She reached the gates: a thin, almost skeletal figure about to confront an entire army, and she just didn’t care.
She pushed on one of the gates, but it wouldn’t budge. She threw her entire weight against it until it at last gave way, and opened out into the square.
The explosion of sunlight blinded her, and she cried out and covered her face with her forearm. Around her, she heard the clatter of weapons and armor, and the murmurs of voices all about. She felt small and exposed, without even a rapier at her side.
A familiar male voice spoke: “We’ve come for you, Waeh-Loh of Ignis Fatuus.”
She tried to peer beneath her forearm, but even squinting into the sunlight was too much for her.
“I can’t see!” she shouted. “It’s too bright for my eyes. Who is that?”
“It’s me,” the voice said. “Tamlevar.”
Tamlevar?
She squinted again, and sure enough, she could make out the outline of a figure that might have been Tamlevar.
She took a stumbling step forward, not really daring to believe it was him. On her second step, she fell, and the figure lunged forward and caught her.
“Easy,” Tamlevar said, gently. “I’ve got you.”
Willow shaded her eyes with her palm and looked into Tamlevar’s perfect hazel eyes. She felt the resurgence of life in her heart as though the water flow had resumed to the waterwheel powering her limbs.
“Tamlevar,” she whispered. She felt an overwhelming urge to embrace him, but she was a soldier and soldiers didn’t do that sort of—
Oh, to hell with it.
She wrapped her arms around him, and he wrapped his around her. It was the best thing she had ever felt, and she wished she could stay like that for the rest of her life.
“I’m so glad you’re alive,” she said. “But what are you doing here?”
“I’m here on behalf of the new Warlord of Ignis Fatuus,” he said.
Willow recoiled from his embrace. “And who is this new Warlord?”
Tamlevar’s smile was enormous.
“You are,” he said.
Chapter 118
Now that Willow’s eyes were adjusting to the brightness, she was surprised to see that there were some elves mixed in among the Kard soldiers.
“Tamlevar,” she said, “please tell me what is going on?”
“What part of it?” he said, smiling broadly.
“All of it! Or at least, how you came to be alive and what you mean about me being the Warlord.”
He chuckled.
“Well, there’s not much to how I came to be alive. I just never died.”
“But the tower fell on you!”
“No, the tower fell on your cordon. And I happened to be next to it, so its body shielded me from the tower’s collapse. I was only stunned, really, though I had a few broken bones. But they healed months ago.”
Her mind struggled to wake from its long slumber. “Ok, so tell me about this warlord thing. Do you mean that I literally am the new warlord?”
“Yup. Don’t you see? You killed the old Warlord, and that’s how you become the new one. To weigh matters even more heavily in your favor, this was actually the second Warlord you had killed, not to mention that you were of the royal bloodline both by marriage to a previous warlord, and by being the daughter of Tee-Ri, the wife of the current one.
“So as far as the Kards were concerned, that made you unquestionably the new Warlord. Oh sure, they debated about it, and claims were staked, but in the end, your claim was the most evident: you lopped the old Warlord’s head off in front of some forty-five thousand witnesses!
“The problem was that you had vanished. A new warlord had come to them, but then had left before she could tell them what to do. This posed quite a problem for them.”
“My heart bleeds,” Willow said.
“Hey, they’re not all bad, you know. You just saw some of the worst of them. On the whole, the Kards are really no different from the Bryanaens … except that they stink a whole lot more.”
Tamlevar’s grinning face was so handsome that Willow was overcome with the urge to kiss it. She fought it.
“Go on,” she said.
“So anyway, then they remember that they have me locked up in their dungeon, and they think, ‘Hey, this guy is a friend of the Warlord’s; I bet he can give us a clue what she’d want us to do.’ And as soon as I understood what it was they were asking me, you bet I could.
“I knew you’d want the elves freed, so that was the first thing I did.”
“Is Sil-Then …?” She didn’t dare finish the sentence.
“Sil-Then is alive and, um, intact. He’s still nuttier than a squirrel’s dinner party, but he’s alive and well.
“Now get ready for this.
“Tee-Ri was the Queen of the Elves, of course. Well, with her dead, you probably can guess who’s next in line for the throne.”
“Oh no,” Willow said.
“Yup,” Tamlevar said. “Warlord of Ignis Fatuus and Queen of the Elves. You’re really moving up in the world, Willow. To think I knew you back when you were only the Captain of the Guard.”
“Oh no,” Willow said again, because she could think of nothing else to say.
“So, naturally, I put together a small party to come find you; only ten thousand or so. Jabar hadn’t been exaggerating about the logistics of moving so many troops without enough boats.
“So I arrive here to find out how you were doing, and you can imagine how upset I was to find out you had been imprisoned.
“And then I think: here’s my dearest Willow trapped in a tower like a damsel in distress, and here I am with an army ten thousand strong. And wouldn’t you know it, you put two and two together and you come up with a solution.”
Willow’s brain tilted and spun as it tried to encompass one tenth of what Tamlevar had told her.
“How did … how did you … talk with them?”
“Oh, that!” Tamlevar said. His face took on a serious expression. “I’ve Kardic from an expert in linguistics been learning.”
“The Szun! He’s ok?”
“Of course he’s ok. He’s immortal, and under the new regime—that is to say, your regime—his hurting has stopped. He’s looking forward to teaching everybody the correct way to speak the Tongue of Men.” Tamlevar laughed. “I him the best of luck wish, and I’m you as well do sure!”
Willow blinked a few moments, trying to absorb it all. It was just too much. A half-smile flickered at the corner of her mouth.
“Excuse me for a few minutes, would you, Tamlevar?”
Tamlevar saluted her. “Of course, your Warlordship!”
Willow went back into the castle.
Chapter 119
Now Willow felt her strength returning. It was unbelievable, really. All of it. She felt as though she were walking in a dream.
Tamlevar alive. The Szun unharmed. The elves freed.
And now this.
Oh, this part was just too good to be true. If this were a dream, Willow prayed she wouldn’t wake up.
She reached the first portcullis. The guard who had escorted her to this point was still there. He stared at her without comprehension.
“Open the portcullis,” she said.
He seemed lost in a trance for a moment, then abruptly leapt into motion and cranked the portcullis out of Willow’s way.
She walked along the corridor, passed through the rest of portcullises, and into the main hall. She strode into the throne room.
Queen Tiranda seemed understandably surprised to see her. Her eyes goggled and her jaw worked, but no sound came out. The Chancellor rested his head in his arms beside her.
“What … what are you doing back?” she said at last. The Chancellor looked up, confused.
“Your Majesty, I …” Willow had to fight a powerful case of the giggles that threatened to burst forth from her mouth. She clamped her lips as tightly as she could, but it was no use.
Her lau
ghter echoed in the empty hall.
“WHAT?” the Queen demanded, nonplussed
Willow shook her head, trying to shake the laughter from her face. Finally, when she had herself under control—discipline, damn it!—she started again.
“Your Majesty, I have the undeniably great pleasure of discussing the terms of your surrender.”
“You? Why you?”
“Don’t worry about it, Your Majesty. Suffice it to say that at the moment, I speak for the army that surrounds the castle. Shall I tell you the terms?”
“I asked, why you?”
“Here are the terms, and they’re really quite simple: you abdicate the throne. That is all.”
“What!” The Queen leapt from her throne, her eyes wide, and her face pale.
“Yes, that’s all you have to do. You abdicate the throne, and the ultimate goal is to hand over power to Vazerian as soon as he can be made ready.”
Willow turned to leave, but the Queen called after her.
“And who shall rule until then?” the Queen shouted, her voice rising with a pitch of hysteria in it.
“I thought that much was obvious,” Willow said. “I will.”
Chapter 120
The combined Kardic/Elven forces cheered her return. She put aside her feelings of surreality and forced herself to nod and wave to her admirers.
To her army. To her subjects.
Tamlevar stood at their head, at the flat stone pavement that led to the castle. In the morning sunlight, dressed in his King’s Guard uniform, he looked undeniably handsome.
She told him what had transpired with Tiranda.
“Well, well,” he said. “Warlord of Ignis Fatuus, Queen of the Elves, and now Queen of Bryanae as well. It’s been a busy day for you, hasn’t it?”
“It’s been a busy life,” she said.
“Yes,” he said, his voice serious for just a moment, and then it was past. “So now that’s all done, what’s going to happen next?”
Good question. What did she need to do now?
She glanced at Tamlevar, then up at the sky, which was so blue, and with clouds so white that it pained her heart to look at them. She breathed in deeply and the air felt clean and pure in her lungs.
“What’s next,” she said, “is that you and I are going for a walk. It’s a beautiful day.”
“Ah,” Tamlevar said. “And now can I kiss you?”
“Shut up,” she said, smiling. She slipped her arm into his. “Show a little discipline, will you?”
Acknowledgements
There are so many people to thank that writing the acknowledgments section seems more daunting than was writing the book itself.
I have to start with a humungous thank you to my gaming friends from grad school: to Chad and Lesley, the original Suel and Elidon, and especially to Ryk E. Spoor, that mad and inventive genius who never seems to run out of brilliant and outlandish ideas.
Then there is Barb Caffrey, who never let me give up, and whose industry knowledge and experience helped me navigate many a treacherous sea.
And of course, there is my long-time friend Art Pugach, who always had faith in Willow even when mine was flagging.
I need to put in a word for the dynamic duo David Loewenstern and Deborah Greenberg. Dave’s the logical one and helped me work out some of the aspects of Kardic society; Deb’s the dramatic one, who inspired much of what that scoundrel Snyde did to poor Willow, and she also was the first to call me on many a poorly-written bit of a dialog or an incongruous bit of costuming.
But of course, I wouldn’t be anywhere without the four important women in my life: my mother Paula Getzin, who could teach Willow a thing or two about discipline; her late mother Jenny Mayer, who taught me the value and beauty of words; my father’s late mother Evelyn Schwender, who was always proud of me no matter how often I screwed up; and Kate, who is and always shall be my Intended Reader.
I owe an immense debt to Chris Boucher, whose surgical critique of my previous novel taught me more about writing than any school ever has. No other critique has ever stung me as sorely nor helped me as much.
While I’m at it, I need to thank R. A. Salvatore, too. This guy is a best-selling author with thousands of fans, and yet he still found time to answer all of my piddly questions about writing and the writing industry. What a mensch!
In terms of expertise, I have to thank (in chronological order): Sensei Gary Panicella, Sensei Heather Smith, Shihan Reginald “The Snake” Goode, Sensei John Jesperson, George Sernack, Professor Renzo Gracie, and Jamie Cruz for teaching me most of what I know about fighting, weapons, and the martial arts.
And of course, a big thank you to all those generous people who volunteered to read, critique, and often re-read my manuscript until it was finally fit for public consumption. I want to list you all, but I fear to try because with my memory, Im sure to leave someone off and make a fool out of myself. But believe me, I appreciate all your help!
Last but not least, Id be remiss if I neglected to thank all my former co-workers at Cantor Fitzgerald for their patience, enthusiasm, and support. I cant imagine it was easy working with an aspiring writer!
About The Author
photo: Wai Ng
JEFFREY GETZIN graduated from Clark University, where he won the Loring Holmes and Ruth Dodd Drama Contest for an original one-act play. He earned a master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Jeffrey is a former employee at Google and now develops software for Millennium Systems International in New Jersey, where he lives with his long-time girlfriend Kate and a seemingly infinite number of cats.
Jeffrey is a lifelong practitioner of various martial arts, and currently holds a purple belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu under Renzo Gracie black belt Jamie Cruz and has trained in Muay Thai under legendary fighter Kaensak Sor Ploenjit. He currently trains under Andy and Mike Main at Pure Mixed Martial Arts. He has competed in table tennis at the national level. Jeffrey is an avid film and home theater buff. Also, his mother says he is very handsome.
For more information, visit www.jeffreygetzin.com.
Prince of Bryanae
“Fresh and strong and full of energy!” — New York Times Bestselling Author R. A. Salvatore
Elven soldier Willow serves the human Kingdom of Bryanae in a bid to overcome her traumatic past. Emotionally crippled and driven by her personal demons, she has buried that past so deeply that she has forgotten it altogether … but it hasn't forgotten her.
Paralyzed by an inexplicable terror, she watches helplessly as old enemies kidnap the Prince. Considered by most of Bryanae to be a coward and a traitor, Willow decides she must confront her past and plunge into the heart of the enemy empire to rescue the Prince.
Aside from the steel blade she wields with lethal expertise, Willow has only dubious allies upon whom to rely—a headstrong private who’s in love with her, an inscrutable winged mage with a hidden agenda, and a dashing but opportunistic captain whom she desires against her better judgment.
An army of fanatical warriors stands in her way. Leading them is the mad and seemingly immortal Warlord who has a personal grudge to settle with Willow: one that spans centuries.
Willow has devoted her life to discipline and now she must bring that discipline to bear. Pain will not stop her. Fear will not stop her. She will rescue the Prince or die trying. Willow has been honing her combat and weaponry skills for a very long time. It’s time to put those skills to good use.
PRINCE OF BRYANAE is an epic fantasy novel filled with intense battles, romance, betrayal, and redemption.
An action-packed epic fantasy novel filled with flashing rapiers, treacherous villains, lust, betrayal, self-sacrifice, and redemption. Intricately-plotted, with cinematic battles and finely-drawn characters, Prince of Bryanae is a must-read first novel that will leave you breathless!
Shara and the Haunted Village
“I wholeheartedly recommend this story!” — Ryk E. Spoor, author of Digital Knight
A Desperate Gamble
An ancient mystery, a legendary wizard, ghosts, magic, a demon … and Shara, an impoverished seamstress.
Shara has fallen on hard times recently. She’s starving, has just lost her home, and she can’t find work anywhere. However, a chance encounter with a a sociopathic giant and a charming rogue might just be her escape from her hand-to-mouth lifestyle. All she has to do is guide them to the haunted village she had stumbled upon when she was a child.
But can she trust them?
Buy it now in Paperback, for the Kindle or Nook, at Google Play, or at Smashwords!
A Lesson for the Cyclops
“It combines everything I love in a fantasy—adventure, romance and an unexpected ending!” — Connie J. Jasperson, author of Tower of Bones
Dare to Hope?
Maria leads a lonely existence of silent misery. Horribly disfigured, she earns a meager living as a sideshow freak. Her very existence is one of mockery, contempt, and ridicule. She has no hope, no dreams. No future.
But when a dashing swordsman stumbles onto the circus grounds, wounded and feverish, Maria is able to imagine a life beyond the confines of her dreary world. Could a swashbuckling hero like him ever fall for a freak like her?
Buy it now in Paperback, for the Kindle or Nook, at Google Play, or at Smashwords!
King of Bryanae
“Two of my all-time favorite characters collide in this always entertaining, frequently hilarious, nonstop romp!”
— Connie J. Jasperson, author of Tower of Bones
The Missing King has been Spotted!
The King of Bryanae has been missing for years. Captain Willow, elven head of the King’s Guard blames herself for his disappearance. No matter how mysterious the circumstances of his disappearance, somehow she should have prevented it. It’s a mistake for which she will not forgive herself.
Prince of Bryanae Page 43
