DeathBringer's Apprentice: Midia Books

By Kimber Grey

Young Adrin's Only wish was to join the king's army and fight the elvin forces that killed his father. He was unaware of the powers he had spent his life unconsciously concealing until the infamous captain of Death's Hand claimed his service. Swept away in the frightening world of prophets, gods, spiritual magic, and summoning, Adrin must learn quickly if he is to survive the ruthless training of the DeathBringer.
DeathBringer's Apprentice takes place on the southern continent of Midia, shortly after the Rise of Faiden.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kimber Grey
• Release date: Aug 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386741848

Kimber Grey

Kimber was born in the arid and alien land known as southern California. She began consuming fiction from an early age, and has ever been eager to emulate the works that dramatically shaped her heart and mind as a child. She began creating short fiction and poetry in grade school, and wrote her first (laughably bad) novel in jr. high. Luckily, devouring the written word at an alarming rate tends to improve one's ability to produce it. With a grandmother who is a writer and an editor, English teachers who supported her budding potential, and a husband with a clever wit and an even greater appreciation of the written word, Kimber has never lacked support in the pursuit of her bliss. She published her first fantasy novel Quietus in 2009, and her second Seeking Destiny in 2012. The first three books of Faiden Reborn, Kingdoms Lost, Fallen Heroes, and History Forgotten were published in 2017. Her work has appeared in anthologies such as: "Ponderous Paradox", Missing Pieces IV; "Pushing the Envelope" and "A Dash of Salt & A Can of Whoop-Ass", Missing Pieces V; "Deathbringer's Apprentice", Missing Pieces VI; and "Solace Moon", The Hapless Cenloryan-The Troubadour's Inn Book I (2017 Ed.).

Book preview

DeathBringer's Apprentice

––––––––

Adrin hefted his bag and grit his teeth against the bite of its canvas straps. They had nearly reached their destination, but all he could think about was dropping his burden and collapsing into a battered and exhausted heap. He knew he couldn't stop, though. He had to find his friend, and Liridon was perhaps his only hope of getting into the king's army. If he sat down, he wouldn't have the will to march again before sunrise, and his restless heart couldn't bear waiting another night, yet the nearer he drew to his destination, the more anxious he became that he might be turned away. He squinted toward the encroaching twilight and guessed he'd have less than an hour to find his friend, or he'd be sleeping on the miserable dirt again. He was cold, damp, and hungry in more ways than one, and his soul felt sick. He prayed to the Lady that Liridon still lived.

He was alive two months ago, Adrin reminded himself, touching the hip pocket that held a folded parchment containing Liridon's near-illegible script. He sighed and followed the line of a dozen conscripts he'd joined only two weeks earlier. Many of them were young and scared, fifteen to eighteen, but most of them were willing. They'd been eager to talk about their home, a village not far from Adrin's, but still three weeks march from the tent city they were approaching. Adrin didn't know if he could have made the long journey on his own without such kindred company, and he hated parting, but his anxiety would not abate. For a year, he'd barely been able to live in his own skin. He'd thought a month of hard travel would calm his anger, but he'd only honed it to sharp and focused point.

Adrin, Jeton called from ahead. Hurry, you must see this! The boy's green eyes shone bright in the fading light when he turned back from the crest of a hill to grin at Adrin. As the night grew, a glow from the south had crept upon them, and the young conscript was backlit against the open sky.

Adrin realized the trees were open ahead of them, and he marshaled enough excitement to lope up the trodden road to where the rest of the company had stopped to stare. Jeton waved him on until Adrin mounted the rise and stopped as well, transfixed by the immense encampment before them. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers, craftsmen, and nobility stretched miles into the distance. Lights of thousands of fires filled the shallow valley below, all clustered around a dark lake. The outer expanse was filled with too many tents to count, ranging from the grand, many-steepled structures of the nobility and commissioned officers, to individual lean-tos. The center of the city, though, was mostly stone, wood, and waddle. A small fortress had been erected on the shore of the lake, and all around it, simple houses brandishing noble banners and bright trade markers nestled against its curtain below tall battlements.

Adrin's stomach fell. How could he find one man in all of this? Jeton guessed his thoughts and smiled up at him. You should stay with us tonight, then you can look for your friend with first light. Adrin appreciated the gesture, but he feared he would be treated like a conscript and not a volunteer if he followed their stalwart guide, Sergeant Erion, into the city.

Erion turned to look over his wards of the past weeks. Nearly there, men. Tonight we will have warm food and the safety of King Tistrin's Legion, a force you all will be proud to serve in. Excited murmuring followed his announcement, though Adrin guessed they were more incited by the idea of fresh bread and tender meat than by the dangerous service. The sergeant joined Adrin and patted his shoulder. Jeton is right, you will come with us. I will see that your name makes it on the stipend list. He wrapped a muscle-thick arm around the younger man's shoulders and turned to stare down at the fires below. I don't know the man you're looking for, but the field marshal might if he's memorable. I'll be reporting to him tonight with my list of conscripts.

Adrin swallowed hard, moved by the soldier's consideration; that Erion would take the time to personally ask about Liridon, amazed him. Thank you, he hurriedly said. I didn't expect—

Erion patted his back harshly enough to cut off any intended flattery. I followed my brother to the King's service, he explained. It took me two weeks to find him.

Adrin nearly despaired. He'd traveled so far, he was so weary and aching; he couldn't imagine searching for weeks amidst the vast encampment. With the sergeant's endorsement, he was sure to get into the army, but he would have duties and perhaps little or no free time to dedicate to the task of finding someone. He nodded his appreciation to Erion again, but he prayed to the Lady that the field marshal knew Liridon.

***

Though the supper was not as grand as