The Barbarians' Key

By E.J. Tett

Millicent Graves is back and more powerful than ever. She knows the secret of the Power of Malinas and she is determined to take that power for herself.

Elsewhere, the Goddess of the Sarkany is held captive thanks to Millicent’s schemes, and the dragons are coming to Aldenland looking for masters they don’t have. Can Sorrel rescue their Goddess so they can return home? Or will the Kingdom of Malinas burn?

To save everyone she loves and send Millicent back to the grave, Sorrel will need to travel far and face great danger. She needs the Barbarians’ Key. But will she be too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: E.J. Tett
• Release date: Sep 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310223013

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

Prologue

Guards kept watch at the entrance day and night, though she didn't know why they bothered. She was the sole occupant, collared and secured to the ground by a long chain of metal links. The cave's icy walls glistened in the poor light.

She could see perfectly well in the gloom. Her captors, however, did not possess the same ability. They saw her only as a shape in the dark; unable to perceive the pools of ebony that were her eyes, the black hair curled to her head, or her pale, cool skin.

She ran a black fingernail over the chain, scraping at the ice forming over the Barbarian steel, watching as it peeled away in white curls.

With a sigh, she lifted her hand and touched the pendant that hung from a finer chain around her neck. It was smooth and clear, like glass, and shaped like an icicle.

Voices outside made her drop the pendant to her chest, and she sat still and staring as a shadow moved across the cave's entrance. A man entered, stooped and old and walking slowly with a cane, testing the ground before he stepped, wary of slipping on the ice.

She licked her lips and sat up a little straighter. He wasn't one of them. He wasn't the same as her captors.

He stopped in front of her and lifted his gaze to meet hers. Under his right eye were three star-shaped birthmarks.

Have you come for me? she asked, her voice soft and deep.

The man smiled and shook his head. No, my dear, he said. I've come for the Key.

She shifted a little, making the chain rasp across the ground. You mustn't take it. You have no idea--

I have every idea, the man interrupted. It's the Barbarians who are oblivious. But... He smiled again and shrugged.

She pressed her back to the ice wall as he reached out a withered hand and clasped the icicle pendant, tugging it from around her neck before she could stop him.

No, she breathed.

Light exploded from her body and she cried out in anguish. She could not stop the change and soon the dragon claimed her place.

The creature opened its jet black eyes to see the old man hurrying for the exit, his footing steadier than it had first been.

She ran, claws slipping on the ice. The chain snapped taut as she reached its length and she pulled desperately against the Barbarian steel.

From outside the cave came the wheezy laughter of an old man.

Chapter 1

She was dead. She was dead. But she felt more alive now than she had ever before and this time, she had some of the Power of Malinas within her. And she knew its secret. Millicent Graves knew everything.

#

Sorrel's eyes opened and she squinted up at the ceiling. She felt disorientated; she had absolutely no idea where she was and there was a dull ache behind her eyes. She didn't know what time or day it was and for a moment, she couldn't even remember what she had been doing before she had fallen asleep.

Then she remembered. Images filled her mind, swords, blood, and dragons. The battle for the Kingdom of Malinas. She had fought with the Empress and won, but the last thing she remembered was collapsing into her mother's arms.

As she lay back in the bed and gazed at the ceiling, she became aware that someone else was in the room with her. She could hear them moving about, quietly so not to wake her.

She turned her head and watched silently as a young girl mixed something in a small wooden bowl. The girl had her back turned and was standing over a table. An open book lay by her left hand and she glanced at it every now and then before going back to her mixture.

She's checking ingredients, Sorrel thought. She felt a little stirring of unease. Then, catching a familiar whiff from whatever it was the girl was making, knew it was something her mother would use and she relaxed again.

The girl stopped working the mixture and turned towards the bed. She stopped with a shock when she saw Sorrel's eyes open and said, 'Oh!' in surprise.

Sorrel said nothing. The girl was an Elani, probably two or three years younger than herself. She had on a pale blue dress over which she wore a white cotton apron. There was an emblem of a small purple flower embroidered on the top right-hand side of the apron and the word 'Pasque' in fancy lettering.

Pasque, Sorrel said. Her throat was dry and her voice sounded hoarse. She swallowed and cleared her throat.

The girl smiled. She was extraordinarily pretty, with eyes as green as emeralds and neat strawberry blonde hair tied up in a single tight plait.

You're awake! she said brightly. And on the one and only time when your mother hasn't been by your side.

Sorrel tried to pull herself up into a sitting position but she felt too heavy and strange. She frowned and lifted a hand to her forehead instead.

I'll get your mother, Pasque said, popping the wooden bowl back down on the table. Nobody thought you'd wake yet.

Where am I? Sorrel croaked. She rubbed her face, not liking to feel so tired and confused.

Pasque turned back and sat on the stool by the bedside. This is my home in North-Town, she explained. We thought it best for you to stay here in comfort.

We?

Your mother and I. Helena has chosen to train me as the next healer and it has been my greatest honour to accept and to care for her daughter.

Sorrel knew her mother had wanted to start training a successor for a long time but neither she nor her brother Leif showed much interest or talent for the healing art.

She rubbed her tired eyes again and then looked at Pasque. I feel like I've slept for days.

Pasque grinned and raised her eyebrows. You have! she said. Four and a half to be exact.

Sorrel looked sharply at Pasque. Four and a half days? she repeated. She groaned. What've I missed?

Pasque got up and retrieved her mixture from the table which she then handed to Sorrel and instructed her to drink. She sat back down on the stool and watched as Sorrel sipped awkwardly from the wooden bowl.

You mean with regards to the affairs of the Kingdom?

I mean, Sorrel said, screwing up her nose and looking at the mixture in distaste, with regards to the affairs of my family and friends.

She looked at Pasque again and asked suddenly, Who's been looking after Enapay?

Pasque laughed and took the bowl out of her hands. Your horse is being looked after by Gaeshi Sarkany in the Vale. Your mother, when she has not been here, has been at Leif and Saoirse's in South-Town, cooing over young Imree.

Imree? Sorrel repeated, frowning.

Pasque smiled. Oh yes, I forgot. Imree is the name of their son.

Imree? Sorrel pulled a face to make it clear what she thought of the name.

Pasque smiled again. As for your other friends, I believe Gunda is still here, waiting for you to wake. Evan waits with her, but that Fagan...! Pasque shook her head and frowned.

Sorrel sighed heavily. She knew Fagan would be more distant than ever after the death of his beloved Squirrel. She looked up as Pasque continued, noting with interest how her expression had softened into a wistful gaze.

Little Cloud has been by your side too. He's quite charming. So gentle... Pasque fiddled absently with the hem of her apron until Sorrel coughed and then she continued, sounding rather embarrassed, Oh yes, but he left the Kingdom yesterday to care for his mentor, Running Bear.

What's wrong with Running Bear? Sorrel asked, struggling to sit up. He's not ill, is he?

Pasque gave a thoughtful frown and shook her head. She pursed her lips. Not ill exactly, she said. More... well, it's strange. He's been bombarded by visions and images. They come to him all the time now, no longer confined to his dreams. Some say he's completely cracked, but Cloud seems to think it's something else. The poor old man's certainly troubled by something.

It's not a seer thing is it? Sorrel asked, feeling a little more alert now. I mean, the same thing won't happen to Cloud, will it?

Pasque raised her eyebrows and looked distant for a moment or two before she heaved a sigh and shook her head. I hope not, she replied.

She placed the wooden bowl on the table next to the bed and then clapped her hands into her lap, declaring, Well! I must go and tell your mother you're awake!

Sorrel nodded and watched Pasque leave. She lay back, hoping that she felt better soon and wondering what had happened to Running Bear.

Chapter 2

Nodin's Castle. A ruined, windswept place where nobody went but the buzzards. A strong gust of wind ripped at the leaves of a heather plant, battering it flat to the earth and hammering it against the broken stone slabs.

As fast as the wind blew in one direction, it changed just as quickly and in a flash, the little heather plant flopped onto its other side.

One of the resident buzzards screeched somewhere above and another replied from its nest on the highest surviving wall.

Millicent hummed softly, the sound drifting across the ruins. Then she sighed and gave a dark, malevolent chuckle.

The two buzzards cried out to each other again and the one in its nest hastily scrabbled to its edge and burst out into the open sky.

A chuckle again and she sang, Fly, fly little bird.

Millicent, dressed in a beautiful red and gold dress and luscious black velvet robe, glided out from behind the high standing wall, running her hands over the stonework as she went.

She spun out into the middle of the ruins, delighting in the way the wind ripped at her clothes and long blonde hair. She smiled and then laughed again, her grey eyes suddenly narrowing into a malicious sneer and her thin lips tightening.

Sweet Sorrel, what have you done? She laughed again and put her hands to her stomach where dark red blood flowed from a recent wound. She looked at her hands and smiled as the blood on them dried and quickly disappeared and dispersed on the wind. Dead, she said, smiling at the word, still staring at her now clean hands.

Dead... she hissed. She clenched her fists, raising them triumphantly into the air and screamed, You made me, Sorrel! I will have Fire and I shall have Earth and Water too! I know what they are! I know them! The secret! I shall have them all!

She lowered her hands and turned to stare out at the open moorland, whispering venomously, "I know how to join the Power of Malinas; I know where the parts hide. They will be mine. Mine..."

She wiped at a trickle of blood that ran from the corner of her mouth and sniffed as she watched it dry and drift away with the wind. Then she scanned the horizon before her and she whispered harshly, I am dead!

#

Thane Amansk, a young Lamya craftsman, was currently working in South-Town, building a bench for one of his female admirers. He was in the middle of pretending to be working hard, wearing just a pair of grubby grey trousers, huge black boots with their laces untied and nothing else, while his red-haired friend waited impatiently.

He straightened his back from his work and wiped imaginary beads of sweat from his brow as two younger Lamya girls stood nearby and giggled and blushed.

How long 'as it taken you to make that one bench? his companion asked. I thought you an' me were training today?

Shut your mouth, Thane whispered, tapping an already well-imbedded nail farther into the woodwork. Go and pester that annoying what's-'is-face... Woods. He'll spar with you.

His companion screwed up his nose, obviously not too impressed by the suggestion, and glanced at the two girls. You mean Mojag? I haven't seen 'im for days. Last time I saw 'im, 'e was being given a clout round the ear 'ole for nicking somethin' from ole Taylor Loveless.

Thane grinned and shrugged. Good ole Loveless! That Woods can be a right pain in the--

--well that's exactly why I'm not sparrin' with 'im, said his friend. Can't shut 'is trap can 'e? Should've just gone back to the Midori with that weird Elani fella or wherever it was 'e came from.

Maybe 'e 'as then, Thane said. If you haven't seen 'im.

His friend shrugged and fell silent for a moment or two, watching Thane fiddle with a wooden bench leg. Then he sighed loudly and Thane looked and grinned.

Give it a rest! Look, I promise I'll spar with you tomorrow. Meet me back 'ere in the morning.

Thane's friend nodded, then with a brief nod at the two Lamya girls, hurried away to find someone else more willing for a conversation.

Thane straightened up and winked at the two girls. They giggled and blushed and he raised his eyebrows roguishly in return.

#

Sorrel closed her eyes and was in danger of falling asleep again when the door to her room creaked open.

She rolled over and opened her eyes, seeing her mother standing in the doorway. She smiled. Helena's deep brown hair shone with life and cascaded down onto her shoulders, framing her face and making her seem more beautiful than ever before. She was wearing a long ruddy-brown woollen dress and a cream shawl draped over her shoulders.

My Sorrel, Helena said gently, coming to the bed and pulling the stool close to sit.

Sorrel's smile grew and she held out her hand weakly, which her mother grasped and held close.

I'm tired, she whispered. Mum...

It's all right. She tucked Sorrel's wild hair back behind her ear. Now you're awake you'll start to feel better. You've been through so much. Ah, I see Pasque has made you some remedy.

Sorrel pulled herself up with a struggle and looked wryly at the wooden bowl. She's nice. Pasque.

Helena nodded. Cloud certainly thinks so, she said. Then she added softly, He'll be here as soon as he can. Leif says he'll see you today too.

They really called their son Imree? Sorrel asked, still not deciding whether she liked the name or not.

Helena laughed and squeezed Sorrel's hand. It's a beautiful name, don't sound so doubtful! Now, Gaeshi Sarkany is waiting outside to see you. He turned up before anyone told him you were awake. He said he knew.

Sorrel smiled and nodded. Gaeshi saved my life, he knew when I was in trouble and he came for me. I love him, Mum, and I've never told him. Never even told him how much I appreciate him being near.

Oh Sorrel, he knows, Helena said. He knows.

She sighed and slipped her hand free from her mother's. She sat back and stared blankly at the wall opposite. After a while, she said quietly, I fell in love with a man named Tate. A farrier from Moor...

She felt her mother's gaze settle on her as she continued to stare at the wall. She turned and looked at her mother, a sad smile on her face. A nice man. You would've liked him.

Helena nodded sympathetically and said nothing, waiting for Sorrel to speak when she was ready.

He was handsome, she continued, looking down at her hands. Tall, blond. We were always shy around each other in front of people, but when we were on our own he would come alive. He'd tell me things about Moor, about horses and the countryside. Things I didn't even know about or would have thought boring before he spoke of them.

She sniffed but the tears never left her eyes. She laughed quietly. He was always so cheerful! Sometimes annoyingly so! He'd never complain about anything. She sighed heavily and her face dropped, she looked away again and shook her head. You would've liked Tate. I have nobody now. I can't let anyone else get close to me in case they get hurt because of who I am. I worry even more now, for Cloud and Gaeshi, you...

She looked at her mother and Helena reached out to her and tenderly brushed her cheek.

I can never have anyone, like Leif has Saoirse.

Helena placed her hands back in her lap and shook her head. Everyone has their soul mate. Sorrel, you have plenty of time to find yours.

Do you think you'll ever find someone else? Sorrel asked, her eyes searching her mother's face. She had never asked the question before, never dared to in case the answer was yes. She didn't want a replacement father. But now she didn't mind, all she wanted was her family to be happy.

Helena smiled. Cal was my husband and my soul mate. I would never be able to love another man as much as I loved him.

Sorrel nodded, a wave of relief flooded over her and she felt guilty. I wouldn't mind, she said. Honestly.

Helena laughed brightly. Sorrel, I'm glad I have your blessing! My dear, your father was the only one for me. I fell in love with him when I was fourteen. I've never been with anyone else.

They were quiet then, happy to be alone together. Helena got to her feet, combed her fingers through her daughter's hair and half managed to get it into some sort of order. My family is growing all the time, she said, Saoirse, Imree. When you find the right one, I'll be happier than ever and welcome him into the family with open arms. Whoever he may be.

Helena headed towards the door and looked back at Sorrel, saying, Gaeshi can't wait to see you. I'll be back later.

Sorrel smiled and nodded. The door closed and she lay back in the bed.

#

Family and friends visited Sorrel constantly and by the afternoon, she managed to get out of bed and wandered distractedly around Pasque's house in her shift.

The house was quite possibly the nicest house she had ever been in, full of Elani craftsmanship - from the twisted wicker chairs to the ornate wooden carvings of horses and people proudly on display. It was small, having the one floor, and as far as she could tell from her investigation, just the two bedrooms. But it was warm and cosy and as she finished her look around the living area, she heard a cheerful humming coming from outside.

She tensed and stared at the door, feeling ridiculous in her linen shift and suddenly wondering where her sword had gone, when the handle turned and Pasque walked in carrying a parcel.

Oh! the girl exclaimed, seeing her up and about. You must be feeling much better.

Pasque came in and shut the door behind her. She smiled at Sorrel and passed her to go and place the parcel on one of the chairs. Sit, she said, patting the chair next to her.

Sorrel wrapped her arms around her waist and sat down. She smiled at Pasque and looked questionably at the package.

Clean clothes, Pasque explained, taking the parcel up again and unwrapping the brown paper. Your mother fetched them from your home in the Vale. She says she's sorry but she had to throw your others out--

My clothes! Sorrel exclaimed. Why would she do that?

Pasque handed her the clothes one by one - a long delicate white skirt, a pair of rust-coloured baggy trousers, a cream woolly jumper, a pretty white shirt with lace at the neck and sleeves, her old pair of brown suede boots, some underwear and her favourite homemade tawny jacket that she always wore.

Pasque grinned. Your other clothes were torn to bits and your mum tells me they were beyond repair, she said. "She managed to save your jacket though, but apologises for the bloodstain. It wouldn't come out, apparently, and she knew you wouldn't be happy if she threw that away!"

Sorrel ran her fingers lightly over the fresh stitching on the back of her jacket. It was a reminder of her fight with the Grey Man, Ahiga, and the faded bloodstain around the stitching was from her own wound. She folded the jacket loosely and turned back to Pasque expectantly. Was there anything else?

Your sword is under your bed, along with that huge black belt of yours. Oh, and your mum gave me this too...

Pasque reached into her pocket and pulled out a corded leather choker with a small shining black feather on it, kept in place by a blue bead on either side.

Sorrel reached out and took the choker. She smiled. This was Gran's. Mum used to wear it a lot, I thought she lost it. She tied the choker around her neck and then stood up, carrying the bundle of clothes in her arms. I better get changed. Thanks, Pasque.

She headed to her room but Pasque called her back. A scabbard, the girl said, would you like a scabbard?

Sorrel stopped in the doorway.

I noticed you never had one before. You should, you know, you could get cut by your own sword. Don't you worry each time you pull it from your belt?

Sorrel frowned briefly and then she laughed. You know, she said, I never thought of that before!

Pasque went to the coffee table and pulled out a long box from beneath it. She opened it carefully and lifted out the scabbard from inside. It was black, made of good tough leather and decorated with red jewels. She placed it on top of Sorrel's pile.

My dad found it here when we moved in, Pasque explained quietly. It never had a sword in it. Dad couldn't fight very well anyway but he said it was too good to throw away.

Sorrel lowered her bundle so she could see the young girl's face. She suddenly realised that she had never seen Pasque's parents in the house. Where are they? she asked gently, fearing she already knew the answer. Your parents.

Pasque fiddled with a loose thread on her apron and sighed heavily, avoiding Sorrel's gaze. Gone, she said simply. My mother died giving birth to me. My father died in the war. She shrugged. I'm not the only one who lost family that day.

Sorrel nodded sadly, she knew there was nothing she could say to help. I'm sorry. Look Pasque, she said gently, taking a step closer to the girl, I'll ... I'll go and get changed then I'll come down and make us a cup of tea, okay? She shrugged apologetically and added, I'd make us some food but I'm not a very good cook.

Pasque smiled wanly and nodded. All right, she said. Thank you.

Sorrel nodded and turned away, looking back at the young girl who seemed so lonely now. She heaved a sigh and headed towards her room.

Cloud, she thought, I need you now, you're better at this than me.

Chapter 3

Wind, Fire, Water and Earth, Millicent chanted as she headed across the