War (The True Reign Series) Read online

  (The True Reign Series, Book 3)

  BY

  JENNIFER ANNE DAVIS

  Clean Teen Publishing

  THIS book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the authors' imagination or are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  NO part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  War

  Copyright ©2014 Jennifer Anne Davis

  All rights reserved.

  Cover Design by: Marya Heiman

  Typography by: Courtney Nuckels

  Editing by: Cynthia Shepp

  To Addison

  The third in my own personal trilogy

  You are my inspiration for Rema

  May your spunkiness and love for life never cease

  For more information about our content disclosure,

  please utilize the QR code above with your smart phone or visit us at

  www.CleanTeenPublishing.com.

  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

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Mako

  Mako knelt next to the rickety, wooden shack, observing the Emperion ship. It was difficult to see the details of the vessel since it was the dead of night and a thick, heavy fog concealed the moon and stars.

  “No one’s about,” he mumbled to Darmik and Savenek. Even though a few men roamed the pier, Mako didn’t see a single person aboard the large boat.

  “Maybe we beat Captain here?” Savenek suggested.

  It was possible. Mako had led them down the east tunnel of the Middle Mountains. They traveled for three days straight to get there to the town of Plarek, located on the Great Bay. If Captain had gone a different way, it could easily take him another two days to arrive.

  Darmik shook his head. “Something’s wrong. I can feel it.”

  “There’s only one way to find out,” Mako said. Logistically, he couldn’t send his men to attack the ship. Besides himself, there were only six people. The probability of Emperion soldiers lying in wait, unseen, was too great for such a small band of rebels.

  “I’ll go,” Darmik offered.

  Mako hesitated. He couldn’t afford to lose Darmik—he was their best bet at rescuing Rema. However, if soldiers were indeed waiting, they most likely would not harm Darmik since he was a prince. Mako nodded. “If it’s safe for the rest of us, signal with your left hand.” Wasting no time, Darmik slid into the shadows, making his way toward the ship.

  Mako whispered to Savenek, “Go and tell the others to hold their positions back by the storefronts, but to be prepared.” The boy crept away.

  Mako watched Darmik approach the bottom of the ramp. Crouching low, he ascended with his sword drawn. When he reached the top, he ran and jumped over the railing, landing on the deck, disappearing from sight. No shouts rang out, no warning cries arose, and no sounds of fighting were heard.

  A few moments later, Savenek rejoined Mako. “Audek, Neco, Ellie, and Vesha are ready when you are.”

  Mako nodded, watching the ship for any movement.

  “Is something the matter?” Savenek asked.

  “No.”

  “You seem…tense,” Savenek commented.

  “Because I am. Now be quiet and keep your eyes open.”

  Savenek sighed. They sat side by side in silence, waiting.

  Darmik finally appeared at the bow of the ship, giving the all-clear signal.

  “Let’s go,” Savenek said. The two of them joined Darmik aboard the vessel.

  “They’re not here!” Darmik said, punching the mast.

  “Savenek,” Mako ordered, “go and check the marina’s log. See if another ship has recently left.” The boy hurried away.

  On the pier, there was hardly any activity since the majority of business was conducted during the daylight hours. A few sailors tended to a boat, while others slept just off the wharf.

  “There are two Emperion soldiers below deck. I knocked them out and tied them up,” Darmik said, pacing.

  “We can question them when they wake,” Mako said. Darmik’s eyes sliced over to him, seemingly aware of the mistake he’d made in rendering the men unconscious. “In the meantime, I’m going to ask the people on the pier if they’ve seen anything. Let’s go.” They descended the ramp. Mako was glad to be back on solid ground.

  Savenek ran up to them. “They left! The ledger states that a merchant vessel set sail an hour ago for Emperion.”

  Darmik suddenly shouted, “Get on the Emperion ship, now! We’re leaving!”

  “Calm down and think like a commander,” Mako scolded. “We need to talk about this.”

  “There’s nothing to discuss.” Darmik leaned in toward him. “Every minute we stand here arguing, adds to the distance growing between Rema and us. If we want to save her, we have to leave immediately.” His eyes shone with fury.

  Mako understood Darmik’s fear and frustration. Yet, in order to have a solid plan in place, they had to think and act rationally. “Why did Captain take a merchant boat instead of his own military vessel?”

  “The merchant ship was slated to leave in the morning,” Savenek said. “It was fully stocked and the crew nearby.”

  “What about the Emperion crew?” Mako asked. “Where are they if they’re not on board?”

  “The crew and soldiers are inland,” Darmik muttered. “They infiltrated the army at King’s City, a two-day’s ride from here.”

  Since Captain’s military ship wasn’t ready to sail, he chartered a regular merchant boat. Mako glanced at the Emperion ship docked nearby. “So we need supplies and a crew to sail that thing?”

  Darmik nodded.

  “Savenek—go find a crew for hire. Check the local taverns. Darmik—tell Neco and Ellie to acquire food and water. Have Audek and Vesha obtain any other provisions you deem necessary. Then I want you back here, out of sight. As soon as we have everything, you can set sail.”

  “What about you?” Darmik asked. “Aren’t you coming with us?”

  “No,” Mako said. “I can’t leave the rebel army. We need to go forward with our plans and prepare for battle. We’ll be ready when you get back from Emperion.”

  The boys took off running.

  ****

  Mako handed the sailor a large burlap bag of coins.

  “This will only be enough to get them there,” the man said.

  Glancing at the ship, Mako watched Savenek sprint up the ramp, carrying a crate of food.

  “I understand,” Mako mumbled. He pulled out another bag of coins, handing it to the sailor.

  The man took the money and slipped it under his weathered jacket. “Once the food and water are loaded, we’ll set sail.” He turned and boarded the ship with his crew.

  These sailors came highly recommended by the local tavern owner—a man who worked with Mako’s men on more than one occasion. He promised that they were good, ha
rdworking, and loyal sailors.

  Savenek ran down the ramp, stopping before Mako. “Everything’s on board.”

  “What about the items Darmik requested?”

  Savenek rolled his eyes. “It’s all there—the weapons, uniforms, everything.”

  “Good.” Mako didn’t know what else to say to Savenek. The boy was like a son to him and was the only family he had. This could very well be the last time he saw him.

  “Stop,” Savenek said, putting his hands on Mako’s shoulders. “I’ll be fine. You trained me to be a competent soldier.”

  Mako nodded. “Be careful. Emperion people are very different from us.”

  “Let’s go!” Darmik shouted over the ship’s railing.

  “We’ll be back with Rema, I promise.”

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

  Savenek smiled. “I’ll return with Queen Amer. Then we’ll invade King’s City and retake the throne. I promise.” Excitement shone on the boy’s face. He spun around and sprinted up the ramp, joining the others. Mako hated having to place his trust in someone he once considered his enemy; nevertheless, Darmik had been to Emperion before. If anyone could sneak into the kingdom and rescue Rema, it was Darmik.

  The sails went up into the dark night, the fog slithering around them. Water slapped against the boat as it slowly moved away from the dock, disappearing into the thick, ocean mist.

  Rema

  Rema peeled her heavy eyelids open, and everything swayed before her. Rolling onto her side, she vomited. When she moved to wipe her mouth, she discovered her wrists were tied together with thick rope.

  Where am I? What is going on? The last thing she remembered was standing in her bedchamber, an arm snaking around her chest, while a cloth was placed over her mouth and nose. Then, everything went black.

  She pushed herself up, her arms shaking and head pounding. Sitting on the hard, wooden floor, it felt as if everything around her was moving. Vomit rose in the back of her throat. She took deep breaths, trying to calm her queasy stomach. Glancing around, it appeared she was in some sort of dark storage room. A few beams of light filtered in between the wood plank walls. Several crates of food, boxes, and barrels of water lined the walls. Rema tried to stand, but her ankles were also bound together, so she crawled to the corner farthest from where she had thrown up.

  Leaning against a barrel, she closed her eyes, waiting for the nausea to pass. Was she somewhere in the fortress? Who would have done this to her and why? Trying to focus on her surroundings, Rema felt as if she was moving up and down. Maybe it was a side effect from the toxin she had ingested.

  She heard voices shout above her. Several feet pounded on the wooden floor. All the floors in the castle were stone. The only wooden one was in the barn, and that was only one level. Cold fear prickled through her. Where was she?

  More yelling and feet stomping above, and then a loud groan as the floor shifted. Rema was thrown sideways, and a couple of the wooden boxes toppled down beside her. Pushing herself up, she crawled over to one of the crates and used it to pull herself into a standing position.

  It definitely felt as if the floor moved. Since her ankles were bound, she hopped toward the door. The wood groaned, and the floor shifted again. Rema lost her balance, falling to the ground. The door flew open, and light burst into the small room. A figure dressed in black walked toward her.

  “You’re finally awake,” said a male voice she didn’t recognize. The man towered above her. There was something about the way he spoke—it was foreign and unlike anything she’d ever heard before.

  “You’re the Emperion assassin,” she whispered, her heart pounding in her chest. The emperor probably knew she was the true heir to the Emperion throne and would stop at nothing to see her killed.

  He crouched down, leaning toward her. “I am,” he said, his voice soft and low. “Welcome aboard The Scorpion.”

  Everything made sense—the vomiting, the feeling that the floor was moving, the food in the storeroom. Rema was on a ship.

  “I’m taking you to Emperion. The emperor wants to see you beheaded.” He grabbed her arm, yanking Rema to her feet. “I can’t have you die before we get there.” He tossed her over his shoulder and exited the room.

  Rema squinted against the bright sun as the assassin plopped her back onto her feet. Her fear vanished as she beheld the magnificent sight before her. Enormous, ivory sails vigorously flapped against the wind. The vessel cut through the ocean, which surrounded her in every direction. She hopped to the railing, looking over the side in amazement.

  Rema wanted to scream with joy and hug someone—she was on a boat, sailing across the ocean! Granted, she was going to be executed, but she’d faced that situation before and lived. It would do no good to dwell on the negative. Rema always wanted to see the world, and this might be her only chance to do so. Besides, an opportunity to escape could present itself.

  “Why are you smiling?” the assassin asked in his odd accent.

  Now that she was outside, she could see her kidnapper. He appeared to be in his early thirties and had a tall, stocky build, blond hair cut close to his head, and freckles covering his face. She’d never met anyone else who had blond hair like hers before.

  His eyes narrowed, studying her. Rema glanced away, not answering him. She took a deep breath, smelling the cool, salty air. The sun warmed her skin.

  The assassin grabbed her hands. Rema tried jerking them away, but his grip was too strong. His deft fingers untied the knot, and her bindings fell to the ground. He knelt and fumbled at the rope around her ankles.

  The man stood before her. “You do understand you’re going to be executed?”

  “Yes,” Rema said, gazing back out at the ocean. The water went on as far as she could see, in every direction.

  “Then why aren’t you crying?” he asked, puzzlement clear on his face.

  She laughed, and then looked at her captor. “I’m on a ship, sailing across the ocean.” The ocean! “I haven’t been on a boat before, nor have I ever left Greenwood Island.” She never imagined being on a ship could feel so liberating. The man shook his head. “Let me ask you a question,” Rema said. “Why did you undo my bindings?”

  He smirked, leaning against the railing next to her. “Something tells me you aren’t going anywhere.”

  Which was true—she couldn’t swim her way to land. She’d have to wait until she was off the ship to get away.

  “If you make one move, I’ll gut you and take the pieces to the emperor.” Something sharp dug into her side. Glancing down, she saw the assassin holding a small knife to her stomach. She hadn’t even seen him move. If he wanted her dead, he could kill her before she realized what happened. The knife disappeared and he stood there with his arms crossed, studying her. “You seem all-too content to be aboard this ship.”

  Rema closed her eyes and tipped her head back. The wind whipped around her, tossing her hair every which direction. The ship had a steady rhythm now that she had gotten used to it. Opening her eyes, Rema laughed. “This is magnificent!” Never in her wildest dreams did she envision being aboard a boat.

  The assassin shook his head at her again. “Well, since you seem to embrace your situation, I’m going to put you to work instead of keeping you in the storage room.”

  Rema’s shoulders relaxed with the prospect of not being locked up.

  He furrowed his eyebrows and thought for a moment. “Follow me.” He turned and headed toward a narrow set of stairs.

  “What’s your name?” she asked, hurrying after him.

  “Captain,” he answered, climbing the steps two at a time. “However, the man in charge of this ship is also bestowed the same title, so you may call me by my real name—Nathenek,” he spoke over his shoulder.

  “Where are we going?” She wanted the opportunity to explore the boat.

  Nathenek abruptly spun around to face her. “Aren’t you the queen of Greenwood Island’s rebel forces?”

  Rema
wasn’t sure why he was asking. He kidnapped her. He should very well know who he captured. “Yes.” She placed her hands on her hips.

  Nathenek took a step closer to her. Rema refused to back away and show fear, even though she desperately wanted to put space between them.

  “You don’t cry when I inform you of your pending execution. You haven’t barked orders or made any demands. You are unlike any noble woman I have ever met.”

  Rema laughed. She wasn’t raised as a noble woman, but as a simple merchant girl. “Do you usually converse with the people you kill? Does it make it more fun to get to know them before murdering them?”

  “No,” he said, his eyes darkening. “I’m given a target and I hunt them down, killing them quickly. This is the first time I’ve…traveled with my assignment.”

  “Well, you’re not what I imagined an assassin would be like.”

  Nathenek remained in her personal space. His hair was so short that it didn’t move in the wind. He wore a uniform similar to Darmik’s—dark black pants and a simple tunic bearing the emperor’s crest. Instead of blue accents, they were emerald green.

  “Have you met many assassins?” he asked. “Do you employ them in your rebel army?” Nathenek cocked his head to the side, awaiting her response.

  Rema squinted against the bright sun. “As far as I know, you’re the first one I’ve met.”

  “You can be sure I’ll be the last.”

  A rope came loose, and a sailor scrambled to catch it. Nathenek whipped out a dagger, throwing it. Rema turned to see the knife pierce the rope to the mast. At least if he decided to kill her, he’d be quick. Rema swallowed the lump in her throat.

  During her brief stay with the rebels, she’d undergone enough training to have some ideas on how to escape. Once they arrived at Emperion, Rema would make every attempt to do so. For now, she would try and get to know this strange man as best she could. Perhaps he had a weakness or soft spot she could uncover and use to her advantage. Nathenek spun on his heels and headed inside. Rema followed him through a doorway. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dark room.