The Empress Graves

By E.J. Tett

Three years have passed since the battle for the Kingdom of Malinas, Sorrel has left the Vale to train as a warrior while her best friend Cloud learns to become a seer. Meanwhile, the Empress Graves has taken an empire of Grey Men and is travelling across Aldenland to wreak havoc. She seeks power and knows she can find it at the Kingdom of Malinas. Can Sorrel stop her and save the Kingdom? Or will she succumb to the darkness that lurks inside herself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: E.J. Tett
• Release date: Aug 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310308055

E.J. Tett

E.J. Tett is the author of young adult fantasy novel 'The Kingdom of Malinas.' She is also co-author of horror anthology 'Casting Shadows' and appears in various other anthologies, webzines and magazines.https://www.royalroad.com/profile/249878/fictions

Book preview

Chapter 1

In the East of Aldenland, the land slipped away gradually, the trees thinned and faded, and the grass turned to sand before it met with the sea. The water there was usually calm but tonight, the waves threatened to swallow the beach and white foam frothed and fizzled at the shore. A fleet of ships had been approaching for a while, and now the first few dropped anchor before they ran aground.

The crews lowered several small boats into the water with ropes and pulleys, and soon the shadowy grey occupants were struggling to row towards the dry land, fighting silently against the tide.

Men jumped from the first boat and hauled it ashore. The Empress, tall and statuesque, and covered head to toe in a luxurious black velvet robe, stepped out and turned back to watch the other boats as their passengers moved onto the beach. She lifted the hood of her robe from her head, exposing beautiful golden hair that flowed down onto her shoulders. She smiled in satisfaction. The wind blew her robe open slightly, revealing an elegant red dress, the top-half embroidered with gold. By her side stood a younger man, dull looking and drab in comparison with no expression on his face.

The Empress smiled. Good, she said. Now back to the ships and get the others. Hurry up. There are a lot of you to come ashore yet.

The grey men pushed the boats slowly back into the sea and the rowers started back to the ships. Nobody complained. The Empress beckoned one of the figures over with a wag of her finger. 'Figure' was the best description for him, she mused, as the man was completely grey, with ragged stone-coloured clothes and rough grey skin. He was thin, almost nothing more than a skeleton, his cheeks hollow, his eyes staring and his dull skin stretched taut over his bones. He appeared, for want of a better word, dead.

He looked at his mistress, his eyes blank, and she smiled and said, You know what we're going to do? The man at her side glanced at her and smirked.

Yes, Empress, said the figure, then he allowed himself an evil grin, revealing grey needle teeth. Yes, I do.

Good. She looked past him dismissively, wrapped her robe tighter around herself, and watched impassively as her men dragged boat after boat ashore.

#

Sorrel adjusted the lantern as it hung from one of the trees in the forest, angling it so she could better see what she was doing in the failing light. She groomed Evan's horse, Frost, smoothing the brush down the animal's flanks. Somewhere in the forest, foxes barked and yipped.

I don't know why she won't train me, it's not as if I'm not ready, she said. I've been in a battle. I defeated Corrinus! I'm the One Star for goodness sake, I have my own prophecy and everything. She huffed, rolled her eyes and then continued, And I've been here three years, Evan. Three years! I'm more than ready.

Evan, a large, good-natured man, smiled and stoked his horse's nose gently. Gunda is a very wise woman, he said. "A very good warrior, better than you, Sorrel. She is training you, but not in the way you want."

Sorrel stopped her task and turned to Evan. I want to learn her art, she said. I want to train with the bladed staff.

I know. Evan met her gaze for a moment before turning away. Come on, he said, changing the subject, I said that one day you'd have your very own horse. Well, today's the day. He blew out the lantern and then mounted Frost and looked at Sorrel to join him.

She perked up and jumped up behind him on his horse, tucking the brush into her pack without bothering to remove the clumps of horse hair. Really? My own white horse? She grinned and rubbed her hands together. Then I won't look so lost when I'm out with you guys!

Evan chuckled and turned his horse from the clearing. He's waiting for you at the village. We'll be there soon. Frost!

The horse whinnied and galloped on as Sorrel laughed in delight.

#

The village of Moor was a small Elani settlement far to the east of the old Vale of the Kingdom, surrounded on three sides by the lush forest of Trelamin and on the west by open moorland. Sorrel had visited only a few times as Gunda and her band of warriors lived separate simple lives in tents farther out into the forest.

As the horse slowed, Sorrel smiled. She couldn't wait to see Gaeshi again and as for finally getting her own horse... She thought of the blond-haired farrier she'd met a few times, of their secret meetings in the forest, and her heart skipped. Would he be waiting for her? Had he thought of her too?

Whoa! Evan halted his horse and jumped down. He smiled as Sorrel was about to dismount and told her to stay where she was. Enjoy the ride, he said, patting Frost's neck.

She nodded and allowed Evan to lead her on to the village. She spotted the small thatched houses and smoke rising up in whirls from fires; she heard children playing and the cluck of chickens. She thought about Gaeshi and wondered if he knew she was coming.

As they got closer, Evan grinned and turned to her. Everyone's expecting a visit. Gaeshi will be waiting for you and no doubt that young farrier you're fond of has been looking forward to seeing you.

Tate? Sorrel smiled. So he had been thinking of her. If she was lucky, Evan might allow her to spend some time at the village, after all, she needed get used to her new horse first. She grinned slyly to herself, deciding that was a very good excuse should she need to use one.

Evan slowed the horse as they entered the village and as the Elani folk gazed at him and Sorrel he simply smiled and gave each of them a polite nod.

I hope you're going to let young Sorrel stay longer this time, warrior, one old woman said as they passed her.

Evan smiled, nodded, and said, Aye, a little longer.

The woman looked to Sorrel as she passed her by on horseback and waved her hand to her. Good to see you, One Star, make sure you stop by my place. I'd love to offer you some of my vegetable broth. It's the best in all of Moor!

I will, Sorrel said. Thank you!

Come. Evan stopped to tie his horse near a water trough. Your horse is waiting.

She dismounted and gave Frost a pat on the neck before she followed Evan to the smithy, a larger thatched building at the edge of the village. Outside, two Elani were tending to a chestnut carthorse and nearby stood Gaeshi Sarkany. He soon noticed her and she smiled as his face broke out into a broad grin. He walked over to her and pulled her into a fierce embrace.

Gaeshi! She stood back and took in the sight of him. He looked as he always had done - wild, with thick black hair and strange dark eyes. He grinned and hugged her again.

You should visit more often, he said, smiling.

Sorrel went forward to greet the other Elani politely and looked back at Gaeshi over her shoulder. I would, she said, but I go where I'm told now!

She hugged the first Elani and repeated her name fondly, Squirrel! Then she stood back and offered the second a shy smile.

Hi Sorrel, he said, straightening his back from shoeing the carthorse. He gave her a smile that made his blue eyes twinkle. How do you like him? He's all ready for you.

Tate... Sorrel sighed his name and then, realising what he had just said, she looked at the carthorse, yes he's... he's all ready for me? Evan!

The warrior shrugged. This is your horse, Sorrel, name him as you like.

That's my horse? She looked in wide-eyed shock from Evan to Tate and then at the carthorse. The animal stood there, looking half-asleep and far too heavy to move with any speed at all.

Well! she exclaimed. Well!

Squirrel smiled and quickly put a hand to Sorrel's shoulder to guide her inside. Think about a name later, eh? For now we'll just enjoy a break from training. Tate's been tidying up in there, haven't you, Tate? Just for you, Sorrel!

She looked at Tate, pleased, as he frowned at Squirrel, his cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

Gaeshi grinned and gave her a wink and she pushed him playfully before following the others into the smithy.

#

As soon as Sorrel entered the smithy, the music started. She laughed, flattered the inhabitants of Moor were honouring her, but also quite embarrassed to be the centre of attention.

Musicians played the lute and gemshorn flute and thrashed a lively beat on several hand drums. The smell of food cooking, meats roasting over fires and bread baking in ovens, as well as the smell of hay and horses and many people crowded together assaulted her senses.

All of Gunda's warriors were there, as were many others from Moor and she grinned widely at the prospect of being able to let go for a time.

She put on her best serious expression and bobbed a formal curtsey as Tate offered her his hand. She laughed as he whisked her away to dance, spinning and twirling around the room.

Gaeshi stood with Squirrel and the wiry warrior, Fagan, and the three of them watched as Tate and Sorrel danced.

He's quite taken by her, Fagan said, standing as he always had done with one half of his body in the shadow where he felt the most comfortable.

Squirrel laughed and rested one arm contentedly on Fagan's shoulder. And she's just as love struck, she said.

I can't believe she's fallen for a farrier, Gaeshi said with a grin, happy to see Sorrel happy. I thought that one day a brave warrior would sweep her off her feet.

Evan joined them, a wooden goblet already in his hand, and he turned to see what they were all looking at. Ah. Young Sorrel and young Tate, a handsome pair they make.

Squirrel nudged the horseman. So poetic, sir! she said. But tell me, why did you choose that lumping great carthorse as our One Star's steed?

Evan grinned good-humouredly and winked. All part of the lesson, dear Squirrel. He's a stubborn beast and Sorrel must learn his ways. Besides, he's strong and a fine-looking animal.

Squirrel raised her eyebrows and looked at Fagan, who smiled and said, We'll take your word on that one, Evan. Changing the subject, how long does our Lady Gunda wish us to stay in Moor this time? She has only told you.

Gaeshi allowed the three warriors to talk without interrupting them. He glanced over to where Gunda sat alone on a wooden bench. He knew her to be strict, and not a woman who got on particularly well with others, only Evan was truly close to her, even from her own band of warriors. She was strong and wise with a quick eye and sharp mind, and but for the scar across her cheek, beautiful too. But, like most of the Warriors of Moor, she had a difficult past.

Gunda was one of a kind, so far as Gaeshi knew, and as he looked at her now he realised just how much she cared for them all and, despite her sometimes-difficult ways, was always doing what was right for her warriors. Gunda was only half Elani. She looked Elani, and she acted like an Elani. Yet, her father had been a Lamya and as things were, only he and Sorrel outside the circle of warriors, knew this to be true.

Gaeshi caught the last strands of the conversation.

...I can't remember ever staying in Moor for longer, Squirrel said. Apart from a few really bad winters. No, I think our Lady is being more than generous. Two weeks!

You'll be here for two weeks? Gaeshi asked, smiling. I'll get to spend a whole two weeks with Sorrel?

Evan chuckled and placed a hand on Gaeshi's shoulder. That's if you can tear her away from the young farrier.

Then, with a nod to his companions, Evan left them to sit by his Lady Gunda.

Squirrel sighed and then grinned at Fagan before declaring, Well!

Well indeed, Fagan said. We'll not know what to do with ourselves for two weeks in Moor.

Two weeks, Gaeshi repeated, aware of the daft smile still on his face. Two weeks with Sorrel!

Chapter 2

As the sun of a new dawn was beginning to rise over the horizon, the raising of a single hand stopped an army of countless Grey Men in their tracks.

The young man looked at the forest stretched before them and then at his leader. Moor lies beyond, Empress Graves?

The Empress smiled and said, It does, Hok'ee, yes it does. She turned and beckoned one of the Grey Men to her side. Ahiga, take a group and deliver my message. Alger will follow at a distance with his men. He has his own task. We'll head on to the Kingdom. Go.

Ahiga nodded and with a bony hand raised to beckon his men to follow, set off through the forest.

The Empress Graves looked at her right-hand man and sighed. Well, Hok'ee Sarkany, soon we'll both have our revenge. And then she laughed and threw her arms in the air and, turning to the hordes of Grey Men, she cried, Onwards, to the Kingdom of Malinas!

#

Evan pulled clumps of hay from the bale and scattered it on the ground in front of the horses. He looked up when two of his fellow warriors, Squirrel and Sakari, joined him.

Good morning, ladies, he said cheerfully. What a fine day!

Our Lady Gunda is not happy, Sakari said, getting straight to the point. It seems that Sorrel and the farrier have disappeared.

Gone sometime early this morning, Squirrel added. I don't think it's anything to worry about. They've just taken that carthorse for a ride that's all. A fuss about nothing.

It doesn't matter where or why they've gone, said a voice from behind them. She has disobeyed my request for us to stay in Moor.

Squirrel quickly looked away and mumbled an apology to Gunda.

Evan dusted bits of hay from his hands. Shall I go and look for her, my lady? he asked. They couldn't have gone far.

Gunda nodded. Would you? Thank you, Evan. I know she'll be okay. She's caused no harm. I just like to know where she is, that's all.

Evan nodded and jumped up into the saddle of his horse, pulling her nose away from the hay. I understand, ma'am, he said, giving Gunda a reassuring smile. He called sharply to his horse and rode off through the village.

#

Sorrel rode behind Tate on the carthorse, content for him to control the animal as he knew a lot more about horses than she did. She sighed and gazed about the forest as the horse trundled on.

This is nice, isn't it? he said, his voice bright. He's a nice ride too, nice and placid.

Sorrel grinned. I wanted a charger, a horse with speed like Evan's Frost or Fagan's Keezheekoni.

Keezheekoni's a flighty mare, Tate said. I was the one who broke her in! No, your horse is good, Sorrel. Solid and dependable.

She smiled. I do like him. I've already thought of a name too. Do you want to hear it?

Tate turned his head to look at her and grinned. She couldn't help but smile at the way his blue eyes lit up. He really was handsome… Already? he asked. Go on then, let's hear it.

She gazed into the forest, a slow smile spread across her face, and she sighed and said, He's called Enapay, after my grandfather's horse.

Enapay, Tate repeated, playing with the name. It means 'brave' doesn't it?

She shrugged. Tate repeated the name again, "Enapay. Yes... Enapay, ha!" The farrier gave a sharp call and urged the carthorse into a canter.

Sorrel laughed as the horse lumbered on. I think this is top speed! she cried, wrapping her arms around Tate's