The Legacy of Li Syval

By Kenneth McDonald

Trouble with a rival House leads Stefan Leconta to leave Li Syval in a hurry, dragging a reluctant Aris, Ferret, and Kalo with him. At first glance, House Leconta’s rustic country cabin seems like the last place where one would be disturbed by dangerous distractions, but the city folk soon find themselves caught up in a mystery involving the disappearance of some of the local residents. Confronted with another deadly threat, Ferret must again rely on her still-evolving magical talents to preserve her life and those of her friends. But none of them are aware that some of the dangers that they had faced in the city have followed them out into the countryside, part of a secret plot that could unleash a sinister terror upon the unsuspecting people of Li Syval.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kenneth McDonald
• Release date: Sep 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005482664

Kenneth McDonald

I am a retired education consultant who worked for state government in the area of curriculum. I have also taught American and world history at a number of colleges and universities in California, Georgia, and South Carolina. I started writing fiction in graduate school and never stopped. In 2010 I self-published the novella "The Labyrinth," which has had over 100,000 downloads. Since then, I have published more than fifty fantasy and science fiction books on Smashwords. My doctorate is in European history, and I live with my wife in northern California.

Book preview

Forgotten Lore

The Legacy of Li Syval

Kenneth McDonald

[e-mail]

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2022 by Kenneth McDonald

Cover Credit: The cover image is adapted from Villas at Bordighera, by Claude Monet (1884). The image is in the public domain.

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Works by Kenneth McDonald

The Ogre at the Crossroads

Forgotten Lore

First Series – The Elderlore Libram

Secrets of a Lost Age

Warriors of Shadow

The Shattered Key

Mysteries of the Book

Second Series – Shadows on the Frontier

The Road to Ironbridge

The Towers of Khormur-Dhain

Trouble on the Borderlands

The Horror in the Wood

Third Series – The Gem of the Deep

The Streets of Li Syval

The Secrets of Li Syval

The Heroes of Li Syval

The Legacy of Li Syval

The Fate of Li Syval

The Graves Crew

The Graves Crew and the Restless Dead

The Graves Crew and the Damned Dam

The Graves Crew and the Firestar Amulet

The Graves Crew and the Road of Doom

The Graves Crew and the Magical Forest

The Graves Crew and the Mountain Fortress

The Adventures of the Graves Crew, Volume 1 (omnibus paperback edition)

The Adventures of the Graves Crew, Volume 2 (omnibus paperback edition)

Refugees of the Crucible

Powerless

Overpowered

Balance of Power

Legacy of the Bulrazi

Power Play

Power Game

Power Surge

Soul Weapons

Wizard’s Shield

Soul of the Sword

Wizard’s Stone

Tales of the Soul Weapons

The Dwarf on the Mountain

Legends of the Soul Weapons, Volume 1 (omnibus paperback edition)

Legends of the Soul Weapons, Volume 2 (omnibus paperback edition)

The Colors of Fate

Black Shadows Gather

Green Hearts Weep

Red Vengeance Rising

Faded Yellow Dreams

Blazing White Stars

Shiny Golden Schemes

Silent Gray Depths

The Colors of Fate, Volume 1 (omnibus paperback edition)

The Colors of Fate, Volume 2 (omnibus paperback edition)

The Mages of Sacreth

The Labyrinth

Of Spells and Demons

Grimm’s War

Grimm’s Loss

Grimm’s Love

Of Blood and Magic

Of Steel and Sorcery

The Godswar Trilogy

Paths of the Chosen

Choice of the Fallen

Fall of Creation

Daran’s Journey

Heart of a Hero

Soul of a Coward

Will of a Warrior

Courage of a Champion

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Chapter 1

The Siresian caravel White Dolphin sat snug in its slip along the crowded North Docks of Li Syval. The ship had arrived a scant handful of minutes earlier, but even before the harbor pilot had disembarked it had become a hub of activity, as laborers form the city’s Stevedores’ Guild swarmed over it. They were assisted by the crew, who opened the twin sets of hatches that accessed the ship’s hold. Even as a chain of men began tossing bundles of tightly-bound Merino up to the first of a small queue of waiting carts on the dock, a crane lifted a heavy barrel of Siresian red wine out of the cradles that marched the length of the vessel’s cargo deck.

An old woman, dressed in a fine wool dress buttoned all the way up to her neck despite the sticky heat of the harbor, emerged from the aft cabin and disembarked. The sailors and laborers alike hastened to avoid her, then resumed their activity as she stepped further down the dock, out of the way of the bustle.

The woman’s gaze traveled down the length of the dock, then along the breadth of the busy wharf. Beyond the North Docks the city rose onto a series of hills, a vast expanse of tile and shingle roofs of all shapes and descriptions. Behind her lay the bay and the open sea beyond, and then the other side of the city, the South Docks, where fishing ships and bulk cargo vessels predominated. The buildings there were rather humbler, that side of the city lacking the majestic scope of the structures on this side of the bay, but the old woman’s gaze didn’t shy from that aspect of the city as she finished her circuit back to the ship in front of her.

A much younger woman clad in clothes of similar style but more practical cut emerged from the cabin and looked around in a bit of a panic before spotting the old woman standing alone on the dock. She hurried toward the gangplank, nearly jostling one of the dock workers carrying the heavy bundles of wool in the process. The man, clad in a simple armless tunic, turned toward her with an angry expression, but on noting the fine cut of her clothes and the slender sword she wore on her hip he contented himself with a muttered growl before returning to his work. The young woman made her way off the ship with a bit more difficulty than her senior, having to dodge several workers coming the other way and another who was rolling a second cart into position. The old woman just watched with a slight smile of amusement.

Lady Madrigal, the young woman, slightly out of breath, said when she finally reached her companion. You shouldn’t… I thought that we’d agreed…

Cedra, my dear, you should be careful rushing about so much, the old woman said. "That style of sword you’re wearing is known as a bravo’s blade here, a dueling weapon. You could get into trouble, bumping into the wrong person in this city."

From what I’ve learned of this city, the bigger danger is avoiding men trying to stick me with… other things, Cedra replied dryly.

Don’t be coarse, Madrigal said. In a lower tone, she added, And don’t assume your gender protects you from a challenge. Li Syval has changed a great deal since… ah, here comes the Captain.

Both women turned to greet the thickly-built man in a bright blue coat who made his way across the gangplank to join them on the dock. His garments were much thinner than those worn by either of the women, yet he already had a bright sheen of sweat upon his cheeks and forehead.

Captain Brace, the older woman said.

Lady Madrigal, he said, with a slight bow. "I deliver you as promised. Perhaps not in the level of comfort to which you are accustomed, but I did promise that the Dolphin was swift, and here we are, a day ahead of schedule." From the way his lips twisted with the last comment, it seemed that being free of his passengers was a large part of that boon.

Your quarters were quite acceptable, Madrigal said. She reached into her belt pouch and drew out a small drawstring purse that sagged with a compact weight. If you wouldn’t mind arranging for transport, and see my luggage delivered to it, I would be quite grateful.

Brace looked indecisive for a moment, perhaps warring between his desire for whatever was in the purse and the subtle insult in the way it was offered, but finally he accepted it with another, somewhat less effusive bow. I will see it done, he said.

Cedra waited until he was back on the ship before she leaned subtly toward her companion, turning so that her face was pointing toward the end of the dock and the sea beyond. And you chastise me for lack of caution.

On a long and boring voyage, one must find entertainment where they can, Madrigal replied. Come, let us find a better place to wait. Without waiting for a response, she headed down the crowded dock, ignoring the men who hurried to get out of her way.

* * *

I still can’t believe you wanted to stay here, Cedra said as she laid the meager contents of her bag onto the small servant’s bed next to the exit. Madrigal, by contrast, had two large leather clutches, a mid-sized chest bound in brass, and a big trunk that could have accommodated the lean young woman’s entire body without requiring much in the way of contortion. The older woman had given the furnishings—ornate, but not overly gaudy—one look before she went to check each of the windows and the small attached washroom. She was now tapping the walls, occasionally pausing to examine the gaps in the wood paneling.

Why wouldn’t I? the old woman said. "The Lament is one of the nicer inns in the North Docks, and more importantly, it is known to host foreign visitors of means. We’ll fit in perfectly here."

I just mean… after what happened last time you were here…

That was decades ago, long before you were even born, Madrigal said. She recognized that she had put perhaps a bit too much sting into the words, for she took a breath and turned to face the younger woman. I’ve had to learn to leave the past behind, child. That was the only way I could agree to return here in the first place.

It must be difficult, Cedra said. I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like for you.

By the time you get to my age, it’ll all be old hat, Madrigal said. Now, why don’t you get these things all packed away so we can head down for supper.

The old woman’s eyes sparkled with amusement, and Cedra’s mouth opened to issue a stinging retort, but before should get any words out there was a soft knock at the door to their suite.

The light mood instantly evaporated. Cedra placed her hand on the hilt of her sword and slid over to the side of the door. Madrigal lifted a hand in caution, but her own eyes were wary as she stepped closer to the entry. Who is it? she asked.

House porter, m’lady, the muffled voice came. A message arrived for you.

Cedra and Madrigal shared another look, then the old woman opened the door, the younger remaining just out of sight. The porter was one of the men who had helped bring in their luggage, and he held only a small parchment envelope closed with a large bulb of wax bearing a prominent seal.

Ah, thank you, Madrigal said, accepting the missive. Cedra, please be good enough to give this gentleman a gratuity for his trouble.

Cedra stepped into view and dug out a silver coin from her purse. The porter nodded and vanished before she could close the door. Madrigal was standing in the middle of the room, holding the letter absently.

Well? Cedra asked. Who’s it from?

Madrigal gestured, and with an impatient sigh Cedra opened the door again and checked the outside hall before closing it and heading over to get a look at the seal. It was in green wax, and displayed some kind of bird. I don’t recognize the House…

Vellini, Madrigal said. Eighth in the last Census.

Eighth? Cedra said. She took an almost involuntary step backwards and flopped down onto the edge of the plush bed intended for the suite’s notable guest. But what… We only just got in today. How could they… unless they’re a part of…

Madrigal interrupted her with a raised hand. She considered a moment, then said, It could just be a part of the Great Game, or… something more. With a decisive snap, she broke the seal and opened the letter. Her eyes flicked over the contents quickly, then went back and lingered over the text. Cedra could see that the note was handwritten in a neat, flowing hand, but could not make out any of the words.

Well? she finally asked. What does it say?

Gelda Vellini invites us to high tea, once we have gotten settled in to our lodgings, Madrigal said.

Gelda… she’s the Holder?

Yes, Madrigal said. Rubbing her fingers absently on the fine parchment, she added, She was old when I left… she must be truly ancient now.

You know her?

Madrigal started out of her musings. Oh? No, of course not. But it’s a very old house, with a distinguished pedigree.

So what do we do? What’s the play here?

Madrigal folded the parchment again before handing it to her companion. She turned to the trunk and began unfastening the snaps. We get ready for supper, she said. Personally, after all this rushing about, I’m quite famished.

* * * * *

Chapter 2

FERRET

Ferret could not help but feel self-conscious as she made her way home. The streets and alleys of this part of the South Docks were quite familiar; she and Aris had spent so much time here that she almost could have made her way to the converted shop where the two of them had been living for the better part of the last year with her eyes closed. Not that it would be wise to do that; they were in the better part of the Docks, but it was still the Docks, still Li Syval. Folks called the city the Gem of the Deep, but whoever had given it that name had clearly not been thinking of this part of the city.

People called out to her as she made her way down the street. She met their greetings with a wave, a smile, or both, but she didn’t stop to chat. And nobody made an effort to stop her. Before, she would have been self-conscious about the faint scars that covered one side of her face from some serious burns she had suffered not that long ago. Or alert to the fact that someone might see her, a young woman walking alone in a dangerous neighborhood, and see her as a target, a potential victim.

She didn’t worry about that any longer, now that her secret had been revealed.

Even in the aftermath of that desperate journey back from Skellos, she’d held onto a hope that maybe she could cling to at least some anonymity, at least here in the Docks. But there had been too many witnesses to what had happened on Sasha’s Pride. How she’d used her magic to not only kill several of the pirates that had tried to take the ship—including their captain—but to summon a firestorm that had ultimately consumed the other vessel. The city authorities certainly knew; they’d kept her and Aris for hours after the battered and only partially-crewed Pride had limped into the city’s harbor to deliver its cargo of iron ingots. Since then, she’d been waiting for the other shoe to drop. The fact that there hadn’t been a visit from the people who ran the city had only heightened her tension.

At one point, Aris had suggested that they could move on, but as their home came into sight at the end of the narrow street, Ferret felt a sudden surge of possessiveness. For two long, she and Aris—and Nails, before he’d left—had spent their lives living in the cracks, trying to cobble together enough to survive from the leavings of those who had everything that they didn’t: families, money, and power. Now that they’d finally managed to put together something good, she didn’t want to give it up.

She saw some familiar faces as she approached the raised front porch. Kalo was sitting on the steps, his arms and legs jutting outward in that belated awkward surge of adolescent growth. He waved and grinned on seeing her. The other person was tending a rickety two-wheeled handcart that seemed about to topple over with the weight of the assembled goods that seemed almost random in its clutter. That impression was misleading, Ferret knew; Zamir always seemed to have exactly what one needed in his collection, usually at a price that was surprisingly affordable.

Ah, Ferret, it is good to see you, the peddler said. Kalo was just telling me of your adventures.

Was he, now, Ferret said. She shot Kalo a slightly chiding look, but her heart wasn’t really in it; it wasn’t as though everyone in the district hadn’t already heard the tales. And she trusted Kalo to keep her remaining secrets, the things that she and Aris had been involved in that had brought them to this course. That must surely mean that he has completed all of his lessons for Master Tandrave.

Ah, that’s stuff’s easy, Kalo said. Especially the math. It was a bit confusing at first, but it all makes sense when you think about it.

Keep with your studies, Zamir suggested. Perhaps you will be able to apprentice to become a clerk, or a House facilitator.

Is Aris at home? Ferret asked.

Nah, he’s out with Stefan and his friends, Kalo said.

Well, why don’t you run down the Mama Leone’s and pick us up a pie for supper, Ferret suggested. After, you can tell me about what you’ve been learning.

Sure, Kalo said. Ferret started to get a coin out of her purse, but Kalo said, It’s okay, I’ve got it. Ferret would have insisted, but with Zamir there she let it go. The youth had insisted on helping out with the household expenses as best he could, ever since his uncle had died unexpectedly and he’d moved in with them. The uncle had left only debts, and Kalo was all too aware of how close he had come to being cast out into the streets.

A nice boy, Zamir said, once Kalo had run up the street. It is very good, what you have done for him.

I am sure he will more than repay that kindness, once he is able to secure some education, Ferret said. He has a sharp mind, and only needs a chance.

Ah, that reminds me, I was making some deliveries by the Veterans’ Market, and I saw some beads that would go quite well with that fringed blue dress you have. The peddler drew them out of a small case, letting the loose spheres trickle through his fingers.

Those are pretty, they almost look like lapis, she said. How much?

For you, my dear, five coppers.

Ferret knew that the decorative beads were almost certainly worth more, but she didn’t consider them a gift offered because of her talent. Zamir had always been generous with her, and hadn’t treated her any differently since the news of her abilities had spread. Still, he didn’t protest