Read Online Out of the Mountain by Violet Chastain - Free Book Online
Authors: Violet Chastain
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his charm and wit. He was the most handsome of the three.” A throat cleared interrupted the story. I looked at Dahlia and saw humor in her eyes.
“Yes, yes, sorry,” said Kel, winking.
“Eventually Kieran, who had only grown more petulant with age, withdrew into the forest completely. Many searches were made, but it was clear that he didn’t want to be found. Farran loved both his brothers and was distraught. He kept searching for Kieran, hoping to make him see reason, but he was not successful. Naturally time marched on, and King Killian decided his time as ruler was ending. He then arranged for a coronation to be held for Alaric. He was to be a young king at the age of thirty, but the king and the people agreed he was ready.
“The night of the coronation there was an attack on the palace by a band of rebel Shuni. They came in through tunnels and passages that were only known by royal family members. When Kieran was seen among them, the brothers were distraught at his betrayal. The palace was in chaos, fighting in every room. Alaric was outraged when he saw Kieran trying to steal the king’s staff from the dais. He raced through the crowds, trying to make it there first.
“When a shrill scream split the air and magic exploded into the hall, it brought everyone in the room to a halt. The brothers turned to see Farran catching their mother as she fell with blood pooling from her chest. A cloaked figure holding a dagger disappeared as Alaric ran toward his mother, and Kieran took the opportunity of his mother’s death to grab the staff and flee the palace while calling for a retreat. The rebels followed, their fight won.
“Killian ran to Alma’s side and tried to stop the bleeding, but it was of no use. Alma thrust her hand toward Alaric. ‘You must hide it,’ she whispered to them. In Alaric’s hand was the amulet of the Shuni king. Alma had managed to rip it from her assassin’s neck. She took her last breaths in King Killian’s arms.” Kel sniffled, eyes full before blinking back the tears. I furrowed my brow. Those tears weren’t for show.
“Alaric was made king, and Killian became a shell of himself. His heart was broken, and sadly he didn’t live long after Alma’s death. Alaric put a price higher than any on Kieran’s head and searched the country with a single-minded purpose. His heart was hardened from loss and betrayal. He sent Farran on a quest to hide the amulet. It was a hard year for everyone.
“The king fought many battles against rebels in his search for Kieran. He was wounded badly, and one of the guards had heard stories of a healer hidden in a valley between two mountains. It was a treacherous place protected by a dragon.”
I gasped, and Kel smiled widely at my reaction. Velia was said to be protected by a dragon in folklore, although I can attest to the fact that in all my years I had never seen one.
“There in the valley was something very rare, a healer bloodline. A beautiful woman named Isadora with almond-shaped eyes and skin as creamy as milk. She brought the king back from the edge of death. He demanded she accompany him on his journeys, and she scoffed at his impudence. The once-kind Alaric had grown cold. When she refused him, he left angry, but he was unwilling to force her from her home. And try as he might, he couldn’t stop thinking of her.
“When he eventually returned to tell her of this, he begged her to come with him and she agreed. Love came easily for them. Isadora softened Alaric and settled his mind. He refocused on his people and began rebuilding and reinforcing his kingdom. He ended his searches for Kieran but kept the price on his head in hope that someone would be able to do what he had not.
“Farran successfully hid the amulet somewhere no one would ever find it, but it came at a price. An enchantment that was meant to keep him from changing into his tiger was the payment.” He looked at the council with a mischievous grin. The older members of
“Yes, yes, sorry,” said Kel, winking.
“Eventually Kieran, who had only grown more petulant with age, withdrew into the forest completely. Many searches were made, but it was clear that he didn’t want to be found. Farran loved both his brothers and was distraught. He kept searching for Kieran, hoping to make him see reason, but he was not successful. Naturally time marched on, and King Killian decided his time as ruler was ending. He then arranged for a coronation to be held for Alaric. He was to be a young king at the age of thirty, but the king and the people agreed he was ready.
“The night of the coronation there was an attack on the palace by a band of rebel Shuni. They came in through tunnels and passages that were only known by royal family members. When Kieran was seen among them, the brothers were distraught at his betrayal. The palace was in chaos, fighting in every room. Alaric was outraged when he saw Kieran trying to steal the king’s staff from the dais. He raced through the crowds, trying to make it there first.
“When a shrill scream split the air and magic exploded into the hall, it brought everyone in the room to a halt. The brothers turned to see Farran catching their mother as she fell with blood pooling from her chest. A cloaked figure holding a dagger disappeared as Alaric ran toward his mother, and Kieran took the opportunity of his mother’s death to grab the staff and flee the palace while calling for a retreat. The rebels followed, their fight won.
“Killian ran to Alma’s side and tried to stop the bleeding, but it was of no use. Alma thrust her hand toward Alaric. ‘You must hide it,’ she whispered to them. In Alaric’s hand was the amulet of the Shuni king. Alma had managed to rip it from her assassin’s neck. She took her last breaths in King Killian’s arms.” Kel sniffled, eyes full before blinking back the tears. I furrowed my brow. Those tears weren’t for show.
“Alaric was made king, and Killian became a shell of himself. His heart was broken, and sadly he didn’t live long after Alma’s death. Alaric put a price higher than any on Kieran’s head and searched the country with a single-minded purpose. His heart was hardened from loss and betrayal. He sent Farran on a quest to hide the amulet. It was a hard year for everyone.
“The king fought many battles against rebels in his search for Kieran. He was wounded badly, and one of the guards had heard stories of a healer hidden in a valley between two mountains. It was a treacherous place protected by a dragon.”
I gasped, and Kel smiled widely at my reaction. Velia was said to be protected by a dragon in folklore, although I can attest to the fact that in all my years I had never seen one.
“There in the valley was something very rare, a healer bloodline. A beautiful woman named Isadora with almond-shaped eyes and skin as creamy as milk. She brought the king back from the edge of death. He demanded she accompany him on his journeys, and she scoffed at his impudence. The once-kind Alaric had grown cold. When she refused him, he left angry, but he was unwilling to force her from her home. And try as he might, he couldn’t stop thinking of her.
“When he eventually returned to tell her of this, he begged her to come with him and she agreed. Love came easily for them. Isadora softened Alaric and settled his mind. He refocused on his people and began rebuilding and reinforcing his kingdom. He ended his searches for Kieran but kept the price on his head in hope that someone would be able to do what he had not.
“Farran successfully hid the amulet somewhere no one would ever find it, but it came at a price. An enchantment that was meant to keep him from changing into his tiger was the payment.” He looked at the council with a mischievous grin. The older members of
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