Child of Prophecy (Prophecy Series Book 1)
Child of Prophecy
Prophecy Series: Book 1
T. N. Hayden
Copyright © 2015 T. N. Hayden
ISBN-13: 978-1506170398
ISBN-10: 1506170390
ASIN: B00S71WLO2
Child of Prophecy
Copyright © 2015 by T. N. Hayden
Cover Design © 2020 by T. N. Hayden
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 3 edition (January 17, 2015).
Jesus Christ
“As it is written: ‘No eye had seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.’” 1 Corinthians 2:9
My parents
I love you all the way to Heaven and back again.
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
~ Prologue ~
~ Chapter 1 ~
~ Chapter 2 ~
~ Chapter 3 ~
~ Chapter 4 ~
~ Chapter 5 ~
~ Chapter 6 ~
~ Chapter 7 ~
~ Chapter 8 ~
~ Chapter 9 ~
~ Chapter 10 ~
~ Chapter 11 ~
~ Chapter 12 ~
~ Chapter 13 ~
~ Chapter 14 ~
~ Chapter 15 ~
~ Chapter 16 ~
~ Chapter 17 ~
~ Chapter 18 ~
~ Chapter 19 ~
~ Chapter 20 ~
~ Chapter 21 ~
~ Chapter 22 ~
~ Chapter 23 ~
~ Chapter 24 ~
~ Chapter 25 ~
~ Chapter 26 ~
~ Chapter 27 ~
~ Chapter 28 ~
~ Chapter 29 ~
~ Chapter 30 ~
~ Chapter 31 ~
~ Chapter 32 ~
~ Chapter 33 ~
~ Chapter 34 ~
~ Chapter 35 ~
~ Chapter 36 ~
~ Chapter 37 ~
~ Chapter 38 ~
~ Chapter 39 ~
~ Chapter 40 ~
~ Chapter 41 ~
~ Chapter 42 ~
~ Chapter 43 ~
~ Chapter 44 ~
~ Chapter 45 ~
~ Chapter 46 ~
~ Chapter 47 ~
~ Chapter 48 ~
~ Chapter 49 ~
~ Epilogue ~
Acknowledgements
About The Author
Books By This Author
“There will be a child born. The child will have a birthmark: a brown sword with three red rings around the tip. That child is the only one who will be able to kill Queen Filia.”
Rebels:
Craig Kender: Rebel Leader, guardian of Nabil Coburn and Sara Harland
Ana Harland: Sara’s mother
Sara Harland: Craig’s adopted daughter
Nabil Coburn: Craig’s adopted son
Jack Brown: Rebel Commander
Frank Adler: Rebel Commander
Harold Firmin: Rebel Commander
Ramon Dedrick: Rebel Commander, Former Rebel Leader
Lance Harland: Former Rebel Leader
Palace Nobles:
Filia Barnette: Queen of Fedji
Ethan Barnette: King of Fedji, Oliver’s father, Dianastace’s stepfather
Dianastace Barnette: Heir and Princess of Fedji
Oliver Barnette: Son of Ethan, Prince of Fedji
Leanne Barnette: Adopted Daughter of Filia, Princess of Fedji, Commander of Citren
Abe Goffe: Viscount of Fedji
Dana Ikin: Baron of Fedji
Thatcher Clark: Commander of Notic
~ Prologue ~
Mooch 538
Amber, Fedji
The girl’s long, golden-red braid hit her back in the steady rhythm of a drum as she rode her black stallion like she’d been born in the saddle.
Twenty-three-year-old Craig Kender crouched in his hiding spot as he watched her. It was unusual for travelers to be this close to the mountains. The main trail was several leagues west.
The girl pulled her stallion to a halt, sat up in the saddle, and shaded her eyes as she looked at the mountains.
What was she doing? Why did she look like she was expecting to find something in this terrain?
“Hello?” The girl called as she placed a hand to the hilt of the large sword she wore sheathed at her waist. “Is this Amber?”
The word hit Craig, and he stepped from his hiding place, his naked sword in hand. “This is a dangerous place. A young girl like you should be careful, especially of soldiers who may find you.”
“I’m not afraid.” She narrowed her deep blue eyes. “You don’t look like a soldier.”
He shrugged. “What brings you here girl?”
“Lance Harland sent me.” Her lip quivered.
Memories of his adopted father flooded his mind, and Craig looked at the girl. Could she possibly be who he thought she was? “How did you know Lance?”
“He’s my Granddad. He left Amber to find my mom when she was pregnant.”
Craig nodded. That had been eight and a half years ago; he couldn’t forget the day he’d lost another parent.
The girl looked down. “I’m here because I cannot go with my mother.”
“Why not?” Craig demanded.
“It’s complicated.” The girl dismounted and stepped closer to Craig. “Granddad was supposed to take me back to Amber, but he was killed when we reached Opel.” Her deep blue eyes were the same as Lance. “Granddad died protecting me.”
“I’m so sorry.” A fist seemed to punch through Craig’s heart, and as he watched the girl, he wanted to comfort her, embrace her and let her know everything would be okay, as he’d done with Nabil two years previous. “What’s your name?”
“Sara Harland. What’s yours?”
“Craig Kender.”
“You’re Craig?” She hugged him, and tears exploded from her eyes. “Granddad talked about you all the time. He hated leaving you. He loved you like a son.”
Craig embraced her. “I’m so sorry Sara.” He stroked her golden-red hair and gently wiped tears from her cheeks.
“I don’t have anyone anymore.” Sara whispered into his shirt.
Fury burned as Craig held her. His parents had died protecting him.
“Why didn’t your mother come?”
“She couldn’t.” Sara’s voice turned soft. “She wanted to, but she couldn’t.”
“Then I will take care of you.” Craig held her gently. “We’ll be a family together with my adopted son, Nabil. You’ll have a father and a brother, and you’ll be safe in Amber.”
“I can fight and help protect the people.” Sara looked at him.
Craig shook his head. Her mother had abandoned her and forced her to learn to fight. It was a mother’s job to make her children feel safe in the world, to protect and defend. “You will continue to train then.” Craig promised, and her eyes turned hopeful. “Perhaps one day, you won’t need to fight to protect yourself.”
“One day.” Sara whispered as she scratched her right shoulder.
~ Chapter 1 ~
Six Years Later
Ovepo 544
Amber, Fedji
The dirt was cool and soft against his fingertips, and Craig Kender looked across the little garden. “You three are really impressive.”
Sara Harland, fourteen and shy, blushed. “Thanks.”
“Frank’s the best gardener.” Nabil Coburn, fifteen and fearless, clapped the older man on his shoulders.
Frank Adler, one of the commanders for the group of rebels in the hidden city of Amber, shrugged as he leaned against one of the solid oaks. “I was born to be a farmer…” His pause lasted a little longer than needed. “But the queen’s forces made that impossible for me.”
Craig looked the older man over, and he nodded. The queen had taken loved ones and freedom from everyone in Amber, but Frank had suffered himself, physically, more than almost anyone else. Jack was probably the only one who’d suffered more.
“Do you hear that?” Frank put a finger to his lips, and they all went quiet.
Craig heard the breeze cut through the leaves of the forest, and he rubbed his nose as the scent of wild lavender wafted by.
A snap of a twig caught his attention, and Craig grabbed his sword. “Frank, take Sara and Nabil back to the cave.”
“What if it’s a lot of soldiers?” Nabil stepped forward. “I’ll go with you.”
The boy’s insistence to rush into every battle concerned Craig, as it always did. “No. I’ll just check it out. I won’t engage.”
“They can’t find us anyway.” Sara touched Nabil’s shoulder. “We should go back to the cave.”
“Come on.” Frank grabbed their arms and rushed them to the small opening.
Craig unsheathed his sword and walked carefully through the forest. Taking time to watch his steps, Craig’s booted feet were silent as he inched his way through
the thick oak trees. He paused as he noticed a young woman on a tan mare. The mare twitched her black tail, and the young woman, a tall brunette, dismounted. She frowned as she looked at the mountain and raised a hand to shade her eyes.
The image brought him back six years ago when Sara came to Amber.
The young woman, who looked to be in her late twenties, brought her mare with her as she stepped closer to the edge of the forest, resting a hand to the rock edge of the mountain. She frowned.
Craig snuck around the side of an oak as she ran her hand along the rocks, moving east alongside the edge of the mountain and forest. She was getting closer to the mouth of the cave.
Craig lunged from his hiding place, grabbed the woman’s arms, and he shoved her stomach against the side of the rock. “Just what do you think you’re doing here, pretty lady?” He dropped his voice, trying to sound like a soldier.
“Let me go.” The young woman elbowed him, and Craig blinked as her bony point struck his collarbone. He loosened his grip on her, and the young woman was able to spin around and face him. “I know this is rebel area. You’re no soldier.”
“What makes you think that?” Craig frowned.
“I’m here to find Lance and Sara Harland.” The woman explained. “My name is Ana.”
Craig’s grip tightened on her wrists, and he glared into light blue eyes with rings of darker blue around the pupil and flecks of red. “You’re Sara’s mother?”
“Please tell me they made it.”
“Sara did.” Craig shoved her against the rocks as he released her. “Your father died protecting her.”
Ana looked shaken, and she whispered. “My father’s dead?”
Craig nodded. “I’ve been raising Sara for the past six years. I’ve been the one listening to her cry herself to sleep, making sure she’s safe, and training her. Sara talks about you and her aunt all the time, and neither of you are sacrificial enough to leave the palace. I understand you’re noble.”
“My life in Rysler is complicated.” Ana’s voice was strained. “Where is Sara? I need to see my daughter.”
“She’s not your daughter anymore.” Craig would do what he could to protect the girl. He’d spent far too many nights hearing her weeping through the walls. “You’ve broken her heart, and I will not stand by and—”
“Mom!”
Ana and Craig turned to see Sara rush toward them; her legs moved faster than Craig had ever seen. She looked like she was flying, and she threw herself into her mother’s arms. Ana laughed and cried, embracing her daughter as if she never wanted to let go.
A part of Craig felt remorse for speaking harsh, but he brushed the feeling aside. Ana was unfit to be a mother.
“This man told me about your granddad.” Ana kissed the top of Sara’s golden-red head. “He told me he’s been raising you.”
“He has.” Sara looked between her mother and Craig. “Mom, this is Craig Kender, the man Granddad spoke so much about.”
Ana looked up at Craig, a look he didn’t understand in her light blue eyes.
“So, are you here to join us or take your daughter away from here?” Craig demanded as he crossed his arms.
“Neither.” Ana admitted with a look of remorse.
Craig paused to keep most of the anger from his tone. He didn’t want Sara to realize how much he despised her mother. “Then why are you here?”
“I haven’t seen my daughter for six years. It’s a nightmare. I had to see her. It’s hard to escape home, but I want to be with my daughter as much as I can.”
“And what does her father think about this?” Craig demanded. Sara wouldn’t talk about her father, and Craig wasn’t afraid to bring up a sore subject with the woman he hated. “Doesn’t he want to see your daughter? Is he living a life of wealth and comfort just like you?”
“Her father doesn’t know about Sara.” Ana’s eyes radiated pure hatred.
“I want to show you my garden.” Sara tugged on her mother’s hand before Craig could say more.
Craig swallowed the lump of pride caught in his throat, and he coughed.
“Wow.” Nabil appeared behind him. “I saw that look in her mom’s eyes; you made her really mad.”
“I wonder about Sara’s father now.” Craig whispered as he looked from Sara’s and Ana’s retreating backs to Nabil. The past six years, Craig had only felt anger, fury, and abhorrence for the woman who had let Sara watch her grandfather die; the woman who couldn’t give up her luxury to be with her own daughter, but maybe he had judged her wrong. Perhaps things really were complicated, as Sara always said when he asked about her mother.
“He probably left Ana before she knew she was pregnant.” Nabil shrugged. “He probably broke her heart.”
Craig shook his head. A broken heart didn’t cause that reaction.
~ Chapter 2 ~
Sara Harland pulled her mother with her to the little garden. She couldn’t believe Craig mentioned her father. Of course, he didn’t know anything about her birth father, but Sara knew that wouldn’t be the question her mother wanted to be asked about.
“You never told him?” Ana whispered as she looked at her daughter.
Sara shook her head.
“So, you must be the woman trying to find our little home.” Frank used his knee as support to help him to his feet. “Hello, I’m Frank Adler.”
“Ana Harland.” She shook his offered hand.
“Harland?” His brown eyes shot from mother to daughter. “Oh.”
“I’ve missed my precious daughter.” Ana closed her eyes as she wrapped her arms around Sara.
Sara’s heart wrenched. She’d missed her mother terribly the past six years, and she didn’t want Ana to ever leave her again. Of course, she knew why Ana couldn’t stay with the rebels, and Sara understood the danger of living with her mother, but it still hurt.
“So, you’re joining us?” Frank questioned as he grabbed a hoe to soften the dirt in the small garden. “I’m sure Sara would love to live with you.”
“Unfortunately, that isn’t possible right now.” Ana answered.
Sara looked into her mother’s light blue eyes, worried that Ana would never visit if everyone in the camp harassed her about their relationship. Not living with her mother was terrible, but not seeing her mother was far worse. If Ana could regularly visit, Sara would be elated.
“Too bad.” Frank’s tone was dry as he glanced at Sara.
While Frank wasn’t as protective as Craig, he was almost like family. Sara groaned, grabbed her mother’s arm, and pulled her along. “Well that was the garden. I want to show you what Amber really looks like.”
“Dad said it was a giant cave.” Ana looked at her daughter.
Sara nodded as she pulled her mom to the entrance of the cavern. The rocky side of the mountain covered the front of the wall like a door. Sara stepped behind the rocks and slipped into the cavern. Ana followed closely behind, and they walked down a dirt path. Sara could walk without stooping, but her mother was too tall.
Sara turned left, and she stopped to let her mother take in the view of the large town in the middle of a mountain.
The cave’s room was enormous. There were about thirty cabins and a large town square in the middle of the cavern. The view had shocked Sara when she was eight, but she had grown used to seeing a town in the mouth of a cave.
“This is incredible.” Ana whispered.
“Come on.” Sara motioned for her mother to follow. “I’ll show you Craig’s cabin.”
“And Craig has been raising you well?” Ana questioned. “It was not my plan to have a stranger raise you. Your granddad…”
“I know.” Sara paused as a sharp fist seemed to punch her chest. “After Craig found out I was alone, he promised to take care of me. He’s raising Nabil too, since Nabil’s an orphan.”
“I never should have—”
“You had no choice.” Sara whispered as she gently touched her mom’s shoulder. “We both know why you had to leave me. This isn’t your fault.”
“I’m a horrible mother. I love you so much, and I’ve missed so much of your life already. I don’t want to be apart from you.”
“Nor I you.” Sara hugged Ana. “But we can’t be together until I’m safe.”
“I know.” Ana’s voice was muffled in Sara’s golden-red locks. “I know, but I’m selfish. I want you to be with me.”