Frostborn: The Broken Mage
Page 33
Not yet. He might need them to hold off his enemies soon enough.
The soulstone rested in his right hand, heavy and cold with potential power. Without it, he could have traveled from the Vale of Stone Death to Dun Licinia in the blink of an eye. With it, he could only travel one step at a time…but without it, he could not open the gate and summon the Frostborn.
So the stone came with him.
It was a hideous risk. Sooner or later Ardrhythain would return from the threshold, and the high elven archmage might find him. Or some other power might decide to claim the soulstone, or the Keeper might locate him and challenge him again…
The hideous burns upon his face tightened. They would not heal, and the pain was tremendous, but pain was of no importance. He would keep going, he would defeat his enemies, and he would open the gate and gain freedom at last…
This was a bad idea.
Shadowbearer’s instincts told him to drop the soulstone in the middle of the High Pass, abandon the Mhorites, and disappear back into the shadows. The plan with the Enlightened and the soulstone had been a good one, but it had nearly fallen apart. He should disappear and wait for the next time the moons reached the proper conjunction. The Keeper and her allies would have died by then, and Shadowbearer could continue his work uninterrupted.
Yes. That was what he should do.
His hand tightened against the soulstone.
The shadow within him screamed with fury. It demanded its freedom, and its freedom was at hand. Shadowbearer would be free then as well. Or would he? Once he had been the archmage Tymandain of Cathair Solas, but now he was the bearer of Incariel’s shadow.
Sometimes he could no longer tell the difference between himself and the shadow.
Maybe there was no longer any difference. Perhaps he was Incariel and Incariel was him.
He would not turn back now. Victory was at hand, and no triumph came without corresponding risk. All he had to do was reach out and seize it.
After a few appropriate preparations, of course.
He had sent agents of the Enlightened to Dun Licinia in preparation for this day. Shadowbearer reached out, seeking for the darkness within his servants, and found it.
###
Imaria Licinius, daughter of Dux Gareth Licinius, sister of the slain Aelia Licinius Arban, opened her eyes.
She stood in her bedroom at Dun Licinia’s only inn. As a deliberate insult to Sir Joram Agramore, she had refused his offer of guest rooms at the town’s keep, and had instead rented the entire top floor of the inn. Her father would be appalled when he found out, as would her superiors in the Order of the Magistri, but that was not important. She cared nothing for what Sir Joram or her father or the Magistri thought, and her allegiance to them had become a lie. Once she had thought herself in love with Tarrabus Carhaine, the leader of the Enlightened, but of late her ardor for him had cooled as the shadow in her mind whispered of the truth.
Her true allegiance was to the shadow of Incariel, for Incariel had promised her what she dearly desired.
Vengeance upon Ridmark Arban, the man who had murdered her sister. And then, perhaps, revenge on all the realm.
Imaria blinked several times, clearing her head. Lately, when Shadowbearer’s voice had filled her mind to impart instructions, there had been…echoes. Lingering whispers. As if the shadow of Incariel still stirred within her, filling her with power.
Those whispers suggested a potential future, a realm crushed beneath giants of frost and ice, a realm crushed in vengeance for Imaria’s loss.
That thought pleased her.
She opened the door and went to the sitting room. The furnishings were crude and far beneath her station, but they were the best that Dun Licinia had to offer. A wooden table sat in the center of the room, circled by chairs.
The Weaver sat in one of the chairs, staring at her.
He was an Initiated of the Sixth Circle of the Enlightened, one of the oldest and most powerful of the Enlightened. As far as Imaria knew, he was at least a century and a half old, and maybe even older. Right now, he affected the appearance of a gaunt, ascetic-looking old man with close-cropped white hair and pale, gentle blue eyes, clad only in a simple white robe.
He smiled as she approached…and his head exploded into a spray of black threads. The shadowed threads danced and tangled around each other, and then merged, weaving themselves back into a head.
Specifically, into a perfect copy of Imaria’s head, with the same green eyes, olive skin, and long black hair.
“Darling child,” said the Weaver in a perfect imitation of Imaria’s voice. “What news from our master?”
“I told you not to do that,” said Imaria, irritated.
The Weaver considered that, smiling with a copy of her mouth, and then his head exploded into a maze of black threads, weaving itself back into the guise of the ascetic old man. Imaria was surprised. The Weaver usually ignored what she said. Now, though, he looked at her with something like…
Respect?
“You hear it, don’t you?” murmured the Weaver. “The voice of our master?”
“Shadowbearer speaks to me,” said Imaria.
The Weaver’s sardonic smile seemed out of place on that ascetic face. “The shadow of Incariel. You hear it now, don’t you? Your hatred has brought you close to it. You hear Incariel’s voice.”
Imaria nodded, and the Weaver’s smile widened.
“So,” he said. “What does Shadowbearer wish of us?”
“Ridmark Arban is coming to Dun Licinia, along with the restored Keeper of Andomhaim,” said Imaria. The Weaver’s smile vanished at the last part. “We’re going to kill them both.”
“I see,” said the Weaver. The smile returned. “And then, darling child? What does Incariel have planned for us then?”
Imaria felt herself smiling in answer. “Vengeance.”
“Well,” murmured the Weaver. “Shall we begin?”
THE END
Thank you for reading FROSTBORN: THE BROKEN MAGE. Look for Ridmark's next adventure, FROSTBORN: THE WORLD GATE, to appear in late 2015. If you liked the book, please consider leaving a review at your ebook site of choice. To receive immediate notification of new releases, sign up for my newsletter, or watch for news on my Facebook page.
Other books by the author
The Demonsouled Saga
MAZAEL CRAVENLOCK is a wandering knight, fearless in battle and masterful with a sword.
Yet he has a dark secret. He is Demonsouled, the son of the ancient and cruel Old Demon, and his tainted blood grants him superhuman strength and speed. Yet with the power comes terrible, inhuman rage, and Mazael must struggle to keep the fury from devouring him.
But he dare not turn aside from the strength of his blood, for he will need it to face terrible foes.
The priests of the San-keth plot and scheme in the shadows, pulling lords and kingdoms upon their strings. The serpent priests desire to overthrow the realms of men and enslave humanity. Unless Mazael stops them, they shall force all nations to bow before the serpent god.
The Malrag hordes are coming, vast armies of terrible, inhuman beasts, filled with a lust for cruelty and torment. The Malrags care nothing for conquest or treasure, only slaughter. And the human realms are ripe for the harvest. Only a warrior of Mazael’s power can hope to defeat them.
The Dominiar Order and the Justiciar Order were once noble and respected, dedicated to fighting the powers of dark magic. Now they are corrupt and cynical, and scheme only for power and glory. They will kill anyone who stands in their way.
To defeat these foes, Mazael will need all the strength of his Demonsouled blood.
Yet he faces a far more terrible foe.
For centuries the Old Demon has manipulated kings and lords. Now he shall seize the power of the Demonsouled for himself, and become the a god of torment and tyranny.
Unless Mazael can stop him.
Read Demonsouled for free. Mazael's adventures continue in Soul of Tyra
nts, Soul of Serpents, Soul of Dragons, Soul of Sorcery, Soul of Skulls, and Soul of Swords, along with the short stories The Wandering Knight, The Tournament Knight, and The Dragon's Shadow. Get the first three books bundled together in Demonsouled Omnibus One.
The Ghosts Series
Once CAINA AMALAS was the shy daughter of a minor nobleman, content to spend her days in her father’s library.
Then sorcery and murder and her mother’s treachery tore her life apart.
Now she is a nightfighter of the Ghosts, an elite agent of the spies and assassins of the Emperor of Nighmar. She is a master of disguise and infiltration, of stealth and the shadows.
And she will need all those skills to defend the Empire and stay alive.
Corrupt lords scheme and plot in the shadows, desiring to pull down the Emperor and rule the Empire for their own profit and glory. Slave traders lurk on the fringes of the Empire, ready to seize unwary commoners and sell them into servitude in distant lands. Yet both slave traders and cruel lords must beware the Ghosts.
The Magisterium, the Imperial brotherhood of sorcerers, believe themselves the rightful masters of the Empire. With their arcane sciences, they plan to overthrow the Empire and enslave the commoners, ruling all of mankind for their own benefit. Only the Ghosts stand in the path of their sinister plans.
And the Moroaica, the ancient sorceress of legend and terror, waits in the shadows, preparing to launch a war upon the gods themselves. She will make the gods pay for the suffering of mankind...even if she must destroy the world to do it.
Caina Amalas of the Ghosts opposes these mighty enemies, but the cost might be more than she can bear.
Read Child of the Ghosts for free. Caina's adventures continue in Ghost in the Flames, Ghost in the Blood, Ghost in the Storm, Ghost in the Stone, Ghost in the Forge, Ghost in the Ashes, Ghost in the Mask, and Ghost in the Surge, along with the short stories Ghost Aria, Ghost Claws, Ghost Omens, The Fall of Kyrace, Ghost Thorns, Ghost Undying, Ghost Light, and Ghost Dagger. Get the first three books bundled together in The Ghosts Omnibus One, and get the first four short stories bundled together in a World of the Ghosts Volume One.
The Ghost Exile Series
Caina Amalas was a nightfighter of the Ghosts, the spies and assassins of the Emperor of Nighmar, and through her boldness and cunning saved the Empire and the world from sorcerous annihilation.
But the victory cost her everything.
Now she is exiled and alone in the city of Istarinmul, far from her home and friends. Yet a centuries-old darkness now stirs in Istarinmul, eager to devour the city and the world itself.
And Caina is the only one that stands in its way...
Read Ghost in the Cowl, Ghost in the Maze, Ghost in the Hunt, Ghost in the Razor, and Ghost in the Inferno along with the short stories Ghost Sword, Ghost Price, Ghost Relics, Ghost Keeper, Ghost Nails, and Ghost Lock.
The Third Soul
RACHAELIS MORULAN is an Initiate of the Conclave, the powerful order of mighty mages. But to become a full Adept of the Conclave, she must first survive the Testing. Those who survive the Testing never speak of the trials they endured.
Those who fail the Testing are never seen again.
And now the Magisters of the Conclave have come to take Rachaelis to undertake the Testing. And there she shall face perils to both her body and her sanity.
And creatures that yearn to devour her soul.
If Rachaelis survives the Testing, she will face even more dangerous foes. The demons of the astral world watch the world of mortal men, desiring to rule it for themselves.
And some Adepts of the Conclave are eager to help them.
Read The Testing for free. Rachelis's trials continue in The Assassins, The Blood Shaman, The High Demon, The Burning Child, The Outlaw Adept, The Black Paladin, and The Tomb of Baligant. Read the entire series in The Third Soul Omnibus One and The Third Soul Omnibus Two.
The Frostborn Series
A thousand years ago, the last grandson of Arthur Pendragon led the survivors of Britain through a magical gate to a new world, a world of magic and high elves, of orcs and kobolds and stranger, darker creatures. Now the descendants of the exiles rule a mighty kingdom, peaceful and prosperous under the rule of the High King.
But a shadow threatens to devour the kingdom.
RIDMARK ARBAN was once a Swordbearer, a knight of renown. Now he is a branded outcast, stripped of his sword, and despised as a traitor.
But he alone sees the danger to come. The Frostborn shall return, and unless they are stopped, they will cover all the world in ice and a neverending winter.
CALLIANDE awakens in the darkness, her memories gone, and creatures of terrible power hunting her.
For she alone holds the secret that can save the world…or destroy it utterly.
The secret of the Frostborn.
Read Frostborn: The First Quest, followed by Frostborn: The Gray Knight, Frostborn: The Eightfold Knife, Frostborn: The Undying Wizard, Frostborn: The Master Thief, Frostborn: The Iron Tower, Frostborn: The Dark Warden, Frostborn: The Gorgon Spirit, and Frostborn: The Broken Mage along with the short stories The Orc's Tale, The Mage's Tale, The Thief's Tale, The Assassin's Tale, The Paladins's Tale, and The Knight's Tale. Read the first three books combined in Frostborn Omnibus One.
Mask of the Demonsouled Trilogy
MAZAEL CRAVENLOCK has prevailed over terrible foes and now rules the Grim Marches with firm justice. Yet ancient evils are stirring in the shadows, freed at last by Mazael's own hand. Unless Mazael fights with all his strength, the world will fall.
SIGALDRA is the last holdmistress of the Jutai nation, the final defender of her people. Now the darkness comes to devour the final remnant of Sigaldra's home and family. Even Sigaldra's courage may not be enough to turn aside the darkness.
Read Mask of Swords along with the short stories The Ransom Knight and The Serpent Knight.
The Tower of Endless Worlds
THOMAS WYCLIFFE just wants to finish his dissertation in peace and quiet. So when a man in a black robe appears in his closet, claiming to be the last of the Warlocks, Wycliffe figures it is a bad joke.
But he soon realizes the last of the Warlocks can give him power beyond imagining.
And all it will cost is his soul.
SIMON WESTER needs a job. Badly. So when a rich and powerful Senator offers him employment, he jumps at the chance. Sure, Simon expects to find some corruption, some shady deals.
He doesn't expect to find black magic.
LIAM MASTERE is a Knight of the Sacred Blade, defender of the mortal races. But can swords stand against guns? As bullets and bombs destroy his kingdom, Liam must risk everything to save his homeland's one chance of salvation.
By daring the horrors of the Tower of Endless Worlds…
Read The Tower of Endless Worlds for free. The saga of the Tower continues in A Knight of the Sacred Blade, A Wizard of the White Council, and The Destroyer of Worlds.
About the Author
Standing over six feet tall, Jonathan Moeller has the piercing blue eyes of a Conan of Cimmeria, the bronze-colored hair of a Visigothic warrior-king, and the stern visage of a captain of men, none of which are useful in his career as a computer repairman, alas.
He has written the DEMONSOULED series of sword-and-sorcery novels, and continues to write THE GHOSTS sequence about assassin and spy Caina Amalas, the COMPUTER BEGINNER'S GUIDE series of computer books, and numerous other works.
Visit his website at:
http://www.jonathanmoeller.com
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http://www.computerbeginnersguides.com
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Table of Contents
Description
Chapter 1: Frost
Chapter 2: Ruins
Chapter 3: Siege Doors
Chapter
4: Night Visions
Chapter 5: Sacrifices
Chapter 6: Images In Stone
Chapter 7: Wayward Pets
Chapter 8: Stone Eyes
Chapter 9: An Extended Family
Chapter 10: Vault of the Kings
Chapter 11: Nests
Chapter 12: Dragonfall
Chapter 13: Hunger
Chapter 14: Alone
Chapter 15: Enemies and Enemies
Chapter 16: Lost Lives
Chapter 17: Fires and Shadows
Chapter 18: Remember
Chapter 19: An Assassin of the Red Family
Chapter 20: A Constant Thorn In My Side
Chapter 21: Reunion
Chapter 22: Pursuit
Chapter 23: The Dead God
Chapter 24: One Last Throw
Epilogue
Other books by the author
About the Author
Table of Contents
Description
Chapter 1: Frost
Chapter 2: Ruins
Chapter 3: Siege Doors
Chapter 4: Night Visions
Chapter 5: Sacrifices
Chapter 6: Images In Stone
Chapter 7: Wayward Pets
Chapter 8: Stone Eyes
Chapter 9: An Extended Family
Chapter 10: Vault of the Kings
Chapter 11: Nests
Chapter 12: Dragonfall
Chapter 13: Hunger
Chapter 14: Alone
Chapter 15: Enemies and Enemies
Chapter 16: Lost Lives
Chapter 17: Fires and Shadows
Chapter 18: Remember
Chapter 19: An Assassin of the Red Family
Chapter 20: A Constant Thorn In My Side
Chapter 21: Reunion
Chapter 22: Pursuit
Chapter 23: The Dead God
Chapter 24: One Last Throw