Shadows Fall: The Shadow Trilogy, #3

By Dayne Edmondson

The kingdom of Tar Ebon burns.

They are called the Krai'kesh, and they are not of this world. They came from the far north, crushing our mightiest fortress and slaughtering our army. Creatures of claws, pincers and endless malice, they ravage the land and seek to destroy our most wondrous city.

As the war flares, as the Krai'kesh threaten to overrun the capital city of Tar Ebon, seven heroes of might and magic go forth to unite the nations under a single banner. Their next battle must be fought together or shadow will swallow all.

The Krai'kesh will not rest until the last human is dead. John and his allies must defeat them. They must win. Or Tar Ebon, and, in time all humanity, will perish.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Star Publishing
• Release date: Jul 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536536683

Dayne Edmondson

Dayne Edmondson lives in southeastern Michigan with his wife and two young children, a boy and a girl. He writes part time and works a day job. His books can be read in this order: The Shadow Trilogy: 1. Blood and Shadows 2. Time of Shadows 3. Shadows Fall Mageborn Saga: 1. Mageborn 2. The Cursed Tower 3. Halls of Light (coming 2019) The Seven Stars Universe: 1. Ghost Ranger (coming 2019) The Dark Tide Trilogy: 1. Emergence 2. Eclipse 3. Ruin Dayne enjoys reading, writing, the occasional video game, watching TV with his wife, walking and spending time with his children indoors or out. He writes and reads science fiction and fantasy. Some of his favorite authors/books include Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, (almost) all the Star Wars EU books, Elizabeth Haydon, Christopher Nuttall and more.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Abitter wind blew from the north, causing Alivia O'Leary's hair to stream behind her. Autumn had begun to lay claim to the land. Looking to her right, Alivia studied the face of Coryn. Ties restrained her hair while a black polished breastplate gleamed beneath the autumn sun. She looked more like a warrior than a queen. Her face was set, her eyes determined, as they studied the northern horizon. Her lips formed a thin line, being neither smile nor frown. A sword in its scabbard hung at her side, a shield hung on her back. Studded leather gloves and trousers protected her hands and legs, while knee-high leather boots completed the outfit. Over two dozen guards, attendants and servants surrounded her.

You seem worried, Alivia observed. Why else would you be up here?

Coryn nodded without looking at Alivia. The scouts did not return today as expected. I fear they won’t return.

Alivia turned again to the north, closing her eyes. Death. The memory of the pain she felt at the loss of her mother, father and most of her mage family rose up to assail her. Nightmares plagued her by night, while ghosts haunted her by day. Three weeks had passed since Dawyn and the others had departed, but no respite had come for her. She might walk into a room and hear the voice of her mother scolding her as a child. The voice of her father lecturing on the basics of magical manipulation seemed to echo when she entered a classroom. She knew of course that the voices were memories, not their actual voices, but it did not make dealing with the loss any easier.

How lies the mantle of command on your shoulders? Coryn asked.

Alivia sighed and opened her eyes. Heavy. I am not ready to lead an entire order, no matter how diminished its numbers. The decision for Alivia to be the leader of the Tower had been simple - the remaining eleven master mages had not wanted the task and it fell to her to bring order to the chaos left by the death of so many. She knew that without guidance the Tower, a thousand-year institution, could cease to exist. This had compelled her to accept the responsibility.

Coryn nodded. I am sure you will be a fine leader, Alivia. I... her words cut short as a horn sounded from the northeast tower.

Alivia followed the gaze of Coryn, who had straightened in alarm. Cresting a ridge to the north, a mass of dark creatures, Krai’kesh, began to surge down the incline. They raced like a wave of flesh, picking up speed as they came, toward the black walls of Tar Ebon.

Sounds the alarms! Coryn shouted, sending attendants scurrying away. Her guards moved closer to Alivia and Coryn as if to shield them from the coming horde. Horns echoed from the other towers of the city. Drums began to beat from the rear of the battlement, calling the city’s defenders to assemble. Archers stepped to the edge of the wall, stringing their bows and preparing to release their arrows. Armored soldiers stood behind the crenellations, ready to step into the gap when the archers fell back.

Only a few moments had passed, yet already the creatures were a mere hundred meters or so from the walls. Archers, loose at will! the commander of the archers, Marketh, shouted. Archers took aim, releasing their arrows as they fixed on a target. Alivia watched as the arrows streaked toward the first of the Krai’kesh. She winced as the arrows bounced off the armored carapace of the creatures. A few lucky arrows found chinks in the armor of the Krai’kesh, causing them to stumble.

Alivia noticed movement near the rear of the oncoming horde. A large crystal, at least four carts wide and three times as tall as a man, glowed like a hot torch. A dozen enemy soldiers carried it. What is that? she wondered. As she watched, the Krai’kesh thrust the crystal into the ground with a loud boom, throwing up dust. A massive monster three times as tall as the smaller Krai’kesh thundered forward from the back

Pulling her eyes from the crystal, Alivia drew heat from a nearby brazier and formed it into a sphere. The air itself burned, reflecting the glow of the flames it had stolen the heat from. Alivia cast the sphere out from her body and launched it toward the front ranks of the Krai’kesh. The ball of flame arced toward the creatures but the energy dissipated as it neared their lines. It was as if her fireball were a torch thrust into the ocean. Alivia's eyes widened in shock

She tried again, this time forming a line of fire encased in walls of air. The flame flowed, through the channel of air toward the Krai’kesh ranks. As before, the flames ceased to exist after hitting a certain point. No splash indicated where the invisible wall was - the flame was just gone. The last of the stream of fire disappeared and Alivia sighed in frustration. She released her hold on the channel of air.

Next, she looked up and stretched her mind toward the clouds above the battlefield. She charged the particles in the clouds in an attempt to link the clouds to the ground to summon lightning. Yet, her perception could not pierce the veil blanketing the Krai’kesh. A space devoid of anything according to her senses blanketed the Krai’kesh. She could sooner manipulate the moon high above than she could the matter and energy within that void. 

Withdrawing her mind, she re-focused her eyes and spoke to Coryn. My magic cannot touch them. I cannot even see them with my magic. It is as your mother spoke of during the battle. When Coryn did not speak, Alivia returned her attention to the horde that had reached the walls.

The first rank of creatures leapt forward, front feet pointed toward the stone walls. This must be how they overran the Haguesfort, Alivia thought. But as their feet slammed against the walls, they failed to pierce the stone of the walls, causing a loud clack. The walls repelled the creatures. The second rank of creatures passed the first and tried as well, followed by a third rank. Each attempt was unsuccessful. The creatures began to mill about in frustration. A few tried to slam their claws into the wall, with the same result.

Their claws cannot pierce the stone! Coryn exclaimed, stating the obvious. Archers, redouble your efforts!

The pace of arrows raining down increased, but the creatures paid as much heed as if it were raining water. Arrows bounced off the armor of the enemy creatures, falling to the ground, like water running off a stone.

The first rank of creatures knelt, while the second rank leapt onto their backs. The third rank tried to ascend the growing wall of Krai’kesh, but could not keep their balance. Several fell backward into the swarm. The attempts at scaling the walls using a siege engine of flesh failed. Minutes later the creatures gave up.

Alivia expected the creatures to continue on their way, abandoning the city and moving to easier prey. Instead, they spread out to the north and south, remaining close to the walls, encircling the city. The gates had been shut for days, or some might have gotten into the city before they could be shut.

They’re preparing for a siege, Coryn said, slamming her fist down on the stone wall. Damn the Founders!

Alivia studied the formation of the creatures. They moved so fast! Their attempts were futile, though, for the city was protected...a thought struck her and her eyes opened wide. The harbor, she breathed.

Coryn heard her words and spun to an officer. Send word to the harbor. They are to close the harbor gate immediately. I want as many guards as possible sent to the docks until we’re sure none got through. She returned her gaze to the field below as the officer saluted and descended the stairs.

My queen, Captain Galbrath, the head of the Shadow Watch Guard detachment protecting her, began, we should retreat to the palace. If the creatures manage to get over the walls...

If the creatures manage to get over the walls, Coryn said, cutting him off, the city will fall, captain. I will not hide in the palace while the Krai'kesh slaughter my people. I will see these creatures driven off or die trying.

Captain Galbrath hesitated before nodding his understanding. As you say, my queen.

I should return to the Tower, Coryn, Alivia said. I will lead a detachment to the harbor to lend what aid they can. Perhaps this magical field of theirs will not extend as far as the harbor.

Coryn sighed and nodded. You’re right, I suppose. I will lead our defenders to the harbor.

Chapter 2

Coryn watched Alivia go from the eastern wall of Tar Ebon, then spoke to Captain Galbrath. Captain, send every available guard save the archers to the harbor. Until we get those gates shut that is our greatest vulnerability.

Captain Galbrath nodded. I will order all available soldiers to the harbor. But my queen, I urge you to return to the palace. Standing atop a wall your enemy cannot scale is one matter, but going to the harbor to face more of them is quite another. You are the queen - your life is more important than ever. We need our leader to be safe.

Coryn sighed. She knew that Captain Galbrath only wanted what was best for her, but he had always been so stiff. Could he not see what the people needed right then was not a ruler who sat in the palace all day, eating grapes and issuing commands? They needed a true leader, one who would inspire the people to fight, to have hope and not give in.

Captain Galbrath, as the queen, it is my duty to lead our people. I will not lead our people from the palace, I will stand with them on the front lines if I have to. My father understood this. It's why he rode out to engage the Krai’kesh instead of sending his generals alone. If the life of a ruler holds more value than the lives of her subjects, her life loses value in the eyes of her subjects. Our people need a leader that leads, that is out among them showing them that we as a people are stronger than ever. Now let us go.

Coryn did not wait for a response from Captain Galbrath. She strode down the steps to where the horses of she and her guards awaited. She mounted, tarried long enough for her guards to mount, then sped off toward the harbor.

Coryn contemplated her frustration as she rode. Before her father’s death, Coryn had been a soldier of his guard. The other guards had respected her, even been friendly with her. The death of her father and mother had changed everything. The guards now saw not a fellow guardsman, but their commander-in-chief; a female commander-in-chief. They thought her a fragile doll made of glass, seeming to forget the strength she showed when she was among them. They were respectful, to be sure, that was their duty. But Coryn could not help but feel that they coddled her as they did not out of respect, but out of perceived weakness.

Many of the nobles had operated under no such pretense of respect. Nobles had fled the city in droves within days of Dawyn and the others departing. They cleared out their manor houses and departed with their household staff. A few nobles remained after the exodus. Many family members of her house, distant cousins, aunts and uncles and other relations, remained. The heads of House Navare and House Pelagrin also remained. Three out of the seven great houses of Tar Ebon abandoning the city to its fate; oh how a true threat brought out the cowardice in people great and small.

With the departure of the nobles had come the departure of people from all walks of life. Anyone with the money and means to leave the city, merchants, wealthy tradesmen, farmers bringing their goods from the country, had fled like the tide receding from the shore. People walked the streets in a subdued manner. The street vendors’ cries of their wares seemed forced and unenthusiastic. As Coryn sped through the streets, those she passed watched her, fear in their eyes. Did they think she was fleeing from an enemy?

Focusing her eyes on the path before her, her mind drifted to the letter she had written to the leaders of the remaining six nations on the continent. Though many of the nations were friendly toward Tar Ebon, or at least neutral, not every nation got along. The nation of Allyria fought a near-constant border war against the Gallians. The Valnarians and the Selucians had fought in centuries past for land. The Rovarkians had long ago raided the northern steppes of Tar Ebon, being driven back with great sacrifice. Because of this complicated web of relationships, Coryn had asked not for the nations to unite together, but to instead come to the aid of Tar Ebon. They did not need to know that all the nations were being asked to come together just yet.

Passing through the plaza in front of the palace, Coryn’s eyes fell upon the statue of her father atop his warhorse. She felt a sharp pang of loss at him and her mother, emotion welling up from where she had buried it. The suddenness of both their deaths and her taking command had not allowed her to mourn for long. She regretted not being able to say goodbye to her mother. She thought her father must have suspected something, for he had said a heartfelt goodbye to her, though a soldier was always prepared for the possibility that they would not come home when they marched to war.

THE HARBOR OF TAR EBON was a bustle of activity as Coryn arrived on the docks. Guards, militia and rangers were streaming from the streets and forming up ragged ranks by squad. Meanwhile, crew members of various ships bustled about, loading cargo onto ships with haste. Several cargo ships were on the water, heading toward the Tar river. The harbor gates remained opened, the mouth of the harbor clogged with ships.

Get those gates closed, Coryn shouted to no one in particular. Motioning to a messenger in Tar Ebon livery, Coryn ordered them to go to the men