Mark Turner Wireless Books: Warrior Queens of Mars

Image by Mark Turner & Wireless Books

PROLOGUE

Thirty million years ago on a nearby world we now call Mars, there lived a warring species of large and powerful humanoid beings. They called their home Kyron, a world that was as red as the blood-soaked sands of its endless wars.

For thousands of years, the red planet of Kyron had been ruled by a formidable class of warrior queens. These matriarchies governed with ruthless efficiency. Countless lives were lost in the battles between city-states.

Image by Mark Turner & Wireless Books

The Queens, in their youth, were tested in a series of trials in the form of barbaric games. In the earliest days, the practice of human sacrifice was an integral part of life for the Kyronians, though it was eventually abandoned.

Now, in the final days of a long and bitter war, Queen Livia, the ruler of Vartos, a region in the eastern quadrant of the planet, has renewed her pledge to take down the Empire of Rashdram and their sovereign Queen, Mazdra, once and for all. To help her do this, she was ready to accept any means necessary to eradicate her sworn enemy.

CHAPTER 1

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Queen Livia Stood before a throng of troops escorting a small platoon of their best fighters onto a platform. They stood before an assembly of thousands in the arena of Vartos, a place where troops trained and fought in gladiatorial games.

Beautiful, yet fearsome Queen Livia with her long blonde hair and exposed glistening muscles stood and addressed the proud soldiers on the platform. “Fighters of Vartos, our kingdom is at war with a vicious, godless beast, a city-state that knows no honor. Will you give your greatest gift so that we will have the power to vanquish the diseased kingdom of Rashdram?”

Image by Mark Turner & Wireless Books

The dutiful two dozen soldiers shouted at once with a fearsome war bark. The arena echoed with their reply. Afterward, in unison, they pulled their long daggers from their sheaths and held the shining polished blades before them.

“Your oath will give the Gods of Vartos nourishment. Grant us victory in our conquest Lord Klandar.” She said the words with closed lids. When she opened her eyes, she nodded at the soldiers awaiting her command. “Then let it be done.”

With those simple words, the two dozen soldiers made good on their oath to their Queen – cutting their own throats before the countless spectators in the massive arena. As the blood ran like waterfalls onto the platform, the assembled masses cheered to their Queen and their cult god, Klandar. The souls would feed the blood lust of the gods and fill their bellies with the brave fighters of Vartos.

Queen Livia was pleased but unsure that the magic would work. If the upcoming battle was not in her favor, then she would have to yield to greater sacrifices, both on and off the field. Her people were only a means to an end. Her rule over them and elimination of Rashdram was her only goal. She admired the soldiers who had just given their lives to the greater needs of their people, but if she herself had been pressed, she would not have made the same decision. Her life was too great to throw away on some dirty arena floor.

How fearful would Queen Mazdra be when her spies inform her of the blood sacrifices made in the name of crushing her state? That made Livia smile more than seeing the bodies of the men and women as they were hulled away to an incinerator.