Traitors (The Traitor King Saga Book 1)

  By A.M. Hickman

  _____________________________________________________

  Copyright © 2016 by A.M. Hickman

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

  Print ISBN: 978-0-9984420-0-6

  eBook ISBN: 978-0-9984420-1-3

  Cover Art by: Alyssa May www.artofalyssamay.com

  Dedicated to my Dad, Mom,

  Brother, and Sister.

  You have read, reread, and proofread my stories with constant enthusiasm. Thank you for all of your support, my dearest family.

  Prologue

  The nine-cycled Traitor hunkered behind the pantry’s cloth curtain, hoping the adults wouldn’t find her. Two sets of slow, meandering footsteps progressed through the small cabin.

  “Bla-aze,” her mother called while heading up the stairs. “It’s time for bed.”

  “Come on, Blaze, don’t make this difficult,” her father said. She watched him through the thin weave of the fabric as he entered the dining area, a golden halo of candle light leading the way.

  “Ah ha!” He quickly squatted to check under the table.

  She jumped in surprise and held her breath as he stood and looked toward the pantry curtain.

  “Where, oh, where is my Blaze?” he taunted, moving closer to the pantry after setting the candle on the table. Her heart pounded while she held her breath. He tentatively reached and grabbed hold of the fabric, fingers curling to pull it aside.

  Before she lost her element of surprise, Blaze exploded forward.

  With swift reflexes, her father scooped her up into his strong arms with a victorious “Got ya!”. Blaze burst into the screams and giggles of a young girl.

  At the commotion, her mother rushed downstairs. “You found her!”

  “Aye my dear, now, what shall we do with this little Traitor?”

  “I say that she should be sentenced to bed.”

  “Noooo!”

  Blaze wiggled and squirmed, hoping to gain freedom from her father’s arms. However, their farm conditioned him with unyielding strength. Blaze stopped trying to escape and looked into her father’s face. “I’ll go to bed quietly if you tell me a story.”

  “Ooo, my dear, I think a compromise is being offered. Shall we take it?”

  Her mother scrunched up her face and rubbed her chin.

  “Please, Mama, please…”

  A smile brightened her mother’s face. “Alright, but only one, and you must fall asleep afterwards.”

  “Yes!” Upon touching the ground, Blaze shot off toward the stairs, “I’ll race you!”

  “You little wild fire…” and her father gave chase.

  Already in bed lighting the candle on her night stand, she smiled as her father entered her room. “By the King, you’re quick,” and he sat on her bed. “So, what story would you like to hear tonight?”

  “I want to hear the story about the True King.”

  Her father barked a deep, clear laugh. “You heard that one last night, and the night before that, and the night before that.” He leaned over to tickle her as Blaze squealed and squirmed.

  “Ah! Daddy…hahaha…stop! Hahaha…”

  “Now she’ll never get to sleep!”

  Her father stopped as her mother entered the room in mock scorn and gave her a grin. The young girl’s green eyes glowed like the sun shining through an oak’s leaf, and her face brightened with a big smile.

  “It’s my favorite because it is true, right, Mama?” Blaze asked. The candle light revealed a smile gracing her mother’s lips.

  “That’s right, sweetie. It is our history.”

  Blaze smiled back at her mother and then looked at her father. “So, I want to hear the story of the True King, please.”

  “’The True King’ it is. Which is also my favorite.” Her father winked and cleared his throat. Blaze settled under the quilt, and her mother sat at her feet while her father’s voice filled the room like a distant, calming summer storm.

  “Back before you were born, your mama or I were born, or even before your grandparents were born, there was a King, the True King.

  “Under the True King’s rule, this land flourished. People still worked hard, but it wasn’t tiring work. Food, goods, and happiness were abundant. The people took care of each other just as their king took care of them.

  “There was and never will be a king like the True King. He has always been with our people, changing them from savages to civilized beings, leading them into Lesira, and never abandoning them…”

  “He was powerful, too!” Blaze interjected.

  Her father laughed. “That’s right. He was more than human. No one knew how old he was when he first gathered our people from the Wilderness, but our ancestors soon found that he was ageless; death had no power over him. He was never beaten in battle, and his justice was incontestable. His laws, his judgment, and his way of ruling Lesira were perfect. What we remember most about him, though, is his unmatchable and undying love for his people. The True King did everything for our ancestors’ happiness, blessing them with good fortune, guidance, loyalty, and love.

  “The times were happy and seemed like they would last until the end of days when he would lead our people to the Next Home. But sadly, this was not to be. Why is that, Blaze?”

  “Because Urlifec came.”

  “Yes. No one knows the reason, but Urlifec despised the True King. His entire existence was focused on destroying his perfect adversary. Urlifec knew that he would never succeed in battle against the True King, so he went towards the True King’s only weakness...”

  “Us,” Blaze whispered.

  “For a long time, Urlifec made a good name for himself by traveling throughout the land, befriending many, seeming to help all that he could, and acting as a teacher and mentor to all who would listen to him. Urlifec was very clever; he would seem to be doing all he could to help someone, but nothing would get done. All of his lectures and advice seemed well and good, but they were laced with selfishness, pride, and messages against the True King.

  “As a celebrated man of the land, Urlifec soon acquired a group of loyal followers. These men and women believed every word of their idol. Wanting to please Urlifec with all of their being, his followers deemed themselves ‘Urlificans’ and went out to induct more people into their cult. As time passed and Urlifec’s admirers grew in numbers, he replaced the True King in the hearts of nearly all of Lesira.”

  “But not everyone followed him.” Blaze sat up in bed. “There were those like us who saw through Urlifec’s lies. They stayed loyal to the True King and tried to stop people from betraying him. But, it was too late.”

  Her father nodded. “The people were cast under Urlifec’s spell. Slowly, Urlifec’s lectures began to hide less of their true meaning. He spoke more on how powerful the people were, and he stroked their pride by preaching on how they were so hard working, intelligent, and able to fend for themselves; things the people had never focused on since coming from the Wilderness.

  “These thoughts appealed to the people. Community began to wither as people started to reject help from others and scoff at those who asked for it, deeming them as less than Lesirian. Abuse became more prominent as the weak were exploited, and the attitude of Lesirians became self-centered.

  “Our ancestors stopped listening to the True King and obeying his laws. The idea spread that they didn’t even need him. The people had forgotten how he gat
hered us from the Wilderness and led us to Lesira, how he had always been fair, generous, and caring, and how he had always ruled them lovingly. Thanks to Urlifec, they only remembered how the True King alone set up the laws, how he taxed them for the royal stores, how his word was always the final word.

  “‘We are able and intelligent,’ the people would say. ‘Why are we not consulted in how this kingdom is run? Why do we have to follow all of his rules?’

  “The Urlificans’ membership rapidly grew as the people chose Urlifec over the True King. The True King’s anger had never been so intense, but most importantly, his heart was torn into pieces by their rejection, just as Urlifec had predicted. He sent his servants, the Diakono, to change the hearts of the people and remind them of all the True King had done for them. But, the people’s hearts were turned to stone.

  “Finally, Urlifec challenged the True King by asking the people, ‘Who do you think should be king?’ All of Lesira demanded that Urlifec become their leader.

  “Their betrayal angered and devastated the True King, for he loved his people more than anything else. He told our ancestors the he had never, and would never, do anything to hurt them, that they needn’t fear him. He also warned that Urlifec was selfish, greedy and evil, and that he would lead the people to destruction.

  “But, the people wouldn’t hear it. ‘He hasn’t led us to destruction; King Urlifec has led us to enlightenment,’ they replied. The people insisted that they knew what they needed, and that was Urlifec as king.

  “Betrayed and rejected, the True King fulfilled their foolish and selfish request, for he always ruled with respected of their will. So, the True King stepped down and vanished.

  “At first, it seemed that Urlifec would be a great king. He ended all of the True King’s conduct laws like what, dear?”

  “Like taking care of the poor, being content with what you have, honoring your family, and offering a part of all you have to the kingdom like service, money, or goods,” Blaze answered, reciting the True King’s laws as she had her whole short life. Her mother nodded, and her father continued.

  “Under Urlifec’s rule, people could do whatever they wanted, as long as it didn’t interfere with the Urlificans, and if they had been wronged, no justice could be found. The people lost the idea of community and accepted that the weak die and the strong survive. People no longer cared for each other; they cheated and mistreated each other, and even the idea of family began to disappear as people focused only on themselves.

  “There were no taxes at first, but Urlificans could take anything that they wanted in the name of Urlifec. The Urlificans themselves changed into the king’s morphed army; those in high ranks being gifted with different abilities like extra strength, endurance, and the ability to manipulate people. People tried to become Urlifican, but the title was limited and required that a person become Urlifec’s slave and worshiper. Those still loyal to the True King watched in sorrow as the marvelous kingdom they once knew disappeared, and the True King was forgotten.”

  “There is hope, though. We are here to change Lesira. But, we have to be careful.” Blaze added.

  “That’s right, my dear,” her mother said. “We Traitors are given a very important mission. The True King asked us to remind the people of him. If they repent of their decision to follow King Urlifec and if his laws of kindness, generosity, caring, and love are remembered, he will return to give us peace. However, King Urlifec doesn’t want this to happen. He has tried to rid this kingdom of those still loyal to the True King by making us look like liars and power hungry Traitors, and if the wrong people find out about us, we could be punished severely.”

  Blaze nodded to show that she understood, and then a big yawn escaped. Her father leaned forward and gave a warm, secure hug. “I think it is time for the little wild fire to go to bed. I love you so much, Blaze.”

  Next, her mother gave her a tender kiss followed by a soft, comforting hug. “I love you so much, as well, my lovely Blaze.”

  “I love you so much, too.” Blaze reciprocated. “You’re the best parents in the whole kingdom.” Another yawn took hold of her. Smiling, Blaze’s parents tucked her in, blew out the candle, and left. ‘I’m going to make the True King proud,’ she thought and fell asleep to dream of changing the kingdom.

  ********

  BAM! BAM! BAM!

  Blaze jolted from her dreams as the front door was attacked. Candle light flashed past her doorway as her father raced down the stairs to save the wooden barrier, and she leapt out of bed.

  Wrenching open the abused door, her father jumped back as someone crashed into their house. Blaze recognized him as Tray, their neighbor and close friend. Tray braced himself on his knees, trying to talk and catch his breath at the same time.

  “Ben, you…must…”

  “Whoa, Tray, breathe. Did you run all the way from your farm?”

  Tray nodded his head then bowed down to focus on his breathing for several seconds. Tension set all of Blaze’s nerves on edge. Something was wrong. Three miles lay between their houses, and the only other time Tray had made the journey in such haste was when Beth, his wife, had given birth to their twin boys, Triss and Tom.

  Still gasping, he tried to talk a second time. “No,” he started. “No time…” He looked up at Blaze and her mother with fear in his eyes. Fear’s cold grip replaced the tension throughout her body. He looked back at her father. “Ben, you must get out of Eclamai. They have found out…I don’t know how…but they have found out!”

  Her mother tense behind her, and her father grabbed their hysterical friend by the shoulders “Tray, what are you talking about?”

  Tray filled his lungs with a gulp of air, and as he released, he straightened up. “It is what we have feared; the Urlificans have found us, Ben. I could see Pat’s place burning and hear the screaming while I was checking on the flock. I’m sure they have a cohe with them because I could hear its dreadful call. It won’t be long until they come for you. You must get your things and leave now!”

  Before he finished his warning, Blaze’s mother rushed into their room to grab the survival packs created for a time like this. Her father and Tray ran through the front door toward the barn.

  Shivering like a rooted tree in the wind, Blaze froze as her stomach tied itself into knots. The Urlificans were coming; just as she had been warned every day of her life. And worse, they had a cohe with them. No one talked about them much, but the whispered tales about these monsters gave her nightmares.

  “Blaze, could you please come and help me?” her mother called from her parents’ room. Blaze didn’t move. “Blaze?” Her mother appeared in the doorway. Worry contorted her face.

  “Mama…” Blaze whispered. “I…I can’t move.” Tears clouded her vision. As her mother rushed over and cradled her, Blaze cried into her chest. “I…I’m so…scared!” Tremors and sobs shook her body.

  “I know, darling, I know. I’m scared, too,” her mother comforted. Blaze’s tears showered her mother for a few moments more while her mother tried to calm her. Time was precious, though. Slowly, her mother pushed her out to arm’s length. Blaze’s eyes still burned with tears and sniffling convulsions took the place of her shaking. She absently ran her fingers down the row of circular scars along her mother’s right forearm.

  Her mother used a thumb to wipe away Blaze’s tears. “Blaze, it’s okay to be scared. It’s okay. I do need you to do something for me that’s very important. And, I know you can do this. I need you to be brave. Be brave like those who stood up for the True King in your favorite story. Can you do that for me?”

  Blaze saw fear and worry in her mother’s pursed forehead, but she also felt the steadiness of her mother’s hand and saw the strength and courage in her radiant blue eyes. Using her hand to wipe her own tears away, Blaze nodded. Her mother smiled and gave Blaze another tight hug. “That’s my girl, my brave little wild fire.”

  Blaze didn’t want to leave her mother’s arms, but she was determined
to be brave. She broke the embrace, smiling back. “What do you want me to do?”

  Her mother’s smile widened as courage filled her daughter’s deep green eyes. “Let’s take these survival bags to your father,” she replied while getting up. They headed into the bedroom where a pile of three leather bags filled with jerky, clothes, blankets, and water bladders lay. Her mother took two, and Blaze picked up the third. Going down the stairs and out the door, they met her father, Tray, and the family’s two horses. Tray explained how Beth and his two sons were already heading toward her parents’ place in Krute with the family’s cart and horse.

  “What are you going to do, Tray?” her father inquired as he took the two bags from her mother.

  “I was going to lose myself in the woods and steadily make it up there. I have coin enough to get some food and buy a donkey in Lebril,” Tray held Satin, their strong black stallion, and Spook, their shy but loyal and strong brown mare, in place for her father to strap the bags behind the saddles. Anger flashed across her father’s face.

  “Tray, that is both madness and suicide! You will ride with Blaze on Satin while Ava and I ride Spook.” He took Blaze’s bag and strapping it to Spook.

  Both horses danced around and threatened to pull Tray in two directions. They sensed that something was wrong. Blaze approached the brown mare to help Tray. “Whoa, Spook, it’s okay. Spook…” she cooed as she stroked the mare’s shoulder. Usually, Spook listened to Blaze, but tonight, she shied away and tossed her head.

  “Whoa!” Tray exclaimed as he lost grip of Spook’s reign.

  Blaze and her mother jumped to grab hold of the terrified creature. “Blaze, get into the saddle so you can steer her if she gets loose,” her mother commanded and held tight as Blaze climbed into the saddle. She was given the end of the reigns, but her mother held on close to the bridle. Tray went to help her father with Satin as they tried to calm Spook down.