Fields of Fire

By Hannah West

Get lost in the world of the Nissera Chronicles in this electrifying short story about a bold heroine up against an alchemist brewing an unfathomable evil. Companion to Kingdom of Ash and Briars, a Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book of the Year. 

Welcome to Nissera, land of three kingdoms and home to spectacular magic.

Across the realm, two powerful sorceresses are marshalling their armies, preparing for a climactic battle to decide the fate of their world. But in a hay-filled barn in the countryside, a small group of spies led by a courageous young warrior named Drell launches an offensive to root out the identity of a shadowy alchemist experimenting with a deadly weapon. If Drell’s team is successful, the forces of good have a shot at prevailing. If they fail, it could turn the tide against them. In the war to save Nissera, every battle counts—including those fought on the smallest fronts. 

Hannah West’s acclaimed Nissera novels combine glittering prose and captivating characters with classic fairy tale motifs and imaginative magic. Set against the backdrop of Kingdom of Ash and Briars, Fields of Fire leads the way to Realm of Ruins, a gripping companion novel. 

“One of the best books I've ever read.”—C.J. Redwine, New York Times best-selling author of The Shadow Queen on Kingdom of Ash and Briars

“A treasure hunt for fans of fairy tales and fantasy. . . . I could have stayed and played in this treacherous world for a long time.” – Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Legendary on Realm of Ruins

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Sep 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9780823440160

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Copyright © 2018 by Hannah West

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CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Fields of Fire

stared out the cracked barn door at two shadows darting across the windswept meadow. My fingers strayed to the hilt of my dirk, but I checked myself, muzzling an instinctive bite of fear.

The nearest figure paused against the violet night sky to chirp three nightingale notes. Relieved to recognize the call as one of our safe signals, I retrieved a wooden whistle from my pocket and answered with two clipped chirps. My spies resumed their approach.

Gannon pulled the creaky door ajar. His blue eyes shone bright in the lantern light as he crossed the threshold of the hay barn and loomed over me. I was hardly alarmed; everyone loomed over me, save children.

Drell, he said by way of greeting.

Were you able to search the alchemist’s room? I asked. Reed entered behind him and gently closed the door.

Aye, while Skye distracted him, as we planned. Gannon combed his fingers through brown curls damp with mist. Reed eased himself down on a milking stool and rubbed his thumb over his coarse beard, as was his wont when nervous. Their eyes met.

Well, out with it, I said, unable to endure the suspense. What did you find?

Gannon inhaled deeply, shoring up the will to deliver dour news. The fear I’d fended off moments ago returned with a vengeance, tightening around my ribs as I awaited his report.

Just then, a second, unanticipated series of chirps pierced the night, but through the rustling trees I couldn’t make out whether it was one of our signals. One of our horses whinnied restively from the distant enclosure near the woods. We quieted our breaths until the only sound was the soft singing of steel as we drew our blades.

The door creaked open. My muscles tensed to meet an intruder. Perhaps the farmers had heard us from their house, perched just on the other side of a hill. But a lanky cloaked figure paused at the threshold with a long blond wig clenched in one fist.

Skye. I relaxed my shoulders and sank my dirk into its sheath. We weren’t expecting you.

Skye stepped inside and slid back her hood, revealing the ash-blond waves cropped short around her ears, greasy with oils that kept them hidden beneath the golden wig. Sorry, Drell. Didn’t mean to startle you.

Why aren’t you at the bathhouse inn? I asked. I thought you’d secured a job as an attendant. Free lodging there has got to be better than this barn.

I did, she said, and whipped off her wet cloak. She crossed the small open space to perch upon one of the hundreds of tidy hay bales, smoothing