The Hidden Sun (Bariwon Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title page

  Copyright information

  Dedication

  Pronunciation guide

  Acknowledgments

  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

  EPILOGUE

  Other books by J. Lloyd Morgan

  Secrets

  Sneak preview of “The Waxing Moon”

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  THE HIDDEN SUN

  J. Lloyd Morgan

  Pendr Publishing

  Text copyright © 2013

  Cover design copyright © 2013

  Interior copyright design copyright © 2013

  Pendr Publishing

  http://www.jlloydmorgan.com

  3rd Edition

  All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  ISBN-10: 061544878X

  ISBN-13: 978-0615448787

  Edited by: Tristi Pinkston

  To Susan, the light that fills my cloudy days

  PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

  Mortentaun: Mort-ten-tawn

  Shoginoc: Shog-in-ock

  Rinan: Rin-on

  Daimh: Dime

  Anemone: An-eh-mo-nee

  Iolanthe: Eye-o-lanth

  Erd: Urd

  Lewyol: Loo-yall

  Lebu: Lay-boo

  Seanan: See-ah-nun

  Tevoil: Tee-voil

  Regne: Reg-nay

  Grenoa: Gren-oh-ah

  Donigi: Don-ee-gey

  Nislles: Niss-ulls

  Plyese: Plea-see

  Vashti: Vash-tee

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Writers spend a lot of time alone, at least physically. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the support and encouragement from my wife, Susan. She leaves me alone when I need it, and yet reminds me that there is more to life than my computer and the characters I play with on virtual paper.

  This third edition wouldn’t be possible without the help and reassurance from my family, friends and fans. And of course, none of this would be a reality without my Heavenly Father.

  PROLOGUE

  “The sun’s playing hide-and-seek,” Princess Eliana said.

  Anemone looked up from her reading to see the seven-year-old girl sitting at her desk and peering out the window. “What’s that, dear?”

  “I see a sunbeam, but it’s still raining. It’s like the sun is playing hide-and-seek with the rain. But how can that be? I thought sun and rain were opposites.”

  Anemone smiled to herself at the young girl’s comment. She stood and walked to the window, passing the tapestries that hung on the wall, and looked through the third-story glass window. Over the town and the farms that surrounded the castle, she could see the rain steadily falling, although a section of clouds had parted and bright beams of sunshine fell on the kingdom of Bariwon.

  “Well,” Anemone said, turning back to the princess, “sometimes things seem to be opposite but are not.”

  After putting her book down on the desk, Eliana folded her arms and stuck out her lower lip. “I don’t like the rain. I want it to be sunny all the time.”

  Normally, the princess would be studying with one of the several savants, but court was being held today and her teachers were involved with the proceedings, leaving Anemone in charge of Eliana’s schooling for the afternoon.

  Sensing a greater teaching opportunity, Anemone said, “But without the rain, nothing would grow.”

  “When I become queen, I’ll change that.” Eliana sounded determined.

  “You’ll change what?” asked a deep voice from the other side of the room.

  Both Anemone and Eliana turned in reaction.

  “Father!” Eliana exclaimed, jumping out of her chair and running to the tall man standing just inside the doorframe. King Kenrik was dressed in the regal attire he wore when presiding over court. A golden crown studded with sapphires sat prominently on his head, while a long, blue cape trimmed in gold draped his shoulders.

  When Eliana reached her father, she hugged him tightly around the waist.

  “Your daughter would like to command the weather when she becomes queen, Your Majesty,” Anemone said with a touch of humor.

  The king smoothed Eliana’s long, blonde hair. “Oh, is that so?”

  “Yes! When I’m queen, I’ll make it sunny all the time.” Eliana smiled up at her father, her big blue eyes twinkling.

  He lowered himself to his daughter’s level and cupped her face in his hands. “Eliana, the way you can make the kingdom sunny is to be a good leader. Keep studying the Tome of Laws. As queen, you will need to know what the laws are so you can follow and enforce them.”

  Eliana stepped back and rolled her eyes. “But Father, it’s so boring!”

  Kenrik looked past his daughter to Anemone. “Has she been reading today?”

  “Oh, yes, Your Majesty. It was a perfect day for it, with the rain,” Anemone said, motioning to the window.

  He turned his attention back to his daughter. “Ah, and what have you been reading about today, sweetheart?”

  “I’ll show you.” She took her father by the hand and walked over to where a book lay open on the desk.

  Kenrik looked at the text and pointed to several passages that had been circled, with drawings of little flowers and hearts next to them. “Sweetheart, have you been drawing in this book?

  The princess nodded. “Uh-huh. It needed some pictures.”

  Anemone’s eyes widened and she walked over, sighing when she saw what Eliana had done.

  “Books are far too valuable to draw in Eliana, especially this one,” Kenrik explained. “Promise me you won’t do that anymore.”

  Clearly crestfallen at having disappointed her father, Eliana said, “I’m sorry. I promise.”

  “Enough on that.” Kenrik changed his voice to a lighter tone. “Show me what you’ve been reading.”

  “I’m here on chapter eleven.” Eliana pointed to the page. “It says that I get to be queen when I’m twenty-one. But that is so far away.”

  The king grinned. He stroked his daughter’s hair. “I’m sure it will be here before we know it.”

  He turned at the sound of someone clearing his throat and saw his father, Councilor Philip, who was dressed in similar fashion to the king, but not as ornately.

  Philip wore a crown of a simpler design with only one gem set in the middle. “Son, court is waiting.”

  This also caught Eliana’s attention. “Grandfather!” she called out, waving to him.

  “Hello, Princess.” The elderly man smiled. “You look very beautiful today. Each time I see you, you look more and more like your mother, rest her soul. Is that a new dress?”

  “It is!” Eliana did a twirl. “Vashti made it for me. Isn’t it pretty?”

  Stepping to where he could see Anemone, Philip nodded to her. “Nursemaid, when you see the seamstress, please tell her she’s made another fine creation.”

>   Anemone curtsied. “I will.”

  “Again, we must be off. There is much to do this afternoon,” Councilor Philip said, his voice losing the pleasant tone it had before.

  King Kenrik embraced his daughter once more. “I know I’ve been busy lately, sweetheart, but after the upcoming Mortentaun, we’ll spend more time together, I promise.”

  Eliana sighed as she watched her father and grandfather walk off.

  “All right, back to your studies, Princess,” Anemone said. “Becoming queen takes preparation and hard work.”

  Sighing again, Eliana walked back to her desk and looked down at the large leather-bound book in front of her. Outside, the sun was again hidden by clouds, and it started raining harder than before.

  CHAPTER 1

  Rinan’s hands were still stinging from fending off the last attack when Eadward lunged again. Moving fluidly, Rinan batted away his opponent’s sword, getting some satisfaction in that Eadward’s hair and underarms were soaking wet while he remained dry.

  “At least be man enough to sweat!” Eadward exclaimed, obviously noticing the same thing.

  Rinan grinned. “Maybe if you didn’t fight like my grandmother, rest her soul, I would.”

  The taunt had the desired effect as Eadward went to strike again, this time keeping his blade low at first, but then swinging it upward. Rinan parried, pushing both swords up and over their heads. Giving another roguish grin Rinan knew the older man hated, he quickly pivoted his hips, brought up his right leg bent at the knee, and kicked as hard as he could into Eadward’s stomach. With the heavy, two-handed wooden broadsword still over his head, Eadward lost his balance and landed squarely on his rear.

  “You kicked me!” Eadward gasped.

  The castle’s main hall filled with laughter from those attending the weekly sparring contest. Nobles stood by servants. Guardians intermingled with villagers. Savants and clergy laughed side by side, all enjoying the display of skill from the two men.

  Rinan lowered his sword and offered his hand to his fallen opponent. “I couldn’t help it. You left yourself wide open.”

  “That’s a trick I’d expect of someone from Lebu,” Eadward grumbled, massaging his backside.

  “Yes, and there are plenty more where that came from,” Rinan said lightly.

  He turned toward the eastern end of the hall, noticing with satisfaction that Eadward did the same, meaning he wasn’t going to contest the action. Rinan pointed his sword straight up in salute and awaited the king’s decision. Standing in front of his throne that sat prominently on a raised dais, King Kenrik said, “Well, this has certainly been one of the more interesting sparring contests we’ve had in a while.”

  Rinan knew he should be completely focused on his king, but he quickly glanced over at Princess Eliana. At twenty years old, the golden-haired beauty was only a few years younger than Rinan. She sat next to her grandfather, Councilor Phillip, her hands folded politely in her lap as she watched her father speak. “But I’ve come to expect surprising things from you, Guardian Rinan,” the king continued.

  Hearing his name, Rinan quickly looked back at the king. If King Kenrik noticed this lapse of attention, he didn’t let it show.

  “While the kick was…unusual, it wasn’t technically against the rules. I proclaim Royal Guardian Rinan the winner,” the king said.

  Rinan bowed his head in acknowledgement while the crowd cheered. When he looked up, his gaze fell once again on Princess Eliana. She acknowledged him looking at her and responded with a warm smile.

  “Guardian Rinan,” King Kenrik said, “as victor of this week’s sparring contest, you will of course join us for dinner as our guest. I do hope, however, that you will not be kicking any of our servers.”

  “I shall try to restrain myself, Your Majesty.” Rinan smiled and bowed.

  The crowd was still laughing when the king announced, “The sparring contest is complete!”

  The crowd slowly started to exit the main hall, though Rinan remained in place. He watched Eliana as she chatted and laughed with several people on their way out. Her countenance darkened slightly when Eadward approached, motioning for her to exit through the door that led to the royal chambers. As her personal guardian, Eadward was charged to protect the princess, though Rinan thought the man took his duties too literally.

  Rinan inclined his head when Eadward looked back at him. Rather than nod in return, Eadward glared.

  At that moment, Rinan felt a hand slap him on the shoulder. He turned and saw Wayte, captain of the royal guardians. The man was a bit shorter than he, with dark, curly hair. Rinan smiled.

  “Eadward has never liked you, and you are not helping things by making a fool of him in public,” Wayte chided gently.

  “It’s good to see you, Captain.” Rinan saluted. “When did you get back?”

  Wayte returned the salute. “Just in time to see that fancy move of yours.”

  “The kick? Well, the object is to knock your opponent off his feet. At the time, it seemed the best way.”

  Wayte grinned and shook his head. “Just remember—the most immediate solution is not always the best one. I do not suppose your show there had anything to do with trying to impress the king, now would it?”

  Rinan feigned innocence. “And why would I want to impress the king?”

  His captain playfully punched Rinan in the shoulder. “You know as well as I do, although I am not sure I would wish being the princess’s next personal guardian on my worst enemy.”

  “Why would you say that?” Rinan asked. “Princess Eliana has been nothing but kind to me.”

  Wayte waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, no, not her. She would not be the problem.”

  “What are you not telling me?” Rinan knew that being so inquisitive with his superior could be taken as disrespectful, but his captain had him curious.

  Wayte didn’t appear offended by the question. “I discovered something rather…unpleasant on my trip.” Leaning in closer, he said in a subdued tone, “Among the places I visited was the district of Erd. Governor Abrecan announced that a large vein of silver was recently discovered on his land. He will no doubt use that in the Shoginoc. It could give him quite the advantage in winning the right to marry his son Daimh to Princess Eliana.”

  Dread swept over Rinan. “Oh, no, not that oaf.” Rinan had met Daimh on a few occasions and had taken an instant dislike to the man, which was significant because Rinan had always prided himself on being able to get along with anyone. There was just something about the way Daimh carried himself that Rinan found disagreeable. Wayte was right—whoever became Eliana’s personal guardian would also have to deal with Daimh, provided Erd was victorious at the Shoginoc.

  “And it gets worse,” Wayte continued. “While I could not find any blatant violations of the laws, the people of Erd are miserable. Governor Abrecan has raised taxes as high as he can, his wife has not been seen in public for months, and anyone who has a disagreement with him seems to disappear.”

  “Surely the Hierarchy of Magistrates won’t let Abrecan get away with what you are implying,” Rinan asked almost hopefully.

  Wayte sighed. “That is the problem. No one I spoke with is willing to come forth against the governor, most likely out of fear. I tried to convince them, but the people of Erd can be difficult.”

  Rinan nodded knowingly, thinking of someone else he knew from that district.

  “Speaking of such people,” Wayte said, “you had better try to make amends with Eadward before dinner. He was not happy losing to you—again.”

  ***

  This wasn’t the first royal meal Rinan had been invited to attend as a guest; he had won several sparring contests in the past. However, it was the first time he had been seated so close to the head table. The banquet hall was of a decent size, with a long table down the center that ran perpendicular to the head table.

  King Kenrik sat in the center of this table with an empty chair to his right out of respect for his late wife. Pri
ncess Eliana sat to his left, followed by Councilor Phillip. To the councilor’s left was yet another empty chair—this for Phillip’s wife, who had passed away the previous year.

  Rinan had been placed right up against the head table, which put him directly in front of the princess. The close proximity to Eliana made Rinan feel very self-conscious during the meal. At one point, Seanan, the head of the Hierarchy of Magistrates, was telling a story and Rinan, trying to stay focused on the magistrate and not on Eliana, missed a chunk of meat and ended up putting a forkful of nothing in his mouth. While embarrassing enough, it was even worse when Eliana made it clear she had seen his mistake. She held her fork with food on the end of it, and the smile on her face read, “See? This is how it is done.” Rinan smiled sheepishly in return, then impaled his previous target with conviction, which brought a nod of approval from the princess.

  At the end of the meal, King Kenrik stood, bringing silence to the room. “Today’s participants in the sparring contest were not chosen at random,” he began.

  Motioning toward Eadward, who was just a bit further down the table from Rinan, King Kenrik said, “Royal Guardian Eadward, you have served faithfully for almost fifteen years, the last three as my daughter’s personal guardian. You have kept her safe, and for that, I am grateful.”

  Eadward stood and bowed as those in attendance clapped. The king waited for the applause to finish before continuing.

  “After the Mortentaun next month, Eadward is retiring, which means, of course, that my daughter will need a new personal guardian. I felt it prudent to choose one sooner, rather than later, so the newly selected guardian can be properly trained.”

  The banquet hall was quiet now. Rinan realized he wasn’t breathing and forced himself to slowly exhale. He looked quickly at Eliana, but she was once again watching her father and not giving anything away.

  “I’ve chosen a replacement,” Kenrik said, “and even though he has been with us just a short time, it is my pleasure to announce that I have selected Royal Guardian Rinan.”