The Pinnacle of the Winged Serpent: Voyage of the Serpent's Spine: The Pinnacle of the Winged Serpent, #3

By S. C. Coleman

Following the events of the Glass Empires, Age of the Third Arcon, and Populla's Shadow, and Dawn of the Sun Panther, the Pinnacle of the Winged Serpent follows the exploits of four ships; seeking to make their mark on the coasts of the Greater Continent, and beyond. In these seafaring tales of danger and intrigue, many will succumb to shadow, while others might survive. In the voyage of the Serpent Spine, a young boy will embark on an unexpected journey. Thrown into mystery and excitement, what will he find among the mysterious islands of the Storm Brothers?

• Language: English
• Publisher: S. C. Coleman
• Release date: Nov 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215138687

Book preview

Summary:

Following the events of the Glass Empires, Age of the Third Arcon, and Populla’s Shadow, and Dawn of the Sun Panther, the Pinnacle of the Winged Serpent follows the exploits of four ships; seeking to make their mark on the coasts of the Greater Continent, and beyond. In these seafaring tales of danger and intrigue, many will succumb to shadow, while others might survive. In the voyage of the Serpent Spine, a young boy will embark on an unexpected journey. Thrown into mystery and excitement, what will he find among the mysterious islands of the Storm Brothers?

Chapter One

The Old Fisherman

Along the stormy southern coast of the Greater Continent, a string of islands could be found. These islands, despite being referred to as such, were actually extensions of the mainland. It was simply that large bodies of water, inlets, stood between these island extensions and the continent. This gave the perception that these islands were separate from the continent; despite still being connected through the land underwater. Of course, one could argue that everything was connected by land, and the idea of islands exisiting was only an illusion anyway; since everything was connected to a stone seabed. These types of perplexing topics were far from the mind of a single and solitary boy, and his dog. The two of them were traveling across one of these islands, and had stopped for a brief respite among the dense fog. This boy was traveling on the island known as Rouk, which was the word to signify bread in the local language. The name was derived from the large stone mount that stretched toward the sky, breeching through the wide veil of dense fog. This large mount looked like a grey loaf of bread, when witnessed from a distance. Under passed moons, the mount might have burned the signal pire, giving warning to wayward ships. However, those times had passed, and the whole region was bathed in conflict. There would be no more gestures of peace and good will, and many had the moons been since that pire had been lit.

The boy was named Oukez and his dog was named Ouzin. Despite the similar sound of their names, the boy and his dog could not have more differently been called. Oukez was a common name on this island, and was an old ancestral name; the meaning of which had long been forgotten. On the other hand, Ouzin was named mist bath; because the hound would always try and shake of the mists, whenever they first arrived. Although mist, or fog, was a common ailment for the island, the island was not always bathed in such an obscuring blanket. The climate of this region was famously unstable, as the temperature could quickly shift; drastically dropping or rising within moments. Furthermore, the strange shifts in temperature could be precipitated by rain, clouds, or other kinds of weather patterns. However, the two elements that almost never touched these islands, along the southern coast, were sunlight and snow. Xelma was known for being constantly awarded the light of the sun, while this place constantly languished in the shadow of clouds and heavy mists. It was as if a dividing line had been made, where the clouds and shadow would be relegated to this half of the southern coast, while Xelma’s half remained in perpetual sunlight; except during the somewhat clear skies of nighttime.

This region of the stormy islands created a natural buffer between Xelma and other coastlines, since visiting mariners would have to travel through the stormy islands to reach Xelma. In these parts, it was no secret that Ardel had been the most recent enemy of Xelma to sail through this region. It was no small amount of treachery that took place, for Ardel to manage such a voyage. Few places on the greater continent boasted a stranger political situation. The stormy islands were a region pulled between the political shifts of everywhere else; and had very little in the way of its own identity. The islands had originally been invaded by the storm brothers, who had set themselves up in dominion of the islands; and surrounding lands. The ancestors of these storm brothers provided the bulk of Xelma’s mercenary forces, wearing the famous yellow leather vests. However, despite serving as the human weapon of Xelma, the storm brothers were not well treated by their masters. This led to malcontent among the islands, and the inevitable betrayal of Xelma by many. However, there were still Xelmese factions among the storm brothers, and the islands had been thrown into a state of chaos. Here, it was not so easy to tell friend from foe, as groups of warriors that looked the same might fight on opposing sides. Of course, life for the surrounding families and uninvolved islanders could be far worse, when compared to that of the many different combatants.

Of course, conflicts of this kind brought many sorts of characters through these parts. Only the bravest of merchants sailed through the area now, and neither were they the gentlest of mariners. In fact, it was becoming that only the most vicious of seafarers would sail through the chaotic island region. Fortunately, because of its physical situation, and harsh environment, this island was left mostly untouched by the war. Rouk was a strange place, as its large bread rock was covered by trees. Despite a general lack of dirt, vegetation and growth abounded on this island. This was not such a surprise, as just a small ferry-ride away lay the great expanse of the Ikky swamps. Somehow, the vast growth of that dark region had spread to this island, providing a wild forest domain. However, unlike the Ikky swamps, this island was not so yet overgrown to continuous be cast into darkness. The constant presence of mists certainly helped with that though. Fortunately, for this island’s inhabitants, they would get to witness the light of day from time to time, mostly blocked by thick clouds though. The great forest of this island had no special name, and ensured few would reside on the wild rock.

Oukez was living with his mother, Ousena, in their estate, which had been built by ancestors of Oukez’s father. There were only two places on the island that were inhabited. Oukez’s family lived on one side of this island, while a humble and sleepy fishing village lay on the other. Since the beginning of the war, Oukez’s father and six brothers had all left. Suddenly, after a gathering at the fishing village, Oukez was left alone with his mother. In fact, most of the men of the island had departed to fight; the majority on the side of the Xelmese. At least, almost all declared for the Xelmese, but this did not mean they actually went to fight on their Xebecs. The Xelmese were known to be ruthless, and would direct their mercenaries against any dissenters. Of course, this situation was strange, since it was fellow islanders that would slaughter their neighbors. Therefore, there were usually other elements at play, when it came to the carrying out of these orders by Xelma. In fact, there was probably the same underlying intrigue that had led to the betrayal of Xelma. Eitherway, most cared less about the edicts of Xelma, or Ardel, and preferred to pillage the coveted possessions of their neighbors. Due to petty greed and villainy, the stormy islands made for into a poor and depressed area. However, as always, commerce persists; and trade could still be found, plentifully, among the islands.

Alone among their estate, with only the dog as company, Oukez and his mother had lived many moons without the rest of their family. As was common with these sorts of conflicts, most islanders expected the warriors to return in only a few short moon cycles; once flared tempers had dissipated. Unfortunately, this was not to be the case, as many moon cycles had passed; without the return of the men of the island. Only the wives, the very young, and the very old, remained among the quiet trees of this island; hidden away in the mist cloaked rocks of their abodes. Since Oukez was one of the few that could continue working, being physically capable, he would make periodic trips from his father’s estate to the fishing village. He took the most direct route, and crossed through the mountainous forest of the great rock hill. This would take him across the eery footpath that cut through the dark trees, but Oukez had become used to the journey; which was harmless enough. However, in the interest of caution, Oukez always took a harpoon with him, and Ouzin would provide extra defense; against any unwanted threats or hazards.

They boy and his dog had already journeyed under three moons, and they were just moments away from entering the bread island’s only trading village. In his excitement,