Valaisha Defenders: An Incredible Fantasy (Gateway Trilogy Book 2) Read online

  “You sleep, now my love. All will be alright.”

  The next day I was up and dressed and waiting for Bryden. We have a few palace guards ready to walk out with us to survey the damage. Bryden came up to me and took my hand. And we turned and headed out the great doors which, I have been told, a few panes of the glass had been broken from the blast and had been the only thing repaired.

  As I stepped through, the debris was worse than I imagined it. I placed my hand over my heart and felt Bryden put his arm around my waist to give me strength. I was guided over to the corner that once held Rayna’s gifts from the people and guests.

  “This is where the blast originated from,” Bryden explained.

  “We were dancing not too far from here,” I said softly almost like a whisper.

  He turned and led me to a spot. “This is where you were trapped.” I saw a massive looking beam.

  “Is that what was over me?”

  “Yes, among a lot of other debris. We almost couldn’t see you, if it were not for your red dress. And over here was the first body a female. All we saw was her arm, I checked her pulse and knew she was gone. I thought it was you until I noticed the brown hair. My heart was in my throat then we saw your red dress.”

  “It must have been agonizing for you.”

  “It was.” He said leading me away and to where the orchestra was playing on the other side of where the explosion was. “Only a few survived.” It was as if he knew what I was thinking. He lead me to other spots where heavy debris was lying about, and he pointed to a few other locations where others had died.

  I suddenly felt weak like I couldn’t breathe and struggled to stand when suddenly I felt arms lift me then; things went black.

  I began to wake and felt someone near me. I opened my eyes and looked over as Bryden was sitting there watching me with concern in his eyes. “What happened?” I asked him.

  “The doctor said you fainted from overdoing things, along with your emotions being too high with the sight, you just witnessed.”

  My eyes teared up, “It was very emotional.” I whispered. Suddenly I was in his arms, and I let the tears fall.

  The next morning, I woke to feel angry at what I saw, so I dressed and slipped away to a secret hidden room I knew was here. Nathanial had it created for me to keep up my training. Now with my anger fueling me, I decided I wasted too much time and needed to get back into my training. I dressed into my training outfit and my hair in a long braid. I was pulling on my black fingerless gloves as I walked into the training room, the lights came on automatically.

  I looked around and flipped a switch turning on some of the training equipment. I went to a secret compartment and took out the secret weapon that had been created for me. I held the gold with blue design hilt of my weapon in my hand and activated it. A glowing bright, light blue sword appeared tall and strong and sharper than anything ever created.

  I held it high in the air and said a prayer before I began my training. I walked to a panel on the wall and turned on my holographic teacher. He appeared and said, “Queen Shannon, been a while since your last training session.”

  “Yes, it has Al. And I am ready to continue now.”

  This happens to be a part of my life no one knows about, my current husband included. I was not only being groomed to marry the prince, but at a young age several people saw an exceptional ability in me that was quite rare in many years, so they began training me. My training here stopped as I went into hiding with Rayna. But Rayna had not known that in the basement of our home, I would continue what I could to stay in condition.

  Now I am ready to begin again and ready to defend my world.

  I stood now in my ready stance with my sword blazing now I am ready to begin.

  When I had an excellent hardcore training. I put my weapon away and shut down my teacher and trainer then walked out shutting the secret door. I was walking down the hall to my room when Bryden was there walking towards me.

  “What is that you are wearing?” He said giving me a hug. “Hun, you are all sweaty.”

  I looked into the eyes of the man I love and knew this was a secret I couldn’t keep from him. “I, I need to tell you something.” I took his hand and led him back in the direction of the secret training room. I opened the secret door, and again the lights came on. I turned to Bryden as he looked around in puzzlement and I began speaking. “Rayna was born to be the light to save the world from darkness. But I was born to become the defender of the worlds.”

  I walked over and retrieved my sword and activated it. “I can’t keep this secret from you,” I said hoping for his understanding.

  “Who all knows?” he asked sounding unsure what to think.

  “My parents, Nathanial’s parents before they died and Nathanial. All that is left is my mother and now you.”

  “What is it you do?” he asked me. I walked over and switched on my training equipment and stood with my sword in my ready stance. The first came at me, and I spun and jabbed. The next machine came at me, and I sliced, I did a flying leap and kicked the face off the next. I was doing moves that not even Galen knew, and I was better at it. When the training was done, I was in my end stance and raised my head to see my husband in total stunned shock.

  I stood and walked over to him. “Please say something?” I said anxiously waiting.

  “Uh, I don’t know what to say!” He made a sound like a scoff. “And I felt as if I always needed to protect you.”

  “I am sorry, really I am. I always wanted to tell you, but I was sworn to secrecy.”

  “Then why tell me now?” he asked confused and tried to make sense of it all. He was pacing and combing his fingers through his hair like a caged cat.

  “Because things changed now, as you are my husband and King of Valaisha, but mostly because you are my husband and my soulmate,” I said taking his hands in mine and looking him in his eyes. “Just because I have these abilities, doesn’t change what I feel for you.” I kissed his hands and looked at him hopefully. He sighed and wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.

  “Please no more secrets between us, okay?”

  “I promise you, no more secrets.”

  “Why did you begin training today?” He asked kissing my forehead.

  “After yesterday, my high emotions turned to anger; I knew I had to get back to training. This is our world, and it was attacked. I have to be ready to defend it.”

  “Hun, you are not invincible as we discovered during the bombing. You can’t do this alone.”

  “I should be dead, but I am not, even my healing was quicker than if it would have been someone else. He is with me and always has been.” He squeezed me tight.

  “You are right. I guess it bothered me because I am no longer your protector.” So that is what he feels.

  I smiled up at him. “Babe, you are my protector. You always have been. Even a defender needs protecting. Such as a near drowning, a crazed madman kidnapping, and a bombing. You have always been there.”

  He softly laughed, “I guess you’re right. I have been there for you.”

  “That has to be your gift. I feel it inside and why we were always drawn to each other. We are stronger together, just like Galen and Rayna. Nathanial and I have not had this kind of connection. Not like what you and I have.”

  He began contemplating my words and came to realize I could be right. “It all makes sense and why I have felt protective of you.”

  “If you were not there talking to me while I was in a coma and encouraging me. I believe I would have died. Only your protectiveness for me kicked in, and that magical ability of yours brought me back and to health.”

  He smiled, “Okay, you convinced me. Even your injuries from that kidnapping healed faster than expected.”

  “Because you were there.” I smiled and pulled his lips down to mine.

  9 hidden secret

  Bryden decided to be there and watch me train and sat with a smile. One day I stopped and turned to
him. “Want to give it a try?” I asked breathing hard from a rigorous training session.

  He smiled, “Okay, but I warn you. I don’t think I can move as you do.”

  “Here,” I walked over to a cabinet in the wall and pulled out a practice sword. “This is what I first trained with.” I handed it to him, and he backed up and began welding it around like a professional.

  “Have you welded a sword before?” I asked surprised.

  He scoffed in surprise, “No never. It just felt natural to do.”

  Okay, that made me think. “Um try the training course, will you? I have a suspicion of something.”

  He walked over and stood in a ready stance, and I reset the course. I had to go with my gut and set it for advance training instead of the beginner setting. And I stood back as the trainer began and watched.

  As I suspected it was as if he had my moves only faster and higher jumps and harder swings. I smiled as he finished and he looked stunned. He walked over to me, “Just as I thought.” I began. “Your protectiveness was because you and I are defenders. You have the skill.”

  He dropped the practice sword and grabbed me with one arm around my waist and kissed me, “Among other skills.” He said against my lips.

  Later that day we received an urgent call from Cainya, as Bryden and I sat with Rayna, Galen, and Derrik and Kristana all on a video call. Derrik announced, “There was another attack, this time in a village not far from the Palace.”

  “Any deaths or injuries?” I asked fearing I knew the answer.

  “Yes, more than the first bombing. Woman and children involved. We set up a wider perimeter and increased the security. I would advise you, do the same.”

  “Yes, we will,” Bryden said looking at me. I knew what he was thinking. We will have to train harder than before.

  “Your Majesty Derrik.” I began, “We need to include Queen Joanita in our discussions. It was she, after all, that told us of this new threat before it happened. She could give us new insights as to more possible threats to come.”

  “Agreed, I will personally contact her and fill her in as to the village bombing.” He said.

  “Derrik, has this just happened?” I asked.

  “About thirty minutes ago.”

  I nodded, “Then the count hasn’t been declared as yet.”

  “No not at this time. The bombing was wider spread and took out a few buildings.” He answered.

  “Alright, then keep us informed. Galen, Rayna can you stay on for a minute?” I asked as King Darrik and Kristana signed off.

  “Yes, mom?”

  “I want you two to be the most prepared for what I know is about to come.” I was saying about what I do know.

  “Mom, I know you have the gift of seeing things, do you see what is about to happen?” Rayna asked me.

  “Yes, I have seen what is about to come. Be prepared to put on your special armor and weapons. You and your gifts will be needed again.”

  “We will be prepared.”

  “Galen, keep her safe.” That was my concern speaking.

  “I will always keep her safe.” He assured me.

  I smiled, and we signed off. I sat back in the chair and put my hands over my face. Taking a deep breath, I stood up. “We need to train twice as hard,” I said as Bryden stood next to me.

  “I agree, we need to be ready.” He took my hand, “Let’s change into more appropriate clothes for training.”

  Wow, training was intense, and we fought together and seemed to know what each other was going to do. I had activated the teacher and was surprised to learn he was self-aware and knew of Bryden’s ability and began teaching us to work together. After three going on four hours of hardcore training, we both collapsed to the floor breathing hard and wet with sweat. We both looked at each other and laughed.

  “Your Majesties, you both are just about ready to receive what now belongs to you.” The teacher said. I heard a click, and another secret door opened. We both sat up and looked over at the door that now opened. Bryden stood up and helped me up, and we both walked over.

  “Did you know about this?” Bryden asked me.

  I shook my head, “No, I never seen this door before.”

  As the light came on, we saw what looked like a different kind of armor one male, one female, boots, and headgear included. Then the teacher image changed, and it was Nathanial’s holographic image that appeared.

  “My sweet Shannon, as you now know, I am gone as it should be, and our friend Luziann has given her life to protect our daughter. I know you must be wondering how I knew of this? As we became husband and wife, I received your gift of knowing. I knew and saw my death; I saw Luziann’s and I saw you and Sir Bryden fall in love.

  That was why in my last message I told you to move on and be happy. Bryden was the one you were meant to be with all along. Life just had a way of correcting what was meant to be. I have loved you, but now this is yours and Bryden’s moment. I know he will be training with you and together you will become stronger and help our daughter and Galen together to defeat the new threat against our worlds.

  I had these two armors designed for you both once you achieved the highest level of training you can achieve. As you are watching this message, you have finally completed it. I always called you friend Bryden, and because I knew you two would be together I made you a Sir, only a high rank could wed a Queen. Please take care of our girl Bryden. Keep her happy and love her for us both. Protect our worlds from what I saw is to come. Bryden, I have created you a mighty weapon, you will find it in a secret wall behind Shannon’s. May God be with you both as He uses you.”

  The image dissipated and shut off. Bryden walked to the cupboard that held my sword, and he pushed the back, and it clicked open, and he reached in and took out a hilt. It was magnificent. He held it and activated, and a mighty glowing red and gold sword appeared. He looked over at me and smiled until he saw my face.

  “Are you alright?”

  “He had my gift. He knew. He knew of us and his and Luziann’s death.” I shook my head. “He seemed to know what I couldn’t see.”

  He walked over to me, “You mean to tell me you didn’t see Luziann’s or Nathanial’s death?”

  I shook my head. “That puzzles me. I didn’t even see us getting together and marrying as he did. Could my ability have weakened when he and I married?”

  “Hun, I think what happened was your thoughts were so much on keeping Rayna safe, all you were able to see was things about her and Galen. You were not focused on yourself, Nathanial, or even Luziann. And I know you never thought of me either, not at that time.”

  I took a deep cleansing sigh, “You may be right. I was very focused on Rayna and Galen.” I stepped into his arms, and he held me. “I need to see the damage,” I said against his shoulder.

  “What?” He said as he pulled me away to look into my eyes.

  “The currently bombed village. I need to see it?”

  “Are you sure you won’t have another fainting spell from the emotions? After all, I am sure they hadn’t cleared it away yet.”

  “As defenders, I need to see it, and besides if I do faint again, you will be there to catch me.” I grinned at him.

  “Alright,” he said putting his hands in the air of surrender. “But maybe we should wear our new armor in case.”

  “Good idea.”

  With our armor on and our hilts on our side, we walked around the village and saw bodies covered in tarps and debris all over the place. My emotions in check I asked, “Where is the blast zone? I want to see where it originated from.”

  “Over here, your majesty.” We walked to where it took place, and I looked around and began moving debris when something caught my attention.

  I bent down and picked it up. The design looked familiar, and I noticed powder on it. I brought it to my nose and smelled the powder it smelled of sulfur. “Hun?” I called Bryden. He was looking elsewhere and came over to me. “Look at this,” I showed him what I fo
und. “The powder is sulfur. This has to be what they used to disguise the bomb.”

  He smelled the powder and found other pieces that had the same design. “Good find. Now we have an idea what to watch for.”

  As he put a couple of pieces together, it began to look more familiar to me. “It looks like pieces of a music box,” I said. Then suddenly I remembered where I'd seen it. I stood up slowly and said, “We need to get back to Valaisha now.”

  He stood up and asked, “What is wrong?”

  “It’s a hunch I need to follow. Come on!”

  We went to our tayrens and mounted to head back to Valaisha. Once there I practically ran to the courtyard and over to the debris of the gifts and began digging through it. Bryden came over and realized what I was looking for and started to search with me.

  There it was, pieces of the same style music box with sulfur powder on it. “My hunch was right.” I looked over at Bryden. “We have to keep watch for music boxes with the same design. But I’ve seen one whole like this before. Where?” It came to me. I jumped up and nearly tripped over debris to go inside, and Bryden followed me. I went right to our room and found the object I was in search of and held it out to him.

  “The music box from Queen Joanita.”

  “Are you saying she is involved somehow?” He asked me while holding the box.

  “It doesn't make sense she is the one who contacted me to warn me about the second attack.”

  “Could be whoever is doing the bombing might be an organization against peace talks. These could be their calling cards, music boxes from Amadoria.”

  “That would make much more sense. I think it is time for another conference call and with all rulers.” I said looking once again at the box.

  “Are you sure?” Queen Joanita said looking very concerned.

  “It makes sense, Your Majesty. We believe there could be a band of people that are against our peace talks.” I held up the music box and showed the pieces we found too. “They are creating bombs out of these music boxes.”