Shadow of a King

By Saffron Bryant

Everyone in the Known Kingdoms understands the basic fact of life is that energy cannot be created or destroyed...

Everyone but Ash.

He doesn't understand how he does it,

He doesn't care.

All that matters is getting Rae back.

In order to do that, he must convince the powerful Skordkin Clan to help him, as they hold the key to his quest. To get their aid, he has to demonstrate his worth, something that will prove difficult as they don't condone his methods.

His willingness to do anything to get Rae back, including casting away the last of his humanity, has him teetering on the brink of sanity in his quest for vengeance.

Now willing to sacrifice himself and everyone in the Known Kingdoms to get Rae back, he must confront the Faceless Monks in a final showdown that may put the entire world and reality at risk. One way or another, he will end it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Saffron Bryant
• Release date: Jan 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370282838

Saffron Bryant

Saffron Bryant was born on the 17th December 1990 in a small town in North Queensland. In 2010, a few weeks before her twentieth birthday, she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. After extensive, life-saving surgery she returned to her home in Queensland to recover and finish The Fallen Star. She received a Bachelor of Biomedical Science in 2011 along with the Society for Immunology Prize and an Academic Medal. Saffron has been interested in fantasy writing from a very young age, writing her first story at the age of seven. She has always been fascinated by fantasy stories and has a passion for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Saffron currently lives in Sydney with her partner Michael Lee where she is completing her PhD in chemistry.

Book preview

Chapter One

Hide! Ash dragged Loren into a thicket of trees behind Cass just as a group of horsemen road past.

Their black cloaks whipped out behind them and caught the last bright rays of sunset. Hoof-beats pummeled the ground and sent vibrations into the thicket of trees before fading down the road.

Ash let out a long breath. That’s the second one today!

Mother will be furious. She will have sent every Ranger she can afford, and probably some she can’t.

The Rangers are one thing, Cass said. But if the Faceless come past… A few trees won’t be enough to hide us from them.

There’s nothing we can do about that, Ash said. Except hope they chose to look somewhere else. How long until we reach the Clan?

Ages. We still have to get through the Old Iron Hills and, once we’re on the other side of that, it’s at least a week.

And we’ll be closer than ever to the Faceless Stronghold, Ash said.

Cass nodded. We have to keep moving. The longer we stay in one place, the bigger chance there is of the Faceless finding us. She led the way out of the trees to the side of the road and marched forward, the same direction the riders had gone.

They’ll know now, Loren said, that Ash is still alive. What other reason would we have for leaving home in the middle of the night, just when the Faceless turn up? Plus Mother would have been more than happy to describe you to them.

Ash swallowed. He’d had the same thought as soon as they’d left the secret tunnel from Loren’s family home. There’d be no doubt now that he was alive, and dangerous. The Faceless would stop at nothing to get their hands on him and see him dealt with. Cass, you’re sure that once we reach the Clan—?

Yes! I’ve told you a hundred times, the Faceless won’t be able to find you there. They don’t even know it exists; if they did, it would have been destroyed by now.

We’ll get there, Loren said. Then we’ll be safe.

Not necessarily, Cass said.

What’s that supposed to mean?

Nothing. Just… Skordkin don’t like strangers, remember?

But we’re with you, Loren said.

Cass’ lips pressed together and she said nothing more.

They walked in silence for a time, staying close to the edge of the road so that they could dive off into the meager cover of trees at a moment’s notice.

The road connected the lush Borderlands to the rocky land of the Old Iron Hills. Above the tops of the trees they could just make out mountains on the horizon. According to Loren, they marked Deepbarrow, capital of the Old Iron Hills.

They’d run from Loren’s home three days before and had barely stopped moving since. Constant patrols sent them fleeing from the road and the fear of the Faceless kept their rests short.

Night settled around them until they could no longer make out the road at their feet.

Ash tripped for what felt like the hundredth time in a minute and stomped to a stop. That’s enough. We either stop here or we have a light.

We can’t afford a light, Loren said. Do you know how easily lights stand out in the middle of the night?

Yes, you tell me every day, Ash said, failing to keep a hold of his anger.

Then maybe you should stop suggesting it!

Whoa! Cass said. We’re all tired and scared. Let’s just get off the road and stop here until morning.

Loren grumbled, but both he and Ash followed Cass into the surrounding trees. With much tripping and cursing, they managed to clear a small patch of ground to lay down on and Loren handed out a few berries he’d collected during the day’s walk.

We have to get some real food, Cass said. I’m starving.

Me too, Ash said, stuffing the berries into his mouth. Sweet juice ran over his tongue and soothed his dry throat. And water.

They’ll be watching all the towns, Loren said. We’ll never be able to stop again.

We have to get supplies eventually, Cass said. And it will have to be you that gets them.

Me?! Loren said.

Yes. The Faceless will recognize Ash as soon as they see him and they will have warned people to keep an eye out for two men and a half-blood Skordkin. I’ll stand out. But you on your own…

It’s always me, Loren said. Should have stayed at the bloody Institute!

Ash caught sight of a flash of light through the trees. His heart lurched and he crouched low. Shh!

The other two fell silent. The spark came again, only stronger now. A few seconds later it resolved itself into a lantern that swung at the end of a pole. It cast a moving circle of light that spilled over a group of horsemen with black cloaks.

Ash held his breath. Even though there was no way the patrol would be able to hear his tiny breathing over the noise of their own horses, he couldn’t help it. They were so close, he could make out their individual expressions, right down to the stubble on their chins.

The horse’s hooves clicked on the road and clouds billowed from their nostrils.

I’m just saying; there’s no point coming this way. Why would they bother heading to Deepbarrow? one rider said.

Not my business to ask why. We just do as we’re told.

It’s a crying shame. After how those kids helped us with the issue in the Dark Forest…

Watch your tongue, Bravik.

I didn’t say nothing! Just that it’s a shame, all of it.

The other speaker grunted but said nothing and the band of riders disappeared up the road, taking the circle of warm light with them.

Ash’s shoulders remained tense and he didn’t dare move until the light faded out of sight and took any sound of the horses with it. Only then did he let out a sigh and slump back to the ground.

Three in one day, Loren said.

But they don’t think they’re on the right track, Cass said. That’s good, it means the Faceless don’t know which way we went.

I suppose that’s something.

We should keep lookout tonight, Ash said. We don’t want to be caught by surprise with all three of us asleep.

I’ll go first, Loren said. My heart is beating so fast I don’t think I could sleep anyway.

Wake me in three hours, Ash said. He curled into a ball on the leaf litter and used his cloak as a blanket although every night grew colder than the one before and he knew he’d have to get something warmer if they were going to survive on the other side of the Old Iron Hills.

He fell into restless sleep and woke what felt like only seconds later to Loren’s hand on his shoulder.

Your turn.

Right.

Scuffling noises filled the night as Loren found a comfortable place to lie down, and then silence. These were the worst times for Ash. During the day he could at least focus on the road, or on what Cass and Loren were saying, or on straining for sounds of pursuit. But at night, when he had to stay awake to keep watch, he had no escape from his thoughts.

In his head he recited all the things he’d say to Rae if she were with him. He’d apologize for getting her caught in the first place, and for not being able to save her the last time he went to the Stronghold. He’d beg her forgiveness for how long it was taking him to save her this time. He couldn’t even say how long it had been since she’d been taken, a year perhaps? It felt like a lifetime and he could only imagine how much worse it was for her…

He bit the end of his tongue, the pain distracted him from his thoughts. He tasted blood.

What about Cass and Loren? If not for him they would have continued living their lives happily… Now they were fugitives who would never have a moment’s rest. Perhaps the Skordkin Clan would take them in… That would be best, and then Ash could continue on his mission to save Rae without dragging his friends into more trouble.

He pulled his cloak tighter about his shoulders and turned to the one thing that could drag his thoughts out of their dark circles: power. He focused outward; on the surrounding trees and road.

A lot of nocturnal creatures ran through the woods around them, scuffling leaves and twigs. Ash saw them as small collections of glowing light; energy that, if needed, he could harvest at a moment’s notice.

No people, other than Loren and Cass, moved within his zone of awareness, at least not that he could detect. He didn’t know if it were possible to hide ones energy signature; it was one of many questions he would ask the Clan once he got there.

Often, when sitting alone in the darkness, he let his mind run free with new ways of using his channeling powers. He hadn’t had a chance to test any of them yet even though he longed to experiment. His success at bringing dead creatures back to life by using the energy conversion runes was just one thing he wanted to explore farther.

But the last time he’d done that, Cass and Loren had been less that impressed… they probably wouldn’t appreciate him testing his theories while they slept not three feet away.

He sighed and dug into the dirt with a broken twig. He needed to do something. Every new trick he learned gave him one more advantage over the Faceless, and he needed every advantage he could get.

Still… the Clan gave him hope. From everything Cass had said, and everything he’d seen her do, the Clan had secrets that the Council at the Institute couldn’t even dream of. Perhaps they already knew the secret to destroying the Faceless Monks but hadn’t dared carry it out yet… Or perhaps with his knowledge and theirs combined they’d find a way.

For now, he had to find a way to avoid the Faceless for long enough to reach the Clan lands. Ash didn’t know what Cass had meant by her earlier comments about the Clan lands not necessarily being safe, but that was a worry for another day. They couldn’t possibly be worse than falling into the hands of the Faceless.

Ash’s thoughts continued to circle for the rest of the night. They refused to release their hold on him and, knowing he’d never get to sleep, he didn’t bother waking Cass for her watch; instead, he let her sleep the night through until the first rays of dawn turned the forest a dull gray.

Ash rested a hand on Loren’s shoulder until his eyes popped open, and then did the same to Cass. They’d run out of berries the night before and so they set out on empty stomachs for another harrowing day of avoiding patrols.

I get to have last watch tonight, Loren said, yawning. Then if Ash feels like staying up I can sleep the whole night through.

Focus on the road, Ash said. You can argue about sleeping arrangements when we’re not being chased by every Ranger in the Borderlands.

Humor left the group and they trudged on in dreary silence.

Chapter Two

This is it, Loren said, coming to a stop beside a stone marker set at the side of the road.

This is what? Cass said.

This is where the Borderlands end and the Old Iron Hills begin.

They’d reached the foot of the towering mountains that spread across the horizon like an impenetrable wall.

It’s going to take us days to get over those, Ash said.

You can’t get over them, Loren said.

What? If Loren and Cass had led him all this way for some lie…

You have to go through the mountains, Cass said. There is no path over them, or at least not one that I’d want to take. Besides, it’s faster to go through.

All the people live in caves here, Loren said. He trudged forward.

Ash and Cass fell into step beside him.

All of them? Ash said, unable to picture anyone wanting to live in a cave.

Yep. You’ll see soon enough. But we’ll stay away from the populated areas as much as we can. We don’t want anyone spotting us and reporting to you-know-who.

Ash nodded.

By mid-afternoon, his calves burned from the up-hill climb. The path rose out of the trees, fell away in a steep cliff on one side, and hugged rocky outcrops on the other.

Ash kept his eyes locked on the path in front of him, not daring to look over the cliff to his right for fear he’d freeze in place and never be able to go on. Even so, his stomach rolled and the ends of his toes tingled.

Do you know where you’re going? Cass called from the back.

No, Loren said. We only came here once when I was a boy, for a state visit. I promise you, I didn’t have to walk any damned path like this.

Bloody Kaim, Cass said. I should have gone first. There’s a cave entrance not far from here, but it’s hidden behind a tall rock.

Got it, Loren said.

The higher they went, the colder the air became. Ash’s cloak wasn’t thick enough to stop his muscles quaking in the frigid air.

Fine specks of snow floated down on them and white powder covered the path ahead.

Ash’s breath created white puffs in front of his face and his eyes stung. We’re not going to keep climbing in that, are we?

It’s not much farther, Cass said.

Ash’s foot landed in a puddle of slush and slipped sideways, shooting off the edge of the cliff and dragging the rest of his body with it.

He gasped and choked on the chill air as his stomach lurched up into his throat.

Ash! Cass snatched for him but missed.

His leg scraped on the edge of the cliff and he toppled over the lip, arms cartwheeling. He scrambled for the rocks, and sharp stones dug bloody gouges into his palms.

His body tumbled through the air, far from the ledge, and adrenalin surged trough him. He snatched for the nearest energy source; the wind that whipped past his plummeting body, and ripped it closer. The sheer power and magnitude of it buffeted his consciousness and most of the energy whooshed through his fingers like a sieve.

The edge of the cliff passed the level of his eyes and he plummeted down toward the jagged rocks below.

Ash snatched as much of the wind’s kinetic energy as he could control and shoved it under his feet. The sudden force propelled him upward just enough that he managed to snatch the edge of the path. As soon as his fingers touched the stone he lost control of the wind and it returned to buffeting against his body, trying to tear him free from the cliff.

His fingers whitened and his knuckles cramped. His legs kicked out beneath him, finding nothing but air. Small rocks tumbled loose beneath his fingers and he dropped.

Ash!

Cass and Loren fell to their knees at the edge of the cliff and clamped their hands about his wrists.

Ash groaned, his heart hammering. The tingling in his toes spread up his legs and threatened to encase his whole body in panic.

We’ve got you, Loren said, hauling on Ash’s arm.

Cass did the same and they dragged him up over the lip and onto solid ground where he lay panting, staring up at the sky.

Sweet Fel, Loren said, falling against the cliff and gasping for breath. I thought you were gone for sure.

He was, Cass said. Lucky he’s a channeling prodigy or he’d be jelly at the bottom of the mountain by now.

Ash winced and massaged his temples. It felt as though the wind had been released inside his skull and knocked his brain about, creating monster spikes of pain.

He channeled? Loren said.

You think the wind lifted him back to the cliff on its own?

Ash squinted at them, the bright morning sun too much for his burning eyes. I’m right here.

Lucky for you, Cass said.

Yeah, Ash said. He pressed his fingers against his throbbing head.

That was a lot of wind to try to grab, Cass said.

I didn’t exactly have much choice.

Loren gave a low whistle. I’m just glad it was you and not me. There’s no way I would have been able to control the wind to bring my ass back.

Thanks, Ash said. He sat up and the world around him spun. He had to lean against the cliff wall to stop himself slumping back to the path. Please tell me we don’t have to stay on this blasted path for long.

It’s your lucky day, Cass said. That’s the rock I mentioned. The entrance to the tunnels is behind that.

Then can we continue this conversation in there? Ash said. I’m freezing to death.

Are you sure you can walk? Cass said.

Yeah, I’m okay. But when he got up, Ash kept a firm grip on the solid cliff wall and hugged as close to it as he could.

Here, Cass said, going around the side of the outcrop and disappearing.

Loren followed her. Ash went last. He edged around the side of the boulder and tried not to look down but he caught a glimpse of the ground far below and his stomach fluttered. Cass was right; he would have been nothing more than jelly when he hit the bottom.

The outcrop created a winding switchback that looked like a dead-end but when Ash reached the sheer cliff-face, a tiny fissure opened up into a dark cave to his right.

You’re right, Cass, Loren said. I never would have found this on my own.

Ash stepped out of the blustering wind and into the warm cave. His heart stopped hammering against his ribs and, for the first time since his fall, he managed to breathe normally.

The cave had no signs or decorations, just bare dirt floor and rocky walls.

It’s not very welcoming, Ash said.

Have you ever met anyone from the Iron Hills? Cass said. They’re even more unfriendly than the Borderlanders.

Hey! Loren said. You try living at the edge of the Dark Forest all your life and then try to be friendly to strangers.

Cass held up her hands. I’m just saying. They don’t encourage visitors.

Ash swallowed and squinted at the pools of darkness near the back of the cave. Then… are we going to be okay here?

As long as we don’t cause trouble and we stay out of the way. Let me do the talking. The Skordkin and the Iron Hills have an understanding. They let us pass through when we need to.

She led the way to the back of the cave where a pile of torches sat beside the entrance to a pitch-black tunnel. She snatched one up and lit it with a flick of her hand. You better grab a couple, I can’t remember how far it is to the next stock-pile.

Loren and Ash grabbed two each and followed Cass into the mouth of the gaping tunnel.

Water dripped somewhere in the distance but where they walked, the tunnel was dry. The torch created a warm circle of light that reflected off shiny stone walls and revealed the gaping cuts on Ash’s hands.

He tugged a thin strand of energy from the torch and used it to stitch the wounds.

Bloody Kaim, Loren said.

What? Ash said.

Look at you, just casually drawing on a torch to heal yourself up like you’re picking flowers.

Oh.

Oh, Loren mimicked. You lucky bastard.

Cass glanced back at them. You two should turn your cloaks inside out. Ranger cloaks will stand out.

Won’t the patrols be here? Ash said. He tugged off his cloak and turned it around to hide the embroidered tree.

Probably not, Cass said.

Yeah, Loren said. We might be on friendly terms with the Cade family but that doesn’t mean they like our soldiers wandering through their tunnels.

Good, Ash said. Less chance of someone recognizing you.

It won’t stop the Faceless though, Cass whispered. So keep quiet and keep your heads down. We want to go unnoticed.

They fell silent and followed the tunnel deeper into the mountain until the sound of movement and voices sounded ahead. A short time later, a glowing light emerged around a bend in the tunnel.

They found themselves in a huge cavern lit by torches. The roof rose so far above their heads that it disappeared into darkness.

Walkways zig-zagged up the walls, each lined with doors set into the cave walls. On ground level, tables made of stone and metal made rows of stalls where people bustled back and forth, bartering and talking.

Welcome to Deepbarrow, Cass said. Capital of the Old Iron Hills.

It’s amazing, Ash said, gazing open-mouthed at all the people and the hundreds of doors set into the sides of the cavern.

Yes, but we won’t stay here long. There are too many people who might be looking for us. We just need to get some supplies and then we’ll keep moving through the tunnels. It would be best if we split up.

Right. Loren pulled a few silver Crowns from his pockets and divided them between Ash and Cass. We’ll need food.

Warmer clothes, Ash said.

Good, Cass said. We’ll each get our own clothes and a bit of food. That shouldn’t draw too much attention. Then meet on the other side of the marketplace as soon as you can.

Get whatever else you need, Loren said. Better we’re prepared than find ourselves in the middle of the tunnels with nothing but some silver coins.

Ash nodded and weaved into the crowds. Most of the people were short with pale skin that looked like it had never seen a splash of sunlight. Their huge eyes revealed giant pupils that shrank under the light of the torches.

A taller man, Ash’s height, without the giant eyes was bartering with an Iron Hill man. How often do you see salt like this? It’s worth at least four times that.

The short man with pale skin folded his arms over his chest. Do you think I’m an idiot? I know you would have paid not even five copper groats for that in the Southern Isles.

Yes, then I had to cart it all the way here for you lot. Do you see anyone else selling salt? So you either pay what I ask or you don’t get it.

I’ll give you one silver, but that’s all.

Are you—?

Ash moved past them, deeper into the stalls. He kept track of Loren and Cass with one part of his mind, aware of them moving through adjacent rows of stalls but he avoided looking at them directly. Instead, he focused his attention on finding food and a new cloak, both of which would bring him a step closer to finding the Clan and saving Rae.

Chapter Three

Ash started toward Cass and Loren who stood at the edge of the market in the shadow of a nearby tunnel. As he reached the last line of stalls, a flash of something caught his eye. He turned to see a short Iron Hills man close a box of silver powder and tuck it deep into his cloak. He nodded once to the stall-holder and then disappeared into the crowd.

Ash’s heartbeat quickened. Chromium. He’d never mistake its beckoning shine. He could almost taste it on the air, following the man with the box.

Ash wavered, torn between going straight to Loren and Cass or going to the merchant. He’d thought he’d gotten over his cravings, he hadn’t thought about Chromium in days, and yet that one fleeting glimpse had brought it all crashing back. He’d been so powerful… admittedly not as powerful as he thought he was while he was on it, but there was no doubt it cleared his mind, made it easier to concentrate and find energy sources.

If he just controlled himself then he wouldn’t become addicted or overdose. If he kept it to small doses when he absolutely needed it… like the battle. How could he even think of going up against the Faceless without a source of Chromium? He may as well kill Rae himself if he did that.

No, he needed every advantage he could get and if that meant having Chromium when he went against the Faceless, then so be it.

He sauntered to the stall, aware that Loren and Cass were probably watching him, and doing his best to look interested in the stall’s other products; mostly trinkets.

What do you want, stranger? the merchant said.

Ash looked up and caught his eye. I was hoping you could sell me what you just gave that other gentleman.

The merchant’s eyes narrowed. I don’t know what you’re talking about.

I saw it, and I’m willing to pay good money.

The merchant rubbed his chin. Is that so?

Ash nodded but didn’t say anything. He vaguely remembered hearing that one of the Old Iron Hills’ major exports was Chromium; it was a byproduct of mining after all. If that were true then it was probably as common as dirt and hundreds of times cheaper than what he’d paid at the Institute.

Supposing I do have some left, the man said. I don’t usually sell to strangers. You never know who they might… mention it to.

Ash nodded. Even here, Chromium wasn’t supposed to be taken by the masses. I’ll make it worth the risk.

Is that so?

Ash bit his lip. He couldn’t stay talking to the man for long or Loren and Cass would get suspicious; they were probably already wandering what he was doing talking to a seller of trinkets when they were supposed to be getting away as soon as possible. Two silver crowns for a box like you gave your last customer.

The merchant’s eyebrows shot up and he sucked in a sharp breath of air.

Inside, Ash winced. Clearly he’d offered far too much but he couldn’t take it back now.

The merchant’s surprise settled into a satisfied grin and he reached under his bench, coming back with a small box about the size of Ash’s palm. Two silvers it is then.

And… Ash cast around the stall for anything that would appease Loren and Cass for him spending so long at the stall. And that rope.

The merchant scowled. You said two silver—

Which is ten times what you’d normally get, Ash said, hedging a guess. So you’ll throw in the rope for free.

Fine! The merchant tossed the length of rope on top of the box and held out his hand.

Ash dropped the coins into his hand, and scooped the rope and box from the stall. Thanks.

He strode toward Loren and Cass