Ascension Of The Blood Throne by Mikel Wilson (red scrolls of magic .TXT) 📗

“I swear, sometimes I hate you! We don’t even know if this place will have beaches, and with all the My soon to be queen stuff, I'm not sure Christian would like to see me ogling men in little shorts. I guess I could tell him I'm looking for the best cattle; do ya think that would work?"

"Nope, not at all, and that’s a scary good imitation of Christian, by the way," Lillith said.

Sometime later, after most everyone had retired to their rooms, the mystical fog that covered the vessel began thinning as Kale stood on the deck and recited the words to take them through the portal. “Into the shadows, out of the light; hide no more from human sight." As the fog cleared, the sky turned dark, and Kale smiled and uttered the word "home." The murky waters and dark clouds covering the sun's rays meant they had entered Odious. The vampires ruled over this dark side of Penumbra, and their powers were very well respected among all the mystical creatures of the land.

Kale went to the sleeping quarters to get the others, knocking on Christian’s door first. "Prince Christian, we have arrived home!" he called.

Christian’s face was lit up when he opened the door. He told Kale to go and wake the rest of the brood while he woke those closest to him. Still smiling, he knocked on Mackinzie's and Lillith’s door as he called, “We are home, ladies.” He gave them a little bow when they answered then moved onto Alisha’s door.

He knocked and waited for her to answer. When she opened the door, he smiled and explained, “We have arrived, Mother. Prepare yourself and remember, this is no longer your world, but I will protect you. You don't have to worry.”

As the vessel docked, knights stood along the shore, waving their country's flag, to welcome their prince. Christian smiled reassuringly at the girls as they looked out at a landscape that was quite nebulous, seeming to be in despair. Alisha stared over this land and subconsciously grabbed at the sword draped across her back.

Once the gangway was lowered, Christian exited, followed by Mackinzie, Lillith, and Alisha. The knights bowed and then stiffened in surprise when they smelled Alisha. They were whispering among themselves even as they straightened. It was clear that they knew she was human. They didn’t have long to ponder it as Kale then exited with a large brood close on his heels.

One of the knights bowed to Christian before speaking. "My prince, the Federation has sent us to welcome you as well as to inform you that they require your presence."

Christian couldn’t hold back a sarcastic chuckle and a smirk as he responded, "I bet they do. Let’s go see what the old men have to say."

The knights presented horses to Prince Christian, and once he was seated, he reached a hand down to Mackinzie who took it and climbed up behind him, putting her arms around his waist.

“Captain, give the ladies a horse as well," Christian instructed as he pointed to Lillith and Alisha.

"The human? I thought she was your pet," the captain questioned as he snickered.

Alisha held her tongue as she cinched the strap to her sword and looked at Christian.

“Do as you are told,” Christian ordered with a little more authority.

Alisha climbed on the horse and Lillith climbed behind her. They fell in behind Christian as he headed toward the castle. Once they were turned in the right direction to see it, the castle could be seen from miles away. It was one of the few things that stood out in the haze, and it was a beautiful sight to see. It looked like it was illuminated by some sort of mystical light.

“This is your home,” Christian said, smiling until they heard a snarling in the wind. “This could get interesting.”

“What is this?” Alisha asked.

“It's either the giants or something worse.”

“What could be worse than giants?” Mackinzie questioned.

“The Kynuski for one. They stand about 15 feet tall, have twelve tentacles, and they live in the Darkest Forest. Sometimes, they stray, and they can kill anything they set their minds to. So be mindful, this noise could be one of them. Stay vigilant,” Christian explained. Then he dismounted and turned to his knights, calling, “Swords ready!”

The knights all began unsheathing their swords as the sound of a loud booming got closer.

“My love, get down and stand behind me. Lillith and Alisha, get ready to fight. I can say for certain now that this is the giants. They are massive beasts with little to no respect for royalty. We have a treaty with them, but it isn't always honored by their exiled ones.”

The wind began to pick up, and one of the knights called, “Here they come!”

The distant rumble became louder and louder until two giants stood before them. They were about nine feet tall and weighed in excess of five-hundred pounds, much larger than the vampires. The leader was a big grizzly looking giant with a long beard and red eyes. His disdain showed plainly on his face as he looked at the vampires, and he snarled as his gaze settled on the vampire flag.

“I am Prince Christian. I ask that you allow us to pass without incident.”

The giant towered over him and snarled before speaking. “I hear your father fell at the rising. I am Timaeus, king of my people, and we must discuss the treaty that was signed. I come to you now, before your Federation attempts to corrupt you. I sense good in you, and I believe you can be a good king and erase the darkness your father brought upon this realm.”

Lillith stepped up to stand beside her brother and leveled a glare at the giant, who blew smoke in her direction.

“How dare you interrupt a conversation between royalty!” the giant snarled.

Christian put his arm in front of Lillith’s chest, pushing her back, but she didn’t give