《Shelter in a New World》


 Chapter 1 - Free to Die Warm

    Arelyn Aurora


    Lyn purposefully moved along the shelves of the library, striking matches to the candles she had strategically placed, as she went. It was a pity what she had to do since this place had been her haven in this horrible existence but this was her only chance of escape. She couldn¡¯t believe that King Relskald had allowed himself to get distracted and forgotten to put the collar back on her. It was the only thing that prevented her from using her magic freely and Relskald was meticulous about making sure it was secure on her.


    The only time the collar came off was when he would force her¡ªby threat or punishment¡ªuntil she gave in and performed whatever magical task he wanted. At those times, Relskald kept her heavily guarded or his wizard, Fognor, watched closely. Even though she¡¯d never given her all and always resisted, lately she¡¯d been giving in easier.


    She¡¯d waited for this moment for the last three years, ever since she stumbled on that book about portal magic to distant planets. Everything was prepared and Lyn would make her escape. She¡¯d either be free or she¡¯d die in the raging inferno that would take over the library in a few moments.


    She wasn¡¯t a fire mage but she knew cause and effect. Once the first candle she placed burned down enough, the board it was on would tip and knock the second¡ªslower burning¡ªcandle over. From there, a series of events would follow that would set the entire library on fire.


    If her portal magic failed her, at least she¡¯d die warm. She snorted. If her portal magic succeeded, she might still die warm but at least she¡¯d be able to see the sun shining on her face. Death¡ªit was her only release from the pain and suffering she¡¯d endured. It was the only release from this prison.


    Hurrying closer to the barred window of the library, Lyn squatted down by the table and dragged out the dark bag hidden there. It was filled with all the things she¡¯d collected over the years and squirreled away for when she could use them. Quickly opening it, she started setting up everything she¡¯d need to perform the portal magic to enact the enchantment that would breach the barrier between worlds.


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    She opened the book; there was a world described there as an elemental planet that supported human life. It was the furthest from her location. The hardest one to reach. If she made it, she hoped that Fognor wouldn¡¯t be able to follow her.


    Lyn heard the click of metal falling on metal and knew her chain reaction had started. She hesitated. Should she change direction, go home instead of so far away? Who would even remember her?


    Closing her eyes, Lyn pictured the day Relskald had come. Death, destruction, he¡¯d murdered everyone important to her. She¡¯d witnessed the slaughter of her family. Lyn watched, powerless, as her beautiful boys died at the hand of Relskald¡¯s men. Elsa, her cousin and best friend, fell at Fognor¡¯s hand. The most shocking of all had been when Edward tried to defend her. Maybe he¡¯d cared for her more than she¡¯d thought or maybe he was just buying her time for the others? Reese and her two youngest hadn¡¯t been accounted for, but there were so many dead¡ªmen, women, and children. How could they have escaped?


    She¡¯d opened a portal for her villagers to escape but when she could no longer hold the portal open, when all the people who tried to defend her were dead, she let go of the magic. Facing Relskald and his men, Lyn was too weak to fight him. She was prepared to die but he¡¯d taken her.


    Lyn couldn¡¯t go home; she had no home left to go to. She ruthlessly pushed those thoughts down, that was how she¡¯d survived so far and she needed that bit of strength to survive a bit longer. She would die in the way of her choosing and not at Relskald¡¯s hand.


    Striking her last match, she lit the ingredients laying on the cold stone floor and pulled the magic to herself. She felt the familiar warmth and knew her eyes glowed faintly as the spell took hold. Just when she thought she couldn¡¯t hold on to the magic any longer, the portal opened in front of her. She didn¡¯t hesitate to step through. Looking back through the closing portal, the library was engulfed in flames. As she stepped forward into the heat of the desert, her only thought was, at least she¡¯d die warm.

 Chapter 2 - His Duty

    Kayden Lionheart


    Kayden finished cleaning his sword as the sun rose, promising another hot and ruthless day. Even though the war had been over a year now, and Kayden was king, he was still on the move, helping to clean up the mess in the desert.


    The pile of demon bodies caught fire as the first rays of sun touched them and Kayden sat to pour the sand from his boots and change his bloody uniform to something clean and more comfortable. He¡¯d cleaned up as much as he could, using a flask of water to get rid of the blood on his face and hands, but he yearned for a nice, hot shower to wash away even the memory of fighting, sweat, and sand. A few hours of sleep would be nice too, but they had to get going to make it to an oasis by nightfall. Thunder shook her white mane and walked to Kayden¡¯s bag, poking it with her nose.


    ¡°Not now, girl.¡± He put his boots back on and stepped to the horse, running his hand over her black and white neck. ¡°But tonight. I promise.¡±


    He only had two apples left, and she¡¯d be upset with him if she didn¡¯t get her evening treat. And when Thunder threw a tantrum, it meant he didn¡¯t get a good night''s sleep. After spending three nights in the desert hunting demons, and only catching a few hours of sleep during the day, Kayden needed a peaceful night.


    Thunder snorted and kicked the bag for good measure. Kayden smiled and instead of spoiling the mare further, he offered some water for her.


    The lights shone brighter for a moment, and a wave of magic reached them. It penetrated his skin like thousands of needles. Then the sensation was gone. A temporary change in magic like this could only mean one thing.


    ¡°Not again,¡± Kayden groaned and looked at his warlock.


    The man¡¯s aura vibrated as he cast a spell. ¡°A portal has been opened not far from here, my king.¡±


    The man cracked his knuckles, nervously glancing at him. And he had every right to feel that way. If Kayden could allow himself to show his emotions, he¡¯d look pretty much the same. With the war, with the opening of the portals, magic had changed. No one knew the rules anymore, and no one knew what dangers could cross from other worlds.


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    ¡°Is it still open?¡± Kayden asked, hiding his worry behind a well practiced cold surface.


    ¡°No.¡± The man wet his lower lip. ¡°I only sensed it for a few seconds.¡±


    Kayden pulled his shoulder length hair into a quick bun before sheathing his sword and checking his pistol on his weapon belt. A few seconds meant that not many beings could¡¯ve crossed. A handful of them, tops. And hopefully, they weren¡¯t some kind of demons.


    He took a deep breath and mounted Thunder. ¡°I¡¯ll go in alone. Tell the others to circle whoever entered our world. Perform an illusion spell to hide them.¡±


    The warlock bowed and went to give the orders.


    Kayden moved with a small, but effective team: a warlock, a healer, and three other trained wielders. One of them was his brother, Kieran.


    They exchanged a look and with a nod he signaled to Kieran to shift and keep an eye on the events from the sky. Kieran¡¯s form vibrated, and a hawk flew to the sky a moment later.


    Kayden looked after him, motioning to Thunder to follow Kieran. Why were relationships so complicated? He rubbed his neatly trimmed beard.


    For months now, Kayden tried to tell Kieran that he was sorry. He knew he¡¯d blamed him for no reason. But he couldn¡¯t find the words. It would lead to a conversation he wasn¡¯t ready to have. A talk about their mother.


    So instead of apologizing, Kayden tried to change their relationship and spent as much time with him as possible. To finally live up to his promise he¡¯d made as a child; to train Kieran, teach him, and be the brother he deserved.


    Kayden shook his head and pushed aside the thoughts. He needed to concentrate on the task at hand.


    The hawk screamed a moment before Kayden saw her, too. A woman, shedding thick, furry clothing, walking alone in the desert with nothing but what she had on her.


    Even from a distance, she was beautiful with her long wavy blond hair, hourglass shape and full round breasts. Maybe if he stopped now, she¡¯d take off all of her clothes. Kayden sighed. He¡¯d end up in an early grave because of how distracting women were.


    He kept up his guard as he approached. Just because he couldn¡¯t see anyone or anything nearby, it didn¡¯t mean she was alone. After all, his men were hidden from her eyes.


    A few meters from the woman, Kayden stopped. ¡°What are you doing in this land?¡± His hand rested close to the hilt of his sword, and he kept his fire magic at the tip of his fingers, ready to use it if needed.

 Chapter 3 - The Stranger

    Arelyn Aurora


    "Stupid," Lyn muttered to herself as she looked up at the sky and used the sun''s position to gauge which direction was east and started walking. She walked with her head down and the first thing that went was her warm winter overclothes.


    Who strands themself in a desert with a few magical trinkets, heavy winter clothes, and no food or water? She did, apparently. The thought of escape had been the only thing on her mind. Lyn had prepared, or so she thought, for when the opportunity would arise and she took it without a moment''s thought.


    Right now, walking through the desert sands with the hot sun beating down on her she''d wished she''d taken that moment to grab a flask. She''d been so focused on where she was stepping that she didn''t even know anyone was there until she heard his harsh voice.


    "What are you doing in this land?"


    Lyn''s heart skipped a beat and she looked up quickly. Freezing in place, she kept her hands at her side in a show of peace. Her gaze traveled over his horse, a magnificent creature, she was bright white and almost blinding in the sun but for the black spots that dappled her coat. A strong horse with intelligent eyes that looked at her as if it knew her secrets. Or at least one of them.


    Her gaze moved further up to the man sitting on the animal. He was tall and strong, broad shouldered. His long hair, tied in a bun, and well trimmed beard were a soft brown with highlights that gleamed in the sun. She couldn''t see his eyes but from the hardness of his voice she assumed they were cold and harsh. His hand rested casually on his sword and he looked like a man ready and willing to use it. Even against a seemingly defenseless woman. He didn''t remind her of the barbarians of the north but he didn''t exactly remind her of her people either.


    Lyn knew the man was trained, a fighter, a warrior. A killer. She saw it in his stance, in his confidence. She knew his eyes took in everything around her even while he seemed to be wholly focused on her.


    Lyn kept her hands where they were, a sign of peace to her people. She''d been hard pressed to pull enough water to satisfy her thirst, let alone protect her from this man. She was exhausted from opening the portal and traveling so far, making it difficult for her to use her elemental abilities and would have to rely on her wits and diplomacy.


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    She suppressed her fear, straightening her spine, and spoke with as much confidence as she could muster. "I am here seeking refuge. I mean you and your people no harm, sir." When she finished she put her hands, palms facing each other, to the center of her chest and gave a slight bow while maintaining eye contact the best she could. It was the formal greeting of her people and she did it without much thought in spite of not using that greeting in the last five years.


    The man frowned. "Are you alone?"


    She dropped her arms back to her side and said, "Yes, sir."


    Watching him with trepidation as he slid down from his horse and moved closer she went over what she had that might protect her from this man. A charm to stop thrown objects from penetrating but she didn''t think he''d throw any of his weapons. One to heal cuts, safely covered in its lead casing. She didn''t want it to heal minor wounds and run out of magic. Her toe ring that she could use to shape shift but it had a limited time period and she''d never tested it. Finally, she had a potion to stop poisons, it worked on most poisons and one that Relskald had her make often so she''d been able to steal some for herself. Thinking of Relskald reminded her of the anklet but she didn''t think pregnancy prevention was anything useful at the moment.


    "I¡¯ll decide if you mean harm to me or my people." His head tilted in an assessing way. "What kind of magic do you have?"


    She looked into his deep brown eyes, seeing hardness but something else there too. A challenge, perhaps? "I am a water elementalist and I have some protective enchanted items and a small dagger, otherwise I am unarmed."


    "Water elementalist?" The man stalked closer, looking ready to fight. He stared into her eyes as if he could see the truth of her words.


    She stood as still as she could, not breaking eye contact. Lyn was ready to fight for her life if she needed to, which was interesting since she''d come here ready to die. As he closed in, her voice was not as steady as she''d like it to be. "Y- yes, I can command water." She swallowed, steading herself. "Where I am from we call those who command elements, elementalists."


    "Someone with magic is never without a weapon. If you agree to come with me freely, and you give your word you won''t harm anyone, I''ll take you as a free woman.¡±


    "I said I am not here to harm anyone."


    ¡°If you betray my trust you''re dead." He moved even closer to her and Lyn flinched only slightly when he reached up and caressed her cheek. "It would be a shame if I had to end your life."


    She hadn''t run from Relskald to be treated like a play thing and she''d make that clear to this man. Standing taller, she looked him in the eyes and said, "As long as you do not attempt to force me into anything I do not wish for, then I will do no harm. I did not run from the cruel mistreatment of a barbarian king to be treated the same in this world."

 Chapter 4 - The Ride

    Kayden Lionheart


    The woman wasn¡¯t just beautiful, she had courage too. Those icy blue eyes looked at him like she could see through him, right into the depths of his soul. It was both arousing and terrifying.


    She stood her ground, taking him on as her equal, but a few subtle movements and flashes of fear in her eyes betrayed her.


    Kayden should be more cautious, especially with someone possessing alien magic, but he needed to touch her, to feel her skin under his fingers. So he caressed her cheek, telling her that it would be a shame to end her life.


    "As long as you don¡¯t try to force me into anything I don¡¯t want then I will do no harm. I did not run from the cruel mistreatment of a barbarian king to be treated the same in this world."


    Kayden grinned as he stepped back. "Oh, darling, I''m not that kind of monster. I''m a king. I''m not always kind, but I''ve never hurt a woman in my life."


    He¡¯d never hurt an innocent, unarmed woman in his life. Those who had fought in the war against him were a different story.


    Thankfully, his words hit the right cord because her muscles relax. "Please forgive me. I know what it is to be a leader and have to protect your people. It is why I wound up where I was."


    For a few more seconds, Kayden searched her eyes. Leaving her here would mean she¡¯d die, but taking her was a security risk.


    ¡°The desert is a cruel lover,¡± he said. ¡°Luckily for you, this nation believes that a person wandering in the desert shouldn¡¯t be judged by their past, but by their present.¡± He walked back to Thunder, knowing that he¡¯d probably treat a man harsher. Hadn''t he learned that women could be just as deadly as men? But his instinct told him that this woman wasn¡¯t here to harm them. Or maybe it was his lust telling him that. Either way, he¡¯d suffer the consequences of his action, hopefully without fatal results.


    "You can take down the spell," Kayden called out.


    A moment later, the air shimmered around them and his men were revealed a few meters away, lowering their weapons.


    Surprise flashed on the woman¡¯s face, and fear gleamed in her eyes, but she regained control quickly, and once again, stood tall, even though she wouldn¡¯t have a chance against all of them. Or maybe she had. The implication of that thought scared Kayden, but he chased it away. No one could be that powerful. There were six of them, and only one of her. And water was limited in this environment. Unless she could control blood. Then they were in trouble.


    "We need to get going to make it to safety before dusk." He mounted Thunder and reached down to help her up. "I''m Kayden Lionheart."


    She gave a slight bow, bending at the waist and keeping her eyes on his. "Arelyn Aurora, you may call me Lyn." She took his hand and he pulled her behind him. "This is a magnificent animal. I love horses."


    Kayden sighed, not wanting to chat, but he also didn''t want to be rude. "Thunder is a great horse." He looked at the woman. "Hold on tight." He winked. "I don''t mind when a beautiful woman is clinging to me."


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    He turned Thunder and slowly galloped north. Arelyn¡¯s hands rested on his waist lightly, but not out of fear of touching him. She moved with Thunder, holding on without the need to cling to him. The sign of an experienced rider.


    "The village I lived in before." She paused, only for a moment then cleared her throat. "My village had both wild and tamed horses. My husbands were excellent trainers."


    Husbands. As multiple men warming her bed. What a strange concept. No wonder she¡¯d looked at him as her equal. This woman was used to bossing men around. How else could one have multiple husbands?


    "How many husbands did you have? And what is the point of having multiple men? It¡¯s not like they can provide for more children."


    She laughed. It wasn¡¯t a pure, joyful sound, but it was a laugh, and it meant that she wasn¡¯t too tense and afraid. "I had three, on my continent the men outnumber the women so it is either multiple husbands or men go without love or the warmth of a woman''s bed. As far as children, I had four. A set of twins, both boys then a boy and girl separately. The men care for the children as much as the women do, if not more once they are weaned. I do realize this isn''t the case in all cultures."


    He¡¯d only asked about husbands, and not the number and gender of her children, and all the other things she¡¯d shared. Men caring for children more than women. What a strange and yet fascinating culture.


    Maybe he should¡¯ve been concerned about her ability to talk one¡¯s head off instead of her magical abilities. Next time he met a stranger, he¡¯d start with the question: ¡®How much do you talk?¡¯ Kayden smiled. Yeah, that sounded like a good strategy to stay alive and sane.


    ¡°What about you? Do you have wives? Or is your society strictly monogamous?"


    Maybe if he kept his answer short she got the hint and wouldn''t talk so much. "I don''t have a wife. I have chatelaines. Three. And only one daughter."


    ¡°What are chatelaines?¡±


    He rolled his eyes. ¡°A committed lover in a lower status than a wife would be. Women I take care of and in return they take care of me.¡± He hoped this was satisfying enough for her.


    "Is there a reason you have chatelaines and not wives?"


    The truth was ugly because marriage was about politics and not love. Love would activate the curse and the woman would die. So he, and other noble men in his country, stayed away from love because why feel it just to lose it?


    ¡°Because I didn¡¯t find the right woman to marry,¡± he said simply. ¡°But they¡¯re under my protection, and I¡¯m providing for them.¡±


    Arelyn shuddered behind him. "Are your women not equal in status to men?"


    Was that fear in her voice? For a woman used to bedding multiple men it must be odd not to be in control.


    "No, they aren''t." He shrugged. "My country... Well, it''s complicated. But we need women to provide enough sons. Mostly because men die young."


    "Why do they die young?"


    Kayden rolled his eyes. Elaborating on the question hadn¡¯t been his best idea to keep her silent.


    "Traditions," he said simply. "My country is based on sheer strength, and its traditions are cruel. In most cases, you only get higher if you deem worthy."


    Not to mention the fact that until recently, northern tribes had tried to gain land in his country for as long as people could remember. But adding that would mean she asked more questions, and he wasn¡¯t in the mood to talk all day.


    He looked up at the sun. "We''ll reach an oasis around sunset." There was one more thing he wanted to know before they made camp. "Why did you escape?"

 Chapter 5 - Her Escape

    Arelyn Aurora


    The answer to that was simple but she wasn¡¯t ready to admit to him that she¡¯d come here to die. He wanted an answer so Lyn would use one of her many talents: words.


    ¡°I¡¯m from the southern continent. My people are peaceful and all of us possess magic. Relskald was from the north, his people generally aren¡¯t magical. I¡¯m not even sure how a wizard was born in the north or how he learned his magic but the man opened a portal into my village and¡­¡± Lyn took a breath and a moment to get her emotions in check,  it was hard not to let them get the better of her when she was reminiscing on the pain and death she witnessed at Relskald¡¯s hand but she managed to do it.


    She told him without getting into the details of who she personally lost. Lyn spoke of how she opened a portal for her people to escape and how some stayed behind to defend her.


    Finally she said, ¡°When I let go of the magic holding the portal open I was prepared to die. Relskald¡¯s men had captured some of the women and instead of killing me, he took me too.¡±


    Her voice was tight with emotion and tinged with fear as she said, "I was his¡­ personal slave. He¡­" She paused for another moment, she wasn¡¯t ready to reveal that to this man. Instead, Lyn said, "I finally let him think he broke me. He made the mistake of removing the collar that prevented me from using magic and not putting it back on."


    When she looked up at Kayden, Lyn let as much of the truth spill out of her lips as she dared. "I escaped because it was either that or continue to suffer at his hands until he eventually killed me. I came here because I wanted to be warm." She added to the list she was keeping from this man. She only hoped that when he found out he didn''t harm her for keeping them.


    There was a pause, he''d let her get her story out but, when he spoke, she was surprised by the coldness to his voice. Was it directed at her or at Relskald?


    "No matter which country you choose, you won''t be enslaved." Kayden glanced at her. "This land isn''t ready for another war. We''re still recovering. If it was up to me, I''d give you back to avoid more deaths. It''s nothing personal."


    Nothing personal? Lyn¡¯s words were mixed with anger at the audacity and fear at the prospect. She hadn''t thought about the possibility that they might be able to open a portal and send her back. Maybe she hadn''t heard him correctly? Her words were disbelieving when she said, "Give me back?"


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    He reached for his flask and took a sip of water, then offered it to her, she took it because she needed to drink. Sipping as he spoke, "Yes, but lucky for you, it''s not up to me. The new agreements are clear on threats from other worlds. We stand united." He shrugged. "And the others are soft."


    Basic human decency meant that someone was soft? Her heart hurt at that thought and that hurt made her even more angry but she couldn''t lash out at him. Right now she needed him to get to safety. She tried to moderate her tone, keep her emotions to herself but even to her ears she heard the sarcasm as she said, "Yes, lucky me."


    She needed to get away from this man and his people as quickly as possible. She thought he was troublesome not seeing women equally but to be willing to give someone back into slavery simply because it was more convenient, that was beyond her comprehension.


    "Hopefully you won¡¯t have to worry about another war, this world is far enough that it took all my skill and knowledge to get here. I doubt that his wizard is strong enough for that. It was another part of why I chose to come here of all places."


    "The war cost us about four million people. Another few thousand deserted. When Alexander saw his end coming, he burned and salted most of the lands. We can¡¯t allow another war." Kayden''s anger bled through his words. "I''m surprised we don''t have rebellions all over the countries. Especially since Estrary¡¯s leadership has failed."


    He shook his head. "It''s not your concern. But you''ve picked a world which is still healing. If you don''t want to come home with me, you can stay here. Nolan is a great king." She could almost hear the smirk in his voice. "Equality isn''t perfect here either. Women and common people have less rights than men or nobles."


    Lyn softened at his words, he cared about his people and he thought he was protecting them by sending her back. Perhaps she could help? She shook that thought away, why would this man, who admittedly doesn¡¯t see women as equals, want her help?


    "Four million people is a high price to pay and more people than in my province." There was something else bothering her. "Why would anyone destroy lands just because they are losing doesn''t make sense to me?"


    "He destroyed the lands because if he couldn''t have them, no one could."


    "My people have an affinity with the land, to think of destroying it would never cross our minds. We use our elemental magics to work in tandem; earth replenishes the soil, water makes certain the grounds are hydrated, air helps circulate and pollinate plants. Fire and spirit have their uses as well and do their part."


    Kayden nodded but that was the only sign of him acknowledging what she said. They rode in silence for a few moments but she had so many questions and concerns and she needed to know what her fate would be. He spoke of giving her back but he also acted kind at times.


    Not bothering to worry how her questions sounded, Lyn asked, "What do you plan for me once we get to your kingdom? You say women are not equal but what awaits me if I go with you? Will I be living on the streets begging for scraps if I don''t wish to be someone''s possession?"