Tag: Alcardian Universe

Flash Fiction Fridays – Their Firstborn

Ariel Paiement

This week’s flash fiction is about Banach and Rith. Here, we get to see the couple that’s the main focus of Rith’s Disciple (coming out in late 2019/early 2020) as they share the joy of discovering they’re going to be parents.

~~~

Banach pressed a hand to her flat stomach and stared at the midwife. “You’re certain?”

The midwife smiled. “Sweetheart, you missed three monthly courses, and you’re fitter than most. I’m positive.”

She looked down at her bare belly. “Really?”

“I can sense the life, my dear. So, yes, really. Isn’t it good news?”

Of course it was. She’d been hoping for this for so long. But at the same time, it was still a shock. She was going to be a mother. A mother? It just didn’t seem possible. But the midwife had confirmed it. And she knew Ranwen was skilled. She wouldn’t misread her patient’s condition.

“My lady?”

She looked up at Ranwen and blinked. “Sorry. It’s just a shock. But it’s good news. Definitely good news.” A tiny smile lifted the corners of her lips. “How far along is it?”

“He’ll be four months along in two weeks.”

“But I’m barely showing. It just looks like I gained a little extra weight.” How was that even possible? It must be if Ranwen said that was the baby’s age. It certainly explained why she hadn’t noticed until now.

Ranwen smiled and patted her shoulder. “It happens sometimes. Don’t you worry. The baby is perfectly fine. But you need to take it easy. I’ll make you a tincture for the queasiness, but I can’t do much for the fatigue. Tell that husband of yours to make sure you rest.”

Banach slipped off the examiner’s bench with a smile. “He’s been particularly careful with me since I got sick. I’m sure knowing that it’s the baby will be a relief. I swear, the man thought I was dying.”

That earned a laugh from Ranwen. “He’s just overprotective and a little too sweet for his own good.”

She grinned. Her husband was certainly that. Funny how she’d once distrusted him so much. Now she couldn’t even imagine believing he would hurt her. “He definitely is. I’m sure I’ll be bundled in blankets and treated like china once he finds out I’m carrying his baby.” She sighed. “It’ll be bed rest for me, for sure.”

Ranwen snorted. “It most certainly will not. You need fresh air and moderate exercise in addition to plenty of rest and solid nutrition. If he tries that, you come to me, and I’ll straighten him out like I would my own son.”

She would. Ranwen had known Rith since before he became king of Faelkish. She didn’t take any nonsense from anyone, and she wasn’t afraid to give even the king a piece of her mind. Probably because she never did see him as a king as much as she saw him as the young man she had mothered after they’d arrived on Alcardia. “I’ll do that. And I’m going to tell him you told me to tell you if he’s babying me too much.” She grinned. “He might be commanding and regal with everyone else, but I swear he’s like a big baby when it comes to your scoldings.”

Ranwen shrugged. “Eh, the boy knows what’s good for him. Now, go on, or you’ll be late for lunch. You have something to tell him that can’t wait.”

Banach’s grin widened. “Absolutely. I’ll see you around, then?”

“Every two weeks until that baby comes, you hear?”

“Yes, ma’am.” She hurried to the door. “Thanks, Ranwen.”

“Any time. Congratulations.”

She shot Ranwen a smile and then rushed out the door. Her hand drifted back to her belly. They’d been trying for so long, but now they finally had a baby on the way. And a boy too. Her body felt weightless, and she wondered if it were possible to float due to happiness. It certainly felt like that was what she was doing.

Before she knew it, she’d arrived at the small dining room she and Rith used for private meals. The door was already open, and she could see her husband seated at the end of the table while the servants bustled about laying out the meal. She crossed the threshold and went to stand beside Rith.

He smiled at her. “You’re practically bubbling over. What happened? Good news at the appointment?”

She leaned down and pressed her lips to his for a second before sitting down at the spot beside him. “Very.”

“Ranwen knew what was wrong, I take it.” His brow furrowed. “Was she able to solve the problem?”

“Nope.” Banach helped herself to a plate of meat and cheese. For some reason, she’d found this was the one thing she could keep down consistently and always seemed to want. Maybe it had to do with the baby.

“No?” Rith’s frown deepened.

She smiled at him and started on her food.

“I don’t understand. If she can’t solve the problem, then why are you happy?”

“Because we don’t want to be rid of this problem.” She glanced over at him, fought the laughter bubbling up inside of her.

“Don’t need to be—” Rith reached out to press a hand to her forehead. “You don’t have a fever. Bane, what’s going on? You’re not making any sense.”

A laugh did escape her then. “I’m not sick, Rith.” She stood.

He pushed his chair back and turned toward her. “You’ve been queasy and tired all the time. Of course you’re sick.”

She shook her head and went to stand between his legs. “Not sick.” Taking his hand, she pressed it to her abdomen. “Expecting.”

His frown faded, and he stared up at her. For a minute, he didn’t say anything, and she wondered if he was happy. She was sure he was. It was probably just shock. He’d wanted a child for as long as she had. Probably longer since he’d been thinking about marriage and children long before he’d asked her. And he’d done a poor job of disguising his thoughts. Sort of like now. His thoughts slipped past his barriers even as he continued to stare at her without a word. I’m going to be a father?

Banach sat in his lap with a laugh. Yes. We’re going to be parents. I couldn’t believe it at first either.

He stroked her abdomen with a soft laugh. “Did Ranwen know the gender?”

She rested her head against his shoulder. “It’s a boy.”

“Do you think he’ll look like you?”

“I hope not. Do you have any idea how many of the people from your world thought I was a witch?”

“They’re old souls. The people here know better.”

“All the same, I’d prefer he has your hair.”

He pressed a kiss to the side of her neck. “Just as long as he gets your eyes.”

“Why? I like your eyes.”

“Because hazel is more unique.”

She opened her eyes and twisted to face him. “No, it isn’t. Your eyes remind me of the way the shadows dance when you Step.”

“And yours change hue depending on your mood and your outfit.”

She huffed and settled back against him. “Fine. You know what?”

“Hmm?”

“I don’t care what he looks like. He’s our child, so it doesn’t matter. He’ll be beautiful no matter what.”

“True.” He boosted her off his lap and turned her to face him. “You know what else?”

She bit her lip. “No. What?”

“You have once again managed to make me happier than I’ve ever been. Thank you.”

A smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “And you have made me a very happy woman.”

He smirked. “We’ll see if you’re still saying that in a few more months when he’s kicking. If he’s anything like me, it’ll be one bumpy ride. According to my mother, I was the most active of the three of us, and she said I caused her the most pain.”

Banach rolled her eyes. “Thanks for the warning. Let’s hope he’s tamer than you.”

“He’s my son. I should hope he isn’t. He’ll be ruling this kingdom when I’m gone.”

“All the same, I’m still happy. Other women have told me the pain pales in comparison to the feeling of joy that comes when you hold them for the first time.”

“I hope so.” He pressed a kiss to the inside of her wrist. “Now that we know what’s going on, you’re not to stress yourself out. I want—”

Banach returned to her seat with a smirk. “You’d better not try to lock me in our room or put me on bed-rest. Ranwen says I’m to engage in moderate exercise and get plenty of fresh air.”

He looked like he wanted to protest. Of course he did. He worried about her too much. But she wasn’t going to do anything to endanger herself or the baby. She’d do what Ranwen told her to, and she’d take care of them both. Rith stared at her with a sigh. “And I suppose that if I don’t cooperate, you’ll sic Ranwen on me?”

“Precisely.” Her smile softened, and she reached out to clasp his hand in hers. “Don’t worry. I’ll rest and take care of myself. And you’ll be around to help when I need you. Even when I don’t, I’m sure.”

He squeezed her hand with a grin. “As always.”

She sighed in mock exasperation. But deep down, she couldn’t be happier. They had a baby on the way, and she had a husband who would make a wonderful father. No matter what happened, she knew she’d be able to rely on him. She might not know anything about mothering, but she knew a lot about what not to do from observation. She’d learn the rest in time. Hopefully the baby would forgive her mistakes when he grew up. She rested her hand on her abdomen and resumed lunch with a smile on her face. Things would work out just as they should.

~~~

And that’s it for this week, everybody! I hope you enjoyed seeing a little more of this particular couple. Even if they are a bit sappy. If you have any feedback on this flash fiction Friday or a suggestion for a future flash-fiction, feel free to leave your responses in the comments below. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!

Have a great weekend!

Flash Fiction Fridays: Warrior Queen

Ariel Paiement

Hey, everyone! I’m back this week with another Flash Fiction Friday. This week’s flash fiction focuses on Yuldha, the young Queen of Elventar, as she faces the oncoming army from Aleshtain. Determined not to let them take what is hers and her people’s, she stands in defense of their capital city.

~~~

Yuldha leaned over the parapet of the stone wall, squinting at the oncoming hoard. They’d be here in less than ten minutes. She pushed herself away from the edge of the wall and retreated. Close enough for archers to get a lucky shot. Wouldn’t that make King Myranor happy? The lucky archer who got a shot on her would be rewarded handsomely. Assuming Myranor was in a mood to have her dead instead of alive.

She pressed her back against the cool stone of the walkway’s back wall. Who knew what his mood would be? Really, what had the king expected? That she, Queen of a realm who hated his with an eternal passion, would accept his offer? Wed him and hand over the kingdom his ancestors had been trying to fell for centuries? She glared out across the plains. The man was a fool.

“My Lady, please come down from there! The archers are within range, and the men await your orders.”

Yuldha glanced down at the stairs leading into the keep. Her glare faded, and the corners of her mouth twitched up in a smile. “You worry too much, Lord Trydan.”

Trydan grinned. “It’s my job as the Matriarch’s Sword, my Lady.”

She wrinkled her nose. “You shouldn’t call yourself by your official title.”

“Why not?” He raised a brow. “Would you prefer some other title?”

Her heart skipped a beat, and she offered him an indulgent smile. Ever persistent in his advances. She had to admire that. And she wasn’t going to lie. His flirtatious manner warmed her, particularly since she was the only one on the receiving end. She flipped her braid over her shoulder and stalked to the stairs. A Queen still had to keep up pretenses. She couldn’t act the innocent maiden or starry-eyed damsel with anyone. Not in public, at least. “Of course not. It would go to your head, Dhan.”

He laughed and offered her a hand down the last few steps. “I’m sure you’d keep me in my place, Yul.”

She shot him a glare. “You’re not to call me that in public. You know that.”

“Why not?” The playful smirk replaced the warm smile.

She squeezed his hand until he hissed and looked away. “Because I said so. You shouldn’t need me to explain to you how it looks for Elventar’s warrior queen to lower her guard for a mere man.”

He wrinkled his nose. “I’m not just any man, Yul,” he murmured.

“We’re in a war, Trydan.” Heat flooded her, belying the ice she’d imbued in her tone. “I don’t have time to be weak. And after what that Rith-cursed savage pulled, I’m not inclined to consider anyone.”

He squeezed her hand in return, but the pressure was gentle and comforting. “Someday you will be. You’re too strong to let him ruin you for love, my warrior Queen.”

She tugged her hand from his grasp even though she wanted to leave it there, to let him comfort her and tell her everything would be fine. Well, there was time enough for that later. If they survived this battle. She strode ahead, leaving Dhan behind to consider his words and her obvious cold shoulder. If he still chased after her, maybe—and that was a big maybe—she’d consider it. After all, if Elventar survived this siege—and she was determined it would—her line would need to continue somehow. Dhan was a good choice. Her lips curved up in a fierce smile.

Her soldiers snapped to attention as she stalked into the open courtyard. She waited as they saluted and greeted her, hands thumping to their chests over their hearts. In response, she bowed, silently showing her respect for their unspoken vow of protection. Then she straightened and met their gazes. “Men and women of Elventar, today we fight. Let’s show Aleshtain they can’t have our home no matter what they try!”

The men and women roared their approval, slamming the butts of spears to the ground or rattling swords against spears. She smiled, resting a hand on the sword sheathed at her hip. King Myranor was going to rue the day he ever crossed her. He thought he could barge in here and take her and her kingdom by force? Well, she’d show him what happened to those dumb enough to try.

~~~

That’s it for this Friday, folks! I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you enjoyed this week’s flash fiction or have anything you’d like to ask, feel free to drop it in the comments below.

Flash Fiction Fridays: Claiming Rhubhian

Ariel Paiement

In Bane of Ashkarith, readers are introduced to Dhiabhan and Rhubhian, an air captain and a slave from Aleshtain. This short piece shows how Dhiabhan met Rhubhian. Their story will be told in my upcoming novella, Traitor Prince of Aleshtain. So, if you enjoyed these two in Bane of Ashkarith and are hoping for more, keep an eye out for that. For now, I hope you enjoy this Flash Fiction Friday.

~~~

Eras tried not to toy with the hem of his tunic while he waited for the day’s events to begin. Why had he come to court today, again? Right. His father had insisted. He shot his father a hard glare from where he stood behind the throne. Didn’t even have the decency to have a chair, let alone a proper throne, erected for his heir. His scowl deepened, and his gut clenched. Worse still, he was here just so he could watch the slave masters parade their newest wares about for his father. Anything for Rabhor Thilain.

His stomach flipped. Which unlucky girl would end up in his father’s harem this afternoon? He closed his eyes, swallowing back bile. He just hoped it would be over soon. The five minutes they’d been waiting stretched out until it felt like twenty. How much longer until he could be done with this? Sweat trickled down his back, and he glanced at his father.

The doors finally swung open just as he couldn’t take any more. The page strode in and bowed stiffly. Eras eyed the man’s ballooning pants and striped shoes. The newest fashion in court? Ridiculous as usual.

“My liege, the merchants have brought their wares for your examination.” The page stepped to the side and nodded to the men waiting a few feet down the hall.

They made it sound so benign. As if they weren’t trafficking humans. They used nice, pretty words to hide the ugly, vicious truth. Typical. His attention fixed on the slaves being prodded into the room. He let his gaze wander over the row of women. His eyes snagged on the last woman in line. Two guards flanked her, holding her arms and dragging her in. The others before her had walked in placidly, their heads down and shoulders slumped.

But not this one. Each step, she took was controlled and tightly contained as if she would burst into flight at any moment. She walked between her captors with her head held high, a glower on her pretty features. It was as if she was born a goddess and was disgusted by the banality of the humans beneath her. That made him snicker. Maybe he should take up poetry.

His father glared at him, and he sobered, returning his focus to the line of slaves. He shifted from one foot to the other. Where was she from? Not from any of the mainland kingdoms. Perhaps from one of the colonies Argos had established on the Rithweald? No, not with that complexion. Her blue-black hair reminded him more of the ambassadors from Faelkish held. Strange. How had they captured her?

She met his gaze with her smoldering brown eyes. Swallowing, he glanced over at his father. The man’s gaze had also settled on the girl with defiance in her eyes. Rith curse him! He’d ruin the girl. Eras gritted his teeth and clenched his fists at his sides. Yes, his father would destroy her. But what was he to do about it? Forcing his fists to relax, he stared at the polished wooden doors behind the traders. He couldn’t intervene here.

The slave traders’ ring leader stepped forward, his head still bowed in respect. “Your Eminence, do you see anything you like?”

His father’s gaze raked over the line of slaves. “You brought me a rather dull lot this time.”

Dull? Eras raised a brow. None of them appeared dull to him. Unless, by dull his father meant they had no will. That, at least, was true.

“Surely there is something that can interest you? We have, for instance, this lovely young woman from Brithos. She was taken on a recent raid.” The trader gestured to a green-eyed slip of a girl.

Barely fifteen, he guessed.

“Or perhaps you prefer a bit more exotic option.” The slaver turned to the woman who’d been last in line. “We have this one from Faelkish. She’s a bit of a hellion, but I’m sure your Grace could tame her.”

Did he really have to be so smug? Eras clenched his fists at his side. No one should tame her at all. How dare they speak this way about human beings?

“Let the Crown Prince choose first.” His father waved a hand at him.

He froze. Let him pick? His father knew he wouldn’t take a slave. The defiant girl’s gaze fixed on his again. He swallowed and broke eye contact. Had he imagined the hope in her eyes? “I see nothing of interest.” He peeked at the girl from beneath lowered lashes.

Her shoulders slumped, and her eyes darted to his father.

“Well, I see only one that I like. I’ll take the Faelkish—”

Eras’s heart wrenched, and his chest tightened. He could stop this. He could keep at least one safe from his father. Maybe. He stepped forward, holding up a hand. “Wait!”

His father shifted on his throne and raised a brow with a huff. “What is it?”

“I—” Eras met her now-blank stare. “I’ve changed my mind. Maybe it’s time I took on a slave or two after all.”

“And?” Rubhor drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair.

“I’m heir to the throne…” He stared at the girl. She’d probably hate him for what he was about to say, but it was the only way to save her from his Rabhor’s clutches. “It’s about time I built my harem. The future God-king incarnate shouldn’t be without wives and concubines.” He hoped there was a suitable amount of contempt in his voice. Hoped his father would know that even in this, Eras was mocking him.

The answering frown told him that last comment had done its job. He bit his lip and glanced at the girl in green. Her expression went from hopeful to vacant. But a spark of anger still simmered in her empty stare. His gut clenched, and he tried not to think about how she must view him now. A necessary evil.

He offered his father a saccharine smile. “As such, I’d like the Faelkishian girl.”

His father’s frown deepened. “I—”

“You said I could pick.” Eras lowered his voice. “Do you really want to make a scene in front of everyone?”

That gained him a narrow-eyed stare. But his father finally nodded and lifted a hand toward the trader. “It seems my son has chosen.” His lips curved into a sly smirk. “I’m glad to see he isn’t as touched in the head as I thought. He still appreciates a beautiful woman.”

The traders laughed, but the atmosphere felt heavy now. Their attention remained fixed on him and his father like hawks watching prey. Waiting for the showdown to begin, no doubt. Too bad. He wasn’t planning on a fight. Not if his father would give him his way. He’d ignore the insults and jibes about his romantic inclinations if it meant saving her from his father.

“Well, you heard him, Rhubhian.” The head trader glared at the sullen girl. “Go to him.”

She didn’t budge. Instead, she just shot the man a venomous look and planted her feet on the marble floor. Eras raised a brow. Didn’t she know she’d end up getting into trouble behaving that way? He sighed. “Father, perhaps I might be dismissed? I should settle my newly acquired asset somewhere secure.”

His father huffed but nodded. “Go on, then. Take her and get out of my sight.”

Eras shot him a cold glare. Was that really any way to deal with the Crown Prince? For someone who constantly insisted Eras behave befitting his station, the man seemed awfully determined to undermine him. He stalked down the steps of the dais and stopped in front of Rhubhian. Now that he was closer, he could see how tightly the guards were holding her upper arms. They’d leave bruises that way. His jaw clenched. “Release her. Now.”

The guards eyed him, but they did as asked, backing away to leave the two of them standing face-to-face alone. Eras resisted the urge to reach out, to tell her that everything would be alright now. He couldn’t let his father see that this girl mattered at all. He could still lose her if his father changed his mind. Leaning closer, he murmured, “Go along with what I say, and you might avoid a place in my father’s harem.” He grabbed the chain attached to her collar and turned to walk off. “Well, get a move on. I don’t have all day.” He glanced over his shoulder and raised a brow.

She stared back at him with a sneer but did what she was told, falling into step a few feet behind him. He held his head high and thrust his shoulders back, hoping his father wouldn’t see the relief coursing through him. He’d done it. He’d saved her from his father.

There was just one big question hovering in his mind now. What was he to do with a slave?

~~~

That’s all for this Friday! If you enjoyed this, as mentioned before, there will be a novella dedicated to Dhiabhan’s story. I’ll be announcing more about that at a later date and will update everyone on when it starts going up on my writing profiles.

Until next Friday, everyone! Have a great weekend.

Flash Fiction Fridays: Lost Soul

Ariel Paiement

For today’s Flash Fiction Friday, the focus is on Rith. Featured as the dark god or god of shadows in the Alcardian novels, he’s seen facing off with his sister in Rith’s Disciple, a short story set before the events of Pathway of the Moon. In this piece, the event leading to his parents’ and fiancee’s deaths is revealed.

~~~

The smell of smoke blasted him in the face as he approached the long gravel drive leading to his ancestral home. Rith frowned. Was father burning brush again? He glanced up at the darkening sky. Too late in the day. His heart squeezed, and his stomach ached. Something wasn’t right.

He broke into a run, trying to Step in the shadows. They didn’t answer. He tried again, reaching out with his mind. But still the shadows remained out of reach, refusing his request to portal to the house. His head ached with the effort, and he stopped in his tracks, grasping for his magic once more.

Why wasn’t it responding? Had the drinks he’d had with Sedra and Albrith addled him that much? He tried to reach out to his sisters, but only cold silence greeted him. He couldn’t touch their minds like he normally could either. Could he touch anyone’s? He reached for Raewen and his father. Nothing.

It didn’t matter. He forced himself to keep sprinting down the drive, ignoring the burn in his lungs. The smell of smoke strengthened, and his throat ached as it filled his nose and lungs. The heat in the air grew the closer he came to home.

Then he rounded the corner and saw it.

The entire mansion blazed, the fire angrily licking at the wood and anything else consumable. It raged through everything, flickering and leaping from the windows.

Rith froze for a minute and stared. How? How had this happened?

Where were his parents? And what about Raewen? His heart lurched. Raewen! She’d been planning to visit so they could announce their engagement. He’d been out celebrating the news with his sisters upon their insistence, but she should’ve arrived shortly before he did.

He broke into a run, rationality fleeing. Their motorized coach sat in the driveway where it should be, and he cursed, pushing himself to go faster. The heat seared his skin, but he ignored it, listening for any sign that anyone had survived.

He couldn’t call anyone for help. If they were in there, he was their only chance.

A scream lifted faintly from somewhere at the back of the house. Raewen. Were his parents with her? Why hadn’t they been able to get out? He sprinted around the side of the mansion, searching for any entrance point that wasn’t consumed with flame. The only part of the house untouched so far was the section without windows or outside doors. They must’ve been unable to break past the fire and had been forced to hide in the laundry room. But it wouldn’t be long before the flames reached them.

There wasn’t time to wait for help to come.

He called to the shadows again. They flickered in response but didn’t let him through. Sinking to his knees, he released a guttural scream and wrenched at the magic with all his might. Something inside snapped, and pain seared down every nerve in his body. He stiffened, screaming out of pain now instead of frustration. It shouldn’t feel like this. Why did it hurt so badly?

The screams inside the house grew louder before choking off. He stretched trembling fingers toward the house, his vision blurring. If he could just endure the pain, he could make the magic respond. He could save them all.

The shadows swirled around him, caressing his burning skin and whispering in agitated murmurs. They didn’t like what he was doing. The pain flared higher, and he dug his fingers into the cool grass beneath him. He would not lose them. He couldn’t.

With an agonized groan, he reached out to the magic again and screamed at it with his mind. Let me through! The shadows screamed alongside him, and then the world went dark as they sucked him in.

He was spit back out in the laundry room. Tumbling to a stop, he took in the situation, every nerve in his body still alight. Was this what it would feel like to have the fire rage inside of him? He sucked in a breath, the smoke and heat searing into his lungs. His gaze flew around the room before landing on three still forms in the back of the room. He’d found them.

Stumbling to his feet, he hurried to them. Each step cut into him as if he was walking barefoot across glass. His fingers trembled at his side, and the magic inside of him bucked against his restraint. Why was it acting like this? Why? He hadn’t been out of control like this since he was five.

He’d almost reached them when it happened.

The magic slammed into his walls of restraint and crashed through. Like a river blowing through a dam, it raged through him. The shadows in the room writhed in response, and his head felt like it was being split open. He dropped to his knees, clutching his head between his hands. Tears slid down his cheeks and evaporated as soon as they fell. Make it stop. Anyone, please, make it stop.

His vision blurred again, and he curled up in a ball on the floor, his own screams distant in his ears. Somewhere, he heard a muffled explosion. The ground trembled, and chunks of plaster from the ceiling hit him in the side. He couldn’t stay here. They couldn’t stare here.

He forced himself to his hands and knees, crawling toward his parents and fiancee. Maybe if he could reach them, he could portal them all away from here.

The wall behind them was webbed with cracks. He frowned, blinking. Was he hallucinating now too?

A groan vibrated through the floor and the walls. More chunks of plaster rained down on his back. Then the wall exploded backward, as though ripped out by an invisible hand. Rith collapsed, unable to hold his own weight. What was happening? His dazed mind couldn’t process any of it anymore. He stared at the ruined, jagged edges of the wall. Stared at the void beyond. The gloaming of dusk and his mother’s flower garden were no longer visible. Only blackness greeted him, deeper than any shadow he’d Stepped through.

Was this the end then? He lifted a trembling hand, wondering if the void could act as a portal. It was his last hope. He pushed himself back onto his hands and knees. Inch by inch, he crawled toward his parents and Raewen.

His head throbbed, and each movement was sheer torture. The magic rioting inside of him didn’t ease up. The darkness in the room deepened, swallowing up the forms of his loved ones. His limbs gave out again, and he slammed face first into the stone floor. A sob clawed from his sore throat, and he lay there, staring at the darkness. Then it swallowed him too, and the pain ceased as he gave in, letting it carry him away from the anguish in his soul.

~~~

That’s it for this week, everyone! I hope you enjoyed the piece. I’ll have a few more pieces on Flash Fiction Fridays showing more of Rith’s story if you liked this one. In the meantime, if you enjoyed this, you can learn more about his story in my novel Bane of Ashkarith, which releases at the end of July 2019.

Glossary for the Auralai Universe

Ariel Paiement

Actors – On Alcardia, actors are viewed as the lowest of the low and the greatest tricksters of them all. As such, the word is viewed as an insult. As a byword, it implies that the person is dishonest or a scoundrel.

Agharval – Meat with a venison flavor mixed with a hint of sweetness.

Airship – Newer inventions on Alcardia, air ships are just like sea-faring vessels, but they’re outfitted for flight instead and are aerodynamic to make the job of those piloting it easier.

Albrith – Sister to Sedra and Rith; revered as the goddess of light because she wielded powerful light magic.

Alcardia – A planet in the universe of Auralai. It is the main backdrop for the Legends of Alcardia series and the first novel of the Annals of Alcardia, Pathway of the Moon.

Aldhel – A sweet, light scented flower that has a scent between lilacs and daffodils.

Aleshtain – Argos’s neighboring kingdom. Aleshtain is viewed by many as barbaric for its bloody customs, sadistic rituals, and poor treatment of women.

Alithweald – One of the continents on Alcardia. The terrain is mostly desert and jungle.

Alrian Haridan – The first female High Imperial Knight, Alrian Haridan served under King Faolrian and was partially responsible for protecting Argos from Aleshtain’s undercover invasion.

Amadeira Thyrdas – A maid from Halbras Keep. She’s Leo’s love interest and becomes central to keeping him tethered as he expands his reach with his powers.

Anne Ryalin – Leo’s mother.

Arabhin – Alternate name in Common for the city of Faeridhia.

Argos – The kingdom where Leo and Deira are from.

Ashkarith – Also known as the City of the Dead, Ashkarith was once the capital of Faelkish under Rith’s leadership.

Auralai – The universe where Alcardia is located.

Banach – Queen Banach or Bane of Ashkarith was one of Sedra’s creations. She married Rith, and through their descendants the Son of Shadows will come.

Banachians – Descendants from Banach’s branch of the original six. Often employed as con artists, lawyers, card sharks, or in any other position requiring a keen mind and the ability to quickly understand others.

Bodashel – A Wyrdhan word for pathway. The word is used interchangeably with svaemal in Banach’s diary.

Brennan Dubhar – One of King Faolrian’s High Imperial Knights. Serves under Alrian Haridan and is later revealed to be her love interest.

Brythweald – One of the continents of Alcardia.

Church of Sedra – The main organized religion of most flat-land countries, with Aleshtain being the major exception.

Chyl – Headmaster Chyl was the Headmaster of the Society of the Learned in Montelishra and Argos during the time when Kaidan and Zerua were Seekers.

Controdene – An individual with some sort of psi or psychic ability.

Crown Prince Alefor – Eldest son of Queen Banach and King Rith of Ashkarith.

Dhiabhan – Also known as Eras Thilain, Dhiabhan is the eldest son of King Rabhor Thilain of Aleshtain. He is also the air captain who helped Kaidan and Zerua reach Ashkarith and return with their findings.

Draweald – Another of the continents of Alcardia.

Dubarin Hill – The hill in Argos where the last Pathway stands. Kaidan and Zerua once discovered Banach’s journal there. Now the place houses Dubarin Manor and its fief.

Eldur – One of the original six, Eldur is worshiped as the god of fire.

Eldurians – Direct descendants from Eldur’s line. Typically work as blacksmiths, horsemen, or soldiers.

Elkis Lionel – Cousin to Leo Ryalin.

Endene – Someone who can use some form of air magic.

Faelkish – The kingdom originally belonged to Rith but is now ruled by various local clan leaders or minor kings. It houses Faeridhia and Aleshtain.

Faeridhia – Also known as Arabhin, Faeridhia is the most famous city in Faelkish.

Hael – Soft-bodied, gelatinous creatures that cling to the hulls of air ships and feed off the oxidization while secreting a light way, durable slime that coats the ship and lowers air restistance.

Inherent – One with a natural energy source to fuel their power.

Ishkalt – Ishtral’s realm. It has several circles and is known for being a cold, desolate place.

Ishtral – The moon god worshiped in Aleshtain and its colonies.

Ishtralianism – The religion of Ishtral. Most places view it as a cult.

Jia – One of the first six created by Sedra. Worshiped as the goddess of earth.

Ji’ans – Direct descendants from Jia’s line. Typically found working as farmers, woodsmen, woodcarvers, hunters, or soldiers.

Kaidan Tadegan – A Searcher who discovered Banach’s diary and was responsible for freeing the ghosts of Ashkarith.

Kateshvale – Small mountain town in Montelishra where Kaidan and Zerua lived.

Kiarhsu Kashal – The main villain leading the Ishtralian faction in Argos in Pathway of the Moon.

King Aladhan – King of Argos when Kaidan and Zerua first explore Dubarin Hill.

King Eranar – King of Faeridhia when Kaidan and Zerua explore Ashkarith.

King Faolrian Eralon – King of Argos during Leo and Amadeira’s time.

King Rabhor Thilain – King of Aleshtain and Dhiabhan’s father.

Kythweald – One of Alcardia’s continents.

Leorithdhil Ryalin – An assassin turned vigilante. The main character in Pathway of the Moon, he is responsible for over thirty vigilante kills among the ranks of the nobility.

Mahala – The goddess of marriage and fertility worshiped by the Faelkishians.

Marks – Symbols of matrimony. These are used instead of rings and appear on the collarbones or the necks of couples after the ritual binding them together is complete.

Mericus – One of the original six created by Sedra. Mericus is worshiped as the god of water.

Mericusians – Direct descendants from Mericus’s line. Usually employed as merchants or sea-men.

Montelishra – A kingdom located beside Argos. Montelishra was Kaidan Tadegan’s homeland.

Mysweald – One of the continents of Alcardia.

Nadar – One of the original six. Nadar is worshiped as the god of matter.

Nadarians – Direct descendants from Nadar’s line. Usually employed as con artists, lawyers, businessmen, miners, or in other jobs requiring an ability to manipulate matter or a great deal of strength.

Nytweald – One of the continents of Alcardia.

Pathway/Gate – The Pathways or Gates are the connections between the worlds and even between universes. Some of them are open for travel without restrictions, while others, like the Pathway on Alcardia, are locked for the time being.

Phyden – Someone who can control physical things. Usually comes in the form of shape-shifting, changing one’s physical strength, or changing mass of objects and people. This is the only ability that comes with different Tiers of strength in the power.

Platiniums – A form of currency used in Alcardia. It is one of the higher denominations. Most poor families might make three platiniums for a year’s wages.

Quarfa – A herd animal with lean meat and a somewhat gamey flavor.

Rhubhian – Cousin to King Eranor of Faeridhia. She was taken as a slave during a raid on an outlying village and is now Dhiabhan’s slave.

Rith – Also known as the Dark god or god of shadows. Rith comes from Riladia and is the younger brother of Sedra and Albrith.

Rithden – Those who possess Rith’s ability to wield the shadows.

Rithians – Those who are descended from Rith and Banach’s line. This term isn’t used often as most simply refer to their descendants as Banachians, a term that Sedra preferred after she wiped her brother and most of his line out.

Rith’s Demise – Dhiabhan’s air ship.

Rithweald – A continent of Alcardia.

Searchers – Searchers are Alcardia’s version of archaeologists. They spend their time chasing down the truth behind legends and uncovering historical sites. Some may also be involved in the restoration of historical sites or dig locations.

Sedra – Rith and Albrith’s eldest sister. She created the six original beings that the rest of the Alcardians descended from. Her thirst for power eventually was her downfall, but not before she’d killed both her siblings and wreaked havoc on countless planets in different universes.

Sedra’s Week – Alcardian months are all held standard at 30 days. As a result, this leaves them with an extra five days due to the planet’s rotation. These five days are celebrated as Sedra’s Week for the five days she spent creating the first five of the six. Every four years, they celebrate six days because on the fourth year of being on Alcardia, she created the last of the six original beings.

Serdweald – A continent on Alcardia.

Svaemal – A Wyrdhan word for gateway. Kaidan was trying to figure out what Banach meant in her diary in some areas because she kept switching between using this word and bodashel, which means pathway. The confusion occurred because the context didn’t differentiate between the two words even though there is usually a differentiation between the two in Wyrdhan.

Telfie – A small flying creature with fur that changes colors to fit its mood. They enjoy eating fruit and small flying eels, and they like to chew on leather whenever they can find it.

Teobhor – The mad bard from Faeridhia who told Kaidan and Zerua not to go to Ashkarith.

The Breaking – The Breaking occurred at a point in Alcardia’s earlier history when the continents divided into smaller continents, leaving Alcardia with the land masses it has today.

The Son of Shadows – A descendant of Rith who is foretold to have his spirit and his ability. This descendant is prophesied to be the one to finally bring down what Sedra worked so hard to build and the lies she told.

Un-Inherent – Someone who doesn’t have an inherent power source to fuel their ability. They can still use magic, but they must draw on the life force and power of living things besides themselves.

Valmurith – The surname for Sedra, Rith, and Albrith.

Wyrdhan – The original language spoken by Alcardians. The language has since broken down into other languages, but Argos, Aleshtain, and several other nearby kingdoms still speak some dialect of it.

Yarkiv Krivash – One of King Faolrian’s Imperial Knights. Serves under Alrian Haridan.

Zerua – One of the original six. She is worshiped as the goddess of the air.

Zerua Tadegan – A Seeker and Kaidan Tadegan’s wife.

Zeruains – Direct descendants from Zerua’s line. Usually employed as artisans, jewelers, and weapon craftsmen.

Bane of Ashkarith Blog Tour – The System of Deities

Ariel Paiement

I know this has been a subject of particular interest for several Christian authors who are friends of mine. The biggest question has been, how do you handle God and deities in your books since you’re a Christian? That’s then followed up with where I draw lines with it since I am a Christian. So, we’re going to talk about the system of deities for Bane of Ashkarith as well as a little about how I usually handle the idea of other gods in my writing.

Deities in Alcardia and Bane of Ashkarith

To begin with, Bane of Ashkarith is not a Christian fantasy novel. It is written with Christian values embedded into it in many ways because no writer ever separates their beliefs entirely from their writing. My Christian worldview definitely shapes and constrains my writing differently than other worldviews would have.

But because it isn’t a Christian fantasy novel, I ran into a decision. What did I do with the idea of deities and gods in the world. After all, fantasy often involves some sort of pantheon or belief system. I could’ve left it out, but this would’ve made the world of Alcardia seem less realistic because what people group doesn’t have beliefs?

So, I chose to create religions and gods for them to worship. However, Alcardia is a bit different from the norm when it comes to its gods. Many of them never existed. People created them to explain natural phenomena, much like people have in Earth’s past when they worshiped the god of the Nile or the sun god. It allowed them a way to explain what they otherwise couldn’t.

For those that did exist, they weren’t actually gods in the first place. The lore surrounding them got started because these other beings were far more powerful than anyone could conceive of, so it was assumed they were gods. In that way, then, Alcardia really doesn’t have any gods at all. Not ones that exist or still live, anyway.

That’s how I’ve chosen to handle the situation of other gods in the various Alcardia novels. There is a One God that some of the people on Alcardia do worship, but since the planet was populated by a woman who believed she was a god, the information the people have on that god is minimal at best. This God is meant to represent the God of the Bible but isn’t referred to often because so few believe in Him or even know about Him.

General Rules of Thumb for Fantasy

But what about other novels and answering the question of dealing with pantheons when I’m a Christian? For me, I usually follow a few simple rules.

First, if the planet is entirely unconnected to Earth with Earth not even being an existing thing for the universe, I’m okay with the creation of deities. There’s no reason that this other universe wouldn’t have its own beliefs and even a creator because things don’t just start from nothing.

The second rule I follow is for those worlds that connect with Earth. If that’s the case, again, creation of a pantheon is okay, but here I don’t ever show interference or confirmation of those pantheon members’ existence. Basically, they’re just religious fabrications or people who were given more status than they should’ve been.

If there is a deity that actually interferes, then there will only be one, and that deity is meant to represent God. He may go by a different name in the world if it isn’t Earth, but it will be clear that it’s the Christian God being represented.

Usually, though, I just choose to go with bringing deities in as little as possible. They’re there to give a sense of realism and life to the world and to provide interesting cultural references or curses if needed. They may also be woven into the culture, but I never give reason to believe they’re real, as I mentioned earlier.

The final rule is for stories that take place solely on Earth. For these, I don’t create deities. First of all, there’s not much reason to because we have plenty of them to choose from already. Second, if it’s based on Earth mainly and that’s where the people are from, the only deity I’m going to show as being truly a god is the Christian God. That’s just how I do things because I’m a Christian.

Honestly, though, I haven’t really run into this one much because I rarely write fantasy that takes place on Earth. Earth may be a feature, but it usually isn’t the main setting, so the books all fall into either the first or second category.

Conclusion

So, that’s how I deal with the creation of gods and goddesses both in general and in the Alcardian universe. I’m happy to discuss this with people further if anyone has more specific questions. This is, as I mentioned earlier, just how I do things. I read a lot of fantasy that doesn’t adhere to these rules, but I prefer to keep things black and white morally and religiously in these ways so that no one can get confused about my worldview or what I believe.

I feel it’s the fairest representation of myself and the fairest way to be honest with readers. The goal is that no one has to wonder what the worldview or message is of the book.

I’m not trying to shove any of my beliefs down a reader’s throat, and I’m also not going to try to hide it in the story so that people swallow it without realizing they did. It is what it is, and my hope is that it’s clear and un-hidden while still allowing for the reader to enjoy the story.

At the end of the day, my goal is to write something that can be enjoyed by lovers of fantasy everywhere regardless of their beliefs. I know I can’t be all things to everyone, but I want to craft something that many people can enjoy, not just a narrow band of people.