Shattered Kingdoms | Book 2 ✔ (REWRITTEN AS 'THE EXILED KING')

Chapter 11 - Bitter

"Father! Edmund's pulling my hair again!" Lily shrieked.

The father wearily sighed, "Edmund, stop pulling your sister's hair. Jason should have told you that."

A slight youth entered the room and spat, "Well, father. Jason's not here! He left us to the demons. We were lucky to survive. I won't ever trust him again."

"Edmund... he's your brother."

Edmund glared a said, "I have no brother."

"That's enough," Edmund's father said quietly.

Edmund spoke right over his father angrily, "Jason said he loved us! And then he LEFT US! Went haring off to some Lord's castle because he said it was opportunity!"

Edmund's father stood abruptly, "THAT IS ENOUGH! MIND YOUR MOUTH, EDMUND!"

"Father-"

"Edmund Jerome Kainley! You will shut your mouth this instant! Do I make myself clear?"

Edmund nodded sullenly and stormed off. His father watched him go with a sigh. Edmund had just turned fifteen, and blamed Jason for their mother's death. He was moody and surly much of the time, and took out his anger on his sister. Lily was fourteen and as quiet as Edmund was moody, so she endured most of his abuses silently, but when he tugged at her hair, that was when he went over the line.

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Edmund kicked a stone out of his path, his arms crossed, a scowl on his face. He always went to this lake whenever he felt in need of a calming influence. Edmund removed his boots and pulled up his leggings before wadding in the shallows of the lake. It was beautiful, with green trees and colorful flowers.

He was tall for his age, with long legs and hair like a white cloud. He spent much of his time outside, so his skin was nicely bronzed.

He sighed in frustration, muttering, "Why, Pelos? Why? My mother was innocent, why did she have to die?" His anguish flooded out, "Please, Lightbringer, tell me why, I beg it of you!"

The waters churned and he shouted out in surprise before backing away, back to land. He stepped out of the water and watched in amazement as the center of the lake unveiled a figure. It could best be described as an archangel; he had seen them in his mother's picture books. Gleaming white wings with glistening water drops dripping off the wings.

"What troubles you so, Mortal, that you cry to Pelos for help?" A melodic voice of the heavens asked.

"I- Uh... Who are you? W-What happened? Am I mad?" Edmund babbled.

The archangel sighed, "This again? A hundred years has not bred more respect for us, I see. You are not mad. You summoned me. I am an archangel"- He flapped his wings -"as you can probably see. I am also Cassiel. I gifted Rhyslin Bladesworn the Great Blade."

"What happened?"

Cassiel sighed impatiently, "You summoned me by calling to Pelos. Now, how can I help you? Could you hurry up and think so we can get to the good part?"

"Um... I don't really understand," Edmund stammered.

"I will grant you a wish. Then we negotiate the price. Then I go and you fulfill my price and you get that one wish you wanted. Now hurry up and wish," Cassiel whined.

For an immortal, he sure was impatient, Edmund thought.

"I don't really have something I want. Could I just ask you to go away nicely?"

Cassiel smirked, "Nope."

Edmund sighed then turned around to walk away.

"Wait, Son of Vern. I have a proposal for you."

"Vern. How is it that you know of my father's name?" Edmund said quietly.

Cassiel smirked again, "I know everything, Mortal. Now, about that proposal. I want you to find the Great sword and give it to the Golden Guardian."

"Why me?!" Edmund demanded.

"Obviously because you are related to him. Maybe not by blood, but it counts. His real brother was murdered fifty odd years ago."

"Related-" Edmund's eyes widened, "Show me the Golden Guardian! Now!"

Cassiel sighed and complied, "I do not normally take orders from a Mortal, but if it will sway you to my cause, then so be it."

A shimmering image formed in the air, of a figure in Gold fighting hard against a vampire. Sweat ran down the sides of his face, but Edmund recognized him immediately, even if it had been a couple of years since he had seen him last. Jason's hair had grown out, and reached his broad shoulders. Jason had always been lightly muscled, but this new Jason was clearly a veteran of many battles. Edmund watched in awe, as Jason dispatched the vampire with cool efficiency and moved forward to be engaged in yet another battle with a tall and fast vampire. Jason matched the vampire blow by blow, even when the vampire used its superior speed and strength to batter at Jason. With a snap the image dissolved.

"His sword is no match for his strength. He will break it and it will be the death of him. I have foreseen it. Pelos will have my wings for this, but I need you to save him. Should he fall, the world will fall as well, for he alone can stand against the tides of darkness and still light the way for you all."

"I understand. I'll make you proud, Lord Cassiel!" Edmund exclaimed.

Cassiel raised an eyebrow, "So now the respect I deserve finally shows up? Anyways, The Great Blade can be found in Heresh. I'll transport you there"-Edmund nodded-"BUT you must not eat or drink any food or drink they serve there. Is that understood? Even the intervention of an archangel would be of no use then. You would become an eternal servant of Heresh."

Cassiel raised his hand to spirit Edmund away when Edmund suddenly yelled, "STOP! I have to let my father and sister know. They shouldn't think that I disappeared like Jason did."

Cassiel sighed in annoyance but waved his hand, and pen and paper arrived, "You write a message and I will deliver it to them."

Edmund looked at it and blushed a deep red, "I... can't write," He admitted.

Cassiel muttered something under his breath that probably wasn't all too flattering for Edmund and then said, "Alright. You say what you want to write and I'll get it written down."

Edmund nodded and dictated, "Dearest father and Lily, I am sorry for leaving you so soon"-As he said that, each word was burned onto the paper-"and without telling you. I was chosen for an important quest. I will be alright. On a happier note, Father, you'll be glad to hear that Jason is very much alive. He is, in fact, the Golden Guardian. Lily, I'm so sorry for tormenting you," Cassiel snickered at that, "but I never meant it. I love you both. Stay safe, Edmund."

A few more lines were burned into the paper afterwards, and Edmund glared suspiciously at them, "What did you write?"

Cassiel shrugged, "Edmund is a big fat pri-"

"You did not!" Edmund exclaimed.

Cassiel rolled his eyes, "Of course not, silly. I wrote 'Edmund's quest is of utmost importance. He is to save the life of Jason of Anhua, thus saving Dargon. Cassiel of the Archangels.'"

Edmund nodded gratefully, "Thank you."

Cassiel then looked Edmund up and down and shook his head, "This will not do."

He summoned a sword and handed it to Edmund, then waved his had at Edmund, who was suddenly clothed in dark obsidian armor.

With a snap of his fingers, Cassiel sent the letter to Edmund's house and spirited the boy to Heresh.

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Here is the introduction of another hero - Jason's bitter brother. What do you think?

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Firs Published: 11/10 - 19