The Shadows of the Fallen

By Niranjan

With threats of invasion to destroy their world and a court full of people intent on usurping his throne, can Devan keep himself alive long enough to save Ephithia?

 

When his guardian dies unexpectedly and he's forced to claim the throne of Xeladria, Devan is in for an uphill battle. His court is full of cutthroats who heel to the call of power, and their loyalty to his guardian was bought through fear. Herias was a Fallen, capable of annihilating them without thought. But Devan is only human. Unlike his mentor, he doesn't have earth-shattering powers and he's not that hard to kill.

 

Herias' death raises bigger questions, however. Unless Herias allowed himself to be killed, no normal human could've done it. Worse, the assassin they captured is missing from the dungeons, and he took all the answers with him. It's starting to look like an inside job. Those closest to Herias are the prime suspects, but those same nobles and generals have now sworn oaths to Devan, and he's not sure which ones he can trust.

 

To make matters worse, there are rumblings beyond the kingdom, whispers of invasion from beyond the stars, an invasion that could wipe off all life and destroy their world, unless Devan can find a way to avert it. But when everyone believes he's spinning tales to strengthen his position, can he keep himself alive long enough to save the world?

 

Shadows of the Fallen is a queer Sword and Sorcery novella about intrigues, mysteries and alliances. If you love hapless but competent characters, intrigues and conspiracies, secrets and revelations, you will enjoy this tale.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Geetha Krishnan
• Release date: Sep 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9798227871152

Niranjan

An author and editor, Niranjan’s biggest ambition is to have a character named Garth in every book they write. Niranjan writes books rooted in mythical worlds, and their stories are often a combination of magic and futuristic technology. When they are not writing or editing, Niranjan can be found cooking or just lying on their couch watching or rewatching C Dramas and writing fanfiction.

Book preview

A Note on the Calendar of Ephithia

The Ephithians use a universal calendar, that is the same calendar is used in every kingdom and continent. The reason is it's a calendar that's created by magic, by astrologers who have studied these matters.

There are no months or weeks, only years which they call as cycles and each cycle is linked to something magical, be it a plant, object or animal

The number of days in each cycle varies and no Ephithian questions it since they're sure the magical astrologers knew what they were about.

If there are some who say the astrologers were drunk or playing a prank on the entirety of Ephithia, it's only rumours and we shall not pay heed to them.

The chronology of the cycles mentioned in this book is as follows:

The Cycle of the Falcon: Five cycles after what is known as the Fall, which is when Herias and the other Fallen Fell to Ephithia.

The Cycle of the Oak: Several hundred cycles after the Fall. Due to the lack of proper historians, no one knows exactly how many cycles were between the cycle of the falcon and that of the oak.

The Cycle of the Elf: Yes, there are elves in Ephithia, tiny creatures who are full of mischief and magic who live in caves and keeps to themselves mostly. Eight hundred cycles after the Cycle of the Oak.

The Cycle of the Great Boar: Not the Great Bore, as irreverent people call it. Fourteen hundred cycles after the Cycle of the Oak.

The Cycle of the Sun: Two cycles after the Cycle of the Great Boar, three cycle before the Cycle of the Lotus

The Cycle of the Gryphon: The Gryphons are wild creatures and ferocious and cannot be tamed. DO NOT GO NEAR ONE UNLESS YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A PAINFUL WAY OF KILLING YOURSELF. Two cycles after the Cycle of the Sun, one cycle before the Cycle of the Lotus.

The Cycle of the Lotus: The cycle after the Cycle of the Gryphon, two cycles before the Cycle of the Drek.

The Cycle of the Drek: The Drek is a magical creature similar to the dragon, but very docile and is kept as pets by those who wish to show how important they are. Herias didn't have to prove anything and hence he never kept any. The cycle of the Drek is two cycles after the Cycle of the Lotus.

The Cycle of the Moon: Eight cycles after the Cycle of the Drek, fifteen cycles before the Cycle of the Stars

The Cycle of the Wild Rose: Three cycles before the Cycle of the Stars, twelve cycles after the Cycle of the Moon

The Cycle of the Stars: When all of our story takes place, fifteen cycles after the cycle of the Moon

The Seventh Cycle of the Moon: This is not an Ephithian cycle, and no one knows what it means

The Cycle of the Hunter: Three cycles after the Cycle of the Stars and the end of our story

From the Journals of Herias

(recorded on the 8th day of the Cycle of the Falcon)

It was pain like I've never felt before and I knew that I was Falling... but I wasn't the only one... we were all Falling... all of us who had been there.

My limbs feel heavy, and I am burning, even though no flames are on me. It's as if there is an inferno raging inside me, burning everything that made me what I am.

My magic grows weaker, and panic seizes me.

Just before my consciousness fades, I see it.

The Shadow that makes a Star Fall.

One

A blue shooting star in the sky Description automatically generated

THE SOUND OF RAIN falling on the ground drowned out all other noises. There were a few umbrellas to be seen, but mostly, the crowd that had gathered for the funeral had no recourse from the rain.

Standing apart from the throng, Devan thought it was an appropriate goodbye for the last of the Fallen. Herias had been a larger than life figure, prominent in news as well as mythology, ruling over the tiny kingdom that he staked claim on benevolently and yet without relaxing the iron grip he had on it.

The people of Xeladria had turned out in force to bid goodbye to the only ruler they had ever known, and Devan saw the concern on many faces, the fears they didn’t voice aloud. What would become of them now? Who would move into the vacant throne of Xeladria, or would she be carved into pieces to be shared among her covetous neighbours?

Devan’s own concerns were in other directions. Fear was foremost, fear because Herias had asked him to be his successor. Devan didn’t think it was going to work so well. He had enough training, but that didn’t mean much when most of Herias’ subordinates would be eager to relieve him of his position, and perhaps even his head.

Grief was a close second. Herias had not been a warm person, and he had never treated Devan any differently than he did anyone else, but he had still raised Devan. He had been Devan’s guardian and mentor, the only parental figure he had in his life.

To know he was gone, that he could never see him again, or hear his voice…

Herias might have been uncaring, but he had been a rock. Someone safe. He had never judged Devan for anything, had never made him feel lesser, and now Devan had to face a world that was going to be judgemental, that would tear him apart for no reason than he was different from them.

He had always felt that difference, when the other magic users and soldiers all talked of sex and all that. Devan had never been even remotely attracted to anyone, had never cared for anyone that way; he didn’t even have friends. He didn’t curse or drink, and his sense of humour was too dry for most people to understand.

And now, he had to take Herias’ crown, his throne, and hold it against people more powerful than him, who wouldn’t be cowed by Herias’ name anymore since he was gone.

Devan sighed, as he looked towards where Herias’ body was being laid in its stone coffin. Being a Fallen, his body couldn’t be destroyed, hence the normal funeral custom of Xeladrians wouldn’t do. No pyre or urn of ashes for Herias, only a stone casket which would be kept in the temple of the dead instead of the urn.

He looked up and allowed a few drops of rain to fall on him through the magical shield he had raised to hold it off.

The sound of wings flapping, and someone landed on the small knoll on which Devan stood. Wings shook off water