The serpentine throne, p.1
The Serpentine Throne, page 1
The Serpentine Throne
© 2021 Susan Stradiotto
All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events are either a part of the author’s imagination or used ficticiously.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.
Published by
Bronzewood Books
14920 Ironwood Ct.
Eden Prairie, MN 55346
Cover Design: Enchanted Quill Press
Interior Design: Bronzewood Books
Edited by: Owl Pro Editing
Paperback ISBN-13: 978-1-949357-44-8
eBook ISBN-13: 978-1-949357-43-1
Printed in the USA
There are many people to thank in the creation of this series and Mairynne’s story. The first and foremost is my son, who has had a love for dragons and most things fantasy since he figured out in the third grade that dinosaurs and dragons are different creatures. Also, a huge thanks is necessary to the writers and readers who have encouraged me to perservere in my writing. To the members of the Western Suburbs Writers Group, you’ve made completing a work of this magnitude possible with your feedback and encouragement. To my family, thank you for giving me the time to excersize my creativity in this way. To my readers, and especially Miss Becka Gee, thank you for following Mairynne’s journey. You are all in my heart . . . always.
Dramatis Personae
Storm Sorcerers
Evangales and family
Atheryn Evangale—Tennō of Nantai; father to Karynne, Mairynne, and Yasmynne
Corwyn Dawnsgale—Nadia’s consort, Solarynne’s brother
Karynne “Kahry” Evangale—first daughter to Atheryn and Noralynne; Mairynne and Yasmynne’s sister.
Mairynne Evangale—Lady Mairynne; third daughter to Atheryn and Noralynne
Nadialynne “Nadia” Riversgale—Noralynne’s twin sister, aunt to Karynne, Mairynne, and Yasmynne
Noralynne Evangale—Kōgō of Nantai; empress; Atheryn’s wife; mother to Karynne, Mairynne, and Yasmynne
Kōgō Phelyse—empress in the Second Age, second ruler of that age
Yasmynne Evangale—sister to Mairynne and Karynne; betrothed to Nestryn
First Advisors
Imrythel Sandsgale—Karynne’s first advisor
Nestryn—Yasmynne’s betrothed and first advisor
Clergy (raised to serve the Triad)
Arlyn Hallowgale—Priest of Otarr, the sun god/the Day-Seer
Baldwyn—Acolyte of Otarr, the sun god /the Day-Seer
Edamyn Hallowgale—Priest of Atun, the all-seeing god /the All-Seer; oldest priest
Tasmynne Hallowgale—Priestess of Selene, the moon goddess/the Night-Seer
Counselors
Azurynne Nightingale—matriarch of the Nightingale family
Lukosyn “Lukos” Thundergale—patriarch of the Thundergale family
Ohmyn Havengale—patriarch of the Havengale family
Solarynne Dawnsgale—Corwyn’s sister, matriarch of the Dawnsgale family
Guards
Gaelynne
Roryn Seagale
Perryn
Tarlyn—leads the Arashi guard in Thalaj’s absence
Thalaj Northerngale—Gensui of Nantai’s Arashi guard
Other
Dorynne—Mairynne’s attendant
Idalynne “Mother” Feathergale—nanny to Karynne, Mairynne, and Yasmynne
Jessamynne “Jessa” Feathergale—Idalynne’s daughter, friend to Mairynne
Larynne—Nadia’s handmaid
Makenyn the Scarred—First Emperor of Nantai
Morwyn—Makenyn’s brother
Nityn—Shaman who banished the dragon from Makenyn
Sentei Summergale—healer in Arashi
Teralynne – Healer apprentice
Zafrynne Keeningale—Witch woman/spellcaster
Deities (named) & Holy Triad
Holy Triad
Atun (aka the All-Seer)—Nantai God, part of the Holy Triad the all-seeing god; father to Otarr and Selene
Otarr (aka the Day-Seer)—Nantai God, part of the Holy Triad, associated with the sun; Atun’s child; the sun god
Selene (aka the Night-Seer)—Nantai Goddess, part of the Triad, associated with the moon; Atun’s daughter; the moon goddess
Other Gods
Ak Ana—the sea goddess of all water holds wisdom more ancient any other element
Ebisu—the sea god who brings sailors good fortune and fish
Ryū (Dragons, Ryū dragons, dragons)
Barūdragon (Barū)—blue dragon
Guindragon (Guin)—green dragon
Kuroidragon (Kuroi)—black dragon, bonded with Makenyn at the beginning of Call of the Storm Sorcerer
Moyadragon (Moya)—steely gray dragon, died before the beginning of Call of the Storm Sorcerer
Parūdragon (Parū)—pearlescent dragon
Cloud Courtiers
Alto-Nior—navigator
Alto-Raal
Alto-Tash—Tsanseri’s servant
Alto-Trea—The Swan, Filtch
Cirro-Bree
Cirro-Pith—Guard in the Navigation Deck
Cirro-Tsan—Comtesse Tsanseri; comtesse of the Masque; Lady of Masks; comtesse of Love’s Court
Cirro-Vior “Viordyn”—crescent moon shape on the shoulder; used to be a childhood friend of Mairynne’s
Strato-Elea—Tsanseri’s servant
Strato-Kann—Guard in the Navigation Deck
Strato-Ymar—Gnoble of the caste
Fire Forgers
Din Arun—guard
Ny Boran—Chanthavy’s husband
Ny Chanthavy
Phy Sovann—Captain (Issō) of the Guard
Phy Boupha—Phy Sovann’s wife
Phy Piseth—Phy Sovann’s son
Yuos Atith—Gnoble of the caste
Yuos Chakara—Yous Atith’s brother
Frost Fighters (of the fourth caste)
Aljir Tenkara—Gnoble of the caste
Hoaris Nishikara—Called Red Bear by Kyr of the Small Folk.
Saqie Kitikara—Tenkara’s second in command
Yamakar Su Almazaj—Su, for short
Sentei Besso Ken’ichi—Healer
Yamakara Jun Askari—Su’s brother; only features in Into the Evernight.
Stone Singers
Sarangarel—Gnoble of the caste (female)
The Yisun
Baidu—yisun (male)
Chambui—yisu (female)
Jaliqai—yisu (female)
Timir—yisun (male)
Nachin—yisun (male)
Underhill Dwellers
Brimr—Gnoble of the caste
Svarta—Brimr’s wife
Hjalmarr—guide
Casteless
“street rats”
Flea
Gnat
Honera
Jerek—Captain of the river barge
Sal—Inkeeper in Safaia
Wren
Sailors
Asahi—Captain of the Swell Mistress
Oshun
Tao—means “great waves”
Old Shad—Sailor who escaped syrens
Small Folk
(of Umbra and Brennmor)
Davao—Misha’s eldest brother
Gyna—map maker/scribe
Isao—King of the small folk / The Small King
Kyr—Misha’s partner
Misha—third son of royalty, Kyr’s partner of choice
Riah—Tomei’s wife
Tomei—Misha’s older brother
Tsinti
nomadic people, “Nantai wanderers of the grasslands”
Baldeo
Beltrana—new baby
Buharro
Detsa
Gashparis—new baby
Janci—Yankos’s son
Jorani—called Miss Firefly by Kyr of the Small Folk
Maladros
Mizo—new baby
Sinfi
Yankos—currently represents Tsinti people at parliament every seventh year, but doesn’t call himself a leader (says all are equal)
Zofi—witch woman/spellcaster
Rundi Tribes
Khirundi, Mhorundi, and Zhorundi
Individuals (named) in Ise
Yohaani—leader of the Khirundi
Umu-Zimi (aka “Z”)—has an eye patch; full name given by Rundi tribes is “Umu-Zimi in-jabuka ku ryōsha”
Amare—Fey Queen
Osmar—Fey Prince
Prologue
The First Emperor of Nantai
Makenyn, ascended emperor of the Nantai people and first within the elite caste—the Storm Sorcerers—rocked back and forth on the balls
Within the jewel city of Arashi, his mental intruder had reduced him to a cowering man alone in a black cave beneath his beloved Stormskeep. He hid in darkness, squeezing his eyes ever tighter in an effort to shutter his mind from the voice, to armor his heart from the feelings of otherness bound to his soul.
This plan you’ve written will bring you no peace, the voice inside rumbled as loudly as if someone other than he could hear, as deeply as thunder.
Makenyn could call the clouds and thunder to shield himself from the presence and sound were he outside, if only he had access to the elements. Instead, he chanted, “No, no, no,” and curled tighter into himself. He’d chosen the cavern for its absence of windows and had had a door installed to further block out any light. The measures deprived his senses and restricted his sorcery, but that was the price he willingly paid to silence the beast within. Seclusion and darkness had worked for a time, and the Ryū dragon had slept until he grew hungry and sensed his prison. As he stirred again within, Makenyn could feel Kuroi’s nerves thrumming under his own skin, trying to escape. He stood, gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and fought the heat rising in his blood and the prickle across his skin where scales threatened to erupt.
He refused to shift.
He threw his head back and yelled, “No!” into the darkness, his voice coming back to his ears over and over again until it silenced. “I won’t let it happen again. I cannot.”
Makenyn, answer unto me. Why do you wish this thing? the fiend bellowed. It will break us both.
“Leave me, you accursed spirit!” Makenyn growled through his teeth, spittle wetting his chin.
This is not the way, minikin—
“DO NOT call me that!” The emperor’s voice echoed again as the door crept inward.
“Pardon, Tennō?” a timid yet familiar voice asked, using Makenyn’s honorary title even though the two were related.
“Morwyn,” he breathed, panted. “Come, Brother. And close the door behind you.”
Light beamed into the room, and Makenyn squinted against its burn. He paused, listening and feeling, then breathed with relief that Kuroi had retreated to someplace deeper inside . . . if only for a time.
Morwyn’s feet shuffled against the floor, his steps less sure than the emperor’s who’d learned every knot and bump on every stone within the room over time.
Makenyn paced, demanding, “Is the separation ritual prepared?”
“Yes, Tennō. Nityn awaits you now. I’ve brought material for your eyes if you’ll find me here in the dark. Then I will guide you to the chamber he has readied.”
Though this was the right path—the only path toward seeing himself whole once again—the emperor paused.
“Tennō Makenyn?” Morwyn asked.
“Yes, yes.” He rubbed a hand over his beard, the whiskers no longer bristling under the touch as they’d grown long enough in the darkness to become soft. Aloud, but not directed at Morwyn in truth, he mused, “So, the time has come at last.”
“Yes, Tennō. I have prepared everything as you wished.”
Makenyn took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he exhaled slowly. Though he might perish in the casting by the shaman who’d separate him from the Ryū dragon within, he felt a certain peace—a sense of rightness in his decision. Yet two things gave him pause, tempting him to reconsider. He’d held himself in darkness for so long, only allowing the tiniest of flame on occasion to pen a decree, and his brother would be a weak ruler for the Nantai people while he recovered. Morwyn had been his mouthpiece for some number of moons. How many, the emperor couldn’t count, but Morwyn remained little more than a puppet for Makenyn’s decrees. No one person across Nantai could speak to the results of the impending ritual, for none before had dared attempt to sever the soul-deep bond between a person and his Ryū dragon.
I beg of you, minikin, do not go through with this ritual, Kuroi said.
Hissing, Makenyn pressed his palms to his ears as if he could block the sound. Pointless. It came from inside.
He walked to his brother, only needing the sound of his breathing to locate his position. “Give me the material. I am ready.”
Morwyn made no reply, but the emperor found his fumbling hands and took the length of fabric, deftly folding it on the diagonal.
“Tennō Makenyn, if I may?”
In the darkness, the emperor could hear the slight rasp where his brother twisted and wrung his hands—the ever-present nerves and uncertainty that made him a poor fit for emperor of the Nantai people. Makenyn sucked in a sharp breath as he secured the fold about his eyes. “What is it, Brother?”
“A-are you certain of this? The green dragon—”
“Guin?” the emperor prompted, surprise riddling his mind. Why would Morwyn mention her, Kuroi’s mate?
“Yes. Since you have been in isolation, the green dragon has been circling over Arashi and the keep almost daily. She is a frightful Ryū, and our people shrink and hide in their homes, fearing her wrath. Have you not heard her cries, Tennō?”
This deep within the belly of Stormskeep, insulated by the mountain and the castle’s foundation, he heard none of the sounds from above. Indeed, he had longed for the normal sounds—servants bustling about or the sound of the Sundai Falls and the feel of their mists upon his face as he stood upon his terrace. Resolved, he answered, “Morwyn, that I have not heard things from above in uncountable months, that I have not been a citizen of my own empire, and that this presence inside me refuses to leave me in peace . . . those are all reasons why I have commanded Nityn to complete this ritual.” Makenyn took a deep breath, his shoulders expanding and contracting. “Then the beasts can leave Stormskeep and the city of Arashi, and hopefully Nantai itself, together. You see, I am giving them what they want.”
That is not how it will work, the beast grumbled.
“What do you know?” Makenyn roared.
Morwyn shuffled away at the sound.
The emperor sighed, attempting to gather himself. Of course, all his brother had heard was Makenyn’s reaction. He inhaled and sighed again. “You see, Brother, I must do this thing to rid my soul of its ghosts. Now, you will take me to Nityn.” He moved closer to his brother, taking hold of Morwyn’s elbow and leading him to the door, the end of his dark domain.
The walk was a journey of three hundred eighty-seven paces, two dozen spiral stone steps, and another seventy-two paces to the chambers Nityn had prepared. Morwyn trembled the entire time under Makenyn’s grip. As they entered, smoky smells of herbs burning in a fire and hearty smells of something brewing wafted through the air. The small sound of liquid bubbling reached Makenyn’s ears, and it felt tepid and sticky inside. “Is it dark enough, Brother?” he asked, hesitant to remove the material from his eyes.
“Yes.” Morwyn’s arm slipped from his grip.
With eyes uncovered, he took in the room with sight and sound, musing over the connection between the two senses. Upon the far wall, a large opening lay hidden by layers of heavy material to shut out most of the light. It worked but for a bright line on either side. Makenyn averted his eyes from those points as the brightness stung, but knowing of the opening behind the drape, he listened too. So near the Sundai Falls, the sound of rushing water soothed his soul for long moments—a sight he longed to behold again, waters he wished to call upon with his own storm sorcery and stir forth a shower that would wash away the darkness and grime. The time would come. One day soon, he’d no longer be a prisoner to this evil within.
Nityn awaited behind a waist-high stone slab. A Storm Sorcerer who’d adopted shamanism and studied spellcasting in relation to ritualistic magics for years, Nityn would be the savior of all Makenyn held close, the one to separate the Ryū dragon from Makenyn’s soul. Black robes hung upon Nityn’s narrow shoulders, every one of his features thin and angular. Even the shape of his brows, mustache, and black beard emphasized the sharp slants of his cheekbones and jaws. He spread his arms, the robes falling like crow’s wings, then lay his twig-like fingers upon the stone. “My tennō, you will disrobe and lay here upon your stomach.”
A shriek sounded outside the cavern’s hidden opening, and all three men jumped. Makenyn’s blood and skin heated in reply, and he had to lock down his muscles to control the shift. With his eyes closed and through clenched teeth, he said, “Soon, Ryū. Soon you will be free to go with her.” He refused to voice the evil spirit’s name.
