The Agartes Epilogues: Complete Trilogy (Books 1-3)

by KS Villoso

  They heard the dogs bark.

  “Shit.”

  “I think we have a visitor,” Sume whispered.

  Kefier groaned. “There can’t be.” He tried to draw her back into his arms. Stifling laughter, she pushed away.

  “Daisy never barks unless there’s someone.”

  “Ishir knows he’s not supposed to come back until tomorrow.”

  “Why ever would you order him to do such a thing?”

  “Why ever not? Three days in complete solitude with you…” He grinned. She threw a pillow at his head and quickly got dressed. He rolled over the side of the bed to do the same.

  They went downstairs. Kefier unlocked the door and swore out loud. Standing outside were Ichi rok Sagar and Hira alon gar Sethi. Their faces were streaked with dirt.

  Sume got over her shock long enough to remember her manners and ushered them inside. Kefier looked displeased, but she ignored him. “This is a long way to travel to see me,” she said, pulling out chairs for them to sit on.

  Sagar heaved himself into one. “I almost didn’t want to go,” he said evenly. She had not seen him in over two years, but he looked almost exactly the same, as if his aging had reached its peak. “But she insisted, and we needed to flee.”

  “Jin-Sayeng is in civil war,” Hira said. “His life’s in danger.”

  “That’s not even the important part,” Sagar snorted. “Warlord Yeshin and Warlord Lushai have seized control of the Dragonthrone.”

  “Both of them?” Sume asked. “Did they get married?”

  Sagar didn’t look amused. “They still haven’t decided who’ll take the throne. They’ve been too busy defending themselves from the other warlords. Ryabei was executed and I barely escaped with my life.” He swallowed. “I tried to seek refuge with Princess Roa, who declared her intention to take her brother’s place. A travesty, I knew, and yet…”

  “You’re an Ikessar dog, through and through,” Hira said.

  He glowered at her.

  “Oh, let’s not put on airs about it,” Hira snapped at him. “The idea of a woman on the Dragonthrone repulses you, but you’d still rather see an Ikessar rump on it than anyone else’s.”

  “That’s not true,” Sume broke in. “I seem to recall that he didn’t mind the idea of Yeshin taking over and he was half-mad in those days.”

  “I retracted that statement when I saw how unfit he was to rule,” Sagar replied. “I supported Ryabei from the very beginning. The man had sense, if not quite the blood. We would’ve figured out a way around that last part. Now he is gone and the choice came down to two barbarians or a woman. I’m fighting for an enlightened age, the way all of us once did. The Ikessars and the philosophies of Kibouri…”

  “The Ikessars aren’t the saints you think they are, you know.”

  Sagar huffed. “So you would rather see things fall apart?”

  “Don’t put words in my mouth, old fart. As far as I’m concerned, the Ikessars are the least of the three evils right now. Dragonlord Lushai? Dragonlord Yeshin? I can just hear our ancestors rolling in their graves. They’ll turn back two hundred years of progress if you let them.” Hira shook her head and turned to Sume. “Princess Roa was assassinated.”

  Sume tried not to let her face show any emotion. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Princess Ran was captured,” Sagar added. “If they haven’t executed her yet, they will soon. I’m told it will be a very public one for all the land to remember.”

  Sume swallowed. “And Ryia?”

  Sagar glanced at Hira. She snorted. “You can trust her.”

  “I don’t know about that. How loyal are you to Jin-Sayeng, Kaggawa?”

  “Of course she is,” Hira said. “Princess Roa put her in a bad spot the last time, but it wasn’t her intention to hurt anyone. She didn’t instigate that attack and she was the one who didn’t give up on Rysaran. Even after everyone else had.”

  Sagar sighed. “Very well.” He got up, striding past Kefier, and went outside. A moment later, he returned with two others. Sume recognized Mihad. The fourth figure flipped down her hood.

  “Princess Ryia,” Sume said. She bowed.

  “Sume alon gar Kaggawa,” Ryia murmured. “Thank you for welcoming me into your home. It’s beautiful.”

  “You’re welcome to stay as long as you want,” Sume replied, glancing at Kefier. He was shaking his head.

  “We won’t be staying for very long, I’m afraid,” Ryia said. “We didn’t come here to hide. We need your assistance, Kaggawa. We don’t know anyone else with half as much connections as you do outside of Jin-Sayeng, and you speak the language of the Kags so well.”

  “I can speak it, too,” Sagar snorted.

  “Not without sounding like a bloated fart, you can’t,” Mihad broke in.

  “We also heard you’re marrying a certain Count Tar’elian,” Ryia continued. “A position that comes with distinct advantages.”

  Sume took a deep breath. “What you’re saying is that you need my help to find people to fund your war against Oren-yaro and Bara.”

  “In part,” Ryia said. She folded her hands together. “They will undo everything your father worked so hard for, Kaggawa. The ancient ways are…bloodthirsty. There are many reasons why we stepped away from them.”

  “There’s tea in the kitchen, Hira,” Sume said. “Help yourselves. I must speak with Commander Tar’elian for a moment.” She caught Kefier’s eyes. He crossed his arms and followed her outside.

  “You know I don’t like the sound of this, right?” he said, as soon as they were safely out of earshot.

  “I know.”

  “Getting caught up in politics like that again—Jin-Sayeng politics, to make matters worse. We’ve just survived one war—I don’t see why you need to go help start another one.”

  “I’m not starting one. Didn’t you hear? It’s already started.” She placed a hand on his arm. “I killed the prince. I caused this.”

  “A mercy. He would’ve died, anyway. And how could you have caused it? It was his own foolishness that ruined him.”

  “A foolishness that saved us all, in the end. Had he not weakened the creature first, would Sapphire have even been able to kill it?”

  Kefier’s jaw tightened. “So you agree. It was all for the best.”

  “But rationalizing it still doesn’t change what had happened, what I’ve done,” she whispered. “We have obligations to fulfill. Just as you continue to honour my brother’s memory in your efforts with the Boarshind, I feel compelled to do something to make it right. Even if I never really can.”

  The echo, the acknowledgement, was not lost on him. He was silent for a moment, staring at her. She could see in his eyes that he still didn’t agree, but he understood. “You’ll be putting your life in danger.”

  “It already is. Who I am, and the people I’m entangled with…” Sume smiled at him and reached up to caress his cheek. “I’ll stay away from anything involving a sword, if that pleases you.”

  “You should. You’re terrible with it.” He took a deep breath. “If obligation is all it is, I can send men to help them. You don’t have to lift a finger.”

  Sume placed her hands in his, wondering if she could ever put into words what it meant that he listened to her like this. “We can’t make up for our sins,” she said. “But we can’t live the rest of our lives pretending that we can’t try.” She laid her head on his chest. “Don’t think this means I’m letting you go. Not this time.”

  Kefier pressed his thumb over her lips and paused long enough to tuck a strand of hair over her ear. “As if I’d let you,” he murmured, reaching down to kiss her.

  Acknowledgements

  I’ve done it.

  Nearly 13 years later, The Agartes Epilogues is finally completed.

  After I finished Sapphire’s Flight, I went through all my files from the past few years and realized just how much work it took to get the story this far. What you’ve just read is only the tip of
the iceberg. Drafts, notes, outlines, mini-stories, character arc synopses…I have entire folders of them in my computer. World-building is difficult, epic plot-building even more so, and trying to weave all of that into a cohesive, somewhat-entertaining story is insanity in itself.

  I want to reiterate my gratitude towards my family, especially Mikhail, who took over the reins as the main editor for our switch over to publishing under the Liam’s Vigil house name. Mikhail is this series’ biggest fan, which doesn’t seem to stop him from hacking the manuscript apart, right down to questioning every character’s decision. If you were in agony over the supposed romance in this story, don’t fret—I can assure you, he was in a lot more.

  And of course, I want to thank my children, Eirene and Conrad, particularly for yelling, “Mommy’s working! Give her some privacy!” to each other as I lumbered to my office to write. To my cousins San and Janet, for helping take care of the household while my mind’s elsewhere, my parents and in-laws for their unending support, and my friends for not thinking I’m weird for doing this.

  I also want to thank the team from World Tree Publishing for continuing to support me, even after I decided to self-publish: Ash Navarre for her beautiful cover art, Mandy Bohannan for her grammar nitpicks, and Quenby Olson Eisenacher for her vast insights on everything, including publishing and marketing. And of course, for their continued encouragement, some of the greatest friends a person can ever have: Raymond Tan, Erica Mateo, Cristina Trijo, Charmaine Renken, Bo Hurley, Cheyanne Hewitt, Sunseehray Tirazona, and Sheena Rafferty, among others.

  ~~~

  Finally, I want to thank my gracious readers, generous reviewers, and everyone in the SFF community (especially in the r/fantasy subreddit), and beyond, who has offered their support, encouragement, and ideas throughout my endeavours.

  To be honest, while writing Jaeth’s Eye, I didn’t know people like you existed. I gained a lot of confidence afterwards, when I realized how many of you, like me, just simply love epic fantasy and everything it is, and even the things it isn’t. Regardless of what you think of this series or not—if you loved it, just liked it, or even if you thought it didn’t deliver at all (I know, Jaeth’s Eye in particular was a bit messier than it could’ve been…in my defense, I wrote it drunk writing epic fantasy is hard)—thank you. I laboured on this series for years in silence—to have it out in the open, and to have people give it a chance—means more to me than words can ever honestly express.

  So, what’s next for me?

  Well, right now, my next project is the series Annals of a Bitch Queen, a smaller-scale epic fantasy focusing on the events in Jin-Sayeng many years after the dramatic conclusion of The Agartes Epilogues. Told from the point of view of one character, it has a faster-paced, with a somewhat political, low fantasy tone that focuses on…as usual…drama and character interactions. The Wolf of Oren-yaro is the first book and is partly written/fully-outlined. I’m hoping to begin work on it by January of this upcoming year, and plan to have the first trilogy ready for release by April 5, 2018 and the second trilogy a year after that. Is it an insane schedule? Of course it is, but it’s not like I’m good at anything else.

  I also have The Wanderer’s Gift—the first book in a yet-unnamed series concerning the Kingdom of Herey and the various anomalies occurring in that nation—on the wings. This phenomena was hinted at in The Agartes Epilogues. The Wanderer’s Gift is a psychological epic fantasy horror, so God knows how I’m planning to pull that one off. It’ll be fun to see me agonize over this novel again, that’s for sure.

  That said, the adventures of the characters in The Agartes Epilogues are far from over. The sequel trilogy, Ferral’s Footnotes, is still in the planning stages, and I doubt I will get around to it soon (though certainly within this decade, I hope). In Ferral’s Footnotes, I’d like to explore more of Dageis and the concept of the agan. One of the main characters will be Rosha and her adventures in Eheldeth. And of course, the main cast of The Agartes Epilogues will probably make an appearance. What, did you think I was done with Enosh?

  K.S. Villoso

  December 8, 2016

  Deleted Scenes

  Act Three, Chapter Seven, At the Military Headquarters in Lon Basden

  “What did the tribune say about bringing personal issues to this meeting?” Bannal asked. He crossed his arms. “Keeper Solat is a wise man and commands more mages than the paltry fifty that Lon Basden is offering you. The tribune is correct—the most I think you could do is temporarily control the creature. You will need reinforcements. Think you they can come from Eheldeth in time? The rest of the Enji-ar are scattered everywhere and trying to get word to them—”

  Enosh got up. Everybody in the room turned to him as he crossed the length of the hall and punched Bannal in the face.

  “What the fuck?” Sapphire asked, as they dragged him away.

  Enosh shook his head. “Language.”

  Act Two, Chapter Fourteen, At The Gates of Fort Oras

  Kefier heard the sound of the battering ram hit the door. He also heard a horn on the hill. He saw a lord look down, as if surveying the carnage below, before turning his horse around. The Hafed army began to follow him.

  It took a full moment for this to sink in.

  “What’s happening out there?” a soldier asked behind him. “Our archers are almost gone. They’re supposed to be sending reinforcements. What the hell are they doing?”

  Kefier blinked. “They’re…they’re dancing.”

  “What?”

  “Look.”

  They were—twirling, standing on tiptoe, swords flashing in the air. One lord jumped from his horse, landed on his knees, and broke out into song.

  “The Dageians probably poisoned their water,” the soldier mused.

  Kefier sighed.

  Act Three, Chapter Twelve, at Fort Bastras in Halfmoon Bay

  Enosh smiled. “It is. Are you coming to my wedding? You must’ve seen the ring on my intended’s finger while you were bedding her.”

  “Actually, she took it off.”

  “You son of a—”

  “Right, curse your own mother too, why don’t you?” He caught the look on Enosh’s face. “Fuck. You knew. You’ve always known.”

  “And of course you would change the conversation to make me look like the villain here.”

  “No, let’s go back to talking about your wedding. Are you going to have flowers? What’s the main course? Will there be cake? You know I like cake.”

  “I’m sorry—do I talk too much about my wedding?”

  “No, of course you don’t. I’m sure it’s the only thing people ever want to hear about.”

  “I can stop if it bothers you.”

  “No, please. Tell me about the cake.”

  “It’s not really the wedding you should worry about, though. It’s what comes after. Because you know, as tired as the bride is bound to be, I’m going to make sure that she…”

  Kefier punched him. “Talk about the cake,” he snarled.

  “Chocolate,” Enosh said, spurting blood.

  Kefier cracked his knuckles. “Good.”

  “And lemon.”

  “Ugh.”

  “With nuts.”

  “Fuck you, Enosh.”

  Act Three, Chapter Twelve, at Fort Bastras in Halfmoon Bay, Cont’d

  “I am glad to see that you are well, Commander Kefier,” Sume said, bowing stiffly towards him. “I hope the journey wasn’t too difficult for you.”

  “It didn’t kill me,” Kefier said. “I see you made it here in one piece, too. Did the sea breeze agree with your complexion, Lady Kaggawa?”

  “It did, Commander.”

  “Good. You should soak in wet sand too, one of these days. Salt is supposed to be good for the skin.”

  “I will remember that. Do you know of any good places where one can participate in such an activity?”

  “There are, in fact, many such places in the Gorent, my lady.”

  “Mayhaps
you could accompany me, Commander.”

  “If my schedule permits it, mayhaps I will. I can even show you how to use a salt-scrub properly.”

  “Could you? There’s this spot in my shoulder I can’t quite reach. Maybe you could…”

  “Both of you,” Enosh said, his face red. “Shut the fuck up.”

  Act Three, Interlude, At the Tereles Palace’s Gardens

  Orsalian walks up to him. Her face looks even paler than usual, but her eyes are hard. She does not turn to him—her gaze is on the creature. “We need to get it down from there,” she says.

  “We could try that,” Daro says. “And then what?”

  “Keep it distracted, let me get close.” She pauses. “Wait. What am I doing? There must be a better way than…”

  NO. YOU GO DO THIS NOW.

  Sapphire’s eyes harden as she turns to the unseen voice. “What if I say no?”

  YOU CAN’T. YOU ONLY HAVE A THREE-BOOK CONTRACT.

  “You didn’t tell me that when I signed up. You said, and I quote, ‘Heroes for an epic fantasy trilogy needed. Lots of opportunities for world-saving and heroic deeds.’ You didn’t say anything about riding a creature to my death.”

  IT’S IMPLIED.

  “How so?”

  OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS.

  Sapphire narrows her eyes. “So I don’t even have a say on this?”

  NOPE.

  “I mean, it’s so stupid. Why would I do such a thing? Logically, I should let Enosh do it. He’s got a better chance of standing up to it. Plus, he needs to make way more amends than I do. A lot more.”