Heart Of Fjord: The Heart of the Citadel, #5

By Susan Faw

A bewitching troll queen. A wizard with no memory. A mysterious gateway to hidden realms.
The Wildmen of Wydra cross the spine of the world and enter the realm of the Klippe Av Nattmara, the invasion triggering the elusive Huldras to brutally defend their home.
The Fjordian rebels gather their scattered members into a newly formed army. Trapped between the advancing invaders, and their sworn mission of freeing of their people from the cruel grip of the emperor, the rebels are one step away from slaughter.
Dropped into this expanding warzone is Heartbearer Beatrix and triad-bond mates Goshen and Zircon, who's mission it is, to destroy the barrier node buried deep under Emperor Madrid's main factory.
The all-seeing emperor lays a clever trap for his sworn enemy, the witch.
Will Beatrix discover Madrid's plan in time? Or is she fated to sacrifice her life to the greater good?
From award winning author Susan Faw, creator of The Spirit Shield Saga, comes this dragon epic fantasy series, perfect for fans of dragons, magic, and rebellion.
Download now to embark on a gripping, magic-filled adventure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Faw
• Release date: Apr 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9781989022078

Susan Faw

Susan’s love of stories began before she could read or write. Her earliest childhood memories are of a make believe game she played with her sister, creating and telling an epic story inspired by a picture chosen at random from a National Geographic magazine. Susan spent her summers reading and writing sometimes serious, sometimes humorous works of fiction, imagining the worlds beyond her bedroom walls. Susan is an avid reader of literature, especially science fiction and fantasy. She loves to bring new worlds and fantasy adventures to young adults and inspire them to join her on her make believe journeys.  You can find Susan at www.susanfaw.com, on twitter @susandfaw or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SusanFaw.

Book preview

Heart Of Fjord

Heart Of The Citadel Book Five

Susan Faw

Contents

1.Prologue

1. Fifteen Years Earlier Jintessa Time

2.Music And Madness

3.The Master's Plan

4.A Way In

5.The Ice Cave

6.The Emperor Sees All

7.An Abundance Of Rainbows

8.Gilded Cage

9.Bargain Struck

10.Court Of The Queen

11.Back To Fjord

12.An Unexpected Pairing

13.A Trio Of Wizards

14.Crossing The Threshold

15.An Unexpected Parting

16.Party Of Five

17.Spark Of Rebellion

18.Rebel Bride

19.First Contact

20.Kidnapped

21.Fight Or Flight

22.Tracking The Heart

23.Deep In The Mountain

24.A General Request

25.Island Of The Condemned

26.Uneasy Alliance

27.Signs In The Soil

28.Empty Chains

29.The Portal

30.Rogue Dragons

31.The Plan Is Revealed

32.The Other Side

33.Double Cross

34.A Shift In Reality

35.The Beginning Of The End

36.The Sound Of Music

37.The Emperor's Gaze

38.The Sixth Day: Tunise

39.Other Titles

Chapter one

Prologue

Fifteen Years Earlier Jintessa Time

The Eleventh Day: Fjord

Hans dug his cold fingers into the skate’s frozen laces, trying unsuccessfully to loosen the stiff bindings. Thick leather gloves lined with beaver fur normally protected his fingers yet the ever-present breeze at this altitude found cracks and crevices in his stitching which, over time, froze the skin beneath. He tucked his hands into his armpits and wriggled his toes in his leather skates to encourage circulation.

His sister, Beatrix, raced down the narrow lake, white blond hair flying behind her from under a dark red cap tied under her chin. No fancy twirling for her. Skating was much like any other sport to Beatrix, a skill to conquer, to master before all others. She never accepted second best. Not ever. Obsessed with being the best, that’s what she was.

Spying her brother, she sped up, bearing down on him like an avalanche, face screwed up in concentration. A fiercely wild-eyed expression was frozen on her fine features. Bent at the waist, her arms pumping in long swings, she stretched her legs for even more speed. Beatrix sprinted the shrinking distance, grimly determined to beat his best time, despite Hans being a head taller and with legs twice as long.

Beatrix waited until the absolute last second before pivoting. Her sharp blades cut into the ice, slowing her headlong rush and shaving a spray of frozen slush in an arch that coated Hans from knees to feet. Her hands on her knees, she grinned at him and gulped air. A delicate necklace slipped out of her coat front, a crystal heart dangling from the center. Her exhale frosted into a cloud then drifted away over her shoulder.

That, she panted, was my best time ever.

It still wasn’t as good as mine. Hans bent over and brushed the ice from his pants and tugged at the stubborn lacing once again.

Yes, it was! I beat my own record from when you were my age, by a good ten seconds!

How could you possibly know that? he scoffed.

I know it because I nearly beat you now! It only makes logical sense.

Maybe if you are a caribou. There is no logic in that.

There is, too! You don’t want to admit that I am better than you. She straightened, glaring at him, arms folded in annoyance.

And you don’t want to admit that you could actually be second place for a change. You don’t have to be the best at everything, you know. The stubborn laces loosened, and Hans tugged off the skates, shoving his feet into his soft boots as fast as he could. Stamping his feet to settle them in, he stood then pulled a chain with a crystal heart out of his pocket and slung it over his head, tucking it under his scarf. They were supposed to never take it off, but sometimes it was a pain to have on.

He caught the tail end of Beatrix’s tongue disappearing into her mouth as she checked the height of the sun in the sky. You had better get those skates off. It will be dark soon. His stomach rumbled. Dinner should be ready, too.

He slung his skates over one shoulder and headed off down the hill focused on the warmth promised by the curl of smoke rising from their cabin, just visible over the slight rise.

This time Beatrix really did stick her tongue out at his retreating back.

She skated away, back to where she had stashed her boots, and flung herself down on the rock. Pulling off her skates with hands still hot from her race back to the start, she dusted the snow from her footwear and seconds later had her feet shoved inside her double-lined knee-high moccasins. She slung her skates around her neck, but instead of heading back toward the cabin, she retraced the path back to the frozen waterfall. Something there had caught her eye when she had raced by it, and she had just enough time before dark to check it out.

Beatrix hiked the shortcut through the woods, which with the setting sun was gloomy with lengthening shadows. She knew the woods like the back of her own hand. Getting lost was not even possible. She ran lightly down the animal trail which curved around the finger lake and popped her out just beside the frozen waterfall. At this end of the lake, the crust of ice was thin. Just below the surface, the waters constantly flowed, the solidity of the surface a dangerous illusion. Some believed that music playing monsters kept the ice thinned, to trap the foolish. Mesmerizing as they were, it was not a Nokken that had caught her attention. There was a cave at the end of the path, and the cave entrance was barren of any ice or snow. Not a smidgen remained around the mouth. It had melted away for a good ten feet in all directions.

Her gaze swept the area again. Everything was quiet and still with a silence that could only be found in deep winter. There were no marks in the powdery white ground cover, no evidence that anyone had approached or climbed into the cave. The snow all around was untouched, not a mark marred its surface and the last storm had been three days ago.

What could cause all the snow to melt, she wondered, yet leave no signs? A fissure from the volcano? But if that were so, she would have seen the glow in the night sky, or the steam rising to form frosty clouds…and where was the lava? Maybe it was an earthquake? Maybe, she mused. Or perhaps a vent has opened up inside the cave?

Beatrix glanced at the sky. It was almost dark. She would just have a quick peek and come back tomorrow to explore further. After all, she did not have a light so she couldn’t really search the inside of the cave without one. She deposited her skates at the side of the path and climbed the slight rise to the mouth of the cave. Immediately, on crossing the line where the snow melted, her feet warmed.

Wow, so I was right. It’s a volcano! And there is the glow of the lava.

The cave opening flickered with a shadowy inner light. Confident of what she would find, Beatrix marched up to the opening and stuck her head inside. Beatrix’s jaw dropped in frozen disbelief, mistrustful of what her eyes beheld.

Inside the cave, a small boy tended a warming fire, and curled around the back of the cave was the largest dog she had ever seen.

Except that isn’t a dog. No dog ever had a tail like that. And its head is more massive than any animal I’ve ever seen. That’s no dog…it’s a…it’s a…

It’s a dragon, said the boy, head tilted to one side, watching her reaction.

Numbly, Beatrix stared at the massive creature, which raised its head and sniffed the air, staring at her. Pure intelligence shone in crystal clear eyes that reflected the flickering flames of firelight.

A dragon, she breathed. She took a tentative step.

Smiling, the boy motioned her forward. Come warm yourself by the fire. I am called Goshen. And this is Zircon, he said, gesturing to the silent dragon. He won’t hurt you.

She took another step forward. Why are you here? Where did you come from?

We have come for you. His head tilted to the side, bird like. Do you not bear the necklace? I sense you are wearing it under your coat.

Beatrix nodded, eyes widening with surprise. How does he know? she wondered.

This is your calling. You are a Heartbearer, one of those gifted with a rare form of magic. You belong with us. It is your destiny. The words rang true, familiar somehow. She’d always known she was special, different. As was her brother. Growing bolder, Beatrix walked over to his side and squatted by the fire, but her eyes never left the dragon.

What about Hans? He is special, too. He was also given a crystal heart. Will you go to him, too?

His dragon will come for him when it is time. He handed her a plate of beans. Eat. We must go.

Go? Go where? How?

I cannot speak the name in this world. You will see. All things are as they are meant to be.

The smell of the beans unleashed Beatrix’s hunger. Her stomach rumbled. Famished, Beatrix accepted the steaming plate. She downed the delicious beans then stood, handing the plate back to the boy. Thanks, she murmured. I should be getting back. The boy ignored her comment as he scrubbed the plates and pot clean with snow then tucked everything away inside a bag, which he slung onto his back.

The beast rose to its feet as he walked over to his side. The boy patted the dragon on his leg then said, Past time to go, right Zircon? The dragon’s crystal eyes gleamed, focused on Beatrix.

It is past time to leave this stone house, time to soar in the cold night sky, time to weave the time between worlds, Zircon said through the mental bond he shared with Goshen. Beatrix is scared of me.

Beatrix shook her head, sticking a finger in her ear to loosen the wax. She thought she had heard the dragon’s thoughts, in her mind. She frowned at the pair. Did you say something?

Goshen’s eyes flickered and a small smile spread across his lips. Never you mind, said Goshen to the dragon as he swung up onto his back. Zircon said that you are afraid of him.

I am not afraid of him, or anyone else, for that matter. She eyed the dragon, backing away a few steps as it moved toward her. You can ask Hans.

Then why are you backing away? You are not returning to your home, tonight. Tonight, you travel with us to begin your training. You are a Heartbearer. It is time. To answer your original question, Beatrix, it’s simple. We fly. He bent down and held out his hand to her. Adventure awaits, and a future you have longed for all your life. Will you heed your calling, Heartbearer?

Zircon winked at her. Winked! Smiling, Beatrix felt a calming peace spread through the cave, projected from the grinning dragon. She smiled back, then placed her hand in Goshen’s and allowed him to pull her up in front of him in the spacious saddle.

The dragon stepped on the small fire, dousing the flames with one scaled foot then walked to the entrance of the cave. It launched itself into the air, soaring low over the grey lake before the beat of its wings carried it skyward into the night.

Chapter two

Music And Madness

Beatrix shivered despite her thick purple robes and matching thigh high embroidered boots. Hood drawn tight around her face, she scanned the drifting snow for a sign of their quarry. The ferocious gusts of wind stirred the eddies into a full fledged virvelvind one of the fiercest storms to encounter in the Fjord. It swept across the intervening space and slammed into their hiding spot, blasting them with snow embedded with sharp shards of ice. The howling wind sucked at her body, trying to scoop her away and toss her into the yawning abyss below. Beatrix’s hood flew off her head despite her best attempts to hold the covering closed. She shivered as snow dropped down her back melting into a chilling drip that traced her spine. Furious, she jerked the hood back into place to cut the cold.

Damn, this wind. We are losing her! she screamed to the skies. Her words were snatched away the second they left her blue lips, joining the snow falling into the murky depths.

No, we are not. She is there. Goshen pointed a furry finger at a dark smear barely visible through the gaps in the snowfall. Despite it being midday, the mountainside was as dark as night, shrouded in storm clouds that threatened to sweep them from their precarious perch. Beatrix shifted her numb feet, but she could only move so far. Zircon’s right claw held her tight to his scales, preventing her from tumbling out into thin air. Irritated, she squirmed in his grip despite the danger all around, straining to get a better view of the object of their scrutiny.

I can see her just fine. My eyes are better than yours, little one. The snow cannot hide her heat signature from me. She glows like the coals of a fire in all this snow. But you cannot follow her. It would be impossible. Zircon’s thoughts pressed against her mind, a gift of the triad merger possible only through the magic of her djinn partner, Goshen.

The granite cliff on which they were perched was slick with ice that knew no spring. Only during the summer months, when the sun burned brightest, did the top layer of snow soften, only to flash freeze as soon as it touched the cold stone heart of the mountain. Nothing lived at this altitude, at least nothing without magic. The inhospitable peak had never known a human footprint either, for it was impossible to scale the mountain from below to where they now sat. A scant few hundred meters beneath them shimmered a magical barrier that was instant death to all who touched it.

Created by the Emperor, the field prevented the provinces of Gaia from mixing with their neighbours, and of recent date it prevented any form of approach from the skies, which at this height ruled out all but dragons. Only they had the ability to fly at heights that the bravest of birds shunned.

We must follow her now, before we lose her for good. Beatrix wriggled in the dragon’s grip. Her breath came in short gasps, as her lungs strained to pull in enough oxygen from the thin air. Goshen and Zircon exchanged glances over Beatrix’s head. I can sense your thoughts, you know. I am not being foolish. She is our only hope to find a way past the barrier. You know its true! Beatrix snarled.

We have watched her for a week. She takes the same path every day, and returns to the same cave. We cannot lose her, Beatrix, said Zircon. What we don’t know, is who or what waits for us beyond that dark entrance? I will not have you walking blindly into a trap, because we are ignorant of what is there. I cannot fit in that cave, or I would scout it myself.

Fine, said Beatrix with a huff. Can we continue this conversation back in our shelter? I am freezing to death out here.

You are only freezing because you were too stubborn to stay behind, said Goshen reasonably.

Beatrix shot an irritated glare at her djinn. Goshen had shifted into the shape of a wolf, complete with a thick layer of waterproof fur. He was not cold in the least, which only fueled her anger. With a sloppy grin, Goshen loped away up the narrow path as Zircon jumped into the air to glide the short distance to the cave entrance where they had set up their camp, located on the other side of the peak. Beatrix’s eyes blurred, streaming with tears induced by the stinging touch of the frigid air that left her gasping for air as the water vapour froze in her lungs.

They had chosen the cave for two reasons. The most obvious was that it existed far above the barrier, and the second being that there was little other choice. Barely large enough for Zircon’s immense body once he squeezed his way inside, he blocked all the wind and provided an impenetrable guard at the same time. It was also not accessible from below. The pocket of stone appeared to had been formed by a lightning strike that had blasted away a goodly portion of the mountainside. The mountain continued to grumble, stones sliding down past the face of the cave to vanish into the night.

Goshen padded into the opening, disappearing into its flickering grey interior. Zircon landed on his back feet then shoved his right front foot inside releasing Beatrix to the interior of the cave. He shoved his head inside, plus the front half of his body, and most of his wings. Beatrix imagined that from the backside, he must look like a jagged series of peaks, blending into the mountain. Even the shimmering flecks of diamonds that coated the underside of his wings and belly would be mistaken for the glitter of snow, once enough fell on his exposed torso.

Cut off by Zircon’s massive form, the wind ceased and the warmth of the cave washed over her. The contrast in temperatures caused violent shivers to chase up and down her body, as her skin and muscles thawed. Goshen was lying beside the fire, licking a paw and watching her stiff legged approach. Beatrix lurched closer to the fire and knelt beside it, pulling her gloves from her numb hands. Holding them before the cheery blaze, she slowly rotated them, allowing the heat to seep into her skin.

A memory flashed to mind, of the evening much like this when they had first met. That was the day she had learned the true purpose of her crystal heart, a purpose she shared with her brother. Or so she had thought. It was also the last day she had seen him, or her parents. That Hans would be uppermost in her mind as they attempted to find a way past the barrier, was no surprise. The barrier erected to keep her and her sisters of the heart away was very effective. She could use his help right now.

Her shivering slowed as her body warmed. Rising to her feet, she walked back to Zircon and stroked his scaled nose. Thank you for keeping me safe.

You are the reason we are here. Without you, we are all dead. Besides, I like you, purred Zircon. The djinn, however…

Goshen snorted. He shifted back into a human shape by the fire. Thanks, big guy. I will remember that the next time I have to save your scaly hide.

Beatrix laughed. Sliding her hand along Zircon’s glossy scales, she marveled at the velvety softness she felt under her fingers. She knew his scales to be as strong as iron, yet at the same time she knew that to lay her head against his side was the softest pillow she could imagine. Reaching up to the saddle, she unbuckled the flaps of a leather pouch. Her fingers reached inside to pull out the wrapped bundle she had been given, on leaving Jintessa. She carried it over to the fireside and sank down beside Goshen.

Every Heartbearer had been gifted with a parcel to aid them in their quest. The shape of each parcel had been different. She supposed it depended on the girl, her mission, and her province’s need. The parcel in her hands was shaped like a book, nearly square, yet it rattled when she shook it. We have waited long enough. It is time to open this parcel and find out what it contains. She placed the parcel on the ground in front of her.

You should have opened it as soon as we arrived, said Goshen, challenge in his tone. Waiting aids no one, but action could save lives.

She must do this in her own way, in her own time, said Zircon through the link, in reprimand. She is a child no longer.

With a sigh, Beatrix pulled on the strings, untying the package. The wrappings fell away. The gift was a music box. Surprised, she picked it up and turned the box over in her hand, then set it aside, to search the rest of the wrappings. There was nothing else. Not a note, not a scrap of paper. Puzzled, she picked up the music box again. She had never seen one before. Why would they give me a music box? How is this supposed to help us? Goshen leaned in closer to peer over her shoulder at the object. Made of wood, every spare scrap was carved with runes. Beatrix ran a finger over the markings on its surface. Even the base was carved. Shrugging, she opened the lid. The music box emitted a horrible screeching sound accompanied by a tinny noise that could only be described as the clanging of pots in a kitchen. The discordant sound was so irritating she slammed the lid shut to shut it up.

What in the name of my father’s hairy armpits, was that? she spat. Are they trying to attract every enemy in the Fjord to us? Who in their right mind would play such a thing where others can hear it? Disgusted, she tossed the box to the side, then got to her feet, prowling the circumference of the cave. The monsters that roam these mountains would kill us just to shut that thing up. I bet Shikoba didn’t get something useless like this. No, she probably received a bone knife, or a strangling cord, something useful, she groused.

Goshen ignored her tantrum, instead picking up the box and examining the runes. He retraced the path Beatrix’s finger had made over the etchings, his lips moving silently and forming the sounds. Beatrix, do you know what these runes mean? Can you read them?

Beatrix folded her arms under her breasts and glared at Goshen. Of course, I can read them. I was able to read runes before I could talk. That is how they knew I was the one to bear the crystal heart.

Well, what do they say? He held out the offensive music box.

Beatrix frowned at Goshen, stubborn incarnate. With a dramatic roll of the eyes, she relented. She took the box from his hands and held it closer to the flames, bending her neck to peer closer at the runes burned into the outer case. Slowly she read, turning the box over and over in her hand as she followed the script from right to left as was the nature of runes. Silence descended while she studied the box. She sank back down by the fire, unaware she had done so, fully absorbed in her study. She flipped it over to compare the lid with the base, then spun the cube on the palm of her hand, her eyes staring dreamily at the stone wall.

Well, what did you learn?

Huh?

Beatrix, what do the runes say?

Say? Nothing. Well, not in the traditional sense of words. They are songs.

Songs? Like you would sing on a high day? said Goshen.

Beatrix shook her head. No, more like whale song. They are the songs of the wildlife, how the creatures communicate in the Fjord. At least I think that is what they are. That might explain the sounds coming from the box, why they sounded so wrong to our ears.

I didn’t find the sound horrible. It was quite pleasing, to my ears. You humans have strange taste in music, said Zircon.

The cave floor vibrated under her feet. Stop that, Beatrix said, slapping the dragon’s side. It’s not funny.

Both Goshen’s and Beatrix’s heads turned in unison, amazed at the sounds emanating from the dragon. Zircon was humming— humming out loud! But somehow the tune didn’t sound awful, coming from the dragon. The sound had changed. Amusement hummed alongside the song, through the bond. Zircon was laughing at the pair of them, tongue hanging out the side of his mouth, sharp teeth glistening. Beatrix’s lips twitched, good humour restored. She stood up, hands on hips. What is it, Zircon? What’s so funny?

Did you really think that was all they’d sent back with us? That they would leave you weaponless? Check the other saddle bag.

Beatrix stalked over to the opposite side of the dragon, stepping around the puddles of laughing drool. The saddle bag on this side was considerably larger than the other, long and slender. It had been hidden by the folds of her blanket roll all