A Hare in the Wilderness Read online

  .

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  By S.E. Turner

  Ajeya

  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

  Main Characters

  Copyright S. E. Turner 2018

  The right of S. E. Turner to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  Acknowledgments

  Jamie Flack

  Daisy Jane Turner.

  Jeremy Boughtwood.

  My friends and family for their enthusiasm and encouragement.

  My three daughters who continue to inspire me.

  By S.E. Turner

  The Kingdom of Durundal Series

  Book One: A Hare in the Wilderness

  Book Two: A Wolf in the Dark

  Book Three: A Leopard in the Mist

  Book Four: A Stag in the Shadows

  Book Five: A Moth in the Flames

  www.kingdomofdurundal.com

  'Where clans and courts collide

  Where masters and leaders connive

  Where the rule is to survive

  In the Kingdom of Durundal'

  Prologue

  The hour was approaching dusk as she came into view. A well beaten track still bore evidence of the uprising, and it felt good to hear the hum of peace again.

  Ajeya had been riding for most of the day and was taking the most direct route towards Castle Dru in Durundal—crowning place of royalty, home to the Seal of Kings, and gateway to the Kingdom.

  Ahead, a halo of gold crowned the vista, and a blinding pool of crimson sunk low on the horizon. She was flanked by tall soldier pines and dwarf rogue bushes tinged pink and red from the setting sun. Keeping her horse on a tight rein, she moved carefully until the dense tangle of woodland opened into a small clearing. From here, the eaves of the forest gave way, and a cool, green, sheltered valley stretched out before her. The woods fell silent as she stared out over the wide-open plain towards the great dark mass beyond. The entire settlement was set into a high hilltop plateau, and the walls that encircled it went further than the eye could see. From every turret and spire, the magnificent banners of Durundal flapped in the breeze, each one emblazoned with the standard of the realm.

  She spurred her horse on, thundering across the plains, raising a cloud of dust on the dry summer land, gathering greater speed until the castle gates brought her to an abrupt halt. On this glorious evening the details were easy to make out, as every one of the magnificent windows glowed with light, and torches were set at regular intervals along the roofline.

  'Halt! Who goes there?' the sentry guard boomed as she pulled up her mount.

  A dozen trained arrows were instantly raised and in position. Her mount snorted and pawed the ground, but the figure beneath the grey jewelled cap and billowing cloak didn't even flinch as the dust continued to settle around her.

  'Make yourself known, stranger. Who seeks entry?'

  She raised her head slowly and levelled her eyes on the platoon.

  'The Empress Ajeya seeks entry, my lord, heir to the Empire of Ataxata and daughter of Her Imperial Highness, the Empress Eujena of Ataxata. I seek an audience with their majesties, King Lyall of Durundal and Namir, King of the Clans.'

  Seasoned sentinels shared an unspoken glance, but she was expecting this reception. With an arsenal of atrocities going back several decades, gaining trust in the Kingdom of Durundal was never going to be easy.

  The trained arrows were gradually lowered as the spiked portcullis began to rise. Two bearded sentries stood ready to escort her.

  'Alight your steed and surrender your weapons!'

  She dismounted as instructed and relinquished her bow and sheath of arrows as an efficient ostler ran over to retrieve the reins that were left trailing on the ground.

  Following her guides, she was led into a large square where a towering monument took precedence. Carved into the structure was a wolf, a leopard, and a hare made entirely of hammered bronze. All appeared to be suspended in the air as they danced in a circle and water particles bounced off their hides. She viewed it in awe, aware of her own hare tattoo— but had to keep the guards in sight. They looked back at her with stern faces and quickened their gait. She caught up and fell in line, though she couldn't resist one last look at the masterpiece.

  She followed them through a maze of tiled courtyards with bustling markets, a school of learning, a place of worship, outbuildings and lean-tos, store rooms, and ale houses. Beyond that, in a more scattered and varied formation in the lower town, she could see the dwellings where people lived. It was truly extraordinary and unlike any other place she had ever seen.

  She followed the sentries to a flight of steps where, at the top, a pair of huge double doors stood open.

  'This is the Whispering Hall where you will be greeted by King Lyall of Durundal and Namir, King of the Clans,' announced the guard firmly, observing her with a perpetual glare.

  'Don't do anything stupid,' growled the man at his side. 'Namir is still very wary after the recent attempt on his life. Make no sudden movements and only speak if spoken to. His guards have orders to kill anyone if they are considered a threat.' His look lingered long enough for the words to sink in, then he nodded towards the opening and led the way.

  Inside the yawning archway of the doors, she paused for a moment to let her eyes grow accustomed to the dim light, and then she was able to stride forward with purpose again. As she entered, the solid oak floor seemed to stretch away forever into the shadows, and at the far end of the hall, she could make out the raised dais where two thrones of rich mahogany were placed.

  Transformed from the same deep brown wood, the arms and legs had been sculpted to represent those of a leopard and a wolf, while the face of each animal adorned the back panel. Above hung the battle standard of the clan: a mountain lion ready to pounce with lips drawn back in a vicious snarl, exposing wicked incisors, its claws outstretched to attack.

  As the eyes of a generation of family portraits looked out of their frames, watching her every move, she waited patiently for her hosts.

  The young men entered and took their places on the royal dais. She noticed immediately that their stature was tall and muscular with strong, defined faces framed with locks of dark brown hair. Their smouldering good looks matched the gallant description she had been given by those who had ridden alongside them, for their reputation preceded them, and the air of nobility hung like a shroud. Yet, even though she knew so much of their history, she couldn't help but feel the tension in their presence.

  She bowed low when Lyall ac
knowledged her, and it was only when Namir dipped his head that the sentries retreated and took their stand by the doors.

  'Good evening,' said Lyall when the guards were in position. 'I have not heard of the Empress of Ataxata, and yet I have been at the receiving end of the House of Gnaeus, and not in a good way, I can assure you. So, can you prove who you are, and why you are here?'

  'My lords, it is true, my name is Empress Ajeya, heir apparent to the Empire of Ataxata. I come here to pledge allegiance to your standard and sign a treaty that seals us as allies. I am aware of the atrocities at the hands of the House of Gnaeus, and I seek to build trust between our two kingdoms and live alongside you in peace.'

  'Your brother said much the same thing some eight months ago, and I do not wish to have my life, or that of my family, put in danger again.' Namir's reply was sharp.

  Ajeya looked at him. 'I know of your turmoil and distrust. I know what you have been through; my people have suffered as well. But the days of bitterness between the Houses is firmly in the past, and now we must look to the future. My lords, you have my word that I will work with you both to install peace amongst the lands, and in my position as Empress, my word is my oath.'

  Lyall was still unsure. 'That is most gracious of you,' he said with acuity. 'But with respect, as we know nothing about your position as an Empress, you must disclose your background before any form of treaty can be considered.'

  Ajeya was deep in reverie as a past life flashed before her. She was twenty-two years old now and had only recently discovered her true identity. Before this revelation, a harsh life had groomed her, and those who knew her would say she was as strong as a horse, braver than most, and clever in strategy. She was a quick learner, being both attentive and intuitive, and had all of her mother's strength, courage, and perseverance. Few compared to her mother, who had been banished with her child by the Emperor when Ajeya was only two years old. Those who remembered the proud Empress Eujena of the Ataxatan Empire said that Ajeya was her double in every way.

  'To disclose my background, I have to go back to the beginning of my life, and once you have heard my story, you will see that my intentions are entirely honourable.'

  The two young men viewed her warily amid the bellowing chimes of caution.

  'I am sure you are a person of rectitude. You speak from your heart and I can see the integrity in your eyes,' said Namir with nobility. 'Nevertheless, appearances can be deceptive, and words can have hidden agendas. So, I hope you understand our concern and appreciate why we have to take every precaution, be it a man, woman or a child who seeks a treaty with us.'

  'Of course, I understand,' she answered sincerely.

  'Please, Empress, remove your helmet so that we can see your face,' instructed Lyall.

  Removing her cloak to the crook of her arm, she took off the heavily embroidered cloche. Long blonde hair tumbled from beneath it and fell easily over slender shoulders. She shook the tresses into place and looked up at the men. But as she brushed her hair behind her ears, an otherwise beautiful face was cruelly marked on one side, and the two men felt instant shame. The right side of her face was stunningly beautiful, with high cheekbones and a graceful jaw on a long neck. Long, dark lashes rimmed azure blue eyes, while golden strands of loose curls framed her face perfectly. But the left side of her face was quite different. A thin pale scar, which looked like the work of a reluctant blade, pulled at her eye and followed her cheek like an invisible cord.

  When she smiled, her whole face lifted in a radiant warmth, burning through the wound and tugging at the invisible cord, revealing her true beauty. Because aside from the scar, she truly was a magnificent woman, standing tall and inherently strong. To adapt to the life she had led, her body had given her a frame of outstanding muscular definition. Her hands were worn and rough, indicating she had become accustomed to lifting, carrying, chopping wood, and tanning hides, while a life of living with a deformity had demanded another type of strength—the strength to survive.

  When she felt that the men had seen enough, she flicked the hair from behind her ears to hide the disfigurement again. 'I was born like this,' she said in response to their shocked faces.

  'Forgive me. I have been insensitive and harsh.' Namir shook his head in disbelief.

  'There is nothing to forgive. I am used to it now. She vaguely remembered the reactions of people seeing her as a child, and quickly filed those memories as she continued. 'The mark has blended into my face with age, and most see past the imperfection now.' Her eyes smiled when she thought of the man who loved her. 'But my father never could, and he banished me from court when he couldn't stand the sight of me anymore.’

  'That actually doesn't surprise me,' said Lyall with an air of disdain.

  'I was two years old. My father said that I was not his, that I was a devil born from the devil's seed. He said that no decent man would ever want me, and that he couldn't have a mutant living alongside him in the palace.'

  The two men shook their heads with contempt.

  'He told my mother to let me die when I was a few days old. That's when the mark appeared. He said it was the sign of the devil, and that I was the devil's child.' She wiped away a warm tear. 'Of course, my mother couldn't do that. She nurtured me and loved me more than any mother could. She tried to encourage my father to love me; I was a delightful child by all accounts.' She smiled at the memory, and then the smile quickly vanished. 'Because the more he saw me, the more he despised me. It didn't matter how much I laughed and played and wanted to hug him, all he saw was a deformed monster. A child of the devil. So, after two years, he banished us to the wilderness.'

  She looked to the floor to compose herself.

  'Where have you been all this time? How have you fared on your own?' asked Namir, totally appalled by what he had just heard.

  She slowly raised her head and levelled her eyes on the kings.

  'Surviving.'

  Lyall looked in awe at the figure before him and signalled to the guard for a chair.

  'In your own time then, Empress.'

  Ajeya sat down, caressed the amber pendant around her neck, and began to tell her tale.

  Chapter One

  Their new world was a grey, unknown tangle, smelling of pine and moss and cold. A young woman and a small child were on their own, picking their way through the scatter of loose stones and scraggly trees. The child was about two years old and clung on to her mother's hand tightly. The mother was crying. The child didn't know why. Two days before, they had been enjoying the riches and elegance of a palace life; now they were outcasts and had nowhere to go. The last conversation with her husband, played out in the mother's mind.

  'My lord,' she began, 'please, think about what you are saying.'

  His retort was sickening. 'I know exactly what I am saying, and I have been lenient with you for long enough. I cannot bear to look at that monstrosity any longer. I swear it gets more hideous by the day, and it makes me feel sick to the core. I asked you to leave it to die two years ago and you wouldn't, so now I want you and that thing to go.'

  'Gnaeus, you can see she is your daughter. She is fair like you. She has your colour eyes. I implore you to look at your child and accept her for who she is.'

  'If you are saying that thing looks like me and is born from my seed, then I shall have your head taken off this instant for treachery. That thing is not my daughter. That thing is the work of the devil, and if you want to keep it, then you both have to go.'

  'My lord, you are so wrong.' She started to weep. 'Why do you say such things?'

  He had his back to her as she continued.

  'Someone hurt her, someone did it to her. You know that Gnaeus, in your heart, you know that.'

  He flew round and erupted. 'Are you calling me an imbecile or a half wit? Are you saying I don't know treachery when I see it? Perhaps you have forgotten that I carried out a lengthy investigation at your request, but nothing was uncovered. Nothing at all. The answer was the same then as it
is now—that child is the work of the devil.'

  She stopped and backed down, just as she had done two years ago.

  'What about Cornelius?' she stammered. 'He is only five years old. He will suffer without me.'

  'Phharr,' the Emperor retorted loudly. 'A mother who sleeps with the devil will not be missed, I can assure you. Cornelius will be better off without you and that wretched ogre that pertains to be his sibling. Now go as far away from here as possible before I change my mind and chain both of you together to rot in the dungeons.' His words hissed through the room like an viper's tongue.

  Eujena winced at his rhetoric and appealed for a safe place for herself and her daughter. 'Is there an out-house we can live, or a safe dwelling outside of the city where you won't have to see us?'

  'What?' His face turned crimson with rage as he faced her. 'Not only do you sleep with the devil and pretend that thing is mine over the past two years, you now have the audacity to ask me to find accommodation for you both.'

  'But my lord, where else can I go? The palace is my home and all I know. Where can I go with a small child?'