The Mad Raven's Tale (The Accarian Chronicles Book 1) by Andrew Walbrown (little red riding hood read aloud txt) 📕

a prince, the third in line for the throne.” Pelecia continued, staring at her child. “Growing tired of the maidens being paraded in front of him he ran away from the palace and found me. When he asked for my hand I did not know who he was, I only knew he had a gentle soul, a kind heart. I also knew I loved him, and he loved me too, and that was all that mattered to me.”

“But unfortunately, the world is not always so black and white. As King, he had new responsibilities, ones he rejected at first. We continued our romance for quite some time after his coronation, but deep inside we both knew it was not going to last forever. He needed a wife and children for the good of the kingdom, because if he suddenly died without an heir, Accaria would be engulfed in chaos. I did not like it, and to this day I still have not entirely accepted his decision, but I understand its merit. Roderic then married Verona of House Cassia, who you simply know as Queen Verona. At first, I held onto a lover’s hope thinking that he would eventually leave her, and he and I would sail away as we had planned, but over time I realized how foolish that was. So I faded away, to live here. Before our relationship ended, though, there was one last gift Roderic gave me. You.”

Amantius gripped the arms of his chair, digging his fingernails into the wood. He had trouble breathing; he could hear his heart pounded in his ears. “Me? Are you sure?”

Now it was Pelecia’s turn to laugh. “Yes, my child, I am sure. You are Roderic’s son.”

“And the rightful king,” Marinius added, his gruff voice drawing everyone’s attention.

“But how?” Amantius managed to say, “How can I be? Even if what you say is true, I’m just a bastard. How could I have a claim to the throne when there are three legitimate children?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Marinius replied, “you are the oldest of King Roderic’s children. His blood, the royal blood, flows in your veins.”

“Who else knows?” Ulam asked. He had been customarily quiet, a large Orcish hand thoughtfully rubbing his chin. “Who in the palace, or the entire city, knows this story?”

“There are a few people like me who know,” Marinius replied.

“That reminds me, who are you, exactly?” Amantius said. “How are you involved in all of this?

“I was King Roderic’s warchief and closest companion. He was like a brother to me,” Marinius replied with a hint of emotion. “I even stood guard outside the chambers when your mother gave birth to you. And to answer your question further,” Marinius turned to Ulam, “aside from me, a couple of nurses and Priestess Issa were present. They would be the only ones to know, assuming everyone has kept the secret.”

“Priestess Issa, eh?” Ulam mumbled.

Amantius heard his foster-brother’s comment but was too overwhelmed with life-altering revelations to care. “So what now? Am I the King, even if I don’t want to be? I can’t even manage to be on time for dinner, how could I possibly rule a kingdom?”

Marinius looked to Pelecia, who had looked away. She began to sob as tears formed in her eyes.

“Around a year ago, when King Roderic’s illness began to best him, he had me contact your mother and devise a plan for when this day would come.” Marinius began as he paced the room. “He was no fool; he knew that his death would tear the kingdom apart. There are no peaceful transitions when three princes want the same throne. Though I do not think he knew exactly how much conflict there would have been.”

“Roderic ordered arrangements to be made. And since the rumors are true about Prince Varian seizing power and murdering his older brother, as are the stories about Prince Zeno rallying loyal followers to Mount Meganthus, it is time these arrangements be put into action.”

“He murdered his older brother!” Pelecia yelled. When Marinius nodded she looked to Amantius and shuddered.

Arrangements? What kind of arrangements? Amantius thought, the ice-cold hand of fear gripping his heart. Is there a secret army waiting to rise up and place me on the throne?

“The King had paid for passage to the mainland for two,” Marinius continued, “He purchased the fastest ship in the harbor and hired one of the best smugglers money could buy to captain the vessel. The man and his crew have been paid a generous wage for the past year to remain ever vigilant in the docks, waiting for the day their services would be needed.” Marinius turned and stared at Amantius. “And that time has come.”

“So Mother and I are supposed to sail away from Accaria?” Amantius managed to say, his voice heavy with disbelief.

Marinius nodded. “In two days there will be a knock on the door, like this,” he beat out a rhythm on the arm of a chair, “I personally will take you to the docks.”

“Surely there must be another way,” Pelecia managed through the sobs. “We can go to the mountain, live as shepherds. Or we could ask for clemency.”

Ulam grunted. “The new king has murdered his own brother and is about to go to war with the other. I do not believe he will be so accommodating.”

Marinius nodded. “He speaks the truth. Even I have to fear for my life, and my family’s. They have already left the city and headed to Mount Meganthus. As soon as I tend to a few more affairs I will be joining them.”

“Why can we not go with you, then?” Amantius asked. He could not wrap his head around the concept of crossing the ocean just to protect a secret that may never be discovered. “Would Prince Zeno be more tolerant?

“Who is to say?” Marinius replied with a shrug of the shoulders. “Any political rival is in danger in this upcoming war. Not just blood relatives, but anyone with power, and the war will not end until