Thronegarden by Andrew Dickerson (top rated books of all time .txt) 📕

Even from such heights the rulers could not see danger wake.

Farren Scorj led a coup,

Starting a bloody rebellion,

In the end these insurgents were too few,

Due to his poisoned blade, Farren earned the moniker of Scorpion.

The Scorj rebels were bitterly pursued,

Though they managed to flee beneath subterranean tunnels,

Thus, began a bitter feud,

 For generations they would fight over who rules.

The Shades worshipped Vaxlesh, a water spirit,

Who had fallen from grace due to pride,

For all who remained faithful to him would benefit,

By standing at King Byron and Queen Elays’ side.

The Scorj worshipped Falchard who represented the earth,

Depicted as a dwarf wielding a giant hammer,

Who created their home Mount Duskenside at birth,

Capable of rending land with one single glower.

After a generation of conflict,

Peace was sought again by matrimony,

So all may profit,

From the young couple’s harmony.

Prince Harcourt Shade had ascended to power too soon,

He shared Vaxlesh’s prideful weakness,

Praised as the Knight of the Blood Moon,

His youth left him vulnerable to beauty and avarice.

For her part the Princess Ariadne was as beautiful as Queen Elays had been,

She enchanted men with a single smile,

Crowds would gather for a glimpse of their new queen,

Lining streets for mile upon mile.

Prince Harcourt soon grew jealous,

Of his bride’s popularity,

He put down his lance for faith and grew ever more pious,

On their wedding day he accused Ariadne of planning treachery.

The prince sought to drown Ariadne in the holy font,

Many say Vaxlesh refused to take the princess’s life due to her beauty,

Whatever the princes want,

His sins would result in catastrophe.

Princess Ariadne not only survived, she became a legend,

Prince Harcourt could not sleep for fear of the woman he was supposed to marry,

While the prince’s star fell his betrothed would only ascend,

As she became known only as The Lady.

Finally, crowned King Harcourt found a new partner,

A pretty young girl ‘The Lady Wexley’,

The king sought to marry his new lover,

A year after his previous betrothal’s anniversary.

The Lady was so angry,

She brought the high tower down,

Killing hundreds including those about to marry,

The king was lost along with his crown.

Chapter 12 Dangerous Times

Red Eye cursed his misfortune as he walked alone across the scorched plains of the Shadowgarden. Above, the sun was setting in the west, producing long shadows (which was why it was known as the Shadowgarden). The land was so dry with not a breath of wind; it remained hot and relentless. The ground was scorched as Red Eye crossed the open tundra on his cursed mission. Thoughts of their recent excursion to the Wintergarden and a cold climate made the Sprite’s mood worse. Everything had started to go wrong since he first encountered the girl on fire. With her bright red hair, they should have realised her appearance was a bad omen. For her to reappear now when they were so close to success was inauspicious, and Red Eye had shrunk while giving his report to Jinx, the leader of the Sprites. Surprisingly, Jinx had taken the news relatively calmly; no doubt his growing army of Baywolves, Sprites, Goblins, Ogres and even an actual Giant had bolstered his confidence. Red Eye had felt momentarily happier, thinking that he had given the girl’s arrival too much significance and everything would be well after all. That was until Jinx had ordered him to visit the Lady and gain her support in ridding them of this fresh challenge. Red Eye was so absorbed in his misery that he almost fell into the lake. There were no clear signs and the bare earth simply dropped away into a large pool of water. Normally on a hot day (every day was hot now time had stopped) a weary traveller would have reveled in the refreshing water provided by this seeming oasis. Unfortunately, this was The Lady of the Lake’s realm where even being this close to those foul waters could be fatal. Red Eye was terrified of the Lady just like everybody else. However, his position as chief scout was important as it afforded him certain privileges and he was not willing to surrender those because of a little fear. Gratefully, the Lady was not interested in a lone Sprite wandering around her boundary and received Red Eye with indifference.

“What do you want?” she sneered.

The Lady always looked different each time you saw her. Today she was a youthful beauty with golden tresses, blue eyes and a simple red dress that seemed to float against her desirable figure. Such excesses were completely wasted on Red Eye, so the Lady revealed her true visage: she was drenched from head to foot with water dripping from her hair, nose and clothes. The Lady had dark knotted hair that hung like a pall around her shoulders, leaving her pale face exposed and giving her guest a terrifying view of her bloodshot eyes and twisted teeth. She smelt of sour water in a blocked storm drain, and even Red Eye’s accustomed senses recoiled at the smell.

“Jinx needs your help, Oh Great One.” Red Eye bowed nervously.

“I have no interest in aiding you simpletons,” the Lady snapped.

“There is a girl with red hair who tamed a Peritwinkle and rallied the villagers against us in Wintergarden,” Red Eye related. “She is here now, when we are so close to achieving our ends, and need Your Greatness to make sure there is no delay.”

The Lady appeared to have forgotten Red Eye as she searched amongst the river bank for something no one else could see.

“A girl.”

Red Eye almost missed the words for they were spoken under the Lady’s breath like