Six Heads One Crown (The Pearl of Wisdom Saga Book 3) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  POV/VIP CHARACTER INFORMATION

  Prologue

  RICEROS

  EMILIA

  ELISA

  A-BREHAN

  ELISA

  ALI-TERSEN

  Damian Doome

  JON

  A-TERSEN

  B-RUXIN

  C-JON

  D-MARIAH

  The Man with the Golden Sword

  A-Emilia

  Sunny

  LEIMUR

  ELISA

  TERSEN

  JON

  A-MARIAH

  B-RUXIN

  C-LEIMUR

  D-MARIAH

  E-RUXIN

  F-LEIMUR

  F-JON

  G-LEIMUR

  RUSSELL

  RICEROS

  SUNNY

  The Man with the Golden Sword

  B-Emilia

  Elisa

  Elisa

  Tersen

  Jon

  RUXIN

  MARIAH

  LEIMUR

  SUNNY

  A-RICEROS

  B-RUSSELL

  THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN SWORD

  A-EMILIA

  ELISA

  A-BREHAN

  TERSEN

  LEIMUR

  A-RUXIN

  B-JON

  C-LEIMUR

  D-MARIAH

  THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN SWORD

  A-EMILIA

  SUNNY

  A-RUSSELL

  B-RICEROS

  ELISA

  A-BREHAN

  LEIMUR

  JON

  A-MARIAH

  THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN SWORD

  A-EMILIA

  B-THE MAN

  C-EMILIA

  DAMIAN

  A-SUNNY

  B-RUSSELL

  C-RICEROS

  Epilogue

  SIX HEADS, ONE CROWN

  Volume 3-The Pearl of Wisdom Saga

  Written by Jason Paul Rice

  Published by Jason Paul Rice

  Cover Art by Nikola Avramavic

  1st Edition (2017)

  Copyright © 2017 by Jason Paul Rice

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. All names are made up and used fictionally. Any resemblance to real people is completely coincidental. Any resemblance to real events is only part of the author’s imagination.

  Special Thank You: Nandita, Nik, Mom, Scarlett Harrell-Koettel, Tara Woods, Bob Morrison

  For a view of the full color map go to: http://jasonpaulricebooks.com

  To View the Maps, Go To: http://jasonpaulricebooks.com/mapsimages/

  *Background information for the Pearl of Wisdom Series*

  POV/VIP CHARACTER INFORMATION

  ALI-STANLEY WAMHOFF-65-FOX CHAPEL

  KING OF DONEGAL, OLD, FLABBY MAN, VERY CLUMSY, HAS BEEN KING FOR 30 YEARS, NOT A WARRIOR OR GOOD LEADER

  ALI-STER WAMHOFF-18-FOX CHAPEL

  KING'S SON, BATTLE TESTED, UNMARRIED, TALL/RED HAIR/BROWN EYES, LONG FRECKLED FACE, BACK IN CAPITOL AFTER FOUR YEARS AT WAR

  BREHAN CASTAWAY-22-MATTINGLY

  KNIGHT, BASTARD FROM PEARL ISLANDS, DARK SKIN/CHISELED FEATURES/GREEN EYES, CLOSE TO RICEROS & IN SECRET RELATIONSHIP WITH ELISA

  EDBURGH ETBURN-26-WATERS EDGE

  BROWN HAIR/BLUE EYES, SON OF DUKE TYUS ETBURN OF WATERS EDGE, BATTLE TESTED, SEEKING VENGEANCE

  ELISA BURKE WAMHOFF-18-BURKEVILLE

  DAUGHTER OF DUKE OF BURKEVILLE, TALL/PALE, LONG BROWN HAIR AND EYES, MARRIED TO HEIR OF THE KINGDOM, PRINCE ALI-VARIS WAMHOFF

  EMILIA BURKE WAMHOFF-33-FOX CHAPEL

  LOWER BORN MEMBER OF THE BURKE FAMILY, QUEEN OF DONEGAL, MARRIED KING AT 14, FRISKY, BORED WITH THE KING AND CASTLE LIFE

  JON COLBERT-41-MATTINGLY

  DUKE OF MATTINGLY, AT ODDS WITH KING BECAUSE OF HIS FATHER’S REBELLION, SHORT/STOUT, GREEN EYES, BLOND HAIR

  LEIMUR LELUC-20-GOLDENFIELD

  PRINCESS, EXPELLED FROM CASTLE BY PARENTS AT 16, ROSE UP THE RANKS OF ARMY, BADASS, BLACK HAIR/PURPLE EYES

  THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN SWORD-30

  BASTARD OF UNKOWN PARENTS FROM BLAIRS BEAK, BELIEVES HE IS DESTINED TO BE KING, BLOND HAIR/BLUE EYES, HAD A ROUGH LIFE SO FAR

  MARIAH COLBERT-17-MATTINGLY

  GIRLIE GIRL, DAUGHTER OF DUKE JON COLBERT, NAIVE, TALL AND SKINNY, LIGHT BROWN HAIR/GRAY EYES

  OLLOR-??

  MYSTERIOUS MAN OF UNKOWN BACKGROUND, ON A MISSION TO SAVE HIS SOUL, CASTLE BORN BUT RUGGED

  PENROSE ELLSWORTH-20-FOX CHAPEL

  MEMBER OF KINGSGUARD, HAUNTED BY VOICES, BLOND HAIR/BLUE EYES, KINGS RIGHT HAND GUARD

  RICEROS COLBERT-11-MATTINGLY

  A SCRAWNY KID, SON OF DUKE JON COLBERT, BLOND HAIR/GREEN EYES, MUTE, GENIUS, EXPERT ARCHER, MYSTERIOUS PAST

  RUSSELL SEABROOK-17-WATERS EDGE

  KNIGHT, BASTARD, LIVES IN CASTLE AS THE FAVORITE OF THE DUCHESS ALI-PARI, LOOKING FOR MORE IN LIFE

  RULING FAMILIES BY REGION

  FOX CHAPEL

  WAMHOFF FAMILY CREST: TWO FOXES ADDORSED ON EITHER SIDE OF A CROWN

  PATRIARCH--KING ALI-STANLEY WAMHOFF-65

  MATRIARCH--QUEEN EMILIA BURKE WAMHOFF-33 KING'S 1ST WIFE--PARYS ETBURN WAMHOFF-DEAD

  SONS--ALI-VARIS-47(PARYS), ALI-STER-18(EMILIA), ALI-SUNDRY(EMILIA)(DEAD)

  DAUGHTERS--ALI-TERRI-45, ALI-CARY-38, ALI-TISTE-34, ALI-BIA-29, ALI-GARE-26, ALI-SANDRE(DEAD)--ALL BORN TO PARYS

  KING’S GUARD KNIGHTS--SIR PENROSE ELLSWORTH-20, SIR ANDERLEY ELLSWORTH-26, SIR JERMAR LOLAT-33, SIR OLIVER WEDGEWORD-42, SIR NATE EDGEWELL-36, SIR THOMAS MARON-34

  GRAND COUNT SILZEUS

  MATTINGLY

  COLBERT FAMILY CREST: A GOLDEN BULL ON A BLACK FIELD

  PATRIARCH--DUKE JON COLBERT-41

  MATRIARCH--DUCHESS CAMELLE ETBURN COLBERT-38

  SONS--KRYS-18, RYNO-16, RUXIN-15, RICEROS-11

  DAUGTER--MARIAH-17

  NOTABLE KNIGHTS--SIR BREHAN CASTAWAY-22, SIR HERMAN WEIHAM-38, SIR BALTHASAR STRONG-44, SIR RICHARD ROSEBUD-40, SIR JEREMIAH ELMHURST-28, SIR RYAN CAUGHLEIGH-18, SIR GUNNAR PINE-36

  COUNT SPROUL

  WATERS EDGE

  ETBURN FAMILY CREST: SILVER EAGLE ON A FIELD OF BURGUNDY

  PATRIARCH--DUKE TYUS ETBURN-81

  MATRIARCH--DUCHESS ALI-PARI WAMHOFF ETBURN-70

  SONS--BEN-54, PAUL-52, ELIAH-50, ROLLO(DEAD), EDBURGH-26

  DAUGHTERS—CAMELLE-38

  NOTABLE KNIGHTS--SIR RANDALL WENDELL-52, SIR RAYMOND STEVENS-60, SIR PERRY STEVENS-47, SIR GARY STEVENS-54, SIR LAWRENCE STEVENS-50, SIR RUSSELL SEABROOK-17

  COUNT PRIEHOLD

  BURKEVILLE

  BURKE FAMILY CREST: BLACK BEAR ON AN ARGENT FIELD

  PATRIARCH--DUKE ASTON BURKE-38

  MATRIARCH--DUCHESS ALI-TISTE WAMHOFF BURKE-34

  SONS--BUTREL-4, ASTRID-2

  DAUGHTERS--ELISA-18, TELLY-14

  NOTABLE KNIGHTS-- SIR ERICH LONGWAY-36, SIR REGIS GREEN-27, SIR BARRY BONDIFER-44, SIR ALEXANDER APPLEBAUR-30, SIR DENNY PLUMLEE-46

  COUNT BIDWELL

  BOTTOMFOOT

  MALIK FAMILY CREST: SILVER RAM ON A POWDER BLUE FIELD

  PATRIARCH--EDWORD MALIK-41

  MATRIARCH--LUCILLE MALIK-41

  SON--TORVALD

  NOTABLE KNIGHTS--LANDRY LEMON-31, THEY CLAIM TO ONLY HAVE ONE KNIGHT

  INFORMATION ABOUT BOTTOMFOOT IS SECRET DUE TO THEIR NEUTRALITY
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br />   BUT MORE WILL COME OUT IN VOLUME II

  KINGDOM OF GOLDENFIELD

  PATRIARCH--KING PASCAL LELUC-51

  MATRIARCH--QUEEN HARLA LELUC-39

  SONS--HUBER-4, ROMER-2

  DAUGHTERS--LEIMUR-20, LEIRUM(DEAD)

  SUCCESSION OF KINGS FROM KINGDOM OF DONEGAL

  THE CALENDAR OF DONEGAL STARTED WHEN THE WAMHOFF FAMILY, LED BY A MAN NAMED DUS CONQUERED A SMALL PORTION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOLDENFIELD. THE WAMHOFFS NAMED DUS THE KING OF THE NEWLY FORGED DONEGAL AND GAVE HIM A MORE REGAL SOUNDING NAME WITH ALI-DUS. THE FOUR-SEASON/TWELVE MONTH CALENDAR WITH EACH SEASON LASTING 90 DAYS/THIRTY DAY MONTHS WAS CREATED IN THE FIRST YEAR OF ALI-DUS' REIGN.

  1-41(Calendar Year)-KING ALI-DUS THE GREAT-(Age of Rule 22-63)

  LED A RAG TAG BUNCH FROM THE ANDROSI ISLES AND FENDED OFF THE GOLDENFIELD ARMY TO CREATE A KINGDOM CALLED DONEGAL. KNOWN AS ALI-DUS THE GREAT BECAUSE HE IMPROVED EVERYONES LIVES AND GAVE THEM THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM THEY WERE SEEKING. DIED OF NATURAL CAUSES WHILE FISHING.

  41-50-KING ALI-RAMUEL-(Age of Rule 24-33)--First Son of Ali-Dus

  DIED OF A SUDDEN FEVER UNDER VERY SUSPICOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. KNOWN AS A GOOD KING.

  50-67-KING ALI-RAVEN THE DANGEROUS-(Age of Rule 18-35)--Third Son of Ali-Ramuel

  HE HAD TWO BROTHERS AHEAD OF HIM AS HEIR TO THE THRONE. BOTH DIED MYSTERIOUSLY, AND THEN HIS FATHER, THE KING, DIED SUDDENLY. IT WAS WIDELY BELIEVED THAT HE KILLED THOSE IN HIS WAY TO EARN THE TITLE, "THE DANGEROUS." HE DIED ON A HUNT.

  67-89-KING ALI-NERON-(Age of Rule 13-35)--First Son of Ali-Raven

  DIED IN A DUEL WITH HIS YOUNGER BROTHER, ALI-GARETH. HE HAD ALWAYS BEEN JEALOUS OF HIS YOUNGER BROTHER AND WHEN HIS QUEEN TOOK A STRONG LIKING TO ALI-GARETH, HE CHALLENGED HIM TO A DUEL. HE LOST.

  89-114-KING ALI-GARETH THE BRAVE-(Age of Rule 25-50)—Second Son of Ali-Raven

  GOOD KING. TOOK ALI-NERON’S QUEEN AS HIS AFTER THE VICTORY. ON A MILITARY CAMPAIGN, HE DEVELOPED A WOUND THAT ULTIMATELY BECAME INFECTED AND DIED.

  114-138-KING ALI-TERRY-(Age of Rule 31-44)--Second Son of Ali-Gareth

  HIS OLDER BROTHER, ALI-GARETH II, DIED OF WINTER FEVER TWO WEEKS BEFORE HE WOULD TAKE RULE AS KING. STARTED OUT AS A GOOD KING BUT THEN GAVE IN TO THE WORLD OF OVERINDULGANCE. DIDN’T GET ALONG WITH THE RULING NOBLES. WAS EXPELLED FROM DONEGAL AFTER LOSING A KING’S MOOT TO HIS SON, ALI-SANDER.

  138-184-KING ALI-SANDER "THE RAGING FOX"-(Age of Rule 12-48)--Fourth Son of Ali-Terry

  POWERFUL MEN SAW THE POTENTIAL IN ALI-SANDER FROM A YOUNG AGE AND THEY USED HIM TO EXPEL HIS FATHER, ALI-TERRY. GREAT CONQUERING KING WHO INCREASED THE SIZE OF DONEGAL GREATLY. DIED IN BATTLE WHILE SEARCHING FOR THE PEARL OF WISDOM.

  184-185-QUEEN ALI-TISTE-(Age of Rule 40-40)--Wife of Ali-Sander

  DIED SUDDENLY WHILE HOLDING THE THRONE FOR ALI-BANLY. POISON WAS THE PRIME SUSPECT. WAS ONLY HOLDING THE THRONE FOR A FEW YEARS UNTIL HER SON'S 12TH BIRTHDAY.

  185-187-KING ALI-TARRISON-(Age of Rule 40-42)--Brother of Ali-Sander

  NAMED KING AFTER THE DEATH OF ALI-TISTE UNTIL HE WAS FOUND GUILTY OF POISONING THE QUEEN. THE TRIAL TOOK OVER A YEAR BUT HE EVENTUALLY HAD HIS HEAD PUT ON A SPIKE.

  187-187-KING ALI-BANLY THE SICKLY-(Age of Rule 11-12)--Only Remaining Son of Ali-Sander

  THE WEAK ALI-BANLY TOOK THE THRONE ONLY A FEW WEEKS BEFORE HIS BIRTHDAY. ON HIS TWELFTH BIRTHDAY, HE DIED IN HIS SLEEP. MOST BELIEVED HE WAS SMOTHERED BECAUSE HE HAD A BROKEN AND BLOODY NOSE.

  187-187-QUEEN ALI-GANOLY-(Age of Rule 34-34)--Ali-Sander's Sister

  WON A KING/QUEEN’SMOOT AGAINST ALI-SANDER'S COUSIN. DIED TWO WEEKS LATER FROM A RANDOM ARROW ATTACK IN THE KING’S WOODS.

  187-187-KING ALI-HARRISON THE HAUNTED-(Age of Rule 52-52)--Ali-Sander's Cousin

  HE WAS BEHIND THE KILLING OF QUEEN ALI-GANOLY. IT HAUNTED HIM UNTIL HE JUMPED OFF THE HIGHEST TOWER ON THE KING’S CASTLE AND DIED.

  187-200-KING ALI-BRONDELL "THE FOREVER KING"-(Age of Rule 14-26)--Ali-Harrison's First Son

  NICKNAMED THE FOREVER KING AFTER LASTING TWO YEARS ON THE THRONE. AFTER FIVE KINGS IN ONLY A LITTLE OVER A YEAR, ALI-BRONDELL BROUGHT STABILITY BACK TO THE THRONE. DIED ON MILITARY CONQUEST.

  200-231-KING ALI-ANTONE-(Age of Rule 12-45)--First Son of Ali-Brondell

  WAS A GOOD, CONQUERING KING WHO DIED DUE TO A SHIP WRECK.

  231-270-KING ALI-ANTWELLE-(Age of Rule 28-67)--Second Son of Ali-Antone

  STARTED OUT AS A GOOD KING, BUT RAN THE KINGDOM INTO A LOT OF FINANCIAL TROUBLE BEFORE HE DIED OF OLD AGE.

  270-297-KING ALI-ANTONE II-(Age of Rule 41-68)--Second Son of Ali-Antwelle

  A WISE AND JUST KING WHO CURED ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT HIS FATHER HAD CAUSED. DIED PEACEFULLY IN BED.

  297-299-KING ALI-ANTEMIS-(Age of Rule 31-33)--Fourth Son of Ali-Antone II

  BECAME EXTREMELY GLUTTONOUS AFTER BECOMING KING. CHOKED ON A FOWL BONE AND DIED.

  299-304-QUEEN ALI-TOMEO-(Age of Rule 26-31)--Wife of Ali-Antemis

  HELD THRONE FOR FIVE YEARS AS REGENT FOR HER SON, ALI-PHARELL. ONLY QUEEN TO SURVIVE HER ENTIRE RULE ON THE THRONE.

  304-341-KING ALI-PHARELL-(Age of Rule 12-49)--First Son of Ali-Antemis

  CONSIDERED THE LAST OF THE GOOD KINGS. SUCCESSFUL REIGN. WENT TO GAMA TRAKA AND NEVER CAME BACK. THEY SAY HE DISAPPEARED IN THE NIGHT TO LIVE IN GAMA TRAKA.

  341-364-KING ALI-BARIS-(Age of Rule 31-54)--1st Son of Ali-Pharell

  DRUNK, WHORE CHASER. DIDN'T TAKE THE THRONE SERIOUSLY. DIED WHILE HAVING SEX IN A BROTHEL.

  364-384-KING ALI-BASTER-(Age of Rule 32-52)--Second Son of Ali-Baris

  ANOTHER BAD KING. DIED WHILE ON THE CHAMBER POT. FAMILY TOLD EVERYONE HE DIED ON THE THRONE.

  384-414(Present)-KING ALI-STANLEY-(Age of Rule 35-65)--First Twin Son of Ali-Baster

  Prologue

  Mim walked through the castle after a ride with Paul. The fresh-faced teen had a figurative golden glow surrounding her face when she smiled, and it gave her an angelic quality. She always smiled when thinking about Paul. They were cousins, although Aunt Telly had always indicated to Mim that they weren’t related. Her aunt had never fully explained why, and Mim always got nervous and couldn’t broach the subject when the two ladies were alone. The two teenagers were paired together for almost everything that required a partner. They were a great looking couple and looked perfect together. Mim thought about Paul’s jet-black hair, brushed to the side and tucked behind his ear. He was a sturdy young man, yet lightning quick with a sword. Mim recalled last year’s tourney when Paul finished fifth at only fourteen. He had won the swordplay event, defeating his uncle in the final match. He had a big nose, a longstanding trait in the Burke menfolk, but Mim had never noticed it. She usually focused on his haunting dark eyes. Mim got to her room and her guard opened the door for her. She immediately noticed the window was open. She went over and stuck her head out but didn’t see anything amiss. She used the hand crank to wind the rosace window shut again and wondered how someone had got past her guards.

  Nothing looked to be out of place and she sat down at her desk to start a new section for the stories of the fall season. Mim opened the book and the title page looked very different. Finely detailed family crests now occupied the previously blank areas. Mim recognized the Burkes’ black bear, the Colberts’ golden bull. The Wamhoffs’ red fox, the Etburns’ silver eagle and many more in brilliant color. She stared at the illustrations and knew this had to be Glenn Rosewell’s work. Mim flipped through some more heraldic drawings and stopped at a glittering gold dragon. She turned the page and a silver dragon met her eyes. The castle bells struck three and Mim knew she had to get to the theater to hear her aunt’s stories. She wanted to stay and inspect all the new pictures, but she needed to get the details of the books to write them. She closed the book and rushed to the theater.

  Telly said, “So it should seem that six had their sights on the ultimate prize, felicity in the kingdom be damned. Internecine discord appeared inevitable. These strong-willed men and women would never back down. Blackbirds usually fly away as the year starts to get co
ld so they won’t starve, but in this particular season, there would be plenty for them to eat. Some crows became so fat they couldn’t even fly anymore. Can you imagine that? They waddled from battleground to battleground to enjoy their fill and the unfortunate citizens became a steady feeding supply, no matter which king or queen they backed. Fall brought a chill to the realm but the ultimate heat will be felt my many. This story is filled with violent action so get ready for a wild adventure with unexpected twists and turns. These words are not for the faint of heart. Be glad you’ve grown up in the time that you have. My upbringing wasn’t as nice and early that season I remember watching that awful duel. Elisa didn’t think I saw the brutal event, but I did. However, this story starts in the Pearl Islands and from what I remember…”

  To see all the maps for The Pearl of Wisdom Saga, please see: jasonpaulricebooks.com

  RICEROS

  The newly assembled squad walked along a narrow path in a sparse forest. Riceros didn’t know what to make of his travel partners. He had heard stories about Dragon-Eyes ever since he could understand words, but the man was incapacitated almost all the time. The Imp Wizard only whispered into Russell or Shireez’s ear when he needed to provide directions. Russell carried the half-man in a sling on his back and the two girls always trailed behind him. Dioneer, the Cyclops, probably outweighed the other five combined and only Russell didn’t look like a child’s ragdoll next to the giant. The Pearl Islands remained sultry year round, but today Riceros felt continuous rippling waves of boiling hot, stale air coming at him. He remained unaffected by the heat but noticed everyone else dripping with sweat as early morning, the coolest part of the day, slowly slipped away.