Hello, all! This is chapter one of my Wingfeather Saga fanfiction called Heir of the Shining Isle. It's about Esben Wingfeather, and it is the first volume of four-story (or novelette, because the stories are short) installment series that I'm calling Before the Saga.
Wind rustled Esben’s brown hair as he stood on the towering cliffs that overlooked the white shores of the Annieran bay below. He raised his hand to shade against the sun, his piercing blue eyes narrowing as he squinted at the horizon, desperately searching for the white sails of the mighty ship the Moon Raider.
“Do you see it?” His older brother Artham asked, materialising at his side.
“Yikes!” Esben jumped. “Don’t scare me like that! Some Throne Warden you would be, if you startled me over the edge of a cliff.”
Artham rolled his eyes, unconcerned. “You won’t fall.”
“How would you know?”
“Seriously, now is not the time for this.”
“Fine.” Esben huffed. “No, I don’t see them. They’re three days late. That’s not normal.”
“Mama and Papa should be home soon.”
“Maybe.”
“In the meantime, Bonifer wants to see you.”
Esben groaned. “Again?”
“Pirates, Es. They’re getting bolder.”
“They’re always getting bolder.”
Artham bit his lip, avoiding Esben’s gaze. “Look . . . it’s important. Something’s happened.”
“What?”
“I’ll let Bonifer tell you.”
Chilled by his brother’s anxious tone, Esben swallowed nervously. “Alright. Let’s go, then.”
Artham nodded, and the two brothers walked back across the green to the castle together. They wove through the corridors until they came to the council room. When they entered, it was empty except for an old man who sat on one of the wooden chairs at the great table.
“Bonifer,” Esben said, crossing the room and sliding into the seat across from him. “Artham said something important has happened?”
The old man’s face was pale and pinched with worry. “Indeed, my prince. As I’m sure you know, the Pirates of the Symian Straits have plagued Anniera since the time of Eomund the Brave. Now, with your parents away visiting the Green Hollows . . .” He gulped, appearing to steel himself. “They have caught Anniera while she is vulnerable.”
Esben’s heart clenched. “What happened?”
“The pirates have attacked the southern shores. They’ve burned and ransacked the townspeople. A few survivors ran ahead to warn us of the raids. The rest are refugees in nearby villages.”
“Raids?” Esben repeated, trembling. “Survivors? What – but – how would they even know Mama and Papa were gone?”
“We may never know,” Bonifer said solemnly. “But while your parents remain absent, my young prince, you are all Anniera has as a leader. Your father never put in a plan for a substitute. Of course, I would be happy to arrange a regency . . .”
“No.” Esben’s voice shook, but his hands were balled into fists. “No. Papa left me in charge. This is what I’ve been trained for.”
Bonifer nodded, smiling sadly. “That is what I thought you’d say. Your father would be proud.”
“What do you plan to do, Es?” Artham asked quietly.
“I – I guess . . .” he sucked in a breath. “We need to take some men down to the southern shore. Send some scouts down so we can get an idea of where their fortifications are. We need to drive them out, they can’t keep a foothold on our land.”
“I will send out the scouts immediately, my prince,” Bonifer said, standing and bowing. “If the Throne Warden could gather troops —”
“No, I’ll gather troops.” Esben’s fists clenched even tighter. “I need to be the one to do this. Artham can come with you to send out the scouts.”
Artham blinked. “Wait, why don’t I stay with you?”
Because I need to do this on my own, Esben thought. He’d spent too much of his thirteen years running wild, shirking duty, and prioritizing play over work. If he was going to lead the Annierans into battle, they needed to respect him.
“I need to be alone,” he said finally. “Go with Bonifer.”
“Your highness,” Bonifer began, but Esben shook his head firmly.
“I’m resolved to go alone. What on Aerwiar can happen to me while I’m walking through my own castle?” Esben rolled his eyes and stood. “I’ll meet up with you later.”
With that, he strode from the room, undoubtedly leaving Artham and Bonifer to confer about his strange behavior. Esben sighed. Hopefully, Mama and Papa would be home soon.
Chapter II