Crown of sorrows, p.1
Crown of Sorrows, page 1
Crown
of
Sorrows
Song of Echoes
Book Four
R.E. PALMER
FrontRunner Publications
Copyright © 2024 R.E. Palmer
All rights reserved.
www.FrontRunnerBooks.com
Cover art by Kentaro Kanamoto
www.kentarokanamoto.com
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Another huge thanks to Erin Kahn, Amanda Brand, Gizmo Beardon and Janet Allmey who once more took on the unenviable task of wading through my first drafts.
Your feedback is most valuable. One more book in the series to go... I promise :0)
MAP OF THE FIVE REALMS
A large version of the map on the following pages
is available to download and print at
FrontRunnerBooks.com
GLOSSARY
A list of characters, places and historical events has been added to the end of this book. You can also access it, and download if you wish, at
FrontRunnerBooks.com/glossary
1. THE ROAD TO BORRUND
Elodi could not take her eyes off the storm clouds looming behind the treetops of the North Forest. While they had retreated from the skies over Roth’s Doom, the snowstorms had not abated in the north. She glanced to the trees, then back to the gloom above to check they had not moved, fearing they would roll back over Ormsk to avenge their master’s defeat. She turned to Toryn riding beside her and noticed his attention also laid to the north. ‘Scouts report much of Lunn lies beneath thick snow and the marshes of Lumreek are frozen.’
Toryn shivered. ‘Then it seems the warlocks are keen to keep a Norgog presence in the region.’ He nodded to the mud-clogged road. ‘It may have thawed quickly, but this will soon freeze over if those icy gales resume.’
Elodi twisted to look over her shoulder. ‘And if the warlocks yet maintain their hold over the elements, it suggests the Amayans have failed to avenge Amyra.’ She slumped back into her saddle. ‘While many in the realms will rejoice as news of our… victory travels south, you and I know this does not end here.’ She glanced behind and lowered her voice. ‘I’m exhausted, Toryn. My body cries out for rest, and my eyes yearn to look upon Calerdorn’s towers once more.’ Her jaw clenched. ‘Is it too much to ask that I wake after a long, restful night’s sleep and not find an aide standing beside my bed bearing bad news? I want to look those under my command in the eye and not dread them dying in their hundreds from the decisions I have to make.’ She let out a long sigh. ‘I want to breathe air not tainted by the stench of death. I just want to…’ Elodi looked away as a tear ran down her cheek.
Toryn leaned over and took her hand. ‘You, above all others have earned a rest, Elodi. Borrund is not far. And no one would deny you a few days peace and quiet.’
Elodi’s eyes flashed. ‘A few days! I need a whole…’ Her shoulders sagged. ‘I’m sorry. I did not mean to snap.’
He tried to smile. ‘I can’t blame you. A few days? It’s me who should apologize. That may have come across as a little… insensitive.’
Elodi peered ahead, hoping to see Borrund’s famed bell tower, but many leagues still lay between them and a warm bed. She yawned. ‘If I had a whole month, I still don’t know if I would have the strength to face the slaughter of another battle. When I opened my eyes this morning…’ she stifled a sob, ‘do you know what my first thought was? As I looked at the raindrops running down the roof of my tent, I wished I could’ve rolled over and not wake until this was all over.’ Toryn went to speak, but Elodi held up her hand. ‘The thought of facing another day was torture. It took all my effort to throw off my blanket and pick up my sword.’ She jabbed her finger to the north. ‘And look. They mock us still. They taunt us. And would death bring relief? If they command the elements, do they command the afterlife? But… no, I don’t think they would grant us the release of death.’ Her hands clenched the reins. ‘I doubt it, Toryn. They’ll have other plans for the likes of you and I, should they take us alive.’
Elodi rode on in silence but continued to observe the clouds in the north. But when she looked down at the muddy road, all she could see was Aldorman lying face down in the grime of the battle. Sadly, he was not alone. Elodi muttered to herself. ‘So many dead… so many fine people lost in the mud.’
After several minutes of listening to the horses’ hooves slushing through the thaw, Toryn broke the silence. ‘I know how you feel, Elodi, but we cannot let our enemy get into our heads. We now have twice the number of Amayans on our side. Nyomae learns more of Draegelan’s ways, and you have just halved the dark ranks able to ride against us. Surely, we can take some hope from that. Not all goes against us.’
Elodi whispered. ‘I wish I had your confidence, Toryn.’ She thumbed over her shoulder. ‘But we don’t know if the Amayans have survived, Nyomae lies in a deep sleep, and I’m certain our enemy can rebuild their armies faster than we ever could.’ She eyed the North Forest as the Borrund Road turned and came within a few hundred paces of its border. The cobwebs fluttered in the breeze, blowing out like tattered curtains by an open window. She shuddered. ‘I hope the Nym remain true to their word and rid that place of the spiders. I don’t have the heart to send in another force to destroy the nests.’
Toryn’s skin crawled at the sight of the webs still clinging to the trees. He straightened. ‘Yet you wouldn’t find any who’d refuse should you ask. You are held in high esteem, Elodi. You’ve earned their respect and trust. But I trust the Nym will keep their promise. They saw the harm the aralaks inflicted upon the forest. They won’t tolerate them over-running the place.’
Elodi looked back to the line of wagons bearing the badly injured, and trailing behind them, the sorry sight of the walking wounded. ‘I do hope so.’ She winced. ‘We’re terribly exposed strung out along this road. Imagine the casualties even a dozen of those vile creatures would wreak upon us. Our lines must look very tempting to a hungry spider. To them, we’re a good source of food, food that has little strength to fight back.’ She patted Sea Mist’s neck. ‘And I doubt even Misty has the legs to outrun a ravenous aralak. Our horses are in desperate need of warm stalls and nourishment.’
Toryn nodded at Shepra trotting alongside his horse. ‘The same for my faithful hound here. She’s had her fair share of spiders’ poison. It’s a wonder she survived, but how much more of those foul fluids could she take? She’s saved my life at least twice.’
‘At least?’
‘Amyndra told me Shepra fought bravely at Roth’s Doom. I wasn’t aware of her for most of the time, but she had my back. It looks as if’ — Shepra whimpered — ‘ah, she’s limping.’ Toryn slid from his saddle, lifted the dog, and placed her on his horse. He climbed up behind and lifted her paw. ‘She’s wounded.’ He stroked her back. ‘You must forgive me, lass. I hadn’t noticed.’
Elodi reached across and patted Shepra. ‘The poor thing has suffered in silence.’ She winced as she examined the injured paw. ‘She deserves the attention of a healer as much as any soldier.’
‘Then I hope Borrund’s healers are both plentiful and skilled.’ He glanced to the wagons.
Elodi noted his concern. ‘Elrik is strong. A blacksmith I believe. I’m sure he and Lorek will soon recover.’
‘I do hope so. They’ve proved to be excellent fighters. But too many would struggle to wield a weapon any time soon. It’s going to take at least—’ Toryn clutched his stomach. ‘Something’s… changed.’ He twisted in his saddle to look about them.
Elodi went for her sword. ‘Are we under attack?’
‘No… it’s not that. It’s difficult to say… this is going to sound a little strange, but I can't feel the mountains.’
‘Pardon? You mean you can usually feel them?’
Toryn frowned. ‘I suppose so… yes. It wasn’t until just now that I realized I can. They’ve always been there. The Kolossos are the backbone of this land. Although I could barely see the top of Caranach from my village, they seemed ever-present. And even later when in Archonholm, I could still sense them.’ He turned to the west. ‘But just now, it felt like they had gone. I feel empty… yes, that’s the word.’
Elodi reached over and placed her hand on his forehead. ‘Are you… feeling alright? You could be coming down with a fever.’
‘I’m as good as can be expected.’ He continued to check the grasslands. ‘Do you feel anything? Something odd… different perhaps?’
She let out a long sigh. ‘I’ve felt something different for weeks. But at this moment, I’m exhausted. I’m not certain I’d notice Ormoroth if he crept up behind us.’
Toryn’s hand rested on his bow. ‘I hope it’s not a forewarning of an attack. We’re in no state to meet even a small force.’
Elodi’s eyes wandered back to the forest. ‘Then we’ll all welcome the sight of Borrund’s sturdy barricade.’
Bardon returned from his inspection of the wagons. ‘Then you won’t have to wait long, Elodi. We should see Borrund’s solitary tower once we crest this ridge.’
Elodi sat straighter, looking like the victor at Roth’s Doom as the people now perceived her. She attempted to smile. ‘Aside from knowing it’s the largest city in the realms constructed entirely from wood, I’m ashamed to admit my knowledge of Borrund is somewhat lacking. I’m afraid my attention waned once my tutors moved on from heroes and the great battles, and onto more mundane subjects. Although, I seem to recall Borrund wasn’t always the principal city of Ormsk.’
Bardon laughed . ‘Then not all your tutors’ time was wasted. Centuries ago, the city of Borrusk was the home of the Ormsk Council. Borrusk was situated forty leagues to the east when the river was almost thrice the length. It now sits beneath the waters of the Borr Estuary.’ He chastised Elodi with a grin. ‘I’m surprised the story of the Flood of the Great Sorrow didn’t get your attention, young lady. It’s quite a dramatic tale.’
Elodi stroked Sea Mist. ‘One to take my mind from our current woes perhaps?’
Toryn straightened. ‘Oh, most certainly if it’s the story I know, then yes.’ He grimaced as he eyed the sludge. ‘But it does involve floods.’
Bardon smirked. ‘It appears the education in Toryn’s backwater surpassed that of the best scholars of Calerdorn. It’s a story worthy of a warm fireside, but I imagine we’ll have more important issues to discuss on our arrival. I shall try to do it justice from my saddle.’ He took a breath. ‘Legend has it that a storm to end all storms blew for a week and a day.’
Elodi scoffed. ‘Well, if only that part was true. I think the storm over Roth’s Doom… and not to mention the one that struck the Celestra at sea, would run yours a close second.’
Bardon glared from beneath his bushy eyebrows. ‘Now, Elodi. Let me finish.’ He grinned. ‘Now I know how your tutors must have felt. But… back to the tale. It was said the storm was so violent, it stopped the spinning of the dome, thus the night seemed never-ending. Yet that was not the worst of it. The seas rose and swallowed the lands to the east, and Borrusk with it. And, unlike our enemy, the sea holds onto its gain.’
Elodi felt her face redden. ‘Now I see I should have been more attentive. Did Ormoroth raise the storm? It must have been catastrophic.’
‘No one knows for sure. But some believe it was the rage of the gods as they mourned the loss of their daughters.’ He chuckled. ‘But the storm was a mere thousand years ago. If the gods still grieved after all those years, perhaps they should have come to their daughters’ aid sooner. Other accounts talk of the land shaking due to the Evil One’s efforts to free himself from his vault. Whatever the cause, it certainly was catastrophic. The three islands of Gwend Bay were once part of the mainland and formed the coastline. Countless towns and villages lie under the waves. I believe some of their spires can still be seen at low tides.’
They reached the top of the ridge. Below, the roof of Borrund’s bell tower held its head above the mist still clinging to the lowlands. Bardon raised his hand and grinned. ‘Behold. The great timber city of Borrund… or at least its tower. You’ll have to believe me when I say the rest of the town is quite a sight.’
Elodi felt the tension in her shoulders ease. ‘And mercifully not too far.’ The sun climbed as they rode down the slope, and soon the mists retreated to reveal the whole town.
Toryn used his farsight. ‘Those walls certainly look sturdy and tall enough to keep the spiders out.’
Bardon squinted. ‘Your farsight would be most useful to an ailing old man like me. But yes, the barricade is well-made, constructed of whole trunks from the tallest and stoutest trees in the region. It’s said they’re as strong as a stone wall, and will not burn thanks to a treatment prepared by the finest alchemists of Ormsk. But not even on pain of death would they reveal the ingredients of their concoction.’
But Elodi shuddered. ‘That may be so, but could they resist an attack by those Reapers? By the Three, Bardon, did you ever think we’d see such terror in our lands?’
Bardon’s jaw tightened. ‘It was no mean feat to summon them. But if we’re lucky, it would be a long time before our enemy has the strength to call back those beasts. Especially as they left empty-handed. No, I hope I never see them again in my lifetime.’ He looked to Toryn. ‘But I imagine those creatures may feel the same of Lady Harlyn.’ He beamed. ‘Riding straight at them was a sight to behold. I doubt they expected to be challenged in such a fashion.’
Toryn nodded. ‘As I rode with the Amayans to the battlefield, we feared we’d be too late when we saw the Reapers rise up from the ground. Now I wish I could have sat beside you to see Elodi and Sea Mist ride against them.’
Elodi shuddered. ‘Perhaps you could refrain from all this praise, gentlemen. At this time, I would rather forget the battle.’
Bardon sighed. ‘I will grant you that wish. But tales of your victory travel ahead of us and will already be doing the rounds in Borrund.’
‘Our victory is in the past. We must turn our minds to the present.’ She pointed to the city. Please enlighten me, Bardon. I appreciate Ormsk has the best trees in the realms, but why build a large city from wood and not stone?’
‘Ah, now that’s due to the pragmatic nature of the people. Borrusk was made of stone and that was lost in the flood. They reasoned if the seas could rise once, they may rise again, not satisfied with its spoils, thus wreak more devastation. The builders of Borrund believed if made of wood, it could be dismantled, transported, and rebuilt farther inland if necessary. Hence the tall bell tower. A constant watch is kept. Beacons are maintained along the river and out to the coast. Should the waters rise again, the beacons will be lit, and the bells would peel. It is said every man, woman and child in the city knows what’s required of them should the bell toll.’
Toryn stared. ‘The whole city? Surely not.’ He grinned. ‘I wonder if anyone has been tempted to light the beacons to test their response.’
‘Only if they wish to suffer a slow and painful death.’ Bardon frowned at Toryn. ‘The Borrund folk take the threat seriously. I’d say they’re more concerned about a second flood than a breach of the Caerwal Gate. They’re a practical, if stubborn folk.’
Elodi agreed. ‘Pragmatic indeed.’ She glanced up to the ridge as it stretched out to their left. ‘But why not build their city on top of that? Surely, there’s not enough water in the Karajan Sea to reach a town up there.’
‘Ah. I’m afraid that’s due to my ancestors. Lunn and Ormsk have a long history of being at each other’s throats.’ Bardon pointed. ‘Borrund is situated by the river for easy trade with the south, and, with the added advantage of a quick evacuation if besieged. As I said, Borrundians are a practical folk, if not always the most welcoming.’
Elodi looked upon the imposing city. ‘Perhaps the realms would be in a better position if more had taken such precautions. When all this is over, we should—’
‘Spiders!’ Elodi twisted in her saddle. A dozen aralaks scuttled over the top of the ridge. She groaned. ‘The wounded. They go after our weak.’ Without a thought, she turned Sea Mist. Toryn drew his bow and followed as they sped back along their lines. Luckily, a detachment of First Horse were closer, and true to their motto, they were ready. They lowered their lances and charged, skewering three spiders as they crouched, ready to spit their poison. Toryn’s first arrow found the eyes of the fourth, but others pounced to claim their victims. Elodi’s heart lurched as a wounded knight cried out as pincers tore into his flesh and snatched him from a wagon. She drove on Sea Mist and slashed down at the soft body as the aralak spun about and tried to escape. The Amayan blade opened its trailing abdomen. It stuttered as its legs folded beneath. Elodi leaped from her horse and severed its head. The knight rolled to the ground and groaned his thanks. Elodi turned to see Toryn and the First Horse make short work of killing the remainder. She kneeled beside the injured knight as a tired healer arrived. She caught Elodi’s eye as she tended to her patient, and Elodi could see the healer also carried an injury.
A woman screamed. ‘My brother!’ Toryn twisted in his saddle to see a large spider had waited and then sprang as the wounded were left defenseless. The creature had snatched a young, injured soldier from a wagon, and now scuttled along the road. Toryn spurred on his horse and nocked an arrow. The spider swerved and clambered up the slope. Toryn followed, but it was too steep for his tired horse to catch the aralak. He halted and took aim. But this spider was cunning. It slung the young man onto its back and held him in place with one leg. Toryn cursed. The angle meant the soldier protected the spider’s head; an arrow to the abdomen would not be enough to stop it escaping with its prey. Toryn thought quickly… and came to the only conclusion. He let fly just as the spider reached the crest. He looked away, once satisfied his aim was true, saving the young man from a dreadful ordeal. Toryn closed his eyes hoping the soldier’s soul would find peace in another realm.
