Dead Moons Rising, first in the Honest Scrolls series

Chapter One

The thief's head rolled off its body and into the crowd.

Shrieks of unexpected people in the square sounded in the air as they jumped back. Blood spewed onto the wood at Aydra's booted feet. She handed the bloodied axe she'd just used to behead the Infi creature back to the armored Belwark guard behind her. Her long ginger curls were broken free as she pulled the executioner hood off her head and tossed it on the ground.

Her brother, King Rhaifian Sunfire, stood from his throne chair and addressed the crowd.

"Good people," he began. "Fear not. These creatures of weakness will not roam our town again. Please return to your normal lives. Your safety is the first priority of the crown. Allow us to take care of you."

He gave one more wave and then turned on his heel, his purple cloak billowing behind him as he exited into the darkened hallway towards the bridge to the castle again. His guard of Belwark men trailed behind them, the crash of their armor filling the stale air.

Aydra pulled the blood stained gloves off her fingers one by one and glared at his retreating figure.

Coward, the raven said to her as it landed on the bloodied stockade.

Calm, raven, Aydra replied in the murmur of an incomprehensible voice. We will have our day.

"My Queen," said the Belwark behind her. Aydra turned to find her brother's personal captain standing, Bard, behind her. "Your brother requests you join him for meeting before the Council's arrival tonight."

"You may tell my brother I will see him when I have returned," Aydra replied, throwing the gloves at his face. "The people have just watched a creature we thought to be banished from this world be beheaded twice in a month. I'll be tending to the ones he hurt this afternoon. And after that, perhaps a dip in the ocean might quell my thirst." She unclasped the royal black cloak on her shoulders and threw it too at his head.

Bard's jaw tightened, but he gave her a nod nonetheless. "Your Majesty," he addressed her with the bow.

"Lady Ravenspeak!"

The call of her lady-in-waiting made her eyes narrow behind her. "Yes, Willow?" she asked the pointy-eared brunette Dreamer woman stepping towards her.

Willow pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and pressed it over her nose as she approached the stage, furrowing in disgust at the smell of the dead man's body. "Disgusting," she muttered quietly before turning her attention up to Aydra. "My Lady, your day crown—" she managed as she pulled the small dark champagne limbed crown from her side "you should wear it if you will be mingling with the people today."

Aydra's lips pursed, but she took it from her nonetheless. "Have my dress ready for my return before the Nobles arrive, please. And Willow—" Aydra stopped her before she could leave "—make it a dark one. I've just beheaded a man. Showing up in some brightly bejeweled sundress might give the wrong impression."

Willow gave her a quick bow and then retreated away from the stage. Aydra placed the circular crown in her curly stark ginger hair and then turned her attention back to the Belwarks who were waiting for her instruction.

"No large escort today, boys," she told them. "Go home. Get some rest. We have a long day of fracturing niceties tomorrow." She turned then to her Second, Hilexi, and nodded. "What do you say to a stroll through town today, Lex?"

Hilexi pulled the sharp silver winged helmet off her head and allowed her chin length tawny blonde hair to fall over her eyes. "Any day I am allowed to leave the armor behind and mingle with these beautiful people is a day I will take, my lady," she said as she tossed the helmet back to one of the men. "Take my things back to my quarters, Jorna," she instructed. "I have no need of it until the Venari arrive tomorrow." She striped herself free of the silver plates and revealed the matching long sleeve gambeson tunic to Aydra's, the only difference being the golden weavings Aydra's featured on the capped shoulders.