Parabellum

A Stars of Avalon story

~*Book 1*~

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Written by

Melissa. L McGuire

Copyright ©2020 Melissa. L McGuire

Cover art design

Copyright ©2019 Christine Garner

Editor Credits Copyright ©2019 Editing Indies

The right of Melissa. L McGuire to be identified as the author of the work has been asserted, under the Australian copyright Act 1968.

No part of this book can be stored on a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by whatever means, without the prior permission in writing of the person holding the copyright.

All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, either living or dead are purely coincidental.

A copy of this publication can be found at the following Australian depositories

State Library of NSW

The University of Sydney library

The NSW Parliamentary library and

The National Library of Australia

www.melissalmcguire.com

Dedication

In loving memory of a great man,

who always taught me to follow my dream’s.

Forever in my heart.

You will always be, my greatest hero.

~* Dad *~

Acknowledgments

Firstly, I would like to give thanks first and foremost to my amazing partner Adam.

Your continuing support over the years has helped guide me to be the woman I am today. Through some of the hardest trials that we have faced together, you have stood strong and steadfast in the face of adversity. Shown patience and understanding when things grew dark and tiresome. Always believing in my own potential when I was struggling to see it within myself. You truly are my best friend, for that I love you. To Christine Gardner at Editing Indies, thank you for the amazing cover art. You truly are a woman of many talents. To my friends and family who have supported me at various times throughout the years, always saying encouraging words to help me stay on track. To all of you I say from the bottom of my heart.

~Thank you.

~*Prologue*~

~*~*~*~*~

30 B.C

A hidden location

in the forest of the glass house mountains.

The lanterns burned brightly lighting our path. The slaves slashed away at the thick undergrowth.

Faster. The full moon is almost upon us. screeched the priest.

Emaciated arms reached high above the slave’s heads, with every upward swing of their machete's.

Starvation and scurvy had taken many of my men, as we journeyed across the ocean.

All that remained where a few slaves, two of my royal guard and the priest.

Suddenly, a scream echoed from deep in the darkness up ahead. A hurry of footsteps came towards us. The priest turned to the guards, hurriedly telling them to go investigate.

Fear was plain on every one’s faces. Wide eyes frantically searched the darkness around us. The sound of running water echoed from a nearby stream. Cicadas sung high and mighty through the trees in a deafening chorus. 

The guards came back, speaking hurriedly to the priest. He nodded as the men spoke. 

Leaving the men behind he Strode towards me, speaking softly as he came closer to where I stood. My Pharaoh, we have found the hidden doorway.

Show me.

On wards we pressed, making our way through the group of slaves. Trekking further into the thick rain forest.

Here is where he disappeared.  Stammered one of the slaves. 

His eyes showed fear as he took steady, cautious steps back to where our small group was now gathered.

The guards extended their burning torches towards the darkness that now settled deeper in around us.

There's nothing but undergrowth. One of the guard's exclaimed. Impatience clear in his voice. He squinted, trying to see any signs that would point us in the right direction.

Your wrong. Look! There. Just beyond those trees. The priest pointed to a large gum tree that stood ten feet from where we were gathered. 

The thick trunk shone white, as though beckoning for us to find it.

My patience was at its final thread, I would not miss this opportunity. Turning to the slaves behind me. I snatched a torch.

I moved the torch over the surface of the tree. The air seemed to move with its light as though absorbing the flames energy.

Extending my hand towards the trunk I touched the air. My hand disappeared until only my forearm was visible.

Come! Bring the sarcophagus. I called over my shoulder.

With a renewed feeling of purpose, I fearlessly plunged myself forwards disappearing inside the hidden doorway. I could feel my foot touch solid ground. 

I shielded my face trying to protect my eyes from the sudden light. I lost my grip on the torch, and it fell. There was a splash as the torch hit the water.

What was only a distant trickling of water outside, was now a deafening river inside. The sound caused my ears to ache, as the noise reverberated off the walls. The current flowed downwards below an overhanging rock beside my feet. I quickly stepped aside, away from the steep drop.

There was a crunching sound beneath my feet. I was still struggling to see, blinking rapidly as my eyes adjusted to the light.

Squinting I could see leaves laying thick and drying. As my eyes adjusted, I could see more clearly. Leaves lay scattered like pebbles covering the cavern floor.

I looked around, studying my surroundings. Immediately I could see where the light was coming from.

Stone walls encrusted in millions of gemstones, surrounded the cavern. They extended upwards reaching up to a naturally formed sky light in the cave's ceiling.

Flowing through the large opening, was the silver white light of the full moon.

Moonlight cascaded down helping to illuminate the enormous cave. The gemstones where absorbing the moonlight, creating a transfer of otherworldly energy.

I watched in awe as the energy was projected outwards, giving the illusion that the wall was alive. The air felt tight, as though the energy would burn you alive if you stood too close. It was that energy that was lighting our path in the grand cave.

My ‘seemingly’ lost slave now stood in front of me. A look of both awe and fear consumed his frail hollowed face. I moved two steps forward towards him, but he didn't seem to notice.

His fear came off him in thick waves, in an almost suffocating aura. I placed a hand firmly on his bony shoulder.

He jumped violently, whimpering and mumbling. Using my power, I willed him with my own energy to gaze up into my eyes. I projected my will for him to remain calm. To be still, and at peace.

I browsed through his memories, capturing snippets of his favorite moments.

I channeled those happy, joyous emotions.

Filling his mind with the possibility of safety, promises of warmth and comfort. 

The fear he held was suddenly released, in one long staggered breath. His breathing quickly returned to normal. I slowly removed my hand from his shoulder.

I ushered him to move further into the cavern, making room for the priest and my two guards as they materialized through the doorway.

~*~*~*~*~

The priest was holding a thick book, bound in elephant skin. Which held all the incantations we needed to complete the ritual.

I moved my attention back to the cave. Three white trees stood in a circle. Their branches had grown entwined over time as though they were gently holding hands. Leaves crunched loudly as I walked forward towards the trees. 

In the center of the rough circle stood a jagged blue translucent stone. Its dominating beauty stood three meters out of the ground. I walked around its base, my fingers tracing its cool rough exterior. Energy vibrated through my fingers, I stopped at the base, and craned my neck skyward. 

Looking up through the skylight to the glowing full moon above. 

The moonlight fell over me, and while I basked in its eternal glory, I knew this was the place. I stepped back from the stone, the energy vanishing as quickly as it came. I couldn't help but feel as though a part of me hungered for more. I wanted to hold that energy, let it consume me. I turned to my priest, forcing myself to brush the feeling aside.

Go. hurry! The time is upon us. I ordered him. My voice sounded harsh as it echoed through the cave

The moonlight sat inches from the stone's surface. A few more heartbeats and it would be in position. I felt my body go numb with anticipation and excitement. I could see the light moving ever closer. as the moon rose higher above us. We had only minutes to recite the incantation and complete the ritual, before the moon engulfed the stone entirely. My heart beat harder in my chest making my throat form a tight, metallic tasting ball of anxiety.

My slave had gone to join the others as they made their way through the doorway. I could see him offering up the last bit of strength that he had to help the other slaves carry the heavy sarcophagus. The priest was speaking so fast I could barely make out the words.

He turned suddenly, grabbing one of the slaves by the front of his throat.

"STOP!" I screamed.

The priest looked at me, bewilderment in his eyes. I grabbed my slave as he lay the sarcophagus at my feet, pulling him by his arm towards the priest.

It must be this one. I said, as I threw my slave down on the floor.

My slave looked at me, a pleading look in his eyes.

I turned my cold gaze back to him. I projected my thoughts into his mind.

I know what you are, I have always known, that is why I chose you.

A smirk filled his face. He responded wordlessly, his voice echoing painfully through my mind. As though just his voice alone would tear me apart. 

It felt as though his presence was too big inside