The Golden Ring

By GG Koe

Book 4 of the Books of Rings Series, The Golden Ring, recalls the half-elf, Jarran’s, journey from Thorshold, the land of the dwarves, to Alfheim, the ancestral home of the elves, where his sister, Tyera faces challenges for acceptance as queen of the elves. Before leaving in search of the Old Ones, they face an army of mountain trolls at Abidyn. Next they journey to Jotunheim, the land of the giants, where Jarran meets Fenris and faces sea creatures, harpies, and ice trolls in his search.

• Language: English
• Publisher: GG Koe
• Release date: Nov 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311564863

GG Koe

GG Koe was born in Edmonton, AB and raised in Nelson, BC. This is where he came to love the outdoors and dreamt of adventuring. He has pursued an avid life of exploration and travel, and loves the wilds of British Columbia. He has an interest in folk lore, also reflected in his writings.His first novel, The Ring of Light, was published in 2014, and he is currently working on other books in this series. He has written numerous professional articles.Since his retirement, he currently lives with his wife in Mission, BC, where he pursues his passion in writing.

Book preview

The story so far...

While hunting east of the Vale, the foundling Jarran is set upon by troggs, saurian denizens of the great swamp of Azwyr. In escaping the troggs, he finds a ring adorned with a cat's head, which bonds to his finger and begins to drain his life force. He consults with the seer, Gilanthora, who prophesizes the ring will kill him if he removes it before he learns to control it. She claims, To heal the land, two must journey and one return.

Jarran, a half elf, and his foster brother Altor, travel east and after many adventures, he walks the Pattern of Power, gains control of the Ring of Light, and uses it as a conduit for the lines of power emanating from the Well of Light to defeat Malador, the evil wizard.

Following the battle of Landsend Keep, the survivors set out towards the valley of the sandwellers. Along the way, they rescue a barghest and Altor becomes leader of the dire wolves. The wolves and the barghest assisted them, as they battle goblins across the escarpment plateau.

When they finally reached the valley of the sandwellers, Altor, Numkyn, and Stoneman leave to rally the people of the Vale while, Tyera leads the remainder of the party to aid the sandwellers. Altor brings the people from the Vale and cuts off the goblin forces, containing them to the valley of the sandwellers.

In the ensuing battle, Altor wounds Malador before being severely injured himself. Following the battle, Jarran receives the Iron Ring, the first band of the Ring of Allegiance and the cavers acknowledge Ironhand as their leader.

After the battle, Altor and Tyera remained in the valley of the sandwellers while Altor recovers from his wounds, while Jarran and his other companions tavel north.

Altor and Tyera explore the caverns beneath the escarpment and befriended One Eye, the giant salamander. They disperse the wolves on the escarpment plateau and Windwalker takes them to a lake to see the white cranes before he heads north to catch up with Jarran.

As they head north, Ironhand discovers a city of the Old Ones, where the party is attacked by bandicoots, a form of rat, and then by more goblins. Almandine falls through the ice on a lake but is resuscitated by Larinae.

The party encounters trolls near Troldhaugen where Numkyn and Stoneman attempt to lead the trolls away from the main party. Stoneman falls into a crevase while the tiny gnome, Numkyn, kills six trolls and rescues him. Stoneman is captured a short time later by the trolls and taken to a moulin but Numkyn rescues him once again.

In passing through the mountains by Trolhaugen, Numkyn discovers Abraxas'cave. He removes a piece of pyrite lodged in the scales of the fyrdragon and is rewarded with the ancient crown of Thorium. When Abraxas attempta to eat him, Numkyn escapes.

Jarran engages in a battle with some trolls in a pass through the mountains near Trolhaugen. In this battle, Ironhand leads the cavers against the trolls and burns the dead blocking the pass while the party escapes. The trolls again catch up with Jarran near the lands of the hill dwarves who protect them from the trolls.

When looking for Numkyn, Abraxas heads towards Thorshold. Ironhand accompanied by Jarran and Garnet rush to Thorshold to aid in its defence, where Ironhand is captured by his cousin, Fallun who has usurped the throne. Jarran and Garnet send for the barghest, sandwellers, and people of the Vale before laying siege to Thorshold.

Numkyn rescues Ironhand and his parents in Thorshold and Ironhand faces Abraxas. Then the dwarves, barghest, dire wolves, sandwellers, and people from the Vale defeat an army of trolls and goblins to crown Garnet king of Sphalerum.

After the battle, Abraxas leaves for Troldhaugen. Ironhand marries Almandine and Altor weds Tyera. Ironhand is pronounced king of the dwarves and the dwarves pledged allegiance to Jarran and award him the Silver Ring. Then, Jarran and his companions set out for Alfheim ...

CHAPTER 1

A week had passed since the great battle on the plain of Thorshold and life in the kingdom of the dwarves was beginning to return to normal. Each morning Jarran climbed the parapets beside the great gates and gazed out across the flat valley toward the low hills. Other than the stone statues which now guarded access to Thorshold, there was no sign of the trolls that had escaped the battle.

Ironhand was declared King of the Dwarves following the battle and had ordered expansion of some of the exploration tunnels created by the hill dwarfs during the great siege. Jarran watched as small bands of miners crossed the plain. The hill dwarves had discovered a small vein of quartz that offered the promise of a renewed gold supply, giving Ironhand hope that once again Thorshold would receive sufficient yellow metal to warrant firing of the forges.

While everyone completely enjoyed their stay at Thorshold, some of the guests were talking of returning homeward, including Jarran, who was also thinking of heading towards Alfheim. He climbed down from the parapet and sought out Skystalker and Windwalker, two of the barghest from the eastern slopes of the escarpment plateau who had aided him in the battle.

Skystalker, Jarran began somewhat hesitantly. I wanted to thank you for your support in the siege of Thorshold. You fought bravely beside the wolves. Without your help, I fear that the trolls may have been victorious.

We barghest support our brothers. We came when you called. Now that you're safe, it's time for us to return home.

Yes, observed Jarran, But what of the wolves?

As long as Altor is leader of the pack, the wolves will obey his commands. However, while the dwarves provide everything they need, the wolves grow lazy. They need to hunt.

I agree. Thorshold's no place for wolves. They're getting fat, observed Jarran. ...not getting the exercise they require.

I'm pleased that they all seem to be getting along with each other.

They'll not argue with one another with Altor their leader, observed Skystalker.

That's well and fine, but Altor won't remain their leader forever. Inactivity leads to impatience, which can cause tempers to flare, noted Jarran. Soon, one of them will think of challenging him.

Yes. It's time that the wolves left. Whitefang will be giving birth soon and Greyshadow will want to be there.

Jarran turned to the barghest,Windwalker, And what of you Windwalker. Will you accompany Skystalker?

No, Chosen One, replied Windwalker. I'll stay with you. I want to be the first barghest to visit the land of the elves. Providing it's acceptable to Greyshadow, I'll take some of the wolves from his pack to accompany us.

There was a growl of ascent as Greyshadow nudged up beside Jarran, who scratched him behind the ear.

Then Jarran sought out the sandwellers and people of the Vale. Natal, Tylar, Gilanthora, and Larinae were sitting in comfortable large chairs with Thorium, the king of Thorshold, in the study.

Greetings Old One, observed Thorium. How fare you this fine morning?

I fare well replied Jarran. You have exceeded all expectations in providing for our needs. I've consulted with the barghest. The wolves grow weak and indolent from your hospitality, placing the very structure of the pack at risk. The struggle to survive is what makes them what they are. They need to return to the wild. This is also true of the barghest, who likewise need to return to their homes. Skystalker will accompany the barghest and wolves from the east and Greyshadow will accompany the wolves south."

That's as it should be, declared Thorium. But, I want them to know that they have been of great service to the dwarves, and they're always welcome here.

They'll be pleased to hear that, responded Jarran, I will pass your words on to them.

And what of Windwalker? inquired Thorium.

Windwalker and some of the wolves that accompanied him will continue on with me to Alfheim, replied Jarran.

They protect you well, observed Thorium.

What I came to see you about..., explained Jarran, ...is that I wanted to inquire about the plans of the sandwellers and people of the Vale.

Tylar stood, stretched, and began, I found the journey from the valley of the sandwellers extremely difficult. I'm far beyond the age of questing and my old bones stiffen with the change in the weather. I wish to return to the valley of the sandwellers along with the protectors.

Yes, interjected Thorium with a chuckle. I've also noticed that when my hair turned white, my body began to feel like the frozen ground beneath the snow. What keeps me going is remembering that pain and pleasure often walk together.

Tylar laughed at Thorium's humour as he continued, I wish to thank you for your hospitality. It's an honour to know I'm related to the dwarves. But, I think it advisable that I take advantage of this warm spring weather and venture homeward.

Gilanthora, Larinae, and I agree, added Natal. We also wish to thank you for your kind hospitality, but like Tylar, we desire to return to our homes in the Vale. Questing is no game for the elderly. Should you decide to travel south, I'd like to extend a personal invitation for you to visit the Vale.

Yes, I'd very much like that, responded Thorium. From this day forward, it should be known that the dwarves are everlasting friends of the sandwellers and the people of the Vale and both are welcome at Thorshold.

Natal continued, Dwarves and sandwellers also will always be welcome in the Vale. While I would like to accompany my sons, I would only slow them down. But, rest assured, my thoughts are always with them.

Gilanthora, the seer from the Vale and Larinae, the old lady from the great swamp, echoed Natal's sentiments, re-iterating a desire to return to the Vale.

Jarran decided to consult with Altor and Tyera to ensure that their intentions remained the same, now that they were married. When he asked others where they were, he was told they had gone towards the hills for their daily practice. Since picking up the necklace of the queen of the elves, Tyera had undertaken to train with Altor each day, honing her fighting skills beyond the teachings of the sandwellers, until Altor was hard pressed to face her. Tyera practiced endlessly because she knew that she would have to face elf challengers for the necklace once she reached Alfheim. Jarran patiently waited for them near the great gate until they returned.

When he finally spotted them, he approached, I'm glad you are back. I was thinking of leaving tomorrow and wished to determine your intentions.

Tyera looked at him quizzically, wondering why he would even ask such a question. Our plans are the same. Did you think that because we got married that would change anything?

Jarran blushed at the suggestion, I just wanted to make sure.

Altor smiled, I can assure you our plans haven't changed. Your quest is our quest.

Jarran felt a sense of relief knowing that Altor and Tyera would accompany him and continued, I still haven't talked to Stoneman, Numkyn, or to the elves. Do you think you could talk to them. I'm almost certain they'll wish to accompany us, but I also need to talk to Ironhand and Alamandine.

We'll talk with Numkyn, Stoneman, and the elves, offered Tyera. You talk to Ironhand and Alamandine.

Jarran thanked them and took his leave to search out Ironhand and Alamandine finding them in the royal court. He knew that Ironhand had declared he wanted to continue on the quest at the royal wedding, but he was already immersed in some of the responsibilities of rule. Both he and Alamandine were busy reading petitions from their subjects and seemed pleased at a brief interlude.

Jarran began, I see you are busy with the affairs of state. I hope I'm not interfering. I was planning to leave tomorrow and wanted to talk with both of you before I went. At the banquet, Ironhand, you declared my quest had also become your quest and that you intended to accompany me.

Yes, Alamandine and I are both committed to accompany you, replied Ironhand.

I greatly appreciate your support and wanted to discuss with you how you might best help. The quest is to heal the land. In healing the land, we have unified the swampdwellers and people of the Vale and we have brought together the cavers, hill dwarves, and mountain dwarves. For me, the unification of the dwarves is a major portion of the healing process.

However, if Garnet continues to lead the hill dwarves and Thorium continues to direct the mountain dwarves, then they will remain separate entities. The hill dwarves will continue to see themselves as hill dwarves, living in Sphalerum under Garnet's rule. The mountain dwarves will see themselves as mountain dwarves living in Thorshold under Thorium's rule, and the cavers will not be accepted by either group.

I believe that both the hill dwarves and mountain dwarves must change how they see themselves. This can only happen if they are ruled by one leader. Instead of being cavers, hill dwarves, and mountain dwarves, they must become Ironhand's dwarves. I would love to have you come with me, but you may be able to serve me better in other ways. If the dwarves are to be really unified, I need you to remain here to lead them.

Yes. I can see what you are saying, Ironhand agreed. Alamandine and I had our hearts set on going to Alfheim to re-establish contact with the elves. Let me talk it over with Alamandine, Garnet, and my father. We'll make our decision and let you know in the morning.

CHAPTER 2

Jarran would have liked to have Ironhand and Alamandine accompany him on his journey, but he knew that their remaining in Thorshold would facilitate the