Tales of Regventus 5: Protector
Author
C A Tarkington
Reads
15.2K
Chapters
56
Griffa stands at the center of a kingdom still aching from loss. As leaders gather at Keene Manor to mend what has been broken, she carries more than a crown. She carries doubt, longing, and dreams that refuse to let her rest. Two men hold pieces of her heart. One is steady, kind, and the choice everyone seems to understand. The other is woven into her past in ways she cannot untangle. As whispers of war grow louder and enemies move in the shadows, Griffa feels the weight of every decision. Duty calls her to be strong. Love asks her to be brave. With a kingdom watching and danger rising, she must decide what kind of queen she truly wants to become.
Chapter 1: Prologue
MAXEN
Maxen Keene walked out of the cover of the forest and into the large village of Aurumist. It had been a long few days.
He had gone to the small village of Amican to visit with the village leader Etan. Nathin, the leader of Aurumist, had sent him to the village to see if all was well after a cure was sent for the sickness. Maxen found everyone healed and was ready to leave when Etan approached him.
“Maxen Keene, you’re great friends with Nathin of the line of Adalwen, are you not?” asked Etan.
“I am. Our families have long been allies and friends. I serve Nathin as his advisor.”
“I’d like to speak with you if you have the time. It’s important,” replied Etan.
“I’m willing to listen,” said Maxen, though his weariness made him wish he could brush the man off.
“Thank you; please come into my home.”
Etan took Maxen to a modest house made of logs in the middle of the village.
Maxen bowed and greeted Etan’s wife, a pretty, thin woman with long black hair and dark skin a few shades lighter than Etan’s. Etan led him through the small kitchen and sitting area into a bedroom, shutting the door as he offered Maxen a seat by the wall. Maxen sat and looked up at Etan expectantly.
“I’m very grateful to Nathin for curing our village. I know without his help, my wife and son would’ve perished quickly. I owe him a great debt,” said Etan.
“He doesn’t feel that you do. Nathin only does what he knows is best for the land and its people. There’s been too much suffering due to the sickness and the followers of the false gods. He wants to make everything right, and he’s fighting to do so,” replied Maxen.
“And you’re fighting by his side, aren’t you?” asked Etan.
“Yes,” said Maxen. “He’s as good as my brother and a great man. I’ll follow him wherever he goes. I believe he can bring order and healing to the land.”
“I do as well,” said Etan. “I want to serve him.”
“You can serve him by continuing to lead your village well,” said Maxen, shifting a little in his small chair. “He doesn’t expect anything else from you.”
“He may not, but I want to give more. I know it will sound strange coming from someone who is non-gifted, but I believe I had a vision. I saw myself serving Nathin as a barrier against those who would harm him. I saw not only that, but my whole line intertwined with Nathin’s line.”
Maxen looked up at Etan with his mouth drawn to the side. “It could’ve just been a dream. You’re grateful to Nathin for saving your village and family. Having such a dream after such a stressful time would be normal.”
“I know what a dream feels like. This was different. If it was a dream, I could dismiss it easily. I cannot get this out of my head. I believe this is how I was meant to serve.”
Maxen paused, studying Etan’s earnest expression, searching him with magic for any lies. “How do you foresee your vision playing out?”
“I’m not sure. In my vision, I was able to protect Nathin from forces that would hurt him and the land. I saw my line always covering the line of Adalwen. I saw my line stretched before me, always at the side of Nathin’s kin.”
Maxen took a moment to answer. Could he just dismiss this man? It didn’t feel like he should.
“I will go to our diviners and speak with them. If this is truly a vision, they will know what to do with it. Once I hear what they say, I will talk to Nathin about it. It will take a few days, but once I know more, I will contact you. Will that meet your approval?” Maxen stood up.
“Yes,” said Etan. “Can I have your word you will not push this aside? This is not something I can ignore. I feel it’s important to the future of Nathin and the land.”
“Very well, you have my word,” said Maxen, holding his hand out. “I will not push this aside. I will do as I have told you. I swear it on my family name.”
Etan nodded and took Maxen’s hand. Maxen quickly left the village and went to the diviners who lived in the forest of the Great Surrounding. He found their tree-dwelling not far from his own.
It was a large, twisted tree with many branches but no leaves. Maxen knocked loudly. The door opened, and he walked into a circular room. At the end was a fireplace where three women sat in high-backed chairs. One was very old, with straight white hair that reached her waist. One was of Maxen’s age with black hair pulled up in a tight bun.
The third was just a girl of no more than ten years. Her light brown hair tumbled down her shoulders in loose curls.
“Maxen Keene,” said the old woman without looking at him. “What brings you for a visit today?”
Maxen walked farther into the room to stand by the three diviners. “I’ve heard of a vision by a non-gifted. I’m here to present it to you to see if there is truth to it.”
The black-haired woman stared at Maxen as the young girl said softly, “Tell us then, Maxen Keene, and we will tell you the truth.”
Maxen nodded. “I met with Etan of the line of Raya. He is the leader of the village of Amican. His village and family were saved from the sickness by the cure found by Nathin of the blood of Adalwen. Etan says he saw a vision where he served Nathin, protecting him from those who would harm him. He said he saw his family line stretched before him, always covering the line of Adalwen.”
The old woman nodded. She looked at the other two women as they all stood, taking each other’s hands and forming a circle in front of the fireplace. Maxen shifted on his feet and waited in silence.
Time passed slowly.
He stood as still as he could, waiting for the three women to say something. He became fidgety after a while, wanting to sit down, but he remained where he was. Eventually, the three women let go of each other’s hands and sat back down.
“We have seen the vision of Etan of the line of Raya,” said the little girl. “It is true, and it is clear.”
“He must become bonded to the line of Adalwen for Nathin to unite the lands,” said the old woman quietly. “He will be the protector of the line of Adalwen and the kingdom that will form. The line of Raya will serve the line of Adalwen.”
“We have seen Nathin ruling over a new kingdom, bringing the lands together, but only with Etan by his side,” said the little girl. “Without Etan, the followers of the false gods will be victorious.”
“You will have to do this, Maxen Keene,” whispered the black-haired woman. “You will have to do this quickly. The new kingdom must have a protector.”
The three women said no more. Maxen wanted to ask questions, but he knew from experience it would do no good. He turned to leave, wondering how he would do this, when the little girl walked over to him and took his hand.
Maxen looked down at her. She squeezed his hand and looked into his eyes. Suddenly, Maxen knew what to do. He knew how to bond the line of Adalwen and the line of Raya. The little girl smiled slightly and let go of Maxen’s hand, walking back to join the other two diviners.
Maxen turned and left the tree-dwelling, traveling directly to Aurumist.
He went directly to the largest home in the center of the city. He didn’t even knock, walking in to find Nathin sitting by the fire.
“You’re back,” said Nathin, giving Maxen a nod. “Come sit and tell me what you’ve found out.”
Maxen sat across from Nathin. “I found more than I thought possible.”
“How so?” asked Nathin, leaning forward. “Has the cure not worked in Amican?”
“All is well in Amican, but I have something else to tell you.”
Maxen told Nathin of all he had learned. He told him of Etan Raya’s vision and the diviners’ instructions. After he was done, Nathin sat back and looked at Maxen.
“Do you think this is all necessary, Maxen? Do you think I should bind this man’s line to my own?”
“I wasn’t sure at first, but after I visited with the diviners, I have no doubt. If you want to unite the lands and defeat the followers of the false gods, we will have to do this.”
“And you can do it?” asked Nathin.
“I can,” replied Maxen. “I’ve seen how. I will need to prepare for a few days, but we can do it soon.”
“What will it entail?”
“It will take blood magic. I will need blood from both you and Etan. You will have to swear oaths to each other to bind your lines together forever.”
Nathin nodded. “Then I suppose you’d better prepare what you need and go talk to Etan.”
Maxen nodded as he stood to do what was needed.
“Wait,” said Nathin, looking up at Maxen. “Forever is a long time.”
