Glissanda: The Woman King, #3

By Sara Kingsley

"Kindness is not weakness. It's human."

Raven's declared she's the true heir to the throne of her Kingdom of Nadir, and has promised her followers she will serve them in their fight for a fair and just kingdom. But she soon learns her worst nightmares have come true: at the King's bidding, her home treevillage has been destroyed and her family gone missing. Will she have the strength to oppose all those who'd rather see her dead than obtain her rightful throne?  And will she come to fully accept the support of the people who stand with her—including her beloved Leif?

Perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce, Sarah J. Maas, and Juliet Marillier!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Fern Books
• Release date: Sep 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9780473441630

Book preview

Chapter 1

I place my hand flat against the wide, blackened trunk of my favorite tree, Mama Bodhi, and look up at the open sky where her branches once towered. The sunlight is so bright that it blinds me for a moment. All the better, so I can’t see what else is around me: a few other charred trunks still standing, piles of burnt branches and personal things, drifts of ash.

I look down and kick a mound of soot with the toe of my boot, sending a gray cloud of dust into the still-smoky air. I cover my nose with my sleeve, but I know the stench of burnt homes, displaced families, and lost dreams will never leave my nostrils.

It’s all that remains of my beloved treevillage, Baldachin.

I’m so sorry, Raven, Leif says. He’s standing right behind me, but his voice sounds like it’s coming from miles away.

I clench my teeth and spin around, my long black hair whipping loose across my face. When Leif sees my look, he takes a step back. He’s going to pay for this, I spit, my fists balled up. I’ve said it before, but this time I mean it. And I’m not waiting around, either. King Araroa did this and he’s going to pay. Dearly.

A corner of Leif’s mouth twitches as he tries to suppress a smile. And I’ll help you. He holds a hand out toward me. I relax my fists and grasp onto it.

Together we walk over to join Tui and Catriona. They too are standing, stunned, taking in the nightmare around us. The treevillage where the three of us had grown up has been burned to the ground. All the swingways and platforms and little round treehomes are completely gone.

But what’s worse is there’s no sign of any of our families. Every last person is gone too.

I let go of Leif’s hand and grab onto Tui, holding him in a tight hug. He grips onto me, burying his face in my hair.

We’ll find them, Raven, he says, leaning back and looking into my face. My friend’s big brown eyes are moist. None of us has cried; it’s as if the pain is beyond mere tears. Everything. Everyone. Gone.

But at least I still have my friends. And especially Leif—who I’m promised to be married to.

If I can find my family, that is. I can’t imagine a wedding without Mum, Papa, and my godmother, Miss Lilith. But I’m only seventeen anyway and won’t be eighteen for a few more months—Leif and I had talked about holding the wedding after my eighteenth birthday. But I can’t think about that  … there’s far too much going on to plan our wedding now.

Catriona places her hand on Tui’s shoulder and I take that as a message, releasing my hold on him. I step back to stand next to Leif; he puts his arm around my shoulder and I lean into him. Suddenly my legs feel like they are going to give out. The smoldering ashes are nauseating and I’m fighting the urge to vomit.

Mama and Papa might have led everyone away, Catriona says with a hopeful tone. I know the men were keeping watch, surely they would have seen the King’s Hunters coming. I bet everyone is hiding out in the mountains, maybe not very far off. I don’t see any  … evidence that people were in the fire.

I swallow down another mouthful of bile as I realize what she’s referring to. I look down at the ashes on the ground, again. There are bits of burnt clothing, pots and pans, crushed wood stoves, charred wooden toys. But nothing human, which is a relief.

They could have been taken, I say, looking back up. I hold nothing past Araroa now. That man is pure evil and could have done anything to our families.

Catriona sighs. I know. We’ll find them. I’m sure of it.

We will indeed. Leif pulls me even tighter against him.

The four of us look around in silence at the charred remains of Baldachin for a few minutes more. Nobody speaks it, but we know there’s no need to linger. Besides, we have no idea who might be close by, or watching us.

Something catches my eye a few yards away. A small object half-buried in ash glitters in the sunlight. I shake Leif’s arm off and walk over to it, my heart speeding up rapidly.

I kneel down for a closer look and it’s exactly what I thought it was, though I can hardly believe it. I pluck it from the ash, wiping the smooth surface of the carved obsidian clean so it sparkles. I grasp it tightly in my hands, sink down onto my knees, close my eyes, and finally allow my tears to fall.

It’s the obsidian pendant Papa made. He’d given it to me over a year ago, the first time I’d traveled from Baldachin on my own, when Tui and I went to Greenhollow together. The pendant I mistakenly left behind in my room, in my old treehome, when I departed a few months ago to find Leif, who was being held by King Araroa.

I wipe my face, leaving what I’m sure is a smear of ash and tears. Get ahold of yourself, Raven. You’re not the only one in the kingdom who’s lost nearly everything.

I rise to stand and study the pendant in my hands. The cord has been burned away, but the pendant is completely unharmed. I still can’t believe I found it in all this rubbish. Or that it found me.

I look up to see Leif standing in front of me; he’s unwrapping a piece of brown leather cord from his wrist. May I? he asks, holding the cord out. I nod and hand the pendant to him. As he threads the cord through the hole at the top, I turn and lift my hair. He drapes the necklace around my throat, then ties the cord at the base of my neck. I let my hair fall back down and turn to face him.

With a smile, he reaches over to smooth the hair around my face; with his other hand he straightens the pendant on my chest. I’ve wondered what happened to this, he says quietly.

I accidentally left it here. Papa told me the last time I was here that I deserved something far more beautiful, now that I’m a Woman King.

Leif shakes his head. No—this suits you perfectly.

I glance down at it again, resting on my bare skin, cool and smooth. I only want Papa now. And Mum.

Leif takes my hand and together we start toward the river, where we’ve left the horses to drink. Catriona’s right—we’ll find everyone. Do you remember what you told Tui? When we’d heard this may have happened, that Baldachin was destroyed?

I nod, silently. I remember every word. I meant it then, and I mean it even more now: I’ll help the treevillagers rebuild Baldachin.

When we find them.

Leif and I find Tui and Catriona back at the river. It’s nearly autumn, the water is low, but there’s plenty for us and the horses to drink. Leif goes to check on his horse, a bay-colored stallion the Treasoners—those in support of my right to ascend to the throne of Nadir—gave him so we could reach Baldachin faster. Although we were obviously too late anyway.

Tui and Catriona’s boots are lying on the grass; their owners are wading in the river, pants rolled up. Tui kicks water at Catriona and she laughs, the sound echoing down the river valley. I roll my eyes and sigh—how can they possibly be having fun, with all that’s happening?

I decide to leave them to it, and walk upstream a ways on my own. When I’ve found quiet, I reach down to wash my sooty hands in the cool water. They turn black for a moment, as the ash mixes with water. I rub them together until they are clean, the last bits of my home washed away. I cup my hands, wiping my face clean too. As if I could wash this horror away.

I lie back on the grassy bank. Closing my eyes to the sun above, I let the rays dry my face and hands. At least this part of Baldachin is the same, where Tui and I’d run and play as kids, where we’d fish together when we got older.

I hear someone settle next to me, and the refreshing scents of leather and peppermint reach my nose. I don’t even have to open my eyes to know that it’s Leif. He gently touches my forehead, wiping the droplets of water away.

What would you like to do? Should we head back to the Treasoner camp? Where Papa is? Surely he could help  …

I shake my head, still nestled in the grass. When we’d left the Treasoner camp in the Zenith mountains, I’d carried a tiny glimmer of hope we wouldn’t be too late to save Baldachin, despite King Araroa’s statement that he’d already ordered it to be burned.

And obviously, we didn’t make it.

Now, I have no idea what I should do. I just feel lost, homeless, meandering aimlessly.

You still have me, you know. Leif’s voice is quiet.

I sit up, wrapping my arms around my legs. I look over at Leif’s face; his head is tilted, studying mine. Warmth spreads in my chest and I can’t hold back a small smile. And I’m glad for it. I lean over and kiss his warm mouth, softly.

He grabs the back of my head, not letting me draw away from him again. He kisses me in return, harder this time. Leaning his forehead against mine, he still doesn’t let go of me. I love you, Raven Araroa. You are my family now. But I swear I’ll help you find the rest of yours.

I can’t help grinning back at him. I love you too, Leif Phineas.

Suddenly we are sprayed with water. Laughter surrounds us.

C’mon, you two lovebirds! The day’s getting long. Unless you want to camp here, we’d better get going.

Tui! I stand up, wiping water from my face once again. He’s holding the water bladder that he’s just emptied out over Leif and me, and is wearing one of his ridiculous grins. What’d you do that for?

Just thought you two could use a cooling down.

Ha ha. It doesn’t pass my notice that there’s a twinge of truth to his words. Besides, I don’t think Tui will ever stop being protective of me.

He dips the bladder back in the river to refill it, then the three of us return to where our horses have been busy eating their fill of rich late summer grass.

Here—for you. Tui tosses me a small, round object, and I deftly catch it. I study it for a second, before I register that it’s an apple from Baldachin’s orchard. I picked a bunch for us to take with us. No point letting them go to waste. Tui grabs another from his pocket, and takes a big bite. He wipes the juice that dribbles down his chin with his sleeve.

They didn’t destroy the orchard.

Nope. There’s plenty of trees a little ways down the river too. We’ll rebuild, Raven. Just like you said.

I take a bite of the apple in my hand, my eyes nearly rolling back into my head at its perfect sweet-tartness. One more small bright spot in the day. As I’m chewing, I realize what we need to do.

Let’s go to Greenhollow and ask around. Surely someone’s heard something about what’s happened here and where everyone has gone  … or been taken to. It’s late—we can camp on the way. Plenty to eat, at least. I take another bite of the apple.

Tui tosses an apple to Leif. Good plan, he says, and Leif nods in agreement.

I don’t finish the apple, but save the rest for my horse, Pearl. I walk over to where she’s waiting for me, Catriona having gotten her ready to go.

Pearl eagerly but gently takes the apple from my hand, and I pat her silvery-gray neck, stroke her shimmering mane. It hits me that, despite all that’s happened over the past year, this family member is still with me too. She was well-cared-for even while I was in King Araroa’s dungeon, during all my months on Nuimana, until Leif found her in Araroa’s stables when I’d returned to my Kingdom of Nadir. Even when I’d left again, had given her to Leif’s aunt Imogen, she was waiting for me when I returned.

I look into her huge, brown eyes and make a silent promise to her: I will not leave you again. No matter what. She nickers softly, as if she can read my mind. I stroke her velvety nose once more, then swing myself upon her back.

My three friends are atop their horses, ready to depart. We follow the river down, in the direction of Greenhollow, not wanting to pass through the ruins of Baldachin again. But the burnt smell is still in my nose, where it will probably always remain.

You don’t have to keep that name, you know. I say this to Leif, who’s riding alongside me on his newly acquired horse.

What do you mean, m’lady? I like the name George just fine. The corner of his mouth turns up in a half-grin. Although, I suppose something a bit more, er, stallion-like might suit him better. What about ‘Warrior’ or ‘Knight’?

I smile over at him, sitting tall atop his horse, both of them carrying their heads high. Very handsome. Although I have to admit, I do miss having Leif riding with me on Pearl, his hands wrapped about my waist, his peppermint-scented breath in my ear.

I think George might be a fine name, I tell him.

Leif rubs the horse’s chocolatey neck and smooths down his black mane. "He is rather old—probably don’t want to confuse him at this point."

True. I look up ahead, where Catriona and Tui are riding alongside each other. They seem to be arguing about something, but I can’t hear what they are saying. What’s up with those two?

Leif shrugs. Not sure.

We both listen, trying to catch a word, but they are too far ahead. All I can see is Tui rapidly shaking his head no, over and over.

I’ll ask them at camp tonight, I say.

Sounds good, m’lady.

A few hours later we reach the camp at the top of the hill. It’s the same one Tui and I stayed at on our first night out together, on that fateful trip to Greenhollow; it was there I found out King Araroa had been told of my existence, and had sent his Hunters out to find and capture me. He knew the truth that I—the true heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Nadir—had been born in secret to Queen Seraphine. She’d sent me away so that I would not be executed, as all other firstborn daughters have been for the past thousand years—since the Quelline regime declared there would be no more Woman Kings.

But he’d failed. I’d not only escaped King Araroa and his Hunters, and sailed to Nuimana, but I’d discovered that Fortissima, the sword of Woman Kings, had been kept safe there all of these years. I declared her to be mine, and accepted the request to rule as Nuimana’s Woman King. And now I’ve returned to Nadir.

Obviously, he’s not very happy about this.

While Leif and Tui unsaddle the horses and set them to grazing in the meadow, Catriona and I build a small fire. When I’m sure Tui’s out of earshot, I ask Catriona the question I’ve wanted to all afternoon. Everything all right with Tui?

Yeah, we’re good, she says casually, continuing to stack the bits of kindling we’d gathered. But she stops, and adds, Well, I guess that’s not entirely true. I actually told him that I thought we should split up— Her amber eyes go wide when she notices my shocked face. No, not break up! I mean, I can travel a lot faster, cover more ground on my own, and track better without distraction. I told him I thought he should go with you and Leif back to the Treasoner camp and let me track down my family, and yours. Then I can meet you all there with those who’ll come with me.

Let me guess—he didn’t like that idea.

Definitely not.

She strikes the flint, blows on the spark. The dried moss begins to smolder, then a tiny flame appears; soon it’s licking at the small tower of kindling.

I don’t like it either, to be honest.

She stops and looks up at me. Her mouth is a hard line and there’s a spark of fury in her eyes. Are you telling me how to do my work?

Excuse me?

She sits back, leans against a log. Stretching her long legs out in front of her, she clasps her hands behind her head. You heard me. I’m a tracker, Raven, you know that. But our company has grown  … too large. Four of us, four horses—we’re like a band of gypsies parading around. There’s no way I’ll be able to sneak up on anyone, to get information. She tilts her head, giving me a look that dares me to argue with her.

Her look doesn’t work; I’ll tell her the truth even if she doesn’t want to hear it.

Listen, Tui’s just worried about you. He swore he’d never let you out of his sight again. And when Tui says something like that, he means it. Her eyes flick back down to the growing flames. I’m pretty sure he loves you. She looks back up at me hearing that, her eyes wide, filled with what I’m certain is terror.

She shakes her head, curls flying rapidly around. Oh no. Please don’t say that. I’m really fond of Tui, but  … but I’m not ready for— Her eyes suddenly focus beyond me.

Not ready for what? Tui’s voice. He and Leif have seemingly appeared out of nowhere right behind me. Leif places a larger piece of wood on the fire and settles himself next to me. Tui sits on the log next to Catriona. He places a large hand on her shoulder, attempts to smooth down his disheveled hair with the other.

Catriona looks at me with pleading eyes.

I won’t give her away. This is something she needs to take up with Tui directly. I flash a big smile at Tui. Girl stuff, I say.

His brows go up and his face turns a little red. Never mind then, he chokes out.

Catriona mouths me a silent thank you, and I wink at her in return.

This is not the end of our conversation, though. There’s no way in hell I’m going to let her break my best friend’s heart. I know for a fact that Tui is utterly in love with her: he told me as much. I’m sure she adores him, but clearly, she doesn’t feel quite the same about him. Maybe she would be a more efficient tracker on her own. But I won’t let her do that to Tui.

All that night, I dream of Baldachin. I am standing on the center platform, where so many feasts and jubilees and full-moon parties have been held. Everybody I love is there. There is laughter and music and joy. It all seems perfect, until the flames appear, licking up the tree trunks. Everybody is screaming. We can’t escape—there are too many flames. The ladders have burned and we can’t get down. I cling to my mum, my papa, Miss Lilith, but one by one they disappear into flame. Then the only one that’s left is me, and the flames are getting closer  …

I wake, gasping for air and dripping with sweat.

Raven, what is it? Are you okay? Leif is wiping my forehead with his hand.

I sit up, throwing the wool blanket off. I’m so hot I can’t stand it: my shirt is soaking through. The cool night air is a relief. I dreamed about Baldachin  … burning. My family was there. It was terrible.

Leif is smoothing down my hair, damp with sweat. I wish I could say it was just a dream, but obviously it’s not.

No, it’s real. Too real. My family was there, they must have seen it—being destroyed.

They must have gotten away, somehow.

I think so. I wish I knew where though  …

We’ll find something out in Greenhollow. I’m certain of it.

Now that I’m cooled off, but still damp, I start to shiver. Uncontrollably.

Lay down, Raven. Let me warm you. Leif holds the blanket up and I accept his offer, burying myself in the crook of his arm. He tucks the blanket snugly around us.

Eventually the shivering subsides, and with Leif’s breath against the back of my neck, I fall into a light, dreamless sleep.

Although it’s mid-morning when we depart our camp, to ride the final few hours to Greenhollow, I can’t shake the groggy feeling from my night of poor sleep. Then I think about the last time I was there, when we’d stopped by the Willows’ bakery. Mrs. Willow was warm enough, but she’d hurried me on my way before Mr. Willow knew I was there, telling me he wasn’t one of my supporters.

A spike of nerves causes my heart to thump in my chest. I wonder how many are like him in Greenhollow now. I suppose I’ll know soon enough  …

When we arrive at the tidy town nestled in a green valley, I slow as we pass the Willows’ shop. It’s only early afternoon, but the curtains are drawn and the CLOSED sign is hanging on the front door.

I keep riding.

My friends don’t urge me to stop, and we continue on to the Hollyhock Inn, at the other end of town. We tie the horses to the posts out front, and go inside.

Catriona rings the small bell sitting atop the vacant counter. We wait. My nervousness grows by the second. I look around the small front room: it’s the same as I remember it from all the times I’ve stayed here with Papa, and the last time with Tui. There are several old wooden tables and chairs; a large stone fireplace, clean and swept, with a fresh pile of wood ready for the evening chill; a pair of worn upholstered chairs set before it. For a moment, it’s as if nothing’s changed at all. But the voice that comes booming down the stairs makes it clear that everything has.

You shouldn’t be here. Mr. Murphy stomps down the last steps, taking his place behind the tall wooden counter.

Wh—why not? I ask him. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Mrs. Murphy peering out of the doorway to the back kitchen.

The man sighs. Too many idiots in this town. I’m not one of them, mind you, he adds hastily. I know he’s referring to Loyalists, those in support of the Prince’s right to the throne. He pauses to light his ever-present cigar, puffing at it until the end glows red, then blows a small cloud of smoke up toward the ceiling. But it’s up to you—you all are welcome to stay. If you dare.

I look at Tui, Catriona, Leif. I swear the three of them shrug in unison. Clearly they are leaving the decision up to me.

I direct my question back to Mr. Murphy. How many are there here? Loyalists?

He takes another puff of his cigar before answering. Who can say? Except too many. But there was hardly a one, not long ago—they’d all left.

My heart begins hammering again and my mouth has filled with chalk. My voice is hoarse when I ask him my next question. Where did they go?

Mr. Murphy takes the cigar from his mouth, leans toward me, answers slowly. They left a few weeks ago to burn Baldachin, Raven. They’re the bastards who’ve destroyed your home.

Chapter 2

I’m speechless for a full minute. My heart continues to thud in my chest, but it’s not from fear any longer; now it’s from rage.

The room has faded from my vision. All I see is red. I sense Leif and Tui stepping up next to me, poised as if to catch me should I fall down.

But I’ve never felt more steady.

I slam my hands down on the counter and lean in toward Mr. Murphy. A bit of ash from his smoldering cigar falls to the wood surface.

What did you say?

He shrugs, palms up. I’m sorry. I tried to convince them not to, a lot of us did. But they were determined.

Did King Araroa order them to do this?

He nods his head. As far as I know, he did. And those loyal to him were eager to follow through. Idiots.

I take a deep, calming breath, then grit my teeth so I don’t say something I’ll regret later. Where are they now? These Loyalists?

Mr. Murphy shrugs. Don’t know. Most of them didn’t come back.

But some of them did?

He nods, nervously taking a puff from the cigar, then taps a bit of ash into a small pewter bowl.

Who? Tell me. I lean even closer to him. I can tell he wants to look away, but I’ve got his eyes locked to mine.

The only one you know well is Mr. Willow, the baker’s husband—wait, where are you going?

But I’m already halfway to the door by the time his question reaches my ears.

I don’t even bother to untie Pearl. I storm down the middle of the street on foot, toward the Willows’ bakery.

I can hear three sets of footsteps behind me, but none of their owners dares beg me to stop.

A few minutes later, I’m pounding on the bakery door. Willow! Open up! It’s Raven Araroa! And then before I