The Chronicles of Lorrek Box Set Read online

  Chronicles of Lorrek Box Set #1

  Books 1-3

  Kelly Blanchard

  Fallbrandt Press

  Copyright © 2020 Kelly Blanchard

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

  Fallbrandt Press

  Cover by Ravenborn

  The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  First Edition

  Contents

  Book Series

  I. Someday I’ll Be Redeemed

  Map of Attilath

  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

  Segment 1

  Segment 2

  Segment 3

  Segment 4

  Segment 5

  Segment 6

  Segment 7

  Segment 8

  Segment 9

  Segment 10

  Segment 11

  Segment 12

  Segment 13

  Segment 14

  Segment 15

  Segment 16

  Segment 17

  Chapter 24

  Epilogue

  Cuskelom

  Nirrorm

  Jechorm

  Athorim

  Serhon

  Talhon

  II. I Still Have A Soul

  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

  Epilogue

  III. I’m Still Alive

  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

  Epilogue

  Bonus Scene 1

  Bonus Scene 2

  What’s Next?

  Glossary

  Acknowledgments

  Author Bio

  Book Series

  Book Series

  Chronicles of Lorrek

  Book 1: Someday I’ll Be Redeemed

  Book 2: I Still Have a Soul

  Book 3: I’m Still Alive

  Book 4: Do You Trust Me?

  Book 5: You Left Me No Choice

  Book 6: They Must Be Stopped

  Book 7: Find Me If You Can

  Book 8: You’re Not Alone

  Book 9: This Ends Now

  Chronicle of Lorrek Boxed Set 1: Books 1-3

  Part I

  Someday I’ll Be Redeemed

  Prologue

  Look at them now—returning joyous from a hunting trip; laughing and sharing jokes of recent memories made. All eight of them. There is Prince Theran—crown prince of Cuskelom, a large, loud, and proud man. His three younger brothers are there as well. Prince Honroth possesses a wise leader's heart while his twin, Prince Heldon, follows in Theran's drunken footsteps and acts like the youngest of them though the youngest brother is Prince Lorrek—the only dark-haired prince among them and a quiet, watchful fellow. Traveling with them are the strong-willed Princess Atheta of Serhon, her sister, Gremina, and her brother, Haskel. They are very close and sharp-eyed. The cautious Princess Mordora of Nirrorm accompanies them also; like Prince Honroth, she is responsible.

  Let them ride. Let them take in the rays of the brilliant sun and laugh at the cloudless sky.

  They do not know that one will stand accused of heinous crimes while another will walk away from his inheritance. Two will come to believe nothing but lies. Two others will try to save them all but will sacrifice so much—maybe even everything. Yet another will live in a world of lies while the last will master manipulation and deception.

  Watch them laugh now among the fields of flowers. A gust of wind carries the merry sound. Ah, the joy—the happiness in this moment.

  One day each one of them will look back and recall this moment and wonder how such mirth had ever been possible among them. How foolish this day will seem to them then.

  But let them ride this day. Let them laugh and build fond memories. It will only crush them in the end.

  They will never see it coming.

  1

  Wind raked across the darkened barren winterscape as he trudged through the knee deep snow in the mountain terrain. A wolf's howl caused him to halt and look around then up at the sky at the full moon's pale face; wisps of clouds passed swiftly across the bright night sun.

  Knowing the wolves were no threat to him, he tugged the edges of his hood closer to his face and hugged his cloak around himself as he ducked his head and pressed on through the skin-biting wind, step by step through the snow, ice, and rock.

  Even in these night hours, he knew this path, having worn it well during the years of his childhood. If he lifted his head, he knew he would see the impressive sight of Nirrorm's castle jutting out of the mountain at the end of the valley—its sharp towers a contrast in the night and an imposing and frightening sight to the unfamiliar—but he simply kept walking, one step at a time.

  At last he came to the castle walls, and the honorable watchmen saw him before he saw them.

  “Halt! Who goes there?”

  He stood at the foot of the wall staring at the structured stone.
Drained from his journey, he did not wish to speak above a whisper, for he had little strength. He knew he could conjure a magical orb as an answer to the watchmen's question, but he was familiar with the laws of Nirrorm.

  Magic was not welcome here.

  Sighing, he lifted his chin and looked up, up, up at the top of the wall where the watchmen leaned over to see him and aimed their arrows at him. As if that would harm him. A small smirk touched the corner of his pale lips, but he swallowed and forced his voice to be heard. “I am Prince Lorrek of Cuskelom, and I seek sanctuary.”

  Having accomplished his sole purpose to find safe haven, and having endured much tribulation and trials, Lorrek collapsed into the snow and sank into unconsciousness. Before the darkness overtook him, he heard the watchmen's startled shouts at his sudden collapse and the orders, “Fetch the king!” “Get a healer!” “Quick! Open the gate.”

  A sigh passed through Lorrek's parted lips as he let his eyelids slide closed as he lay in the deep snow, feeling its coldness on his cheek.

  He was safe—for now.

  When he woke, he made no sudden movement. He sensed the essence of others in the room, and he wanted to determine who was here before he opened his eyes. At the foot of his bed, staring directly at him, sat an unmovable individual. Lorrek searched his memories of this place until he found a match: Wordan—king of Nirrorm. Off to Lorrek's right, further from the bed and closest to the door stood another stubborn figure—Princess Mordora. Given their last encounter, her presence surprised Lorrek, but he knew he could not feign sleep much longer if he wished to settle issues and ensure his safety for the time being.

  Slowly, Lorrek cracked open his eyes. As he had predicted, King Wordan sat at the foot of his bed with his powerful arms folded over his chest and heavy brows furrowed. He did not look his many years, but Lorrek knew not to doubt the man.

  Knowing it best to show reverence to the local sovereign, Lorrek struggled to sit up in order to bow his head, but Wordan lifted a hand. Lorrek noted Princess Mordora in the corner of the room as he had foreseen, but he focused on her father, who heaved a relieved breath before speaking.

  “Prince Lorrek, it is good to see the rumors of your death are not true.”

  Lorrek's breath hitched in his chest, but he managed a whisper. “Please do not tell me you informed my brothers.”

  “I thought to.” Wordan tilted his head toward Mordora. “But my daughter convinced me not to—not until we have some answers. You remember Mordora, do you not?” He held out his hand for her to approach, and she did so unwillingly, glaring at Lorrek—a look that went completely unnoticed by her father who was lost in his memories. “How long has it been since the Cuskelom princes came to visit? Twelve years? Fifteen?”

  “Not long enough.” Mordora's answer came through her tight lips, and Lorrek saw the way she clenched her hands.

  The prince arched a brow. “Still upset that I cut your hair? It's grown back, I see, and very lovely.” He admired the black silky waves of her hair.

  “It grew back black!” Mordora lunged to strike him, but her father snatched her wrist and held her back. She scowled at Lorrek, who chuckled.

  “Shall I change it back to blond?” He lifted his hand, ready to summon his magic. “It would be such a pity because your hair really is lovely.”

  “You are a foul beast, Prince Lorrek!” Mordora struggled against her father one last time, but then she gave up and pulled back. Wordan let her go, and Mordora crossed her arms. “You toy with people's lives with your magic because you think it's fun, but you never realize how detrimental such little changes can have on a person's life.”

  “She speaks the truth.” Wordan nodded but then set firm eyes on the prince. “Magic has no place here. I do not yet know the circumstances of your request for safe haven here, but if you wish to stay, your magic must be bound.”

  Lorrek lifted a hand to ease the concerns. “Not to worry, Your Majesty. My magic is already bound. Why do you think I walked here and not magicked?” Wordan and Mordora stared at him. He dropped his eyes to avoid their gaze. Magic was always a sensitive topic here.

  “You know I must have a magic minder confirm this.” Wordan gave Lorrek a hard look, and Lorrek nodded.

  “I am aware of that.”

  Mordora watched Lorrek with creased brows. He was never one to give up his magic willingly. It was the one thing he had over his older brothers; none of them could use magic, but they were more skilled fighters on the field. She had seen them practice, and Lorrek's magic made him equal to his brothers—especially Theran. For him to give that up meant something troubled him deeply, and he blamed his magic.

  Mordora glanced over at her father, who was giving the prince his final conditions for his stay here in the palace, and then she looked back at Lorrek. He was hiding something. He was never one to share his secrets but preferred to hide behind lies and in the shadows of others. She narrowed her eyes. Now that Lorrek was here, she would question him until he gave her the answers she wanted.

  “My dear.” She blinked out of her thoughts at her father's voice addressing her, and she looked at him. He gestured at Lorrek. “He needs his rest.”

  The princess nodded. “I'll be right behind you, Father.”

  He gave her one last stern look before turning and leaving the room.

  Lorrek watched Princess Mordora stand before him with her arms folded and glare ever present. He knew she had something on her mind, and she was not one to keep her thoughts to herself.

  “You're hiding something, Lorrek, and you should be wary before you bring any ill fortune upon us.”

  Prince Lorrek of Cuskelom laughed—a weak sound in his current condition. “Have no worry, Princess. I only do what I do to protect those I love.”

  “And do you love us? Do you love this kingdom?”

  Lorrek hesitated as he fell back into his childhood memories of this place. Nirrorm was always cold—one of the coldest kingdoms he ever visited. However, in the springtime, it blossomed with snow-fed flowers, and crystal clear streams from melted mountain snow cleansed away the dirt and grime of wintertime.

  They hunted in these dark forests. Theran always tried to prove himself the most fearless of them all by racing after wild boars only for Lorrek to tend to his wounds with magic. Princess Atheta lectured him on his foolishness yet again. Lorrek always appreciated her boldness and her willingness to go toe-to-toe with Theran. Princess Mordora, he recalled, preferred to sit with his brothers, Honroth and Heldon, observing the whole thing. Lorrek never gave her much thought because she had an invisible personality—until he cut her hair on a dare from Theran. That was the first time Mordora lost her temper and ordered the guards to throw them out of the palace—and the kingdom—before her father was aware of the situation. Now he was back for the first time, and it was no wonder Mordora asked if he cared for the kingdom of Nirrorm.

  He locked his blue eyes with her green gaze. “Yes.” He paused. “I treasure this kingdom and all it has ever taught me—of myself, of family, of friends, and of life. I will not disappoint.”

  She saw he meant every word, and her face softened. She did not want to be unkind to her old friend, but he was not like Honroth, who was the natural leader of the four brothers. Honroth was kind and gracious, whereas Lorrek kept his thoughts to himself and rarely expressed them. However, it had been thirteen years since she had banished them from her kingdom, and maybe Lorrek changed.

  “I am glad you are here, Lorrek.” She reached down and took his hand. “I had heard rumors you had died, but now we can tell your brothers that you are alive and well—” His hand snatched hers and held it with a death grip. She gasped. “Lorrek...” Only Atheta's superior skills as she sought Lorrek's eyes for a reason.

  His face remained expressionless, and his eyes an icy blue. “You must not tell them. Tell no one I am here. Tell no one I am alive.”

  “But why?” She cried out softly when he gripped her hand tighter.

  �
�Promise me.” Urgency filled his voice, and fear bled into his eyes. “Swear to me?”