Darkblade Guardian
Page 147
“Yes, Master Phoenix.” Something unreadable passed in Aisha’s eyes, an unspoken fear or tension that Ilanna didn’t understand.
Ria dropped all pretense of formality and pulled the young woman into a tight hug. Aisha’s arms encircled Ria and returned the fierce embrace.
Ilanna overheard the words Ria whispered into Aisha’s ears. “Go, and find the Kish’aa, as your father would have wanted. If you are to become the Spirit Whisperer you are destined to be, you must face this.”
She didn’t catch Aisha’s response.
When Ria broke off the embrace, Ilanna stepped forward and placed her hands on Aisha’s strong shoulders. “My heart travels with you, ingani.” The Ghandian word meant “brother-in-arms” or “close friend”. “Protect him as you would your own flesh and blood.”
Aisha glanced at Kodyn, then turned back to Ilanna, her expression solemn. “With my life, Master Gold.”
“Thank you, Aisha.” Ilanna pulled the girl into a hug. “Bring my son back to me safe.” She turned away quickly, not wanting to let her son or Aisha see the tears streaming from her eyes.
She waited until she heard the door click shut behind the departing youths, then turned to find Ria standing behind her.
“I don’t want to let him go,” she said, her voice thick and raw. “I cannot help seeing him as the chubby-cheeked young boy playing in the garden.”
“It is his time.” Ria’s arms went around Ilanna and pulled her close. “Our little hawk must fly free.”
Ilanna basked in Ria’s strength, her iron will. For a long moment, she allowed the tears to flow, and kept her face buried in Ria’s chest. She had to hope she wasn’t saying farewell to her son for the last time.
Finally, she pulled back and turned her tear-stained face up to Ria’s. She smiled at the sight of tears leaking from Ria’s eyes as well, and pressed a salty kiss to the Ghandian woman’s lips. Their love for Kodyn had drawn them together and would keep them strong until he returned.
A memory flashed through Ilanna’s mind. “When you learned Shalandra was built on a mountain, you reacted strangely. Why?”
“Because of Aisha,” Ria replied simply.
Ilanna narrowed her eyes. “Explain.”
Ria nodded and pulled Ilanna into one of the two chairs in front of the desk. “Among my people, there is an ancient prophecy. I will not get into it now, but suffice it to say that it speaks of the City of the Dead, built onto the mountain. Aisha must go to Shalandra. To protect Kodyn, for certain, but it is more than that. Only there will she find her destiny—or the death that threatens everyone with her gift.”
Afterword from the Author
The Hunter’s story is far from over!
After his discoveries in Enarium, he is more driven than ever to find a solution to save the world from the Great Destroyer and fulfill his oath to Kharna.
I, however, must turn my attentions elsewhere for a short while. Telling the Hunter’s story—how he recruits the Cambionari, the Hidden Circle, and many others to his crusade—means delving into huge concepts like faith vs. fact, personal belief vs. public religion, what happens when a myth is shattered, the unmaking of a society after fundamental beliefs are destroyed, holy wars, and so much more. Because of the nature of the revelations, it is something that will require a lot more forethought and planning on my part.
I do intend to complete another four to six books in the Hero of Darkness series, ultimately culminating in the salvation of the world and (hopefully) the final triumph over the Devourer of Worlds.
But not yet…
For now, take a journey with six young heroes that I’ve wanted to write about for a while.
That epilogue set up Kodyn, Aisha, and Briana’s journey to Shalandra, the City of the Dead. But they’re not the only ones that will make the trip! Evren (and Hailen) will also end up in Shalandra, where they will cross paths with our favorite Night Guild apprentices. There, each of them will find their own destiny—and very possibly save the world in the process.
And pay special attention: what happens to these young people may very well provide an answer as to how the Hunter fulfills his oath to Kharna…
Heirs of Destiny
Six young warriors, one epic mission. Will they stand together or die alone?
5 thrilling novels, 2,000+ pages of heroic deeds and heart-pounding adventures.
Kodyn expected hardships along his journey to return the kidnapped Briana to her father. Yet harsh deserts and cutthroat bandits prove far less lethal than the foes that await him in Shalandra, the City of the Dead.
But he doesn't fight alone...
Elite warrior-in-training Issa battles to earn her place as a true champion of Shalanra.
Cunning street thief Evren unmasks insidious plots to foment chaos, revolt, and bring death to the city. All the while, he fights to protect his adoptive brother, Hailen, whose mysterious powers could very well shatter the world.
Aisha, Kodyn's companion and a fierce warrior from the north, finds herself drawn deeper into the world of the spirits. Her growing powers could lead to madness—or the salvation of everyone in Shalandra.
These young heroes face a desperate clash against death cultists, bloodthirsty criminal gangs, and the most powerful politicians in Shalandra.
But will their bonds of unity triumph against greed and cruelty, or will the kingdom crumble around them?
Action, adventure, plot twists, and intrigue--you’ll enjoy every heart-pounding second of Heirs of Destiny! For fans of Jeff Wheeler, Robin Hobb, and A.C. Cobble, take a journey through Andy Peloquin’s epic fantasy world…
Click now to begin the quest! A spine-tingling, emotion-packed fantasy epic that will have you on the edge of your seat.
"If you like intricate world-building, vivid descriptions that transport you to another place, and heart-pounding, visceral fight scenes, then Heirs of Destiny is your book!" – A.C. Cobble, author of Benjamin Ashwood
"A masterfully woven story with wonderfully imagined characters you will not soon forget!" -- Stevie Collier, Author of The Dark Assassin Trilogy
More Books by Andy Peloquin
Queen of Thieves
Book 1: Child of the Night Guild
Book 2: Thief of the Night Guild
Book 3: Queen of the Night Guild
Traitors’ Fate (Queen of Thieves/Hero of Darkness Crossover)
Hero of Darkness
Book 1: Darkblade Assassin
Book 2: Darkblade Outcast
Book 3: Darkblade Protector
Book 4: Darkblade Seeker
Book 5: Darkblade Slayer
Book 6: Darkblade Savior
Book 7: Darkblade Justice
Heirs of Destiny:
Book 1: Trial of Stone
Book 2: Crucible of Fortune
Book 3: Storm of Chaos
Book 4: Secrets of Blood
Book 5: Ascension of Death
Book 6: The Renegade Apprentice (Evren Prequel Novella)
Different, Not Damaged: A Short Story Collection
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About the Author
I am, first and foremost, a storyteller and an artist--words are my palette. Fantasy is my genre of choice, and I love to explore the darker side of human nature through the filter of fantasy heroes, villains, and everything in between. I'm also a freelance writer, a book lover, and a guy who just loves to meet new people and spend hours talking about my fascination for the worlds I encounter in the pages of fantasy novels.
Fantasy provides us with an escape, a way to forget about our mundane problems and step into worlds where anything is possible. It transcends age, gender, religion, race, or lifestyle--it is our way of believing what cannot be, delving into the unknowable, and discovering hidden truths about ourselves and our world in
a brand new way. Fiction at its very best!
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Glossary
The City of Voramis
Gods of Einan
Kiro, the Master: God of virtue and nobility
Deralana, Lady of Vengeance: Goddess of warriors and vengeance
Garridos, the Apprentice: God of ventures and enterprise
The Maiden: Goddess of purity, devotion, and festivities
The Illusionist: God of coin, success, and madness
The Bright Lady: Goddess of healing
The Swordsman: God of war, heroism, and metal-smithing
The Mistress: Goddess of trysts, secrets, and whispered truths
The Bloody Minstrel: God of sickness, plague, and horrible music
The Watcher: God of the night, god of justice and vengeance. Thieves and criminals know him as “the Watcher in the Dark”.
The Lonely Goddess: Goddess of orphans and broken hearts
The Beggar God: God of outcasts, the destitute, and the needy
The Long Keeper: God of death.
Darkblade Seeker Characters
(in order of appearance/mention)
The Hunter of Voramis/Hardwell: legendary assassin, half-demon, wielder of Soulhunger (Chapter 1)
The Sage: shadowy figure mentioned by Toramin and Garanis in in Darkblade Outcast, again mentioned by Queen Asalah in Darkblade Protector, demon, devious as all hell (Chapter 1)
The Warmaster: ruler of the Masters of Agony, vicious bastard, delights in torture, psychopath, slain by the Hunter (Chapter 1)
Hailen: child cared for by the Beggar Priests, innocent to an extreme, the Hunter’s ward, possesses mysterious new abilities (Chapter 1)
Bardin: former Illusionist Cleric, homeless madman, very bald, slain by the demon Toramin in Darkblade Outcast (Chapter 1)
Toramin: demon in human flesh, murderer, slain by the Hunter in Darkblade Outcast (Chapter 1)
Garanis: Illusionist Cleric, demon in disguise, controlling Father Pietus, slain by the Hunter in Darkblade Outcast (Chapter 1)
The First/Lord Jahel: Leader of the Bloody Hand and Commander of the Dark Heresy, demon in disguise (Chapter 1)
Queen Asalah of Al Hani: demon in disguise, plotting to murder the king and replace him, slain by the Hunter (Chapter 1)
Farida: Child saved by the Hunter (in Life for a Life), sold flowers, slain by the demon in Darkblade Assassin (Chapter 1)
Imperius: priest of the Illusionist Cleric charged with erasing the Hunter’s memories, totally insane, slain by the Hunter in Darkblade Protector (Chapter 2)
Master Eldor: former trainer of the Hunter, Elivasti, well-respected, pawn of the Sage, slain by the Hunter (Chapter 2)
Daemos: Elivasti warrior, masqueraded as assassin to kill the Sage, knocked off the cliff by the Sage (Chapter 9)
Erianus: Elivasti warrior, wise-ass, experienced fighter, soundly defeated by the Warmaster, slain by the Hunter (Chapter 9)
Hannara: Elivasti warrior, well-endowed, slain by the Hunter (Chapter 16)
Belros: Elivasti blacksmith, one of Master Eldor’s co-conspirators in the plot to overthrow the Sage (Chapter 16)
Commodus: beast pit fighter, beast of a man, slayer of greatcats (Chapter 20)
Gallidus: beast pit fighter, champion, slayer of cave bears, slain by the Hunter (Chapter 21)
Master Uqio: innkeeper of Kharan-cui, paid by the Hunter to care for Hailen, not worth his price (Chapter 29)
Dasim: masked Elivasti warrior, co-conspirator in the plot to overthrow the Sage, traitor and double agent, slain by the Hunter (Chapter 29)
Il Seytani: legendary bandit roaming the desert of the Twelve Kingdoms, leader of the Whirlwind Horde, consummate businessman, cruel, slain by the Hunter in Darkblade Protector (Chapter 32)
Visibos: Cambionari apprentice from Malandria, locked in the vault in the House of Need in Darkblade Outcast (Chapter 33)
Daladar: Elivasti youth, slain by the effects of the opia (Chapter 35)
Garn and Rhian: Masters of Agony, professional torturers, less than gentle with the Hunter, slain by the Hunter and Elivasti (Chapter 41)
Raiken: Elivasti warrior (Chapter 48)
Aerden: Master Eldor’s son, died from the opia side effects (Chapter 57)
Darkblade Slayer Characters
(in order of appearance/mention)
The Hunter of Voramis/Hardwell: legendary assassin, half-demon, wielder of Soulhunger (Chapter 1)
Hailen: child cared for by the Beggar Priests, innocent to an extreme, the Hunter’s ward, possesses mysterious new abilities (Chapter 1)
Elivast: chestnut-colored horse, friendly, very wet nose (Chapter 1)
The Sage: shadowy figure mentioned by Toramin and Garanis in in Darkblade Outcast, again mentioned by Queen Asalah in Darkblade Protector, demon, introduced in Darkblade Seeker, devious as all hell (Chapter 1)
The Warmaster: ruler of the Masters of Agony, vicious bastard, delights in torture, psychopath, slain by the Hunter in Darkblade Seeker (Chapter 1)
Master Eldor: former trainer of the Hunter, Elivasti, well-respected, pawn of the Sage, slain by the Hunter in Darkblade Seeker (Chapter 2)
Sirkar Jeroen: caravan master in Darkblade Protector , warrior, lover. (Chapter 3)
Master Uqio: innkeeper of Kharan-cui, paid by the Hunter in Darkblade Seeker to care for Hailen, not worth his price (Chapter 3)
Madame Aioni: madame, proprietress of Divinity House, offers anything if the price is right (Chapter 3)
Sastia: working girl at Divinity House, cares for Hailen (Chapter 3)
Darillon: mountaineer, trail guide, very bald, not the friendliest sort (Chapter 4)
Karannos Taivoro: mad playwright, famous for his works of erotic poetry and romance, original Illusionist Cleric, savant and lover of ciphers (Chapter 5)
Graeme: alchemist, lover of erotic poems and romances, member of the information-collecting Hidden Circle, the Hunter’s only “friend” in Voramis (Chapter 5—see Darkblade Assassin)
Bardin: former Illusionist Cleric, homeless madman, very bald, slain by the demon Toramin in Darkblade Outcast (Chapter 5)
Toramin: demon in human flesh, murderer, slain by the Hunter in Darkblade Outcast (Chapter 5)
Evren: pickpocket and clever thief, knows more about the Master’s Temple than he lets on, hiding dark secrets (Chapter 6)
Under-Lectern Sisket: low-level priest in the Master’s Temple, lackey and general flunky, target of “Brother Makrell’s” displeasure (Chapter 8)
Father Reverentus: high priest of the Beggar God in Voramis, old, member of the Cambionari, not the Hunter’s biggest fan (Chapter 10— see Darkblade Assassin)
Father Pietus: High Beggar Priest in Malandria, very old, slain by the Hunter in Darkblade Outcast (Chapter 10)
Visibos: Sir Danna’s knight apprentice, in service to the Beggar God in Malandria, scholar, lover of soft beds, Cambionari priest, locked in a vault by the Hunter in Darkblade Outcast (Chapter 10)
Farida: Child saved by the Hunter (in Life for a Life), sold flowers, slain by the demon in Darkblade Assassin (Chapter 11)
Sir Danna Esgrimon: Knight of the Order of Piety in service to the Beggar God in Malandria, redhead, Cambionari priest, seeking vengeance for the death of her apprentice (Chapter 13)
Rassek: Darillon’s partner, mountaineer and trail guide, the salt to his companion’s pepper (Chapter 15)
Kiara/Celicia: Fourth of the Bloody Hand, enemy turned ally, helped the Hunter defeat the Demon of Voramis (Chapter 30—see Darkblade Assassin)
Taiana: the Hunter’s wife from a lifetime and thousands of years ago, the woman he’s dreamed of and crossed a continent t
o see (Chapter 44)
Darkblade Savior Characters
(in order of appearance/mention)
The Hunter of Voramis/Hardwell/Drayvin: legendary assassin, half-demon, wielder of Soulhunger (Chapter 1)
Lord Knight Moradiss: knight in service to the Beggar Priests, commander of the Cambionari of Malandria, wielder of Ildaris, slain by the Hunter in Darkblade Outcast (Chapter 1)
Taiana: the Hunter’s wife from a lifetime and thousands of years ago, the woman he’s dreamed of and crossed a continent to see (Chapter 1)
Neroth: Bucelarii fighting with Taiana in Enarium, slain by Elivasti wielding Scorchslayers (Chapter 1)
Kalil: Bucelarii fighting with Taiana in Enarium, young and naïve, slain by the Hunter (Chapter 1)
Hailen: child cared for by the Beggar Priests, innocent to an extreme, the Hunter’s ward, possesses mysterious new abilities (Chapter 1)
Kiara/Celicia: Fourth of the Bloody Hand, enemy turned ally, protected Hailen from the Stone Guardians, helped the Hunter reach the city of Enarium (Chapter 1—see Darkblade Assassin)
The Sage: shadowy figure mentioned by Toramin and Garanis in Darkblade Outcast, again mentioned by Queen Asalah in Darkblade Protector, demon, introduced in Darkblade Seeker, devious as all hell, slain by the Devourer of Worlds (Chapter 2)
The Warmaster: ruler of the Masters of Agony, vicious bastard, delights in torture, psychopath, slain by the Hunter in Darkblade Seeker (Chapter 2)
Cerran: Bucelarii fighting beside Taiana, fiery red hair and beard, treacherous bastard, locked in the Chambers of Sustenance by the Hunter (Chapter 3)
Father Reverentus: high priest of the Beggar God in Voramis, old, member of the Cambionari, not the Hunter’s biggest fan (Chapter 4— see Darkblade Assassin and Darkblade Slayer)