Warriors of the Veil (The Kinsman Chronicles): Part 9

By Jill Williamson

Part 9 of Jill Williamson's Epic Fantasy Series The Kinsman Chronicles

Prepare as The Kinsman Chronicles reaches its powerful conclusion!
 
As the last of the old evenroot is used up, desperate shadir riot in the Veil. Hungry for any way to keep their hold on humanity, they unite under Shanek DanSâr, an unlikely despot whose erratic rule threatens to subjugate even his own allies.
 
As war comes to Er'Rets, treaties are broken and new alliances formed. Trevn leads the battle on the ground while Onika and her warriors hold the line in the Veil in a final stand against darkness that will forever determine the fate of the Kinsman people.
 
Warriors of the Veil is collected together with parts 7 and 8 in King's War.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Release date: Jun 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781441230850

Jill Williamson

Jill Williamson is a novelist, dreamer, and believer. Growing up in Alaska led to love books, and in 2010 her first novel, By Darkness Hid, won the Christy Award. She loves working with teenagers and gives writing workshops at libraries, schools, camps, and churches. Jill lives in Oregon with her husband and two children. Visit Jill online at www.jillwilliamson.com

Book preview

grandson

Trevn

Mielle? Answer me!"

Trevn searched with his mind for his wife, but it was as though she’d vanished, gone mute. He leapt off the longchair and reached for his shield’s mind. Cadoc? Something has happened to Mielle.

When his shield did not answer, Trevn flung open the antechamber door and ran into the council room. There stood Cadoc, leaning against the arrow loop window.

He pushed off the wall. Your Highness, Master Hawley is—

Something happened to Mielle, Trevn said. Why didn’t you answer me?

Cadoc frowned. Forgive me. I didn’t hear you. What happened to the queen?

And now? Can you hear me? Trevn voiced.

Cadoc walked toward Trevn. What has happened?

Trevn tore out of the chamber and ran past Novan and Bonds, voicing people along the way. Hinck? . . . Saria? . . . Master Grayson? . . . Duke Canden? . . . Miss Onika?

He fled downstairs, desperately trying to understand what had happened. Shanek must have found Mielle, but how had he sabotaged the voicing magic? Trevn turned on the stairs. His King’s Guards were right behind him. Where might Duke Canden be at this hour?

The roof, likely, with his students, Novan said. Or in the great hall.

That those locations were opposite one another made Trevn want to scream. Find Duke Canden and Master Hawley and bring both to my office at once. He continued down the stairs, frantic to locate anyone with the ability to mind-speak.

Master Hawley is in your office, Cadoc said from behind. He asked to see you at your earliest convenience.

That turned Trevn around, and he jogged back up to the third floor. Did he say why?

No, sir.

Trevn found Hawley sitting at his small desk behind Trevn’s. Something has happened to Mielle, he said. She cannot seem to hear my voice.

Concern etched the man’s face. Both Miss Onika and Rosârah Zeroah complained this morning that they were unable to use their mind-speak magic. And Duke Canden was having trouble last night.

Others had lost their magic? I spoke with Princess Saria not a half hour ago about the attack on Hinck, but now I can hear no one.

The men stared at Trevn. He paced to his desk, not sure he wanted to sit.

How is Duke Armanguard? Cadoc asked.

Trevn met Cadoc’s gaze across the room. Saria said the wound is not fatal. I can feel Mielle to the northwest. There must be a way to find her. Grayson had been with her. Trevn reached for Hinck to ask about Grayson, then stopped his foolishness. If he had no magic, he could contact no one.

Would the God take away this magic? Hawley asked.

Trevn didn’t know, but he suspected a different cause altogether. I believe we have been silenced. Gather everyone who has the mind-speak magic in the council chambers as soon as possible. And bring Cook Labren to my office. I’ll speak to him after I discern how many are affected.

Cadoc nodded to Novan, who set off at a run.

The âleh tonic has been decreed highly confidential, Master Hawley said. Only a select few should know about the substance.

Which is why I want to speak with Cook Labren. The man had been tasked with creating âleh tonic for the prisoners in the dungeon. He’d know if any âleh was missing.

And the queen? Cadoc asked.

Trevn fell into his chair and ran his hands over his hair, tugging at the braids. I sense her, but I cannot find her without the mind-speak magic or Grayson’s help.

Let’s get you to the council chambers so you can question Master Grayson, Hawley said.

Master Grayson is with the queen, Cadoc said.

Hawley instantly sobered.

Trevn could take no more. He rose and started for the door. The âleh will wear off as long as we don’t take any more. The sooner we discover how we ingested it, the sooner we can recover our voices and find my wife. I’ll be in the Temple Arman.

Father Mathal made a burnt offering on behalf of Mielle, and led Trevn and Onika in prayers. When he finished, Trevn remained on his knees before the altar, Miss Onika at his side.

Trust Arman to bring you through this, Your Highness, the prophetess said.

Trevn’s anger flared. He wanted a prophetic word about Mielle’s safe return, not vague lessons. I never trust anyone fully, Miss Onika.

People will let you down, Your Highness, because people make mistakes. But you still need people in your life.

"I need Mielle back safely."

You need to trust Arman. He will fight for you. And he never makes mistakes.

That’s not a prophecy, Trevn said. He could feel it.

No, Onika said. It’s a fact.

By the time everyone had assembled in the council chambers, the evening bells had chimed. Trevn stood behind his chair at the head of the table and gripped the back.

I cannot mind-speak either, Hrettah was telling Lady Brisa.

Nor I, Lady Brisa replied, picking at her fingernail.

I didn’t know that I couldn’t until Trista told me she couldn’t, Barek said.

Vallah can, Trista said. And Rashah too.

Hope filled Trevn. Perhaps not all had been compromised. Please stand if you still have use of your mind-speak ability.

The two young princesses stood. No one else. Two of the thirteen present. Voice each other right now, girls, Trevn said. Confirm that you are still able.

Every eye on the room focused on the twosome.

I heard her, Rashah said.

Me too, Vallah said.

Very good, Trevn said, somewhat relieved. I want you each to voice Master Grayson and find out where he is. Do so now.

Another strained moment passed. Rashah’s brow wrinkled in concentration. Trevn prayed the young man would reply with good news.

He doesn’t answer, Vallah said.

Rashah slouched. Me either. Is he hurt?

I have no reason to think so, Rashah, Trevn said. No one here is hurt, are we?

The girl shook her head.

I do need your help, though, Trevn said. Will you help me?

The girls nodded.

Good, Trevn said. Rashah, please voice Princess Saria and inquire as to the whereabouts of Queen Mielle and Master Grayson.

A collective gasp rose from those seated at the table. Rashah’s bottom lip began to quiver and tears filled her eyes.

Perhaps Trevn should have worded that better. He seemed to have frightened his sister. As I said, there’s no cause to worry, Rashah. Please try to send those messages.

Rashah began to cry. Rosârah Brelenah, who was seated beside Trevn’s littlest sister, scooted back her chair and pulled the girl onto her lap. Perhaps Princess Vallah could voice Saria, Your Highness?

Trevn nodded at Inolah’s daughter. Please do so, if you can, Princess.

Vallah curtsied. Right away, Your Highness. She sat down, folded her hands in her lap, and closed her eyes.

Is the queen in peril, Your Highness? Zeroah asked.

I don’t know, Trevn said, sick to his stomach.

Have we been poisoned? Lady Brisa asked, now biting her thumbnail.

Silenced, at least, Trevn said. Until I find out what has happened, you will all eat and drink in this room. I’ll make sure everything served here is uncompromised.

Vallah still had her eyes closed. Trevn couldn’t stand here waiting for the girl. He had to speak with the cook. Rosârah Brelenah, bring Princess Vallah to me when she has finished speaking with Saria. I’ll be in my office.

Trevn returned to his office with Cadoc and Hawley, where they found Captain Veralla and Cook Labren waiting.

Report, Trevn said.

My âleh supply has not been tampered with, Your Highness, Cook Labren said, nor have we recently employed any new servants.

A dead end there. How long ago did you hire the newest? he asked.

Over two months, at least, Cook Labren said.

The âleh must be coming from another place, Hawley said. But where?

Trevn sat down, frustrated. I put a ban on imports from the houses Sârah Jemesha named as her allies. Could some have slipped by?

Not through the kitchens, the cook said. I and my staff have been very careful.

If the silencer had come from one of the banned houses, they must have gotten it here another way. Keep a sharp eye, Cook Labren. Dismissed.

The man bowed and departed.

I’d like to be alone, Trevn said. Inform me the moment there is any news.

Hawley and Cadoc bowed and left the room.

Trevn put his head in his hands and reached for his wife’s mind.

Mielle? Can you hear me?

There was only silence.

Grayson

Grayson had failed. He’d led the queen into a trap and gotten them both captured. That mantic woman had placed a spell on him, just like Chieftess Mreegan had aboard the Vespara so long ago. As Grayson had stood frozen in the forest, he had tried to voice King Trevn but received no answer. Not from Onika, Oli, or Trista either. He’d even tried speaking to Kal and Jhorn. Maybe the spell had done something to his magic? Or something terrible had happened in Armanguard.

A strange young man had appeared in the forest with many shadir. Thin with dark eyes, long limbs, and dappled gray skin, just like Grayson’s. It must have been Shanek DanSâr, the root child. There had been something powerful and cold inside him that had frightened Grayson.

Shanek had taken Queen Mielle first. He’d returned a few minutes later and popped away with Grayson.

Everyone says we’re the same, Shanek had said as they’d sped through the Veil. But I’m better than you because I’m going to be king.

Grayson hadn’t been able to think of a reply. Shanek had left him lying on a straw mattress in a tent and joined the two women who’d been waiting. Zenobia and Lilou, Grayson had known, from when he’d spied on Rogedoth. The women had forced him to drink âleh tonic.

Now he lay flat on his back, unable to speak or hear.

Trapped.

He watched Shanek and the women but couldn’t hear their conversation. Moments later, Barthel Rogedoth entered, and Grayson came face-to-face with his grandfather. Rogedoth motioned to a man behind him, who was carrying a stool. The man placed the stool beside Grayson’s mattress, then scurried away.

Well done, King Shanek, Rogedoth said. And the queen?

She’s in the tent you prepared, Shanek said.

Bring Trevn here next, Rogedoth said. Then Oli Agoros. Once both are detained, you will seize the castle and take your place on the throne.

Shanek nodded and popped away. Most of the shadir followed.

A chill ran over Grayson as the words of prophecy played back in his mind. The Deceiver will be deceived. He will break from his true family and be led astray by those he considers friends. He will stir up against Arman’s remnant an army who care only for their own pleasure and have no delight in the truth.

Shanek DanSâr was the Deceiver. And Grayson would have to face him. To fight him.

Remove the spell that silences his speaking voice, Rogedoth said, sitting down.

One of the women mumbled something, and Grayson felt a catch in his throat.

I’m pleased to finally meet you, Master Grayson, Rogedoth said. Losing you was the biggest regret of my life.

Grayson tried his voice. I don’t want to talk to you, he whispered.

I understand that, Rogedoth said. Your father likely poisoned you against me.

He didn’t talk about you at all, he said, his voice stronger now. I never knew you existed.

If that had bothered the man, his face didn’t show it. I shouldn’t have sent you to Raine, he said. Lord Edekk was not the most attentive man back then. I should have kept you in Everton. I was afraid, you see, that if someone found you out, I might lose you.

You did lose me.

I shouldn’t have, is my point. You should have been my highest priority.

No, Grayson said. Your wife should have been, but you locked her away to get what you wanted. Whatever you want is your highest priority. And you don’t want me. You want to use me. But you can’t. Because I gave my allegiance to Arman and King Trevn. Since you’re against them, we’re enemies.

Rogedoth looked down his nose at Grayson. You’ve thought this through.

I have, Grayson said.

But we’re family. Family is stronger than anything.

We share the same blood, Grayson said, but that doesn’t make us family. My family are the people who cared about me my whole life. I don’t know you at all. Except that you took me prisoner. Not a very good start.

What matters is that we’re together now, Rogedoth said. I will soon have rule of Armanguard, so you must decide how you will spend the rest of your life. Would you rather live like this, immobile and imprisoned? Or would you rather serve me?

Neither of those things will happen, Grayson said. I grew up with Miss Onika, a True Prophet of Arman, so I know you’ll fail.

Rogedoth smiled, but it looked more like a snarl. You’re wrong about that, my grandson. I realize I have asked a great deal of you, so I will give you some time to reconsider. He stood and walked toward the tent opening. If your answer is the same by the time I return, know that you have chosen death.

Mielle

Mielle awoke, lying on a hard leather mat inside a tent. She could tell from the yellowish glow coming through the canvas that it was morning. The chill made her guess she was in a place that had snow, not far from home, hopefully.

The horror of her capture came rushing back in fragmented images. Kyal’s warning. The fire. Mattenelle the mantic, shrouded in smoke. Lady Pia saying Bero was dead. The spells on Lady Pia and Grayson. Trevn’s concern. And now Mielle couldn’t speak or move, just like when Sârah Jemesha had put a spell on her when she and Zeteo Agoros had tried to take Castle Armanguard.

Mielle didn’t like being immobile. She wanted to fight and rage and buck like a horse, but all she could do was lie still and stare at the tent ceiling.

She figured this must be Rogedoth’s camp. When she’d awakened briefly last night, two women had fed her a mug of bitter liquid. She’d recognized them as concubines from King Echad’s court. Trevn hadn’t spoken to her since the attack, so the mug must have contained âleh. That he couldn’t reach her bathed Mielle in fear, though she could still sense him through the soul-binding. She fixed her thoughts on the leather cord around her neck and wished she could hold the shell. Touching it always made Trevn feel closer. She hoped he was safe.

As the hours passed, Mielle relived each moment that had led to her capture. Her biggest fear was for Grayson. She hoped he was still alive.

Footsteps approached. The door flap shifted, and a man ducked inside, holding a lit lantern. As he hung it on the center tent pole, a long line of people entered behind him, several that Mielle recognized. First came King Echad’s former prophet, Filkin Yohthehreth, the one who had always annoyed Trevn back in Everton. Then came a younger man, followed by three women—the two who had fed her the âleh and Mattenelle—and finally, Barthel Rogedoth.

Mielle’s heart sank into a pit of fear. This was Trevn’s worst nightmare, come to life. Arman, help him cope. Help us both.

Rogedoth approached and loomed over her mat. His eyes were golden, where they’d been brown before. No reason to hide his heritage as Prince Mergest of Sarikar anymore.

Your Highness, he said. Welcome to my camp. I hope you are comfortable. He smiled, which looked sinister in the dimness. I was surprised how long it took you to puzzle out the clues we left for the missing children. I thought you would have figured out Mett Lycor straightaway. And what about the desert? Master Grayson did lead you to the desert, didn’t he? Did you wonder if his magic was failing?

Under the spell, Mielle had no way to respond.

Those children were there, Your Highness, but they were buried. That is the location the Jiir-Yeke take the bodies of their sacrifices after the ceremony. The Duke of Raine traded children to the Jiir-Yeke and the Ahj-Yeke, ensuring that the giants would side with us.

Mielle’s fear turned to hate. This man had no honor.

Shanek is fetching your husband for me as we speak. Not to this tent, of course. I’ll keep him elsewhere until his army is defeated and Shanek has taken Armanguard. I just wanted you to know he will not be neglected. I would hate to have you worry.

She wanted to claw his eyes out, but she could only lie there like a stunned fish.

His golden eyes fixed upon her waist, and he crouched. What was he looking at? He reached out, his fingers—long and dark—like the legs of spiders. They brushed her stomach, and inside she cringed. Was he going to cast another spell? Trevn had said he couldn’t do magic.

Something moved at the back of her neck, tickled. A bug? Her mind winced, overcome with the myriad of possible spells someone so depraved might impose. The tickle vanished as the press of the leather cord around her neck cut into her skin.

The soul-binding pendant.

No!

Rogedoth gripped the shell and tugged until the cord snapped. He stood and dangled the necklace over Mielle. A soul-binding cast by Charlon Sonber is strong indeed. I’d be hesitant to meddle with it if not for the knowledge that the shadir who created the bond is no more.

Because Magon was