To Drown on Sunken Land: The Swarming Death, #4

By Steffen Larken

An angry sea, a blackened sky, and sinking lands... Will Veric survive his journey?

Veric sets out for the Krymean Crowns to look for clues on the mysterious Kurhen.

As the ship sets off, a huge storm breaks... and the whole world around them begins to crumble apart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ASG Worlds
• Release date: May 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9782493671042

Book preview

1.

The rain was relentless. It poured from the heavens to pummel the lands. Lightning streaked the sky as thunder clapped.

The ground shook for miles and miles. The tremors were so violent that you could see trees falling, walls cracking, earth splitting.

Winds howled, blowing dust, rocks, branches into the air. Vision became blurry, obscured.

The sun had disappeared hours prior behind dark, shifting, angry clouds.

There were no animals in sight, not even birds. Creatures such as these can sense bad things coming. Those that had not fled to safety—assuming there was any safety left anywhere—were likely dead by now, fallen down some deep crevice.

The ship rocked left and right.

Between the assailing winds, the hurting earth, and the agitated waves, it would be a miracle if it did not go under...

And then the waters rose.

Except, it wasn’t the water that was rising...

It was the land that was sinking.

2.

It was sunny that morning when I met Sandrin at the city square. Even the cold northern breeze could not blacken my mood. I had not realized how eager I was to investigate the Krymean Crowns—even though I had no clear sense of what it was exactly that I was looking for.

My long-haired friend waved when she saw me, though I could sense right away that she was upset.

What’s wrong? I asked.

I’m not in yet, she said with a click of her tongue.

She meant the militia, of course. She had been trying for some time to enroll.

How is that possible?

Throwing her hands in the air, she shook her head. I wish I knew. What more do they want from me? Seriously! I brought them that nutjob on a platter... you’d think they’d give me some medal or something.

You want a medal?

She gave me a look. Not the point.

Well, I don’t know if this will make you feel better, but I found a ship that can take us to the Krymean Crowns... unless you’d rather wait for an answer?

What? And miss out on all the fun? No. I’m coming. Told you I would, didn’t I?

Didn’t want you to feel obliged...

She snorted as we entered a tavern to have some breakfast.

According to the captain, the ship will be ready to sail tomorrow night.

You know, she remarked, we could have just ridden to the sea...

I suspect it would have been harder to find a ship that way. There are only small villages on the coast. This one’s used to making trips to Krell—at least, that’s what the captain told me. Besides, sailing a ship up the river should be quicker than riding a horse.

Sandrin made a face as we sat down. Depends how good the winds are, I suppose.

We ordered our food and, as we waited, my friend pointed at the rings on my hand.

So... you’ve never told me about those? I bet there’s a story there!

I glanced at them and smiled a little.

You could say that.

How did you get them? Was it a gift?

I was told they belonged to me.

I don’t understand...

A waiter arrived with our food. We waited for all the plates to be placed—we had quite an appetite today, it appeared—and for the man to step away.

Have you ever met any elves? I asked.

I can’t say that I have... Except for this once, but I don’t think that counts because he was unconscious for most of the time we spent together. I quirked a brow. Don’t ask. Long story. So... the rings?

I laughed. Well, elves are peculiar creatures. I lived among them a few years ago...

Wait. You were raised by elves?

No, no, not raised. I just spent time with them for a while...

Was this in Arythil? I heard that there are a lot of them there.

No. It was beyond... beyond the sea.

Oh. I didn’t realize there were elves out there...

In that place, that was all there was.

No humans at all?

That thought seemed to startle her.

Precisely. It was rather relaxing, if you ask me.

Of course you would say that, she asserted with a snort. How did you end up there anyway?

"I hoped they might have answers about the box. It is such an odd looking