Smoke in the Darkness

By Melanie Hatfield

War is hell, but peace is torture. Fayna the Fearless and Audraine the Insane are Questers who survived battle. That was a year ago, and the memories haunt them. When a dragon from that war returns to threaten their home, they must overcome their past in order save the ones they love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melanie Hatfield
• Release date: Apr 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463495049

Melanie Hatfield

Melanie Hatfield spent a decade in Los Angeles with hopes of becoming a television sitcom writer. That dream did not come true, but she learned how to write like a pro. She wrote her first fantasy series, Kingdom of the Snark, to incorporate her two favorite genres of comedy and fantasy. Her second fantasy series, The Chronicles of Turrack is an action-adventure spin-off from Snark. Ms. Hatfield currently lurks in her hometown of Kansas City and writes whatever she pleases!

Book preview

SMOKE IN THE DARKNESS

A KINGDOM OF THE SNARK NOVEL

Melanie Hatfield

Smoke in the Darkness: A Kingdom of the Snark Novel

By Melanie Hatfield

Copyright 2019 by Melanie Hatfield

Smashwords Edition

Cover art by Paramita Bhattacharjee

www.creativeparamita.com

Digital edition produced by Maureen Cutajar

www.gopublished.com

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, taping, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner except in the context of reviews, quotes, or references. To obtain permission, contact the writer through her website at www.melaniehatfield.com.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Anything in this novel that is anyway similar to your own life and/or work is coincidental.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

BOOKS BY MELANIE HATFIELD

THE KINGDOM OF THE SNARK SERIES

THE RIGHTEOUS TRILOGY

The Quest for the Sword

An Affair with Wizards

Kingdom Smackdown

SHORT STORIES & NOVELLAS

Three Snarky Tales

Tragedy in the Wine Cellar

A Tale of Randall the Rambuncious

Three More Snarky Tales

STAND ALONE NOVELS

Smoke in the Darkness

THE CHRONICLES OF TURRACK SERIES

Blades of Blood

Smoke and Mirrors

The Ties that Bind

Duty and Honor

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

A Tale of Brownie the Mare

About the Author

Chapter One

Are we there yet?

The shrill whines of the teenage girl did not reach her father’s ears. She sat upon the back edge of the cart behind the piles of possessions it carried, hidden away from the humiliation of her parents and younger siblings up front. She wanted to be heard and not seen, but the squeals of the wheels, the chatter of birds, and the squabble of squirrels that permeated the woods diluted the sounds of her discontent. Her family’s joyous singing did not help in matters either.

How much farther is it? the girl squawked again as if her family could see her between the piles of furniture between them. She pouted a few more times before she gave up, although now she needed something else to occupy her mind during the long journey.

She stared at her bare feet that dangled above the dirt road. The tatters of her skirt flittered around her ankles. The cart’s pace would have only been envious to sloths, its load too heavy for the mules that pulled it to do more than crawl. Her father was not cruel enough to crack the whip upon the beasts of burden and appeared indifferent toward the creatures’ job performance. Indeed, no one seemed to be in any particular hurry to arrive at their new home.

Except for the sullen teenage girl in the back of the cart who just wanted the ordeal to end.

She jumped off, stretching her legs as the cart plowed onward. It did not take long for her to catch up, strolling behind it to shake off the aches of uncomfortable travel. The ground was warm from the afternoon sun, and she rubbed away the pains of her backside. Birds sang as they flew above her, and woodland creatures scurried from the sides of the road. She imagined herself a queen, and the furry beasts were her subjects paying their respects. She also thought of her siblings bowing at her feet, offering to perform her chores around the new house. The girl was captivated with the self-absorbed fantasy, and a small curl formed in the corner of her lips.

Then she stepped upon a pebble.

The size of the stone would not have crushed a rollie pollie bug, yet to her sensitive soles, it was as if she trampled upon a spike. She hopped upon her uninjured foot and cursed, fortunate for once that her parents could not hear her. Those grumbles of pain turned into shrieks of frustration, and she kicked the loose dirt upon the road. This in turn caused her to hit larger pebbles, which caused more screams.

If you hadn’t spent all the family money on this stupid home, we would have funds for shoes, she hissed behind her father’s back.

You poor thing.

The girl’s head spun around for the source of the comment and saw nothing more than trees. The winds picked up, and small creatures scurried away as if running for their lives. An eerie silence blanketed her, and she shivered as if she were caught in a blizzard.

Is someone there? the girl called out.

You do not deserve such torment, the voice rumbled, causing the hairs upon the girl’s arms to stand at attention. I can give you what you need. I can provide you with the life you deserve.

Um… all I want are some shoes.

Then shoes you shall have. Come, follow the glow.

A green light flickered between the trees. The girl glanced at it before she looked for the cart, but it was lost over the horizon. Fog rolled in like a flooded river, cascading over the road. The girl heaved from the stench, and the world grew dark as the noxious fumes rose above her, blocking out the sun.

Yeah, I’m going to blindly obey a creepy, disembodied voice like an idiot, the girl snickered, rolling her eyes. I’m out of here.

Follow me, the voice sang.

The girl’s body would not obey the instincts screaming at her to flee. She stood like a statue, unable to cry out for her family’s help. Her eyes glowed solid green, matching the source of her tormentor.

Come to me, the voice continued its enchantment. Do as I say. Do not hesitate, just obey.

The girl’s legs moved, taking her into the woods. Every footfall was precise, leading her around trunks, rocks, and other pitfalls that could trip her. The green light grew larger as she journeyed closer.

She stepped into the light, and then it disappeared. A mist danced around her, and a wind without a source blew into her face.

Halt, the voice chuckled. That is close enough.

The girl froze in place like a soldier at attention, and she could not budge from where she stood.

The mist swirled around the girl, contorting into a towering form of a dragon. It was not of living flesh, and its pale grey scales hung like stockings drying upon a clothing line. Bits of bones and rotten muscles peeked from gaping holes. The beast’s body flowed through the trees, turning into mist as it twisted among the surroundings.

Let me get a better look at you, mortal.

The dragon coiled around her, trapping the girl in its misty grip. The dragon’s eye was just as large as the girl was tall, reflecting the petrified teenager’s face within its gaze. The ghostly dragon hummed with thought before releasing a sigh that blew the girl’s hair as if caught in a storm.

You are the right height, and of slender build, yet your hair is like the sun, and I seek a mortal whose hair is like a night without a moon. Or choppy as a dog with matted fur. Either way, you are not the one I seek.

The dragon-spirit passed through the girl, and within moments it was gone.

The fog dissipated, and the sun returned. Its warmth revived the teenager, and she dropped to her knees. Tears warmed her cheeks as she shook off the dragon’s enchantment, and she scrambled back onto her feet. She found herself in unfamiliar territory. She spun around, her face scrunched up in disbelief as she was unable to find the road.

How did I get here? she muttered before she cried out, Mother! Father! Can you hear me?

A new shadow crept toward her and wrapped a paw around her neck. Its grip clenched as the creature lifted her off the ground, and all her screams were crushed in her throat. She kicked and scratched at the beast, but its scales did not suffer from the girl’s struggle. Hot breath pounded upon her, and the foul creature licked her face with a forked tongue.

My sister can be a pain, it growled, but at least she provides.

The beast shoved the girl’s head into its jaws, and then her body went limp.

Chapter Two

Fayna the Fearless jabbed her heels into her steed’s sides. The dirt road was a blur as she sped, and her silver tunic fluttered in the passing wind. Her black leather pants were an unfortunate choice as sweat beaded in uncomfortable places as she bounced upon the saddle. Her knee-high boots with elevated heels were like pointy knives as they stabbed the flank of her horse.

Fayna’s amber-colored eyes glanced over her shoulders. The giant was far behind her, doubled over to catch its breath.

You’re not worth the effort, the giant huffed, turning upon his heels in defeat.

Fayna pulled upon the reins, bringing her mighty grey steed to a halt. She turned her beast around and rode her toward the source of danger.

I apologize for this, Gusty, Fayna said to her steed. You shall receive double your oats for your bravery.

Gusty shook her head, unable to articulate her desire to forget the oats and flee for her life.

What do you mean by that? Fayna shouted when she was close to the giant’s foot. She drove Gusty underneath his steps, and the horse was certain her rider had a death wish.

Stop being obnoxious, the giant bellowed, stomping upon the ground as if to squash a bug.

Do you not know who I am, giant? Fayna retorted. I am Fayna the Fearless, who battled bravely in the War of the Nuns and a royal Quester for Queen Renee.

You can add Annoyer of Giants to your title, the monstrous man roared.

He stepped around the horse, picking up his pace as he went back from whence he came. Fayna urged Gusty onward, but the mare halted. The beast was tired, her breaths short and quick while her muscles twitched in a silent plea for rest.

We cannot allow him to get away, Fayna barked as she thrust the points of her elevated boots into Gusty’s sides.

The mare shook her head as she turned down the road in the opposite direction.

Go home, you coward, Fayna snapped as she jumped from the saddle. I retract my promise of extra oats for this betrayal!

Gusty’s whinny indicated that she had no cares what the petite human did in her free time, just as long as it did not involve the mare.

Fayna drew her slender blade, running at the giant. Her legs moaned as she pumped them, keeping her gaze upon her target. She caught up to him and slashed at his ankle.

Hey, the giant yelled. Cut that out!

Fayna cartwheeled around the monstrous creature, slicing at his feet. Nothing trickled from the insignificant scratches, but the giant’s anger pushed him past the trivial pain. He bent over and grabbed Fayna’s feet in the middle of a flip. He drew her up to his face, cocking his head upon the squirming Quester. She dangled upside down in his grasp, her long raven-colored hair swaying with every swipe of her blade. Her hair threatened to fall off her scalp, and she used one hand to press her fake locks upon her head.

What is your problem? the giant snapped in her face. I didn’t do anything to you.

You have inflicted suffering upon the village of Truidia, Fayna hissed.

Is that where you’re from?

Well, no, I live in a castle down the road from the village, but they asked me nicely for aid in defeating you.

And what did I do to bother the villagers?

You… did… stuff. The rush of blood to Fayna’s head made it difficult to articulate the crimes committed.

The giant snatched the sword from Fayna’s hands and tossed it upon the dirt road. He wrapped his free hand around her arms, pinning them to her sides as he flipped her over. Part of her wig slid down, nearly covering her eyes.

We can continue this in the comfort of my home, he chuckled, preferably in my kitchen, with your insides spilling out. Tell me, what wine pairs best with Questers? I would presume a white wine to match your bitterness.

The black spots faded from Fayna’s gaze, and she realized too late how her recovery had delayed her actions. The sweat of his palms soaked her clothing, and she wriggled with disgust. Fayna twisted in the giant’s hand, unable to escape his grip. They were close to the stairwell that rose from the open fields into the clouds above.

What kind of a man lives in the sky? Fayna blurted.

I do, the giant chuckled.

It does not make sense, Fayna continued. Clouds are not solid. They are just balls of fluff.

The giant stared hard into the Quester’s face. Do you honestly think clouds are made of fluff?

What would you call it?

The material is called Hyperbolic Photosynthetic Cryogenic Cruddermuff, the giant explained. It is the only type of cloud that can act as soil and thusly hold up my home. I even have a garden.

You made all that up, Fayna snapped.

No, I didn’t, the giant roared, rubbing his forehead with his free hand. Honestly, it’s like everything that comes from your mouth is a distraction.

The giant’s eyes grew wide as he dwelled upon his absentminded statement, and he gazed upon the stairs. Indeed, he squinted his eyes, and in the distance, he espied another Quester leading his flock of golden sheep down toward the ground. She had choppy sandalwood-colored hair and wore a purple tunic with dark green trousers.

You were a distraction, the giant yelled in Fayna’s face. "I