Gift giver, p.1
Gift Giver, page 1
CHAPTER 1
KADEN
Kaden woke up and stretched. He was still getting used to working his magic almost to exhaustion but had done a lot of good work with his father Cyrus back in Endswood. Terrik Qual had gotten both of his parents multiple elite essences, mounts, weapons and armor. They were the toughest thing in the weak area and his parents could take over Endswood if they wanted. Instead his father had stopped the foolishness of the weak picking on the strong and gave the troublemakers a choice to either shape up or get out. Cyrus had plans for two more strongholds to be built, it would provide safety by lessening the dangers explorers had when traveling out alone. Its biggest selling point is that it would provide a place to dump all of the troublemakers too weak to march through the barrier. Many people hated the new system including the Queen of Power.
The Queen of Power couldn't say much, ultimately Cyrus had left her in charge and just gave people a choice of places they could go. Many of the crafters like woodworkers and smiths liked this idea, they were in high demand and had wanted a lot more for their skills. Overall Kaden thought things were better, the stronger troublemakers were stripped of some of their essence by Kaden’s new power to drain them away. Kaden had gotten it in a dangerous place over Northerin in the other weak area. Northerin was a stronghold in an area Kaden dubbed Westerin. Kaden called it that based on the biggest stronghold in the weak area. Unlike Endswood which only had one stronghold until recently, Westerin had three.
The areas around Westerin was its own problem, a problem Kaden had tried dealing with but ultimately gave up on. Kaden needed crafters to help him create either a new stronghold or help him fix up one that he had found. The craftspeople were all in a place called Northerin and wanted a lot of meat to do anything. These people were content to live and die in Northerin, a mountainous city that was so finely made that it wouldn't have been out of place in Elmley. Kaden only met with them once and showed them some of what he could do, like transferring flying essence. The Northeriners didn't care, the man Kaden gave the flying essence to didn't want to pay anything and said it was his payment for talking to an idiot. Kaden stripped him of the power along with several others as he left before any of the Northeriners could mount an attack. At least he was doing well in the tougher areas through the barrier. Kaden had done well for himself in Tinselton.
Tinselton was ran by a woman named Jream and an elf named Cinna. Jream had appointed Cinna as her deputy. The alliance was going better than expected. Tinselton had been attacked five days prior. The Stronghold was being worked on day and night and was almost completely fixed. This was the first stronghold that had a human in charge of the Others and it was working well. Kaden had developed a decent persona there as Ashborn. One of the Cyclops there named Arges had began traveling with Kaden when he went out into the nearby areas to gather food. The only place that things were up in the air was in Elmley.
Kaden thought it was well known that he had somehow given away magic. Kaden had hooked up his family's long time servants along with his two personal servants, Saul and Madison. Kaden had seen to it that his girlfriend Charlotte’s mother and sister had magic and then stopped. His parents were besieged by many people who came with tales of woe who absolutely needed magic. They had been turned away rather ruthlessly, especially their former guards when they were in Ashborn. These men had let the Pembertons, who were now calling themselves the Ashborns, walk right on in and take Kaden's family hostage. Kaden instituted his axe rule, if anyone could lift Asterion’s axe then they could get some magic. It cut down on the flow and left a lot of angry people. Kaden didn't care, tomorrow would be his first day of actual Knight training.
Kaden had read and reread all of the seven books he was supposed to know cover to cover and had a great grasp on it. Kaden had also been practicing on the physical aspect and didn't think he would have any trouble when it came to that. The best part was that those in training were left to their own devices in the afternoon, that time was given so people could go study and train. Kaden would be a little hurt if he didn't rank in the top ten. The class that was going through would be the largest class in history, a lot of the former nobles were going to go through and more Knights were needed to train everything. Kaden heard many more nobles were rejected. Knights only took those with no illegitimate children, no bad history with ravishing women, cheating on their wives or any number of things the former nobles used to get away with. Those angry men were forced into the military route to become commissioned officers. Kaden thought he would eventually take that training as well, the biggest issue Kaden had was his new found celebrity.
Canna Hashamount had given up on trying to romance him, she knew Charlotte and although it hurt her feelings to lose to an uglier girl, she accepted it. That didn't mean the many other girls around the Kingdom did. Kaden thought that if his brothers were unmarried, that Kaden would still get double or triple the amount of inquiries as they did combined. No one really cared about Charlotte or that Kaden was seeing her, most people thought she was a plant by the former Lady Pemberton who was now known as Ashlyn, the Baroness of Ashborn. Many parents wanted their girls considered. After all, if Kaden could give magic then it wouldn't matter if the young lady was a Mage or not. Just thinking about it all made Kaden feel horrible. The girls were pretty and Kaden would be lying if he said he wasn't interested in some of them even if his outside body language said something different. Just being around them made Kaden feel like he was cheating on Charlotte, then again, he was cheating on Charlotte.
Kaden had kissed all over Katie and was sure they were going to get married. Katie had let him know that she was open to do more than just kiss and that she wasn't untouched. Her first time was with Thatcher, one of the people that used to follow around Ky before Kaden kicked him out. Kaden also felt he was cheating on Katie, Charlotte was shyer than Katie was but she still snuck in her own fair share of kisses when she could get away with it. The only way Kaden could reconcile what was happening was through his three personas. There was the lovable Prince Kaden who didn't have a bad bone in his body. The hard working and quiet smith Terrik Qual who was as dependable as the sun rising in the morning. Then there was the mercenary Ashborn, a name taken from Kaden’s former home. Ashborn only cared about gaining essence and was far meaner than either Kaden or Terrik. Ashborn let no one push him around and was a lot more forceful than the other two.
Kaden climbed out of his bed and did not immediately go take a bath. He was going outside to practice and would have a lot of company with him. There were the new Royal Guardsmen that he really didn't know well, Kaden knew they were competent at their jobs but that they only got their jobs thanks to the Grand Senate. None of Kaden’s family liked or trusted the Grand Senate. Kaden’s father Uriah could admit that they had the good of Ashborn as a whole at the forefront of their minds but Uriah still wanted to give up the crown. Uriah had tried to push forth that the ruler of the Kingdom should be elected, it was shot down immediately. In the Senate everyone was assumed to be equal but that was not the case. The Senate had a position called the Voice of the People. This person was the one who talked directly to the King and who was in charge of letting the public know exactly what their leaders were working on. This person ended up being Baroness Ashlyn Ashborn, someone Kaden hated but who had immediately founded another house of government. Instead of Magisters or nobles having the final say, a group of five people called The Adjudicators would.
The Adjudicators were people who could only be put in the position by the King. The King’s pick would have to be confirmed by two thirds of the Senate. These people were the final say so in matters of law, if four of them agreed then they could overrule the King himself. Baron Ashborn was put on this group, the only Mage given the honor after some serious lobbying from Baroness Ashborn. Kaden’s father was forced into making the pick, it was the only way people would leave him alone. In return Uriah had picked two former nobles, one of his former Magisters and the former Queen, Maril. After that was done the first thing the Senate did was agree that the Royal Family couldn't pick their own guard. A special school was made that was overseen by one of the members of the Senate. Instead of protecting the Royal Family no matter what, they were sworn to protect the ideals and the will of the people of Elmley. It was supposedly done to keep the highest of nobles from throwing away lives if the people ever wanted them out. New guards were chosen, Kaden assumed they were okay but he was under orders from his mother not to talk to any of them, especially when he recognized Gary, one of the men that had laid into him. Gary was one of the men charged with watching the Royal family. Ryder had let the man know that if he said just one wrong thing in front of him that he would die. Gary being there was payback from a very angry Baroness.
Baroness Ashborn was a Norm who just happened to agree with Mages being in charge. When she found out what Kaden could do, she wanted her own magic. Kaden refused and let it be known that he didn't care who asked him that it would never happen. Kaden said she was mean and would most likely use magic to beat up other people. People that he liked, like the orphans he looked after. Part of acting the role of Kaden, meant that no one even bothered trying to explain how unlikely it would be that a Baroness would go around beating up random orphans. Many guards were now watching Kaden, Kaden didn't bother talking to them or Paige who now wanted to try to have a relationship with Kaden. Kaden would probably see her outside as well. The other people he would see there would be Thomas and his family.
Thomas wanted every servant given magic to be outs
“Good morning Kaden,” Paige said.
“Good morning Paige,” Kaden replied.
“Your brother, how is he doing?” Paige asked.
“Which brother?” Kaden said.
“The one I am married to,” Paige said as she got a little irritated.
“He is Ardler,” Kaden said. “We talked about the baby, he told me no matter if the baby is a boy or girl that he is going to give her the middle name Kaden in honor of his hero. I told him I never heard of anyone named Kaden other than me. He just gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and told me to never change.”
“Well then he is excited about this baby,” Paige said. “Why can't he just be more like your other brother Ryder. He and Piper obviously do not show the affection they should but it is getting there. It is like he is resentful for having a woman smarter than he is on his arm.”
“Okay,” Kaden said as he was going to go back to exercising.
“How are you and Charlotte doing?” Paige asked.
“Charlotte is a nice person,” Kaden said.
“Yes she is,” Paige said. “But Canna was also a nice person and so was Gracie. You know I wouldn't ever try to find mean women for you, don't you?”
“You wouldn't?” Kaden asked.
“No,” Paige said. “I’m not evil Kaden. I suppose I am capable of evil things but overall I care about the greater good. I know your family hates being in this position but I want you to look at what is better. If you had the choice to go back to being Kaden in Ashborn, would you take it?”
“I liked being Kaden in Ashborn,” Kaden replied.
“Now would you go back if you knew that going back would allow mean people to kill and do bad things while you are nice and safe?” Paige asked.
“I don't like mean people,” Kaden said.
“I know you don't, but those are your choices, stay like you are now or let people suffer,” Paige said. “Now take your pick.”
“I don't want anyone to be sad,” Kaden said. “But you all made my brothers sad.”
“What do you think your brothers would rather have?” Paige said. “Them sad for a small while or many people sad every day of every week?”
“Well my brothers wouldn't want other people to be sad,” Kaden said.
“And they have no reason to be sad now,” Paige said. “The people are happier than they have ever been. But back to what I was saying, I would not try and fix you up with anyone that was mean. Charlotte is a nice person, that doesn't mean she is the only nice person around.”
“Give it up Paige,” Ardler said. “Are you seriously out here trying to confuse my brother?”
“I am letting your brother know that the girls I have brought around are not evil or there to do evil things,” Paige said. “Would you swear it on your brothers that they are evil?”
“I don't play these games,” Ardler said.
“And neither do I,” Paige said. “I have been here getting insulted and everything else. If you don't want me here I want you to say so and I will not step another foot in this place.”
“You have my child,” Ardler growled.
“So what,” Paige said. “And when our child wonders why they have to travel back and forth and why their parents aren't together, I will let them know you are the cause of it. My baby would of course eventually recognize how different Kaden is from the rest of us. She will also know that her Uncle Kaden is not a liar and he would place all of the blame right on you. Like whenever your other children from whoever you take as a wife grow up. Your daughter would know that she wasn't good enough to ever be considered for the crown even if the laws change because of her father.”
“You know I want you here,” Ardler said. “That doesn't mean I am going to make my staff bow down to you or suddenly start hugging you or anything else.”
“Then stop snapping at me,” Paige said. “What happened happened. I have not been this angry mean person that you have been. Ask Kaden if you don't believe me.”
“You keep my brother out this,” Ardler said. “It was your people that attacked him.”
“I had nothing to do with it,” Paige said. “Get angry at me for something I have done.”
“Are we really going there?” Ardler said.
“I am talking about since that night,” Paige said. “You have been moping about and thinking with your emotions instead of hard facts. That is why I will make a great Queen, emotions do not cloud my mind. I think about the here and now. Here and now you have a decision, you either want me here or you do not.”
“Stop bringing your friends, family or whoever else around my brother,” Ardler said. “I also don't want to meet any of these people. You have been trying to manipulate your way into everything and have been angry that I am not some idiot willing to forgive you because you think you are pretty.”
“So I am supposed to stay here with no one, not even you to talk to?” Paige said. “Excluding Charlotte and Piper”
“Don't get cute with me,” Ardler said. “You want me to make a decision between you and my brother? Fine, I’ll make it right here and right now.”
“I’m not asking for that,” Paige said quickly. “But I have friends and they want to come see me and meet you. I will tell them to leave your brother alone or they will be forced to leave.”
“Then we are in agreement,” Ardler said. “Now let my brother work out without you in his face. It is bad enough these snakes called guards are about, one of them touches him and I will kill the lot of them or die trying.”
Kaden watched his brother walk away and could see the irritation on some of the faces of the Royal Guard. Many of them saw the posting as an honor, they were dismayed to find out that none of the Royal Family liked or wanted them there. Well Paige and her people were friendly, the actual blood Royal family wanted nothing to do with them. Uriah had angrily and forcibly threw them out of whatever room he was in. That was another thing that Kaden knew irritated his father. The palace now belonged to Elmley instead of the Royal family, not even the King could get rid of his guardsmen without just cause. Their day to day job was to see about the safety of the Royal family, Kaden just knew they wished they were seen as competent men instead of unwanted ones.
Kaden finished up his workout and went to take a bath. He knew breakfast would be waiting on him. The guards also hated that they were expected to bring their own food and that none of the royal servants would cook or clean for them. They had a small barracks built on site that Kaden heard had its own kitchen. Kaden wondered how long it would take the guardsmen to simply pool together their coin and hire their own cooks and servants. Kaden finished his bath and went to his small dining room. It was empty as usual and a simple meal was laid out for him. Kaden started eating when he was interrupted by Josh, one of the Royal Guard.
“Your Highness,” Josh began. “Will you be going to the orphanage today?”
“None of your business,” Ryder snapped as he walked into the dining room. “I know your job is to kill one of us whenever someone deems it necessary. I want you to know that you should start with me because I will go looking for you.”
“We are not here to kill the Royal Family,” Josh said. “You all act like we are criminals, Your Highness.”
“I would rather have criminals watching over me,” Ryder said just as angrily. “I don't trust you or anyone else in that uniform. I have made that clear and so has my family.”
“Ryder,” Piper said as she walked in behind Ryder and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Guardsman Josh is just trying to do his job. No one wants the Royal Family harmed. I am sure he had to go through a lot to be placed here and his background had to be spotless.”
“I am not putting the lives of my family in the hands of traitors no matter what anyone says,” Ryder said. “We are okay now but that doesn't mean I suddenly trust your mother or any of the Mages allied with her.”
