an advising council called, The Court. It was supposed to make the transition with the new rulers easier for all parties. Jonathan was a member of The Court and the war adviser to the former leader of Darten. He'd come with them to Caledon to represent the advisory council's interests.

  As the callouses on Jonathan’s lean hands and the ragged scar poking out from his collar bone suggested, he was a man well-versed in the ways of war. He was also a man used to getting his way and his opinion carrying great weight. He knew how to make his presence known, but Nadir was having none of it. As a long-time leader of Caledon, he too knew how to stand his ground.

  "The wall will keep them from marching straight into Caledonia. It will funnel them into one spot and we can take them out with ease. That's if they still dare to come ashore at all." Nadir made his point with a finger in Jonathan's face. Leith feared he would have to step between the two men as he'd done before. "It's the best plan," Nadir insisted, "We'll prevent a very bloody and costly battle. What part of that could you possibly object to?"

  Leith listened to the two older men argue but his eyes were g
lued on his co-rulers. The six months they'd had together had not been kind to them. Being crowned at Evermore was the easiest part of the journey so far. The three of them had run through a crash course on leadership, cooperation, and negotiation. They'd also learned that it wasn't easy to make global decisions and even tougher when their minds were on other things.

  Six months of searching and they knew nothing more about Oleana's whereabouts. Every day without her tore Lorn up inside. Leith could see it on the boy's face. He'd hoped this funk Lorn was in would pass, that the boy would grieve his mom and move on. But the dark pit was only getting deeper for Lorn. He was pulling away from them more and more each day.

  Even now he stood off to the side. His arms were crossed over his chest, eyes staring out over the ocean, unfocused, hard and unknowable. That bubbly, excitable young man Leith met in Solon months before was buried under a mountain of guilt.

  Lysander wasn't faring much better. He may not have been burdened by the same amount of guilt, but the events of the past spring had changed him too. His behavior had become erratic. Leith couldn't get a read on him. One minute he was calm and rational, the next he was flying off the handle. Lysander let anger control him with the slightest provocation. Somehow, they had to put all that aside and focus on the growing problem facing them.

  They were on the beach of Caledon because the network of spies the Rangers maintained said fifty Gaeth war canoes were headed their way. Their plan to keep the invaders at bay included Lysander, Master of Earth, building a wall like the one he formed around Evermore to keep the people of the coastal cities of Caledonia and Startis safe. Leith wasn't sure Lysander was up to the task. No matter how solid the plan, if Lysander couldn't deliver they would all be vulnerable to attack.

  Leith stood in front of his fellow king, demanding attention. Jonathan and Nadir could have their argument in the background, but Leith had things to settle with Lysander before being bothered with them.