A Shadow Rider of Thorn

By Thomas Paine

On a far away planet descendants of a crashed battleship live in city states and use giant dinosaur like creatures for labour and defence. Human meddling with magic has awoken old powers good and bad that seek to renew the ancient struggle between them. War has broken out with one group of humans allying themselves with the dark and seeing to destroy their chief rival with evil magic. The story starts at a large Japanese style castle and finishes there, where the castle is now under seige and partially burning; and where four heros join together in an attempt to stop them. To help with their survival the people of the planet have chosen to look back wards to their remote ancestors and so the main character of the story, is Trace Meadows, a young Norman, style knight with mail, long sword, conical helm, kite shield and spear with a pennant. He rides a giant T-rex - or at least close enough to one. Another major character, Sayaka Mura is a young woman of Japanese decent.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Paine
• Release date: Oct 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463215302

Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine (1736-1809) was an English born American activist, philosopher, and author. Before moving to America, Paine worked as a stay maker, but would often get fired for his questionable business practices. Out of a job, separated from his wife, and falling into debt, Paine decided to move to America for a fresh start. There, he not only made a fresh start for himself, but helped pave the way for others, too. Paine was credited to be a major inspiration for the American Revolution. His series of pamphlets affected American politics by voicing concerns that were not yet intellectually considered by early American society.

Book preview

A Shadow Rider of Thorn

From nowhere two raptors surged out of the fog at the warrior to the left. Brominde said a voice in my head. The warrior waving the sword shifted like lightning and his sword clove the raptors apart as easy as it had the air. But in the split second this had taken the one with the spear snaked it out and lightly touched the spears point to the brown mail under the soldier’s arm. He stiffened and fell his sword sliding out of his hand and towards me.

It is a weapon of power, of old speech and the breath of war. said the voice inside me take it and it will be a mighty aid to you.

I reached for the sword but I expected little for my efforts for this world was like a dream or a shadow to me and I did not think that I, nor any of the living could interact with it. But the blade was cold and solid to my grasp. A drop of blood formed on my hand and running down its side then fell to the ground.

The second book is:

A sorceress of Rabdentse

A Shadow Rider of Thorn

Thomas Paine

Copyright 2018 Thomas Paine

Published by Thomas Paine at Smashwords

Edited by Do Thi Anh Minh

Cover Design by Tatiana at Vila Design

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: A Parade and a Warning

Chapter 2: Whispered Conversations

Chapter 3: Adventures at Night

Chapter 4: In The Woods

Chapter 5: Kidnapped

Chapter 6: Discoveries

Chapter 7: A Chance for Letters

Chapter 8: On The River

Chapter 9: On The Wild Side

Chapter 10: Confrontation

Author’s Note

A note on the creation of the Book

Chapter 1

A Parade and a Warning

Dolls were placed in the windows. If at that time you were one of the people looking from the great tower, one of the two lesser white towers that flanked it or from the barracks windows that lined the white wall, out over the three moats into the city beyond you would have seen lanterns and kites being lifted into the air, and everywhere activity. People were already lining the streets. On the houses the roof decks were crowded. Guilds formed up by the cloth dying pools, their order in the procession was a visible symbol of their status and power. Companies of soldiers, priests, and monks were assembling. Pilgrims massed on the Lane of Silence in the Red Garden readied their voices. Portable shrines were moving into place accompanied by musicians, guest of honor, and the giant beast that would move them. It was Autumn Procession. To right the world fell to the people.

I know. I've viewed it from those heights on many occasions. But not this time. I was just arriving at my door in the hall of Bird and Beast. For no longer was I just an observer. This time I was to be a participant and I had my own assigned place. My name is Trace Meadows. I was born there and I grew up there -- in Thorn Keep. I was a new Shadow Rider, very young, and not yet comfortable with my role and in the exclusive company of my talented, proud, arrogant comrades. So, even though I shared in the general joy of this day, I was aware of an underlying tension in my shoulders and neck. And of course I was late. Too long I had hung around the breeding chambers that honeycombed the three towers and the central plaza playing with the new hatchlings and kidding around with the attendants. My clothes and gear smelled of steam and life. It has always been one of my favorite places to go; but my only excuse for staying too long was that I was hoping to see Wasa. Wasa was Chief Breeder. An important job in a culture dependant on beast labor and beast defense. In his way he had as much status as Lartier -- Chief Rider and Marshal of the host. He answered only to the ‘council’ and to Barden - The Steward. I had always liked the gruff but open Wasa. But in this I had been disappointed.

It would be hard to find anyone on that day.

Around me was directed chaos. I expected some smart remark about my tardiness from one of my peers, or perhaps for some officer to put me in my place; but all were too rushed and too full of their own concerns. The most I got was a look half reproachful half panicky from my grooms as they set about getting me into my harness.

Finally ready, the grooms through open my door. There before me was an eye as big as my head. You have to be careful getting on something as large as a house.

The pens were full of beasts of various sizes. Many were decked out with banners, silks, and colorful ropes. Some attendants were still busy with their Riders, fetching things or tightening straps. Others threw rose petals or lavender from the balconies. A few worked the intricate machinery that was about to set us free. There was a small group of soldiers climbing into a newly painted green and yellow howdah as comrades below passed bundles of halberds, armour, and crossbows to them. Waltheof, a veteran Rider, was in the process of speaking:

...better believe he'll hear if anything goes amiss. I was just talking to a Warden. He came back from the Pilliar of Inos and the College of Mysteries. He says he’s never seen the route so crowded. The sub-keeps and outer farms must be empty.

From outside of the barriers we could hear the sounds of the excited populace. While from further away there came a low chanting. I put on my helmet and adjusted my family badge. More soldiers arrived, fresh from their assembly area on the Street of the Missing, Sword. There was a creaking sound as our ramp dropped about a foot, then steadied and began to lower...

Hail, Trace Rais yelled over. Don't stick your nose up at those of us closer to the ground. Do you think it would be a fine day for a race?

Lartier would have our ears I called back. I think you had better settle for just showing the crowd that ugly beast of yours, and we'll see you outside the walls.

The ramp hit the brown cobblestones.

It was over an hour before I was past the three-tired North Gate and out of the city. But, I didn't mind. It was seldom that we were allowed to bring the big beasts into the city. Usually, they were kept on patrol or at camps in the forest. It was something of a treat for us, and we managed to get through the streets without anyone getting eaten or stepped on.

Stopping by the new Earth Bastion that reinforced the Third Bastion, which guarded one of the way poles, protection against sorcery, I surveyed the moving tide. They were already flowing into the hills.

At the time of the First Founding, when the eleven holds were first officially created at pre-scouted locations, at the religious city of Kamkura it was decided that every four years, twice a year -- for the Autumn equinox, the so called 'Fire and Water' festival and for the spring equinox, the no called 'Air and Earth' festival the people were to meet again at Kamkura to symbolize the unity of the people. This year it was expected that some four or five thousand people of Thorn would be making the trip. For those who would be staying behind there were to be celebrations and parties in plenty over the next week. You don't move that many people without taking precautions. The route had been twice scouted, the procession was well escorted, and a party had spent the last several weeks at the way camp cutting new growth, setting up site markers and securing the area. It was a site often used before.

A party was coming from the groves on the right.

When the people first came here they were amazed to find the giant beast. They named them after semi-mythical creatures from their own world. They knew they were not really the same. This place is this place. They gave the names out as approximations, borrowed names from things they had never seen. But, the names worked as well as any and they stuck. They knew very little of earth magic, but their science magic was very developed. Soon they were able to breed the beasts, to a degree domesticate them, and even genetically alter them. Since, we have found new species and continued the work. If the day comes when we reunite with the people of the stars, we too would have things to be proud of. It must have been difficult for the first people. Even today, step off a trail or road and you're likely to be standing where no one has ever been.

These were Shudder Riders. That is riders of lesser beast. They were mounted on raptors, fierce, smart creatures very loyal to each other, their riders and their handlers. They made excellent scouts. I was a Shadow Rider. A rider of great beast. Ulsan Pad, my mount, was a t-Rex. He was not yet fully grown but already he would be a dangerous adversary for any foe. There were also classifications for handlers, breeders, trainers, and for even smaller beast. As they drew closer I could see these riders bore the Pennant of Ebrois, one of our sub-keeps. As they drew even closer I could see on their helms Vardens symbol, the silver fish,

Blessing and news high rider.

Well met and peace, Captain. Welcome, I say. Welcome to Thorn Keep. Even more if you bring us tidings.

A speech stone has been found at Duuga.

A speech stone said that the Mer wanted to meet. Trading season was well over. It was very strange. Usually at this time of the year they were preparing to move south to their winter lodges.

I could see that they waited, expecting me to send them to someone else. As a Shadow Rider I was an officer of upper rank, but I was very young for the title. I had only been allowed at the choosing because of family connections. Eye brows were raised when I was not only chosen but picked by what was considered the most prized beast of the term. This could be important and perhaps it would be better if someone with more experience could handle it. Perhaps even Barden himself. But he was already somewhere along the route to the way camp. Lartier was with the advance party. Other officers were scattered on a million tasks. How to find anyone suitable?

I made up my mind.

"If you lead