Nightfall: Innisfail, #4

By John Schettler

ABOUT NIGHTFALL  

Duke Morgin Grenfell fights two battles in defense of the West while the Dreadlord Sonderin recruits the Khazars and Marches East to assault the Raedwall. Morgin receives unexpected help after Vortigern and the Order discover another High Mage, Cedrin Woodwise, in the Ravenswood. Soon Morwenna and Luth march to join Sonderin, but only after they have first gone to Dark Mornaland to release a terrible Demon, a Nightshade who can devour all light. The work of this demon gives the book its title. As deep night falls on the Alderenh, hope fades in the darkness until the Sons of Old Mindemoya answer a desperate appeal from General Scion Cross and sail for Rammath-Innis. But the Black Sails stand in their way, and the Imperial Navy sorties to challenge them in the first  great naval battle of the war.

When the Nightshade comes east into Innisfail, Archmage Vortigern leads the Order of Donn Rhy to stand against it in a deadly confrontation of Black Magic vs White. Then the Samurkon arrive to stand with General Cross and face down Luth and his Legion of Shadows--the Dharmans. A Great battle is fought near Longwood in Innisfail to decide whether the rebirth of Innisfail will continue, or again be crushed by the Dreadlords and fall into night.

The Chronicles of Innisfail

Volume IV, Nightfall
By

John Schettler

Part I – Deep West
Part II – Charlendar Pass

Part III – Ravenswood

Part IV – The Gathering Storm

Part V – The Fields of Gwimalden

Part VI – The Luntmorgen

Part VII – A Council of Five

Part VIII – The Raedwall

Part IX – The Raedwall

Part X– The Raedwall

Part XI – Night Falls

Part XII – Longwood

335 pages

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Writing Shop Press
• Release date: Sep 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215116418

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.

Book preview

The Chronicles

of Innisfail

Nightfall

Volume IV in a Series

By

John Schettler

A publication of: The Writing Shop Press

Chronicles of Innisfail-Nightfall, Copyright©2022,

John A. Schettler

Kirov Saga:

The Chronicles

of Innisfail

Volume IV: Nightfall

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 by name at that time, and now 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.

Lord Gondmir, Son of Gorling.

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

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.

––––––––

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

Lord Rathinwilde – Imperial Ambassador

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

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

Colonel Roland – Commander of the Imperial Guard 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 (Deceased in the battle of North Innis)

King Thirning – Killed by Luth in the Battle of Ravenswood

Fenmark – A Lord 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 Lord in Bomark

THE HIGH MAGES of the ALDERENH:

Sencha Windweaver – Wind Elemental

Maelgrinn – Water Elemental

Tal – Fire Elemental

Vortigern – Archmage & Seer

Each bearing one of the ten Gemswords

Cathbad Ravenson

Cedrin the Woodland Mage

Huldra the Owl.

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.

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 with Kyanite. Given to General Scion Cross by Duke Morgin when the Dwarrowkin forged him a new Diamond Gemsword

Kyanite – Scion Cross, Reforged 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 IV

Nightfall

It's one thing to predict the complete breakdown of civilization. It's something else again to be right in the middle of it. It's a very humbling thing...

—Issac Asimov

The Chronicles of Innisfail

Volume IV, Nightfall

By

John Schettler

Part I – Deep West

Part II – Charlendar Pass

Part III – Ravenswood

Part IV – The Gathering Storm

Part V – The Fields of Gwimalden

Part VI – The Luntmorgen

Part VII – A Council of Five

Part VIII – Band of Brothers

Part IX – Twist of Fatel

Part X– The Raedwall

Part XI – Night Falls

Part XII – Longwood

Part I

Deep West

"A bridge of silver wings stretches from the dead ashes of an unforgiving nightmare

to the jeweled vision of a life started anew."

―Aberjhani

Chapter 1

General Alisander had been shocked by the heavy casualties suffered in the battle with the Samarkon. He had no intention to try and pursue them as they withdrew into the desert, any more then he might chase a wounded tiger. They were terrible in combat, merciless, and it had only been his greater numbers, particularly in horsemen, that allowed him to prevail. He never wanted to see or tangle with them on a battlefield again.

With his army shattered and wounded, he would first march to Salonketh to rest his weary men. There the wounded would be placed on the black sailed ships of the Gorgessen navy, and taken north to Afondera. In a few days he would march the able bodied of the Army back to Afondera for another extended rest and refitting. That night he would send messages to the Great Shon.

"Your Excellency,

We have fought a great battle near Starfall against those who dared attack the Shon Ganem. While our losses were heavy, we prevailed, and drove these sand lice off into the desert. With many wounded, I have taken the Army back to Afondera to refit. There we await any reinforcements you might send, and I am eager to hear your wishes. It is my belief that the North is weak now, but it may be some time before the Army is ready to campaign again. We have found and once secured a great inland fresh water lake, and it is my thought to return there soon. Ermenrich and Ivinghelm lay prostrate beneath our feet, but there are forces in the north in civil discord. Shall we let them destroy each other?

As ever, I remain your humble servant.

Alisander, General of the Armies of the Khazari People.

Now he met with the Jade to discuss the latest intelligence from the north. Our campaign in the south was concluded successfully, in spite of heavy losses. Now what news of the north? he asked the Jade.

My Lord, nothing moves in Nafalia and all the lands south of the Weeping Waters. Further north, the soldiers of Bomark remain on their high plateau, but some of those who fled there from Haerlaw and Ivanfelling have returned to their home provinces. They are not many. The Lord of Penfro has fallen, and his stripling son now rules there. There was a great battle in Soregor Valley, and this Duke who rules Rhaingoll drove the forces of the Witch Queen back into the hidden lands beneath the earth. Then another so called ‘Dreadlord’ arrived from the east—one called Sonderin the Black.

How dramatic, said Alisander. Do these Dreadlords think they frighten us with such names?

Perhaps, Lord. We have yet to face them, but I can guess that trying to kill the dead would be somewhat disturbing—and difficult.

Perhaps, but do not swords still hew and cut these moving dead men? Can they not be beheaded, or cloven by our heavy axemen?

Apparently so, Lord, or why else did they flee beneath the ground? Yet others have come, those called the Shadows in the north.

More drama.

These are the soldiers of Dharma, Lord. Demon soldiers according to our lore. Our ships found that coast once, but any who landed never returned. It is said these can pass through walls of stone, and that arrows and spears cannot easily find them, for they walk in the nether realms.

Fairy tales told by frightened Northmen, said Alisander disdainfully.

Most likely, but from all accounts, the Northmen fear these Shadows more than anything else. Yet the Dharmans have also gone beneath the earth, deep into Soregor mine.

"And what of the Northmen?

They sortied from their mountain fortress for a time, and while some remain in their capital at Dinorwick, most have gone back to a fortress called Cartimandua.

Is it a strong place?

From all accounts, yes lord, very strong. Even these Dharman Shadows failed to make any headway when they attacked there. This reminds me, Lord. Should we look to thickening our own walls here?

Why? Who comes to assail us? No one would even dare, for to do so would be to cast them into perpetual enmity with the Servants of Akkah Zevo, would it not?

True Lord, but remember, the heathens know nothing of Akkah, may he be exalted. And knowing nothing, they will not fear his wrath in their ignorance.

The better to shock them when it comes. We have avenged the defeat of the Shon Ganem, have we not?

Of course, Lord, as Akkah willed it.

Of course. Now, what to do, Jade? I have written with good report to Twim Shon Katti, but he will be weeks or more in reply. For now we rest, but when the Army is ready, what then? Tell me, what of the lands around that great fresh water lake?

Ah, the Mourgil Mar. As I have said the Lord of Penfro has fallen, and it would seem that his son will not be difficult to cow and bend to our will. But let us not forget the Imperials. When we first marched here, they did not pursue us, but returned to the northeast to reclaim their lands. Innisfail again pronounces its dominion over all the land from the eastern sea to the Elcanar in the north. They have again sent soldiers to their long red wall, and a Legion has come to Rinnith-Lodras, the city the Shon Ganem was unable to take earlier.

There is much the Shon Ganem was unable to do, but he has fled back to Gorgessa to explain himself there. What of Druim-Fadah, Horon, Elcanar Province, the Argentyne? What of the woodland kingdoms we claimed? Do these Imperials think they have liberated all these lands simply by marching through them? Nonsense! We must think to restoring our influence there. And what about these little people in the Eldarhorn?

They may be short, but the Dwarrowkin, as they call themselves, can be fierce. They build strong battlements, fortifications and towers; they fashion excellent weapons and strong armor, and I have learned that many who lived in the far north have joined their brothers in the Eldarhorn, so their numbers have swelled there. Oh, they do not threaten us, but they still control the Elcanar and Eldarflow rivers on their borders, so nothing comes up river from Taur-Sitica or Taur-Mindel. That port was savaged by the warriors we drove off into the desert.

Yes, where have they gone, Jade? Where is that scorpion?

No one has seen them, Lord. No reports come from anywhere in Sarvendon, so we do not know if they crossed the Elcanar. They seem to have vanished! Perhaps they were foolish enough to camp within the circle of Starfall, and we all know how that land is bewitched.

More Fairy stories, Jade. Heed them not. Make further inquiries in Golocha. These Samarkon must have crossed the Elcanar somewhere. Perhaps they have gone into Ashedon, or even Radnor. After all, did they not come to the Inland Sea by ship? Perhaps they thought to escape these lands by sea again, in which case we must be vigilant, and maintain a strong watch off our coasts with the Navy.

We will, lord.

Very well. We rest in Afondera again. Let the men eat and lay with their women. In a few weeks they will be ready for battle again. In the meantime, continue to watch the north closely, and yes, look for news of these Samarkon.

As you wish, Lord.

As Akkah wishes, said Alisander. I am merely his servant; may he be exalted.

* * *

Lord Frey finally arrived at the Eldarhorn after that long march from Cartimandua. His people took the route Duke Morgin had advised, and were not bothered along the way. A thousand armed Dwarrowkin in chain mail with battle axes was not something to be trifled with. They passed through Rinnith-Lodras before the Imperials returned there, and hastened on south to Elcanar City and the pass beyond into the Argentyne. The days were cool and bright, and they took heart, though most had left everything behind in Irondale, taking only a few things they could carry.

For some that was hard thing to do, and they felt empty, rootless, adrift in the world. But hope lay ahead on the road, there in the Eldarhorn where the clans of Delling now lived and worked on new stone towers. When they came to the cool woodland of Glynwood, they took heart, and Frey sent ravens ahead to tell his brother Grisnir that they were drawing near.

They passed through the city of Dathyl-Fiacca, and saw the high spike of Caer Glyn a little ways off the road to the east. South of that tower they encountered a squadron of 150 knights in Armor. They were the last fighting men from the city of Andarva on the coast of Andru Province. Sonderin had taken that long ago, before he marched north into Grimwood to attack Innisfail. Now rumors had it that Sonderin had been driven from Rammath-Innis by the Imperial Army, and that he fled west to join his forces with those of the Witch Queen.

Hearing this, Frey realized that his decision to leave Irondale was for the best, for the battles in the North were far from over. How many more would have died there if he had stayed?

When the column arrived at Waykeep and the first clan started to cross the bridge they heard the shouts of their kinsmen on the far bank, an uproarious welcome. Horns were sounding and bells rang out from the tower of Waykeep. The Dwarrowkin were united as one people again, and for the first time in over 150 years. So it was that the dying wish of Lord Hornbori was fulfilled by his two adopted sons, and none spoke against it, on either side. Brothers and cousins found one another and embraced in tearful joy, and that night the great hall, which had been given priority in the construction beneath Eldarhorn Mountain, was overfull with Dwarrowkin eager to share in the first feast of the homecoming.

There both Lord Frey and Grisnir sat on the high dais in two chairs, side by side. And after a Magister made some opening welcoming remarks, Frey and Grisnir stood, simply turned to one another, and embraced. It was the clearest possible statement of the new unity of all Dwarrowkin, and if any wondered at that moment which of the two brothers was now High Lord, none spoke of it aloud.

The days ahead would see the newcomers graciously offered accommodations in the homes of their kinfolk. Grisnir showed Frey the map, and described the work that had already been done.

We had a fruitful winter. Both Waykeep and Rothwell Tor were completed where the two rivers part, and Tyrhelm is nearly finished down by First Fording. We were thinking of building a good tower to govern river bridge on the Elcanar near Golocha. Ironbreak Tor watches the road south and Elbros has been walled and watches the road east into New Khaladin.

I see your land reaches beyond Abercrave on the Watersreach.

Yes, we control the whole western shoreline of Watersreach. My only concern there is the Volcano. Elbros is active, but sleepy. That said, we still get useful runs of stoneboil from that mountain, and it aids the forging a good deal. We brought all our smithing equipment here on barges. Now we’ve mapped out the main Lava channels, and they flow southwest into a desolation zone beyond the river Elbros. Some want to dig a deep tunnel under the Elcanar to the Logrendur and take that height for a good out tower. That would mean we encroach on New Khaladin, and invite war. Our other towers, all named for locations we had in Delling, should be complete by summer.

How thick are the walls? Did you build them at least three feet?

We did, brother. Thank you for your warning about the Dharmans. None will pass easily through our walls here; you can rest assured on that. They all have an iron core!

Good, Brother. Good.

Grisnir saw that Frey had a distant, empty look in his eyes. Are you hurt, brother? he asked.

Not in body, said Frey. No, I am healthy and strong. I took a shoulder wound in battle, but it is well healed, yet my heart and soul were wounded too. I wept to see how many we lost, Grisnir. The Dharmans are terrible in war, and to see our father, Lord Hornbori fall as he did and be taken by the Morlich before we could get to him—that was the hardest blow of all.

It was my fault, said Grisnir. I should have never permitted him to lead a full battalion as he did, but who could deny him? Frey, I think this is the way he wanted to die, not withering away on a stone chair atop the Eldarhorn. Many a song has already been written of that march and sea voyage we made to come to Rinnith-Karpoth and join the fight there. Yet I should have surrounded Hornbori’s men with a thicket of sharp axes and armor. It was my fault.

Do not carry that stone long, said Frey. I have tried to put mine down, for the load is heavy, and as long as we lead, much more will be on our backs.

And that is the way it shall be here, brother, said Grisnir. "We shall lead, the two of us, the sons of Hornbori. All matters of state will be for the two of us to decide as one. Neither shall have lordship here alone. Do you agree this is best?"

I do, brother, and I thank you for your open heart and mind in this. It will forestall any trouble down the road, because while no one speaks of it now, the question was sure to come up.

And so we have our answer. It is as our father would have wished it to be, bless his beard and heart. I will tell all my people that any directive given them by you is to be treated as if it was spoken by me.

Then I will do the same with my people, said Frey. Ours is simply to remain in accord with one another.

That will be the easy part, brother. The kinstrife is over, and our people are one now. This is a glorious time!

Chapter 2

You have been to the Underworld? Grisnir was curious. Tell me—is it as all the tales of that place have it? Does the Witch Queen rule from a fortress of bones and skulls?

Three forts are there, said Frey. "Caer Bannawyr, Caer Sidi, and the so called Bone Fortress. However that is also made of sturdy stone like the others, a small keep, only it is surrounded on every side by great mounds of skulls and bones. The Queen can animate them as she pleases, and they writhe and rattle until the parts find joints and connect, and there stands an army of Bonesmen, with skulls wearing iron helms and all carrying short metal swords. We barely escaped from them as it was, and there were other horrors there—Achrid, the great spider below Soregor Mine, and the Dark champions of the Witch Queen, Tyrannis, Drava, Esus. The last we faced and felled, for there were three bearing Gemswords among our party, and we were able to cut him down. Mereliki flutter overhead, looking for any opportunity to descend upon an exposed neck or arm. And of course, the dead lay in every quarter, a rotting, festering mess, all capable of animating as Undead upon