Tales of Regventus 2: Keene
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C A Tarkington
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“One more thing, Ansel. Griffa needs to be the leader of the Ring. It’s who she is meant to be. I hope you will encourage her.”
Max has the crown, but the kingdom’s safety hangs by a thread. In the shadows of Aurumist, enemies scheme and secrets stir. Ansel stands guard, balancing fierce loyalty to the crown and tender feelings he can’t quite ignore. Griffa faces the legacy she's long avoided—leading the Ring, as she was born to do. But taking the reins means stepping into danger, and into her own power. As war creeps closer, choices carry weight, and hearts are on the line. Will Griffa rise? Can Ansel let go to let her lead? With fate circling and emotions flaring, every decision could unravel—or save—the future.
Prologue
Book 2: Keene
AGATHA
Agatha looked out of the window of the old cottage, watching her son run around the yard. These moments of peace were few and far between.
They had been on the run for too long. No matter where they went, shadows always seemed to find them. A year ago, Alastair had paid the ultimate price to make sure she could escape with their two children, and she missed him terribly.
Her young daughter squealed as she sat at the small table. “Dearest Malin, what is the matter?” Agatha asked her daughter.
“I’m hungry,” replied Malin in her tiny voice.
“I know, dear. It’s almost time for supper. I’ll call in your brother in a moment.”
Malin stuck out her bottom lip, making Agatha giggle. “Fine, you silly girl.” She gave Malin a small piece of apple and went back to preparing their meager meal.
Agatha’s life was so different from the one she was accustomed to. She’d grown up in the grand palace of Aurumist and became the queen of the entire kingdom. Now, she was in an old cottage held up by only magic. She was filthy, wearing practically rags, but she was alive. She missed her sweet Alastair, but she still had her children.
She heard a knock at the door in the front room. Looking out the window, she saw her son still playing happily. She looked at Malin, who was eating her apple, before moving slowly to the living room, prepared to fight.
She carefully looked out the front window and smiled before rushing to the front door and opening it to find herself immediately taken up in a tight hug.
“My queen,” said Alicio in Agatha’s ear as he hugged her.
“Alicio!” squealed Agatha. She hadn’t seen him in over two years. His protector’s magic washed over her, making her sigh in contentment.
Alicio put her down and walked into the small front room. He wasn’t alone. A handsome man with dark wavy hair about Agatha’s age came in behind him, and Agatha recognized him immediately.
“Brien! It is so good to see you alive and well,” said Agatha.
Brien bowed low and replied, “My queen, it is my honor and pleasure.”
She invited them into the front room and offered them a seat on the old furniture. They sat down carefully as Agatha walked to the kitchen to grab Malin. She tapped on the window to get Von’s attention. He looked up, and she motioned him to come inside.
“I’m sorry to receive you in a place like this, but we’ve been running for so long. We’re just happy to have a roof over our heads for a while,” said Agatha, sitting in a chair with Malin in her lap.
“It’s no bother, Your Majesty,” said Alicio as Brien nodded. “We’ve come to tell you we know how to keep you and your family safe.”
Agatha sat back in shock, her grip on Malin involuntarily tightening. Von came running into the room, pausing and moving close to his mother when he saw the men.
“Is this the young prince?” asked Alicio. “He’s grown into quite a young man.”
Alicio offered his hand to the eight-year-old boy, who looked at his mother. Agatha nodded, and Von shook Alicio’s hand. Von sat on the floor close to his mother, staring at the two men with wide eyes.
Agatha gave him a reassuring smile before addressing Alicio. “You said you have a way to keep us safe. Somewhere we won’t have to run anymore?”
“Yes, we have a place and a plan. We are building two safe villages as we speak. One is on the edge of the River Valley, and the other in the forest of The Great Surrounding,” said Alicio.
“Alicio and I will stay in the forest, and several other families will settle in a new village in the River Valley. You know many of them, including the Wendells. You remember them, don’t you?” asked Brien, looking at Agatha kindly.
“Of course, I remember them. They were trusted friends to me back in Aurumist. So, would my children and I live in the forest village then? You’ll want to be near us, won’t you, Alicio?” asked Agatha, looking at her protector.
Alicio and Brien shared a look before Alicio started speaking. “Your Majesty, I do want you close to me, and I think the forest village is the perfect place for you. We have to keep you hidden from outsiders the best we can, so we will have to be clever about this. Our priority is keeping you and your children safe.”
“What do you mean?” inquired Agatha as a feeling of unease came over her.
“My queen, Agatha, I am so sorry for your loss this past year. We just recently became aware of Alastair’s death. I wish we could’ve found you sooner and brought you to us before you lost him,” said Brien.
Agatha nodded and looked down, tears in her eyes.
“You will not know it, but I lost my excellent wife two years ago. She died in childbirth. The babe did not survive either,” said Brien quietly.
“I’m so sorry, Brien. What a horrible loss it must be to lose both your wife and child.”
Brien smiled sadly. “Agatha, I feel we’ve been good friends for a long time, and I hope you feel the same. I’ve always been very fond of you.”
Agatha wiped at her eyes and tried to smile. “Of course, Brien. We’ve known each other for almost our whole lives. I’ve always considered you one of my dearest friends.”
“Good,” said Brien, looking nervous. “I know I could never take the place of Alastair. I know it, but I would like it if you would consent to be my wife, Agatha.”
Agatha’s eyes went wide with shock. “Brien!”
“Don’t say anything yet. I offer you protection and my name. I know it’s not as good as your own bloodline, but I’m from an old family. We’ve long been great allies of your line. I will give you whatever you need: a fine home, a safe place to settle, and my companionship. I will expect nothing of you. I only want to keep you safe.”
“And my children?” asked Agatha.
“My queen, your children are the most important people in this kingdom. They must be kept safe,” said Alicio. “The wisest thing to do would be to split them up.”
“What!” exclaimed Agatha, her eyes snapping to Alicio. “You want to separate me from my children?”
“Of course not, at least not entirely and not forever. You could still visit Prince Von. You can see him multiple times a year,” reassured Alicio. He got up and knelt before his queen, taking her hand. “Von is almost at an age where he would have left you to study with a family friend, anyway. I know it will be hard, but we must protect your bloodline.”
“I will be thrilled to have you and your daughter in my home. She will take my last name,” said Brien. “She will be my heir, and I will make sure you see your son often.”
“Where would he go?” asked Agatha.
“To live with the Wendells. They have two boys already, and he would fit right in. He will take their name, and they will take care of him. They will love him. They are good people. You know this,” said Alicio, squeezing her hand before getting up.
“I’m so tired of running,” whispered Agatha as tears flowed out of her eyes.
“Mama, am I going somewhere?” asked Von, catching on to the conversation.
Agatha looked up at Alicio, who gave a small nod. She turned to her son. “Yes, dear. You are going to see some old friends of mine in a wonderful new place. We will be apart for a while, but I will see you soon.”
Von looked confused. “Where will I live?”
“In a beautiful new house that is almost ready. It is in a wonderful place called the Valley. There are lakes and streams for you to play in. You will have two new brothers as well,” explained Alicio.
“But Mama won’t be there?” asked Von.
“No, but you will see her often. I will collect you myself when it is time for a visit,” said Alicio.
Von peered up at his mother, tears gathering in her eyes.
“Dearest, it is customary for a child your age to study with a master. If I remember, Mr. Wendell is very gifted in potions, and you have always been so clever at learning the simple ones I have tried to teach you. You will study with him and make new friends. We will still see each other often. You need to be brave and do this.”
“Yes, Mama,” said Von as he looked down at his hands.
“Brien, I will live with you as your wife if you understand that I might never be able to give you children. I don’t know if I can…”
“Please, Agatha, don’t worry. I meant it when I said I wanted nothing from you. It will be enough to keep you safe and hidden. I don’t need children. With your permission, I will treat your daughter as my own. What’s her name?”
“Malin,” said Agatha, playing with her daughter’s dark-blonde curls.
Brien got up and knelt down in front of Agatha and her daughter. He held out his hand to the young girl. Malin studied him and started tracing his hand with her small finger.
Brien smiled. “She’s lovely. You will have to keep me from spoiling her.”
“So, you will come with us, my queen?” asked Alicio.
“I will come. Thank you both,” replied Agatha.
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