And then drowning, the armor shattering, her bones breaking, pain flooding her…
Aeliana felt water on her face, and she screamed.
Panic seized her, and she thrashed across a surface of hard stone, landing hard on sand and gravel. Her right hand came up and wiped the crusted salt from her eyes, and her vision came back into focus.
She was lying on a stretch of rocky beach dotted with tidal pools, the southern sea crashing in breakers against the stones, a shallow bluff rising to the north. In the bluff yawned a cave mouth, a stream flowing out of it. That had to be an entrance to the Deeps that linked to the chamber of the Great Eye, and the water had washed Aeliana out here.
How was she even still alive?
Aeliana sat up and looked at herself.
She was naked, her skin smooth and unmarked. Where had her clothes gone? Then she remembered calling on the power of Ruinheart, the armor of the Blood Knight ripping itself through her skin.
Ruinheart…
She held the Theophract’s scabbard clutched in her left hand, the dark soulblade sheathed within it. Aeliana looked at the sword and felt her link to it, felt its hunger in her mind, its desire to kill and destroy.
She started to giggle, the sound cracked and reedy, and her fingers tightened against the scabbard.
Ruinheart would not let her die.
There was still killing to be done.
“Aeliana Carhaine.”
She sprang to her feet in a fluid motion and raised Ruinheart in guard.
The Theophract stood a short distance away, his strange shadow-staff quivering in his hand.
“It appears you are still alive,” said the Theophract. “But Ruinheart will make you hard to kill.” A dark note of amusement entered the metallic voice. “Though at times, you might wish for death.”
She remembered the horrible feeling of drowning in the tunnel, of spinning out of control through the current, of the hideous need to draw breath accompanied by the certain knowledge that if she did, water would flood her lungs and she would die.
“I failed,” she said, the words bitter on her tongue. “Ridmark Arban yet lives. And the Great Eye has not opened.”
“Recall the words of our lord the Warden,” said the Theophract. “It is only from the bitterness of failure that we learn wisdom. And you have failed, Aeliana Carhaine, but you have survived. Perhaps you have grown in wisdom. Behold, the Drakocenti and the Regency Council have been destroyed, and Accolon Pendragon now rules in Cintarra. Let us test him. The Great Eye remains closed, but the power from the Eye has drained into the Dwyrstones around the city. Find them and activate them, and the army of Merovech Valdraxis shall come to this world. Let us see how the Crown Prince fares against a host armed with the power of the Seven Spells.”
Aeliana felt herself start to smile. “And while Accolon contends with the Dragon Cult and the Dragonmaeloch of the Frankish Empire…Agravhask and the soldiers of the Heptarchy are coming.”
“Yes,” said the Theophract. “The great armada of the seven urdmordar waits off the Isle of Kordain. Soon it will sail and make landfall. One way or another, Herald of Ruin, the Warden shall have the Great Eye. Go forth now and prepare the way for our lord.”
“Wait,” said Aeliana. “I don’t suppose you have any clothes I could use?”
The dark note of amusement entered his voice again. “The Warden will not punish you for your failure, but he will permit you to learn from its consequences. So you may find your own clothes.”
The Theophract struck the end of his staff against the ground, and the darkness within the staff seemed to pull him into it. The sorcerer vanished, and Aeliana didn’t know where he had gone. Back to the world of Cathair Kaldran and the Frankish Empire, perhaps, or maybe elsewhere in Andomhaim. It didn’t matter.
Aeliana had her task.
And now she had even more reason to take vengeance on Ridmark Arban.
She climbed up the bluff, her plan coming together in her mind. First, she needed to steal some clothing and supplies. Probably she would find an isolated farm, kill everyone there, and take what she needed.
And then she would seek out the Dwyrstones.
Aeliana was the bearer of Ruinheart, and it was time to bring ruin to Andomhaim.
Smiling at the thought, she found a trail and set off towards a house and a barn in the distance.
THE END
Thank you for reading DRAGONTIARNA: THIEVES!
Ridmark, Calliande, Tyrcamber, and their friends will return in their next adventure, DRAGONTIARNA: GATES (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=11784), coming in 2020.
If you liked the book, please consider leaving a review at your ebook site of choice. To receive immediate notification of new releases, sign up for my newsletter (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1854), or watch for news on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Jonathan-Moeller-328773987230189/).
***
Glossary of Characters
ACCOLON PENDRAGON: The son of Sir Arandar and grandson of the High King.
ADALBERGA: The devoted lady-in-waiting to Ruari Tetrax.
ADALHAID RIGAMOND BERENGAR: Wife of Duke Faramund Berengar and sister of Tyrcamber Rigamond.
ADRASTEA PENDRGON: The wife of King Hektor Pendragon.
AESACUS PENDRAGON: The second son of King Hektor Pendragon, and heir to the crown of Aenesium. Regent of Aenesium while Hektor marches with the army.
ARDRHYTHAIN: The last archmage of the high elves, and the founder of the Order of the Magistri and the Order of the Soulblade.
AEGEUS: A Knight of the Order of the Arcanii, strong with water magic.
AELIA LICINIUS ARBAN: The eldest daughter of Gareth Licinius, and the late wife of Ridmark Arban. Killed at Castra Marcaine by Mhalek.
AELIANA: The illegitimate daughter of Tarrabus Carhaine and former assassin of the Red Family of Cintarra.
AGRIMNALAZUR: An urdmordar, slain by Ridmark Arban in Urd Arowyn.
AMRUTHYR: The gray elven lord who built the citadel of Cathair Selenias.
ANGARIC MEDRAUT: A Knight of the Order of Embers of the Frankish Empire.
ANGASHALIS: A xiatami priest and Intercessor of Najaris.
ANSALIA: The daughter of Tarmellion, the last king of Cathair Valwyn.
ANTENORA: A former apprentice of the last Keeper of Avalon upon Old Earth, cursed by Mordred Pendragon’s dark magic to live forever until she finds redemption. Now the apprentice of Calliande of Tarlion.
ANTHEIA PENDRAGON: The late mother of Kalussa Pendragon.
ARANDAR PENDRAGON: A Knight of the Order of the Soulblade and current bearer of the soulblade Heartwarden. The bastard son of the High King Uthanaric Pendragon, and the father of Accolon and Nyvane. Plague killed his wife Isolde. Currently the Prince Regent of the loyalist army of Andomhaim.
ARCHAELON: A Knight of the Order of the Arcanii. Betrayed Hektor Pendragon, and killed by Ridmark Arban at Castra Chaeldon.
ARISTOTLE TEMPUS: King of Echion in Owyllain, and allied with Hektor Pendragon.
ARLIACH: A wizard and ranger of the gray elves.
ARLMAGNAVA: A Frostborn woman, a Seeker of the Order of the Inquisition of the Dominion of the High Lords, the military Order of the Frostborn devoted to spying and recruitment of allies.
ARMINIOS: A king and Companion of King Hektor, and an experienced ambassador.
ASPASIA: A former noblewoman and Sister of the Arcanii who turned to dark magic and fled Aenesium.
ATHADIRA: The High Augur of the gray elves.
ATREUS TRENZIMAR - The King of Cadeira. Allied with Justin Cyros.
AXAZAMAR: The King of Khald Tormen and older brother of Narzaxar.
AZAKHUN: A dwarven Taalmak of Khald Tormen. Caius baptized him into the faith of the Dominus Christus in the Vale of Stone Death.
THE ARTIFICER: A dark elven noble and wizard, formerly the apprentice of the Warden. His spirit was bound to the Iron Tower. Defeated by Ridmark and his companions.
AVENTINE ROCARN: A knight in service to Tarrabus Carhaine.
BELASCO: The bishop of the town of Castarium.
THE BLADEMASTER: A dark elven noble and a vassal of the Confessor.
BORS DURIUS: A son of Dux Kors Durius of Durandis.
BRASIDAS VALAROS: The King of Talyrium. Allied with Justin Cyros.
BRUNHILDA TETRAX: The dowager duchess of Carnost in the Frankish Empire, and mother of Cataul and Ruari.
CADWALL GWYRDRAGON: The Prince of Cintarra, the largest city in Andomhaim. Died of illness a few years ago.
CAELMARK ARBAN: Ridmark's older brother and the archbishop of Cintarra.
CAIUS: A dwarven noble of Khald Tormen and a friar of the mendicant orders. The first of the dwarven kindred to convert to the church of the Dominus Christus.
CAITRIN RHOSMOR: The former lover of Prince Accolon Pendragon, murdered by the Drakocenti.
CALAZON: A dwarven stonescribe and advisor to Prince Narzaxar.
CALDORMAN: The abbot of the Monastery of St. Bartholomew near the town of Castarium.
CALEM: A mysterious assassin and wielder of the Sword of Air.
CALLIANDE ARBAN: The Keeper of Tarlion, the guardian of the realm of Andomhaim against the powers of dark magic. The daughter of Joanna and Joachim, and the former student of the Magistrius Marius and the Keeper Ruth.
CAMORAK: A Magistrius in service to Joram Agramore of Dun Licinia. Prone to drunkenness and boorish comments, but nonetheless a skilled healer.
CARADOG LORDAC: A knight in service to Tarrabus Carhaine.
CATHALA: The mother of Tamlin Thunderbolt. Imprisoned by Justin Cyros at the Monastery of St. James.
CATAUL TETRAX: Duke of Carnost in the Frankish Empire.
CEAROWYN MARDIUS PENDRAGON: The High Queen of Andomhaim and wife of the High King Arandar Pendragon.
THE CHANTER: A dark elven noble and a vassal of the Confessor.
CHARLES RHUNMAR: The seneschal of Lady Brunhilda Tetrax of Carnost.
CHILMAR RIGAMOND: The Duke of Chalons in the Frankish Empire.
CLAUDIUS AGRELL: A knight in service to Tarrabus Carhaine, serving as Constable of Castra Carhaine.
CLEMENT: A priest of Aenesium.
THE CONFESSOR: A dark elven lord, once the lieutenant of the Sovereign. Now the ruler of Urd Maelwyn and the bearer of the Sword of Water.
CONNMAR PENDRAGON: The founder of the realm of Owyllain.
CONRAD RIGAMOND: The eldest son of Chilmar Rigamond and heir to the duchy of Chalons.
CONSTANTINE LICINIUS: The son of Gareth Licinius, and a Swordbearer, wielder of the soulblade Brightherald.
CORBANIC LAMORUS: A vassal of the High King, and current Comes of Coldinium. Now serves as Constable of Tarlion, defending the city from Tarrabus Carhaine.
CORTIN LAMORUS: A knight and the son of Corbanic Lamorus. Appointed as the new Dux of Calvus.
CROWLACHT: A headman of the orcish kingdom of Rhaluusk and a warrior of King Ulakhamar. Fought alongside Ridmark and his friends at the Iron Tower.
CURZONAR: A Prince of the Range, son of the Red King Turcontar and the First Queen Raszema.
THE CUTTER: An urdhracos bound to the service of the Sculptor.
CYAXION TIOPHON: The Regent of Xenorium.
CYPRIAN OF CINTARRA: The Master of the Scepter Bank and the High One of the Drakocenti.
DAGMA: Sister of Jager, and former seneschal of the keep of Dun Licinia. Now the seneschal of the Shield Knight and the Keeper.
DAGOBERT RIGAMOND: The second son of Duke Chilmar Rigamond of Chalons.
DANIEL TREMUND: A Knight of the Order of the Third Eye of the Frankish Empire.
DAZLASK: An orcish tavern keeper in Urd Maelwyn.
THE DARK LADY: A mysterious sorceress who appears in the dreams of Tamlin Thunderbolt. Actually the spirit of the Guardian Morigna.
DECIMUS: A man-at-arms under the command of Sir Ector Naxius.
DIETER: Husband of Dagma, Jager’s sister. A skilled carpenter.
ECTOR NAXIUS: A knight in service to Dux Sebastian of Caertigris. Familiar with the manetaurs, the tygrai, and the Range.
EVERARD ROLAND: A cousion of the slain Emperor, and likely heir to the Frankish Empire.
THE ELECTOR: A dark elven lord in service to the Confessor.
ERCHWULF: Master of the Order of the Griffin, one of the five Imperial Orders of the Frankish Empire.
FARAMUND BERENGAR: The duke of Mourdrech in the Frankish Empire.
FLAVIUS: The praefectus of the town of Castarium.
GARETH ARBAN: The eldest son of Ridmark Arban and Calliande Arban.
GARETH LICINIUS: The Dux of the Northerland, and father of Constantine, Imaria, and Aelia.
GAVIN: A young man from the village of Aranaeus in the Wilderland, now a Swordbearer and the wielder of the soulblade Truthseeker.
GOTHALINZUR: An urdmordar, slain by Ridmark Arban at the village of Victrix.
GREGOR: An assassin of the Red Family of Cintarra.
GRIMOALD: The Master of the Order of Iron of the Frankish Empire.
HADRIAN VINDON: A lord of Cintarra and a member of the Regency Council.
HEKTOR PENDRAGON: King of Aenesium, wife of Adrastea, and father of Kalussa and Rypheus. Bearer of the Sword of Fire.
HELMUT: The unofficial leader of the halflings of Cintarra.
HULDERIC GRIMNIR: The Duke of Valstrasia in the Frankish Empire.
IMARIA LICINIUS SHADOWBEARER: The youngest daughter of Gareth Licinius, and a former Magistria of the Order. The new bearer of Incariel’s shadow after the death of Tymandain Shadowbearer. Defeated in the final fight at the Black Mountain.
JACOB OF CINTARRA: The captain of the guards of the Scepter Bank.
JAGER: A bold halfling thief and merchant, married to Queen Mara of the Nightmane Forest. Serves as her Prince Consort.
JOACHIM ARBAN: The youngest son of Ridmark Arban and Calliande Arban.
JOANNA ARBAN: The daughter of Ridmark Arban and Calliande Arban. Died a few days after birth.
JOLCUS: An Arcanius Knight skilled with earth magic and the handling of trisalians.
JORAM AGRAMORE: A knight and vassal of Dux Gareth Licinius. Currently serves as the Comes of Dun Licinia.
JUSTIN CYROS: The King of Cytheria and bearer of the Sword of Earth.
KADIUS: A decurion of men-at-arms in the army of Arandar Pendragon.
KAJALDRAKTHOR: A Frostborn warrior, and Lord Commander of the Order of the Vanguard. Leader of the Frostborn forces in Andomhaim.
KALDRAINE PENDRAGON: The eldest son of High King Uthanaric Pendragon and heir to the realm of Andomhaim. Murdered during the battle of Dun Calpurnia.
KALMARK ARBAN: The fourth son of Dux Leogrance Arban of Taliand.
KALOMARUS: The legendary Dragon Knight, who disappeared after the first defeat of the Frostborn.
KAMATAI: The Tumak (headman) of a tribe of the Takai halflings.
KAMILIUS: A Companion knight who serves King Lycureon the Young as Constable of Megarium.
KEZEDEK: A headman of the sautyri tribe of Myllene.
KHARLACHT: An orcish warrior of Vhaluusk and follower of Ridmark Arban.
KHAZAMEK: The Warlord of the city of Vhalorast. Allied with Justin Cyros.
KHULMAK: An exiled orcish warrior of Mholorast, now a captain of mercenaries.
KHURAZALIN: An orcish warlock and the Maledictus of Fire.
KOLMYRION: A gray elven warrior.
KOTHLARIC PENDRAGON: The High King of Owyllain, betrayed at Cathair Animus after the defeat of the Sovereign. Believed dead, but actually imprisoned within magical crystal at Cathair Animus.
KORS DURIUS: The Dux of Durandis, Andomhaim’s western march against the mountains of Kothluusk.
KURASTUS: A Magistrius and the Master of the Order of the Magistri.
KYRIAN THE PIOUS: King of Callistum in Aenesium, and allied with Hektor Pendragon.
KURDULKAR: A manetaur Prince of the Range and a follower of the shadow of Incariel. Killed by Ridmark Arban.
LANETHRAN: A bladweaver of the high elves.
LEOGRANCE ARBAN: The Dux of Taliand, and the father of Ridmark Arban and Tormark Arban.
LINUS RILLON: A knight of Tarrabus Carhaine and one of the Enlightened of Incariel. Killed by Accolon in self-defense.
LONGINUS: Knight serving as castellan of the castra of Castarium.
LUCILLA: A nurse in service to Calliande Arban.
LYCUREON THE YOUNG: King of Megarium in Owyllain, and allied with Hektor Pendragon.
LYTHAN RADYR: A lord of Cintarra and a member of the Regency Council.
MAGATAI: A warrior of the Takai nomads. Survived the Blood Quest to Cathair Avamyr.
MALACHI TRIMARCH: The last king of Trojas, murdered by the Necromancer.
MALHASK: The king of the orcish kingdom of Khaluusk and a vassal of the High King.
MALVAXON: The Rzarn of Great House Tzanar of Khaldurmar.
MALZURAXIS: A dwarven scout of Khald Tormen.
MARA: The daughter of the Traveler, the dark elven lord of Nightmane Forest. Now rules as the Queen of Nightmane Forest.
MARCAST TETRICUS: A knight formerly in service to the garrison of the Iron Tower, now opposed to Tarrabus Carhaine.
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