Golden Tide (Song of the Aura, Book Four)

by Gregory J. Downs

  Karanel Winter: The youngest Windmaster in Vastion’s army. Later referred to as “Karanel One-hand,” she eventually takes on a leading role in the Vastic Remnant.

  Karmidigan: A prodigiously powerful Reethe Frost Strider.

  Kell: A silverguard of Ymeer, who accompanies Gribly and Lauro on their journey to the Inkwell. Presumably killed in a Sea Demon attack.

  Kite S’wrath: One of the few female pirate captains to gain influence with the Alliance.

  Larion Vale: King of Vastion, the last surviving kingdom in Vast. His fate is as of yet unknown.

  Lauro Vale: Prince of Vastion, and Gribly’s uneasy friend. He was exiled for refusing to execute a prisoner, and is entirely focused on winning back the honor his father feels he has lost. Though he doubts whether or not the Aura can provide that honor for him, he realizes that cooperating with them is the only way to fulfill his duty to Vastion.

  Leafly: A Haedus in Wanderwillow’s entourage at the Swaying Willow inn.

  Legion, The: Nine Archdemons bound in the underworld of Kerbus at the beginning of time. They were once Aura, but became corrupted with pride in their own power. They wished to rule the world, and were banished for it.

  Lithric: The nymph cleric of Mythigrad.

  M’tant, The: A mysterious tribe of Wood Nymphs residing in the Blackwood, Northeast of the Grymclaw. They are rumored to be cannibals, and to be ruled by a demon.

  Magnin: One of the craftiest, most experienced rangers under Arlin’s command.

  Margry: A female Elder of South Village.

  Marlo the Fool: A rogue lord from the South, and a master of disguise. He is somewhat crazed, but a cunning leader nonetheless.

  Marmat: A silverguard of Ymeer, who accompanies Gribly and Lauro on their journey to the Inkwell. Presumably killed in a Sea Demon attack.

  Marvol Winter: Brother to Karanel Winter, and Lord of the White Wind, King Larion Vale’s personal bodyguard force.

  Medlore Hallifar Silverpaw: Also called simply “Mudlo,” he is one of the youngest rangers in Vastion’s force. He also bears the name Hallifar, though his relation to Byornleo Hallifar and/or Avarine Hallifar is distant, if it really exists at all. He is not the most serious person, unless under combat stress, in which case he can be deadly.

  Morr: A sly ranger under Arlin’s command; formerly a bandit.

  Murie: A Vastic Ranger stationed in Ymeer. Called “Old Murie” by most of the inhabitants, she disguised herself as a gypsy to blend in, allowing her to care for and protect Gribly as he grew older and learned to use his gift. She was killed by Gramling.

  Norne: The legendary Aura of fate. She is one of the few characterized as female, and is said to sit in Halla, holding the threads to which the fate of every living person is tied. In some controversial sources of lore, she is said to have the power to snip and tie these threads, granting life and death wherever she sees fit. Much of her true nature, however, is simply not known.

  Old Pickpocket, The: A former thief and black market trader specializing in strong drink. He is crippled from the waist down.

  Patnel: A Reethe nymph in charge of guarding Mythigrad’s armory. Secretly a Frost Strider.

  Raenin: One of the few woman rangers under Arlin’s command.

  Ragan: A mancaptain of Vastion, under command of Karanel Winter and Captain Yotun.

  Ranathin: Also known as “Ran.” Grandson of Elder Donovan, and friend to Calloway and Cramner.

  Randale: Another male human known as “Ran.” A Wind Strider messenger in the Vastic Dalheim commanded by Captain Yotun.

  Reethe, The: The northernmost of the three Sea Nymph tribes. Their Second Form resembles the icy snow they inhabit. It is stronger than the Second Form of the Treele, and most often used in combat or in the harsh winter storms that often lash the Inkwell.

  Roko Smallword: Head Cook in Vastion’s capital city.

  Shele: A mysterious woman living in the underbelly of Ymeer. Her brother Crutus pressured her to put her martial skills to use in the fight pits, which she reluctantly agreed to. Her recent losses have put the freedom of her only daughter at risk. She goes by the alias “Shadow.”

  Sheolus: The cursed name of the Golden One.

  Slere Math: A former cleric, and now one of the most powerful rogue lords in Vast. He, like most, has sworn allegiance to King Gram.

  Steamclaw: A pit draik of Blast; called Nebulekef in the Nymphtongue. His service eventually passed from Gramling, to Gribly, to the Red Aura, who may have been his creator and master all along.

  Tannarch, The: Father of Avarine, former lover of Avarine Hallifar, and leader of the M’tant. He is a powerful Stone Strider, coming into greater abilities just as many of his brethren during the troubled days leading up to the Day of Norne.

  Traveller: One of the many names taken by the Gray Aura. Commonly called Viator among the Sea Nymphs of the Inkwell. He is most powerful in the realm of dreams.

  Treele, The: The easternmost of the three Sea Nymph tribes. Their Second Form is watery and translucent, much like the waves they commonly inhabit.

  Tressa Kinn: A young Coalskin girl enslaved to the Golden Nation’s “Institution” in Manlyn. She aided Karanel Winter in her escape before being severely chastised and sent back to the Golden Nation homeland, where she eventually became a Pit Strider Acolyte.

  Understone, The: The semi-sentient shell of what was once a Wood Demon core. It has corrupted the M’tant city of Mortenhine and brought most of the inhabitants under its pulsing, half-living thrall.

  Vail Kammerdan: A Sky Strider apprentice from Vastion, and one of the first to die in the Golden Nation invasion. His master was Windmaster Karanel Winter.

  Varstis: Raitharch of Mythigrad, Lord of the Sanquegrad, King of the Reethe. He is a nymph of more than respectable reputation, though there are rumors he had dealt with pirates in his youth.

  Wanderwillow: The commonly used name for the Brown Aura, who is rumored to reside in the Grymclaw. He sometimes goes by the name Swaying Willow, identical to the name of the enchanted inn where he is innkeeper. He is the Nympharch, the patron of the Nymph race.

  Windfellow: A falconhorse under the service of Traveller, the Gray Aura. Wendfilo in the nymphtongue.

  Windwing: A far-eagle used by Karanel Winter and Vail Kammerdan.

  Winden: A Vastic warrior, and Captain Yotun’s second-in-command.

  Yan: A nymph, a friend of Captain Berne, and first mate on the Suthway Cath.

  Ymorio Highfast: Dunelord of Ymeer. Ruthless, intelligent and handsome, Ymorio kept himself in power far longer than any previous Dunelord; partially due to his more than competent Sand Striding abilities.

  Yorun: A mancaptain of Vastion, under command of Karanel Winter and Captain Yotun.

  Yotun: Captain of a Southern Dalheim, and a Wind Strider. He gave his life in defense of Vastion.

  Zain, The: The southernmost of the three Sea Nymph tribes. Unlike their brethren, they are restricted to a single mortal form. This may be due to the long periods of time spent on the land, or on the crafted wooden ships they use for trade.

  STRIDING the ELEMENTS in SONG OF THE AURA

  In the land of Vast, it is commonly held that the physical world consists of Five Elements. Three are of the World, and Two are of the Otherworld. The three World Elements are Sea, Sky, and Stone. The two Otherworld Elements are Spirit and Pit.

  Occasionally, a man or nymph will be born with the ability to manipulate part of an Element. Such a being is known as a Strider, and their ability is referred to as Striding. Most Striders are born with the ability to Stride only part of a World Element. This ability usually manifests itself sometime in early adolescence.

  The precepts and limits of Striding an Otherworld Element are unknown; however, it is generally accepted among scholarly circles that the so-called sorcerers and magicians are really just common men and women who have discovered some aspect of Pit Striding. The power of cleric “prayers” is sometimes attributed to Spirit Striding.


  In ancient times, Striders could manipulate an entire World Element, and sometimes even combine their power with some part of an Otherworld Element. The abilities of Striding have genetically decreased over time, however, and Striding an entire element is now unheard of.

  At the time of the events recorded in the Song of the Aura, some of the aforementioned facts have begun to be disputed. It is even prophesied by some of the less orthodox clerics in Vastion and beyond that there will soon arise those capable of surpassing even the most talented Striders of the past.

  And indeed, as time goes on, the power of Striders as a whole seems to be increasing at a rapid and dangerous rate. All but the weakest gain new power and new ability, resulting in many victories… and many deaths. The more power, the harder for those newly come into their power to control it. Excepting Gribly, Elia, Lauro, and Gramling, those who learn to control an entire World Element usually meet serious injury or death from the unclean flow of power. Some, like Karanel Winter, have even managed to “burn themselves out,” resulting in the loss of Striding altogether.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS for SONG OF THE AURA

  Well, this book has been a journey. It began as a short book, which became a long book, which became another short book, which became a very long book, which was split into three parts. Eventually it was decided to be a nine-part series… and then, even that changed. What you’re reading is one of what is now six parts, and I have several special people to thank for helping it get to the point it's at.

  Firstly, I thank God. He's given me my talent, and He's swept me off my feet with what He can do.

  Secondly, through God, I've had the grace to work with some amazing people, who I'd like to thank individually.

  My mom: for doing an incredible job refining and pruning my story to a readable point.

  My brother: for being the first reader and the first fan.

  Nathanael: for reading through and pointing out the dumb mistakes that slip by me constantly.

  Thirdly, I thank the teen writing workshop members from the spring program at my library: they don't know it, but without them the character of Gribly would never have been invented... and there would have been no story to tell.

  Lastly, I thank all the people and groups who gave me support and fellowship on the path of writing: my friends, my family, my heroes, my helpers. We're Striders together, all of us…

  ABOUT the AUTHOR and the BOOK

  I’m the author of several novels, including the standalone Arthurian novel Mordred, as well as the Song of the Aura series. Having grown up reading the likes of Tolkien, Jacques, Lewis, and Jordan, it was only a matter of time before my imagination grew too explosive to contain, and one day it spilled out onto paper as the first lines of my first story.

  As far as my life goes, I like all sorts of fantasy games, movies, and books. I’m a soccer player, a wannabe musician, and an active Catholic. I was homeschooled for most of my life, allowing me to finish my first novel by age 16. By 17, I’d written four. Into college and beyond, I hope to continue writing novels that both inspire and enlighten you, the reader… just make sure to have fun while you’re at it, OK?

  I hope you've enjoyed this book- but whether you liked it or hated it, I value your opinion. Reviews are hugely appreciated. Thank you, and May the great Creator of the world send His Aura to protect you!

  To visit my blog, go to www.epicbloggjd.blogspot.com.

  To become a fan of the Song of the Aura series, go to www.facebook.com/songoftheaura.

  To become a fan of Mordred, go to www.facebook.com/Excather.

  BOOKS by GREGORY J. DOWNS

  SONG OF THE AURA

  Brother Thief

  Winter Warrior

  Grym Prophet

  Golden Tide

  Dire Sparks

  Storm Kings

  THE EXCATHER CYCLE

  Mordred

  Book Two, coming late 2012

  SHORT STORY COLLECTIONS

  Dreams of Steel

  STANDALONE FANTASY

  Ghostwalker, coming Summer 2012

  PREVIEW OF

  -SONG OF THE AURA-

  BOOK FIVE

  -DIRE SPARKS-

  The Blackwood was burning.

  In an ashy hollow where once had stood an entrance to the Mortenhine underground, two M’tant were fighting for their lives against one particularly vicious Pit Strider.

  As Avarine watched, the first wood-nymph charged, swinging his halfsword and snarling, desperation written in his attack. The Pit Strider ducked under the swing, punching the nymph in the gut with a gauntleted fist that glowed orange. The M’tant stumbled back, wheezing, doubling over in pain as fire burned into his stomach.

  Then the Pit Strider made a claw with each hand, holding them out from him as if he were holding an invisible ball of air. Sparks jumped between his palms, fizzing unnaturally loud.

  Blast! Avarine thought. I waited too long… But she had to try anyway.

  Before she’d taken three steps, a liquid flame too bright to look at gushed from the Pit Strider’s hands, sweeping the area in front of him. It lasted only for a second, but when it winked out of existence there was nothing left of the nymphs or the tunnel entrance… except a smoking, blackened crater.

  “You’re out of luck, slime,” Avarine murmured. The Pit Strider whipped his head around, looking for the source of her voice.

  “I hear you, infidel…” he said, snarling and rubbing his hands together.

  “But you can’t hurt me,” she pointed out, “Not when you’ve used up most of your power to burn those two to a crisp!”

  It was all a ploy, of course. The Pit Strider spun towards her voice, unleashing a ball of red fire. He was too late; already she was rolling to the side, something hard clutched in her fist. The Coalskin barely had time to scream before she had reached him, slapping him hard in the neck with the object in her hand.

  “Burrower,” Avarine smirked, letting herself become visible. The black thing unwound its curled black carapace and dug into the Pit Strider with startling alacrity. In a moment it had disappeared into his body, and the Coalskin was thrashing on the ground as the burrower made good on its name. “Funny,” Avarine said, “They won’t touch nymphs. We got the idea to use them against you from your very own burrowing golems. Fools…”

  She disappeared again. She liked to let her enemies see her face, but it wouldn’t do to stay vulnerable for too long. As the Coalskin’s spasms grew ever weaker behind her, Avarine stalked further into the hellish remnant of the Blackwood’s southern quarter. Burrowers only worked once, and that had been her last one. There was no time to lose.

  She would reunite her people, now that the M’tant cleric served her and she had extinguished the Understone. There were no Aura to protect the M’tant, and no one else would come to the aid of oath-breakers and blood-drinkers such as her people had once been.

  Once, but no more. Avarine would remake them… no matter what it took.

  The Blackwood burned, but she would quench the Pit Fires with Spirit, one by one, until she had saved her people. Until she had done what her father could not.

  Oh Lauro, she thought painfully, I need you more than ever…

  PREVIEW OF

  -THE EXCATHER CYCLE-

  BOOK ONE

  -MORDRED-

  Night lay over all of Ancient Britton. It darkened the forests of Rience in the South and swept haughtily over the mountains of Darkumbra in the North. It lay heavily over the forgotten realms of Albion and Cornwall, but over the western empire of Caledonia it floated like a dream. Great forests rustled mysteriously in the midnight wind, mingling sounds of beast and tree and fountain. Immense plains and fields of shadowed amber and muted green swayed in this same breath of air, and mountains rumbled and spoke with hidden thunder. As the wind blew across the realms of living men, the halls of wood and stone sent up to heaven a melody of their own, a silence built by years of toil and valorous deeds. Camelot, the mightiest ci
ty of that age, slept in a mantle of moonlight, a monumental guardian of the land.

  “Arthur.” A voice whispered through the night like a breath of wind. No answer.

  “Arthur.” It breathed through the forests, across the fields, under the mountains, and right to Camelot's doors. No answer.