“This one?” Sheldar said, holding up a stoppered vial. “Careful how you administer it, you don’t want to choke her and finish off Etezora’s work.”
“It’s not for her, stupid,” Cistre said with a smile. “I need something to get rid of this thumping headache.”
After treating each other’s wounds and tending to Tayem, the two dragon wrestlers were relieved to notice their Queen stirring. They provided her with water and urged her not to speak. It was while they were administering their care that a stirring in the outer chamber caused them to draw weapons.
“Stand down, it is only us,” Mahren said as she marched in with Brethis and Sashaim, sword at the ready. “Sister. How are you?”
Tayem raised a hand and waved weakly.
“Don’t make her speak,” Cistre said. “Her throat is severely bruised.”
“No,” Tayem croaked, “I will be … all right. Give me more water. I would speak with my sister.”
Cistre looked sceptical but passed a goblet of fresh water to her.
“What news from the field?” Tayem asked.
“Etezora is no more,” Mahren said, “and her troops are scattered in the forests.”
“You let them go?” Tayem replied.
Mahren hung her head. “Sister, we have sustained great losses. The kingdom is ours again, but we are but a remnant. We certainly had no appetite for exacting further vengeance. In any case, they have lost their Queen. They won’t be re-grouping in a long while.”
“And what of the dragons?”
“We lost ten more,” Sashaim spoke. “Slain by Etezora, the ballista shafts or Zodarin’s cowardly manoeuvrings in the Dreamworld.”
They shared a moment of silence, after which Tayem spoke the holy words of vs’ shtak blessing on the departing dragon spirits. “They shall be remembered,” she said, “and commemorated with the proper ceremonies. The Cuscosians shall not gorge themselves on their meat.”
Mahren sat next to her sister and informed her of what little she knew regarding the aftermath of battle. The Gigantes had retired to the Maidwin Hills, but nothing was known about Wobas or Milissandia’s fate, other than that they must have been successful at averting the threat posed by Zodarin in the Dreamworld.
“Come the morning,” Mahren continued, “we will shore up our defences and call back the scattered remnants who remained in the forests after the massacre at Lyn-Harath. But there are two prisoners we discovered who insist on seeing you. Given your state, I would suggest they wait.”
Tayem looked beyond Mahren and saw two familiar figures waiting in the doorway.
“Disconsolin, Merdreth? No, let them in. They need to make their peace.”
The two renegade Fyreclave members entered penitently and went down on one knee. “Majesty,” Disconsolin said, “I must crave your forgiveness. My protestations during the Vicrac were misguided. I sought to assuage Etezora, but it proved to be a travesty. My wife has suffered more than I, but we have both experienced first-hand how the influence of the Hallows cannot be negotiated with. I understand that my decision to appease is tantamount to treachery, and I must pay the ultimate price. But let me at least impart to you what I have learned before I die.”
“Disconsolin, that can wait,” Tayem said, her voice breaking up after every word. “I forgive you, and as my last act I absolve you from all guilt. The time for retribution is past. The time for reconciliation and rebuilding has come.”
“Wait,” Mahren said. “Your … last act? What do you mean?”
“Dragonia needs to forge alliances under a new leader, one who can unite the people, one who doesn’t bear the scars of Hallows possession.”
“You’re abdicating?” Mahren said. “Do not be hasty, Sister. You have been taxed beyond endurance and need time to think.”
“That is true,” Tayem replied. “Which is why, once I am better, I will retreat to Herethorn and seek the true healing I need. In the meantime I give you full authority to rule in Wyverneth. Your union with Brethis is what both our peoples need.”
“Tayem, I — ”
“My mind is made up. Now, let me rest. See to our wounded now — whether they be Gigantes, Dragonian or Cuscosian. Let this be a moment when we lead the way in building a new era.”
And with that, she dismissed all present, leaving only Cistre at her side.
“My Queen,” Cistre said. “You have made your will clear, and my first duty as Royal Bodyguard is to the ruling Queen, but do not forbid me from remaining at your side. If you can relinquish your position, then so can I.”
Tayem turned to her bodyguard, friend and — who knew — something more, saying, “I dared not hope either of us would survive this night of death, Cistre. If you desire to remain at my side, then who am I to dissuade you?” She took hold of Cistre’s hand and looked into her eyes. “Now say you will stay with me tonight. I would not spend it alone.”
~ FIN ~
Oga
Characters
Cuscosians
(Ambassador Urrel) – Eastern ambassador
Asselon – Cuscosian military
Captain Chalmon – Cuscosian military
Captain Domart – Cuscosian Military
Captain Heliot – Cuscosian military
Captain Nestra – Cuscosian military
Captain Torell – Cuscosian military
Charir – Pentacle of Cuscosian Gods
Chullashico – Bearer of Soul and Mind
Cotarth – Etezora’s father
Cuticous – Pet salix
Edar – Pentacle of Cuscosian Gods
Eétor Praetor – Etezora’s brother
Etezora – Cuscosian Queen
General Dieol – Cuscosian military
Grizdoth – Cuscosian spy
Jashkin – Cuscosian physicker/apothecary
Nurti – Cuscosian god
Orolotl – Cuscosian general
Oswald – Cat – Zodarin alternative form
Phindrath – Etezora’s younger sister
Setaeor – Etezora’s nephew
Shio – Pentacle of Cuscosian gods
Siksta – Pentacle of Cuscosian gods
Tratis – Etezora’s younger brother
Tuh-Ma – Blue-skin, Etezora’s companion
Wkar – Pentacle of Cuscosian gods
Zeetor – Cuscosian battalion commander
Zodarin – Sorcerer/off-worlder/amioid
Dragonians
Aedrellipe – Dragon Rider
Agathon – Agnarim dragon
Aibrator – Dragon Rider
Ascomb – Mature matriarch
Atsa – Dragonian – humiliated Zodarin
Beredere – Donnephon Royal Guard captain
Bostrom – Dragonian warrior
Celemon – Dragonian/exactment
Choghym – Dragon
Cistre – Royal Guard
Coren – Dragon Queen’s Guard
Darer – Tayem’s trusted advisor
Qardys – Sheldar’s Dragon
Disconsolin – Fyreclave member
Elohaim – Dragon Rider
Ensutharr – Old dragon (Oga’s mate)
Frodha – Dragonian advisor/courtier
Gathel – Pygmy dragon (with dragon blight)
Gemain – Donnephon administrator
Gostrek – Donnephon Underguard
Gundin – Donnephon Royal Guard
Hyvol – Pygmy dragon (Wrestling)
Jaestrum – Mahren’s dragon
Jezethorn – Donnephon Queen – Tayem’s mother
Kutan – Dragon (wrestling)
Magister Reganum – Fyreclave advisor
Mahren – Sister of Tayem/kirith-a adept
Merdreth – Disconsolin’s wife
Muthorus – Cistre’s dragon
Nyrris – Dragon Rider
Oga – Old Dragon (Ensutharr’s mate)
Quassu – Tayem’s dragon
Ralgemah – Legendary Dragonian Pyre Queen
Rusior – Dragonian veterinary surgeon
Sashaim – Dragon Rider
Sayndriosse – Dragon Rider
Sesnath – Deity
Sheldar – Dragon-hand
Staithrop – Donnephon Royal Guard
Tayem – Donnephon Queen
Teshgazzadar – Dragon
Thorshil Fyreglance – Tayem’s father
Uniro – Donnephon captain
Ymith – Pygmy dragon (Wrestling)
Ymre – Nyrris’s dragon
Gigantes
Brownbeak – Sentinel raptor
Carys – Wobas’s estranged wife
Dshambi – Ebar’s oldest child
Dyabi – Ebar’s Baby Son
Ebar – Cyclopes Hill-warden
Ginnie – Minutus wise woman
Hanar – A Cyclopes
Milissandia – Wobas’s daughter
Narchen – Cyclopes council member
Scorfleet – Cyclopes council member
Shamfis – Ebar’s wife
Taumahg – A Cyclopes
Torthen – Gigantes council member
Vaedra – Minutus villager
Wobas – Shaman / hermit
Kaldorans
Belthraim – Kaldoran deity
Bilespit – Kaldoran stonegrabe
Buzmith Oakstone – Kaldoran foreman
Ellotte – Nalin’s wife
Gorespike – Kaldoran soldier
Gribthore – Kaldoran stonegrabe
Grubet Bloodgut – Kaldoran healer
Grufrod – Kaldoran mercenary leader
Hakrish – Kaldoran stonegrabe
Hetherin – Magthrum’s deceased wife
Kalor – Kalti leader
Kartasia Silverfox – Friend of Ellotte
Magthrum – Fellchief/Kaldoran Leader
Nalin Ironhand – Kaldoran Chief Engineer
Nutug Hillgrop – Nalin’s cavecrawler mechanic
Palimin – Nalin’s Son
Pandar Kaldoran – God of sleep
Pitchbass – Kaldoran stonegrabe
Ropetail – Kaldoran stonegrabe
Speedwill – Messenger bird
Tarchon – Kaldoran deity
Dream Entities
Memek-Tal – Spirit Guide
Swamp Augur – Dreamworld Augur
Townsfolk (Cuscosian Peasants)
Brethis – Blacksmith’s Son/Mahren’s lover
Eryx – Brethis’s sibling
Jeramin – Brethis’s sibling
Oathair – Townsfolk/Brethis’s right hand man.
Petter Proudson – Townsfolk Inn Keeper
Ragonthorp – Townsfolk
Rawkin – Cart driver townsfolk
Singarin – Townsfolk
Vanya – Wandering bard
About Tom Adams
Tom Adams is an imaginer drifting between lands of speculative fantasy, horror and bizarro. When he strays back into the realm called reality he finds himself in Middleland; a geologically beautiful gamut of scenery in the north west of England. The forces that drive him shift their shapes with sharp needles of inspiration, but at present include the art of Zdzislaw Beksinski, the music and words of Ronnie James Dio and a frankenstein amalgam of word-scriptors such as Vonnegut, Tolkien, Clevenger, Leonard, King and Bradbury.
Tom is also an audio-narrator and has many titles on release from Audible, including ‘Dark Gods and Tainted Souls – Books I , II and III’ authored by Julius Schenk/Arthur King, ‘Lies and Retribution’ authored by A.P. Bateman and ‘The Psychonaut’ authored by himself.
He occupies niches in cyberspace at http://tomghadams.com and https://www.facebook.com/tomghadams/
About Andrew Naisbitt
Andrew Naisbitt is a product of the innovative 1960s. An impressionable child, he was influenced by many of the iconic TV shows of the period: the creativity of Gerry Anderson’s “Stingray” and “Thunderbirds”, TV classics such as “The Avengers”, “Doctor Who” and “Star Trek” and later his imagination was stirred by the literary works of Fleming, Gardner and, more recently, Horowitz.
Having retired from a successful career in Public Service, he now has time to diversify into his family business as a hobby shop owner and follow his dream of being a writer.
Andrew is no stranger to the publishing world, having previously written articles for the “Continental Modeller” as an experienced model maker.
He has now put pen to paper to create the fantasy world and mythos of “The Black Hallows” which brings a multitude of characters to life, not only in book form, but also as source materials for fantasy role-play and wargaming.
Cyber links – [email protected] or [email protected]
Can't get enough of the Black Hallows?
The second book in the Black Hallows trilogy is scheduled for release at the end of 2020; but if you can’t wait until then there’s another tale you can immerse yourself in straight away.
‘A Conclave of Cannibals’ is a short story from Tayem Fyreglance’s past. She and Cistre have been charged with leading a small sortie of Dragon Riders into the far reaches of Dragonia in order to track down a murderous warband of Kaldorans. Tayem must prove herself as leader of the Dragon Riders and root out the marauding stonegrabes that assail their border, and ensure that no more Dragonians fall foul of the Kaldoran’s cannibalistic appetites.
Featuring characters from ‘Cradle of Darkness’, you will experience a chapter from the Donnephon Queen’s early life that helped shape who she is in later life.
To get hold of this short story, simply go to https://dl.bookfunnel.com/olj11dg3iy and sign up to the Black Hallows newsletter. You’ll receive this FREE story and also get regular updates on all that is happening in the world of Black Hallows.
One more thing: If you enjoyed ‘Black Hallows: Cradle of Darkness,’ then please hop over to Amazon and leave a review. Andy and Tom would very much like to hear your feedback, and it also helps raise the profile of this book with other readers.
Many thanks.
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Cradle of Darkness Page 46