Cursed Bloodline: Book One, Bloodline Series のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

King Kaelric traveled through the mountains, a quarter day's journey on his steadfast horse, accompanied by three of his strongest soldiers for the auction which took place underground, three villages away from Arkenholt. The lair was owned by an old goblin who went far beyond the five kingdoms and deep into the sea, searching for precious, magical relics. In his most shrewd ways, he’d send an invitation to the kings and have them bid over his stolen treasures—all for his entertainment and wealth. Arriving at the mouth of the cave, Kaelric dismounted his horse and handed the reins to his soldier captain, sheathing his sword on the left side of his iron armor. The auction was secluded only to kings, not even knights, noble men, or queens were permitted to partake. Fire torches hung on either side of the cave, clearing a path within the darkness that led to an enclosure with seated kings—some friends of Kaelric, many of them foes. “King Kaelric Dragonblood.” A disembodied voice s

Old and probably a thousand years old, the chamberlain, Nireya, crept up the long flight of stairs with a tray of food and some woolen blankets in her hands. "These broken knees!" She hissed at the aching cramps in her shaky knee joints, her labored breaths echoing in the empty space, spoiling her attempt of entering the slave girl's room unseen but the guards could hear her panting a few feet away. At last, she made it to the top. "Good evening Rynth," she said to the guard by the right, "Welum," she turned to the guard by the left, knowing every member of the palace by name. They nodded at her greetings but as she shifted toward the room of the slave girl, they crossed their spears at the entry. "The king forbade anyone from entering this room," Welum spoke. "You know, seeing me is like seeing the king," Nireya laughed, nudging Welum with the tray in her hands. "Come on, I'm basically like he's mother." "It's the king's order." Rynth reinforced their stance. "And what

King Kaelric stepped into the castle’s foyer, done with his daily patrol around Arkenholt’s southern border. He rolled his shoulders and took off his armor, handing it over to his steward. “Change the strap on the cuirass and pauldrons.” He instructed and the young steward nodded, gathering all the pieces of heavy armor and ambled to the laundry room. “My king!” Nireya ran frantically towards Kaelric, almost stumbling at his feet before he caught her arm. He glared at her worrisome face as she spoke. “Elira…she’s been vomiting blood and she's burning from a fever.” “Who’s Elira?” Kaelric tilted his head to the side. “The girl, the girl upstairs.” Nireya clasped a hand to her forehead. “Oh come, come see for yourself,” she grabbed his arm and pulled him up the stairs. Kaelric strode into the room, tailing behind Nireya, and saw Elira lying helpless on the floor. He rushed over to her and got on one knee, raising her by the shoulders. Her eyes were closed and sunken in thei

Out of the long scroll of things King Kaelric disliked, one of them was eating alone as he never quite enjoyed his meal if he didn’t share it with someone. Kaelric couldn't invite Advisor Maevin; who suddenly became distant and unwell ever since Elira’s unborn child was proclaimed as Arkenholt royal offspring. Moreover, Kaelric decided not to ask his court members to dine with him as they already had wives and children waiting for them at home. “My king, have you heard the news?” Nireya asked while supervising the maidservants who served Kaelric’s dinner. “The townsmen were building a maize barn when they struck a well of water!” Kaelric's brows slightly raised in surprise as he marveled at Nireya’s words. “We haven't discovered a well in years.” He said, replacing his astonishment with a scowl, leaning back on his chair, “Why wasn't I informed sooner?” If the report had reached him earlier, he would have celebrated a feast for the townspeople. Regardless, he knew Advisor

The townspeople’s whispers became thicker over the passing week, infiltrating the castle walls as guards and maidservants gossiped among themselves to the hearing of King Kaelric. How long could he hide the mystery behind Arkenholt’s recent miracles—the appearance of several spring wells, baskets of harvest on their once barren land, green pastures stretching across the mountains, and fish overflowing the freshwater brooks. Seated with his councilmen, Kaelric sought their insight on his notion to publicly address the kingdom and reveal Elira’s pregnancy. “My king, I think it's better to hide the truth about the pregnancy for now.” A council member spoke and Kaelric considered the idea. He didn't want to coerce Elira into Arkenholt’s politics, the cons of bearing his kingdom’s heir, the enemies who lurked and craved his destruction. “And after the child’s born, a suitable maiden can be presented as the mother.” Another member added and Kaelric frowned upon his statement.