Knights of Aralia Book II: Evil Rising

KNIGHTS OF ARALIA Book II: Evil Rising J. S. ALLEN . ALSO BY THIS AUTHOR: Knights of Aralia Book I: Remnants of Light Sauragia Journey to the Red Mountain Woodland Tales This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Text and Maps Copyright © 2023 by J. S. Allen Cover Art Copyright © 2023 by Ilya Royz Published by Bluedrake Books, an imprint of Ash Tree Media All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication Data provided by Five Rainbows Cataloging Services Names: Allen, J.S., 1995- author. Title: Evil rising / J. S. Allen. Description: Belton, MO : Bluedrake Books, 2023. | Series: Knights of Aralia, bk. 2. | Summary: War looms over the West as the ambitious Lord Caritus seeks to expand his realm. Identifiers: ISBN 978-1-956619-12-6 (hardcover) | ISBN 978-1-956619-13-3 (paperback) | ISBN 978-1-956619-14-0 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Young adult fiction. | CYAC: Quests (Expeditions)--Fiction. | Dragons--Fiction. | War--Fiction. | Fantasy. | BISAC: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fantasy / Epic. | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Action & Adventure / General. | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Animals / Mythical Creatures. Classification: LCC PZ7.1.A45 Ev 2023 (print) | LCC PZ7.1.A45 (ebook) | DDC [Fic]--dc23. Visit ashtreemedia.com Prologue All alone the rider stood upon the bluffs overlooking the majestic expanse of the Great Plains. His hair was as golden as the grass growing for miles around and his eyes as blue as the sky above. His evergreen-coloured cloak rippled gently in the southerly breeze that enfolded him and carried on it a faint scent of the warmer days to come. He crouched down between a couple of rocks to blend into the surrounding landscape as he observed the bustling dark patch on the horizon. His horse, a fine-looking Ralgarian, stood behind him, likewise concealed behind the sharp edges of the escarpment’s highest point. He stroked his beard with a gauntleted hand in silent contemplation, his face impassive. It could not be long now. He soon heard the hoofbeats of another horse approaching across the hills. He did not turn to look, for he recognized the sound of his own men when they came near. The second rider dismounted fleetly and came up beside him. He likewise crouched low as he spoke: “Any movement, Captain?” “Nothing out of the ordinary,” replied the golden-haired officer, directing the newcomer’s gaze toward the mass in the distance. “It gets bigger every day,” remarked his lieutenant. “There must be thousands of them over there already. When do you think they’ll make their move?” “Could be any day now. Another week at best.” The lieutenant shook his head as they cautiously rose and returned to their mounts. “Who would have thought it would come to this?” “None of us, evidently.” The captain hopped into the saddle of his strawberry-coloured mare. “But treachery’s stroke is most potent when the blade remains unseen.” “Do you think Ralgar can hold them on its own?” The captain swallowed hard before giving his honest reply. “Would that I were so confident. We are but one small kingdom against a foe whose full might has yet to be discovered.” He paused. “But we will face them nonetheless. Whatever the odds, we will fight. What choice do we have when every plea and warning sent abroad has thus far fallen on deaf ears?” This was spoken with no small degree of bitterness. “What orders shall I carry to the men?” “None,” replied the captain. “I do not think it wise to stir them up just now. There is no doubt of the enemy’s intentions, but it is not for us to make the first move this time. Keep the men informed, but no more. And send word to the king right away. Urge him to prepare the capital for an imminent attack.” “You don’t think they will get that far, do you?” asked the lieutenant, horrified by the very idea. “Let us pray to the Arden they do not, but be ready for whatever may come. Away now! Time is short, and there is much to be done ere we are ready for the trials ahead.” They whirled around and rode off to find their company, and to make ready for the coming war.