Tales from Arva: Volume 1: Tales from Arva, #1

By Kevis Hendrickson

Read this exciting collection of short stories taken from the World of Arva. Tales from Arva: Volume One includes The Fall of Ithar, The Grey Elk, The Tale of Liril, Pryde's Choice and bonus material (including an excerpt from the upcoming The Prince and the Demon Novella).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kevis Hendrickson
• Release date: Dec 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502219077

Kevis Hendrickson

Kevis Hendrickson is the author of eight Science Fiction and Fantasy novels, including The Legend of Witch Bane and the Rogue Hunter series. His second novel Rogue Hunter: Quest of the Hunter won the Red Adept Annual Indie Award (2010) for 'Top Science Fiction'. His most recent novel is Rogue Hunter: Valor. The sixth book in the series, Rogue Hunter: Death Moon, is scheduled for release in 2017. He is working on a brand new urban fantasy series which also makes its debut this year.

Book preview

TALES FROM ARVA: VOLUME 1

by

Kevis Hendrickson

This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or any third-party publishers.

Tales from Arva: Volume 1

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2013 Kevis Hendrickson

V8.0

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Tales from Arva: Volume 1

Introduction

An Ole Ryme

The Fall of Ithar

The Grey Elk

The Tale of Liril

Pryde's Choice

Bonus Material

The Black Sorceress

Preview of The Prince and the Demon

Introduction

Tales from Arva: Volume One is a collection of short stories, legends, and poems ranging from the elusive Elder Days to the last age from Arva. It comprises such events as the retelling of the Great War fought over the last kingdom of Men to the stirring tale of a knight’s quest for redemption. It is the hope of the author that readers of this volume will find the world of Arva to be a most fascinating place that they will want to visit time and again.

An Ole Ryme

Of queenes I speke

And kings I singe

Of firres wrought

And swordes that smite

Of steedes that leape

And shieldes that din

Of joly bards

And faerie's light

Of ladies faire

So hale and goode

Of beasts that lie

And garish laye

Of giddie speare

And oaken woode

Of winter's sighe

And witches gaye

Of gushing fords

And darkest fen

And wyvern's lair

Conceived by mists

In arme of wordes

And feral penne

My oath to bear

No token this

For by my speeche

And merye tongue

A tale of deeds

Made unto ye

So loftily

And clarion

My minstrelsy

Of chivalrie

The Fall of Ithar

In ancient days when the race of Men had first come into the world, there were the Faranir, the fell gods of old, who had made war upon the children of the world and made them subject to their will. Men, too, fell under their dominion and suffered greatly. In those days, there was born to Garâthês, the king, a son. And he was hight Garâthos. Garâthês raised Garâthos to grow proud and to become a beacon of hope to Men. When Garâthos’ strength waxed, he sought to test his mettle and was of mind to seek the holy sword Valix. For he perceived that with such a weapon he would become a mighty foe to his father’s enemies.

One night, it came to Garâthos in a dream where he might find Valix. And he was consumed by the thought of possessing it. He knew that whatever trials lay before him, or dangerous road he must travel, Valix would be his. Without delay, Garâthos departed from his father’s kingdom to seek Valix. There abroad he faced many dangers that would have conquered lesser men. But he overcame them all, slaying man, beast, and phantom till he ventured into strange lands far from his own where his prize awaited him.

When his quest was won and he claimed Valix for his own, Garâthos returned home to take his place beside his father. And it came to pass that whenever battle was raised, Garâthos went forth and smashed his foes with Valix. His deeds were great and many and he was renowned for his feats. Fearing that Garâthos’ fame would only grow to embolden others to rebel against their Faranir masters, the dark lord, Mjôrl-gâs plotted his death. And a great army was assembled to lay siege to the kingdom of Ithar, the last bastion of Men, that Garâthos and his people would be utterly destroyed. Here is the telling of that account.

[The Fall of Ithar]

It was on a day when the sky was grey and a bitter wind descended upon the land that the armies of Mjôrl-gâs drew about Ithar. They set upon the great walls that stood about the kingdom and beleaguered it. Such was the strength of his foe that Garâthês the king took up his war gear and rode into battle with his sons Garâthos and Garâthon. And a great battle was made on the Plains of Isultnarthinal which lasted for three days and in which many men were killed. But the valiance of the king and his sons was such that they overcame their enemy. Then Garâthês raised up his sword with his sons and let out a cry that roused all the men with them to lift up their voices as