Zendar: A Tale of Sand (Prequel)

By K.T. Munson

Zendar is a world of sand and strife.

Living in the great capital of Zendar, Sol, Nitya has always longed for something more than her family’s merchant lifestyle. She craves adventure—or at least hopes something remotely exciting could happen. When her best friend, Juni, secures them both positions in the palace’s kitchen, Nitya gets to experience a different world than she ever imagined—especially after a young soldier catches her eye.

Her world will never be the same.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K.T. Munson
• Release date: Aug 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005041571

K.T. Munson

K.T. Munson is an author. First published at five years old in the young writers conference, she has pursued writing ever since. She was born and raised in the last frontier, the great state of Alaska. She maintains a blog creatingworldswithwords.wordpress.com that is about writing and her novels.

Book preview

Zendar:

A Tale of Sand

K.T. Munson

ISBN 9781005041571

Copyright © K.T. Munson 2020

1st Edition

The right of K.T. Munson to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. 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 or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the writer. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

Cover art by Maheen Sana

Copyedited by Tanya Egan Gibson

Other Books by K.T. Munson

1001 Islands

Frost Burn (Coauthored)

North & South

Hearts of Valor

A Hero Worth Saving

The Gate Trilogy

The Gate Guardian’s Daughter (prequel)

The Sixth Gate

The Nowhere Gate

The King’s Gate

Half Gate

Zendar Collection

Zendar: A Tale of Sand (prequel)

Zendar: A Tale of Blood and Sand

Zendar: A Tale of Wind and Sand

Cosmic Gem Series

Unfathomable Chance

Unfathomable Plan

Dedication

For Grandma Karen.

You said Zendar was your favorite…so I wrote more.

.

Chapter 1:

Adventure

The sounds of the market filled Nitya’s every pore as she watched her sister, Mirma, speak to an elderly customer. To her left, their father was making a sale of an old mirror. Nitya sighed as she returned to the mundane task of polishing a metal pot. Each day felt the same. Was this life, a merchant’s life, all there was? At eighteen, being a full-grown woman, she could marry of course. But the idea of being someone’s wife also didn’t feel…exciting.

Reflected in the polished bronze, her face looked back at her—the face she wished were less round and childlike, the long hair and bangs that surrounded it, the slightly slanted eyes that met her gaze with disappointment. Glancing up at her beautifully tanned sister and her wide eyes, Nitya felt a pang of jealousy. It wasn’t exactly the first time. It made sense why, at twenty, her sister was already engaged. It wasn’t even an arranged marriage, Mirma actually knew her intended. The only thing special about Nitya were those eyes, with their flecks of green, but men rarely focused on a woman’s eyes.

Nitya!

Juni ducked into the stall and wrapped her arms around Nitya as she set the vase aside, laughing at her friend’s excitement. I thought you were busy today.

I was, but I have the best of news. My aunt has secured a place for me in the palace. Juni’s brown eyes danced with excitement. In the kitchen.

The palace! There was a swell of delight in Nitya’s chest—she couldn’t believe her ears. They had only been to the palace one time, to celebrate Mama Mab’s birthday. She’d only gotten to see the kitchen itself, but if she was working there, her friend would get to see so much more.

How?

One of the women is due to give birth, and they needed the extra help. Juni squealed with excitement. She could be so carefree that sometimes it was hard to remember that Juni was a whole year older than her.

Nitya took her friend’s hands and faced her. You have to tell me all about it!

That’s the thing, Juni replied, her smile practically cutting her face in half. They need a second worker, and I volunteered you!

Nitya stared at her friend in awe. As a sense of adventure washed over her, Nitya jumped to her feet. Juni was still speaking, but Nitya was already rushing to her father’s side.

Papa!

Her father’s leathery face turned to her. What is it, Nitya? His kind eyes were alarmed. Has something happened?

Juni’s aunt needs help in the kitchens of the palace, Nitya said as she gripped his arm. Please say I can help Auntie.

Her father blinked in surprise. The palace? He tilted his