The First Kingdom Read online

  The First Kingdom

  T.S. Valmond

  THE FIRST KINGDOM

  The Bolaji Kingdoms Prequel

  * * *

  T.S. VALMOND

  THE FIRST KINGDOM

  The Bolaji Kingdoms Prequel

  T.S. Valmond

  * * *

  Copyright © 2018 by T.S. Valmond. All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events or locales is purely coincidental. Reproduction in whole or part of this publication without express written consent is strictly prohibited.

  Contents

  Also by T.S. Valmond

  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

  Want more?

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by T.S. Valmond

  The Complete Bolaji Kingdoms Series:

  The Courier’s Code

  The Courier’s Conflict

  The Courier’s Quest

  * * *

  For more visit:

  TSValmond.com/books

  For Taria

  This is how the story ends…

  The god’s made this world the horrible place it was. A place overflowing with hate. Hearts hardened like stone with prejudice. A world where you learned to war with anyone who didn’t look like you. In the middle of it all, a younger generation snatched the leadership from their forefathers’ stubborn and deficient hands. They carved out a new life, culture, and future of their own choosing. They created a whole new kingdom. Their story isn’t written in books or on paper. We pass it from soul to soul, as any good story should be passed on.

  Two people who should never have met became the first leaders of this new world. They met one ordinary summer’s day at the water’s rocky edge. Their love made the world what it is today.

  1

  THE GODS MADE THIS WORLD the horrible place it was. A place overflowing with hate. Hearts hardened like stone with prejudice. A world where you learned to war with anyone who didn’t look like you. In the middle of it all, a younger generation snatched the leadership from their forefathers’ stubborn and deficient hands. They carved out a new life, culture, and future of their own choosing. They created a whole new kingdom. Their story isn’t written in books or on paper. We pass it from soul to soul, as any good story should be passed on.

  Two people who should never have met became the first leaders of this new world. They met one ordinary summer’s day at the water’s rocky edge. Their love made the world what it is today.

  Adera knew the rules about breaching the surface. It was dangerous for a mermaid of her age. If she wasn’t careful, she'd end up on someone’s plate or worse. Under the surface of the crystal blue water, Adera swam, letting the mix of coolness and warmth from the sun's rays caress her. Her hair was loose, flowing behind her, a rainbow of color as she gained speed. As she climbed, leaving the dark blue depths and the brilliant colors of the sea creatures behind, the heat of the sun cast a yellow glare, washing out the brilliant colors until everything looked green.

  Adera slowed before she crested the surface with nothing more than a gurgle of water disturbed. The glare hurt her eyes at first, making it difficult to see, and the skin of her shoulders burned in the light of the sun. When her eyes adjusted at last, she spotted a small boy with red skin playing on the land where the waves gathered up sand. He talked to himself, but loud enough for her to hear. She didn’t understand the words he used—they were a jumble of notes, not at all harmonious like her own language. She swam in closer and hid under the overhang of brush that would keep the sun off of her skin. Something skittered near her head and the little boy’s eyes darted in her direction. He held something in his hands: a long, thin pole.

  A weapon.

  Adera recognized the metal on the tip: a cutter.

  He said something low and angry between his teeth that she didn't understand.

  Adera debated ducking below the surface, but there wasn’t much depth. If he threw it from this distance, he might not miss. Her curiosity got the better of her.

  She tried speaking to him in her language.

  “Adera from the depths below. Adera, a mermaid you do not know. I sing to your heart to open your mind. Like you, I am young but I am kind.”

  The boy’s face changed as he listened to her words. He shook his head. He didn’t understand them.

  She tried again, but he kept shaking his head. He motioned for her to come closer. But the weapon scared her.

  Now she stared at him and shook her head, her eyes landing on the weapon in his hand.

  The red boy lifted the weapon over his head and he threw it far and wide, into the trees, away from them. He stepped into the water while holding out a hand to her.

  Adera smiled and took it.

  She stared at their joined hands. His warm and red, hers cold and turquoise looked so strange side by side. Her bright purple nails next to his almost black ones.

  He smiled when she looked up at his face, but he didn't let go. He half pulled her out of the water before he noticed her fin. Startled, he let go, and she fell back into the water with a splash. His surprise and shock transformed into a large smile and he spoke again, waving his hands in an animated gesture of wonderment.

  That gave Adera an idea. She flicked her fin in the water, getting his attention by splashing water into his round face.

  His brown eyes were playful, and she liked the warmth in them.

  She lifted her hands and gave him the sign for friend. She held up two of her fingers, one from each hand, and tapped them together. Then she pointed from her chest to his before repeating the sign again.

  He smiled and then copied her movements. Then he grabbed a small stick and, in the sand, he made a symbol before he pointed to his own chest. Then he repeated a word he’d said before, over-emphasizing the word to her: “Sanee.”

  Adera found the word pleasant. She let her tongue form the unfamiliar sound in her own mouth as she repeated and pointed to him. “Sah-neeeee.”

  The red boy laughed, and she saw the wrinkle of his small nose at the way she’d said the word. Then he pointed to her. He held up the stick, but she didn’t need the stick. He’d not understand her letters any more than she would understand his.

  She sang her name, as was the custom, “Adera.”

  He frowned as he tried to match his tone to hers. “Ah derr-Ah.”

  She shook her head and softened the song, then pronounced her name again.

  “Adera.”

  While in the water, Adera transformed her fin into two legs. She didn’t want to scare off her new friend when she stood up and joined him on the edge of the beach.

  “Adera.” This time, without the music, it was a whisper on his lips.

  She grinned when he got it right. It wasn’t melodious, but, in his tongue, it was the closest they would get.

  Sanee stared at her legs with wonder. He reached out a finger and touched them as if unable to believe the transformation.

  This gave her the courage to reach out with one finger and touch his face. She traced the four white dots that trailed from
his hairline toward his nose.

  He held up his own hand and made claw of four fingers, keeping the thumb inside. Then, rotating his hand, he placed his fingers on his forehead where the dots lined up. He lifted her hand, shaping the fingers, swapping his hand with hers.

  She touched one finger to each of his dots while he held his fingers on her forehead in the same pattern.

  He said something in his own language she assumed meant a greeting.

  She smiled, excited that they had a language piece of each other. Now they were friends.

  In the days following, Sanee became her favorite friend. She told no one of her trips to the surface and she was sure he’d tell no one. It was dangerous, this forbidden friendship. He was a Red-man. It was the name her people called the hunters, the ones who had killed many mermen.

  Adera herself couldn’t imagine Sanee killing her people. He was like her, young. He didn’t seem to mind her being part fish. He enjoyed their time in the sea as much as on land. They swam, they ran, they played, and they learned each other’s language enough to communicate. Every day for a week, they played. The best week of her life until it came to its tragic and devastating end.

  The morning began like all the others. She popped up out of the water to find Sanee waiting for her at the edge. He reached out and pulled her from the gentle waves.

  She stood on shaky legs at first. It didn’t take long for the muscles to get used to standing anymore. She’d been doing it every day.

  They ran off into the trees to one of their favorite spots. The surrounding trees kept the sun’s rays from touching her directly.

  Sanee placed something on her wrist that day: a thin leather bracelet. It had four matching white dots like the ones on his face. He pointed to the two symbols beside them and said her name. Then he tied it to her wrist. She hadn’t thought to bring him anything. She wondered if he thought her rude. What kind of friend was she? Her eyes cast down as she tried to think of something she might bring her friend tomorrow.

  Sanee touched her necklace with one timid finger.

  He wanted her shell necklace. She’d only collected one large orange and two small blue shells so far. The trio always hung around her neck. Adera removed it and placed it around Sanee’s neck.

  They both grinned as he looked down at his chest where the necklace hung. A sound in the trees behind him caught their attention. He jerked around. An angry rumble approached.

  Adera reached out a trembling hand for Sanee, who grabbed her then stepped in front of her.

  Sanee’s voice changed, and he was yelling his words into the trees.

  The trees shook and bent. A giant Red-man burst through and headed straight for them. He wore a headpiece made of twigs. His black eyes were so cold, he could kill a dozen mermen with one look. Whether his unintelligible, harsh words were directed at Sanee or herself, she wasn't sure.

  When the man reached them, he snatched Sanee away from her with one of his massive hands as if the boy was a doll. With the other hand, he picked up a rock and threw it in her direction.

  Adera turned to run into the water, but something hard hit her in the middle of her back. The sting of the object burned and buckled her legs before she reached the water. She crawled the rest of the way.

  The overhanging trees protected her from view as she returned to her original form.

  Adera turned to catch a final glimpse of her friend, hoping the Red-man wouldn’t kill one of his own.

  Sanee was screaming, crying, and fighting the man while yelling her name.

  Adera watched helplessly as the large man dragged him away. She’d never be able to return. Tears streamed down her face as she slipped below the water and let the cool envelop her.

  2

  SANEE'S FATHER PACED THE ROOM, waving his arms around in excitement over the arranged marriage set for two years from now.

  Sanee slouched in his seat with one hand on his chin and his eyes on the floor as his father described the girl he’d chosen for him.

  “She’s a nice girl, lively, and easy to talk to. I found her family to be suitable people. They’re hardworking and have often supported the community.”

  Sanee rolled his eyes. It didn't matter if Masoandro Perendi himself had sent her. He wanted nothing to do with her. How could his father even think him ready to marry anyone, least of all her? He had stronger feelings for his weapons and shield than for this girl. They'd grown up together. He knew her from their days in school. He also knew they weren't compatible.

  “Father, I must protest.”

  “No, you must not.” His father barked back. Then he squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. He looked down his narrow nose at Sanee as he spoke. “You must understand your duty to your people. I won't live for an eternity. You’ll replace me someday and I want you to be ready. Leading our people requires more than just hunting skills. Even those as superior as yours.”

  Sanee couldn’t take any more of this talk of his father’s death and his inevitable marriage to a girl he only tolerated. He stood up and went to the door.

  “Where are you going? We need to go over the current tribal war situation. We’ve discovered spies in the trees. The greenies again. I need your help to dissuade them from watching us.”

  “You’ve already decided what you will do. You’ll beat them into submission like you do everything else. I’m not interested. Their advanced technology doesn’t scare me the way it does you.”

  “You won’t be so cavalier when they’re watching your every move and the moves of those you care about.”

  “I need to be alone.” Sanee stomped off.

  “Come back here.” His father’s roar faded as he marched on. He passed his mother and younger brother working outside in her garden. They looked up in question as he passed, but he kept going.

  Sanee reached the beach, but it wasn’t enough this time. As a boy, he’d obeyed his father’s warnings to avoid the open sea. Today, he pulled one of the fishermen’s boats out and paddled out into the ocean without looking back. The blue waves called to him again. A tune he couldn’t quite remember seemed clearer as he floated on the water. No one stopped him, they were too busy with the daily hunting, gathering, and chopping needed for survival. As the chieftain’s son and heir to the throne, he should have been more focused on the future of his people. Hadn’t he done that his whole life? How could he become chieftain if he wasn’t allowed to make the most important decision of his life for himself?

  Even simple pleasures like Thelion’s rays on his back while drifting aimless in the sea would come to an end once he married and became the new chieftain. His father’s words about duty rattled around in his head as he pulled his paddle inside the boat and sat bathing in the sun. Only here, with the beach a thin sliver on the horizon, did he feel free of the cage they’d made for him. With his eyes closed, he didn’t notice the subtle churning of the water until it was too late.

  Waves reached up and over the sides, filling the small vessel. Sanee looked up into a bright blue and gold sky. The sun still shone overhead. This was no storm.

  He tried everything but couldn’t keep the boat still. As it spun and rocked out of control, he gripped the sides. After several turns, he lost his grip launched out of the boat by the spinning and into the air. He hit the water on his back. At first, the stinging distracted him from how fast the waves overtook him. He couldn’t seem to get a breath as his mouth filled with more sea water, gagging him. Panic rose inside of him when he reached out and grasped only air. Sanee reached up again to grab onto the edge of the boat, but this time it swung around too fast and hit him in the head. The black came quick, as did the hands that grabbed him around the waist.

  Sanee woke up choking on sea water and gasping for breath. He leaned over on his side to spit out the rest of the water that gagged him.

  A soft hand reached out and touched his shoulder. The outstretched hand belonged to a turquoise arm that sparkled in the sun. The arm attached to a delicate shoul
der and the body of a mermaid. She looked up at him through the longest eyelashes he'd ever seen and blinked her violet eyes at him.

  A melodious tune reached his plugged ears. He shook his head so he could make out the words. The sounds came from the mouth of a mermaid. He scampered back and lifted his hands in front of him in defense.

  “What do you want?”

  The girl’s face dropped in disappointment. She lifted her wrist and showed him a leather bracelet before she vanished under the surface of the water. The realization of who she was hit him like a two-ton tuskin in the chest. He started after her, but the guards arrived too soon.

  “Prince Sanee, are you all right?” The nearest guard put out a hand to steady him as he swayed.

  “We found your boat—it’s safe on the beach again—but when we didn’t see you, we feared the worst,” the other said, giving him a supportive shoulder to lean on.

  “I’m fine,” Sanee said. He choked out more of the salty sea before looking back toward where he’d been.

  “What happened?” It was the first guard, Bruhn who asked.

  “I don’t know. It happened so fast.”

  “It’s not safe out there, not with the mermen increasing their activity in the water and punishing us land dwellers.”

  “Punishing us for what?”

  “There are other humanoids from other lands fishing from our beach looking for mermaids, agitating affairs between the mermen and our people. The fighting has only increased all over our borders,” said Zedomo who still helped support him.