Children of Jade

By Morgan Cole

Reader's Favorite Silver Medal Winner

A fantastic third entry in an already impressive epic fantasy series. - Reedsy Discovery

Rufyllys Vergana, the usurper, has stolen the throne from his adopted brother, Prince Ilruyn, plunging the empire of Navessea into civil war. The very first casualty of that war: Karthtag-Kal Sandaros, Marilia’s father.

With the help of Ben Espeleos, Prince of Svartennos, Marilia has sworn to bring the usurper and the rest of her father’s killers to justice...including her own traitorous brother, Annuweth, now serving as the usurper’s right hand.

Annuweth has sworn an oath of his own—to protect his wife and their unborn child from the forces who mean to destroy them. To guard Rufyllys Vergana’s reign against its enemies—even if one of those enemies is his own sister.

Navessea’s bloody civil war comes to a head in the third and final chapter of the Chrysathamere Trilogy. No one is safe, and no one will be the same.

A story of love, loss and redemption, Children of Jade blends the ferocious twists of Game of Thrones at its best with a saga of bitter revenge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Morgan Cole
• Release date: May 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005949860

Morgan Cole

Bureaucrat by day, fantasy author by night, I began my writing career with several highly questionable life choices, such as a major in history and creative writing that was meant to lead to a glorious career as a fantasy author but instead led to the world of unpaid internships, minimum wage jobs, and a dingy, lightless apartment in small-town Ohio. I suppose I took all those motivational posters about shooting for the moon and landing among the stars far too seriously. Eventually, I decided to pursue an alternative career path (that actually allows me to pay rent) and to write my books on the side. Growing up, my father instilled in me a passion for ancient Greek and Roman history (especially all the battles!), while my brother helped immerse me in the imaginative worlds of Morrowind and Middle Earth. All those influences are very much present in my writing.

Book preview

The Story So Far…

The World of Navessea

The Chrysathamere Trilogy takes place primarily in the fictional empire of Navessea and the adjoining, rival kingdom of Tyrace.

In Navessea, the emperor rules over a land comprised of several provinces, each ruled by a governor who serves for five years. The governor and his chosen military commander are in charge of that province’s legions. The exception is Svartennos province, an island ruled by a hereditary Prince who serves for life and commands the province’s military, and a council of Elders who speaks for the island’s gods.

In the empire, knights duel with swords of colored aeder crystal (blue, green, gold, red, and amethyst) and farmers tend herds of giant insects named yoba (whose thick shells are used as armor), as well as smaller, winged insects called chicayas that create sweet music and are used to carry messages. Young ladies learn the art of water-script painting, while young noble-men are trained in swordplay and Sharavayn, a game of strategy played with small figurines, designed to simulate battle.

The capital city of Navessea is Ulvannis, which boasts the Jade Keep (the emperor’s castle), the Great Arena (where festivals, tournaments, and executions take place) as well as villas and summer homes owned by most of the empire’s far-flung nobles. The city is guarded by the Order of Jade, the emperor’s elite fighting force of three thousand men.

The people of Navessea honor a pantheon of gods: Viveos, the gods’ leader, who controls the sun and built the world; Almaria, goddess of healing and mercy; Zantos, the God of Death; Yalaeda, goddess of mysteries and knowledge; Sothia, the goddess of craftsmanship and creation; Neravos, the god who judges the souls of the dead; Shavennya, the goddess of the Sacred Flame and protection against dark magic; and the Fates, who spin the threads of mortals’ lives and determine their character. The people of Navessea fear the ghouls—or, as the nobles call them, dremmakin: deep-sea beasts believed to spread curses and misfortunes upon mankind.

Marilia, the Warlord

Ten-year-old Marilia, bastard daughter of a prostitute and a deceased war hero named Nelos Dartimaos, fled her mother’s pillow house (brothel) in the kingdom of Tyrace, along with her twin brother, Annuweth, in order to escape a life of sexual slavery. After a brief run-in with a cruel Tyracian nobleman’s son, Castaval, who badly beat Annuweth with a wooden sword, she made her way to Karthtag-Kal Sandaros, Prefect of the Order of Jade, the elite knights who serve the Emperor of the neighboring, rival kingdom, Navessea.

Due to his love for Marilia’s father, Karthtag-Kal adopted the twin children as his own and brought them to his home, where he raised them and trained them. He told them stories of their father Nelos, who once fought alongside Karthtag-Kal to save Navessea from an invading warlord, Kanadrak, before being killed by one of Kanadrak’s mercenaries, a man named Sethyron Andreas (nicknamed the Graver), who eventually switched sides and was rewarded by the Navessean emperor with the title of lord.

Under Karthtag-Kal’s care, Marilia studied books of history and warfare and impressed him with her skill at Sharavayn, a strategy game that young Navessean noblemen play to hone their skills in preparation for war. Karthtag-Kal’s growing affection for Marilia and his interest in her uncanny skill at the game created a rift between her and Annuweth, as her brother began to become jealous of her abilities and the fact that she had usurped Karthtag-Kal’s affections. Marilia was likewise jealous of Annuweth for his gender and the privileges it carried, frustrated that she was forced to hide her abilities as a tactician and Sharavayn-player from the outside world and frightened by the prospect of becoming a wife and mother someday. The twins began to drift apart.

After she turned sixteen, Marilia was married to Kanediel Paetos, a lord of an island province of Navessea named Svartennos; Annuweth, meanwhile, joined the Order of Jade and was awarded a position as Captain of the Dragonknights, a small subset of the Order that serves as the royal family’s personal bodyguards.

Marilia lived with Kanediel and his sister, Camilline (for whom she began to develop strong romantic feelings, though she was afraid to confess them), for about a year.

Eventually, the island was invaded by the army of Tyrace, seeking to avenge the long-standing religious oppression of Tyracian expatriates in the Navessean province of Dane. Svartennos’ leader, Ben Espeleos, was taken prisoner in a surprise attack, leaving the island’s army under Kanediel’s command. After Kanediel was killed in a duel, Marilia convinced Svartennos’ Elders (a council of lawmakers and priests/priestesses) that she was the answer to an ancient prophecy that stated that the spirit of a long-deceased warrior queen would return in the form of another young woman when the island stood in danger. After some initial resistance, the Elders named Marilia Lady Chrysathamere Reborn and put her in command of the defense of Svartennos. She achieved an incredible victory against overwhelming odds, crushing the Tyracian army in the Battle of Chrysathamere Pass and defeating the Tyracian commander, Tyrennis Nomeratsu.

Marilia and the army of Svartennos joined with the rest of the Navessean army (including her brother, Annuweth, and the Graver) and sailed south to attack Tyracium, the capital city of Tyrace, hoping to end the war. While traveling, Marilia befriended and trained in swordsmanship with Septakim, a skilled knight in the Svartennan army.

Along the way, the Navessean army suffered a crushing naval defeat (The Battle of the Bay of Dane) at the hands of Castaval (now a fully grown Tyracian lord and cunning commander) during which a company of knights under Annuweth’s command were killed, with Annuweth powerless to protect them.

Eventually, with the help of reinforcements from a neighboring friendly city-state, Daevium, Marilia was able to reach Tyracium. Though the attack on Tyracium was a success, many soldiers in Marilia’s army—encouraged by the Graver—pillaged the city and slaughtered many civilians before Marilia could restrain them, including most of Marilia’s childhood friends from her mother’s brothel. In order to save one of her surviving friends from murder at the Graver’s hands, Marilia and Annuweth engaged the Graver in a duel. Marilia was victorious, leaving the Graver badly wounded, but Annuweth was also maimed in the exchange, losing half of one ear, and taking a grisly scar across his face.

With its capital city conquered, King Damar of Tyrace surrendered and signed a peace treaty that included burning Tyrace’s fleet. Impressed by Marilia’s victories and her role in ending the war, Karthtag-Kal offered to ask the Emperor of Navessea to name her the new Prefect of the Order of Jade upon his retirement. However, Marilia declined, sick of war and the empire’s habit of venerating conquerors and warriors above all others. Plagued with guilt for her brother’s suffering, she also lied to Karthtag-Kal and to the Imperial Chronicler who had come to write the story of the war, telling them both that Annuweth had helped her create the strategy that led to Tyrace’s defeat in order to raise their opinion of Annuweth.

Empire of Jackals

Despite her fame and her victory over Tyrace, Marilia was left feeling hollow and empty; Annuweth continued to drift away from her despite her efforts to bridge the gap between them, and she continued to suffer guilt about the fact that her victory brought about the deaths of her friends in the pillow house. Furthermore, she was hurt by the revelation that her beloved, Camilline, had become betrothed to a young and handsome lord of Svartennos, Jariel Valennos.

Annuweth, meanwhile, learned that Karthtag-Kal had planned to name Marilia prefect instead of him, and was crushed and humiliated by the realization, as well as by the feeling that despite all his best efforts, he had been unable to live up to his father’s expectations; during the war, all he managed to do was lead the men under his command to their deaths. He returned home and found comfort in the arms of Petrea, the emperor’s daughter, with whom he was having a secret affair.

Shortly after the end of the war, Emperor Moroweth Vergana of Navessea, seriously ill, made the shocking announcement that his adopted son, Ilruyn (a fine fighter and strategist) would inherit the throne instead of his weak and sickly true-born son, Rufyllys. The emperor also planned to have his daughter, Petrea, marry Ilruyn so that children of the Vergana bloodline would continue to rule the empire.

Petrea loved Rufyllys for being there to comfort her during her mother’s sickness and death in childhood. She hated Ilruyn for upstaging Rufyllys in their father’s eyes. She was appalled by her father’s plan, and especially by the thought of marrying Ilruyn. She convinced Annuweth to help her conspire to overthrow Ilruyn. Annuweth had fallen deeply in love with Petrea and grown increasingly isolated from his family after he returned, traumatized, from the war against Tyrace. He agreed to help Petrea, even knowing that Karthtag-Kal—who was close friends with Ilruyn and Emperor Moroweth Vergana—would never approve.

After discovering that Karthtag-Kal had been having a forbidden gay affair with the emperor’s brother-by-marriage, Livenneth, Annuweth blackmailed his adopted father, threatening to reveal Karthtag-Kal’s homosexuality to Marilia. Afraid of being humiliated, Karthtag-Kal retired from the position of Prefect of the Order of Jade and named Annuweth his successor. As prefect, Annuweth did his best to stock the Order’s ranks with men who would be loyal to Rufyllys, rather than Ilruyn, in the event of a coup.

Petrea secured a powerful alliance of nobles and military leaders to ensure that Rufyllys’ claim to the throne would be secure (including arranging a marriage between Rufyllys and Clariline Gurges, daughter of Navessea’s most powerful naval commander). As part of her plan to ensure a peaceful transition of power, she enlisted the help of the Graver, naming him Governor of Antarenne province in return for the support of his contacts among the commoners, hoping those contacts could prevent a riot since Ilruyn was popular with many of the common-people. This deal sat poorly with Annuweth, but he was reluctantly convinced to allow the Graver’s promotion, with the promise that once Rufyllys was emperor, Rufyllys, Petrea, and Annuweth would find some means of disposing of the Graver and avenging all the evils he had done.

Unknown to Annuweth, when the emperor began to recover from his sickness, Petrea and Rufyllys poisoned him—their own father—to clear the way for Rufyllys’ rise to power.

Petrea’s plan was to confront Ilruyn in the Navessean Senate on the day of his coronation with an overwhelming alliance of Navessea’s most powerful men, forcing him to abdicate his claim to the throne in favor of Rufyllys. However, when confronted, Ilruyn became enraged, taunting Rufyllys in front of the assembled senators. Rufyllys, in turn, ordered Ilruyn’s execution. When a stunned Annuweth was about to carry out Rufyllys’ orders, Karthtag-Kal intervened, defending Ilruyn and attempting to turn Annuweth’s own men in the Order of Jade against him. Afraid that the conspiracy would be undone and that he would be arrested or executed for treason, Annuweth attacked Karthtag-Kal, and, after a duel in the middle of the Senate chamber, killed him. Ilruyn was subsequently executed by knights of the Order of Jade. Incensed by Karthtag-Kal’s murder, several other knights of the Order of Jade—including sergeant Vexaryn and Annuweth’s old sword instructor, Stellos the Steward—attempted to desert, and Annuweth was forced to execute all but Stellos, who fled the city.

Ilruyn’s birth father, Senecal Ikaryn, Governor of the Sunset Isles (a province in the far west of Navessea), received word of Ilruyn’s death. Enraged, he named himself emperor and declared war on Rufyllys. He was helped by Nhykara, a priestess of the Sunset Isles who inflamed the hearts of the native populace of the Isles and inspired them to join Senecal’s cause. Senecal and Nhykara launched a fleet of ships to invade the rest of Navessea.

When Ben Espeleos, leader of Svartennos, learned of the murders of his friends Karthtag-Kal and Ilruyn, he was furious. He also decided to declare war on Rufyllys. He declared himself emperor through his wife, Catarina, eldest daughter of Moroweth Vergana…Rufyllys’ half-sister. He believed that if the army of Svartennos marched against Rufyllys, other governors, likewise appalled by Rufyllys’ acts of treachery, would bring their legions to support Ben’s cause. Ben asked Marilia to join him in his crusade to bring Ilruyn’s and Karthtag-Kal’s killers to justice.

Despite being furious over Annuweth’s role in the conspiracy and Karthtag-Kal’s death, Marilia initially refused Ben, appalled and heartbroken by the prospect of plunging Navessea back into another war so soon after she’d ended the last one at such a terrible cost. She felt partially responsible for the civil war because, if she had become prefect instead of Annuweth (as Karthtag-Kal initially wanted), the conspiracy never would have happened.

Afraid that the outnumbered army of Svartennos would lose morale without Marilia, Catarina—Marilia’s close friend—begged Marilia to come with them, and Marilia eventually agreed. However, Marilia soon discovered that—for reasons unknown—her previous skill at tactics and strategy had deserted her. She was unable to help Ben come up with a battle-plan.

While Rufyllys’ fleet, led by Annuweth, sailed to face Senecal in the west, Ben launched a surprise naval attack on the city of Surennis and managed to capture the city and its governor, Suryn, with the help of a grizzled and honorable Svartennan war hero named Leondos. From there, he marched towards Ulvannis, the capital city of Navessea. However, despite Ben’s hopes, no governors came to join him. To make matters worse, almost half of Ben’s army was destroyed in a surprise attack orchestrated by the Graver, leaving the Svartennans hopelessly outnumbered. They tried to retreat but were cut off by the Graver’s forces (aided by reinforcements led by Governor Suryn’s son) and besieged atop a hill. Ben begged Marilia to help him think his way out of their predicament, but Marilia—tormented by a deep-seated feeling of powerlessness at her inability to foresee her brother’s betrayal, her fear of losing Camilline to Jariel, and her lingering guilt—still found herself unable to strategize the way she used to.

Meanwhile, in the west, Annuweth (accompanied by his two lieutenants and friends, Thoryn Cyrdoreth and Morgarmir-Hai) led the imperial fleet against Senecal’s navy. Although Annuweth succeeded in weakening Senecal’s fleet, forcing Senecal to pull back to the Sunset Isles, Annuweth himself was taken captive during the battle. Senecal and Nhykara locked him in a room filled with blinding sunlight, where, plagued by dehydration, hunger, and heat, Annuweth was left alone to reflect on his sins. Taunted by Senecal, he began to suspect that Petrea’s professed love for him was false, and that she had merely seduced and manipulated him into helping her murder Ilruyn for her own gain.

Eventually, Senecal released Annuweth from his prison and engaged him in single combat, hoping to kill him in front of Senecal’s army in order to boost their morale. However, Senecal’s wife, believing Senecal’s cause was doomed, poisoned Senecal just before the duel. Annuweth was able to kill a weakened Senecal. With Senecal dead, his men turned on each other, and Annuweth was able to defeat the remnants of his supporters, capture Nhykara, and return, victorious, to Ulvannis.

Meanwhile, on the hill where the Svartennan army was trapped, Camilline finally confessed her love for Marilia, explaining that despite her desire to marry Jariel in order to carry on her family—as was her duty as the last surviving heir of her house—she deeply cared for Marilia and always would. Camilline’s declaration of love provided Marilia with the spur she needed to finally free herself from the crippling doubt that had prevented her from strategizing. With Marilia’s help, the Svartennans were able to defeat the Graver’s army of Antarenne during the Battle on the Hill. During the fighting, Marilia killed the Graver’s top lieutenant, Dorokim, and overpowered the Graver himself, sending him tumbling down a hill; she lost consciousness shortly thereafter, leaving the Graver’s final whereabouts unknown.

Humbled by the close call they’d had, Ben promised Catarina that he would retreat to Svartennos and call off the war. But just as soon as he’d written a letter to Rufyllys asking for peace, letters of support from some of the governors of Navessea began to arrive, including from Governor Ephrayenne of Neravenne, brother of the Chronicler, and Governor Victarian Ildoran of Dane (nicknamed Victarian the Cautious), who had once been married to one of Ben’s cousins before she passed away. The letters stated that the governors were inspired by Marilia’s seemingly impossible victory over the Graver’s army and wished to join Ben’s uprising.

Annuweth returned to Ulvannis depressed and full of guilt over his role in starting the war. Learning that Rufyllys intended to kill Ben and his closest allies to ensure peace, and believing that his sister had no chance against Rufyllys’ schemes and would soon die, Annuweth planned to commit suicide by throwing himself off the Jade Keep (the royal castle at the heart of Navessea). Before he could, Petrea found him and told him that she was pregnant with his child. Convinced that his duty was to stay and help create a better, more peaceful world for his child to live in and to atone for his mistakes, Annuweth allowed Petrea to talk him down from jumping. The two decided to marry.

Ben, Catarina, and Marilia held council together to discuss an offer by Victarian Ildoran of Dane to join his army to Ben’s in exchange for a betrothal between Victarian’s son and Ben and Catarina’s eight-year-old daughter, Claria…

Glossary of Terms

A

Aeder – a crystal-like substance used to craft swords. Comes in several colors—amethyst, red, blue, green, gold.

Aerael Dartimaos – cousin of Marilia and Annuweth, one of the strategoi of Svartennos. Suffered a humiliating defeat at the Graver’s hands in Book II, which resulted in the deaths of approximately five thousand Svartennan soldiers.

Akeleos – a knight of Svartennos and loyal follower of Marilia. Member of her Flower Company. Also the name of Queen Svartana’s son, a historical figure.

Almarenne – a small town on the northern border of Dane.

Almaria – a goddess of Navessea. Goddess of healing and mercy.

Andreas, Sethyron (aka the Graver) – a wealthy lord of Navessea and currently Governor of Antarenne. Master swordsman. Marilia and Annuweth’s nemesis after he murdered their childhood friends. Was once a Tyracian noble before he accidentally blinded King Damar’s right eye in a duel with wooden swords as a child. Exiled to the northlands, he became a mercenary and fought against Navessea before switching sides in exchange for a pardon and the title of Navessean lord.

Annuweth Sandaros – current Prefect of the Order of Jade and one of the two protagonists of the series.

Antarenne – a province on the north-eastern coast of Navessea, also the capital city of that province.

Antiriel – one of the strategoi of Svartennos. Hates the Tyracians for killing his sons in a battle. Blinded in battle.

Aram – a Tyracian knight in the service of Castaval.

Aryn – the historical first emperor of Navessea.

B

Ben (Beniel) Espeleos – current claimant to the throne of Navessea through his wife. A skilled but brash swordsman. Prince (military leader) of Svartennos.

C

Camilline Paetia – the sister of Marilia’s late husband, Marilia’s close friend and romantic interest. Lady of Svartennos, a skilled rider.

Castaval – a Tyracian nobleman cunning and skilled in battle. Responsible for Tyrace’s greatest victory over Navessea in the Battle of the Bay of Dane.

Catarina Espelea (nee Vergana) – eldest daughter of the late emperor Moroweth Vergana, wife of Ben Espeleos. According to Ben and the people of Svartennos, the rightful Empress of Navessea. Rufyllys and Petrea’s half-sister, Marilia’s close friend.

Chicaya – a winged insect used for its soothing song and to carry messages (like a carrier pigeon).

Chronicler – a position on the royal council, the individual responsible for writing down the history of Navessea’s important events. The post is currently held by Chronicler Ephrayenne, brother of the Governor of Neravenne.

Chrysathamere – a blue-colored flower; also the nickname of Queen Svartana, a famous Svartennan war hero; also the nickname given to Marilia, who is believed by the Svartennans to be the spirit of Svartana reborn.

Claria Espelea – the eight-to-nine-year-old daughter of Ben and Catarina, heir to Svartennos.

Clariline Vergana (nee Gurges) – Rufyllys Vergana’s ambitious wife. She married him as part of an arranged marriage to ensure that the powerful Gurges family would be loyal to Rufyllys.

Cossotos – a famously evil and paranoid usurper in Navessea’s history.

Crescens – Master of Ceremonies, responsible for putting on games and festivals. Also former captain of the emperor’s favorite chariot-racing team (the Reds), with a network of thugs and enforcers (called the Red Hand) used to collect debts on behalf of the team and to spy for Rufyllys.

Cyrdoreth – a wealthy and powerful Navessean noble family. The head of the family serves as the Master of the Treasury on the imperial council. His son, Thoryn, is one of the lieutenants in the Order of Jade.

D

Daevium – a city-state to the north of Navessea. Frequent military ally to Svartennos. The Duchess (leader of the city-state) is a friend of Camilline’s and Marilia’s.

Damar – the current one-eyed king of Tyrace. Defeated in war by the Navesseans about a year ago.

Dane – the southern-most province of Navessea. It used to belong to Tyrace, and many followers of the Tyracian religion still dwell there (and are sometimes oppressed by the Navessean governors). Tyrace wants it back.

Dorokim – a huge and strong warrior, formerly the Graver’s second-in-command. Killed by Marilia in Book II.

Dragonknights – the personal bodyguards of the emperors of Navessea and the royal family. A subset of the Order of Jade.

Dremmakin – called ghouls by commoners. A race in the Navessean religion that once dominated the earth before they were cast down by their human slaves after angering the gods. Believed to torment the souls of the damned. Supposedly, they live at the bottom of the sea.

E

Elders of Svartennos - the council of twelve men and women responsible for passing Svartennos’ laws and interpreting the will of the island’s gods. Marilia considered joining them in Book II.

Ephrayenne – a noble house of Navessea. One member of the house serves as the Governor of Neravenne. Another is the Imperial Chronicler.

F

The Fates – goddesses of Navessea that play a role in determining the character/nature of men and women when they are born.

G

Garryn – a Dragonknight in the Order of Jade, who beheaded Ilruyn at Annuweth and Rufyllys’ orders.

Graver– a nickname for Andreas, Sethyron, above. Also a term that refers to those who tend the bodies of the dead before they are burned.

Guardians – a group of militia peacekeepers responsible for policing the capital of Navessea when the Order of Jade is off fighting with the emperor.

Gurges – one of the noble families of Navessea. The head of the family is a prominent naval commander in Rufyllys’ service. His daughter is married to Rufyllys.

H

Habithra – a sash worn by Navessean and Tyracian women to protect them from the curses of the dremmakin/ghouls.

House of White Sands – essentially, a Navessean version of heaven.

I

Ildoran – a noble house of Navessea. Its head, Victarian, is the Governor of Dane.

Ildorys Livenneth – currently the head of House Livenneth, cousin to Rufyllys Vergana. A secret supporter of Marilia’s.

Ilruyn Ikaryn-Vergana – born to Prefect Senecal Ikaryn, he was adopted as a son/hostage by Moroweth Vergana when Moroweth became emperor so that his father would not challenge Moroweth’s rule. Eventually, Moroweth fell in love with the boy and named him his heir over his true-born son, Rufyllys. He was executed on Rufyllys’ orders as part of a conspiracy to take the throne in Book II, an event that started off Navessea’s civil war.

Isara Gurges – the wife of the Gurges paterfamilias, Empress Clariline’s mother. An ambitious woman who puts family above all else.

J

Jariel Valennos – Camilline’s childhood friend, a strategos of Svartennos, and Marilia’s rival for Camilline’s affections. At the end of Book II, Marilia and Jariel struck up a grudging friendship.

K

Kanadrak – an infamous warlord who tried to conquer Navessea about two decades ago. He was killed in a duel against Karthtag-Kal.

Kanediel Paetos – Marilia’s late husband. He was killed in a duel in Book I.

Karthtag-Kal Sandaros – former Prefect of the Order of Jade, war hero. Adopted Marilia and Annuweth and raised them as his children. Honorable to a fault, but partially responsible for the sibling rivalry between Annuweth and Marilia. He was killed by a reluctant Annuweth when he tried to turn Annuweth’s own men against him in order to protect Ilruyn from Rufyllys’ conspiracy.

Konos – an elderly and wise strategos of Svartennos. Taken captive and later executed by the Graver in Book II.

Korennis – an island province to the north of Navessea, and the capital city of that province. Governor Gurges is currently in charge.

L

Laekos – strategos of Svartennos.

Leondos – a quiet, honorable, and fierce warrior. Strategos of Svartennos. Carried Marilia from the fight during the Battle on the Hill in Book II after she passed out from exhaustion.

Livenneth – a noble house of Navessea; also, the surname of the emperor’s brother-by-marriage, Karthtag-Kal’s secret gay lover who was killed in battle against the Tyracians in Book I.

M

Magarenne – a province of Navessea, and the capitol city of that province.

Marilia Sandara – one of the two main protagonists of the series. Called Lady Chrysathamere by the Svartennans.

Mollagora – the king of the dremmakin/ghouls in the Navessean religion.

Morgarmir-Hai – a lieutenant of the Order of Jade hailing from the northlands. Annuweth’s friend. Worships Zantos, the God of Death, and cut off his own ear as an offering in return for strength in battle. Slightly insane but good-natured.

Moroweth Vergana – the former Emperor of Navessea. A skilled and fair ruler, but a poor father. Unknown to the rest of the world, he did not die of a sickness, but was poisoned by his son, Rufyllys, and his daughter, Petrea, after he planned to marry Petrea off to Ilruyn and disinherit Rufyllys.

N

Narinia – the leader of the Elders of Svartennos.

Naxos – a province of Navessea known for its horses. The ancestral home of House Vergana is located in this province. Also, the capital city of that province.

Nelos Dartimaos – Marilia and Annuweth’s birth father, a famous war hero and skilled knight. Killed by the Graver in a duel.

Neravenne – an island province in the north of Navessea, and the capital city of that province. Currently controlled by Governor Ephrayenne.

Neravos – the god of Navessea responsible for passing judgment on the souls of the dead.

Neronyn – a skilled smith, responsible for forging Marilia’s sword. Friend of Karthtag-Kal.

Nhykara – priestess of the Sunset Isles, advisor to Senecal Ikaryn during his fight for the throne. She was arrested by Annuweth after Senecal’s death and brought back in chains to Ulvannis.

Nomeratsu – a tyrennis (lord) of Tyrace. His right hand was cut off when his army was defeated in battle by Marilia’s in Book I.

O

Oba’al – a pimp who ran the brothel where Marilia’s mother worked, and where Marilia and Annuweth spent their first ten years. Planned to sell Marilia into a life of sexual slavery. Killed by the Graver’s soldiers in Book I.

Obai – a tyrennis (lord) of Tyrace, one of the potential claimants to the Tyracian throne if Castaval were to die.

Olegai – a tyrennis (lord) of Tyrace, one of the potential claimants to the Tyracian throne if Castaval were to die.

One-Eye – a client of the brothel Marilia’s mother worked in. He taught Marilia to play strategy games as a young girl. He displayed pedophilic tendencies, attempting to purchase Marilia as his servant and bring her to live with him. Eventually, he was overcome with guilt and changed his mind. He was killed when Tyracium was conquered by the Navessean army at the end of Book I.

Optakim – Senecal Ikaryn’s second-in-command (formerly). A knight in command of the imperial legions in the Sunset Isles.

Order of Jade – the emperor’s personal army of three thousand elite soldiers, stationed in Ulvannis, the capital.

Osurris – a city in Navessea near the capital, where much of the imperial fleet is located.

P

Petrea Vergana – wife of Annuweth, sister of Rufyllys, daughter of late emperor Moroweth Vergana. Cunning and beautiful. Responsible for orchestrating the conspiracy that allowed Rufyllys to take the throne. Currently pregnant with Annuweth’s child.

Prefect – the leader of the Order of Jade. Title currently held by Annuweth Sandaros.

Pylennis – a province of Navessea, and the capital city of that province.

R

Rufyllys Vergana – the current emperor of Navessea. Called the usurper by Marilia and her allies because of the way he took the throne after killing his adopted brother, Ilruyn, despite his father’s wishes that Ilruyn inherit the throne.

S

Scalian Priferneth – knight from a disgraced noble family. Once engaged to marry Petrea. The marriage was cancelled due to his family’s involvement in several scandals. Now he fights alongside the Graver.

Senate – a body of nobles in Navessea that passes laws for the emperor to sign and observes the crowning of a new emperor.

Senecal Ikaryn – Ilruyn’s birth father. Former Governor of the Sunset Isles. He was forced to give up his son to Moroweth Vergana as a hostage when Ilruyn was in his early teens. Years later, after Ilruyn was killed, he declared himself emperor and waged war against Rufyllys for control of the empire. He captured and tortured Annuweth by locking him in a cave full of hot, blinding sunlight for weeks on end. He was poisoned by his own wife at the end of Book II.

Septakim – a Dragonknight with a dry sense of humor assigned to protect Catarina on Svartennos. Marilia’s friend; he trained her in sword-fighting in Book I and fought beside her in both prior books.

Sharavayn – a game designed to simulate war that is played by young Navessea noblemen. Marilia proved herself a prodigy at the game, defeating several of the empire’s best players as a child.

Shavennya – a goddess of Navessea. Supposedly, as long as the Sacred Flame in Shavennya’s temple is lit, Navessea will never fall.

Silvakim – a large sandworm species that lives in Tyrace.

Sothia – a goddess of Navessea. Also called the Artificer.

Strategos/strategoi – a term used to describe the military leaders/most powerful lords of Svartennos. They are commanded in battle by the Prince of Svartennos and make up his war council.

Stellos – former Steward of the Order of Jade. He tutored Annuweth in swordsmanship when Annuweth was a boy. He resigned from the Order in protest after Karthtag-Kal was killed and went to live with Marilia and her friends on Svartennos.

Stoics – a group of philosophers Karthtag-Kal admires that preach that emptying yourself of desire and making peace with your duty is the way to be happy.

Sunset Isles – an island province in the far west of Navessea. Formerly controlled by Senecal Ikaryn. The natives of the island practice a different, monotheistic sun-based religion from the rest of Navessea.

Surennis – a province on the eastern coast of Navessea, and the capital city of that province. Conquered by Ben Espeleos and the Svartennans during the beginning of Ben’s war against Rufyllys Vergana in Book II.

Suryn – a noble family of Navessea. The head of the family was Governor of Surennis. He was taken captive by the Svartennan army during Ben’s uprising against Rufyllys. Another member of the family was killed by Ben and Marilia’s soldiers at the end of Book II. The family seeks revenge against Ben and Marilia.

Svartana – also known as the Lady Chrysathamere. A historical warrior-queen of Svartennos. Many Svartennans believe Marilia contains the reborn spirit of this legendary hero.

Svartennos – an island province in the far east of Navessea. While the Svartennans worship the same gods as the rest of Navessea, they also hold to some of their own traditions and worship a few of their own gods, as well. Marilia lives on this island since she was married to one of its lords. Currently, the island is in rebellion against the rest of Navessea, believing its leader, Ben Espeleos, to be the true emperor through his wife, Catarina.

T

Thoryn Cyrdoreth – Lieutenant of the Order of Jade. Son of the Master of the Treasury. Annuweth’s witty friend. A skilled swordsman.

Thyre – a city-state to the far west of Navessea.

Tyrace – a mostly desert kingdom to the south of Navessea. Navessea’s greatest rival. The two countries recently fought a war, which Navessea won thanks to Marilia’s efforts.

Tyracium – the capital city of Tyrace. Conquered and looted (over Marilia’s objections) by Marilia’s army at the end of Book I. Marilia and Annuweth spent the first ten years of their lives in this city.

Tyrennis – a title for a Tyracian nobleman, equivalent to a lord or baron. Prominent tyrenni include Castaval (before he becomes king), Nomeratsu, Obai, and Olegai.

U

Ulvannis – the capital city of Navessea.

Urian – a famous emperor who was a philosopher, poet, and skilled strategist; responsible for writing many of Navessea’s most well-read books on strategy and tactics.

V

Vaerennis – a province in the south of Navessea, and the capital city of that province.

Valennos, Prefect (aka the Morning Star) – famous hero in Navessean history who heroically died fighting a usurper.

Vergiriel – Harbormaster of Svartennos. One of the island’s strategoi. Cousin to Ben Espeleos.

Vexaryn – a knight of the Order of Jade who was executed by Annuweth after he tried to desert rather than fight for Rufyllys. His father is a knight in the service of Governor Victarian Ildoran of Dane.

Victarian Ildoran – Governor of Dane. At the end of Book II, he offered to join Ben’s uprising against Rufyllys.

Victaryn Livenneth – current Captain of the Dragonknights in the Order of Jade. Annuweth’s childhood friend, cousin to Rufyllys and Petrea.

Visithea-Hai – cocky and quick-witted female captain in the Tiger Company, a mercenary army in the northlands.

Viveos – most powerful of the gods of Navessea. The sun god. Often depicted holding a lantern. The High Priest of Viveos helps crown the new emperor.

Y

Yalaeda – Navessean goddess of mysteries.

Ylexos – a province of Navessea, and the capital city of that province.

Yoba – large, insect-like creatures harvested for their meat and for their thick shells, which is used to fashion armor.

Z

Zantos – the Navessean God of Death.

Zev (Zeviel) Espeleos – Ben’s younger brother. A poor military leader. Killed Marilia’s husband in a duel when they disagreed over military strategy and was later killed by Tyracian soldiers during the Battle of Chrysathamere Pass. Killed Camilline’s mentally handicapped sister when they were both children.

Prologue

Marilia stood across from Ben and Catarina. Governor Victarian Ildoran’s letter lay on the table between them. An offer of a meeting in the nearby town of Almarenne. Of an alliance—a chance to continue the war…to force the usurper, Rufyllys Vergana, off his throne.

Catarina had her doubts. It was more than understandable; her husband’s valiant—but misguided—attempt to wage a war for the crown had nearly resulted in the annihilation of the Svartennan army. They’d only escaped by a hair’s breadth, thanks to Marilia’s last-minute plan and Ben’s battlefield heroics. We were going to negotiate for peace, Catarina reminded Ben. "That was your promise. We get out of the last battle alive, and we write to the usurper…to my half-brother…and end the war. We can have peace on our terms, Ben."

Do we really want to risk everything again after we came so close to disaster the last time? Catarina’s doubtful expression seemed to say. Like a gambler after too many cups, who doesn’t know when to quit?

Is that what Ben is—a gambler without restraint? Marilia wondered. Is that what this entire war has been?

Things are different now, Ben protested. I understand why the governors wouldn’t join us before. I don’t respect it, but I understand—they were afraid of Rufyllys. But now—we’ve proved ourselves. He took Catarina’s hands in his. His eyes were wide and earnest. This battle here—it was just what Governor Ephrayenne said in his letter…a signal fire to all the empire. To let them know what we can do—what the Lady Chrysathamere can do. To show them they don’t have to be afraid of a usurper and a tyrant.

I’m not letting you decide, Catarina told her husband. No offense, but I trust the Lady Chrysathamere’s judgment a little more. Ben looked mildly offended, but he gave a brief nod of the head, as if to say—fair.

Catarina turned to look at Marilia. What do you think, Marilia?

Ask yourself this, Ben said. What would Karthtag-Kal want? What would he really want?

What would my father want? Marilia thought. It was a difficult question; she chewed on her lip until it began to bleed.

She’d told Ben not to march to war in the first place; she’d told him what the price would be: the pyres of the dead. The screams and the physicks’ bone-saws. If they went forward, there would be more of that. If they went back, no one else needed to die.

But if they went back, the five thousand Svartennans who had already given their lives for Ben’s cause would have died for nothing—and that wasn’t even counting the thousands of dead on the enemy side—the soldiers of the southern legions who, bound by duty to their commanders, had tried to stop Ben’s march. The friends of those dead men would return home to walk among familiar halls scarred by the empty, silent places their loved ones had once stood, a silence more damning than any curse.

What could be said to those spirits, or to the ones they’d left behind?

Oops…we thought we were fighting for something important—for the fate of the empire. For honor and justice. That’s what we told you—but it turns out it wasn’t that important, after all. Sorry you all had to die just so we could conquer a hill. We’re going to turn around and go home now.

Then the usurper and his allies—who had murdered the true emperor, along with Marilia’s father, who had spat in the eyes of the gods—they would never face justice, unless it came at the Fates’ hands.

The Fates, Marilia suspected, could not be counted on for such things.

Marilia? Catarina prompted her.

Above all, Karthtag-Kal had been a man of honor. He’d believed in peace—but he’d also believed in duty. He’d believed that some things were worth fighting for. One of those things was a world where you could look into a child’s eyes and tell them—with a straight face, without lying—not only that betrayal was wrong, but that those who betrayed got what they deserved. That there was justice not only in Neravos’ halls, but on earth, too.

What was the alternative? Write back to the usurper and surrender? Tell the world that the recent victory that Governor Ildoran had found so inspiring—the most impressive victory of Marilia’s life—was all for nothing? Just a footnote on the pages of history, a forgotten march that went forward and then back, wasting all that blood for nothing, changing nothing?

I don’t know for sure, Marilia admitted. But I think Karthtag-Kal would fight.

He would, Ben agreed, quick to seize the opportunity. For everyone who’s gone, for everyone who’s still living—if we have the power to see Rufyllys Vergana off the throne, we have to try.

So it was agreed. The three of them joined hands, standing together in the sea-stone hall of Surennis while the waves broke on the shore outside and the sun turned the ocean’s white foam to gold.

They would meet with Governor Ildoran of Dane, betroth Ben and Catarina’s daughter, Claria, to his son, and join his mighty army to theirs.

And then…

One step at a time, Marilia stopped herself. Don’t get ahead of yourself—don’t be like Ben. It’s still a long race to run, and we’ll run it slow and steady.

We ride to Almarenne, Ben said; he’d always had a weakness for melodramatic pronouncements. Catarina caught Marilia’s eyes and rolled her own.

For justice, hope, valor, and the light of the gods, Catarina added, in a tone so entirely serious that Marilia had to stifle a laugh.

You’re mocking me, aren’t you? Ben asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

Your majesty, Catarina said sweetly, I would never.

***

They rode south through the foothills of Dane. A dozen of Ben’s household knights galloped ahead, their green-gold armor resplendent in the light of the rising sun. Marilia’s friends rode beside her—Ben and Catarina on her right, Jariel Valennos on her left; since Jariel’s great-uncle, Prefect Valennos, had once fought heroically alongside one of Dane’s most beloved governors, Ben had figured bringing him along to meet the current Governor of Dane couldn’t hurt.

It was the same group of friends that had often gathered for meals in Ben’s command tent, save one omission—Camilline was gone, on her way to the northlands. Ben had decided to make her his personal ambassador to Daevium, given the friendship she’d struck up with the city-state’s Duchess the last time she’d been there. Camilline would sail north and beg the Duchess to lend a few thousand men to help Ben take the throne.

It was a shame she was missing today; she loved a good horseback ride more than anyone, and this one was shaping up to be quite splendid. Clear sky, crisp wind, and the smell of wildflowers on the air.

Gravelly earth crunched beneath their horses’ hooves; birds, roused by the noise of Ben’s party, took to the sky, filling the morning air with their song. As the sun finished cresting the mountains to the east, the last, lingering chill of the night began to burn away.

They threaded their way through rocky foothills and groves of olive trees until they rounded a bend and saw the town ahead of them—Almarenne, the holy site where, legend had it, Almaria the Blessed had once come to whisper the secrets of knowledge in Neravos’ ear.

The grass outside the town was strewn with the gold claria flowers that had given Ben and Catarina’s daughter her name and adorned the Danish flag. Below her, in a gap between the trees, Marilia saw a collection of houses, a small market, stables and several pastures of yoba encircled in rickety wooden fencing; at the far end of the market, at the edge of a bluff overlooking a river, she could make out the curved, winged walls of Almaria’s temple. While the other buildings were made of plain, yellow-brown clay, the temple was painted a crisp, pristine white.

A little closer, a building equally large, though not nearly so graceful, flew the rust-red banners of Dane, the gold claria flower beaming proudly in their center.

Victarian Ildoran stood before the hall’s entrance, flanked by several of his knights. He was a man of average height, maybe thirty years of age, if Marilia had to guess. He was handsome, she saw, with sharp features and an elegant goatee—his hair well-combed, his gold cloak thrown dashingly over one shoulder…but she judged that he was strong and trim beneath his cloak and the fine armor he wore. A fighter, like Ben. He might have been nicknamed Victarian the Cautious, but it seemed he had finally found his courage.

His cautiousness in the flesh, Ben remarked. I was starting to worry he wouldn’t show up. After all, if the events of the past weeks have shown me anything, it’s that the Fates truly love to fuck me. He shrugged. It’s understandable, I suppose. I’ve been told I’m a good lay… Catarina squawked in protest. …but at some point, the debauchery has to stop. He frowned, peering closer. That is quite a cloak. I want one.

You’d look ridiculous, Catarina said.

I think the words you’re looking for are crushingly handsome.

I think that the lady, being as articulate as she always is, knows better than the rest of us what words she was looking for, Jariel said.

Well, haven’t you become presumptuous, Ben scolded. I am your emperor, in case you’ve forgotten. You don’t get to speak to me that way, Valennos.

"But I do, Catarina said. And, unfortunately, I have to agree with Jariel’s assessment. Might need a new helmet to go with the cloak, the way your head keeps swelling."

Ouch. If the Graver’s men were half so good with their swords as you are with your wit, my lady, I’d have bled out in our last battle.

They slowed their horses to a walk. Funny thing, Ben remarked. All the strategizing and tromping about with swords…but it’s a betrothal that’s made the greatest difference in this damned war. He glanced sideways at Marilia. Come to think of it…you’re unattached. Don’t suppose there’s any handsome young governors with large armies you’d take a fancy to?

Marilia’s stomach lurched. It was a possibility she hadn’t considered; one, perhaps, she ought to have done.

What—willing to barter Claria away, but not yourself?

Of course, it was a little different. Claria was fond Governor Ildoran’s eldest son. Whereas Marilia…

She was fond of someone entirely different.

"Maybe she could find someone to take a fancy to, Catarina said. But I think the Lady Chrysathamere’s place is on Svartennos—the people of our island would be none too happy if she were to sail away to join a husband in some far-off province. And there are few Navessean husbands who would be willing to make their home on Svartennos. Few, too, who would take a warrior as their bride."

But there was a knowing look in Catarina’s eye as she shot down Ben’s suggestion—a look that made Marilia wonder if Catarina well knew just who Marilia had taken a fancy to. She wouldn’t have been surprised; Catarina had always been impressively perceptive.

Ben grunted. True enough. Well, it’s something to consider, I suppose.

If it comes to that, Marilia said, hoping very much that it wouldn’t.

Only, she thought, a political marriage, a union of convenience, and only if there was no other way…if it was a choice between her marriage and the failure of Ben’s campaign, and her hand was the price that had to be paid for victory.

That won’t be necessary, she told herself. Catarina’s right; the lords of mainland Navessea won’t want to marry a sword-wielding wild woman from a far-flung island province. Even if they did, Ben had plenty else to bribe them with, once he won his crown; positions on the royal council would open up, along with governorships…and the Order of Jade would need a new prefect, once her brother’s day of reckoning came.

They brought their horses to a halt. Ben swung to the ground and the others followed him. Two guards remained at his side; the others hung back, tending to the horses.

Prince Espeleos, Victarian said. Marilia supposed he thought it would be inappropriate to use your majesty before Ben had been formally crowned in the Senate. Or maybe it was a reminder that Victarian’s fealty was still conditional, at least until Victarian’s son and Ben’s daughter had been formally betrothed.

Governor Ildoran. I salute you. Ben raised his eyebrows. You’re all armored up.

Of course, Victarian said. Dress like a warrior to greet a warrior. It is a warrior’s business we are about.

You look most excellent.

Victarian blinked. He looked taken aback by the compliment. Thank you.

I got the present you sent. Ben drew a gold aeder sword from the sheath at his belt…a sword Marilia knew well. She marveled at the play of light on the blade. It was beautiful, like a piece of sunlight ripped from the heavens—and deadly. This was the blade that had butchered her friends in Oba’al’s pillow house, that had nearly ended her own life several times.

The Graver’s blade.

It had come with Victarian’s letter. Seeking to escape Ben’s light cavalry—who had pursued them south after the battle—six of the Graver’s knights, along with the governor himself, had crossed over into Danish territory. They had sought refuge in Almarenne, searching for a place where their governor could rest and heal from the injury he’d taken on the battlefield. Only a day later, Victarian’s men, having received word of the intrusion, arrived and took all the Antarenne knights into custody. The Graver was now Victarian’s prisoner, and, if the governor’s letter was to be believed, gravely ill; the wound Marilia had given him had begun to fester, and the physicks weren’t sure they could save him. That was part of the reason Ben’s party had hurried here so fast; so that Marilia could face her enemy, one last time, with her friends at her side.

Is the filth still alive? Ben asked.

He lives, Victarian confirmed. He may yet live a long time from now.

If he does, it should be in a prison cell. Can I see him?

Yes. Soon.

I think I’m going to give his sword to the Lady Chrysathamere, Ben said. It just occurred to me—she deserves it more than I do. She’s the one who beat him.

Is she? Victarian asked.

Her plan that crushed his army, Catarina confirmed, with a touch of what sounded like vicarious pride. Her blow that knocked him down the hill.

Victarian’s eyes lingered on Marilia for a moment. Once, she might have flushed under his gaze. Once, she might have worried about whether she measured up. Not anymore. She met his eyes squarely; ever since the Battle on the Hill, she’d felt bolder than she had since she first raised her banner over Chrysathamere Pass.

Fair enough, the governor said.

I don’t want that sword, she told Ben. Fine aeder it might be, but it had killed too many of her friends for her to ever want to touch it.

Understandable. Ben slid the sword back into its sheath. Maybe I’ll keep it, after all. He didn’t sound displeased by the prospect. So…to business, then?

Victarian hadn’t moved. His eyes were full of emotion, and there was a keen light in them as he looked from Ben to Marilia and back again. I want you to know that your victory on that hill—no one will forget it, he said earnestly. Even if Emperor Vergana wishes it might be so. Word spreads. Which philosopher was it who said that trying to contain a legend is like trying to stop sand from slipping through your fingers?

I’m not sure, Ben admitted. I never was much for philosophy. Catarina might know.

Victarian smiled ruefully. No; you are for war. That much, I have always known.

It was actually the poet, believe it or not, Catarina said. Annuweth Long-Spear.

Well. I guess poets are good for something, after all, Ben said. The world is full of wonders. Shall we head inside? he asked Victarian. Discuss the betrothal? I’m guessing you already had one of your magistrates draw up a contract?

Ben… Victarian’s voice was tight. This isn’t what you think it is.

Ben frowned, not understanding. What is it, then?

It’s an execution.

Movement to their right. Jariel saw it first. Ben! He lunged for his emperor, shoving Ben aside.

An arrow took him in the eye.

Catarina screamed.

More arrows slammed into them, cracking into their armor, skidding off the plates. Marilia staggered as two struck her in the chest, driving through the yoba-shell plates to catch in the vest she wore beneath. Beside her, Ben raised an arm to shield his unarmored face and one of his guards threw himself in front of Catarina, who was not wearing any armor at all.

They came from all sides. They streamed from the open doors of the houses; they threw aside the awnings that had covered the market stalls. They rose from the tall grass on either side of the road. The Graver was there with them, a red aeder sword in his hands, a smile of triumph on his face. He lunged at one of Ben’s guards as Victarian’s archers threw aside their bows and drew their swords.

No…Marilia thought, in disbelief. No, this can’t be happening, this isn’t real…

Somehow, her body moved—all those long lessons drilled into her by Karthtag-Kal and Septakim were instinct by now. She drew her own sword.

There are too many, she thought, dazed. We’ll never make it.

But Ben was fighting like Neravos himself. With a mighty kick he sent the Graver tumbling back. His sword flashed left and right, high and low, with perfect precision, severing a man’s knee, slicing through another’s eyes. His fist lashed out and a knight’s face simply collapsed, teeth and blood spraying across Jariel’s fallen body.

Oh, by the gods…Jariel…

What will Camilline think when she finds out?

Marilia stared at him and felt a scream build inside her.

Catarina stumbled towards the horses only to draw back as more enemies on horseback appeared at the end of the road they’d just ridden down.

A sword hit Marilia in the arm. Her armor stopped the blow, but it still hit hard enough to leave a bruise. She felt the pain distantly. She dropped low, stabbing up with her short-sword as her dueling sword snapped up above her head to stop her attacker’s second blow. Her short-sword found the enemy knight’s groin. She watched him collapse, wailing, an awful, high-pitched sound like steam escaping from beneath the lid of an iron pot.

It was a hollow victory. Most of Ben’s guards were down. Victarian’s men closed over them, their arms pumping as they filled the Svartennan knights with aeder.

We’re going to die, Marilia thought. This isn’t how I thought it would happen. It’s not supposed to be like this. It can’t be like this. Spirits, help us! Do something!

The river! Catarina yelled, pointing. Marilia looked. There, beyond three rows of houses and a stretch of open ground that must have been only fifty feet long, was the edge of the bluff. Below it, the river.

Yes. We can jump!

What if you don’t survive the fall…what if your friends don’t? What if you all drown in your armor?

What other choice is there?

None.

She ran. She couldn’t feel her feet on the ground. Even though she could taste blood and her arm was throbbing and she’d just seen Jariel die, it still didn’t quite feel real.

I’m going to wake up in my tent and Camilline will hold me and ask me why I was screaming—it must have been a horrible dream. And I’ll tell her yes, it was worse than all the others, the worst one I’ve ever had, but it’s over now. And I’ll hold her, and she’ll touch my hair and when I wake up, the sun will be bright and I’ll be on my way to Dane with Catarina, Ben and Jariel, off to meet Victarian, who’s going to help us.

A man lunged into her path. She saw his dueling sword cut at her face, saw a blue aeder sword—her sword, actually—get in the way so that his bounced off, saw that same blue aeder sword thrust forward so that the hilt smashed him in the face, dropping him like a sack of flour.

Did I do that? It doesn’t feel like I did that.

They were at the edge of the town; they were past the edge of town. She could hear the water rushing not far ahead.

One of the Graver’s lieutenants—Scalian Priferneth, who’d been with him during the Battle on the Hill—stepped out of nowhere, short-sword thrusting.

She caught him by the wrist and hung on for all she was worth, her muscles against his, straining, panting. But he was too strong for her; he wrenched his arm free of her grip and rammed his sword into her guts.

The point went through her yoba-shell plates, through her vest and her tunic and into her skin and muscle. The pain was what finally convinced her this was real; pain never lied. She folded in on herself while a feeling like being gripped with burning red talons ripped through her body with enough force to make her want to vomit.

That was for our army, you filth.

The Governor of Dane stepped over her as she mewled on the ground like a baby.

Ben Espeleos was down on one knee. The ground around him was strewn with the bodies of his fallen enemies, nearly a dozen of them. At the end, he had fought like a tiger.

It wasn’t enough.

He tried to rise but something was wrong with his right leg; it buckled, and he