by Amanda Young
"Are you headed to the river?" Rand asked, running up to join her on the sidewalk.
Lynnalin grinned at seeing him. After the night in the Square, he stayed by her side for three full days before he had to return to the stables and see about the remaining hounds. "No, I'm going to Bryce's tavern."
"That is quite a bag to carry to get a drink. Plan on staying awhile?" He fell into step beside her.
"Actually I plan on leaving Suriax for awhile," she confessed reluctantly.
"Need any company?"
"What about your hounds?" she reminded him, a little surprised by his question.
He waved off that argument. "I'll get my brother to watch them again. He'll hate it, but that makes it worth it right there."
Lynnalin laughed. Rand loved his twin brother, Larn, but they were dwarves and prone to rough dispositions. Rand's work with his hounds helped him learn a great deal of patience. His brother was somewhat lacking in that trait and preferred to do his own thing, avoiding the animals when possible. Rand took every opportunity he could to tease his brother about it.
"It may be dangerous?" she warned.
"No need to keep trying to convince me. I already said I'd go."
The cheers from the river drew their attention. Lynnalin looked at the crowd gathered to see a young guard receive accommodation and promotion into the military. His name was Camdon, a former flame guardsman, now a general. He led a group of the survivors they brought through the caves. Together, the men guaranteed the women and children made it on the last boat and then held the beach by the pier. Somehow, they survived the night with only a few loses. It was a miracle and the story was told over and over throughout the city to raise morale and give everyone something positive to focus on. Although the men were from Alerian settlements, they had the respect of all Suriaxians. A few even expressed interest in remaining in the city. The others were split between those wishing to settle in Aleria and those wishing to return to the south and rebuild. Ultimately, Lynnalin thought the women, once they returned on the boats, would have a lot to say about where they all went.
"Have you talked to Zanden and Casther?" Lynnalin asked once they were past all the commotion.
"Yeah, I heard they're giving leadership of the army to Zanden. Once it is official he's appointing Casther to a post under him, working with Sardon on training for the troops. They are both going to be busy for some time." It was a fitting reward. All three men were instrumental in organizing and leading the Suriaxian people in their resistance. Never backing down, until the last Culler stopped breathing, Zanden and Sardon fought the entire night and into the next day. Casther proved his own distinction after being separated by the magical barrier King Pielere somehow erected around the wall. Without the leadership of the men in the Square, he took charge, helping to funnel most of the fighting away from the residential areas, where many who were unable to evacuate in time remained.
"I'm surprised they didn't offer you a position." Rand's contribution in the battle was no less significant. He deserved recognition for his actions.
"Who said they didn't?" He responded calmly.
Lynnalin nearly gasped in shock. "Then why are you leaving?"
Rand looked out in front of them and took a deep breath. "I had my fill of politics. It was bad enough just going on one assignment. I don't need to be under the queen's thumb all the time. The simplicity of the battle in the Square made up my mind. It didn't matter if they were attacking us or the Alerians. They were our enemy, so we fought them."
"So you were already thinking about leaving?"
He gave a wink and a grin. "Have my hound saddled by the bridge. I was actually just coming to tell you 'goodbye.'"
"In that case, do we have time for a drink before we go? I'm buying."
"I never say 'no' to a free drink."
"What about your hound? Will he be okay so long without you?"
"Larn's with him," Rand informed her. "On second thought, let's make it two drinks."
* * *
Never had so many people crowded into Merchant’s Square. Suriaxians flooded into the Alerian side as they welcomed back the ships carrying those who evacuated prior to the fighting. It took nearly a week to find and kill every Culler who remained within the city walls. Kern worried there could still be more hiding somewhere. No one was really sure where all the rest went. In the early hours of the morning, before the sun began to lighten the sky, a horn rang out across both cities, heard even to the mountain passes where the evacuated ships sat waiting to return. It was the cause of the hum that shook the cave under the cleric’s tree. At its call, all Cullers not trapped by Pielere’s walls fled in all directions. Those trapped in the Square grew agitated to the point of absolute distraction.
Some people, especially in Suriax, continued to pursue and fight the monsters, but there were many people in need of healing and burying. Between the damage to the people and that to the buildings, there were plenty of other things to worry about. Most were simply glad it was over. Following so close to the destruction during the night of Blue Fire, Suriax was particularly hard hit, not that they would complain about it or accept any help.
The next boat let out its passengers to the cheers of the crowd. Kern watched from his perch in a tree outside the Square. The women and children he led through the mountains ran off the boat into the welcoming arms of their men, who were lucky to be alive. He still didn’t know how they managed to fight and kill so many Cullers when they possessed very few weapons and no formal training.
Kern rested back on the branches and tried to remember the last time he took a break like this. Once sure his brothers’ families were safe he joined the fighting again to help root out any Culler who ignored the call to leave. From the reports, he was sure at least a few had snuck out after Pielere finally dropped the wall. He never did find those goblins Mirerien claimed to fight. Sleeping on rooftops and in trees, he searched every corner of the city from morning until nightfall with little break for anything else.
“You look exhausted,” Pielere said, appearing by him in the tree.
Kern shrugged. “Just trying to make sure they’re all gone before everyone goes back to their normal lives.”
“I haven’t felt any deaths in over a day,” Pielere assured him. “And Samantha said she senses they are still near, but not in the city.”
“Well, when you put it that way,” Kern crossed his arms and closed his eyes. “I’m taking a nap. Wake me in a month.”
“Don’t you think you should talk to your friends first? They still don’t believe you are alive. They seem to think we are in some kind of denial.” He smiled.
Kern looked at his brother through one eye, the other one still half closed. “And what am I supposed to tell them?”
Pielere took a deep breath and paused. “The truth?” he offered.
“What are you guys going to do now, anyway?”
Pielere shrugged. “Continue to steward the law and see where that takes us.” He looked off thoughtfully. “I feel we still have a little time before . . .”
“Before?” Kern prompted when he fell silent.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “Come on. You are missing the celebration.” He patted Kern on the arm, his pain and fatigue melting away.
“Oh, alright, if you’re going to do all that, I guess I have no choice.”
Pielere laughed and teleported them to the gardens in the park by the large gazebo at the center of Aleria. People laughed and danced. Musicians played their songs. Despite the losses, they all knew how much worse it could have been and were grateful to be alive. Marcy and Thomas stood a few feet away watching the celebration from the side.
“You know, you’re a pushy god,” Kern grumbled, walking toward his friends. Pielere chuckled behind him. Catching sight of Thomas’ ears, he grinned. “Well, look at you two. I leave you alone for a week, and you go and get yourselves bonded.”
“Kern!” Marcy cried. “It’s true. You are ali
ve. But how?”
“We saw you die,” Thomas added, equally in shock.
Kern clasped his hands down on their shoulders and leaned between them. “Well, as it turns out, Pielere, Eirae and Mirerien are gods.”
They looked at each other, not nearly as surprised as he expected. Of course, there had been many rumors floating around the city since word of their unusual involvement in the battle spread. “That explains Frex,” Thomas said, catching Kern completely off guard. Marcy nodded her agreement.
“What about Frex?”
“Take a look over there,” Marcy motioned.
Kern looked to the people celebrating in the park. He saw the girl Candice dancing with Alnerand. They seemed to be having a good time. He was glad. He had not told her what happened with her father, and as far as he knew, the man had not reemerged. Maybe someday they would be reunited, but in the mean time, Kern was happy she was moving on and making new friends.
Beside them danced a young elven couple. They looked happy and carefree. The woman wore a simple white dress, accented with blue ribbons and sleeves. Her long burgundy hair twirled around with her as they moved. The man danced with precision and skill usually only seen from older elves. Around his neck he wore a woven green scarf. Kern stared. He knew that scarf. It was his uncle’s most prized possession, a gift from his sister, Kern’s mother. He looked at the man’s face and knew this was his uncle, and he was happy. Kern laughed, feeling more hopeful than he had in years.
* * *
Deep in the sanctuary of the mountains, nestled in isolated lakes separated from and fed by the Therion River by narrow tributaries, the refugee ships began their journey back up the river to the cities. They thought they were safe. If only they knew how close danger was, how close danger always was. True security was a lie. Safety and peace was a fleeting blip on the journey through pain and suffering. So was the way of the world.
Nadda watched them from her perch on the mountains, north of the river. Her long hair whipped around in the strong mountain wind.
“It’s time to go,” Ridikquelass said, joining her on the ledge and whistling at the view. “Wow, how fun would it be to dive into the water from here?”
“It is over a thousand foot drop,” Nadda pointed out, projecting her voice as she did, without moving her lips.
“I didn’t say I’d survive it,” Ridikquelass clarified, “only that it would be fun.”
Nadda shook her head and pulled up her hair, tying it in a loose bun and letting the rest fall down. She put on her hat to cover the bun and hold it in place. With only the bottom portion of her hair peaking out, anyone who didn’t know better would think her hair was very short. That was fine by her. The less people knew about her the better. It made it easier to blend in and disappear when the need arose.
“It’s too bad we didn’t get our hands on those Alerian god children,” Ridik complained, her urge to jump off the cliff momentarily forgotten.
“We acquired many new Suriaxian recruits,” she reminded her.
“Yes, but half of them lost their fire trick.”
Nadda shrugged. A hand came down on her shoulder, and she looked up at the massive being towering over them. “But,” the man said in a deep powerful voice, “those who did not lose the fire will prove a valuable asset to us. And you managed to convert a Sublinate as well.” Ridikquelass beamed under his praise. Together the three of them walked back down the mountain to their waiting army.
Author’s Note:
“Awake the Cullers” is the second of many stories from the world of Ondar.
Book One, “Suriax,” is currently available. If it was legal to kill, would you?
Also coming soon is A.D. McLain’s next book in her Spirit of the Wolf Series.
Be on the lookout for “Wolf of the Future.”
* * *
List of Books
by Amanda Young/A. D. McLain
and Raymond Young Jr.
A. D. McLain’s Spirit of the Wolf Series:
“Wolf of the Past”
“Wolf of the Present”
“Wolf of the Future” (coming soon)
Amanda Young and Raymond Young Jr.’s Ondar Series:
“Suriax”
“Awake the Cullers”
About the Authors
Amanda Young (a.k.a. A.D. McLain) is a writer of Paranormal Romance (specifically werewolf romances) and Fantasy.
Having completed her first story at the age of twelve, Amanda knew at an early age that writing was her passion. She attended South Jones High School in Ellisville, MS and graduated from the University of New Orleans in 2003 with a degree in English.
She currently resides in Louisiana, where she is married to her soulmate, Raymond. They married in a magical, Renaissance themed wedding ceremony in 2006 and had their first child in May 2008. They welcomed their second son in 2011.
Raymond Young Jr. was born in New Orleans, LA. He lived in St. Bernard Parish, East of New Orleans for over 20 years before moving to Covington, LA in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina. Ray graduated from the University of New Orleans in January 2006 with a degree in Geology, but he has also been an artist for most of his life. You can see his art at www.goblinjester.webs.com
Ray can be contacted at [email protected]
Connect With A.D. McLain/Amanda Young:
Author’s Website: www.wotpast.com
www.OndarSeries.webs.com
Smashwords Page: www.smashwords.com/profile/view/wotpast
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/wotpast
Ondar Fan Page: www.facebook.com/OndarSeries
Twitter: wotpast
Shelfari: www.shelfari.com/wotpast
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/wotpast
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/wotpast
Email: [email protected]
Dramatis Personae
*a Glossary of Important People in Ondar*
Characters Introduced in “Suriax”
Kern Tygierrenon - Brother of Alerian monarchs, half brother of Queen Maerishka
Queen Maerishka - Ruler of Suriax
Three Lawgivers/Alerian Monarchs:
Eirae (the Punisher),
Pielere (the Protector),
Mirerien (the Keeper of Order, Seer of Truth)
King Alvexton - Human, ruler of the Southern Plains, married to Maerishka
Lynnalin Moesaius - Suriaxian elven mage, member of cinder unit
Zanden Fiereskai - Suriaxian, leader of cinder unit
Rand Vrock - Dwarf, marenpaie hound trainer, member of cinder unit
Thomas - Human, former Flame Guardsman, from the mountains
Marcy Kentalee - Full elf, Suriaxian, friend of Kern
Maps
Aleria and Suriax are sister cities separated by the Therion River. They are connected by two bridges, one connecting at the center of each city and one connecting at Merchant’s Square, an area open between the two cities. At the center of Aleria stands a massive park and gazebo, often used for weddings and other events of note. Just off from the park is the tree of the healing clerics. They are best known for their magic which enables elves and non-elves to bind their life forces together in a permanent wedding ceremony.
Aleria is also well known for its theater, where impressive productions draw visitors from many neighboring lands. Homes in Aleria and Suriax are often nestled in large trees that reach up to two hundred feet in height.
Suriax is well known for its fighter tournaments, such as the Tournament of Fire. It draws visitors from the far reaches of the continent. Suriaxians love to gamble and race marenpaie hounds in their large racetrack, near the southern wall of the city. Other areas of importance include the Temple of Venerith, located just outside the walls around the palace grounds, and the Arrow’s Quill Tavern, run by Bryce Kentalee.
Table of Contents
Dramatis Personae
Maps
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Dedication
List of Books
Author’s Note
About the Authors
Connect with A.D. McLain/Amanda Young
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Author’s Note:
List of Books