The Fate of Empire: Innisfail, #3

By John Schettler

It has been said that everything that is powerful will one day come under siege. In the year 788, the capital and largest city of Innisfail, Rammath-Innis, comes under siege by the hosts of three Dreadlords. As the pressure mounts and Sonderin uses a powerful new weapon, General Scion Cross must make a very difficult decision. The fate of the Empire is now in his hands, but hope comes with a startling new plan.   Far to the east, Kaspar takes Starseed and finds a new world, and Cross maneuvers to make powerful new allies. He vows a great crusade and leads the Army of Innisfail west again to reclaim lands and titles lost and forestall a long dark age under the deepening shadow of the Dreadlords.

   Learning this, Duke Morgin Grenfell now sorties from his mountain fortress of Cartimandua to reclaim his Ducal fief in Rhaingoll and join the war against the Shadows.

   Now, from the author of the long running Kirov Series, comes an epic Fantasy series as broad and detailed as Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and as gritty and real as George Martin's Game of Thrones. This is mythic military fiction at its best.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Writing Shop Press
• Release date: Jul 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201184001

John Schettler

A prolific writer with 75 books, John Schettler achieved early recognition in winning the Silver Medal for Science Fiction in Foreword Magazine's annual competion, and scoring a 9.5/10 with Reader's Digest for his 5-book Time Travel series opener, Meridian. He went on to author the longest story ever written, the massive 64 volume Kirov Series, also a Time travel Military Fiction and alternate history of WWII. John's latest work is a new Epic Fantasy series, The Chronicles of Innisfail, released April of 2022.

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Kirov Saga:

The Chronicles

of Innisfail

Volume III: The Fate of Empire

By

John Schettler

Dramatis Personae

The Characters

A brief note on pronouncing names and places: pronounce every syllable, and vowels are often long. See examples below in (Parens).

THE HOUSE OF GRENFELL:

Morgin Grenfell, Duke of Rhaingoll – Strongest of the Outlords of the Empire, Morgin finds himself at odds with the Emperor in a border dispute involving the Falconbridge. He is the leader and organizer of the White Company, a loose confederation of five outland provinces west of Innisfail. Characters serving the House of Grenfell include:

Magister Athelward – Librarian of Dinorwick.

Lady Carolyn – Wife of Duke Morgin

Lord Gunnick, A master of arms in Rhaingoll

Lord Halgerd, A master of Arms in Rhaingoll

Lord Harding, A minister of the House of Grenfell.

Lord Rachlin: (Rake-lin, not Rach-lin) 1st Mark of Rhaingoll, a chief advisor and closest friend of Duke Morgin.

Lord Reginald, Chosen to serve in Rachlin’s place as 1st Mark

Captains Symon, Hudd, and Drystan of the House Guard

ANTAGONISTS:

Lord Morfa – Baron of Garlingwark and unaffiliated with the House of Grenfell, Morfa is shunned by Morgin and not invited to join the White Company. A jealous rival of Duke Morgin who becomes a pawn of the Emperor.

Lord Habrock (Hay-brock) of Gwimalden– A dissident and troublesome Lord, with divided loyalties.

Lord Baldrick – A pawn of the Empire, Baldrick is sent to contest the ownership of the Falconbridge, and test Duke Morgin’s resolve.

Lord Sonderin – Formerly Lord Erkenwald of Nefalia, slain in battle in the first age and carried off to the Underworld by the Morlich. There he was returned to life by the Witch Queen, and renamed Sonderin, the ever burning fire. He fled from the Underworld to the distant lands of the south and now seeks his vengeance on the ancestors of those who first killed him.

Luthgondriel or more simply Luth – another High Dreadlord, Brother to Sonderin, thought to be a survivor of Old Mindemoya, Alboradin, and a practitioner of Dark arts.

Morwenna – Witch Queen of the Underworld, a powerful Necromancer, and keeper of the dead.

THE MEMBERS OF THE WHITE COMPANY:

King Erik of Bomark, leader of the high plateau that shields Rhaingoll and other provinces from invasion, Bomark is instrumental to the defense and a central member of the White Company.

Lord Gorling of Penfro, one of the first outland provinces to come under pressure from the invading Khazar barbarian hordes.

Morgin Grenfell – Duke of Rhaingoll – founder leader of the White Company.

Lord Halkin of Haerlaw, a smaller province bordering Rhaingoll.

Lord Weymund of Pendryl Ivanfelling, a rich outland province.

THE DWARROWKIN: A hardy people skilled in mining, masonry metal working. Called Dwarves by other men because of their short stature, they were sundered in the kinstrife of ages past, where Lord Hornbori quarreled with his brother, Lord Gherin, over which should ascend to the leadership of all the clans. Hornbori left, taking half the Dwarrowkin south to found Delling, while Lord Gherin remained in the far north at Irondale. Dwarrowkin characters include:

Frey son of Frost, adopted son of Lord Hornbori & appointed Lord of Irondale upon Gherin’s death.

Lord Gherin of Irondale (Deceased)

Lord Hornbori, of Delling

Grisnir, adopted son of Lord Hornbori appointed heir of Delling

Lothar the Brave – who took the scepter of Irondale to the Underworld. (Now called Lothar the foolish).

Olif, Lori and Tobin, traveling companions with Frey

DWARROWKIN CLAN LEADERS OF IRONDALE:

Alestar – Magister of Irondale, presiding over official matters and rites of ascension.

Alegog, Mith, Dunnu, Kep and Finn, and others, Clan leaders of Irondale, the latter a cousin to Frey.

Faelgir, (Fail-gear)- Steward of Irondale

Rinngale, a faithless rival of Frey who believes he was passed over for the throne of Irondale.

TRADERS & MERCHANTS:

Kaspar Jakhad (Ja-khad) – A caravan trader caught up in the impending Khazari invasion.

Sachi – Kaspar’s trail scout and chief of security.

Argo – The porter master of Kaspar’s caravan.

Ari – a train boy in Kaspar’s employ, serving as a runner and messenger.

William (Wilem) Doran – A stranger taken in by Kaspar’s train in Old Mindemoya.

Captain Miche Ryal – hired by Kaspar to captain his ship, Starseed.

Lieutenant Jimmal Rheen – 1st officer on the ship Starseed, a Brig.

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THE BARBARIANS: of Gorgessa and the Khazars

The Shon Malak, aka The Jade – leader of the Khazari Horde invading at Lyndra and Glynwood

The Shon Ganem – Leader of the tribes of Gorgessa invading Elcanar, Druim-Fadah, Penfro and Rhainnith.

General Alisander – A General commanding troops in the city of Salonketh, a reserve Khazari force.

Prince Asfan Murad, of the Gorgessen Muharib Veterans.

LORDS OF THE EMPIRE OF INNISFAIL & OTHER MINOR PROVINCES:

Emperor Alcandryn II (Al-can-drin)– Emperor of Innisfail in the capital city of Rammath-Innis.

Lord General Aldridge - Commander of 2nd Legion of Innisfail

Captain Arbane – Commanding a squadron of Frigates

Baron Vlad Balorak- Lord of Wyddfallen, an inner province in fealty to Innisfail. (Mentioned but not appearing)

Lord Baldrick - Commander of 3rd Legion of Innisfail

Lord Bregund - Lord of Elcanar Province.

Lord Brondir – Of the small border land of Druim-Fadah, a traitor to the realm, he had supplicated himself to the Shon Ganem of Gorgessa.

General Scion Cross – A General commanding the Army of Innisfail.

Lord Durward of Ermenrich, a wealthy outland province unaffiliated with the White Company.

Commodore Ellinore – Commanding Concord, a ship of the line.

General Embergrim – General Engineer in the Imperial Army.

Lord Arken Glynn – Of the Tamargyn Island Marines.

Lord General Gunnar – Commander of 1st Legion of Innisfail.

Lord Haldane – Brother by blood to Duke Morgin and Lord of Rhainnith, an inner province in fealty to Innisfail. Haldane is not affiliated with the House of Grenfell or the White Company at the outset of this tale.

Lord Huldra of Rhainnith, The Mayor of the city of Caithness, capital of Rhainnith.

Lord Landon of Ivinghelm Province, unaffiliated with the White Company

Brigadier Loring – New commander of 3rd Imperial Legion.

Lord Rathinwilde – Imperial Ambassador

Admiral Rhayd (Raid) – Commander of the Navy of Innisfail.

Lord Rogmar – Commander of the 2nd legion of Innisfail.

Commodore Alyster Rolland, Imperial Cloud Ship Fleet

Lord Weymund, 2nd Mark and Lord of Pendryl Ivanfelling.

MEN OF BOMARK:

Lord Dolfa – Master of Dragonwyk Tower

Captain Dylan - Captain of the Frontier Scouts and Guard of Gallion

King Erik

Fenmark – A General in Bomark

Lord Hard – (Hay-erd) Builder of Hard’s Hold.

Colonel Theo Koal – Of Gallion Tower

Sion Thorpe – Alderman and gatekeeper of Gallion Tower

Lord Thrand – A General in Bomark

THE HIGH MAGES of the ALDERENH:

Many bearing one of the ten Gemswords

Vortigern – Archmage & Seer

Maelgrinn – Water Elemental

Sencha Windweaver – Wind Elemental

Tal – Fire Elemental

Huldra the Owl.

Cedrin the woodland Mage

Cathbad Ravenson

THE GODS and MONTHS OF THE ALDERENH:

Each of the 12 months is named for the gods below.

Donn Rhy (pronounced Don Ree) is the All-Father of the cosmos, sometimes called the Lord of ten thousand lights. First month.

1)  Donn Rhy, The All-Father

2)  Anbiorn, the Sky Father, God of the clouds and sky

3)  Vedar – The Trickster, God of Deception

4)  Lune, The Moon Goddess, also Goddess of Madness

5)  Hemdon, God of Dreams

6)  Hexel, God of Darkness and Night

7)  Angatyr, The God of anger, war, and battle

8)  Tallus, the God of Vengeance, the act of revenge often referred to as The Talons of Tallus.

9)  Aneyar – God of Work, harvest, friend of discovery

10)  Waldir – God of Sea and Shadow

11)  Telhar – God of Commerce

12)  Issyl – God of Winter cold and frost

There are twelve months of 30 days each, all named for those Gods in the order above. Each month has three weeks of ten days each. The first week is governed by the new Moon, the second week by the fat moon, the third week by the waning or crescent moon. The last five days of the year are the days of feasting. This calendar dates to the time of Old Mindemoya, the empire destroyed in the first age by the Starfall.

The first day of any month is dedicated to offering and prayers made to that god. The last day is called the day of thanks, where thanksgiving is made to the god of that month for all that was given.

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UNITS OF MEASURE:

Mark, (about 1 kilometer) Each hex on the main map is 2.5 Marks.

Kapel (The currency of the realm, pressed in either gold or silver. Gems and pearls are also accepted means of payment)

Coil: A measure of length the distance of a single coil of a rope, about three feet in our system, or one meter.

THE GEMSWORDS:

Powerful enchanted swords, each bearing a gem that designates their ranking. Only 14 were forged, listed here with their last known bearer.

Starseed – Vortigern

Starseed – Sachi (Sometimes wielded by Tal)

Diamond – Luthgondriel

Diamond – Duke Morgin Grenfell

Ruby – Sonderin, brother to Luth

Sapphire – Maelgrinn, a High Mage

Emerald – Huldra the Owl

Zircon – Sencha, a High Mage

Topaz – Tal, a High Mage (Shattered by Luth)

Amethyst – Duke Morgin Grenfell (Shattered by Luth & Reforged)

Given to General Scion Cross by Duke Morgin when the Dwarrowkin

Forged him a new Diamond Gemsword

Kyanite – Cedrin - Reforged from the Jasper sword with a new Gem

Jasper – The Dreadlord Tyrannis

Onyx – The Dreadlord Drava

Moonstone – The Dreadlord Esus

The Dwarrowkin used a Starseed to forge another Gemsword that was given to Sachi, Train guard and chief scout for Kaspar’s caravans.

Maps can be found on the web site Here:

https://www.writingshop.ws/html/map_room.html

Volume III

The Fate of Empire

A kinsman in trouble had to be saved, not blamed...

—Chinua Achebe

The Chronicles of Innisfail

Volume III, The Fate of Empire

By

John Schettler

Part I – The Fields of North Innis

Part II – Rammath-Innis

Part III – The Great Migration

Part IV – The Outlords

Part V – The Autumn of Empire

Part VI – Return to the West

Part VII – The Spoils of Victory

Part VIII – The Missing Spiders

Part IX – The Art of War

Part X– The Council of Twenty

Part XI – A Backward Step

Part XII – Old Mindemoya

Part I

The Fields of North Innis

There will come a time in your life when you lose something that matters to you. You'll fight for it and you won't win. But what really matters isn't the war you're waging, it's that you don't lose the person you are in the midst of the battle.

― J. Sterling, The Perfect Game

Chapter 1

The situation on the fields of North Innis had been looking grim, with losses heavy among irreplaceable knights, and the enemy still thick on the field. Then two things happened to promise at least some hope. The first was the coming of Lord Frey with most of the clans of Irondale. He brought 2400 hardy Dwarrowkin warriors, leaving 1200 behind to defend the north in the event the Gorg returned. Those heavy axemen would form up behind the knights and light spearmen from Rhainnith. Of all men on the field, the spearmen had suffered the most, having faced the Khazari Horde at Caithness, then marched west and back again to fight once more against things that chilled their blood. They had heard of the Dwarrowkin, though few had ever seen these fierce Dwarves. Their presence behind them bucked up morale considerably.

At the same time, the Dharman host stopped its advance and stood firm. After engaging and casting a spell that began crushing the armor of his foes, Luth withdrew when his Brother Sonderin called him from afar. His great black warhorse turned and rode off, and he left the steaming lines of the Dharmans in place, waiting. He would ride back to the now broken tower of Targis, where Morwenna had been recovering. There came his brother on a grey warhorse, and now all three Dreadlords would meet and decide how to proceed.

Brother, said Sonderin. It is good that you have come. But why do you tarry? We must strike at the city walls!

As we have for some time, but they are strong and thick. Not even the Dharmans can pass through them, and there is a strong host to the west now that will take us from behind if we turn for the city.

Then let us go, all of us, and see them destroyed.

Morwenna? Luth turned to the Witch Queen.

I am recovered. But know there are High Mages among them here, she explained. "While I was aloft, one dared to enter my Underworld, and he has taken the Diaboli Mastria!"

What? They would not dare use its magic, lest it darken their minds and they become your servants.

"Oh, they will become my servants, said Morwenna, One day. But now we must be prepared to counter spells against anything they might cast. They could have read that book to learn our enchantments, and know how to counter them."

That remains to be seen, said Luth. Yes, let us all go together, and act as one. If they have strength to oppose us, then let them try. Together we are a force they cannot measure, let alone oppose.

So Morwenna would come and mount a pale mare. Let us cast Annihilation! They turned west and rode off, soon attended by packs of Dreadhounds, Direwolves and all their dark Captains. Morwenna brought Bone scythe riders to watch their flanks. They loped along in macabre columns, their long scythes grazing the grass below.

Out on the fields of North Innis, Duke Morgin heard the wail of Bone Riders again. That massive skeletal force was charging. They saw some coming with torches raised, others with flaming swords, their eyes glowing like embers beneath their helms and skullcaps. The remaining knights rallied to receive them, and at first it was like a strong tidal surge breaking on rocks. Broadswords flashed out and bones went flying in all directions. Yet it was the sheer mass of the Skeletal formations that slowly enveloped the knights, who were already struggling with constricted armor. The Bone Riders carried spears as well, trying to use them to unhorse the knights or simply kill their mounts. So many were unhorsed that the defense faltered and even the Duke would fall. He had raised his Amethyst sword high when he felt as though a heavy wind struck him. The blade shattered and he, fell heavily to the ground, for he had been deliberately targeted by Luth, who used all his considerable power.

Marshal Gunnick leapt from his own steed, shoved three Bonesmen away, and covered the Duke, calling to other nearby knights to assist him. Most of Gunnick’s men were already dead or fallen. It was Marshal Halgerd who then came on the scene, riding up from the south where his knights had been supporting the infantry. A clutch of ten men soon clustered about the Duke in a tight knot. Three lifted Morgin while the remaining seven fought off the rearing Bonesmen Cavalry. They retired west towards the ranks of the Dwarrowkin, who were hastening up to lend support. Gunnick himself was bleeding from his left arm. He looked and saw the broken shards of Morgin’s Amethyst sword lying in the trampled grass, and reached for them, wrapping them in his cloak. They were still warm, infused with some inner heat.

It was then that lightning struck from dark overhead clouds, scoring the sky with its bright fire. Sencha Windweaver was near, his Zircon Gemsword in his right hand, his staff in his left. He raised the staff to still the stirrings of the dark storm overhead, and that was when he felt the terrible strength and presence of all three Dreadlords. He felt fear as never before, a sensation of emptiness, oblivion yawning open just beyond the tumult of the battle, and he saw its dark maw as if seeing the inevitable future of this conflict. There, in a hard black knot, he perceived the trio of Dreadlords and knew they were now acting in concert. He could hear their taunting chants, their laughter scoring him like whips, and he realized he would never have the power alone to oppose them, but he had to try.

Two battalions of Dharmans had just advanced against the infantry Sencha had been supporting, but the whole army was in grave danger now. He had to act. Sencha had been studying the Diaboli Mastria, and taking it alphabetically, he had read the material on the spell of Annihilation the previous night. From all he could see and feel, that was no storm of wind and weather opening above the battlefield, it was the darkness of Oblivion. He had read and remembered the counter spell, and now he dared to try and cast it. As lightning clawed the sky, he chanted out the incantation in the old tongue, words not heard in this land for a thousand years. In the common tongue they said: Abate, Abate this darkness and see it falter and fail! But would he have the strength?

Every spell relied on the power of the Mage who cast it, and Sencha was not strong enough to shut the Dark Magic down in its entirety, for the will and power of all three Dreadlords was behind it. He collapsed to his knees with the effort to counter it, feeling winded and spent. But then there came the sound of horns, both from the east and from the west, resounding over the field. The Dwarrowkin were arriving in force now, and from the east came the clans of Lord Hornbori, raising high the standard of Delling. They had sailed north from the Pellasur, narrowly avoiding the Maelstrom, which had grown much bigger. Coming north all night they made for Rinnith-Karpoth on the north end of Imperial Bay, and landed there, reclaiming the city. Then, hearing Lord Frey was at hand, they began forming up outside the city to threaten the rear of the Bone Riders.

Luth looked over his shoulder, as did Morwenna, and that distraction at a critical moment lessened the strength of their enchantment and the dark energy they had conjured began to waver. Struck by all Sencha could muster, the void above began to dissipate.

Dwarrowkin scum! Sonderin spat the name out. The Khazars should have killed them all before they came north. I should have brought more Vaarks here as well.

Wait then, said Morwenna, there is time. I will handle this. She turned and rode off to the northwest, calling for the Morlich in a shrill voice that only they could hear and obey. With a wave of her arm the Bonesmen felt her command and began breaking off their attack on the knights. They reformed their ranks and rode east, where Morwenna had also summoned the Skeletal infantry that had been on the north side of the outer rampart of Rammath-Innis. She could see that the city would not fall as long as these strong hosts remained here to counterattack. So now she was mustering forces to strike at Lord Hornbori’s men, but the Dwarrowkin would strike first.

Horns blared and the dour ranks of Dwarfen warriors tramped forward. They all carried thick shields of Wolfram and iron, inlaid with silver crests of their clan. The top of each shield had a wedge in the shape of a V, a notch where they rested the haft of their long spears. Beside each spearman on either side were dour faced axemen, and as they came forward it looked like a flow of liquid metal was moving over the plain. When lightning flashed it glinted off their helms and spear tips. Everything about their demeanor said one thing—they were coming to fight and kill, but nothing in front of them had life for the taking.

The Bone Riders charged to meet them, but they ran into that steel wall of heavy axes and spears cleaving through their relatively fragile bodies, dropping horse and rider alike. The Dwarrowkin felled hundreds of the Skeletals, finding them easy prey and quickly losing their fear of these undead creatures. They broke their charge and cut them down, the sweep of those heavy axes sending shattered skulls and bones in all directions. And as their numbers were great, they could not be swamped and surrounded by the Bonesmen, for they were driving them back with their fury and cold Wolfram steel.

The Dark Queen had mounted a Morlich and was now riding high up in the charcoal sky. She called and rallied the Skeletals, sending them forward again, but it was like feeding wood into a saw. The clansmen of Delling were ruthless in battle, coldly efficient, and undaunted, even when some caught sight of the Witch Queen herself on the dark winds. One hurled a spear when she swooped low, which narrowly missed her. At that moment, Morwenna cast her words into the minds of all the Dwarrowkin. You think you have the victory? Think again! One day your bones will all sit in great piles beyond the walls of my fortress, and move and march at my command. For I am the end that none can escape, and you will all serve me in the Underworld. Begone, lest you find yourself there before your time!

But to this Lord Hornbori heard young Nafni begin a song, and it was soon taken up by all the oldbeards about him. It tightened every hand on the haft of those axes, and raised the fighting spirits of the Dwarrowkin. They would not be cowed or frightened off, even when the Witch Queen herself began to enchant a charm of shadow and fear to cast upon them, swooping over their ranks. Yet they charged through that fear, a line of 1200 Dwarrowkin warriors advancing in good order, and crashing into the Skeletals with great force.

The Dwarves of Lord Mostognir’s clan shouted and jeered when they saw Morwenna fly south, but then came her reprisal. Four battalions of Dharmans had been near the north wall, but Sonderin had sent up some of his forces to relieve them. Now Morwenna summoned these shadows and sent them forward. The Dwarrowkin of the south had never seen or faced the Dharmans before, unlike the men of Irondale. So when they swung their heavy axes in what they thought was a killing blow, they were shocked to see their blades sweep through nothing. Then, a second later, the needle sharp tip of a Dharman spear was thrust at them from within the Reach. It was as if a spear had just appeared to strike them, out of nowhere, which was actually the case.

Those three battalions of Dharmans fell upon Mostognir’s men, and they butchered them, their lances and spears finding any exposed area, like the neck. Those Clansmen, about 300, were killed to a man. Seeing the slaughter, Lord Hornbori rallied his Clansmen, and four battalions turned and descended upon the Shadows. Many would have the same shock as Mostognir’s men, seeing they were striking at shadows, and not real men. But others waited for arms and shoulders to emerge from the Reach, and then they struck hard, their heavy axes cutting through the Dharman chain, or delivering such a hard blow that they felled the shadow demons, or took off an arm altogether.

On the west side of the battlefield, Luth had ordered his Dharmans to advance, and the ranks of shadow warriors moved forward. Then came a surprise lord Frey had prepared for this moment. Some of his kinsmen had brought bows, and they had fashioned arrows tipped with Black Onyx, the gem that could cut through and into the mist veiled realm of the Reach. They drew and loosed a shower of these arrows on the advancing lines of the Dharmans, and when the shadows retreated to the Reach the arrows pierced the barriers between dimensions and followed them there to strike many down. Frey had studied the lore a long while before those arrows were made and tipped in a way that could pierce the links of dark chainmail the Dharmans wore. Thinking they had evaded the attack; they were dismayed to see many of their brethren had fallen. The very same gemstone that enabled them to enter the Reach had permitted those arrows to follow them there.

The Dwarrowkin took heart and now charged in a long line of over a thousand men. Peering through the misty ranks of the Dharmans, they could see and hear the shouting of Lord Hornbori’s men to the east. The two groups were closing on Luth’s position like a steel vise. Hornbori and his Clan punched right through a gap in the Dharman line and then raged after a battalion of Skeletals that had fallen back to the south. It was then that Lord Sonderin came up, his Ruby Gemsword drawn. Morwenna had landed, her Morlich still beating the air with its broad dark wings. The creatures looked like small dragons, only they were more adept flyers and had no fiery breath. Sonderin came to Morwenna’s side and together they cast spells of terror and fear upon the Dwarrowkin. On one side, Hornbori looked to see Bone Riders and a battalion of Dharmans advancing. On the other, it seemed that a wall of darkness was coming towards him, the only light there being the Ruby red Gemsword of Sonderin.

Seeing they were beset on three sides, Hornbori tried to lead his warriors back, and many fell in that stubborn withdrawal. It was the 900 Bone Riders that now charged in to finish off that weakened Dwarrowkin clan, and they leapt and trampled upon any who fell, including Lord Hornbori. All the old Lord could see was a torment of writhing Bonesmen above him, and he was soon buried in a pile of them, some connected and still thrusting their swords at him from every side, others broken and merely twitching to try and reassemble under Morwenna’s charms. A Shadow Warrior had seen the old champion fall, and slowly moved towards him, unseen while still veiled in the Reach. None saw his approach. A mailed arm would emerge from the Reach beside Hornbori and thrust hard at his heart with a spear. While his chain mail stopped the spearhead, the blow was so heavy that Hornbori’s old heart leapt in a spasm of pain, and he knew his hour had come.

There, on the 17th day of Aneyar, Hornbori of Delling breathed his last, and the Witch Queen would make good on her threat to see his bones in the outer ramparts of her own bone fortress. The Bone riders clamped chains to the old man’s legs, and then rode off, dragging him behind them before he could be reached. Then the Morlich descended on Hornbori and clutched his body in their clawed talons, rising up with a horrid shriek and flying west towards the Underworld, the cold iron chains dangling beneath him.

Frey did not know what had happened, but he felt it, as if someone had struck him hard in the chest. It was just a blunted sword blow from a foe, but he felt an ominous chill sweep over him. Luth had started to charm the spear tips of the Dharmans, which now glowed with a cold blue light. Across the field, Frey could hear cries of dismay, and the name of Hornbori being called. Seeing their liege lord felled and carried off was a harder blow than Luth’s magic could deliver. The Clans of Delling now began to fall back in a tight formation, ready to fight and repel any further attack, but too exhausted and bereaved to continue their bold advance.

By this hour the lines of the enemy had formed a dome like curve north of Targis Tower, where Morwenna now sat upon a Morlich at the top of a damaged stone wall. She looked to the northwest and saw the Dwarves of Irondale make another grand charge with five battalions striking two of the Dharmans. They drove their enemy back, but Luth had been behind them, and now he drew out his Diamond Gemsword and swept it towards the Dwarrowkin. Through it, he channeled all his dark energy and it was as if a whip of lightening had lashed into the Dwarves, so powerful that it cut through Wolfram Chain and shield, and even cleaved the blades of their axes. Many fell under that painful searing lash, and Lord Frey could see the casualties being sustained by his people were mounting far too high.

It was Sencha Windweaver who came to ward off the fierce attack made by Luth, who now stood in the place where his Dharman soldiers had been. They had all fled into the Reach, and Luth alone held the wide gap in their lines. To Frey he looked like he was surrounded by a swirling finger of coursing winds that were slowly contracting around him like a great sky Boa, the work of Sencha Windweaver. But that Diamond Gemsword could not be daunted. It slashed at the twisting winds and each sweeping arc of the blade seemed to cut the windy finger into segments, which slowly lost their power and dissipated.

Frey could see that the Battle of North Innis had been fought to a deadly draw. Neither side had the strength to completely overwhelm the other, and the attrition was becoming terrible to bear. The coming of the Dwarrowkin had surely saved Duke Morgin’s army from defeat here, but even joined with his forces, the two Dwarrowkin hosts were not strong enough to crush the armies of Luth and Morwenna. Both sides had suffered greatly.

Morwenna had raised nine battalions of her Bone Riders, each with 500 skeletal riders. Now four of those were destroyed, their bones scattered all over the field, and one more was so disordered that it struggled to reassemble itself. Of the twenty Dharman battalions Luth had brought, only two had been destroyed, but most others had sustained heavy losses. Sonderin’s army had been holding the lines around the ramparts of Rammath-Innis, and so he had not suffered many losses. But in realizing that it had taken all the strength brought by the Western Outlords and all the Dwarrowkin of Irondale and Delling to oppose just two thirds of the enemy, Frey doubted they could break this siege, or drive the three Dreadlords off. To make matters worse, he would soon learn of the death of Lord Hornbori, and also that Morgin had fallen, the Duke now stricken with a strange cold fever, and near death.

Chapter 2

Alas, Frey grieved, After so many long years, the Dwarrowkin finally reunite in a glorious battle, but to ruin and woe have we come in this dark hour. We cannot prevail here, and I would see no more of our kinfolk lost on this grim battlefield.

But Lord, said Valgard. "So have we also beaten back this dark tide, and inflicted grievous