The Dream Thief

by H. M. Clarke

  The Dream Thief

  The Way to Freedom

  Book 2

  H.M. Clarke

  Copyright © H. M. Clarke 2014

  All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

  First published in The United States of America in 2014

  Second edition published in The United States of America in 2019

  Sentinel Publishing LLC, Dayton, Ohio

  Cover design by DerangedDoctorDesign

  The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  The Dream Thief (The Way to Freedom)

  Chapter One | Waiting

  Chapter Two | Meetings

  Chapter Three | The Council Hall

  Chapter Four | Back in the Barracks

  Chapter Five | Bedtime Stories

  Chapter Six | Speeches

  Chapter Seven | Aerial manouvers

  Chapter Eight | Visions

  Chapter nine | Some Secrets revealed

  Chapter Ten | Visitor

  Chapter Eleven | Justicar Tsarland

  Chapter Tweleve | Captain Fraser Vosloo

  Continue the season and get cool stuff!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Also By H.M. Clarke

  Also by H.M. Clarke

  The Way to Freedom Series

  1: The Kalarthri

  1.1: The Cavern of Sethi

  2: The Dream Thief

  3. The Awakening

  4. The Enemy Within

  5. The Unknown Queen

  6. The Searchers

  7. The Whisperer

  8. The Deceiver

  9. The Great Game

  10. The Gathering

  The Complete Season One–Books 1 5

  The Complete Season Two–Books 6-10

  Coming Soon

  11. The Mark of Fate

  The Blackwatch Chronicles

  1: Proven

  Coming Soon

  2: Uprising

  The Verge

  1: The Enclave

  Coming Soon

  2: Citizen Erased

  The Order

  1: Winter’s Magic

  Marion: An ‘Order’ Short Story

  John McCall Mysteries

  1: Howling Vengeance

  DEDICATION

  As always, this book is dedicated to my two beautiful children, Keith and Ariadne.

  “ĪSIGFEÐERA WIT ÞURHFLĒOGAN ūre fyrst winter tōgædre,”

  -A Saying of the Hatar’le’Margarten

  (Trans: “With frost on our wings we fly through our first winter together.”)

  Chapter One

  Waiting

  KALENA SLAPPED LEATHER gloves hard against her thigh.

  Adhamh stood stiff and silent behind her but Kalena could hear the nervous clicking of his fore claw. He always did that when he was feeling frustrated.

  “Why do they summon us so urgently and then keep us waiting?” she said aloud.

  Kalena always spoke her thoughts aloud when angry even though the small cut crystal that was implanted behind her ear made her thoughts heard clearly by Kalena’s Wingmate, the reptilian, black feathered Hatar, Adhamh.

  Adhamh only sighed.

  Silently he said, ‘We are slaves, we are Kalarthri. The Provost Marshall has Freemen with him. I saw them arrive as we approached.’

  Kalena rubbed a hand wearily across her eyes.

  ‘We were at a wake for our Wing Commanders, Adhamh. At least Brock could have waited until it was finished!’

  Tim Righter and Parta were killed during a training exercise with the First Calvary. The Horsemen did not obey orders and rammed their unblunted lances into them undefended. The officers involved were Freemen, so no charges were laid. Every time she saw a horse now it filled her with a rage that was hard to suppress.

  ‘We wait and we see. It is the price we pay for being the second born.’

  All Second Born children in the Suene Empire become the property of the State after their fifth birthday. They are assessed and are either placed into the Armed Services or into the Empire’s Public Administration. Since the Hatar’le’margarten nations were subjugated over a century ago, the Empire now has a flying wing as the Second Born Rule carries to all provinces of the Empire.

  Adhamh’s fore claw started to tap again. In the back of her subconscious, Kalena felt the disgust that the Hatar felt at being kept as a slave. Kalena had no qualms about it. It had always been that way in the Empire. It also meant that her parents still loved her, that they didn’t get rid of her because they didn’t want her. Kalena had never seen any of her family again since the day Provost Thurad rode off with her.

  ‘We are Flyers, we deserve some rights at least!’

  Adhamh said nothing.

  They waited longer in silence, both standing alone in the anteroom.

  Provost Garrick Thurad came to Darkon every other month to visit her and his brother. She was eighteen now and was old enough to realize that the Provost felt guilty about taking Kalena from her home. She still considered him a good friend.

  Now his brother Harada was another matter entirely. He was second born and even being the son of the Emperor did not exempt him from the Second Born Rule. He was also the Wing Commander of First Wing and a superior officer. And she loved him.

  As soon as the Wing returned from the ill-fated exercise, Kalena rushed to Harada’s quarters. He and Righter had been good friends. They grew up together as Tim’s father was Harada’s Uncle.

  She had entered Harada’s rooms to find Gwidion putting to rights the last pieces of up-ended furniture.

  “I’m sorry...” Kalena started to say before Gwidion cut her off.

  “Don’t worry about it. I had expected worse.”

  “He’s heard? Already?” Bad news always travels the fastest.

  Gwidion nodded. Gwidion was one of Harada’s Wing Lieutenants, the same rank as she held now in Second Wing. Kalena was promoted from Harada’s Wing into Second Wing three years ago.

  Suddenly Harada appeared behind her in the doorway, his pale features suddenly turned to red as he saw her. He was as tall as his brother, but where Garrick was golden-haired, Harada’s was as black as jet. He too was handsome to look upon but it was a different appeal to what Garrick possessed. A new addition to Harada’s looks was a shock of pure white hair that grew from above his left temple and on closer inspection, a person could see the beginning of the scar that caused it. He had been sporting that white bang for the last three months and no amount of teasing would have him black it out.

  Gwidion looked at Harada and then Kalena.

  Gwidion was a well-built man about the same age as Harada, with a mess of brown hair, which tried to cover the equally brown eyes that regarded them.

  “Are you alright?” he asked, a quizzical expression on his face.

  “I’m fine,” Harada replied and strode across the room to pick a rumpled shirt from a cupboard door. He shook it out and held it up for scrutiny. Its tattered remains hung limply before him. He suddenly threw the shirt away from him cursing it with such vehemence that Kalena and Gwidion stepped back towards the door.

  Harada didn’t seem to notice their reaction.

  He stopped cursing and stared at it before saying. “My father gave me that shirt, and I ruined it! I tore it from my back when Gwidion told me Tim was dead.”

  Harada collapsed onto the window seat, the scabbard of his sword scrapping angrily against the stone floor. His anger evaporating in the warm evening sunlight that streamed through the window.

 
; Kalena was going to say something sharp but with great difficulty held her tongue. She did not like seeing Harada this way. He was always strong and unbreakable, but this?

  “Who told him?” Kalena turned and asked Gwidion who still stood beside her.

  “A Calvary Officer from the First arrived just under an hour ago and told him. The bastard seemed to enjoy it.” Gwidion then said quietly, “It’s not often that you can kill a Noble Born and be able to get away with it.”

  Kalena nodded agreement. The First Calvary was a Regiment of Freemen and they were proud of it. They hated the Hatar Kalarthri and their riders with a vengeance because of the small amount of respect that was given because of their courage in battle; A respect that is usually given only to Freemen.

  “It’s not often that you can dig the knife deeper into another Noble at the same time.” Kalena quietly said.

  ‘To those officers, they are not Noble, they are Kalarthri.’ Adhamh spoke to her from somewhere outside. He was still close enough to hear her thoughts.

  Kalena shot an annoyed glance at the ceiling. “Shush Adhamh, they did it because of who they were, not who they are now.”

  ‘Maybe...’

  “Bloody Hatars,” Kalena muttered to herself. Gwidion nodded quietly to himself and then smiled.

  “Jolar has just spooked the first’s horses, I think that Adhamh is with her.”

  “Adhamh is right,” Harada spoke abruptly from where he was sitting. “WE are just slaves, higher placed than usual, but we are still just slaves.”

  Kalena glared at him, she never liked to be reminded of her status. Never liked the fact that the Wings are the best fighting force in the Army but they had to bow and scrape to the lowest born, lowest ranked freeborn Lieutenant.

  “It could be different,” Kalena whispered. No one in the room heard her but Adhamh answered.

  ‘It will never be different.’

  The creaking of a door bought Kalena out of her thoughts. She quickly snapped to attention and felt Adhamh do the same behind her.

  Chapter Two

  Meetings

  BROCK APPEARED AT THE door and not noticing their presence muttered: “The news grows more disturbing at every dispatch.” Two men appeared behind him who both nodded agreement. As they moved out from Brock’s office, Kalena’s eyes grew wide with apprehension.

  ‘What are they doing here?’ Kalena silently said to Adhamh. The Hatar mentally shrugged. Justicars did not concern him.

  “I will start the preparations immediately,” Brock said to the two men. Both were dressed in the thick black wool that made their uniforms, the only color on them being the gold embroidery of the Book of Truth on their breasts. Both were young and the golden-haired man smiled back at Brock.

  “The Provost Justicar thanks you for your cooperation in this matter.” Both Justicars then bowed to Brock and turned to leave. Kalena’s eyes lingered over the black haired man. Somehow he seemed familiar... And then she knew.

  “Videan?”

  The black haired man hesitated as Brock’s servant opened the door for them. The Golden-haired man glanced at Kalena but continued out of the door. Kalena’s brother hesitated. He looked at his former sister and in his eyes, Kalena saw nothing. There was no joy, no emotion; not even the hate and despite that she was so used to seeing when they were children. They looked to be the eyes of a dead man.

  He turned from her without uttering a word and left.

  Kalena was stunned. What had happened to Videan to make him that way?

  “What was that about Wing Lieutenant?”

  Kalena suddenly straightened back to attention. Provost Marshal Brock stood in front of her, hands held tightly to his sides. “Do you realize what the punishment for a Kalarthri who speaks out of turn to a Justicar is?”

  Kalena nodded her head. She did know the Rule. The Justicar that was spoken to can set any punishment he wished including death. Death was usually the one chosen.

  “He is my brother Provost Marshal,” she answered quickly. “I haven’t seen any of my family for eight years - it was the shock of seeing him that made me speak.”

  “I do not like my Wing Lieutenants taking risks like that. The next time you decide to do something as stupid, I’ll punish you myself.”

  “Yes, Provost Marshal.” Kalena tried hard not to smile. Provost Marshal Brock was different from most Freeborn Commanders because he actually cares for the Kalarthri he has serving under him. He also treats them like people, giving them respect and letting them still use their last names within the Flights. The Prefix ‘Kalar’ was only used when outsiders were around.

  It was then that the Hatar doors at the end of the hall opened to admit both Samar and Harada.

  “Good, you are all here.” Brock graced a slim smile on both the wing riders as they joined them.

  “What is this about Provost Marshal?” Harada said tightly. He had just come from seeing the bodies of his cousin and wing partner and was not happy to be called away.

  “First of all I would like to announce that I have already made a choice about Righter’s and Parta’s replacement,” Brock said. Harada stiffened angrily but the Provost Marshall continued. “Kalena and Adhamh, you are both promoted to Wing Commander of Second Wing starting immediately. You may choose your new Wing Lieutenant. A replacement wingman for Second Wing will have to wait until suitable candidates are found.”

  Kalena gasped in surprise. She thought that Gwidion would have been the one to get command, as he was older and more experienced. She glanced at Harada and saw that a smile had now replaced the anger on his face. He thought it the right decision.

  ‘Gwidion and Jolar would not have wanted the rank. They are happy where they are,’ Adhamh said. Kalena knew that it was the truth.

  “Thank you, Provost Marshal,” she said finally.

  “Now that’s settled, I will tell you the main reason that I have called you here.”

  Both Wing Commanders came alert at the change in the Provost Marshall’s voice. He was getting down to business.

  “Have any of you heard anything about what is happening up North?” Brock suddenly asked.

  Both Kalena and Harada looked at each other, unsure on how to answer. Both had heard tales but had ignored them as imagination gone wild. They were just too unbelievable.

  “A little,” Harada finally said. “But I consider them mostly rumor. People like to exaggerate when they are in their cups.”

  Brock looked at him and then sighed.

  “Unfortunately, what you’ve probably heard has more truth it than not. Officially I have only received sketchy reports but the Provost Justicars say that they have firm intelligence that confirms the Emperor’s worst fears.”

  The Provost Marshall paused, collecting his thoughts for what he was about to say.

  “From the little information we have, it seems that the Kingdom of Arran has decided to move against us. The Northern Border Garrisons have reported several of their patrols missing and have sent back reports of sightings of a peculiar nature.”

  “Peculiar? In what way Provost,” Kalena asked.

  “They report that Icetigers have been seen patrolling over the border and may be the cause of the missing patrols,” the Provost Marshall replied.

  “Icetigers? The Arranians would never release them from the grottos,” Harada said, disbelief thick on his tongue.

  “I find it hard to believe as well, but... And it’s a big but. It’s possible. The creatures thirst for destruction and they have no love for the peoples of the South,” the Provost Marshall said as he crossed his arms across his chest.

  “They have no love for the Arranians either. They were the people who imprisoned the Icetigers in the first place.” Harada paused, listening. Frowning he repeated for the Provost, “Samar says that if the Icetigers are free, then the Arranian Queen must have offered them something great indeed.”

  “What are Icetigers?” Kalena asked. She had never heard of them before. She felt
a mental cringe from Adhamh but ignored it.

  The Provost Marshall turned troubled eyes on Kalena. “They are creatures of the ice that hunger for flesh and blood. They are silent hunters that can kill a man before they are aware they are dead. They are covered in a thick shaggy white fur and have the face and stubby ears of a wildcat. They are ruthless and care not for the rights of others.” The Provost Marshall paused in his narration; Harada continued it for him.

  “The Icetigers came out from the frozen wastes of the North several generations ago. They killed and destroyed everything in their path and nearly completely overran the country of Arran. The Arranians sent for aid and Suene, Leith and Istay answered them. Only with the effort of these combined forces were mankind able to force the Icetigers into the Ice Grottos that the Arranian Spellcrafters had prepared to trap them. Once sealed, only an Arranian Spellcrafter can open it again. No man alive today has actually seen an Icetiger but very soon that may change.”

  Kalena stood in silence a moment and was about to open her mouth to ask another question when Harada spoke.

  “So, why are we here?”

  “The Provost Justicar has requested the use of two wings, his representatives have asked for a meeting late this afternoon to discuss the issue. I want you two to come with me. The Justicars said they will discuss their intelligence then.”

  “Yes Provost Marshal,” both Wing Commanders said in unison.

  “Meet me here at dusk and we will go and meet them in the Council Hall. I’m sorry but Samar and Adhamh will not be allowed.”

  Harada’s face hardened, but he still said, “We understand Provost Marshal.” The Justicars do not trust Mindspeak or the Hatars themselves. They prefer to think of them as tools and pack animals. A loud rustle of feathers was the only indication of Samar and Adhamh’s displeasure.

  ‘Do not worry Adhamh, you will hear everything through me–You too Samar.’

  ‘We know,’ Adhamh and Samar both answered and Kalena felt a rush of satisfaction. The Justicars can deny the Hatars all they want but it will not stop them from participating.