Coral Throne

By Gareth Lewis

After generations, the waters of the drowned world have receding. With society perilously close to unravelling, the realization causes turmoil, and a scramble to maintain power.

Coming to grips with his new role, Danath must protect the island from scheming tyrants, and a secret army of Stoneweavers which may not exist.

Sequel to Stoneweaver.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gareth Lewis
• Release date: Apr 28, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476483061

Gareth Lewis

Gareth Lewis has written a number of novels and shorter works in a few genres, including fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers. A programmer, he has a degree in computer studies, and lives in South Wales.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Bones splintered on impact, and while a few shards flew free, Danath held the animation together. By this point the bone avatar had been almost completely shredded into fragments, anyway. This made it harder to maintain in a human-like form, but he could do with the exercise.

Not physical exercise, obviously, since he stood on the sidelines directing the avatar from afar. He’d rather be in the fight, wearing armour of metal as Baroden currently did, enjoying the thrill of combat without this remove. His role prevented him from indulging, though. If he were honest, he also worried he’d started to get out of shape. Despite taking regular exercise, he felt slow, clumsy.

This session was for training his champion, anyway, in preparation for a duel against Marella’s champion, Krutkys, who’d taken to using bone animations. While Danath had only seen him use them in one duel, he had a good idea how he’d fight, and how he’d use them against Baroden.

Another punch from Baroden crashed into the bone avatar, achieving little as the shards flowed around it. A few slivers went flying, too few to worry about. Of more concern was the oxyth animating the avatar.

The opaque white gemstone currently resided in its lower leg; hidden in a shell of bone he could move the moment Baroden got close. Touching an opponent’s stone and speaking the activation phrase to dismiss the animation might be illegal in a duel, but destroying the stone wouldn’t be, and would put a quick end to the contest. Baroden focused his attacks on the head and chest, though. Used to fighting opponents who wore their animations, where their stones would be held safely inside, he didn’t adapt quickly to new things.

Danath sent the bone avatar on the offensive, abandoning the humanoid form in favour of wrapping it around Baroden. Stepping back from the feint, Baroden spun in search of his enemy. He paid too little attention to the surface sensations of his avatar, although admittedly metal was dull in that respect. Only when the bone fragments started creeping into view of his eye slits did he realize what had happened, the danger of them slipping through and stabbing him throwing him near to panic, not that he’d admit it.

His eye slits snapped shut, and Baroden dived to the floor, trying to crush the bone avatar. While shards may be controllable, they became that much harder to hold together as they grew in number and diminished in size, even for a Stoneweaver as skilled as Danath. He didn’t think Krutkys was that skilled, despite his practice at animating bone, but it’d be better to drive Baroden further than his opponent would.

Despite the bones flowing on top of him as he rolled, not all managed to get clear, and Baroden crushed some, leaving them too small to control. It let Danath focus more intently on those that remained. He kept them moving so they always stayed on top, circling Baroden’s rolling armour.

He stopped face down, setting his arms to push himself up. The bone avatar flowed towards his feet, grabbing and pulling them so he slid back down, then wrapping his legs together at the ankles, while stretching up towards his throat, dragging the feet behind it.

Baroden struggled, but dragging his feet up kept him too off balance to turn easily. Wrapping around his neck, the avatar held him incapacitated a moment, before springing off and letting him rise.

He’ll use the bones to incapacitate you, said Danath. Baroden’s eye slits opened cautiously. The bone avatar circled far enough away to allow Baroden time to recover. Trying to crush them was good, but when you’re on the ground you’re more vulnerable to being bound. Your best option is to try and destroy the oxyth, which he’ll try to keep clear of your attacks, so don’t focus your attacks on the upper body. Attack all of it, and wild strokes could be useful to knock the shards out of range. Try again.

Baroden approached the avatar without acknowledging Danath’s words. Unsurprising, considering they’d never gotten along before Danath had become ruler and Baroden had only become champion because of his elevation. About the same age, he could imagine Baroden’s irritation at getting the position by default. Danath training him when time allowed probably didn’t help.

Danath would rather be fighting the duel in his stead, as champion. At least duels had clear results. They had a simplicity ruling lacked. You knew who your opponent was, and you knew what you needed to achieve. You either won or you lost. Ruling didn’t offer that certainty. You didn’t always know whether you’d won or lost, whether the game was finished, or even what your goals should be.

A punch to the head led Baroden’s attack, this one more exuberant than his usual controlled jabs, and it sent shards flying. He moved down through the chest, again with wilder swings. Easier to dodge, but Danath didn’t avoid too many, not wanting to discourage Baroden from using the technique. Practice would let him hone his control, so near misses could be more encouraging.

He continued lowering his attack, until he reached the waist, then snapped back up and started kicking at the legs, leading with a swing at the knees which toppled the bone avatar. Danath slowed its fall with an arm sprouting to brace it, but Baroden leapt, smashing it to the floor, where he continued pounding with furious abandon.

Letting him focus on the destruction, Danath focused the bone avatar into a small shell around the stone, which snuck past the rain of metal pulverizing the rest of its body. It scurried over to deliver the oxyth to Danath. While it became exponentially harder to control the avatar as the stone moved away from the main body, he didn’t need it to do much, and saw no point in letting the stone be destroyed for a training session. They had a few, but given their use in treating injuries they couldn’t afford to waste them frivolously.

He let Baroden finish in his own time, his heavy breathing evident as he finally seemed happy with the level of destruction. Or he was too exhausted to do any more. With the bone avatar unmoving, he glanced at Danath.

Good, said Danath, feeling he should offer encouragement. Practice keeping your attacks that expansive, but work on your control.

Nodding, Baroden let the metal flow from him, reshaping into the thinner humanoid avatar he’d use to take it to storage. His usually immaculate dark hair was flat to his head with sweat, and his eyes showed a forced calm as he tried to hide his resentment. Unsuccessfully, and the surly thanks he offered in passing barely disguised his frustration.

Danath didn’t consider him much of a threat in terms of usurping power, never having displayed interest in that regard. Still, it’d be nice to be appreciated once in a while. He didn’t feel much of it from the people of Melmyrn these days.

Had he been so ungracious when Elgren taught him? Well, maybe, but he hadn’t been as surly. And he’d been better at learning. And since it turned out Elgren had hated him all along, it didn’t really make much difference. At least he didn’t feel that way about Baroden. He didn’t think much about Baroden at all, except as a proxy for his desire to duel. One that didn’t satisfy his urges.

Well, that was another exercise done with, over all too soon, so he should return to work. Glancing out the window of the training room, he saw the spires of one of the other cities circling the island, the standoff between them a constant source of irritation.

Sighing, he reluctantly returned to his work.

Chapter 2

The gentle breeze from the west offered a pleasant chill after the unbroken sun of the last few days. Herdell didn’t expect it to last, and clouds already loomed on the horizon. They’d had more spells of sustained weather recently, which had been put down to the changes the seas had undergone in the last few years. If this was the way things were going, he’d better get used to it.

At least it should stay dry long enough for him to finish patrolling the island. The other Stoneguards regularly flew patrols, with someone aloft throughout the day, and as captain of the Stoneguard he saw it as his duty to patrol the entire island once a day. Not so strict a duty that he’d fly it at a particular time, preferring to vary it around the weather. Command had to have some perks.

Passing over the peaks, he glided towards the expanding borders of the island. In the last three years the water level had dropped five metres. It was hard to believe, yet it had progressed at such a rate that scholars said it could drop as much again in the next year, and more the following one, nobody sure when it would end. Or if it would end, as some worried.

It had changed the island. The shallows surrounding it had become land, although half were submerged during high tide. The other half were almost covered in the refugee camps of those who’d swum from the cities encircling the island.

Seven cities currently orbited it or floated at anchor nearby. Melmyrn remained closest, keeping the others at bay. Nobody expected any of them to try seizing the island, the initial danger having subsided now so many rivals were nearby. It had settled into a waiting game, and been this way for a couple of years. Occasionally another city joined them, or one left, but it seemed to have settled down to just these, with others keeping watch on events.

He’d visited Melmyrn for meetings, and even spent the night there once. Just the once, though. While he’d been on ships, the city was different, and he didn’t understand how anyone could live with the ground beneath them constantly moving. He hadn’t slept that night, and had been glad to return to the stability of the island.

The Stoneguard remained vigilant against intruders, mainly guarding the seeds which would be vital to the restoration of the recovered land. The main danger to which was the refugees.

To many living under the oppressive regimes of the city bosses, the island represented a paradise, so they’d abandoned their cities to swim there. The first few had been manageable, but the numbers grew until it endangered the seeds, and they’d had to contain them. It hadn’t been popular and the early days had seen fights, forcing them to become stricter. More so than Herdell or Danath had been happy with, but they had to look at the long term.

When the sea receded far enough, they’d used the new land to house the refugees. The land walls, which had previously protected against invaders who happened to find the island, now served as a defensive measure against the refugees. Despite word of the conditions reaching the cities, the camps had continued to grow. A few swam back to the cities, learning to go at night since most bosses were happy with fewer mouths to feed, but many remained.

Since the crops from the island wouldn’t feed them all, Melmyrn had to share its supplies with the refugees, putting further strain on them. Even then, there was little to go around, increasing tensions, and leaving the island as volatile as the surrounding cities.

They’d take refugees with the groups from the cities who volunteered to work shifts tending the fields. It took supervision from experienced land workers, but it was intended to help them understand the island, and how limited it was. Of course, while it was open to volunteers from cities other than Melmyrn, many feared they wouldn’t be allowed to return, so those sent were probably spies, and had to be searched on leaving.

There seemed little danger of rioting today, so he let himself ascend to get a better view of the horizon before the weather set in, to see if they should expect company. It also allowed him a few moments peace as he rose to where the noise of the cities faded into the sound of the ocean. If it felt a little colder up here than he‘d have preferred, that was just something else he’d have to get used to.

The peace started to erode with the sound of someone flying towards him. His men knew better than to interrupt him up here without good reason, so he assumed it must be important, and turned to meet the flyer. His mind noted something odd about the uniform. It took a moment to realize it was one of the old ones, and then he recognized the wearer. Not a Stoneguard. Not a current one, anyway.

He maintained a placid gaze at the arrival, despite his wariness. Orthyss had his hands wide in a peaceful gesture, but that didn’t mean much.

Herdell, said Orthyss, nodding.

Orthyss, Herdell returned the nod. Been a while.

It has.

You returning to the Stoneguard? Not that he expected it, but couldn’t think what to say. Or what he could risk saying without knowing where they stood.

Not really.

You’re wearing the uniform. The old one, at least.

It seemed the easiest way to talk without drawing attention.

So what is it you want? He resisted the impulse to glance around. Any attack would be just as likely to come head on. They’d never been close, and he’d never trusted Orthyss.

You. Not surprising. Tall, with blonde hair and a friendly smile, Orthyss had been ambitious, and second only to Kulth among the Stoneguard in skill, rank, and arrogance, although he tried hiding the latter. He hadn’t taken to the change of leadership as freely as Herdell, leaving with a handful of Stoneguards, around half those who’d survived the fight. Herdell had declined the invitation to accompany them, and had no desire to reconsider. I understand your reluctance to leave the only home we’d known when last I made the offer, but that wouldn’t be necessary this time.

Why?

We’re taking over.

Herdell tensed, trying not to let it show. That had been blunt. The six of you?

A slight smile creased Orthyss’ lips, probably more sinister than he’d intended. We’ve gained a few more since then.

That didn’t sound good. Stoneweavers?

The smile slipped. Why the questions?

Because there’s quite a few other players out there who wouldn’t mind taking control of the island. I was wondering whether you intended to hold them all off with just a few Stoneweavers.

I didn’t say I was taking over the island. I meant the island and the cities. We’re retaking our dominion, and expanding it.

Keeping his face blank, Herdell wondered whether Orthyss had actually gone insane. It was never our dominion. It was Narvon’s. We were only his servants.

We were his elite.

Herdell didn’t reply. He remembered the old days differently. They’d been pets to Narvon, short-lived things there to maintain his power. Only under the new regime had he come to see the divisions Narvon had fostered, pitting Stoneguards against normal guards, and keeping ranking based on outperforming others, so no factions grew to challenge his power.

And I have enough with me to take control of all of this, said Orthyss.

If you’ve already got the men, why are you here?

Old times’ sake. You’re a Stoneguard, so I’m coming to ask you now, do you stand with us or against us?

There was little hint of threat in his tone, as though he were offering to take over a shift. But Herdell couldn’t be sure he’d survive if he gave a wrong answer.

He didn’t want to side with Orthyss, and not just because his doubts that the plan could succeed. As he’d never known Orthyss to be reckless, he had to consider the threat real. Ultimately, though, he didn’t want to lose what he had.

The duties weren’t that different than they had been, but the atmosphere was. There was camaraderie among the guards now, a feeling they worked together. And Danath was a better lord.

He didn’t want Orthyss in charge. He also didn’t want to be killed for refusing. It seemed he had few options. So he’d have to take the least risky.

I’m not a ruler. I’m happy guarding the island. Whoever rules it. He shrugged, hoping for convincing indifference. I’ve no interest in taking part in any change. He remained alert, waiting for the hint of an air avatar nearby.

Orthyss held him in a firm gaze for a long moment, but didn’t seem overly offended by the refusal. Not outwardly, at least. He let a slight smile reach his lips. So will you aid your current lord when we move?

I’m charged with protecting the island, and the crops here. They’re considered of primary value. If we run off, the refugees could destroy them.

After holding the stare for a long moment, Orthyss nodded. Good. You make sure the prize is safe for the victor. His tone held little doubt who he thought that would be. It also sounded like he didn’t view the crops as the prize.

He dropped away, towards the island, and Herdell watched until he’d disappeared into the trees. He didn’t see Orthyss leave the trees, or signs of anything flying up to attack, although that would be unlikely. If Orthyss were going to dispose of him he’d do it on the ground, where it wouldn’t so obviously be the work of one of the few Stoneweavers who could animate air.

He should be safe for the moment. Although if he flew towards Melmyrn he doubted Orthyss would be so worried about a suspicious death. If Orthyss approached all the Stoneguards he’d served with, Herdell couldn’t be sure none would agree to

Reviews for Coral Throne

[anna_erishkigal · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This fantasy tale reads like a historical tale of England during the time of Henry VIII. Petty city-states with limited resources vie for position. Dictators who will smile as they stick a knife in their allies back. Mercenaries, thieves, and privateers doing the dirty work that cannot be done officially. A champion forced to assume the title of unwilling leader. His close circle of friends, not one of them particularly anxious to assume the power that has been thrust upon them. And of course an assassination attempt by an usurper.Plenty of intrigues in this tale of floating cities in a world that has been covered by floodwater for many generations ... and for the first time has hope as the waters begin to recede. The system of magic is logical, and is expanded upon in an interesting way from Book 1 of the series. The magical duals continue, but take a back seat to the intrigues of kings ... and our champions dislike of being forced to fight his opponents behind-their-back instead of head-on like a true champion should. The research into what must be done to manage a world where newly emerged land must be tended and planted, but the flood waters are receding too slow to satisfy a desperate populace, is credible.My only complaint was the secondary antagonist's motivation. I wasn't sure whether to simply dislike him, or love to dislike him. Simple dislike is when you say 'this is the bad guy' and then every time he slithers into the room, the audience hisses. But when you love to dislike a character, it's like JR Ewing in the original Dallas. He's a snake. But he's so darned fascinating because a lot of the time he makes the most sense. I didn't 'love to hate' the secondary antagonist, and the primary antagonist was always so shadowy that I didn't get a chance to hate him.In the end, the REAL antagonist was the snails pace at which the waters were receding and how difficult it was for the hero to keep things together in light of human nature. Therefore, I'm giving this book four stars. And looking for the next installment in this series.