All Chapters of Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles: Chapter 1
- Chapter 10
31 chapters
Prologue: A Prophecy Intercepted
"It has been observed that within our beloved Kingdom of Noelle, a problem has arisen concerning the homeless and orphaned multiplying in number... all who are presumed to be homeless and/or orphaned will be immediately taken into custody and sold as Slaves in the next scheduled Slave Auction."Over the past three hundred fifty years since Gerardo of Liko vanished from the records, the Kingdom of Noelle had flourished, reshaping itself through waves of transformation. Art blossomed with vivid colors, cuisine evolved in unexpected ways, and morale lifted like the rising suns. Literature thrived, currency was refined to banish confusion, and the laws grew more complex, reflecting the kingdom's newfound wealth. Gold, satin, and cotton markets pulsed with life, and fashion embraced bold hues while architecture curved into elegant geometric and floral patterns. Yet beneath this vibrant surface, a slow shift was stirring—the end of an era, with medieval customs creeping into the kingdom's he
Chapter One: The Glory of Aimonbay Estate
"The Law maintains the sanction, endowed upon it by God, to classify all citizens as Persons or as Slaves, as well as the authority to define the words in question."The Southern sun pierced through the cave's jagged mouth, its heat pressing against Rein Bow's eyelids until she stirred with a groan. Such a nuisance served as a reminder to why she generally preferred to sleep somewhere that enclosed her in sanctuary.She turned her head slightly, her gaze settling on the small figure curled near the glowing embers of last night's fire. Nadia lay motionless, her crimson hair tangled like seaweed across her pale cheek. After the miracle worker of the Aquamarine Ocean had left the princess in the cave, Rein had decided she would personally escort Nadia to the palace in Helvetica, where she was to live with King Darren and Queen Ariana for the rest of her life; a life which was expected to be more pleasant than the one she was forced to live with her severely unhappy mother in the ocean. It
Chapter Two: A Plot Enacted and Threats Cast
"The Sovereign and his Parliament of the Kingdom of Noelle hereby hold that a 'Person' is defined as a citizen who possesses a free will and individual voice unobstructed by another absent of Royal Blood, Noble Classification, or Royally Appointed Authority... Therefore, a Person cannot be controlled or spoken for by another Person."Makiar pulled open one of the towering iron doors, the hinges groaning as sunlight spilled across the threshold. Sir Rallian stepped inside with the weight of the road still clinging to his shoulders, a long breath escaping him like the end of a performance. Despite seventy-two years behind him, he appeared to be in his fifties, and he walked with a youthful but heavy gait. He moved without urgency, peeling off a mustard-yellow coat whose threaded designs shimmered faintly in the dim hall light."How was your meeting with the queen, my Lord?" Makiar asked as he took the coat.Rallian passed his ivory dress cane off to his butler as well. "It was quite a bo
Chapter Three: The Rose Tree
"A Slave must have written permission from its owner to obtain an apprenticeship or to participate in trade."Nearly an hour after she'd first been summoned, Nadia stepped once more into Count Rallian's study. Her hair, now dyed a deep, inky black, gleamed beneath the candlelight. She dipped into a curtsy before the desk where the count sat hunched over yet another letter, his quill scratching steadily across the parchment. For a moment, the room held only the soft rasp of ink on paper. Then Nadia broke the silence."I've dyed my hair like you asked me to, Master."The count peered up from his scribbles. "Very good. Have a seat there."With a flick of his hand, the count gestured toward the same chair Nadia had occupied earlier. She obeyed, settling into the seat as the leather creaked softly beneath her. Behind him, the curtains had been drawn open. Through the glass, Nadia caught sight of Rein once more. She stood just beyond the window's edge, her eyes fixed on the room."I received
Chapter Four: The Future Looks Dim...
"The Sovereign and his Parliament of the Kingdom of Noelle hereby hold that 'Property' is an object or living thing that a Person purchases or trades for ownership of as per the Trade Laws of Noelle. Once a Noelle citizen has purchased or traded for the possession of Property, that citizen owns the object or living thing and may do with it as he or she wishes. Thus, that citizen dictates what the object or living thing does and speaks for it. Furthermore, a Slave is, by definition, Property."Rein exhaled slowly, the weight of revelation settling over her like dusk. The scattered pieces of the puzzle had finally begun to align, sketching a picture she couldn't ignore. At the very least, she now understood where loyalties lay, who stood with Nadia, and who did not. But knowing was one thing. Revealing the truth ... that was something else entirely. Depending on who she confided in, exposing the web that Ariana and Rallian were quietly weaving could be disastrous. And then, there was the
Chapter Five: And Thus Began a New War
"As stated in Article 1, Section 1 of the Law of Noelle, all Persons possess inherent, God-given rights further specified in Sections II-V. However, because a Slave is not a Person, a Slave does not bear the same God-given rights bestowed upon Persons."Three days later, on Sueño 14th, King Darren stood nearly fully dressed in his light blue coat and lavender sash when a courier arrived bearing a message. He waved off his footman and unfolded the parchment with growing suspicion. From her perch outside the balcony, Rein watched closely. For the past three weeks, she had buried herself in Polaris's journal, hiding out in the palace while awaiting this very response. Now that it had finally arrived, she couldn't stand the silence. Why couldn't he read anything aloud?She already knew the queen's hand was behind the chaos. Rein had uncovered Ariana's letter to Count Rallian days ago, tucked neatly inside his study. It had confirmed everything. But this letter, the one now crumpling in the
Chapter Six: Change Calls for Blood
"No citizen can bestow upon a Slave any rights specified in the Law of Noelle to be the rights of a Person, and no citizen shall attempt to do so."That same morning, Polaris and Drake stood once more among the gravestones with Wendell at their side, their gazes fixed on the Rose Tree. Its twisted trunk leaned farther away from the palace as if to aid its drooping pearl branches in their growing effort to touch the ground. Polaris expected the black leaves would brush the dirt before the end of the next month."Nothing new has happened since we smelled the soap and farm animals, Your Honor," Wendell informed."Well, I suppose no news is good news," Drake said."Not necessarily," Polaris replied. "The more information we obtain, the more evidence we have for Their Majesties. And the closer we get to a definitive answer.""I suppose I can't argue with that," said Drake. "But since there is nothing new, I suggest we inform His Majesty about what we have so far, and see what he has to say
Chapter Seven: The Annual Slave Arena
"Slaves may not look into the eyes of Royalty or Nobility, however their eyes must be visible. If this law is at all violated, the Slave will undergo severe physical punishment and then it will either be executed or assigned in to the following Annual Slave Arena. The owner may or may not be informed and will not be reimbursed for the Slave's value."The next morning, Nadia was sent back to work. She moved like a shadow through the halls, eyes downcast, hands steady but slow. Not a word left her lips as she swept ash from the hearths or bent to scrub the floorboards. When others passed, she turned her face away. Whispers followed her, clipped and bitter. Nearly half the estate had once had a hand in some part of the construction, and now, because of her, their work lay in splinters. Some glared as they hauled stone back to the foundation, sweat already darkening their tunics. Her punishment, they muttered, hadn't fit the offense. Not when they had to start from scratch. Even in silence
Chapter Eight: The Questionable Solution
"Slaves in public must not speak unless spoken to. If this law is at all violated, the Slave will undergo severe physical punishment. If this law is violated against one of Royal or Noble Blood, the Slave will thereafter either be executed or assigned into the following Annual Slave Arena. The owner may or may not be informed and will not be reimbursed for the Slave's value."Polaris guided Borealis through the dense tangle of market streets, the stallion's hooves clopping steadily over the stone. Nadia sat silent in the saddle beside him, her posture still, her presence weightless against the noise around them. He thought it best to wait to speak until he wouldn't have to shout over the hollers, the laughter, the haggling voices layered atop clattering carts, all which left little room for quiet words. Better to wait until they passed beyond the fray, where thoughts could land without being scattered by the din. As they approached the town's edge, the roar of the marketplace began to
Chapter Nine: "The Queen's Mischief Has Backfired Already..."
"The Sovereign and his Parliament of the Kingdom of Noelle hereby hold that a 'Slave' is defined as one who does not possess a free will and individual voice due to a Person speaking for that Slave and determining what that Slave does or does not do. Thus, a 'Slave' by definition, is not a Person and is of its own kind, category, and species."Rein reached the Palace of Helvetica ahead of the others, flitting silently from window to window as she scanned the vast structure. At last, she spotted the king and queen in a grand, circular chamber, its mirrored floor reflecting every opulent detail like a pool of glass."But it's hardly been a month!" King Darren exclaimed. His voice echoed about the room. "How can we already be at a stalemate?""I didn't say we were at a stalemate, sire," replied General Mika who stood at the same round, white marble table. "I said we were nearing one. Give it a few more days, and we're certain it'll happen."They spoke over a detailed map of Saíd spread ac