The Liberation Of Sundrian City

By Ander Louis

If ignorance were bliss, would you seek truth?

In a sheltered city that has locked itself away from the dangers of the outside world, a band of underground rebels, driven by this very question, plan to uncover the truth beyond their impenetrable wall.

Meanwhile, as he struggles to bring his own life together by solving the mysterious murder of his parents, thirteen-year-old Linus Smith will come to learn – the hard way – that he is a gifted war elephant rider, and find himself in the most unlikely place – at the crux of a liberation.

From Ander Louis: "I wanted this novel to be fun, right from page one. It's my first novel - certainly not my last - and I wanted to aim big with it. So, I set my peers as J.K Rowling, Patrick Süskind, Suzanne Collins, etc. - writers I truly admired - and I did everything in my power to create a story that would measure up to those authors, and most importantly - that would entertain people. That was paramount among my goals - to make sure people were enjoying the reading experience. It's not about preaching an idea, or a personal philosophy, or trying to explain myself, or leave a legacy - no, all I wanted to do here was entertain people. I sincerely hope I've achieved that and can continue to do so with my upcoming offerings."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ander Louis
• Release date: Jan 10, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301989065

Ander Louis

Ander Louis is an author from Melbourne, Australia. His first novel "The Liberation of Sundrian City" is an adventure novel about a boy who comes to learn that he is a gifted war elephant rider, and overnight transforms from a regular out-of-luck teenager, to the most devastating weapon the city has ever known."I wanted this novel to be fun, right from page one. It's my first novel - certainly not my last - and I wanted to aim big with it. So, I set my peers as J.K Rowling, Patrick Süskind, Suzanne Collins, etc. - writers I truly admired - and I did everything in my power to create a story that would measure up to those authors, and most importantly - that would entertain people. That was paramount among my goals - to make sure people were enjoying the reading experience. It's not about preaching an idea, or a personal philosophy, or trying to explain myself, or leave a legacy - no, all I wanted to do here was entertain people. I sincerely hope I've achieved that and can continue to do so with my upcoming offerings."

Book preview

Chapter 1 – GOING INSIDE

Atop the giant wall that guarded Sundrian City, a uniformed guard armed with bow and arrow and a very sharp sword, slept uneasily. He was slunk low in a hard wooden seat, his eyelids flickering with the cool air brushing his face.

While he slept, the lonesome city behind him went about its morning happily, nestled deep in the arms of the mighty Mount Adela, which towered impossibly high all around.

He slept uneasily indeed, but not for the reason you might assume. You would be forgiven for assuming that his unease came from knowing that while he slept, he neglected his duty. That while he slept, he failed to provide the vigilant watch necessary for the protection of their city. You might be forgiven for thinking that his unease came from knowing that he sat on the precipice between the only safe place left for man, and the eternal terrors of the outside world. But alas, you would be wrong. This man could sleep through all of that quite easily. There never was much excitement on wall duty anyway. In fact, in all his many years of service, not once had anything untoward tried to breach the wall.

No, the unease in his sleep came from somewhere else entirely. It came from knowing that if Commander Deimos were to hear that he had slept on duty, he would be punished in a most severe and humiliating way, nothing surer.

It was no ordinary wall on which he slept. In fact it was the pride of the city, nothing short of miraculous. A marvel of engineering just in its sheer height, it served only one purpose and it served it well: to seal in Sundrian City and protect it from the dangers outside. The wall stretched between the natural land-lock known as Adela’s Arms, an insurmountable valley jutting forth from the treacherous Mount Adela, forming the perfect basin in which to house the city of Sundrian. So vast was the wall, that if a man were to walk along it from one end to the other, he would surely feel compelled to stop midway for a meal. As a further precautionary measure, the city’s resident sorcerer had enchanted the wall many times; an effort to ward off evil forces. And thus, the people of the city of Sundrian felt safe, comforted by the knowledge that their city was the last remaining haven, hidden away from all the threats of the outside world, so long as their great and mighty wall stood.

Wake up! Something’s there! See, in the distance? I think it’s Remmy!

The sleeping guard was abruptly awoken. What? What is it, breakfast time?

You slept through that, Carter, the other quickly explained. Now get up! Someone approaches the city!

Slept through it? But I’m starving!

Well if you want to eat, stay awake next time. Now listen, I think I see High Lord Remmy and Garresh!

Really? he exclaimed, suddenly very awake. Where? Show me! He dashed to the wall’s edge and indeed two men could be seen, far in the distance across the grassy plain, moving slowly toward the city.

But these were no ordinary men. High Lord Remiel Culwitch was a sorcerer and a truly amazing and courageous man. If the people of the city of Sundrian were to thank one man for their safety, it would be him. And they often did. The other man, by name Garresh, well he would be better described as a beast. Twice the size of a normal man, with five times the muscle. He was an abomination, really. Scars and gashes distorted every part of his thoroughly maimed body. He was a mute, an illiterate, about as brainy as a mule, and devastatingly clumsy.

You fool! Alert the gatekeepers to let them in!

But I haven’t seen the signal, the guard said. Remmy himself said not to open the gates without the signal. But even as he spoke, a flash of purple sparks jetted up into the air from the small carriage approaching the gates and erupted with a crack and a puff of purple smoke in the sky above.

Moments later, far below, a small iron bell rang sharp, causing two gatekeepers to flinch and stir from their daydreams.

The bell! they exclaimed in unison, and both gatekeepers looked to the top of the wall for confirmation, where sure enough a guard they recognised as Carter waved down at them and bellowed one word: Remmy!

The gatekeepers glanced at each other with some excitement, and a few pickers in the nearby farms that met the bottom of the wall did the same. Generally, when Remmy returned from one of his adventures, a buzz swept through the town like wild fire. It was good gossip, for he brought with him tales of the outside world.

The senior gatekeeper composed himself, straightening his face and his posture alike, so as to assert some authority. Commander Deimos wishes to escort Remmy through the city. Go and send word to the palace.

The other, a reedy young man who had only very recently begun his work as a gatekeeper, nodded enthusiastically, turned, and sprinted away like an excited pup. He hadn’t made it more than a few yards when he heard his senior yell angrily after him, Hey! Hey come back!

The young man reeled around and trotted back to his senior.

What is it? Something else sir? he asked.

Are you going to run the message to the palace yourself? Send a crow, for heaven’s sake, came his gruff reply.

*

Across the grassy plain that led to the great wall of Sundrian City, the small carriage trundled slowly along, bumping and rocking as it made its way. It was a simple vessel, consisting of not much more than two iron wheels and a large wooden container. At the back end was a stumpy wooden peg, which it leaned back against when stationary, and at the front, two smooth wooden rungs stuck forth as a means to draw the carriage. Between those rungs, where one would normally expect to see a horse, was the grisly beast known as Garresh, trudging along, straining ever forth. Garresh was a monstrous man, enough so that he could easily draw a carriage over great distance. His hands gripped tight the wooden rungs and around his waist was a thick leather belt that was linked by a chain to the front of the carriage, where it was bolted tight to the sturdy wood.

A deep sigh floated down from above the carriage. So close, Garresh. We’re nearly home, my friend. Remiel Culwitch was laying on his back atop the container watching the clouds drift by, his legs dangling limply over the front edge of the carriage. When he wasn’t sighing loudly or saying meaningless things, he was humming softly and tunelessly.

Below, Garresh thrashed his head from side to side, trying to shake off the bead of sweat clinging to the end of his nose. When the thrashing technique didn’t work he let go of one handle, allowing the weight of the carriage to be caught by the brace secured around his waist, and quickly wiped his nose.

I bet you’ll head straight to the guards’ dining hall, won’t you, you great oaf?

Garresh did not reply, for being a muted man, he physically couldn’t. And besides, he’d known Remmy long enough to realise that he was talking more to himself than anyone else.

I think the first thing I’ll do, well apart from report to Emperor Frigg, apart from that, first thing I’ll do is head to the bathhouse and bathe, Remiel continued. Oh, and some wine. Stop by Vilento’s when we go through the Special Residencies and I’ll stock up on his finest. That’ll do nicely in the bathhouse I think.

For a few minutes Remiel seemed to have run out of things to say, and Garresh, still labouring onward, appreciated the silence. He truly was an ugly beast, Garresh. His head was large and bulbous, resembling something like a rotting potato. He was bald for the most part, but with small patches of wiry black hair, which seemed to only grow in the parts of his head not riddled with scars. He was indeed thinking about the guards’ dining hall, which was where he was fed, but before long his reverie about roasted rabbit with carrots was interrupted by Remiel, who had apparently thought of some more words to be said. Garresh when we get inside the gates I want you to move as quickly as possible through the city. I’m very tired and I really don’t feel like seeing the townsfolk any longer than I must. Just get me to the palace quickly, understood?

Garresh nodded solemnly. He was not at all bothered by the fact that Remiel couldn’t see him do this; Remiel often asked him questions without expecting an answer. And for this reason, it surprised Garresh when Remiel suddenly sat bolt upright.

What a fool I am! he declared. I nearly forgot the signal. And with that, Remiel sent the purple streak of sparks into the air.

A short while later when they reached the gates of Sundrian City, Remiel was frustrated to see that they had not been opened for him, as they usually would have been.

What’s going on here Garresh? Bang on the gates for me would you? And with this, Garresh pounded hard upon the solid iron-studded wooden door. Almost instantly a small latch slid open to reveal a gatekeeper’s face. Neither of them had seen this happen before and they looked confusedly at each other briefly. Remiel climbed down from his post to do the talking.

What is the meaning of this? Did you not see the signal? Open the gates for heaven’s sake!

High Lord Remmy, my utmost apologies. We did indeed see the signal, but Commander Deimos has insisted that he is to escort you through town. He will be here any moment, if you could please wait.

An escort? spat Remiel, outraged at this inconvenience. Well why on earth would I need such a thing? I know the way to the palace; Crow Road is as straight as an arrow from here to the palace steps. Are you suggesting that I, the most powerful wizard in the land, and the only wizard of Sundrian City, am not capable of travelling along a straight road?

Not at all sir, I just -

Do you have any idea what dangers I faced these last few months on this journey? Creatures you couldn’t imagine in your wildest nightmares.

No doubt sir, but please; Commander Deimos insists. And besides, I see him approaching, not far off at all.

Remiel sighed in exhaustion and after a moment of rubbing his temples, with his eyes clenched closed, he decided that he was far too tired to argue. Oh, very well, he huffed to the gatekeeper, and with this, he returned to his carriage and climbed back up to sit on top.

Soon, the sound of clinking metal announced that the gates were opening. The doors were big enough for an army to move out through, so opening them was no mean feat. As the massive wooden doors slid apart, Commander Deimos could be seen standing rigid in his immaculate black guard’s uniform looking severe as always. He was a very capable warrior, and a man who took his duty to the city more seriously than most. As soon as Garresh had pulled the carriage through the gates, without wasting a single second, the gatekeeper had reversed the motion of the doors to close them.

Deimos, old chum! Great to see you.

High Lord Remiel, replied Commander Deimos, with the slightest of bows. The gatekeeper shuffled about nervously, giddy to be in the presence of High Lord Remiel Culwitch. Commander Deimos however, did not seem to share their excitement. He spoke in a way that suggested that, despite Remiel sitting quite high above him on his carriage, they were equals. Such relief to see your return, he said with a stern face.

He stepped straight past Garresh without so much as looking at him and continued talking to Remiel. I hope the journey was a productive one?

Very much so. Plenty of things to report. Plenty indeed. But you will hear them all in due course. For now, if you could be so kind, I would very much like to get home to the palace.

As would I, the commander replied. Lead the way, Remiel.

Garresh, let’s go!

And so, they made their way, with Garresh leading the small procession, drawing behind him the carriage with his master sitting on top. Commander Deimos followed a few paces behind the carriage, scanning left and right, ever vigilant.

As they moved through the first section of the city – the crops – Remiel waved to the farmers who had gathered along either side of the road. He bellowed things such as, Great to be back, and, Nice to see you, and forced the biggest smile he could. He could see that up ahead more and more people were gathering to welcome their wizard back home.

Let’s do this nice and quick please, he reminded Garresh. Little did he know that the trip through the city would not be an easy or fast one, and that Commander Deimos had exercised excellent judgement in insisting to escort him.

Chapter 2 – WHAT I SAW

It had been a difficult week for Linus Smith. His father, Henry Smith, had insisted that the iron smelts must be reset and the workspace thoroughly cleaned before he could enjoy his day off, a task that had taken Linus until nearly midday. Now, as he wandered through the town, his limbs ached and the bottoms of his feet stung with each step along the hard stone street. He was certain that no other thirteen-year-old worked as hard as he did, and it seemed greatly unfair to Linus that he’d been forced to work on the morning of the day of rest. He wondered if that was even allowed. After a solid week of work, surely the very least his father could permit was a full day of rest. But alas, not much could be done about this, for his father was a cruel man and would not hesitate to punish defiance in his only child in a violent way; Linus knew this all too well.

When the morning’s work was finally complete and he was allowed to leave, his father pulled him aside and told him, By your age I was revolutionising the arrow crafting industry, surpassing even my father’s abilities.

Linus had heard this story many times before, but this morning it was told in the context of bitter disappointment. It’s in our blood, son. I just don’t know what went wrong with you.

For as long as he could remember he had done nothing but disappoint his father. Too short, too weak, too clumsy, not focused... the list went on and on. But for now, for the remainder of this afternoon, Linus didn’t have to think about that. He had a few hours of freedom, and he intended to enjoy every second. And so, Linus did the very same thing he and indeed the majority of the town alike always did on a rest day afternoon; he headed to the pit for the weekly entertainment.

As Linus approached the outskirts of the crowd he spotted Jeremy, a younger boy whose family worked on a farm at the far end of the city, and who dreamed of one day being a famous swordsman – carrying a wooden dagger with him everywhere he went. He was looking for a break in the crowd where he could squeeze through, but was apparently a little apprehensive to try.

Hello Jeremy, said Linus.

Hiya Linus! His round young face beamed. Can’t get through, he added happily, gesturing at the tight crowd.

That’s okay, follow me, said Linus, and he walked forth and breached the solid line of people with no hesitation. True, he did not live up to his father’s definition of strong – You’ve got your mother’s arms, he would often chide – but his slender arms still held some strength. Enough at least to push through a crowd of people.

Watch for unsheathed daggers, he called back to Jeremy who was trailing behind, clutching the back hem of Linus’s shirt so as not to lose him in the crowd.

As they joined the children sitting along the lip of the pit, at the very front of the crowd, Linus wondered whether he might be too old to sit up the front with the children. Recently this thought had crossed his mind every time he came to the pit, but he decided that today was not the day that he would join the adults who stood behind them. Sitting on the hard cobblestone ground at the very front was the best view of the show, and he wasn’t quite ready to relinquish the privilege.

It’s got to be Mott today, because Remmy’s back, said Jeremy. They always put on the best shows right after Remmy returns, and Mott is the best elephant.

It was true that a lot more effort seemed to go into the shows directly following Remmy’s return from an expedition. Remmy’s presence always seemed to draw the biggest crowd as well, and today was no exception. The market grounds were packed today more so than on a big market day. It was also true that Mott was the best elephant. Of the five war elephants that Linus had seen during all the rest day shows he could recall, Mott was the biggest and meanest; a towering black monster with strength unmatched by any other. Truly the alpha male of the herd.

I hope so, Linus replied. Mott’s my favourite.

Mine too, Jeremy agreed.

It was a well-known fact that Commander Deimos, who oversaw the training of elephants and riders alike, and was exceptionally adept in the art of elephant riding himself, also favoured Mott.

The pit was not much more than an enormous circular hole in the ground, lined with smooth stone walls. It was large enough in circumference that at least a dozen houses could be built in its space. The floor of the pit was dead flat, and like the walls, it too was lined with stone, but with a thin layer of bloodstained dust and sand that swirled about. When looking over the lip of the pit, which jutted above ground just high enough to stop people from accidentally falling in, the ground dropped away so far that if someone were to fall in they would surely break a half-dozen bones on impact with the solid ground below. At the far end of the pit, opposite where Linus sat, there was an immense grandstand, reserved for the Emperor and his guests. It was made of smooth marbled stone, which followed the curve of the pit. Along the bottom rows sat the friends and associates of the palace, and a select few of its finest staff, as well as plenty of guards.

Top row and centre was a large throne, Emperor Frigg’s spot. On either side of this throne were two slightly smaller and slightly less grandiose chairs, reserved for both the Emperor’s daughter, Princess Robyn, and his wizard, High Lord Remiel Culwitch. Although both of these chairs were occupied today, recently they had remained empty at each show, leaving just the Emperor to sit, although flanked by his guards, quite alone. But the absence of his daughter and wizard didn’t seem to hinder his glee at all; the Emperor still thoroughly enjoyed every show, alone or with company all the same, and never hesitated to cheer loudly between mouthfuls of ham-off-the-bone and deep swallows of wine. True, Commander Deimos would always be there, lingering not far behind Emperor Frigg, but he would never join in cheering; instead he would remain steely and deadly serious.

Remiel had been away on an expedition recently, a perfectly good explanation for his empty seat during that time, but the Princess’s recent absence was not so easily explained. The question of her whereabouts had been niggling at the back of Linus’s mind during each of the recent shows and during long shifts in the arrow forge when his mind would wander. Had she been ill? Or was it that she simply wasn’t interested in the rest day show? She never really looked overly enthusiastic during the proceedings, and Linus supposed that it was understandable if executions weren’t everybody’s thing. Still, he was glad to see that she was in attendance today and contented to think that when the proceedings started, he would begin stealing sneaky glances at her from afar, his face hidden amongst a thousand others.

After trying and succeeding at taking his mind away from the Princess, Linus found himself gazing thoughtlessly at the palace, which arched beautiful and vast in the background behind the Emperor’s grandstand, and the unending mountain which stretched far into the sky behind that, dwarfing the palace in both size and beauty, when he overheard a conversation much more interesting than his thoughts.

It’s true! I saw it; he killed a man with his thundersword!

It was a teenage boy named Tanner who spoke, a boy who lived not far from Linus in the Emperor’s Special Residencies. An ambush it was, four men. And Commander Deimos killed two of them like it was nothing at all. Garresh pinned the fourth one to the ground, I expect we will see him today, no doubt at all. Father says he won’t be granted trial, though. No way. Straight execution for an ambush on our High Lord Remmy.

Linus was sure that Tanner was exaggerating. He was a bit of a show off, and Linus wasn’t too fond of him. Still, he was intrigued, and wanted to hear more, so he asked Tanner a little too eagerly: What happened? Could you tell me the story? and Tanner obliged.

Well, it all started yesterday morning. I was at the well, fetching water for the dyeing tubs, Tanner’s family made fine clothing for a living, the finest in the city; hence they lived in the Emperor’s Special Residencies. As Tanner spoke, Linus was a little annoyed to realise he was wearing a shirt made by Tanner’s family. And I saw what I thought was a small purple cloud, drifting amongst the other clouds. That’s when I realised… He paused for effect; a true raconteur. I realised it was Remmy’s signal! So I headed down the city straight and stood along the side to greet him. By the time Remmy had reached us heaps more people had gathered. Then, just as Remmy was passing, well you wouldn’t believe what I saw!

Tanner continued to tell the story, pausing in all the right places and embellishing without faltering. He didn’t stop talking until he had recalled all the previous morning’s events, which were as follows:

Remmy’s carriage passed through the crowd, slowly making its way to the palace. Remmy sat on top, greeting his loyal townsfolk and waving merrily. Suddenly, from up ahead, a hooded figure broke from the crowd and knelt square in the centre of the road. From his loose black cloak he drew a bow and fired a single arrow in one swift motion. It was aimed at Garresh’s head, and would have found its target if Garresh hadn’t ducked instinctively. Instead, it hit the wooden board between Remiel’s feet. At once, Garresh started hastily clawing at the harness around his waist, desperately trying to free himself, and Remiel turned and started digging through his travel pack frantically. Behind the carriage, at the same moment, Commander Deimos turned just in time to catch an arm by the wrist, the dagger in its hand stopping inches from his face. He swept the arm to the side and in the same fluid motion, used his own forehead to deliver a rock-solid blow to his attacker’s nose, which could be heard breaking with a sickening crunch. In another moment’s time, the commander had drawn his sword, and with a swift flick of his arm, sliced open the attacker’s throat. The crowd was booming with screams, equal parts

Reviews for The Liberation Of Sundrian City

[corazie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Got this through Goodreads First Reads.

This was a great read. I didn't think it would be quite my cup of tea at first, but I really struggled to put it down and found myself thinking of it when I was supposed to be doing other things.

The Liberation of Sundrian City is a very fun read. It has everything you could ask for in a fantasy novel - unknown dangers, a renegade sorcerer, war elephants (fantastic!) and terrible justice. I particularly loved the elephants, the way that almost everyone thought they could be completely controlled by a single master, that they had loyalty to specific people. The elephants added the perfect amount of spontaneity to the scenes containing them, you didn't know what was going to happen and it made for some fantastic suspense and shock. Missy was my favourite character in this book, despite being an elephant - the personality of this crazy elephant was just wonderfully powerful.

The only part I didn't love (aside from the dickish guards) was the ending - it came far too soon! I could happily have read more of this story.

[renbedell · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The fantasy setting is very interesting and you can't go wrong with elephants. The ending was very good with the possibility to explore other cities. It's focus on the main character is interesting for most parts, but I feel that the author didn't portray why the city needs to be liberated very well. Besides the extreme execution laws, there is little stress on the harsh life of the city. I appreciate the author giving out his audiobook for free, so if you are interested definitely pick it up. He self-narrates the book and it feels like he is reading it live. He reads it very monotone as he planned on it being read as a bedtime story. But otherwise it was a great thing for him to do.