The Eternal Struggle Read online

  Contents Praise for The Black Phantom Chronicles

  Dedication

  Cast of Characters

  Prologue

  Map of Mira

  Synopsis of Book 1, The Savage War

  Map of the Known World

  Chapter 1: The Price of Leadership

  Chapter 2: Pirates!

  Chapter 3: Xavior and Zedelious

  Chapter 4: The Last of Mira

  Chapter 5: Baulis

  Chapter 6: Brother Channing

  Chapter 7: Adhelmar and the Fall of the Zedelious

  Chapter 8: Arnacin Enigma

  Chapter 9: The Black Captain

  Chapter 10: Return to Mira

  Chapter 11: Once There Were Friends…

  Chapter 12: Ursa!

  Chapter 13: Into the Wild

  Chapter 14: Never Love

  Chapter 15: An Ursan Child

  Chapter 16: Union

  Thanks for reading…

  Author’s Note

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  For more great books…

  Praise for

  The Black Phantom Chronicles

  Esther Wallace has created an interesting world with deep characters who drew me into their story. She weaves a tale of hope, even in the midst of severe conflict, and shows how one person can truly make a difference.

  — Suzanne Hartmann, co-founder of Castle Gate Press and author of the Fast Track Thiller series

  Hold on to your seat! The Eternal Struggle immediately draws the reader into the action. The dire situations of the two main characters—Valoretta, Queen of Mira, and Arnacin of Enchantress Island—are clearly portrayed as the action alternates between their evolving parallel perils.

  Wallace is a solid storyteller. Her ability to maintain the period dialogue adds charm to the reading that frames the action in an unusual fantasy world of old. The characters peopling this world are clearly drawn and compelling.

  — Andrea O’Connor

  Esther Wallace is a tenacious writer who will break your heart with her characters and their journeys. Her debut is a high-stakes world filled with fierce and philosophical hearts.

  — Stephanie H. Warner, writer and author

  The Savage War is an ingeniously plotted novel that is fast-paced and filled with action and focused scenes. There is a kind of ritual that opens the narrative, establishing a custom that is passed from father to son, allowing readers an idea of a tradition that reflects the setting in which the story takes place. Arnacin is a young protagonist who grows in wisdom, but he is a character that has internal battles of his own. I loved the way the author allows his humanity to come out in the narrative, a personality that is characterized by “humility, compassion, and intense feeling of responsibility” and these are the values at the center of the internal conflict when he has to make difficult choices. The Savage War is well written with a vivid setting; deft and balanced, and featuring characters that are interesting and real.

  — Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review

  The characters in The Savage War were well thought out with unique personalities. The protagonist was wise with sharp instincts and values honor above all else. The reader can feel how torn he is when he has to make those hard decisions.

  — Eileen K. Copeland

  The Savage War is definitely packed. (But do buckle in for the long ride, because it is definitely worth it.) There is a lot going on by way of story, themes and thought-provoking moments. I especially love Anarcin’s willingness to see the conflict from all sides, to ask the hard questions, and do what he feels is right despite opposition.

  — M

  The Savage War is ideal for fans of G.A. Henty and R.A. Ballantyne. It’s intentionally written in an older style, evoking classic adventure/fantasy authors. The characters are charming and the imagery evocative.

  — CT Reader

  Many books of epic medieval fantasy clamor for attention in the market today. But few of them manage to retain a balance of majestic tragedy with the themes of honor and nobility, a balance which characterized similar novels of a bygone era. [In The Savage War,] Author Esther Wallace tells a story about a young man who feels called to an adventure away from his idyllic homeland, where he eventually discovers a nation torn by war. Arnacin’s sense of honor compels him to take part in the conflict that, over time, threatens to crush his spirit… Snippets where Arnacin and Princess Valoretta are teasing each other are genuinely touching while heroics on the battlefield stir the soul with excitement.

  In short, this is a great novel for anyone craving realistic fantasy with a dose of spirituality. It is awash with battles, drama, political intrigue, and raw human emotion. Just make sure to save some room on your bookshelf for Esther’s next entry!

  — Amazon Customer

  The Eternal Struggle The Black Phantom Chronicles (Book 2)

  Copyright © 2020 Esther Wallace

  Cover design by Mark Gerber

  Cover illustration copyright © 2020 Mark Gerber

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Books published by Emerald Lake Books may be ordered through your favorite booksellers or by visiting emeraldlakebooks.com.

  ISBN:

  978-1-945847-25-7

  (paperback)

  978-1-945847-27-1

  (ebook)

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2020904932

  To those who have waited for this book and those who know the scars of the eternal struggle

  Cast of Characters

  Arnacin

  An islander from Enchantress Island

  Ben

  Husband of Orissy, resident of Minsa.

  Brother Channing

  Captive healer of Baulis.

  Captain Adhelmar

  An officer in Queen Isholt’s navy and master of Isholt’s Revenge.

  Captain Belon

  Another of Queen Isholt’s navy officers and master of Pursuit of Justice.

  Captain Xavior

  The pirate captain of the Zedelious.

  Captain Phillio

  A renegade captain who deserted Queen Isholt’s navy to turn pirate.

  Captain Vinn

  An officer of Queen Isholt’s navy.

  Cayd

  A pirate Arnacin rescues.

  Denis

  Captain Belon’s suspicious first mate.

  Denny

  Grandson of Ben and Orissy.

  Duke Nayhuel

  Duke Cestmir’s oldest son. A duke of Mira.

  Firth

  The exiled son of an adopted Miran native.

  Hans

  Captain Adhelmar’s cabin boy.

  Jabril

  Master of the pirate island, Baulis.

  King Navoriche

  King of Ursa.

  Lera

  Granddaughter of Ben and Orissy.

  Lilitha

  An adopted native of Mira.

  Lord Carpason

  A past lord of Mira, but, while living, a close friend of Arnacin’s.

  Lord Emroy

  A lord of Ursa.

  Maco

  A captive shipwright of Baulis.


  Memphis

  Miro’s high councilor.

  Mr. Butter

  One of Xavior’s pirates.

  Orissy

  Wife of Ben, resident of Minsa.

  Polion

  Captain Adhelmar’s first mate.

  Queen Isholt

  Queen of Nomacir.

  Rosa

  Valoretta’s step-mother.

  Sara

  Valoretta’s aunt and attendant.

  Spyros

  Xavior’s first mate.

  Tareef

  Sailor and compass-maker.

  Titus

  Captain Belon’s cabin boy.

  Valoretta

  Queen of Mira.

  Prologue

  Black blow the waves, the crashing waves,

  Yet faster than the storm,

  Faster and darker than mortal ship be,

  The Black Captain’s Immortal.

  Black blow the waves, the crashing waves,

  Whenever is seen the Immortal,

  For it rides on air, of its flat-bottomed hull.

  Long and sleek, terrible and ruthless,

  The Black Captain has stolen its secrets from gods.

  Now, no justice can track it, no defender live.

  For black grow the waves, the crashing waves,

  Whenever is seen the Immortal,

  Flat-bottomed, long and sleek, terrible and ruthless,

  The Immortal.

  In the first book of The Black Phantom Chronicles, The Savage War, a young shepherd boy, Arnacin of Enchantress Island, leaves his home to find fulfillment and honor. Instead, he finds himself assisting Mira, a kingdom torn by war.

  There, he befriends Valoretta, princess of Mira, chosen by her father to be heir to the throne. She confides to Arnacin that, not only has the war with the natives existed for as long as she can remember, but she is also uncertain of their victory.

  When Arnacin and Valoretta join forces to secure the future of Mira, hope rises. Yet, when the always independent, if extremely loyal, Arnacin clashes with the king of Mira, the islander is condemned to be sealed into a tower to die.

  Escaping that fate with the help of Princess Valoretta, Arnacin is caught again but, this time, the king has him exiled. Mira has little hope of their survival in the coming days…

  Chapter 1

  The Price of Leadership

  Silence… The silence of impending death filled the air. No light broke the thick blackness. Not even a chisel of starlight on a moonless night seeped into his tiny, entombed—could it even be thought—coffin. Air gradually exhausted itself in the abysmal space, and Arnacin’s uncontrolled shivering, his gasping breaths, the very heat of his body, betrayed him. He sat crumpled against what used to be the entrance, sealed shut out of spite. Already, as he forced sleep away, the pain of airlessness allowed no more movement than the last futile twitch of his fingers in the place a doorway had once been.

  Crack! A flash of light brought the windowless cabin back. Something in the back of his mind told Arnacin the storm bashing against all four walls was reality. His trembling body, however, insisted that the sound was wishful thinking, a last hope granted before he died in darkness.

  For hours on end, it was impossible to discern either tomb or storm as reality. Yet, as the world in which the cabin existed stopped rolling on storm waves, Arnacin bolted for the door and yanked it open. He ran until he stood on the far side at the dipping prow in the settling waves. There, as the vision of his tomb dissolved back into memory, Arnacin shivered for another reason—weak relief.

  So his life had been since his exile from Mira. Yet, until the storm, he had dreamed of finally going home. At least, he had been traveling in a homeward direction due to the navigations of his heart, not his head. Home was not in actual dreams, for he rarely slept anymore; even when complete exhaustion washed over his thin frame, he could only doze beneath the stars, where the cold permitted solely fitful rest.

  Now, in the renewed sun after the passing of the storm, Arnacin looked up at his sail—the sail that would remain limp since the storm stole its brace. Without the wind, his ship could only drift with the current, and neither food nor water would last that agonizingly slow voyage.

  There were no alternatives. He was doomed to die at sea, for no one would come across his ship out in the middle of the vast expanses of water and sky. Even if they did, whom would he trust? Even Valoretta had betrayed him. Yes, he had wanted her to keep her part in his escape secret, but she had chosen not to stand up for him at all. Considering her disloyalty, he knew, as he had come to realize these last few months, there was not a soul on whom he could rely.

  “My lady,” Sara called from down the corridor. “A rider will be here in another moment.”

  Quickly hiding the rough wooden key in her sleeve, Valoretta met her nurse before the older woman could reach the little alcove where the princess had been sitting.

  “I told the gatekeepers to send him to the great hall when he arrives,” Sara continued.

  The princess shook her head. “I’ll meet him in the outer ward.” Lifting her skirts, the princess raced toward the outside, wishing to catch the messenger as soon as he rode in. She heard the weary footfalls of her nurse, simply plodding behind with no word of dissent.

  Valoretta caught up with the messenger just as he was turning up the keep’s stairs. “What word?” she gasped, even as the flushed messenger began talking.

  He dropped to one knee. “My lady… I’m sorry. Miro was struck down. His remaining troops sent me back to warn you while they still drew breath, but they didn’t expect to live. Those that stood, remained to hold the savages back for as long as they could. This morning, I noticed a false sunrise toward Fort Corugwan while I rode.”

  “Our last fortress,” Valoretta breathed, her skin icy, the perspiration from her mad dash suspended in little droplets along her spine. With a flash of pain, she thought of all those senseless deaths. There was no turning back now though. Looking up at the walls, the princess, now ruler of Mira, calmly ordered, “Go into the city and make it known that it’s time to evacuate Mira. Tell the ship captains they must allow our evacuees.”

  Wearily, the messenger bowed and left to do as bidden. “Sara,” the princess sighed without turning around, her gaze returning to the retreating messenger. “Make sure the people know they are to take only what they most need. I will start with the nobility. I doubt we have much time.”

  “Is that your decision? Have you not thought of another solution?” Sara’s tone was beaten, but unsurprised.

  Turning to her nurse, Valoretta admitted, “My waking hours have been consumed with little else. This end has been likely for a long time.”

  “But there is nowhere to go, my lady. No kingdom will aid us. Most are too jealous over our position in the trade routes to wish anything but our ruin, and there is no unclaimed land we can sail to.”

  “I know… Yet we must go as individuals and integrate into other kingdoms. I see no other way to hope for life.”

  Sara’s gaze flicked to the ground, but she stubbornly asked, “Do you intend to win Mira back someday, once her people are safe?”

  “Never, Sara. It should have been evacuated long ago. Mira has proven greedy, unjust and immoral. If and when we find safety, we must start anew.”

  “My queen,” Sara intoned with a gracious curtsy far deeper than Valoretta had ever seen from the older lady. Then Sara hurried off, and Valoretta shook aside her feeling of complete dread and immense loss. Only resolution could pull them through.

  “Rosa, take your most important things only. You’re leaving on the first ship.”

  “‘You’re leaving?’” Rosa—queen through marriage only—repeated. “Won’t you be on one of the first ships yourself?”

  “So Sara will insist,” Valoretta
muttered, stepping toward the clothespress and pulling out the young queen’s cloak.

  Despite her tentative character, Rosa was, unfortunately, shrewd. “You don’t intend to comply! Valoretta, as Mira’s princess, you have an obligation, far more of an obligation than do I, to leave while you can!”

  With a sad smile, the princess threw the cloak over Rosa’s shoulders, clasping it for the queen. Then, straightening the folds as the queen looked down in astonishment at the gesture of servitude, the princess softly admitted, “I am needed here, Rosa, until the last man has departed or fallen. It will turn into chaos as soon as I leave and, in that chaos, anyone remaining will be slaughtered.”

  Dropping her gaze, Rosa whispered, “I’m not leaving without you, Valoretta.”

  “This war isn’t yours. You arrived solely as a tool for Mira. You’ll not die as one.”

  “But you’re not queen, Valoretta. I am.”

  Smiling, the princess quoted Rosa’s statement from a year ago, only changing the pronouns, “Mira has only one queen, that title will not be taken from her, and I am she.”

  “This has nothing to do with their hearts—”

  “With all due respect, Your Majesty,” Valoretta gently interrupted. “It has everything to do with their hearts. How can you help them in these last days when only love and deep respect will hold them from terror? With that in mind, may I be so bold as to remind you I don’t need your assent? I can order you hauled aboard a ship, and I will be obeyed. Understand?”

  Both relief and terrible sadness spread across Rosa’s face as she curtsied deeply in submission. In honor of Rosa’s attempt to live up to her title, Valoretta returned the curtsy before turning away. “Now pack, my lady. Your ship sails in an hour.”