The Complete Duology
Page 28
Adesta moved to Nathaera and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I am sorry, my lady. In the end, he said he loved you. He asked us to save you.”
“You’re just saying that,” she murmured, head bowed.
“No,” said Lawen. “Adesta isn’t lying. Whatever his feelings before, in the end, his last thoughts were of you. He called you Natty.”
The girl let out a sob and threw herself into Adesta’s arms. Lawen and Gwynter looked away to give her some manner of privacy.
Three weeks later the bedraggled company stepped from the woods and into the lands of Vinwen. Grey clouds stained the midday sky with shadows. Celin remained at the border, and the company halted to bid him farewell.
“I shall speak with my people,” Celin said, addressing Gwyn, “to see if they would follow the heir of Wintervale. I will tell them all that I have seen. Most of all, that the Fair Lady of Shaeswéath woke a final time to aid you. Perhaps we shall join with you upon the battlefield, but I cannot promise it.”
Gwyn nodded. “Whatever the Ilidreth decide, you’ve stood with me once, and I count you as a friend. Thank you, Celin.”
The Ilidreth inclined his head and slipped into the trees, stealing a single glance back. Gwyn thought he looked toward Kive, who stood beside Aluem, wordless and sad. Kive had said nothing since his mother vanished in Swan Castle, nor would he step away from Gwyn for any reason. On impulse, Gwyn reached into his pocket and caught the blue stone. Its healing properties would last only once more. Gwyn must use it wisely, if he must use it at all.
As he stared at the gem, it vanished from his hand. Gwyn curled his fingers around empty air. Would the gem come to him again if ever he needed it?
“Shall we?” asked Lawen.
Gwyn looked up and nodded. The company moved toward Vinwen. He feared what he might find there. The Crow King had threatened his family, and in the weeks since their duel, he’d had plenty of time to tear the manor down, stone by stone, after slaughtering Gwyn’s household. Would the Crow King spare the slaves, or would he murder them too?
Eyes trained on the horizon, seeking any hint or wisp of smoke, Gwyn rode steadily toward home.
A single horseman appeared ahead, and galloped toward them, a white banner streaming above him as he raced the wind.
“Who is that?” asked Adesta.
“Towwen Stone,” said Lawen after a moment. He laughed. “That bookish young man from Charquae. Remember him, Gwynter? He used to wrestle you when you were lads, and he always lost. Towwen moved to town to pursue the life of a scholar.”
Gwyn smiled. His childhood friend, come out of the blue. “I recall him well. But what is he doing here?”
The rider soon reached them. Reining up, Towwen Stone bowed his head. “Greetings, Your Majesty. I’ve come to welcome you home, but first, I bring news. Vinwen still stands, and your army is gathering there. News of your birthright has spread across Simaerin and thousands have come to swear fealty to the rightful king. More come every day. Your lady mother and sisters are well, but they’ve left for safer lodgings.”
Gwyn’s hand found Aluem’s neck and he rubbed it. “My army?” He glanced toward Lawen, then turned back to his boyhood friend. Towwen had been a lanky stick of a thing in their youth, but now he sat well upon his horse, a handsome red-headed gentleman, with clear, light eyes.
“Lead on,” Gwyn said, adopting the tone of command he’d learned while serving at Keep Arch. With his friends at his side, and Towwen Stone leading the way, Gwyn wrestled with thoughts of his future. Like it or not, he was a king by blood. He didn’t want that, but his people wanted it.
Simaerin needed a benevolent and righteous king. A young man, so flawed and inexperienced, could never lead them justly. But he could fight for them against the Crow King, and that would give him time to find a better answer.
Cresting a hill, Gwyn raised his eyes toward Vinwen Manor. Around the estate, in the fallow fields, spread a veritable army of tents and milling soldiers. Some, Gwyn knew — perhaps even most — were untrained peasants. But they wanted to fight. Wanted to defy a mad, tyrant king, and make Simaerin something better.
Gwyn wanted that as well.
Now he must pursue that dream, for there was no turning back. He must fight to obtain liberty or die in the attempt.
Gwyn nudged Aluem, and the boy king and his unicorn rode on to meet their army as snow drifted from the wintry sky.
Appendix
For The Crow King
People
* * *
Adesta Gilhan [uh-DES-tuh gill-hăn] – A Fraeli Knight of Seabrelle in Fraelin.
* * *
Afallon [ă-fall-on] – The god of Simaerin and Fraelin. Also referred to as Sweet Afallon or Blessed Afallon. According to church doctrine, he sacrificed himself to redeem all men.
* * *
Aluem [ă-loo-em] – A unicorn who dwells in Ilid.
* * *
Aveon [ah-vee-awn] – High King of Ilid and the father of King Roth.
* * *
Bowrin [bow-rin] – An Ilidreth commander allied with the armed forces of the Crane King.
* * *
Brioc Ffyr [bree-ock fire] – A philosopher and printer in Charquae, and an associate of Towwen Brym.
* * *
Celin’Laen [sel-LIN-lay-in] – An Ilidreth. Also called Celin. [sel-LIN]
* * *
Crane King, The – Ruler of Fraelin.
* * *
Crow King, The – Ruler of Simaerin.
* * *
Cadogan ren Silverard [căd-oh-gen ren sil-ver-ard] – A General under the Crow King.
* * *
Gwynter ren Terare [gwin-tur ren tur-RAIR] – Second-born to the ren Terare estate in Simaerin. Mount Vinwen is his home. Also called Gwyn [gwin] or Gwynny [gwin-ee].
* * *
Harrevin [hawr-eh-vin] – A Simaeri Captain at the Battle of Drakefield.
* * *
Hesegg [hess-ehg] – The family doctor of House ren Terare.
* * *
Kive [kīv] – An Ilidreth now fallen. He views people as rats and eats them. (Also see Fallen under Terms & Phrases.)
* * *
Kovien ave’al Edelin [ko-vee-in ah-vay-all eh-dell-in] – A prince of Ilid.
* * *
Kydess [kī-dess] – Simaeri General of Keep Arch.
* * *
Lawen ren Terare [law-wen ren tur-RAIR] – Lord of Mount Vinwen in Simaerin, elder half-brother to Gwynter.
* * *
Lishtil [lish-till] – Simaeri Captain, Battle of Drakefield.
* * *
Mair ren Terare [mare ren tur-RAIR] – Mother of Gwynter, second wife of Tynveer ren Terare.
* * *
Mavell (maw-VELL) – Head cook at Mount Vinwen in Simaerin.
* * *
Nathaera ren Lotelon [nuh-thay-ruh ren lot-TAY-lawn] – A young woman of Simaerin, betrothed to Windsur ren Cloven.
* * *
Neirin ren Terare [nay-rin ren tur-RAIR] – Gwyn’s younger sister.
* * *
Pensivil ren Dorsen [pen-siv-ill ren dor-SENN] – General Cadogan’s adjutant in the Crow King’s army.
* * *
Rindermarr Lorric [rin-der-marr lor-rik] – A priest of Afallon in Simaerin.
* * *
Roth ave’al Edelin [raw-th ah-vay-all eh-dell-in] – High King of Ilid in former times. He is now deceased.
* * *
Rovare [row-vair] - Steward of Mount Vinwen.
* * *
Sila ren Terare [sigh-luh ren tur-RAIR] – Gwyn’s youngest sister.
* * *
Shalesta [shuh-LESS-tuh] – A princess of Fraelin in former days, and queen of Ilid before its collapse. She was the wife of Roth.
* * *
Stefa [stef-uh] – A friend of Neirin ren Terare.
* * *
Tarven [tar-venn] - A knight in service to House ren Cloven.
* * *
Theolin [thee-oh-lin] –
A resident of Vinwen Province.
* * *
Tia [tee-uh] – Gwyn’s dappled mare.
* * *
Towwen Brym [tau-wen brim] – A printer in Charquae and associate of Brioc Ffyr.
* * *
Towwen Stone [tau-wen stone] – A childhood friend of Gwynter living in Vinwen Province.
* * *
Traycen ren Lotelon [TRAY-sen ren lot-TAY-lawn] – A member of the Order of Corvus under the Crow King.
* * *
Tynveer ren Terare (tin-veer ren tur-RAIR) – Deceased head of House ren Terare, father of Lawen, Gwynter, Neirin and Sila. His first wife died giving birth to Lawen, and he married Mair years later. Their union produced Gwyn, and later, the girls.
* * *
Windsur ren Cloven [wind-sur ren kl-oh-vin] – A knight of Simaerin and the man betrothed to Nathaera ren Lotelon.
* * *
Yiara ren Lotelon [yee-AWR-uh ren lot-TAY-lawn] – Mother of Nathaera ren Lotelon.
Places
* * *
Bayton [bay-tun] – A port city in Simaerin.
* * *
Charquae [char-kway] – A trade city near Mount Vinwen in Simaerin.
* * *
Crane Castle – The castle of the Crane King in Fraelin.
* * *
Crow Castle – The castle of the Crow King in Simaerin.
* * *
Crowwell [cro-well] – The capital city of Simaerin situated on the southern coast of the kingdom.
* * *
Fraelin [fray-lin] – A kingdom to the northeast of Simaerin constantly at war with its southwestern neighbor. The Crane King reigns over these lands. Its people are called the Fraeli [fray-lee].
* * *
Ilid [ill-id] – The wooded northwestern kingdom of the fae-like Ilidreth [ill-id-reth], it has fallen into ruin and its fae are becoming wild and violent. (Also see Shaeswéath under Terms and Phrases.)
* * *
Keep Arch – A fortress near the northern Simaerin-Ilid border.
* * *
Keep Lirial [leer-ee-all] – A fortress near Siaan Wood, conquered by the Fraeli-Ilidreth forces.
* * *
Keep Lotelon [lot-TAY-lawn] – The estate where Nathaera ren Lotelon resides within the city of Crowwell in Simaerin.
* * *
Londolin [lawn-doh-linn] – The abandoned former capital of Simaerin during the age of the Wintervale Kings.
* * *
Mount Vinwen [vin-wen] – The agricultural estate and where House ren Terare resides, within Vinwen Province.
* * *
Seabrelle [see-brell] – A port city in Fraelin.
* * *
Simaerin [sih-MAY-rin] – The southern kingdom ruled by the Crow King. Its people are called the Simaeri [sih-MAY-ree].
* * *
Swan Castle – The human term for Shaeswéath, the legendary castle belonging to the Ilidreth.
* * *
Vaymeer Ocean [vay-meer] – The southern ocean in Simaerin. Crowwell sits upon its shores.
* * *
True Wood – The human term for the fae kingdom of Ilid.
Terms & Phrases
* * *
Chesevwé [chess-ehv-way] – The Crystal Way; a path leading to Swan Castle.
* * *
Corvus, Order of [kor-vuhs] – An elite and mysterious order under the Crow King in Simaerin.
* * *
Fallen – A term used to describe the state of the Ilidreth when their souls darken due to the blight that has overcome their people and kingdom. A fallen Ilidreth loses his or her sense of reality and usually becomes violent until they fade into nothing.
* * *
Léathial [lay-AH-thee-all] – The Ilidreth name for the starstones in the Chesevwé. (Also see Chesevwé.)
* * *
Shaeswéath [shay-SWAY-auth] – Swan Castle and its enormous grounds within the fae kingdom of Ilid. (Also see Ilid under Places.)
* * *
Weave, The – The source of magic, both of fae and of human mages.
* * *
Ilidreth Tongue:
* * *
“Amondel ré tiéthwé Shaeswéath.” – Awake yon (watery) path (to) Swan Castle!”
* * *
“Avéas weth!” – Come fire!
* * *
Fraeli Tongue:
* * *
Sui [swee] – Fraeli for “yes.”
Acknowledgments
Though I’ve already dedicated this book to its inspiration, I can never say enough about my love and admiration for the Father of my beautiful America. My passion for the Revolutionary War, and in particular George Washington, inspired Gwyn’s own story. While the scenes herein are fictional, I have borrowed from aspects of George Washington’s life and historical events to lend strength and truth to its pages. And so I acknowledge its source with all my heart.
I must also, and gladly do, thank my family for raising me with an undying love of my country, and for supporting me in writing this tribute.
I also wish to express my great appreciation to all the voices who aided me in taking this labor of love and polishing its pages. In particular, to my beta readers: CJ Farley, Brett Starks, Heidi Wadsworth, Tawnee Wadsworth, Sheyanne Warren, and Jamie Wills. Your honesty, enthusiasm, and willingness to read this book (several times in some cases) means the world to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
The Winter King
Book Two of Wintervale
DEDICATION
* * *
To the brave men and women who fight for freedom on every battlefield.
* * *
In particular, to Captain Nathan Hale of the American Revolution, whose sacrifice and dedication have been my inspiration throughout the writing of this book.
* * *
Rest in Peace
September 22, 1776
Part I
The Battle for Bayton
Chapter 1
The mouth of the cave gaped larger than Nox’s worst nightmares could ever paint. It smelled worse too. Gnawed bones littered the pathway around patches of snow.
Nox shuddered. From his vantage point, huddled in a thicket of frost-bitten spice berries, he couldn’t deny he’d reached his destination. That was good. It was also really, really bad.
Turning toward the familiar, oft-encouraging face of his friend, Nox recoiled upon finding Nathael’s complexion green, his lips pulled down in a grim frown, his eyes leaden. Nathael pulled those dead eyes from the cavern and tried the limpest smile never recorded in history.
“I think we found it,” he said in a wooden voice.
Nox grimaced and nodded. “I’m afraid you’re right.”
“Now what?” asked Nathael.
Nox swallowed hard. His friend was the brave one, always stalwart, always unshrinking, while Nox followed where he could, too timid to lead. But this had been his idea, and while Nathael supported him, Nox couldn’t bring himself to shirk responsibility now, when it well and truly mattered.
He turned back to the path strewn with the bones of countless animals, especially deer. “I must go in.” He pushed through the thicket, shriveled berries dropping at his feet, until he broke free of the wasted undergrowth to stand unprotected. He trembled.
Squaring his shoulders, he wended around the bones, growing increasingly conscious of his considerable girth. He’d never been a small child, and his sweet tooth was inferior only to his discerning palate. Nox liked food. A lot. Perhaps that came of being a baker’s son. Only now did he perceive an unforeseen danger in weighing twice what Nathael did.
He might be eaten.
The faint crunch of footfalls sounded behind Nox. He glanced back to find Nathael tailing him. The encouraging smile was back, though it still lacked its usual luster.
“Y-you don’t have to come,” Nox whispered.
Nathael shrugged and said nothing. As Nox moved forward, Nathael followed.