Prologue
Kingdom of the Misty Oak Sunset was well known through out the Land of the Northeast Raven Spirit. No one knows the true meaning behind the kingdom’s name. It’s in the southwest corner of the land. It has rolling hills, forests, a couple of lakes that are as deep as the eye can see, and Phoenix castle.
Phoenix castle and the entire Kingdom of the Misty Oak Sunset is ruled by Bryon Austin Wolfe and his stepbrother Zane Issac McKnight. Bryon Austin Wolfe stood just a little over six feet. He wore his long brown hair in a braid and his brown eyes had the feel of power about them. He was muscular and more athletic then his brother. Zane Issac McKnight stood a few inches shorter then his brother. He wore his sandy blonde hair in a ponytail for it wasn’t as long as Bryon’s. Zane’s hazel eyes had the look of adventure in them.
Their parents got married when Bryon and Zane were young. The lads never had any problems getting along until their early twenties. They both fell in love with Natasha Christine Black. Natasha was the most beautiful lass in the kingdom of the blue dukes. Her fiery auburn hair flowed to the middle of her back when she didn’t have it up. She was of customary height and slender. Her grey eyes were always looking off in to the distance. She also had the power over most of the lads in the kingdom, all the lads that is except Bryon and Zane. She liked the fact that she had to fight to get power over them and she liked the fact that they fought over her. Of the two, she found Bryon irresistible and Zane tolerable.
One day a group of people came into the Kingdom of the Misty Oak Sunset from a neighboring kingdom, the Kingdom of the North Leaf Sunrise. Lord Windfire, the leader of the group, had a daughter named Sonja Hope. Sonja Hope was also of average height. Her strawberry blonde hair was not as long as Natasha’s. Her green eyes had playfulness about them. She wasn’t as slender as Natasha either. But she had the eyes of all the lads in the Kingdom of the North Leaf Sunrise.
Lord Windfire had come to talk to Lord Wolfe about a bond between the two kingdoms. Seeing as how there were no other true royals in Lord Windfire’s kingdom, he was going to see about having one of Lord Wolfe’s sons taking Sonja Hope’s hand in marriage.
After much debate it was settled. Zane would go to live in the Kingdom of the North Leaf Sunrise and take Sonja Hope’s hand in marriage. Zane was appalled at first, but then realized he wouldn’t have to fight Bryon to get the kingdom now. Bryon was happy about the decision because this meant he would for sure get Natasha.
And this is where we beginning our story. Bryon and Natasha have been happily married for twenty-five years and have a son named Austin Julian Wolfe. Zane and Sonja Hope have also been married twenty-five years, but they were blessed with a girl, whom they named Krystal Renee McKnight.
Chapter 1
Krystal Renee McKnight looked at herself in the looking glass. Staring back at her was a lass in her twentieth year. Her hair, which was the same strawberry blonde as her mother’s, hung to her waist. Her hazel eyes had her father’s adventurous look in them. She also had her father’s height, but she was slender like her mother.
“I can’t believe I have to go visit Uncle Bryon and Aunt Natasha again today.” She said to her reflection as she quickly swept up her hair in to a braided twist. She turned away from the looking glass. She gazed over at the orange and white cat that lay on her bed. He had a white nose, mostly white legs but one of his forepaws had a streak of orange on it.
She got up and started to stroll across the length of her room to her wardrobe. Krystal started to dance on the way over. When she reached the wardrobe she opened the doors with a flourish. She stood in front of it in her pale peach colored undergarments trying to figure out what to wear. Should she wear a traveling gown or a regular gown?
“What do you think Jericho? Should it be a traveling gown or a regular gown?”
Jericho merely yawned, stretched and hopped off her bed.
“Krystal are you ready yet?” Her mother asked from the other side of the door.
“Mother, do I have to go again today? I was there yesterday and the day before that.”
“Yes I know, but your father wants you to get to know them. After all they are the only family he has.”
Krystal quickly grabbed a light amethyst traveling gown and put it on. She went and opened the door for her mother. She turned around so her mother could help her lace the gown. That was one thing Krystal hated about the clothes she had to wear, there was too much work put into lacing them up and such. When her mom was done she went and slipped in a pair of black sandals.
“Mother I understand it’s his only family, but they aren’t even blood.”
“Don’t get into that with me. You’ll have to take it up with him.” Her mother also had her hair in a braided twist. Sonja Hope had chosen a crimson gown that was more elegant, for she wasn’t traveling today with Krystal. Her gown was made up of actually three layers. Ever layer was a different shade of crimson, but not going anywhere near shades of rose pink or blush-pink. Her sandals matched the deepest crimson of her dress.
“Aren’t you coming with us today?”
“No I haven’t been feeling well since last night. Though I’m sure I’ll be over it in a few days. At least I was with you.”
“Eww. You and dad didn’t? Does he know yet?”
“No and you will mention nothing to him. Now come on lets head to the hall, I believe breakfast is waiting.” Sonja Hope took her daughter’s hand and led her to the hall. Jericho followed behind them knowing he was more then likely going to get food.
There were a few citizens already there. Krystal disliked sharing the hall with people who weren’t royal, she didn’t know why, she just did. But she supposed it was only natural, with the fact that there were only three of them in the royal family. There had been four but her maternal grandfather passed a way last spring.
Krystal looked around until she spotted her father. She let go of her mother’s hand. She gathered up her skirts and ran to him. When she reached him she threw her arms around his waist.
“Good morning father.”
“Well you’re in good spirits considering.” Zane said hugging her back. Zane had decided to were an indigo blue tunic with a pair of midnight black breeches. He chose to were a pair of black riding boots. He had his sandy blonde hair up into a ponytail like usual (it was almost as long as Bryon’s, considering that Bryon had chopped his recently).
“You know me to well father. But, why must we go back today? They must be tired of seeing us.”
“Well I hadn’t planned on taking you today. But A.J. requested that you come along.”
“Austin? Why would he want to deal with his cousin?”
“Come let us eat and not get into that at the moment.”
Sonja Hope came over and joined them. The three sat down simultaneously.
*~*~*~*~*
Austin Julian Wolfe ran through the fields trying to catch up to his father. His auburn hair getting whipped around by the wind that he created. He wasn’t concerned because he could still keep his warm grey eyes focused on Bryon. A.J., as he was affectionately called by all who knew him, had his father build and height. He was supposed to be racing his father, but A.J. hasn’t been able to catch since he was a little lad and only then because Bryon would let him win.
“Come on Dad!”
“Well hurry up, your uncle Zane and cousin Krystal should be here soon.”
“You did this on purpose, trying to prove that you are still a better runner.”
“I would think that you in your twenty-first year would be able to beat me.”
“Well, I’m just letting you win so you feel good about yourself.”
Bryon stopped when he got to Castle Phoenix. He turned just as A.J. came running up. A.J. purposely ran into Bryon trying to knock him over. He only budged him a little, but Bryon kept his footing. At the moment A.J. was wearing a leaf-green tunic and forest green breeches, which were now covered in sweat. Bryon was wearing a tunic of a very deep red, it almost look like it was covered in blood. His breeches were of a ebony and ash coloring. He wore his hair in a braid, because of racing A.J. They both happened to have been barefoot while racing, that way the shoes or boots or sandals didn’t get in their way.
“If you two are finished I suggest you get ready for our guests.” Natasha said as she stepped out on to a balcony. She was dressed in a simple gown, which resembled the coloring on a peacock, was of a light, stretchy material to help with the bulge of her abdomen that was just starting to show.
“Yes Ma’am.” The men said at the same time.
A.J. ran across the drawbridge and all the way to his room. He quickly threw off his sweat smelling clothes. He went over to the basin and grabbed out the sponge. He quickly sponged himself so that he was cleaner. He jogged over to look into his wardrobe to see what would be the likely choice for the day. He closed his eyed, reached in and pulled out a tunic. Then he did the same thing with his breeches. He opened his eyes.
“Purple and charcoal. That’ll work.” He hastily put on the deep purple tunic and charcoal breeches. He decided that it would be best to put his hair up, it was long enough to have ponytail in it, but not long enough to braid like his father’s and uncle’s. He slid on a pair of ash gray ridding boots o complete the ensemble.
A.J. came out of his room and strolled to the great hall. He looked and saw that his father and mother were already seated. He went over and sat down at his father’s left hand side.
“So kind of you to join us son.” Bryon said. He was now wearing a tunic that matched the peacock coloring of Natasha’s gown and a pair of breeches the color of a fawn. Bryon was wearing a pair of deep brown sandals. “I know how hard it is to have to deal with relatives so early in the morning, but Zane and Krystal should be here soon.”
“I didn’t think Zane was bringing Krystal today. She seemed so, what’s the word I want…”
“I requested he bring her along.” Bryon said to Natasha and then looked at A.J. “I thought A.J. and her could keep each other out of trouble.”
A.J. blushed a little knowing that he was actually he who had requested that Krystal come again today. He wondered why his father was covering for him. Bryon probably realized that A.J. was enjoying getting to know his female cousin. There would be nothing wrong if A.J. had those kinds of feelings, because Krystal wasn’t related by blood.
“Well, I hope they are successful. I wouldn’t want Sonja Hope to...”
“Natasha that’s enough talk. Let’s eat.”
A.J. picked up his fork and was about to start eating when he looked up and saw Krystal and Zane. He nudged his father and nodded towards them.
“Father, look.”
Bryon looked up and saw them as well.
“Brother!” Bryon bellowed as he got up.
“Bryon, it’s good to see you again.” Zane said as he walked up to where his brother stood.
“I was sorry to hear that Sonja Hope wasn’t joining you today.”
“She was little under the weather this morning. She asked me to bring her greetings though.”
“It’s so nice of you to join us again today Krystal. I was sure we wore you out yesterday.” Natasha said looking at Krystal who had come to stand next to Zane.
“I was honored that my presence was requested. I really hadn’t a inkling of what I was going to do otherwise.” Krystal said. “Good morning Uncle. A.J.”
“Come Krystal humor your uncle, give me a hug.”
Krystal laughed as she stepped around the table and gave her uncle a hug. He lifted her up a few inches off the ground.
“Put me down uncle.” She said laughing.
Bryon put Krystal down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He smiled and laughed.
“Why don’t you two go and do something progressive? Just stay out of trouble.” Bryon said to A.J. and Krystal.
“Alright Father. We get the hint. It’s time for the grown ups to talk about grown up things and us kiddies aren’t allowed.” A.J. said getting up. “Krystal what would you care to do this morning?”
“Well I think a morning ride you be nice. That is if you have no objection.”
“No, a ride sounds nice. Shall we then?”
“See you later father.” Krystal said to Zane.
“Behave yourself dear.”
A.J. and Krystal walked side by side along the well-worn path toward the stables. Even though the day had just begun it was obvious that it would turn out to be quite beautiful. The sun was raising and there was a slight breeze, which stirred Krystal’s loose hairs. Along the path Natasha had rose bushes of different colors planted. She said that they represented all the souls that dwelled in the Land of the Northeast Raven Spirit.
“Aunt’s roses are looking breathtaking already and they aren’t even in full bloom.” Krystal said.
“Mother does take great pride in her rose bushes, so much so that she tends to them herself.”
They walked the rest of the way in silence. When they reached the stables all of the horses whined. The stable boy came out of one of the stalls.
“Captain Wolfe, I hadn’t expected to see you so soon today.”
“My cousin wanted to go for a morning ride, Wes. Do you have time to prepare Honor and Buttercup for us?”
“Right away Captain.” Wes said. Wes wore his ebony colored hair in a ponytail that reached to about mid back. His skin was the color of chocolate as it slowly melts in the sun. Wes was one of the taller men in the Kingdom, he wasn’t as muscular as would be fitting of someone that worked as hard as he did (but he was still very strong). He was wearing a canary yellow tunic and a pair of burnt orange breeches. His black boots were caked with animal dung and mud, but it didn’t bother him one bit. He started to get everything ready. “Sir would the lady like a western or sidesaddle?”
“I’ll take a western if I may.” Krystal said.
“Western it is ma’am.”
Krystal walked over to one of the stalls and held her hand out. A tan mare came over and sniffed her hand. The mare nudged it with her nose. Krystal smiled and started to stroke the mare’s nose.
“We call her Biscuit. I believe father bought her from Uncle Zane.”
“I thought she looked familiar. I know father said he was going to sell the foal of Baingio. I just didn’t know he was selling her to uncle.”
“Yes. We’ve been having problems with our mares foaling. We haven’t figured it out yet.”
“A.J. can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, go ahead. Not like I have anything to hide from you.”
“Why did the stable boy call you captain?”
“Father made me a captain in the Kingdom’s army for my twentieth year. Wes is a infantryman.”
“Why does your kingdom need an army? Surely Uncle doesn’t think there’s going to be any hostilities among the kingdoms of the land.”
“He thinks it’s inevitable that something’s going to happen. Some of the kingdoms don’t get along with the others and might rebel. They also have a problem with the land itself.”
“I know father will be neutral, mother would die if anyone in our kingdom was hurt.”
A.J. was about to say something when there was a cough from behind them.
“Your horses are ready Captain.”
“Thank you Wes.” A.J. said. “You may go about your work again.”
Wes bowed and went back to the stall he was working on before the cousins came out to the stable. A.J. walked over Buttercup and stroked her nose.
“Did you need help getting up?”
“No I think I can manage. But thank you.” Krystal walked over to Buttercup and swung up into the saddle with the grace becoming a lady as if she were going into a sidesaddle.
A.J went over and got on Honor. Krystal and A.J. rode the horses out of the stable into the sunlight. Krystal started Buttercup into a gallop towards the forest path. She didn’t care if A.J. caught up or not. She still didn’t understand why he had requested her presence today.
“Krystal, wait up I want to talk while we ride.”
“Sorry A.J. I guess I wasn’t thinking.” Krystal said slowing to a walk.
“That’s okay.” A.J. said pulling up. “I wanted to ask if you know why father and uncle have been getting together so much this season?”
“Father told me it was so that I would see more of my relatives. But other then that I haven’t a clue. I mean it’s not like were on opposites sides of the land.”
“I believe it’s because there are hostilities. I over heard them talking yesterday before you left. Father was saying something about the Kingdom of the Mossy Thunder and the Kingdom of the Relics of Rodents.”
“Aren’t those the most rebellious kingdoms in our Land?”
“So I’ve heard. Father has been trying to talk to their Lords about peace. But so far it seems there is no such luck.”
Krystal rode in silence for a few moments. She let what A.J. said sink in. Was it possible that there could be battles among the kingdoms? A.J. watched as Krystal took in the news. He didn’t want to frighten her but she needed to know, especially if Zane was going to be second in command to Bryon.
“I don’t believe you. It’s not possible.” Krystal said in denial. “The Land of the Northeast Raven Spirit is supposed to have peaceful kingdoms, isn’t it? I mean that’s why most of the people moved here from the Land of the Celestial Raven Spirit.”
“ This is true, but some of those that left the Land of the Celestial Raven Spirit weren’t the most peaceful to begin with. I didn’t want to say anything, but from what I understand, Uncle Zane, is going to be the second in command, with father leading.”
“How do you know this is true? Do they have any spies to prove this?”
“Infantryman O’Brien has relatives in the Kingdom of the Mossy Thunder and Infantryman Quinn has a sister who married one of the Infantryman in the Kingdom of the Relics of Rodents army.”
“Are they reliable?”
“I should hope so Infantryman O’Brien saddled our horses for us. Infantryman Quinn is actually away visiting his sister this season.”
“Oh. That doesn’t mean they’re reliable.”
A.J. pulled his horse to a halt.
“What is that suppose to mean?”
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