First Snake of the Dwindling Ships

By Meyari McFarland

The Headquarters of the Snakes of the Empire was a black blot against the white marble of the Holy City.

Akuchi would rather be anywhere but here.

Bonding to Prince Cyrille was the best thing that had ever happened to him. It had taken him from this duty and he was so glad.

But his old friend Kirran Pekkanen waited for help that only Akuchi could give.

Though Akuchi refused to give what he demanded.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MDR Publishing
• Release date: May 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370088195

Meyari McFarland

Meyari McFarland has been telling stories since she was a small child. Her stories range from SF and Fantasy adventures to Romances but they always feature strong characters who do what they think is right no matter what gets in their way. Her series range from Space Opera Romance in the Drath series to Epic Fantasy in the Mages of Tindiere world. Other series include Matriarchies of Muirin, the Clockwork Rift Steampunk mysteries, and the Tales of Unification urban fantasy stories, plus many more. You can find all of her work on MDR Publishing's website at www.MDR-Publishing.com.

Book preview

First Snake of the Dwindling Ships

By Meyari McFarland

Other Gods Above and Below Stories:

In Reading Order:

The Heat of the Thorn

Door in the Wind

Rising Sword of the Blue Flames

Silent Voyages of the Last Winter

Thief of the Moon

The Ice's Voyagers

Other Books by Meyari McFarland:

Transplant of War

Running From The Immortals

Hearts of Magic

Triumph of the Artificer Mages

Artifacts of Awareness

City of the Dead

Repair and Rebuild

Storm Over Archaelaos

Coming Together

Facing the Storm

Following the Beacon

The Solace of Her Clan

Running Before The Storm

You can find these and many other books at www.MDR_Publishing.com.

Copyright ©2017 by Mary Raichle

Cover image

© Orson | Dreamstime.com - Tear Paper - Abstract Back Photo

© breakermaximus | Dreamstime.com - Spartan Warrior Photo

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be emailed to [e-mail].

This book is also available in TPB format from all major retailers.

Dedication:

This story is dedicated to Mercedes Lackey.

Table of Contents

First Snake of the Dwindling Ships

Excerpt: City of the Dead

Afterword

First Snake of the Dwindling Ships

Akuchi walked slowly up the dock towards the building that used to be his headquarters. Low, squat, built to withstand both heavy bombardment by the most powerful magical weapons of ancient wars and a rush by rabble discontent with their lives, the Headquarters of the Snakes of the Empire was a black blot against the gleaming white marble of the rest of the Holy City. Appropriate given that it lurked outside the city gates as if a giant had tossed an onyx die into the sand.

The air shimmered around him. He'd forgotten how hot it was out here. How the air seemed to suck every bit of moisture out of your mouth and eyes as you walked. The sand dunes had not progressed any closer to the city walls. They couldn't. Too many ancient mages had cast too many spells to ensure that the city would never be devoured by the drifting sand that had consumed the entire nation.

Silence echoed. Once it had been his greatest pride to guard the gates of the Holy City, to ensure that no one defiled its streets by stepping within to see the wonders of the greatest place on the planet. He'd been raised to it, taken the post with pride. Served with every bit of honor and strength he possessed.

And then he'd met Prince Cyrille during one of the High King's visits to sanctify the