Fallen Empire

By L. D. Dailey

A mercenary captain seeks justice by joining a quest for vengeance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L. D. Dailey
• Release date: Jan 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311295897

L. D. Dailey

L. D. Dailey, a happily married father of four, slaves as an engineer during the day and dreams of becoming a published author throughout the night.

Book preview

Fallen Empire

By L. D. Dailey

Copyright 2014 L. D. Dailey

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. You are welcome to share, reproduce, copy, and distribute for non-commercial purposes; provided the book remains in its complete original form. Thank you for your support

Table of Contents

Prologue ~ Bargains

Chapter One ~ Miscalculations

Chapter Two ~ Costs

Interlude ~ Glory

Chapter Three ~ Negotiations

Chapter Four ~ Balance

Epilogue ~ Culmination

About the author

More Stories from the author

Connect with the author

Prologue ~ Bargains

Riri Gast peered over a mug of forgotten ale, watching the dark silhouette survey her mother's prosperous inn from the door. A noonday sun obscured the stranger's features, yet she felt his eyes on her- and her alone. Habit forced her right hand to massage the stump its counterpoint once resided. Stress always flared the pain of the old war wound. The din of the crowded proprietorship eased to an uncomfortable silence as the slim visage strode down the steps to the sunken dining room, the soft slinking of metallic armor singing in its wake.

Riri felt heat around her neck and cheeks as shadow fell from the guest, revealing a handsome man with skin of honey and shoulder length locks mirroring his ebony chain mantle. The youth's pale features contrasted with the dark skinned citizenry of Asnium. He paused, elbow resting on the pommel of a sheathed longsword, a warrior at ease- yet ready. A crash from the kitchens diverted Riri, introducing an opportunity to compose uncomfortable thoughts of fancy. She winced as her aged mother kneeled over the remains of two bottles of rare wine.

A gasp erupted from the customers, turning Riri away from the distraction in time to see an ogre, full of dark hair, protruding canines, olive skin, and a patchwork of spiked, leather armor, duck under the inn's archway. Instinct forced her right hand to the sword by her side. Riri closed her eyes and unleashed a frustrated sigh. No leather belt adorned her waist. No sword rested within its sheath. The old wound throbbed as she remembered a time long past and debated the reasons why the nightmarish creature ventured so far beyond the Endless Desert of the west.

The ogre followed the newcomer like a slave, a hulking shadow that stepped over the steps rather than upon them. Merchants, jewelers, and horse lords who frequented the upscale diner stepped aside as the duo approached her small table nestled in a dark corner. The human paused to drag a chair opposite her before taking a seat. His ogre stood behind, a frightening guard with hairy arms folded over its chest.

Riri's new companion placed a gauntleted finger in the air, beckoning her mother toward them. Wine, if you please, Bahiti. His voice, smooth as silk floating atop water, paused as he smiled at the indigo stain seeping into the wooden floorboards, Ianic- if you have any left. Riri received a dark eyed stare of warning from her mother that could break rocks before the diminutive innkeeper set about the task with a speed belying her advanced years. Riri stilled a frown from creasing her features. How does he know my mother's name?

The youthful face turned toward her. Dark eyes regarded her with a soft intensity. A dimpled half-smile framed chiseled features. Good day to you, Captain Gast.

Riri swallowed, extending a trembling hand toward the warm ale between them. I am not a Captain, she sipped the bitter draft, not anymore. The whispered confession shamed her. A second, longer swig diminished her heightened apprehension. "Perhaps Captain Thry can assist you. He leads Lord Tesq's forces