Redemption

30

About The Author

Daniel D. Longdon lives in the middle of England, on the border between Notts and Derbyshire. His first love are his three sons, his grandchild and wife, Emma; his writings come a close second, being a labour of love and considered by himself to be his purpose in life.

About The Book

Two princes, one nation. A country at odds with its monarchy. As the dust settles on a broken land, the two brothers that would be king face off for one last civil conflict.

Again, the land of Albion suffers at the hands of the privileged few; Mad King Blaine is the rightful heir, but not all consider him to be suitable to rule, so they back the younger prince’s, Jobe’s, claim to the throne.

Influenced by unseen and powerful forces, who will rule the land of Albion and who will Jason de Silva support in the final struggle for absolute power over the Kingdom of Albion?

The third book of Devastation, set in the land of Albion on Planet Keltica. Will Jason de Silva find the cure for mankind’s folly?

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my father, Keith Longdon, who sadly passed away on the 3rd of January 2018. Even in death, you are teaching me how to be a man. Love you, Dad, till we meet again.

Copyright Information

Copyright © Daniel D. Longdon (2019)

The right of Daniel D. Longdon to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781528919838 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781528919845 (Kindle e-book)

ISBN 9781528962858 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published (2019)

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd

25 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5LQ

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank all my friends and family who have supported me throughout the years of my life-long endeavour, thus far, all your positivity enables me to cast aside the negatives. I would also like to thank Austin Macauley, all your staff have been most helpful, humble and at times made me feel part of your family.

Prologue

Standing behind cover, the Skav kept hundreds of his kind company. Thousands more waited behind the walls of the castle which had once been thought to be impregnable. Both the inner and outer walls had been compromised, their gate houses blown to smithereens.

Just the keep and the barrack house built into the inner wall stood against them.

He held the woman as the explosives were strapped to her. She struggled in his grasp and reached out for her child whose screams were lost to the sounds of bullets from all directions. The enemy was unseen, high up on the keep’s battlements. The line of sight obscured by the wall he pressed himself to.

No woman that had been captured had escaped the attention of the horde. The one he held, even though not pretty enough for his taste, was no exception.

She must feel like shit, he thought.

The jacket was buckled in place and he dragged her to the inner wall’s destroyed gatehouse. He passed the woman forward to the waiting horde. She looked into his eyes, her face no longer twisted as she shouted at him.

Take care of the boy, she mouthed, the words lost to the tumult.

The woman ran. Bullets pinged off the stones, but every one of them missed as she slipped on the blood-soaked stones. She made it to the door that barred the horde’s way. Gripping the detonator, she turned to see her son one last time. She cried, hyperventilating, unable to see him and squinted as she pressed the button, fearful for her son’s life.

The woman lit up like a firework. The powerful explosion left nothing recognisable behind. The door blew inwards. It had suffered more than one attack to its integrity. Splintered wood filled the air around the ruined door and a cheer went up from the men around him.

Someone handed him the boy. He was young, so young he would struggle to survive on his own. He looked at the boy, thinking of what the woman had said. He lifted him up as he was forced to move by the press of bodies surrounding him, trying to gain access to the keep and the seat of power they were so desperate to obtain.

He had to cross the inner courtyard and a hail of bullets that was fired by the defenders. As he passed into the light of the day, he lofted the boy child above him. As he ran, the child jerked in his arms. Slick warm blood ran down his forearm and he knew the boy had been hit. Then he was at the door, pressed in by so many bodies, he struggled to get his arms down at first. He looked up to the limp body and cast it aside; he did not wish to hold onto the corpse.

Feeling the crush of the bottle-neck, he forced his way into the tunnel that led into the large keep’s ground floor. He thought the crush might ease once inside but the pressure increased as those behind pushed on.

Then he was free as he neared the sound of fighting and he found himself rushing forward into a large chamber, facing a line of soldiers firing at them.

A young, naked woman tried to get back past him, an impossible task with what came from behind them, so he grabbed her and turned her around to use her as a human shield. She was not much older than a teenager and she struggled in his grasp. His bloodied hand slipped across her breast and he was forced to grab hold of her hair.

He raised his gun and fired several times. The sounds of battle lost to him as both he and his captive fell, shot by the same bullet from the enemy’s relentless fire.

Freeze, Maximilian Brayford said as he stepped through the holographic projection. Before him sat the government of Homeworlds, those few planets that had escaped the destruction of the great ending that’d nearly finished mankind and all their achievements.

There were six planets in two solar systems. The government had struggled to keep order in the months after the destruction brought about by their own technology. Crime and debauchery had spiralled out of control until the private companies came to the rescue and offered help and support, at the same time, taking massive concessions for their labours.

Maximilian was a politician of the highest rank in the Homeworlds Senate, his constituency was on the planet of the Senate, the planet Newton, the largest and most populated among the six.

This, this is what I bring to your attention! he said.

The Senate was silent; most of those present enjoyed the entertainment aired by the corporations. It wasn’t the first time the government had looked into the problem of what was shown to a blood hungry populace and in the past, the government had had limited success against the corporation’s pressure. However, they had gone after the Galactic Reality Network and the popular show Keltica. Keltica had been the first reality planet, it had always been the people’s favourite and every time the government had gone after it, they had failed, giving into the people’s desires.

I have attempted to call the network’s CEO, Roger Lanister, but he refuses to answer my calls. I have told him before, as I will tell him now, he must tone down what the network airs.

The people will not have it! a lone voice yelled from near the back of the auditorium.

They must and they will. I can no longer watch mankind’s morality slip further into darkness. Only the other day, my great-great grandchild ran past me shouting: ‘I’m Memphis Grimm, I’m going to fuck you up!’

A murmuring titter was heard at the quote from the main character from the dog world Lorela, followed by the network.

You may laugh, but the child is only five years of age.

They will not listen to your calls for censorship! another senator yelled, that one was much closer to him and the stage he stood upon.

Bursting open at the back of the auditorium, the doors revealed five well-dressed people who marched down the steps towards the stage. At their head was Roger Lanister, CEO for the Galactic Reality Network. He was followed by Rosalind Abraham, the CEO of the Planetary Entertainment Corp, Jake Goldstein, the CEO of Universal & Planetary Entertainment, Dylan Herschel, CEO of the Black Hole Logistics Company and Anita Spitz, CEO of Galactic and Universal Solar and Lunar Power.

They were flanked by ten armoured corporation guardsmen wearing the coloured armour of the companies that paid them; two for each of the corporations.

The hall erupted as they entered the senate and every senator stood to voice their complaints as the unthinkable happened. The heads of the five main corporations dared enter the senate, uninvited and with an armed escort.

None moved against them, fearful of the mercenary employees and the guns they hoisted at shoulder height, unsure whether they would use them or not. They were but politicians and not soldiers, after all.

By the time the CEOs had made the foot of the stage, the assembly had retaken their seats, although they jeered in protest of the intrusion.

Roger Lanister climbed the three steps to the stage and was immediately confronted by Maximilian, his cheeks reddened in anger.

How dare you enter the senate while assembled and in conference? he shouted, spittle flying into Roger Lanister’s face.

Roger wiped the damp from his cheek with the corner of his sleeve then smiled.

Come now, Maximilian, can we not be friends?

It’s Senator Brayford to you!

The senator was much shorter than the CEO and he was forced to look up into Roger’s eyes, but he baulked as the CEO turned his back on him and raised his hand for silence so he could address those that ruled Homeworlds.

Please, please, will you not let me speak?

The assembly finally came to heel, more out of curiosity than anything else; they wanted to know what the most powerful man in all the Homeworlds had to say.

Thank you, he said, his voice amplified by the acoustics of the room. Let me begin by saying I know why the senate is in session this day. For a while, we have known of your intention to censor our businesses and bring the corporations to heel.

The last he said with a sneer and a cruel wave of his hand.

Then I don’t have to explain to you how you threaten the moral fibre of our youth with your shows. They must be toned down if you don’t want the sight of so much depravity shoved in the faces of those that would be damaged.

If the parents don’t care what their children watch, why should we? It is surely the government’s duty to ensure parents are more responsible!

If the corporations censored what they aired, there wouldn’t be a problem.

By toning down our shows, they would become less appealing and we would, therefore, lose a lot of our audience.

The senate listened to the arguments of both men as they got louder and louder until they shouted their opinions at one another. Leaning red faced, one toward the other, they looked like they might fall into each other.

Have you ever considered a watershed? Let’s say ten o’clock in the evening?

Enough! Lanister shouted.

They faced off, both breathing heavily from their exchange of words. They had never liked each other and, in over a thousand years, had never had a nice word to say about the other, but that was by far the most hostile they had ever been.

The CEO was the first to break the stare. He turned again to address his audience.

Before he could utter another word, the senator spoke. If you do not do as I ask, I will put it to the senate, using the military if necessary. I will have your operations shut down within the week! Maximilian said, softening his voice.

Roger Lanister paused with the threat directed at the corporations. Although he suspected it might well be something personal between the two of them, playing out in the much larger theatre on a galactic scale.

If it’s war you want, then it’s war you shall have! You may have a fleet that rivals that of any one of the corporations, but combined, you’re no match for us, Lanister raised his voice to make sure that the whole assembly heard what he had to say next. May I remind you that you rely on the corporations to make and deliver your goods, including missiles, fuel and spare parts? And let’s not forget the Forever Pill. Tell me, ladies and gentlemen, how many of you want to go on living?

With his job done, Roger Lanister walked from the room, back the way he had come. He smiled as he climbed the steps to the door. He had delivered his opinion on current events and knew he had gained control of the senate. They wouldn’t dare confront him again on the matter of censorship, and if they were stupid enough to declare war on the corporations, they would soon find they had bitten off far more than they could chew.

Chapter 1

Leaves fell, blowing in the breeze. The circle of ferns around the monument was not abundant enough to divide it from the parkland beyond. They’d only been planted some months before and the stray leaves managed to invade the space around the foot of the lifelike statue.

Jason de Silva looked up into the eyes of his deceased wife’s visage, gone from the world forever, tortured by his enemies for no other reason than the fact that she was his wife. Jason held Hector in his arms; he hardly felt the toddler’s weight. Louis stood pressed to his father’s side and looked up at his mother with wide eyes. He knew she would never return and he wept, as he had most days since he’d learned of her passing.

Rebecca stood beyond the circle of trees, not wanting to ruin the moment for Jason and his boys, but at the same time, she felt a little jealous of the memories Jason shared with his past.

The wars of the summer seemed an age ago. Autumn had arrived, the sun had begun to cross the sky closer to the horizon and the days grew shorter.

Jason often took the boys walking in the park but mostly tried to avoid Jacky’s shrine, that day though, he had purposefully headed there. Jason had planned on moving away to the town that had grown near the works of the fortress in the Middle Mountains, some miles north of Mount Aamor, and he couldn’t leave without saying farewell.

Jason struggled to find his words with the boys at his side, so he had to be content with his thoughts. After some time, they turned from the statue and wandered off down the path, through the gap in the trees to re-join Rebecca.

Rebecca took Hector from Jason and secured him in his pushchair; she looked at Jason and smiled.

Are you all right? she said.

I’m fine with it.

Jason nodded towards Louis, he indicated that his main concern was his eldest son who continued to cry, and then he looked back in the direction of what symbolized the defining moment in the boy’s childhood.

The chill wind increased in strength as they walked back toward Ramby Hall, and the coolness of the afternoon forced them to pick up their pace until they arrived back at the large stately home.

On entering the home of Alfred Carnell, the mayor of Ramby and Rebecca’s father, Jason went into the kitchen and left his two sons in Rebecca’s care.

He was met there by his father, Harold, and Alfred who both stood as he entered.

Jason, Harold stepped toward his son as concern creased his face.

I’m all right, Jason replied.

Jason manoeuvred around the table to sit down with the old men. The two had become close friends, almost like brothers as the months of the summer’s war had ground on and the duties of running the Midlands had been left to them and a handful of helpers.

Jason, we’ve agreed that I should stay here. It’s better for our work, and besides, this place has become my home.

Harold looked across the table and waited for a response that never came; Jason’s attention was diverted to the open door, he saw Rebecca in the hall making Louis smile. She spoke softly to the boy who had at last stopped crying.

I think you should stay too, Alfred has agreed this is our home as much as his.

Jason turned to the two old men; they both looked at him.

Look, Father, I can’t stay here any longer. We’ve been through all of this, you can do what you like but I have to go north to oversee the fortresses construction. And Alfred, you know, I’m grateful for all you have done, but I must go. I need to move on and that’s the end of the matter.

What about Rebecca? Alfred asked, a tinge of annoyance in his voice. You know she loves you!

Yes, I know and that’s one of the reasons I must go. She’s half my age, and besides that, I’m not ready yet.

Turning together, they fell silent, Rebecca stood in the doorway with her arms folded across her chest as she leaned on the doorframe.

How long have you been there? Alfred asked the young woman.

Long enough to be embarrassed by your conversation.

A knock at the door turned their heads, giving pause to their thoughts.

Rebecca disappeared down the corridor as the kitchen fell silent. The three men stared at the table as they tried to hide their embarrassment in the grains of wood.

Your Highness, Rebecca said as she opened the door.

Jason imagined the girl to curtsy after she spoke and knew Edmund was at the door.

Rebecca, how many times do I have to tell you? I’ve abdicated the throne. Not only do I not like it but it is treason to call me by that title. Please, call me Edmund. Edmund sounded happy as he entered the kitchen with his fiancée. Patricia’s pregnancy was obvious; her bump had increased in size since they had visited a fortnight before.

Who’s died? Edmund asked as he looked at the three silent men around the kitchen table.

Rebecca fled up the stairs; she’d had enough of the men that thought they could joust with her future.

Oh, Jason, Patricia Armstrong said, smiling. You’re a fool to turn down such a beauty!

So, you all keep saying, Jason said, thinking of the lass with whom his children had fallen in love.

Jobe sat with Emma on the grass of the small hillock not far from the construction site. They could hear the noise of the machinery as the builders and artisans worked on the fortress, the Middle Mountains at their backs.

Jacob lounged not too far away and two young women sat with him, one to either side. He turned and smiled at Jobe, the two warriors had become good friends. Since their first ill-fated meeting earlier in the summer which had almost ended in bloodshed, they had become almost inseparable and Jacob had sworn his allegiance to the prince.

That move was greatly encouraged by the leaders of the People’s Army, especially Jason who had always regretted the formation of the Young Corps, the blood of the teenage army was no longer on his hands.

Jobe looked past the tryst to the walls of the fortress and looked down its length. It amazed him to think that in such a short time, a five-foot wall, ten feet thick and for such a long distance could be constructed.

How high are they going to build? Emma asked, running a finger down the middle of his chest.

According to the plans, the walls will be thirty feet high with another inner wall planned at a later date.

Jimmy Fowler hurried up the hill, he had lost a little weight in the months since the end of the war and a smile creased his face as he reached the top. He tried not to sound too flustered as he took slow, measured breaths. A breeze lifted his hair from his brow as he came to a stop.

Jobe, your Highness, the duchess is en-route and requires an audience. She called ahead and requests you turn on your mobile!

Jobe exhaled, one of those ‘why me’ breaths as he lay back and contemplated the duchess and the meeting that he couldn’t avoid. He could run and hide, even move north of the Middle Mountains, but she would find him, wherever he fled to, she would track him down in an attempt to twist his arm.

How long till she arrives? Jobe asked; exhaling once more as he sat up, his head hung low.

She should arrive sometime this afternoon; she has an errand to run before she makes for your meeting.

Very well, let’s make preparations.

Susan Partridge, the last Duchess of Boadicea stepped from the luxurious vehicle she travelled around in onto the gravelled driveway with a guard on either side of her. Since the failed attempt to retake Boadicea from the Skavites, the duchess had come to rely on her cousin, King Blaine, living off his charity and doing his bidding. She travelled around Albion on the various errands he ordered her to undertake.

She looked at Ramby Hall and then down at the suit she wore, although she did look the part, she regretted the official outfits Blaine ordered her to wear when out on royal business. She hated the knee length skirts and the drab colours but the thing she hated most of all was being Blaine’s slave.

The duchess reached the door and rapped loudly, her escort turned to face the parkland and look for any threat that might present itself.

Susan turned to face a gust of wind which sent dead leaves spiralling upwards into a vortex.

A good omen and a sign of power, she thought as the door opened and a smiling Jason de Silva barred the way.

Susan!

Jason. Will you let us in then or are we to remain in this chilly air?

Yes, of course, come in all of you. Jason moved aside to give access to the warmth of Ramby Hall.

The guards smiled and looked at each other as they turned to enter. Their smiles, however, were short lived.

Remain with the vehicle and guard the perimeter, the duchess ordered them, she didn’t want the king’s men privy to any discussion. She didn’t trust them at all.

Susan followed Jason down the short corridor and marvelled at the dark walls that had gathered dust since her last visit to the stately home. They entered the kitchen which overflowed with smiling faces, all laughing as they shared a joke or two at the expense of an imaginary Skav.

How’s my favourite cousin? Edmund asked as he went to greet her.

I’m fine, thank you, a damn sight better than our illustrious king, Susan sighed. He still wants the Sceptre of the King and he’s prepared to go to any lengths to obtain said item, Susan pleaded with her eyes as much as her voice.

What else? Edmund asked, he knew his cousin very well and could tell she was hiding something.

She stared at her older cousin, then looked past him to Patricia, who’d joined them. She talked quietly to Rebecca who moved around the room serving drinks. Susan’s eyes came to rest on Patricia’s small bump.

Edmund followed Susan’s stare then turned back to Susan, the smile gone from his face.

Tell my cousin, King Blaine of all Albion, neither I, nor mine, will wish to sit upon the throne of Albion. Not now and not at any time in the future. He’s welcome to it and I’m best rid of it! Edmund finished and only then realized he had shouted.

What’s the matter? Jason asked, appearing at Susan’s side.

It’s Blaine again, Edmund said.

Still after the Sceptre? Jason asked.

It’s worse than that, Edmund fumed.

Clear the room! Jason shouted unnecessarily, everyone had quieted to listen to the once-king’s rant.

The room was slow to clear; everyone wanted to know what knowledge had caused Edmund to crack like he had. Eventually though, the room was down to Edmund, Patricia, Jason and Susan. Rebecca was the last to leave.

Rebecca, send Ethan and Teddy back in please, Jason said.

Of course.

The four of them sat around the table, the look of anger on Edmund’s face was enough to silence them all.

He wants the child! Edmund said as Teddy and Ethan entered the room.

What? Patricia said, one hand covering her bump, the other drifting to the neck line of her shirt.

He sees our child as a threat to his kingship, Edmund said, calming.

But we said we just want to live a normal life.

If we could get him the sceptre, it might keep Blaine satisfied for a while, Susan leaned back in her chair and looked at those around her.

Jobe has it and he won’t let it go, Edmund said.

Patricia stood and left the room, worry and concern etched across her face as Rebecca met her at the door and led her away.

Why does he want it though, why not just give it over? Teddy Williams looked bemused, his mind wandered to the plight of the brother and the king.

It’s simple, it annoys his brother. They have never got on and for years, Blaine has tormented Jobe about anything and everything he could. Now, Jobe has something his brother wants and it’s payback time, Edmund said.

That simple? Teddy asked.

That simple.

Even if the rest of Albion is drawn into yet another civil conflict so soon after the last, one that it can ill afford and would cause political and social chaos? Ethan asked.

Yep, Edmund answered.

They can’t see the big picture. As brothers, they never grew up and in some respects, they are still the children that fought for all those years, Susan said. Where’s that servant girl? I’m thirsty.

So, thousands have to die because of sibling rivalry? Jason shook his head in disbelief.

Teddy looked to Edmund and smiled.

You could always order him to hand the sceptre over, he said.

Do you forget I’m just a commoner nowadays, living off your master’s charity? Whereas Jobe is second in line to the throne.

They all sat around in silence, contemplating what had been discussed. The fact that Jobe was the highest ranking one among them escaped none of them.

Looks like we’re going to have to pay Jobe a visit and persuade him to send the wretched thing south to Blaine, Susan suggested and looked at the faces around her as she searched for any possible ally.

We can only try, Jason agreed.

And if we fail? Ethan asked.

We have no choice but to succeed, there’s too much riding on it, Susan said as she stood and turned to make for the door.

Chapter 2

Blaine sat upon the newly made throne in the council chambers in Eldersfield. Although he was comfortable in the padded seat, he couldn’t relax. The royal court bustled about him. His friends and advisors came and went and on the surface, it was business as usual. His mind was troubled; he craved for the relics that declared him the rightful king.

His mind often drifted to the island of Boadicea, the newly formed Skavnation and the Sword of Albion. He longed to hold the sword that had been passed down the royal line since historic records began, a little over nine hundred years before. He knew it would be easy to retake the island nation but held back from doing so, if he did, the duchess of Boadicea would return there to reclaim her throne. Although he had every intention of killing every Skav that walked beneath the Five Moons, he needed the duchess to do his bidding for a little while longer. With her help, he stood a chance of persuading his brother, Prince Jobe to hand over the Sceptre of Kingship. Without her, he stood no chance short of forcing it from his brother’s hands.

Sire, Your Majesty, the aide said, drawing him from his train of thought. Commissioner Kingsley is here to see you, Sire.

The aide stepped back as Blaine sat up