This World of Smoke: The Swarming Death, #5

By Steffen Larken

The world is cold and full of smoke.
The smoke is full of visions.
Deadly visions.

His quest for answers takes Veric further north, just as a strange cloud of smoke starts to spread through the Krymean Crowns...

And with the smoke come visions with dire consequences.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ASG Worlds
• Release date: May 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9782493671059

Book preview

1.

It was a colorful city, if nothing else. No two walls were alike. Some were painted green, others blue, yellow, red, black... They liked variety here.

The people looked normal. There was no madness in their eyes. All I could sense were the usual emotions—happiness, sadness, concern at being late for a meeting...

We stood on the docks, Sandrin and I, watching the crowd as humans went about their business, mostly ignoring us.

Though there was one who, seeing we were foreigners, waved at us with a smile and cried out: Welcome to Krell, the crown of the Krymean Crowns!

He seemed quite amused by his own pun as he walked away, laughing.

Well, I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I’m pretty sure this wasn’t it.

Sandrin grinned at me. I think I know what you were expecting. Trogs at every corner.

Heh.

That said, we need a plan. The Crowns are huge. Where do you want to start?

It’d be easier if I knew what we were looking for.

"You do know."

That was only partially true. I was seeking information about Kurhen, sure, but where would I find it in these lands that had voluntarily erased the man’s name from all of its records? It felt more and more like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Like you said, these Crowns are huge. I...

Excuse me, a voice called out from behind us.

We turned to find Hrosken standing nearby. He had a bag over his shoulder and a small embarrassed smile.

I didn’t mean to pry, he said apologetically, but I did overhear and it sounds to me like you might need a guide?

That wasn’t quite what I had in mind, I said, but... come to think of it, that could be useful. Did you have someone to suggest?

Sure. Me.

I blinked and looked at the Stormbound behind him. The crew was busy bringing down their cargo.

Aren’t you going back with the ship?

He made a face. I’m not even sure that there’s much to go back to. Either way, I was meaning to stay here for a while, to visit some old friends. Working on the ship was just a good way to avoid paying for passage. Couldn’t have afforded it.

I wouldn’t want to impose on you...

Not at all. I’d be happy to help. I’ve got time to kill, anyway. My friends won’t be available for a couple of weeks. Where did you want to go?

I glanced at Sandrin, but she just gave me a shrug. I could imagine her saying hey it’s your quest, your call.

That’s the thing, I said with a sigh. I’m not sure.

You came here not knowing where you were going?

He sounded startled.

It’s complicated. I paused, hesitating.

I didn’t want to just blurt out everything about my life to this human—who, despite having shown kindness, still was a total stranger.

I’m doing research, I finally said, on a man named Kurhen. A warrior who ruled here centuries ago. But all traces of him have been erased. I’m assuming there must still be something about him out there, but where? That’s why I’m not sure where to start.

To his credit, Hrosken did not press me with questions—like asking why I was interested in some obscure warrior who everyone was so intent on forgetting.

Instead, he focused on the more immediate concern.

Interesting. Let’s see. Do you know which of the Crowns he ruled over?

I can’t say that I do. Possibly all, as there was some mention of him being a conqueror.

Hmm. How long ago was this?

I don’t know exactly. Many centuries is all I know.

Hrosken nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"My guess, then, is that he must have ruled before the splintering. If that is the case, you’d want to start at Uddengahl."

What’s that? asked Sandrin.

The sailor smiled. A barren land at the heart of the Crowns, that none of the kingdoms want to claim. It is considered cursed. Or haunted. Or possibly both. It is ironic, though, as there once was a time when they all fought for that land.

Why? I asked, puzzled.

It is there that once rose the city of Karish. It was the jewel of the kingdom... and I did say that in the singular form. Because in those days, all of Krymea was united under one king. Because of this, it was long considered the seat of power. And thus, after the Split, they all waged war upon each other hoping to seize the city to make it their own and thus claim the throne to all of Krymea.

Who won?

No one did. Krymean legends state that Thellun himself came down from the skies and, in his fury, razed Karish to the ground. There is nothing left there of its former glory, not even ruins, only scorched and barren lands.

I wondered what had really happened. Surely, it could not have been divine intervention. I could not believe