The Bite of a King: Bytarend, #6

By Simon Cantan

Lila, Tondbert, Isabelle, Jenni and Osric have a problem. King Tallon Tyre has heard of their rebellion and he's not a man to cross. He's bringing an army of twelve thousand to crush them all, to drive them so deep into the dust, no one will even remember they were there.

After fighting for months, struggling against the monsters and nobles trying to destroy them, can the heroes of Bytarend possibly defeat the largest army they've ever seen?

The concluding novel in the Bytarend series combines all the action, humour and tension readers have come to expect. No one is safe against King Tyre's army. Will the last novel mean the end for Bytarend itself? Find out inside.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon Cantan
• Release date: Sep 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781386400875

Simon Cantan

Simon Cantan is an Irish Science-Fiction and Fantasy author living in Fredrikstad, Norway.

Book preview

THE BITE OF A KING

THE BITE OF A KING

By Simon Cantan

First published 23rd August 2015

This Edition published 29th August 2015

Copyright © 2015 Simon Cantan

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.

The moral right of Simon Cantan to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988.

The Bite of a King is a work of fiction. Names, places, and incidents are either products of the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously.

Published by Simon Cantan

Cover design and Illustration by Soheil Hamidi Toosi - http://soheiltoosi.daportfolio.com/

The Bite of a King

Lila, Tondbert, Isabelle, Jenni and Osric have a problem. King Tallon Tyre has heard of their rebellion and he's not a man to cross. He's bringing an army of twelve thousand to crush them all, to drive them so deep into the dust no one will even remember they were there.

After fighting for months, struggling against the monsters and nobles trying to destroy them, can the heroes of Bytarend possibly defeat the largest army they've ever seen?

The concluding novel in the Bytarend series combines all the action, humour and tension readers have come to expect. No one is safe against King Tyre's army. Will the last novel mean the end for Bytarend itself?

1

A Late Contract

King Lila Deadwhisper's royal council were the most cutthroat assassins and thieves in Mognisio. After emptying the fortress she used to call home, she'd brought her Murder Queen assassins to join the Thief Kingdom. Which had turned the meetings crowded and cold, with each group shooting mistrusting glances at the other. Only Jinny Gray, an ex-slave Lila had put in charge of administration, smiled back from her seat. Temple Hardedge's chair stood empty, the only one absent. Lila's closest ally, and former assassin, had gone to round up stragglers at the fortress.

At least Ferron and the rest of the council seemed reluctant to speak up against trained killers. Lila had considered omitting the assassins from her council, but she'd promised them they could change the world. They weren't likely to put up with being common raiders.

Your Majesty, Jinny said. There's an issue we need to address.

What is it, Jinny? Lila asked, returning the smile of the only pale face on her council.

We have half the girls from the fortress, Jinny said. One hundred and thirty-seven of them, to be exact. We don't have enough places to put them.

We can take beds from the fortress, Lila said, frowning.

It's not the furniture that's the problem, Jinny said. Ministri used to house two hundred Thief Kings and their families. There are plenty of empty rooms and beds. It's the lack of supervision. Even letting the teenagers live on their own, we still have more children than we can handle. We need someone to take care of them, to make them feel loved.

We have sixty-six Thief Kings, Lila said, more servants. There are plenty of families if everyone takes two girls each.

Most people don't want more daughters… Jinny said, trailing off.

Lila realised the problem and felt a sick flash of anger. Girls were a burden to the Thief Kings. Just one more mouth to feed. It was why they'd been sent to the Fortress of Rust to become assassins or die in the attempt. They wouldn't take girls, because they didn't see children who needed a home. They saw a useless thing who would eat their food and give nothing in return. Lila closed her eyes and took a breath, trying to calm herself.

When she opened her eyes again, Ferron Foulke was on the edge of his chair, waiting to speak. Your Majesty, we can't force people to adopt children. You've been telling us that Ministri is about freedom. That has to mean freedom from children we don't want.

Lila's rage threatened to boil over again. If it had been any of the others… but Ferron was the voice of reason. He was on her side and, worst of all, he was right. The extra girls were her idea, but that didn't mean she could make them other people's problem without their consent. If she did, they'd just be reversing the balance of power and not levelling it.

Lila couldn't keep the edge from her voice when she spoke. Don't worry, I wouldn't want unwilling people raising those girls. We'll find a room big enough to house the girls who can't find a family. Then volunteers can watch over the younger girls in shifts.

It's not the home we promised them, Jinny said.

Lila threw her hands up in exasperation. They couldn't have it both ways. If everyone had rights, how was she ever meant to find the balance? An unwilling family would be worse than none. What am I meant to do?

Set an example, Jinny said.

Lila's mouth opened in surprise. It hadn't even occurred to her to adopt a girl herself. She hadn't a husband to— Lila rebelled at her own thought, the assumption there had to be a man to make a family. I'll do it.

Just one? Jinny asked.

I've never been a mother before, Lila said. Don't people usually start with one?

Of course, Your Majesty, Jinny said.

The thought made Lila's gut tighten. To be responsible for another tiny person. How could she take care of someone else when she had to juggle enough things as it was?

As to the room for the rest of the girls? Jinny asked.

Lila considered the rooms in Ministri castle. She could take the dining hall, but that would raise objections and make preparing food awkward. The dungeons would send the wrong message. There was only one other room big enough to house them all at once. Set up the beds in here.

In the throne room? Warwyk Landry spluttered.

It's the only room big enough, Lila said. Ministri castle wasn't constructed with this in mind.

The desert is more than big enough for them, Warwyk said.

All the women fixed Warwyk with a glare, but none compared to Lila's poisonous look. Warwyk turned pale, pushing back in his seat and trying to shrink into the upholstery.

He has a point, Ferron said.

Lila turned her glare to Ferron.

Not how he meant it, Ferron said. We could set up a few large tents at the bottom of the steps. There'd be more than enough room for the extra girls.

Lila wasn't sure who to scowl at more, Warwyk, who wanted to kill her girls or Ferron, who wanted to treat them as second-class citizens.

The six-year-old girls will take the throne room, Lila said. At least until we find families to take them in, or they get old enough to live in their own quarters. The ten-year-olds can sleep in their own rooms, with someone assigned to look after them.

Then we'll be a joke, Warwyk said. A kingdom without a throne room isn't a kingdom.

Not quite, Lila said. A kingdom without a king wouldn't be a kingdom, but you have a king. A king whose patience is wearing thin. If you believe the throne room is so important, you'd better hope people adopt those girls soon. What's next?

Food, Your Majesty, Ferron said. We can't buy enough of it for everyone here.

What about all the gold we took from the fortress? Lila asked. That should be more than enough to buy food.

Ferron nodded. But we've no one to buy it from. We get our food from the Desertmen. They buy extra from the towns and sell it to us at a profit. But they're leaving.

Leaving where? Lila asked.

They said to Minner, but they weren't clear why, Ferron said. Something about salting the earth.

That's ridiculous, Warwyk said. The desert is mostly salt. Always has been.

You know the Desertmen, Ferron said. They've always had their own reasons.

Can't we buy food from the farmers? Lila asked.

I'm not sure they'll want to sell to us, Ferron said.

Then we'll negotiate, Lila said, resting her hand on her sword. She was willing to compromise when it came to her own citizens, but she wouldn't let her kingdom starve because of bad blood.

Of course, Ferron said.

We'll be fair with them, Lila said. If we just take it, they'll leave or beg their masters for help. We'll pay more than the towns would. They might even be happy once they see the gold.

With a crash, the door to the throne room flew open and Temple Hardedge hurried in. The guards behind her looked through the doorway, befuddled.

Lila tried not to let her own confusion show. That was quicker than I expected. Did you get everyone?

Temple stopped in front of the throne, her expression strained. I did, Your Majesty. The stragglers weren't the only ones there. A scout arrived with a contract.

We're not in that business anymore, Lila said. You know that.

You'll want to see this contract. Temple handed Lila a scroll.

Lila read the nine names on the contract: Lila Deadwhisper; Tondbert Payne; Isabelle Knocka; Durand Cruel; Coenred Hatchett; Osric Ward; Jenni Gilt; Ari Stave; Gungir Pelsrygg. Below them, the wax seal made Lila's breath catch in her throat: King Tallon Tyre.

The King of Mognisio just marked every ruler from the Thief Kingdoms to Sqat for death. If the king wanted to take out the leadership, Lila knew it wouldn't stop there. She'd completed enough contracts to know how it worked. The death of a ruler sowed confusion before someone marched in to take over. Unless she was mistaken, King Tyre was coming, and he was bringing an army with him.

2

Help Wanted

Osric Ward had always wanted to be a captain in the City Guard. To do things the right way, to be fair and just. He'd dreamt of commanding the guard, right until he became captain and the responsibility settled on his shoulders. The problem with being in charge was everyone expecting you to make decisions; to take on the jobs no one enjoyed. Which included hiring recruits from the people no one else wanted and trying to turn them into figures of authority. Even harder when everyone knew the recruits in question.

Osric walked down the line assembled in the stationhouse, scrutinising each of them. He'd already worked out each of their motivations.

Parrish Clerkin, a fresh-faced eighteen year old with an eye for anyone in a skirt, thought he'd look good in a uniform. Fuandrec Buckley, the seven-year-old girl who'd been running messages for the guard for a year, wanted to skip school. Iofa and Bethia Page, mother and daughter, wanted to make sure no one ever took advantage of a woman in their town again. And then there was Matuid Wickett, who seemed to want some kind of middle-age adventure.

Right, Osric said. What makes you think you're worthy to join my city guard?

Osric glared hard at Parrish, making the boy cringe. Osric had worked hard to perfect that glare and now he'd have to teach it to a skinny know-nothing like Parrish.

I want to make my town a better place, Parrish said. They're hard streets out there, and there's only two guards to protect us all.

Osric nodded as if Parrish had said something profound. The streets of Bytarend were hard, but only because they'd frozen. Parrish was right, two guards weren't enough to hold hundreds of people in line.

Go on, Osric said. Go find a uniform in the locker room.

Parrish grinned and ran up the stairs out of sight. Osric felt sure his attitude would change after a few days of breaking up bar fights and neighbour disputes.

The next recruit looked up at Osric with a grin on her face. Despite being seven, she'd been through a lot in her life and it never slowed her down.

Fuandrec, Osric said. You're already an apprentice constable.

I want to be a full constable, Fuandrec said. I've been helpful, haven't I?

Osric had to admit, without Fuandrec they'd have no one to deliver messages. That didn't mean he wanted her trying to break up a fist fight outside the mine, or battle whatever monster stepped out of the woods next.

You've been vital, Osric said. No one can run messages like you do. But I need you to go to school. Members of the city guard have to read and write. That's why the others could apply.

Fuandrec's face fell, her lip sticking out, and Osric knew he hadn't been wrong in his initial assessment.

I hate school, Fuandrec said. Ever since Mrs Smith left, the new teacher is so angry all the time.

Maybe if you didn't put mud pies on his chair, Mr Lighter wouldn't be so angry.

Fuandrec shrugged.

You can be a senior-apprentice constable, Osric said. Provided you keep running messages. When you're sixteen, if you can read and write, you can join the guard.

Fuandrec smiled. Do I get a uniform?

Sure, Osric said. Get one from upstairs.

Osric steeled himself to face Iofa and Bethia Page. Anger and defiance blazed in their eyes, and he couldn't blame them. They wanted revenge for the rape and abuse Tegart had put Bethia through. Who'd tell them they didn't deserve it? But Tegart was dead and they might take it out on someone else. Osric worried they'd blame the people of the town for standing by while it happened.

We want to protect the town, Iofa said. Just like Parrish.

I believe you, Osric said. But you're not like Parrish. There'll never be another Tegart in Bytarend.

You can't promise that, Iofa said. You were helpless against Tegart. If Stave turns on us, who'll stand in his way?

I'll try, at least, Osric said.

Captain, let us stand beside you if that happens, Bethia said. My mother's right. Stave might turn on us. Or someone else. We don't know what the future will bring. We don't want to be victims ever again.

Osric had to admire Bethia's fiery spirit after how Tegart had crushed her. He hoped that spirit wouldn't set the whole town ablaze. Go upstairs and find a uniform each.

Thank you, Captain, Bethia said, smiling.

Her mother didn't manage a smile, but her fury softened as they climbed the stairs.

Which left Matuid Wickett, standing alone, fidgeting. Osric wondered if Terri, Matuid's wife, even knew he was there.

Matuid, Osric said. You want to be a guard? It's dangerous for men of our age.

A little danger would be a nice change of pace from never ending boredom, Matuid said. Besides, I'm getting too old to work the mines and a farm would be worse.

Osric nodded at that. He couldn't imagine hacking away at a rock face all day. Even running from fanged creatures beat that. At least he got fresh air. He studied Matuid. He was less than ideal as a recruit, but who was Osric to judge? He needed guards.

Go get a uniform, Osric said. Then tell everyone to get down here for their first assignment.

Once Matuid ran out of sight up the stairs, Osric turned to Gloria. The young constable was perched on a desk nearby, a grin on her cheeky face. When Osric returned her smile, she looked a little worried. Gloria, with her upturned nose and happy attitude, made Osric proud on a daily basis. She never let the work get her down, no matter how much of it there was.

Despite that, he couldn't help relishing the next bit of news he had for her. What are you smiling at? You have to train them, Sergeant.

Gloria's mouth hung open for a moment before she closed it with a gulp. Sergeant?

There's no one here more deserving of the job, Osric said.

I'm the only one here, though.

You're the obvious choice.

All it took was for every other candidate to die or leave?

Exactly, Osric said. With smarts like that, I'm glad I made you sergeant.

Gloria's eyes narrowed, but after a moment her grin returned.

First task, Osric said. Who do we pair together?

Oh, Gloria said, pondering the question. Parrish will chase after Bethia, annoying her mother, so that's out. But we could pair Parrish and Iofa together. She'll keep him out of trouble and given enough time she'll realise he's not all that bad.

Osric nodded, appreciating Gloria's thoughts on the matter.

So that leaves Bethia with Matuid, Gloria said. Which might work well. Bethia will be reckless, trying to prove something, and Matuid will be too cautious, scared of getting hurt.

Osric heard the sound of boots coming back down the stairs. Then let them know, Sergeant. Send them out on patrol, we have something we need to do here.

What? Gloria asked.

Investigate the bottomless pit, Osric said, moving over to sit on a desk.

Gloria cleared her throat as the recruits rejoined them. They looked awkward in their guard-issued leather jerkins and iron helmets. The indistinct badges pinned to their chests made Osric feel almost sentimental.

Right, you lot, Gloria said. Bethia, you're partnered with Matuid. Parrish, you're with Iofa.

Bethia and Iofa exchanged a look, as if they'd expected to stick together, but neither dared interrupt Gloria when she was on a roll.

Fuandrec, you need to head home for dinner, Gloria said.

Fuandrec gave Gloria a frown but left, holding onto her new helmet as she ran.

The rest of you have two options, Gloria said. Either investigate the bottomless pit under the stationhouse or go out on patrol until dusk and break up any bar fights after that. Hands up for those who want to check the bottomless pit.

Gloria gave them a hopeful look that Osric recognised. It was strange to see his own techniques used on someone else. The old, 'get them to do an objectionable task by giving them a worse alternative.' He'd used that so many times he'd lost count.

All the recruits kept their hands down. If anything, they seemed to slump their shoulders to make their hands go lower.

Good, patrol it is, Gloria said.

Osric turned to avoid the recruits seeing his smile. That was his patented, 'pretend they had an option by assuming the lack of voting was agreement.'

Get out of here and do some good, Gloria said.

What about our training? Parrish asked.

On the job experience beats training every time, Gloria said. "Although, I can give you a five hundred page manual to read,