The Unknown Princess

Preview

A/N - Okay... so maybe this is a little excerpt from the future.... If you've read any of my other Fantasy books (Most notably Vyscher Tales), you may have ready about a sorceress named Alia. When she gets her book, there is a very good chance that she'll meet Marlyna, like this... 

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I hung limply in the darkness as bands of inky blackness bound each of my limbs and pain radiated through every portion of my body. Blood was pooling beneath me from the numerous cuts all over my face and body, and I wasn't sure how I was even conscious. I could hear a grating sound echoing through the shadows as the four skeletal hounds slowly stalked towards me, their dimly glowing red eyes fixed upon my heart.

We were in the throne room of the dark citadel that was north of Avington near the volcanoes that spewed smoke into the air. I'd made the mistake of being captured hours ago, and I was pretty sure my time was coming.

"I don't know why you thought it would be wise to come to my tower," the wizard beyond the creatures said with a dry chuckle. He was almost as fleshless as the undead dogs, though his eyes glowed a much brighter red. The torches in sconces alone the wall lit his visage with a flickering light that made him look even more evil than the rotting flesh would in the sun, not that I wouldn't have been petrified in that case too. "I stopped being the king of these lands thousands of years ago and want nothing to do with you mortals. You're never satisfied and it makes me weary. Perhaps your death will give me the solitude I desire."

I had no idea what he meant by that, but I didn't care anymore. I knew that the king supposedly ruled from the citadel, but this couldn't really be him, could it? 

My leg was twisted unnaturally, and I was in so much pain that I just wanted it to all be over. I knew I was dead, and I thought Frivadelth might be too after the fall that she'd taken over the waterfall. "End it then. I never came here to fight anyone," I slurred, not even able to raise my head to look at him. "I just came to learn more about who had been our ruler, nothing more. Leave the rest of the lands in peace."

The mage barked out a laugh, then turned his back on me. He took several steps up a dais and sat upon his throne. "End it, yes. I believe it will be enjoyable to watch your end."

"Do not worry," a woman's voice said in my mind. It was warm and soothing, and somehow brought a smile to my face. Was I dreaming in my final moments? It might help it to be bearable. "Just relax, and I'll take care of you."

Indeed, a dream was all it could be. Surely, I couldn't hear Imogen, or anyone else all the way here. The voice was a new one too, soft and sensual in my mind like she was caressing me while talking. I wanted to hear more, and perhaps I would when I was dead. I'd love to hear that voice for eternity.

But no. Now there was a giggle radiating through my brain. "I'm real, silly. You'll see me soon enough, so don't worry."

"If you're real, then thank you," I mumbled under my breath. "If not, then thank you for the nice dream."

"Who are you talking to?" screamed the wizard. "Are you ignoring me?"

I laughed, perhaps a little oddly, then did my best to be coherent. "I have no idea. I think my brain is making things up."

"It won't matter soon anyway." He raised his voice as he turned his attention to the undead creatures. "Hounds! Feast!"

Their eyes flashed red once more, and then each pounced, their jaws wide. I was about to close my eyes, so I didn't see the teeth closing about my head, but they were suddenly all enveloped in a pink radiance while they stayed hovering in the air. I had no idea what could possibly be happening, but this seemed like a good development!

"Vyscher, that is hardly the reception that someone like you should give a guest!" Suddenly, there was a petite blonde woman next to me, and I had no idea where she'd come from. I couldn't see her face, but I knew that voice, and I was instantly soothed. "Put your playthings away!" she made a dismissive gesture, and the four hounds were thrown against the far wall, where they shattered into gibbets of rotting flesh and shards of bone.

"Who are you?" The one she'd called Vyscher stood up, screaming at her.

"My name is Alia, and I come from a land that was named after you. Seeing you now, I have little doubt they would rename themselves if they could," she replied calmly. "Now, if you excuse me, I have to take my friend here home." Her arms moved, and a blast of pink fire ripped into the ceiling, collapsing a part of it and making a pile of rubble between us and the skeletal creature that she'd called Vyscher. Moments later, my bindings had dissolved into little pink ribbons that she untied with the flick of her fingers before picking me up in her arms. I finally got a good look at her smiling face, and she gazed down at me with eyes that shone with a bright pink radiance. Was this still real, or a fantasy? "Hang on, Marlyna, we're getting you out of here."

I could only nod dumbly, grimacing slightly at the pain in my leg. But then she was racing across the stone floor, and she hurtled out the door, jumping over the railing and into the cool mountain air. We fell downward towards the misty chasm far below, but I couldn't stop staring at the beauty that had saved me. As much pain as I was in, I felt a stirring in my chest for the first time. Perhaps this was what Jana, Imogen and Alba feel for one another. Could this strange woman be the one I'd been waiting years for?

That was silly, right? 

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A/N - I realize that leaves a lot of questions, but that is why it's only a preview! But I'll let you know when the rest comes out.