Spawn of Fury

by Sean Hinn

  Kalashagon was no stranger to pain, and his prey stood unguarded.

  In three loping strides, the wounded dragon closed the distance, inhaling as he approached. Lucan, Aria, J’arn, Wolf and Shyla huddled together, waiting for the end.

  As the first of the flames passed Kalashagon’s fangs, Shyla thought of her ring. As she did so, the first name to bubble to the surface of her mind was that of her grandmama.

  Cindra Sandshingle.

  XXXXI: FURY

  The voice cut through Sartean’s mind like a hacksaw.

  ~YOU ARE LATE, SARTEAN D’AVERS.~

  Sartean moaned in panic, blubbering. He had been chained to the cold stone table for the hours since the moment of his death, his thirst and chill growing more unbearable by the moment. He knew whatever came next, however, would be far worse.

  ~I HAVE PREPARED FOR YOUR ARRIVAL REPEATEDLY. YOU TRY MY PATIENCE, AND I HAVE SO LONGED TO PLAY WITH YOU.~

  No no no no no!

  ~I HAVE OTHER GUESTS THIS DAY, MAGICIAN. UNEXPECTED GUESTS. WE WILL HAVE LITTLE TIME TO PLAY. WE MUST NOT WASTE IT.~

  The table upon which Sartean lay suddenly became warmer. Then quite warm. Then far, far too warm.

  ~SHALL WE BEGIN?~

  Sartean screamed.

  END OF VOLUME THREE

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  What a rotten word, “acknowledgements.” Sounds like a perfunctory nod, a half-arsed handshake you give someone you’d just as soon not have run into. Let’s try again.

  APPRECIATION

  There. That’s better. Still woefully insufficient, but better.

  First, last and always: my Emily. You’re my muse, darlin’. My dawn and my dusk, and all the turns inbetween. Just grab a thesaurus, look through the words associated with “love”, and shove them all in a blender. Add a little margarita mix and some tequila, if you like. Salt the rim. Actually, you know what? You just sit down. I’ll make it. There. Slurp it down. Let me pour you another. You deserve every drop.

  Volume Three is dedicated to my rugrats – though, you hardly spend much time on the rug anymore, and you’ve grown quite large for rats. You kids are my life, and I am so proud of the adults you are becoming. I do not merely love you, I admire you. I wish I possessed half the honor, strength, and goodness you bear. The world is a better place with you in it, and my pride in you cannot be expressed with things so pitiful as words.

  On to the professional thanks…

  Matthew Burton, you really brought Kalashagon to life. I love the cover art. Flat-out brilliant. Paulo Duelli, thanks tons for helping with the typography and renderings. You never cease to do great work. Eric T. Knight: you are the cruelest taskmaster of an editor I have ever had the supreme displeasure of working with, and this book is magnitudes better for your involvement. I can give no greater compliment. Thank you. Love you, brother.

  Now: the Fanatics. In particular, I mean the Epic Fantasy Fanatics. For those of you not in-the-know, the EFFers are part of the Epic Fantasy Fanatics Facebook group, which you can find here: http://facebook.com/groups/EpicFantasy You guys and gals have been so encouraging, and I love you like Smaug loves gold. And I cannot mention EFF without mentioning the amazing authors who have helped make that group what it is:

  Alisha Klapheke - Angela Ford – Brandon Barr – Dionne Lister Eric T. Knight – Evan Winter - Keith Ward - JA Andrews

  Jack Conner - JC Kang – Meg Cowley - ML Spencer

  Sara C. Roethle - Steven Kelliher

  Then we have you. Every one of you who has been a part of this journey so far. I cannot wait to tell you the rest of this story. Thank you, so stinkin’ much.

  One more time, for good measure:

  I love you, Emily.

  APPENDIX A: CAST OF CHARACTERS

  Anie Thomison (AY-nee TOM-is-sun): Wife of Vincent Thomison. Deceased.

  Aria Evanti (AH-ree-uh ee-VON-tee): Elven Princess of Thornwood, daughter to Terrias Evanti, heir to the Seat of Thornwood. Unmarried.

  Barrington (BEAR-ing-tun): Deceased former Master of Trade in the kingdom of Mor. Killed by a Defender while speaking out of turn in the throne room.

  Barris (BEAR-iss): Sir Barris, First Knight of Thornwood. Parentage unknown, no known heir or kin.

  Blythe Kalder (BLYTH KAL-der): Captain of the Gate of Belgorne.

  Boot (BOOT): See "Kelgarr."

  Brenn Silverstone (BREN SIL-ver-stōn): First King of Belgorne, once Brenn Blackhammer.

  Cam Morson (CAM MORE-son): Vincent Thomison’s stablemaster

  Champ (CHAMP): Light brown paint, stallion. Given to Nikalus by Master Argus.

  Chaneela (sha-NEE-lah): Unendorsed house wizard to sisters Maris and Kalindra

  Chono (CHO-no): Airie male, beloved of Lady Lor.

  Cindra Sandshingle (SIN-druh SAND-sheen-gul): Gnomish witch, descendant of the Sandshingle and Claywart bloodlines. Maternal grandmother to Shyla Greykin.

  Colonel Onyx (KER-nel ON-ix): Second in the dwarven army to General Brandaxe.

  Cloudia (CLOW-dee-yah): Elven ranger, healer.

  Dohr Silverstone (DOR SIL-ver-stōn): Secondson of Belgorne, brother to J'arn.

  Earl (ER-ul): Citizen of Mor. Wagon loader.

  Eriks Lane (ERIKS LAYN): Former Defender of Mor. Member of the secret society of the Merchants.

  Eyrelie Kehrlia (IRE-lie CARE-lee-ah): "The Raven," commonly accepted to be the most powerful wizard in the history of Mor. Daughter of the namesake of the Tower of Kehrila.

  Fain Thallinson (FANE THA-lin-sun): Father of James Thallinson. Killed by Vincent Thomison.

  Fannor (FAN-nor): Dwarven soldier. Member of Prince J'arn's Grove-bound company. Brother to Narl.

  Fennar (FEH-nahr): Deceased former master of Treasury in the kingdom of Mor. Killed by a Defender while speaking out of turn in the throne room.

  Fila (FEE-lah): Airie female, wife of none.

  Garlan (GAR-lan): Dwarven forgemaster of Belgorne.

  Garne Silverstone (GARN SIL-ver-stōn): King of Belgorne, direct descendant of Brenn Silverstone. Widower. Father to J'arn, Dohr.

  General Brandaxe (BRAND-axe): Leader of the dwarven army. Second to Dohr Silverstone. Nickname "Hatchet."

  General Fallon (FAL-lin): General in the Army of Mor. Departed south with most of the army when Halsen fell.

  General Slater (SLAY-ter): Head of the army remaining in Mor. Former beneficiary of the Merchant’s services.

  Gennae Flint (JEN-nay FLINT): Younger sister to Kari Flint, deceased

  Gerald Longstock (JEH-ruld LONG-stok): Housemaster to Vincent Thomison, wizard. Member of the secret society of the Merchants.

  Glamford (GLAM-ferd): Incantor of Kehrlia.

  Gritson (Laine Gritson, Jr.) (GRIT-sun): Dwarven engineer, second to Kelgarr (Boot). Father to Laine III, husband of Gennae, brother-in-law to Kari Flint.

  Halsen (HAHL-sen): King of Mor, direct descendent of Jons Halsen, of the days of the Strife. Unmarried. No known heir.

  Heina Ridge (HY-na RIJ): Gnomish Elder of G'naath. Kin unkown.

  Hope (HOPE): Chestnut mare, mount to Lucan Thorne. Taken from Samuel Thomison in Lucan's escape from Mor.

  Jade (JADE): Dwarven scout, second in command of Flint's Five.

  Jak Tinner (JAK TIN-ner): Deceased farmer of Mor, dead of Flightfluid overdose.

  James Thallinson (JAYMZ THA-lin-sun): Son of the slain Fain Thallinson, killed by the hand of Vincent Thomison. Laborer of Mor.

  Jan Smit (JAN SMIT): Corporal in the Army of Mor.

  J'arn Silverstone (YARN SIL-ver-stōn): Dwarven Firstson of Belgorne, heir to the Sovereign. Son of Garne, brother to Dohr. Unmarried.

  Jarriah (jeh-RYE-uh): Apprentice of Kehrlia

  Jasper (JAS-per): Dwarven Scout. Member of Flint's Five.

  Jaysen Theel (JAY-sen THEEL): Private in the Army of Mor.

  Jender (YEN-der): Dwarven soldier, deceased. Drowned at the Boiler en route to the Grove.

  Jensen (Master Jensen) (JEN-sen): Dwarven, head engineer of Belgorne.


  Jons Ganner (JONS GA-ner): Master of the smith's guild of Mor. Member of the secret society of the Merchants.

  Kade Calayaan (KADE CAL-aye-yan): Second Ranger of Thornwood

  Kal (KAL): Nearest of the two moons of Tahr, smallest of the Twins. Believed by some to be the harbinger of death and decay.

  Kalindra (kah-LIN-dra): Mistress of the brothel's guild of Mor. Twin sister to Maris.

  Kari Flint (KEH-ree flint): Dwarven barkeep of the Hammer. Niece to Latimer Flint, scout captain of Belgorne. Sister to Gennae Flint. Unmarried.

  Kel Bryan (KEL BRY-an): Gateman at Concord

  Kelgarr (KEL-gar): Dwarven, also "Boot". Second Engineer of Belgorne, companion to J'arn Silverstone. Married, no heirs.

  Kalashagon (kah-LASH-a-gon): Great winged beast, Dragon, Slave of Disorder.

  Kender (KEN-der): Elven Hand of Justice. Councilor to Queen Evanti.

  Kenter Loamknoll (KEN-ter LOME-nole): Gnomish Elder of G'naath..

  Kithari (kih-THAR-ee): Airie female, wife of none.

  Kymi (KY-me): Airie female, wife of none.

  K'yrl Gypstone (CURL JIP-stōn): Head Elder of G'naath. Kin unkown.

  Lady Lor (LOR): Lady of Eyreloch, servant to the powers of Life

  Lady Kal (KAL): Lady of Eyreloch, servant to the powers of Death

  Lani (LAH-nee): Elven Sister of the Society of the Grove.

  Lian (LE-an): Incantor of Kehrlia. Serves in Sartean D'Avers' abscense as crown prosecutor in public trials.

  Lor (LOR): Furthest of the two moons of Tahr, largest of the Twins. Believed by some to be the bringer of life and love.

  Lucan Thorne (LOO-can THORN): Also "Lucan not-Thorne." Erstwhile tavern hustler and orphan. Unmarried. No known heir or kin.

  Lux (LUX): Dwarven Scout. Member of Flint's Five.

  Mahl (MAHL): Master of the jeweler's guild of Mor. Member of the secret society of the Merchants.

  Mama (MAH-muh): Legendary dire wolf known to prowl the foothills between Belgorne and G'naath.

  Macon (Kyle Macon, “Mac”) (MAY-son): Sergeant of Belgorne.

  Mannith (MAN-ith): Incantor of Kehrlia.

  Maris (MEH-ris): Mistress of the brothel's guild of Mor. Twin sister to Kalindra.

  Master Alton (AHL-tun): Head of Labor in the kingdom of Mor.

  Master Argus (AR-gus): Master of a stable on the Northern Road leading from/to Mor.

  Master Tinner (TIN-ner): Farmer, father of the late Jak Tinner.

  Mikallis Elmshadow (mik-A-lis ELM-sha-do): Currently serving a cyclical stint as Captain of the Guard, protector of the Evanti family. Close family friend to Aria and kin. Unmarried.

  Mila Felsin (MY-la FEL-sin): Citizen of Mor. Incantor of Kehrlia. Inventor of Flightfluid.

  Miranda Fane (mih-RAN-da FANE): Assistant head of household at Concorde, second to Gerald Longstock.

  Myriel (ME-ree-el): Matron of the Klor estate in the farmlands of Mor.

  Narl (NARL): Dwarven soldier. Member of Prince J'arn's Grove-bound company. Brother to Fannor.

  Neela (NEE-lah): Airie, wife of Pado.

  Neral Evanti (neh-RAL e-VON-tee): Elven Goodfather of Thornwood. Widowed husband of Elisia, father to deceased son Banor. Lifelong Captain of the Elven Cavalry. Great grand-uncle of Terrias Evanti.

  Nia (NEE-ah): Priestess in the Daughters of Kal.

  Nikalus (NIH-ka-lis): Stableboy, assistant to Master Argus. Friend to Sir Barris and Phantom.

  Nishali Windwillow (nih-SHA-lee): First Ranger of Thornwood, councilor to Queen Evanti.

  Nova (NO-vuh): Dwarven Scout. Member of Flint's Five.

  Oort Greykin (OORT - GREY-kin): Father to Shyla Greykin, husband to Thinsel Greykin.

  Osraed: (OZ-rye-ed): Grey mare. Mount to Vicaris Trellia Evanti.

  Pad0 (PAH-doh): Airie, husband of Neela.

  Paleno Greensward (pa-LEE-no GREENS-ward): Deceased former fiancée to Queen Terrias Evanti

  Par Greel (PAR GREEL): Master of the builder's guild of Mor. Member of the secret society of the Merchants.

  Petahr (PAY-tar): Elven Initiate brother of the Society of the Grove.

  Phantom (FAN-tom): Black stallion, mount to Sir Barris of Thornwood.

  Pheonaris (fee-oh-NAR-is): Elven Mistress of the Society of the Grove. Mentor to Aria Evanti.

  Phyllia: (FILL-ee-ya): Dwarven healer, wife of Pile.

  Pile (PILE): Dwarven healer, husband of Phyllia.

  Quari (KAH-ree): Gnomish Elder of G'naath. Kin unkown.

  Rane Sarsen (RāN SAR-sen): Gnomish Elder of G'naath. Kin unkown.

  Ren Smitt (REN SMITT): Farmer of Mor.

  Samuel Thomison (SAM-yoo-el TOM-is-son): Citizen of Mor. Older brother to Vincent Thomision. Unmarried, no heir.

  Sartean D'Avers (SAR-tee-ann dee-A-vers): The Master of the Keep of Kehrlia in the kingdom of Mor. Head of the Fraternity of Incantors. Adviser to King Halsen. Unmarried. No known heir.

  Sera (SEH-ra): White filly, mount to Princess Aria Evanti.

  Sergeant Rocks (ROX): Dwarven soldier. Member of Prince J'arn's Grove-bound company.

  Shabi Ridge (SHA-be RIJ): Gnomish Elder of G'naath. Kin unkown.

  Shyla Greykin (SHY-la GREY-kin): Gnomish outcast of G'naath, daugther to Oort and Thinsel Greykin, granddaughter to Cindra Sandshingle. Unmarried.

  Sienni (see-EH-nee): Young Incantor of Kehrlia. Assistant to Mila Felsin.

  Sir Marchion (MAR-chee-on): Second Knight of Thornwood. Councilor to Queen Evanti in Sir Barris' absence.

  Sledge (SLEJ): Gnomish Elder of G'naath. Kin unkown.

  Spirit (SPI-rit): Sorrel-coated colt, mount to Mistress Pheonaris.

  Starl (starl): Dwarven soldier, deceased. Drowned at the Boiler en route to the Grove.

  Steelwind (STEEL-wind): Steel-grey stallion, mount to Vincent Thomison.

  Tam (TAM AR-gus): Son of Master Argus, stablemaster in Mor.

  Taro (TAHR-oh): Airie male, husband of none.

  Terrias Evanti (te-RYE-us e-VON-ti): Elven queen of Thornwood. Mother to Aria. Gret grand-niece of Neral Evanti.

  Tithia (TITH-ee-ya): Incantor of Kehrlia.

  Thinsel Greykin (THIN-sel GREY-kin): Mother to Shyla Grekyin, wife to Oort Grekyin.

  Tobias (toe-BY-is): General of the Elven Regular Army, also known as the Swords. Councilor to Queen Evanti.

  Travert (TRAH-vert): Dwarven cartographer, advisor to King Dohr.

  Trellia Evanti (TREH-lee-uh ee-VON-tee): Vicaris of the Society of the Grove, paternal aunt of Queen Terrias Evanti. Unmarried, no heir.

  Triumph (TRY-umf): Steel-grey stallion. Mount to Mikallis Elmshadow.

  Vincent Thomison (VIN-sent TOM-ih-sun): A wealthy citizen of Mor, leader of the secret society of Merchants. Widowed. No known heir.

  Wolf (wulf): Canine companion to Shyla Greykin

  Yano (YAH-no): Incantor of Kehrlia. Assistant to Mila Felsin.

  Remember to sign up at http://www.seanhinn.com/Strife to get your free copy of Strife: The Tale of Captain Neral Evanti, and to be notified when the next volume is released. The Days of Ash and Fury Volume Four is tentatively scheduled to be released in the fall of 2018.

  Other fantastic books I wholeheartedly recommend can be found at http://epicfantasyfanatics.com/featured-books/.