A brief introduction, I'm a one-time chronic offender on this site, still trying to get back into writing. I bailed a long time ago during a financial and mental meltdown, burned my bridges, and went my own way until I decided to try to go the legitimate route with a novel based on very old fan fic ideas. This is the result, which I would rather have read for free here than not sell or be read everywhere else I've tried.
In another world, it would have looked like a sailing ship of old. Its sides were made of stout and weathered beams, shaped in the gentle curve of a long, narrow hull. From its multitiered deck and its sides, dozens of cannons of every size pointed outward. But the white swells it sailed over were not waves, but clouds, and in place of sails, it bore huge yet gracefully curved screws that swirled the stratocumulus as it descended. Two more skyships sailed on its flanks, the vanguard of a fleet of twelve. Scattered among them were dozens and hundreds of caravels, barges and frigates of every size. Ahead rose a grim, black mountain that towered above the clouds, topped by a smoldering cone. Around the peak, an even larger flotilla circled, all black. And on the deck stood Lord Ajax of the Red Kingdom, once independent contractor Alexander A. Papadopoulos of Boston, now ruler of the Low Plains and Reed Isle and Regent of the Realms of the Mushroom Men.
"The Flagship of the Lindorm Realm and its fleet approach," the Navigator reported. "What are your orders?"
The black ship was already clear to the naked eye, half again their width and nearly three times their length. Ajax turned to the slightly younger, noticeably taller man at his side. "What do you think, Hector?" he said.
"Stay the course, brother," the other man answered, "until we know more."
Ajax nodded. "Extend the banners," he said. On either side, the gilded banners of his kingdom extended, displaying a 12-pointed star on a field of scarlet. The ships to the right and left did the same, unveiling banners of sea-green and brown. The three formations to the rear unfurled their own banners. The dark ship answered by deploying the white banners of truce.
Beneath the clouds lay the dead or dormant lesser mounts of the Black Mountains. One of the larger cones had caved in, forming a ring-shaped lake with a central isle. On the eastern side of the isle was a round inlet that provided a serviceable bay. On this shore lay a sprawling complex the size of a modest town, clearly intended as or at least modeled on a fortress. This day, however, the strongpoints flew festive banners, the cannons were polished bright as gold, and every gate was opened for the crowd streaming from the pier to the central parade ground. Ajax and his brother descended in a tiny launch, adorned with gold rails and purple cushions. Two more launches descended from the airships on either side, flying their own banners. Above the great gate ahead flew one red banner, and another of purple.
Hector hurried forward to meet another from the launch with the green banner, a slight woman with golden hair in a turquoise dress that flowed behind her as she rushed into his open arms. He had to hoist her to press his lips to her scalp. She nuzzled his chest ecstatically. "Hector," she murmured. "My lover, my king and my lord." As they pressed together, a gentle bulge in her abdomen became fully visible. Ajax gazed at his brother with an expression of bemusement rather than envy. Hector met his eye, and gave a smile that was at once embarrassed and proud. Then a ground bird the size of a large dog broke free of its handlers and scampered to the Lady's side. Ajax reached over and scratched the fuzz behind its tiny horns.
From the launch with the brown banner came a Mushroom Man and a blue Flower Woman. At a glance, they looked human, if one did not look beneath the man's conical hat or too closely at his lady's skirt and bonnet. "Well met, Ajax," he said. "We bring good word from the Lands of the Woods. The Beasts have kept their truce, the Wraiths are seen no more. The Dark Forests are quiet, nor are they as dark as they once were."
"I would have expected no less, Morel," Ajax said. He turned to welcome the bride of his brother as she approached. To his surprise, she fell at his feet.
"Ajax, brother, liberator," she said. She looked up at him with tears streaming down her cheeks. He felt no little embarrassment as she threw her arms around his knees. "This is the day we have longed for, the day you fought for. Be glad for it. Believe in it."
Ajax ran a hand through her hair. "Of course, Daffodil," he said, looking again to Hector. He brought her purse, shaped like a beautiful seahorse, and gave her a kerchief to dab her tears. The lady quickly rose to her feet at the thudding of approaching feet. The Lindorm delegation had come forth.
A single robed emissary and a dozen armored warriors approached. The Lindorm did not look human, though they walked upright on their thick, half-bowed legs. Their faces were dominated by large eyes, a beak and horns of varying numbers of horns. Their hides were covered in feathery yellow-gray down that still made Ajax think of mustard. Their round torsos bore a leathery carapace, which the warriors covered with studded brigandines. The emissary lowered his hood, revealing a blue crest and a scaly wattle below his jaw. "The Lord of the Lindorms offers his warmest welcome, Ajax, as does his Bride," he said. "The Lady is pleased that you chose to come."
Ajax bowed. "I would not have missed it," he said.
The guards lined up on either side, their staves raised at salute as the delegates of each Kingdom entered. More warriors stood at attention in the courtyard, armed but at ease. Ajax walked at the head of eight Mushroom Men, each with an arquebus under his right arm and a dagger at his hip. Princess Daffodil followed on a cart pulled by her loyal pet with Hector as footman beside her. Their own guard of four burly Olive Men rode on full-sized warbirds, two in front and two behind, their tridents slung at their backs. Morrie, otherwise known as Morel of Morchello, had settled for a pair of Beasts to flank him, seemingly shapeless masses of fur and muscle half again the Mushroom Man's height. More followed, the Royal Maidens of the Lavender Realm, the Sky Marines of the Indigo Coasts, the Jackelope Riders of the Orange Deserts, the Climbers of the White North, and more.
When the delegations had gathered, the Emissary took the podium set halfway up the steps that led to the central palace-fort. "I am Speaker for Emperor Naam of Arzai, Lord of Alcaraz, Protector of the Lindorms, King of the Black Mountains, Conqueror of the Sky Islands, and Benefactor of the Red Desert," he said. He unrolled a scroll. "I am here to read the terms of the treaty between the Realms of the Mushroom Folk and the Empire of Arzai."
He adjusted a pair of spectacles. "First, a peace shall be in effect from this day forth between the present and future subjects of the Lord of the Lindorms and the Lady of the Royal House of Pruna, High Queen of the Mushroom Folk. In his graciousness, Naam has ceded all claims to his former provinces and territories of the Red Desert. In gratitude, Lady Pruna has granted freedom and the pledge of protection to the Red Mushroom Men of the Coast, to the Lindorms of the Gold Mountains and all their kin within her realms.
"Second, the crown and throne of the High Queen of the Mushroom Realms shall be given to Princess Daffodil, Lady Narcissa of the House of Narcissus and Duchess of Persica, and her husband Hector, Lord and Liberator of the Aquamarine Isles. Henceforth, the seat of their rule and the House of Pruna shall be moved to the Pearl Palace of the Aquamarine Isle. The Great Palace of Pruna at the border of the realms of Lavender, Indigo and Red shall henceforth be a residence of the Dowager and her kin, a meeting place for the government of the United Realms, and a Royal Library and museum to be open to all the peoples of the Realms." By then, Hector was cradling Daffodil as she wept with joy.
"Third, the 6 Lands of the Red Realm and the Reed Isle shall be given full liberty and a pledge of eternal friendship, under the rule of Lord Ajax, Liberator of her Ladyship and Savior of her Realms, and any heir that should come to his house. The King of Persica, brother to the sire of Narcissa, shall likewise be given liberty, on the sole conditions of peace with Ajax, his house and his heirs and participation in the yearly Tributes of his Realms." Ajax's guards beamed. He kept his face nearly immobile as the Emissary read on, and on.
"Finally, High Queen Lady Pruna of the Mushroom Folk and Lord Emperor Naam of Arzai shall this day be married within the Shrine of Nammu in the Citadel of Alcaraz. All heads of state present shall be invited to witness the sacred rite. Their vassals, retainers and all other subjects of the Lord and Lady and the diverse Realms represented shall thereafter take part in their great Feast."
Hector made his way to Ajax's side. Daffodil took his arm. Her bird cooed at his feet. "Talk to me, bro," Hector said. For a moment, Ajax just stared ahead.
"I'll be fine," Ajax said. "Everything will be just fine…"
He had freely asked the Lindorm guards for a tour of the Palace. He wondered aloud how little had changed. It was in a corridor lined with statues of Naam that he excused himself for a closer look. He did not even have to pry up the grate on the Palace floor. He reached the bottom and peered into the dark passage ahead. He showed no surprise at a tap on his shoulder. "I know you, bro," Hector said. "Come on back. We can tell the guards we were just doing it for a good laugh."
"No," Ajax said. "I have to do this."
"Then you're going to have to take me with you," Hector said. Ajax ran forward without another word. They had gotten halfway when the spiked ceiling came down.
"Why do they even put this here?" Ajax said as they rose from the niche where they had thrown themselves.
"Because Naam used to be crazy enough to try not to kill you," Hector said.
Neither of them looked at the objects that swished back and forth as they ran, sometimes just ahead and sometimes just behind. "Hey, remember one thing," Hector said as they waited. "You were the one who called off your wedding."
As they raced forward, Ajax realized something was different. Hector pushed him faster than he could have dived. A trapdoor opened where Ajax had stood. As Hector dropped out of sight, he wailed, "Daaaffeee!" Ajax ran straight ahead, until he heard a voice from the darkness.
"He will be fine, of course," came the deep, rasping voice. "Though I gather his Lady is most unhappy. My Emissary took her aside. We have a new set of clothes prepared. He will be ready in time for the Ceremony." For a moment, a towering shape of scales, spikes, claws, wings and horns loomed before him. Then the silhouette transformed, as if it was his own eyes adjusting, into a very tall man.
"I still don't understand how you do that," Ajax said.
"I have a dual nature," the Lindorm said. "Most creatures of the Realms do, including your Princesses. How else would a Flower Maiden bear the sons of a Mushroom Man, or a Lindorm? I have explained, you are the one who is different. After all this time, you are still in this World, not of it. That is why you always defeated me. I did always try to win, even if I made sure to give you a way not to lose."
A vine sprang from Ajax's sleeve. It promptly sprouted into a large flower. Between the petals, a ball of blue fire grew. "Stand aside," he said.
"Now, I am hurt," Naam said. "Carrying a concealed Fire Plant is only to be expected, but threatening me in my own court when I have come to talk is just bad form. But I have not come to stop you, only to warn you. Things are not as you think. If you stay this course, you will lose more than you can know." His words echoed, but he was already gone.
Ajax felt a draft of warm but fresh air as he climbed up. He pushed at the grate at the top, but it did not move. He pounded at it until he saw the bars bend, and it still would not budge. After a while, there was a long, loud scraping. A huge taloned hand lifted the grate. Ajax found himself hauled up by the same hand, then flung across the chamber. He hit the wall and tumbled and rolled behind a statue. He raised the Fire Plant as he leaned around the base, only to stagger back from a blast of flame. Even the Plant shriveled to a brown husk that crumbled to dust under the heat. He vaulted over the statue, which he realized only then was of himself. A single swipe of a leathery wing knocked him aside. The off-balance statue toppled and shattered, narrowly missing him. Before he could lift his head, a form that seemed twice his size slammed down, pinning him.
"I yield!" he cried out. "Only show me who I am bested by!" He raised his head and saw a looming shadow before him. As he stared, the shape of spread wings folded inward, then merged. Protruding horns retreated into a still indistinct head. The silhouette of a three-taloned hand became five slim fingers. Then the shape resolved itself into the form of a woman, shaking her head. Then as suddenly as it had come, the shape was gone with a flapping of wings. Ajax looked up as Naam emerged from the open grate. "I did not know," he said.
The Lindorm King took his throne. Ajax seated himself on the massive strongbox that had undoubtedly covered the grate. The Lindorm picked up a mandolin set to one side and strummed idly. Ajax examined the figure before him. Even under scrutiny, Naam looked as human as he was, at least apart from the eyes. He was clad in black leather. His red hair was slicked back so smoothly that it looked like a helmet in profile. After a few minutes, Naam began to hum. Then he briefly sang aloud.
"I had to see her," Ajax said abruptly. "I needed to talk."
"She wanted to meet with you," the King said with genuine sadness. "She would have, if you had waited. But it will not be like this. That is her will, not mine."
"What really happened?" Ajax said. "When?"
"If it helps, she did not know, for a very long time," Naam said. "I myself only wondered, once in a while. This is not the first union between our Realms or our races, though the last that happened openly was long ago. I helped her find the truth, but it was not as you might think. I am sure did it change her mind toward either of us, at least not at once. For a time, I thought it would be what sent her back to you, or else on another path entirely. But I suppose you felt the same."
The King rose and produced a box. "All we need tell the others is that you excused yourself, so that there would be no breach of decorum if your feelings got the better of you," he said. "It would not be wholly untrue, would it? My Guards will release you when the Feast begins. By then, my Lady and I will have retired. She bade me to give you this." He placed the box in Ajax's hands.
Well after the King departed, Ajax still clutched the box. Tears ran down his cheeks, but he no longer shook with sobs. From below, he heard a lilting, familiar voice. And then Naam's deep baritone joined in.
He opened the box. Inside was a single sheet of parchment. He unrolled it and read…
Your Princess is in another castle.