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    Blood of a Queen: A Rayden Valkyrie Tale: Rayden Valkyrie Tales
    Blood of a Queen: A Rayden Valkyrie Tale: Rayden Valkyrie Tales
    Blood of a Queen: A Rayden Valkyrie Tale: Rayden Valkyrie Tales
    Ebook86 pages1 hour

    Blood of a Queen: A Rayden Valkyrie Tale: Rayden Valkyrie Tales

    By Stephen Zimmer

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    About this ebook

    Traveling farther east, Rayden Valkyrie comes upon a city shrouded in fear and anger. 

    A devastating drought has been followed by a nightmarish rash of brutal murders and disappearances that only occur after the sun goes down. A few witnesses speak of terrifying, monstrous wraiths prowling the streets at night. 

    The ruler of Terith-Ka, Queen Annukeyen, claims that the demonic entities have been summoned through dark magic wielded by sorcerers in the rival city of Rastapur. A war looms and the people clamor for vengeance against the city they believe has caused their suffering. 

    Rayden suspects something much darker at work underneath the simmering atmosphere of Terith-Ka. When all others have gone inside with the fall of night, Rayden heads into the empty streets of the city to find answers and confront the evil plaguing a frightened populace. 

    Blood of a Queen is a stand-alone novella that is part of the Rayden Valkyrie Tales.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSeventh Star Press
    Release dateMay 4, 2018
    ISBN9781948042406
    Blood of a Queen: A Rayden Valkyrie Tale: Rayden Valkyrie Tales
    Author

    Stephen Zimmer

    Award-winning author and filmmaker Stephen Zimmer is based out of Lexington, Kentucky. His works include the Rayden Valkrie Saga of a Lionheart TV Pilot, the Rising Dawn Saga, the Fires in Eden Series, the Hellscapes and Chronicles of Ave short story collections, the Harvey and Solomon steampunk stories, and the Rayden Valkyrie Tales. Stephen currently resides in Lexington, Kentucky.

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      Book preview

      Blood of a Queen - Stephen Zimmer

      1.png

      Table of Contents

      Title Page

      Copyright Information

      Dedication

      Blood of a Queen

      About the Author

      Blood of a Queen

      A Rayden Valkyrie Tale

      Stephen Zimmer

      Copyright © 2018 by Stephen Zimmer

      All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be copied or transmitted in any form, electronic or otherwise, without express written consent of the publisher or author.

      Cover art and design: Olivia Pro Design

      Cover art in this book copyright © 2018 Olivia Pro Design & Seventh Star Press, LLC.

      Editor: Holly Marie Phillippe

      Published by Seventh Star Press, LLC.

      ISBN Number: 978-1-948042-40-6

      Seventh Star Press

      www.seventhstarpress.com

      info@seventhstarpress.com

      Printed in the United States of America

      Blood of a Queen is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are the product of the author’s imagination, used in fictitious manner. Any resemblances to actual persons, places, locales, events, etc. are purely coincidental.

      Produced in the United States of America

      First Edition

      Dedication

      To the One who calls everyone to true freedom.

      To my mother and father, who first taught me to question and think for myself.

      To my sister, for holding strong to timeless values.

      To my beloved Holly, a warrior who is never afraid to stand apart from the crowd and speak truth to power.

      Blood of a Queen

      Best for you to stay inside, until dawn, the narrow-faced innkeeper told Rayden. You can handle yourself well-enough, but the streets of Terith-Ka are no place to roam when the sorcery of Rastapur plagues us. What stalks the night is not human. Many have gained glimpses of it. Thieves and cutthroats alike huddle in their lairs and refuse to venture out when dark falls.

      Grim-faced, Rayden nodded in response, concealing her intentions. I have found sorcery to be a plague more often than not in my journeys.

      It is something I do not understand, the innkeeper replied, frowning. It is also something I do not wish to understand.

      You are a wise man, Rayden said. Reaching into the small leather pouch attached to her belt, she took out a couple of silver coins and gave them over to the innkeeper.

      What is this for? he asked, dark eyebrows converging in an expression of puzzlement. You have paid me for your room. There is nothing you owe.

      For your troubles, earlier this evening, Rayden said.

      I should be the one giving you coins. Those two dregs deserved a lesson, and you proved to be an excellent teacher, the innkeeper replied, giving her a smile. I wish more louts like them could receive such thorough instruction. The girls that work for me have to put up with too much, and I cannot be everywhere at once to put a stop to it when it happens.

      The hint of a grin played about Rayden’s lips at the praise. Both of the uncouth vagabonds had been dragged unconscious from the inn by their friends, after having attempted to grope Rayden under the influence of lust emboldened by far too much wine consumed.

      She had ignored their bawdy comments and looks, but she could never tolerate them trying to lay their hands on her. One would awaken with a broken wrist and missing teeth, while the other would greet the morning with a blackened eye, aching groin, and smashed nose.

      Having witnessed Rayden’s stark demonstration of speed and power, the tavern’s remaining patrons had chosen to leave her alone during the rest of her meal. Even the two serving girls were treated more respectfully than they had been earlier, an observation that brought Rayden a little cheer.

      You have been a good host to me the past couple of days, and things like what happened last night are still troublesome for you, whether justified or not, Rayden said. You have a tavern to run, and a living that you work hard to earn.

      I imagine the men of the lands you are from behave themselves much better, with women such as you around them, the innkeeper said, a smile manifesting within his thick, dark beard. He then shook his head, and the smile faded, his next words sounding contrite. You must think the men of this city to be pigs, with what you have experienced, observed, and listened to in here at night.

      Most men behave well-enough, wherever I have gone, Rayden said. There are always a few in every land who choose to be less than swine, but it is important never to condemn all men for the actions of a few scum. Neither should all women be condemned for the actions of a few. Each should be held to account for their own actions.

      You speak wisely ... and I should have better sense, and not be keeping you from a good night’s rest any longer, the innkeeper replied. I have a few matters to attend to myself before I turn in for the night, which has already grown late.

      It was good speaking with you, Rayden said, giving him a smile. I will see you when dawn breaks..

      May Ahuran-Maz bless you with a restful sleep, the innkeeper said, mentioning the god of light that many people of the region worshipped.

      Rayden gave the innkeeper a nod and walked past him. Making her way from the common room of the tavern, she proceeded into an enclosed courtyard, which had several doors facing the open space.

      A pensive stillness pervaded the shadows. A chill clung to the midnight air, but no breeze stirred.

      Walking over to the door of the small chamber that served as her quarters, Rayden cast a glance about the courtyard. Satisfied that no eyes were upon her, she leaped up, grabbing the edge of the flat roof.

      Pulling herself up, and careful to make no sounds, she crouched low on the rooftop a few moments later.

      From the higher vantage, Rayden gained a broad view of the labyrinthine maze of alleys, paths, and buildings spread before the high walls of the queen’s towering citadel. Moonlight and scattered torches provided a limited amount of illumination,

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