Empress Aurora Trilogy Quest For the Kingdom Parts I, II, and III Revised With Index (Quest For the Kingdom Set) Read online

  Empress Aurora Trilogy

  Quest For the Kingdom Parts I, II, and III

  By L. M. Roth

  Text Copyright © 2014 L. M. Roth

  All Rights Reserved

  Characters:

  Alexandros – the champion of mankind whose heroism saves many from destruction

  Arvid, son of Arne – the open-minded yet uncompromising Thene of Jytte's Land

  Ashkani - the greedy and deceptive ruler of Khoohyaram

  Aurora – the Empress of the Valeriun Empire, a woman as cruel and ruthless as she is beautiful

  Berit – a priestess of the goddess Jytte

  Bimo – an adventurous yet lonely former slave who finds his life forever changed after his captivity

  Brenus - son of Judoc – a fiery and mischievous boy who strikes first and asks questions later

  Cadeyrn – the master of Marcus Maximus, a primitive, down to earth man who is continually puzzled by the aloof and haughty behavior of his young slave

  Callistus Maximus – the younger brother of Marcus, whose untimely death leaves a void in the heart of his older brother that few can fill

  Ceniah- a woman loved by Lysandros, who builds a city to win her hand

  Cort Bjorn – a stowaway with a friendly and loving nature who makes friends with all that he meets

  Dag Adalbart – a wild man of Trekur Lende whose savagery is surpassed only by his gentle heart

  Decimus Hadrianus – a spoiled yet dashing bully who is the rival of Marcus Maximus

  Dominio - the all-powerful who is sovereign above all

  Drusilla Octavius – the social climbing mother of Tullia Maximus whose ambition continually causes problems for her family

  Elena – a beautiful slave girl with a manner both sly and demure

  Emilio – the rash and wild brother of Elena whose foolishness brings destruction on his family

  Fanchon – a light-hearted and pleasure-loving beauty infatuated with the wild yet gentle Dag Adalbart

  Felix Lucius – the witty and intelligent best friend of Marcus Maximus who becomes a rival for the woman they both love

  Garth – a legendary hunter who is saved by a Bear

  Gunnar, son of Gunvor – a friendly guard in hostile Jytte's Land

  Halvor, son of Holger – the ruthless lover of Ylva who is determined to destroy the Alexandrians

  Harto – the first male Flame Thrower of Cahyala, and the first to wear the Sacred Stones

  Honoria Maximus – the modest and emotionally frail mother of Marcus and wife of Valerius

  Intami – a female Flame Thrower of Cahyala with an unfriendly disposition

  Judoc – a young widow of Eirinia whose feisty and lively nature wins the heart of a wounded man

  Justus Lucius – the father of Felix, he wields great influence in the Empire of Valerium

  Kunchena – a female Yeshui of Khalaman whose wary hostility poses a threat to the Alexandrians

  Kyrene Nicandros – a mystical young seer who can read the secrets of other’s hearts, while longing to lose her own

  Liberius - the wicked husband of Aurora who is scandalously unmourned by his widow

  Lothair - a bard whose gift for weaving tales sends a group of young people on an adventure

  Lysandros – the founder of Lycenium, a bold adventurer whose love for a woman created a city of marvels

  Marcus Maximus – the proud and snobbish son of the Commander of the Imperial Army of Valerium. He is forced by the cruel Empress Aurora to perform impossible tasks as the price for his own life and the freedom of his imprisoned parents.

  Silvia Lucius – the wise and loving mother of Felix and wife of Justus who longs to see her only son happily settled in life

  Sinti – the first female Flame Thrower of Cahyala and one of the first to wear the Sacred Stones

  Tullia Octavius – a fair maiden whose beauty imperils friendships and whose strength of purpose breaks hearts

  Urbanus – the warm and gossipy Governor of Guadereaux who plays an instrumental hand in the lives of the young people in whom he takes an interest

  Valerianus – the bloodthirsty founder of the Valeriun Empire

  Valerius Maximus - the brave and headstrong Commander of the Imperial Army of Valerium and father of Marcus. He and his wife are imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.

  Wangdakene – the courteous head of the Khalaman who thirsts for enlightenment

  Xenon – the wise mentor of the Alexandrians who bestows a priceless gift

  Ylva – the evil persecutor of the Alexandrians in Jytte's Land who takes a cruel delight in the executions of the innocent

  Yudo – a male Flame Thrower of Cahyala. He is confident in his spiritual blindness.

  Deities and idols:

  Leon – the evil head of the Astra, bent on the destruction of mankind

  Yeshui – the Star-gazers who forsook their own lands in pursuit of the heavens and a higher knowledge

  Diono – a fire deity of Cahyala

  Jytte – the cruelly benevolent goddess of Jytte's Land

  Lopponios – a god of light in the Isles of Solon

  Regat – the patron god of war in the Empire of Valerium

  Tuadan - the rulers of the wild places. The Eirini were warned to stay to the path in the woods for fear of incurring their wrath if they entered their domain.

  Sybillia - the priestess of Lopponios the god of light. This oracle was famous worldwide for her prophecies both accurate and garbled.

  Places:

  Annick – a fishing village in Eirinia

  Argyros Pontos, or, the Silver Sea – an area that was deceptively calm before the storm

  Belt of Dracomache – located in the Silver Sea, it was reputed to be the Dragon's Lair

  Cahyala - Land of the Flame Throwers, an island nation that revered fire as the origin of life

  Desert of Dubar - a desert wasteland that had to be endured as part of the journey

  Eirinia – a wild rural country of legendary beauty, magical enchantments, and savage inhabitants

  Esperanza – an old and proud culture on the plains that was brought under the yoke of the Valeriun Empire

  Guadereaux – a land where pleasure was prized above all else

  Hittitam – an ancient kingdom where many languages originated

  Isles of Solone – a land renowned for its pursuit of knowledge

  Jytte's Land – a land that kept itself separate from all others, lest its secret be discovered

  Khalaman – a country of star gazers who sought revelation from the heavens

  Koohyaram – a kingdom where wealth was treasured and greed abounded

  Leith – a farming village of Eirinia

  Lycenium – the city where East meets West. The jewel of the Valeriun Empire, it was the crossroads of culture, commerce, wisdom and wealth.

  Moldiva – a mountainous country with Lycenium its capital

  Mountains of Moogotypan – a country landlocked by steep mountains that rose high above the clouds

  Potentus – the capital city of Valerium

  Terra Diuferrum – the Valeriun name for Land of the Long Spears, called Trekur Lende by its natives

  Trekur Lende – a wild northern country also known as the Land of the Long Day

  Valerium – an empire of invincible military power that ruled a vast domain

  Quest For the Kingdom Part I The Legend of the Great Pearl

  “I
heard of a legend, one I have never forgotten. It was said that there is a great Pearl, a gem of marvelous and terrible beauty. It was said that it is more costly than gold, more precious than silver, more glorious than any other jewel to be found in all the world. And it was said that any one could buy it, but the price of it cost all that one possessed. Have you ever heard of this Pearl, Marcus?”

  “No, Your Grace, I have never heard of it.”

  “I have been obsessed with the thought of possessing that Pearl since first I heard of it. I sent messengers far and wide for further news of it, of where it might be found. But no one could tell me more. Yet I know it exists; of that I am certain.”

  Aurora leaned toward Marcus, gripping tightly the arms of her throne. Her jade eyes glittered with a greedy light in their green depths.

  “I want that Pearl, Marcus. I will never rest until I possess it. And I want you to find it and bring it back to me.”

  “What of my parents? My journey may be a long one. What of them? How long must they be your prisoners?”

  Aurora lifted her head slightly and shot Marcus a dazzling smile. Then she laughed a tinkling laugh like the jingle of silver bells.

  “Oh, did I not make it clear to you? The release of your parents depends upon the success of your quest. No Pearl, no parents.”

  Marcus struggled for breath. He stared at Aurora blindly, the room spinning around him once more.

  “I want that Pearl. You go and get it for me. Then we will talk about releasing your parents. But, Marcus, you bring me that Pearl.”

  "All may seek, and all may buy, the Great Pearl of price so rare, But it costs all you possess, So let the buyer beware."

  Thus begins the riddle that leads young Marcus Maximus, the proud and snobbish son of the Commander of the Imperial Army of Valerium, on the quest of a lifetime. In a single day his world of wealth and privilege is destroyed when he is seized and sold into slavery, his father's estate confiscated by the government, and his parents thrown into prison. And he discovers that during his slavery his one true love has turned to another: his closest friend, who is now a rival for her hand.

  Now a ruthless Empress demands that Marcus find and bring to her a legendary and costly Pearl as the price for his life and the freedom of his beloved parents. The quest takes him to fantastic lands where he meets extraordinary people and is joined by unusual companions, but he finds more questions than answers along his journey. For he will learn of the mysterious and powerful Dominio, be haunted and hunted by the evil Astra, and receive the gift of a fabulous sword that must never be used in violence.

  Quest For the Kingdom Part II Conquering the Domain of Darkness

  “He then shared with her the strange visions he had seen in their travels: the evil visage that peered out from the Tribal Chief’s face and the eerie figure he saw at the edge of the woods at the home of Pascal and Gaelle during the banquet.

  Kyrene nodded her head eagerly as he related these visions.

  “Very good, Marcus, very good indeed,” she said with the air of a tutor commending an exceptional pupil. “You are growing in discernment, and that is why you perceived them.”

  “Were they the Astra?” he inquired as he lowered his voice.

  “Yes, indeed!” Kyrene exclaimed. “Or rather, two of the minor ones.”

  “Minor?” Marcus asked skeptically. “But they were hideous!”

  “Oh yes, I am certain they were!” the girl answered him. “But it is only the minor Astra that are hideous. “It is the high ranking Astra who are more difficult to detect, for they disguise themselves as beings of great beauty. Yes, they seem beautiful, but make no mistake, Marcus; they are evil.”

  Those last words were pronounced with such finality that for a moment Marcus found himself bereft of words. Yet, he had something niggling at him, that would not leave him in peace…

  “I have one more question,” he finally ventured. “Why could not Dag make the Tribal Chief see reason? Why do they persist in believing a lie?”

  “They believe because the lie is of long tradition, and it is entrenched in their understanding. What you saw in the Tribal Chief’s face was a lower ranking Astra, but over that one is a higher, more powerful general, if you will, who exercises control of that territory in Trekur Lende and gives orders to those of a lower rank. It is a hierarchy, Marcus, just as it is in a standing army.”

  This statement made sense to Marcus, who was raised in a military family, and whose thoughts proceeded along such lines. And yet…

  “Why was Dag unable to break through that lie with the truth of Dominio, and Alexandros Whom He sent?” Marcus persisted.

  “Dag could not prevail because he had not yet been tested,” Kyrene explained. “Do you remember what Xenon taught us? ‘You will never defeat the kingdom of darkness unless you conquer the chambers of your own heart.’ ”

  “Who really possessed Dag’s heart: that was the test.”

  Kyrene paused.

  “For Dag, it is Dominio who occupies the throne of his heart. One day he will see it. And when he does, the kingdom of darkness will shudder when they hear the approach of his steps.”

  "You will never defeat the kingdom of darkness unless you conquer the chambers of your own heart."

  Thus had their mentor Xenon warned Marcus Maximus and his friends in Quest For the Kingdom Part I The Legend of the Great Pearl. Now as they continue their journey at the mercy of the will of the River Zoe, they are about to discover just how true those words will prove to be. For each learns they must conquer the darkest chambers of their hearts before they can confront the evil Astra who haunt their steps, and are determined to hinder their quest.

  For Marcus the quest itself threatens his hopes of happiness as he discovers that he has more than one rival for the fair Tullia, and each day away from her is precious time lost from his pursuit of her hand. Nor is he alone, for each of his companions are confronted with choices that will change their lives forever.

  In Part II of the Quest For the Kingdom series, go where few venture to dare: facing the frightening enemy lurking within, and the fearsome evil that threatens to destroy one's destiny. As Marcus soon learns, only the fabulous Sword Logos, which must never be used in violence, stands between him and complete destruction.

  Quest For the Kingdom Part III Invitation To Eternity

  “Judoc looked at the fire for several moments, as if mesmerized by the dancing flames. When at last she looked away, she glanced at the faces of all in turn before she spoke.

  Instead of answering Marcus’ question, she posed one in turn.

  “Do you recall the day when Brenus ran off the path, and I called him back?” was her unexpected query.

  “Yes,” Marcus promptly replied. “You seemed concerned beyond all reason, I thought.”

  “I had good reason,” Judoc quickly responded. “For you see, they live in the wild places and we must not stray from the path.”

  “They?” Felix echoed, as he glanced aside at Marcus.

  Marcus hoped Felix would not mock Judoc, who was deadly earnest.

  “They,” she answered without hesitation. “The Tuadan.”

  “And who are the Tuadan?” Marcus coaxed her to further disclosure.

  “They are the rulers of the wild places,” Judoc continued, her eyes once again riveted on the fire. “They once ruled from the heavens but they did what was forbidden and were diminished and fell to earth. There, they were banished to the hills and valleys, the trees and the fields.

  “Some say they walk in the places where no man has set his foot, and they guard their domain with fierce and jealous anger, punishing the unwary. And it is they who bless the crops or curse them at their pleasure. It is not wise to stray from the paths, for there are those who have done so; and never returned.”

  “Your task, Marcus, is to travel far and wide and bring back to me four objects that I desire most ardently: I want the Fountain of Youth, a star from the Heavens, the Rays of the Sun, and th
e secret of life. That is your task. There is one more thing I require of you, Marcus: do not fail me a second time.”

  Four unobtainable objects to be found and brought back to the Empress Aurora is the impossible quest assigned to Marcus Maximus. Failure would bring his own death and the continued imprisonment of his beloved parents.

  Marcus is also torn between finishing the quest to release his parents or coming to the aid of his beloved Tullia, now in mortal danger from which only he can rescue her. And for both Tullia and his parents, time is running out.

  Accompanied by his faithful friends and guided by the River Zoe, they must overcome deadly perils with the aid of the fabulous Sword Logos, which must never be used in violence.

  Along the way they will encounter dark enchantments and ethereal delights, and discover that in every life, there is one love that lasts forever.

  Part I The Legend of the Great Pearl

  Table of Contents

  Chapter I

  The Gate In the Garden

  Chapter II

  The Enslavement

  Chapter III

  A Change of Fortune

  Chapter IV

  The Homecoming

  Chapter V

  News of An Astonishing Nature

  Chapter VI

  A Stunning Revelation

  Chapter VII

  In the Palace of the Empress Aurora

  Chapter VIII

  The Order of the Empress

  Chapter IX

  A Most Enlightening Interview

  Chapter X

  The Quest Begins

  Chapter XI

  The Land of the Long Spears

  Chapter XII

  The Introduction of Dag

  Chapter XIII

  A Journey Through the Forest

  Chapter XIV

  The Stowaway

  Chapter XV

  The Land of Gaudereaux

  Chapter XVI