Rise and Fall
Rise and Fall
Book One of the Blood and Tears Trilogy
By
Joshua P. Simon
Copyright © 2011 by Joshua P. Simon
These stories are works of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from Joshua P. Simon.
ISBN:
978-0-9846988-1-3
Visit the author at
http://joshuapsimon.blogspot.com/
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Contact
[email protected]
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Cover art by
Brooke White with Sprout Studios (Houston, TX)
[email protected]
Editing by
Joshua Essoe
www.joshuaessoe.com
Works in the Blood and Tears World
Warleader - A Blood and Tears Prequel Short Story
Rise and Fall - Book One in the Blood and Tears Trilogy
Walk Through Fire - A Blood and Tears Prequel Novella
Steel and Sorrow - Book Two of the Blood and Tears Trilogy
Hero of Slaves - A Blood and Tears Novella
Trial and Glory: Book Three of the Blood and Tears Trilogy
*Forthcoming*
Table of Contents
Excerpt of
Walk Through Fire - A Blood and Tears Prequel Novella
Excerpt of
Hero of Slaves - A Blood and Tears Novellea
Dedication
I would like to thank all of those who helped me make this book what it is today; my parents, my sister, my betareaders, and my editor.
However, I especially want to thank my wife Leah for her continued support as I chase my dream. It has meant everything to me. Thank you for putting up with all my mindless ramblings, odd hours and quirky behavior, acting as my alpha reader, my IT support, marketing coordinator and personal assistant. I can’t imagine how difficult this would have been without you. I love you!
Maps
Chapter 1
A deafening silence filled the inner courtyard. Massacred bodies with faces frozen in fear and despair covered the space once home to beautiful gardens. Nothing stirred except for the five High Mages fanning out amongst the motionless forms, each searching for a sign of life. The smell of burnt flesh enveloped Amcaro and worked its way into his nostrils and robes. More than two dozen royal guards lay dead, joined by half as many servants—charred husks against the white stone floor.
Standing amid the devastation, Amcaro’s mouth hung open in disbelief. “One Above, how did this happen?” he whispered.
After feeling the immense wave of sorcery, he and the only other mages powerful enough to teleport had arrived from afar. He wanted to help search for survivors but he couldn’t turn his attention away from the woman before him. Her beautiful face unrecognizable, her body blackened, there was no denying that the dark red remnants of her robes belonged to one of their order, a High Mage. She was one of only seven in Cadonia. Amcaro felt his gut tighten at the realization that his former pupil, Fei, was dead.
His thoughts wandered back to the time she first approached him at the age of eight, wanting to be his apprentice.
Many thought I was wasting my time when I accepted a student so young. But they didn’t see the passion in her eyes, the eagerness, and the yearning to make something of her life. Now those eyes that were once so full of life are empty. Would she still be alive if I denied her request all those years ago?
“Master!” Acus shouted from across the courtyard. “Come quick.”
Amcaro jumped at the voice, and like the other High Mages interspersed throughout the open area, scrambled toward Acus who held a body in his arms. Closing in, he saw the figure was that of a boy, no more than fourteen. The boy grasped at Acus’s robe, pulling the High Mage down to his face. His body convulsed between whispers and then relaxed. His hands fell away. Acus’s paled face told Amcaro that whatever he had learned, it was not good.
Edali, the most gifted healer among them, fell to his knees and checked the boy over but Amcaro knew the effort would be wasted. The boy was dead. Edali confirmed Amcaro’s thoughts with a slight nod, eyes sullen, distant.
“Well? Spit it out, Acus. Did you get anything?” asked an impatient voice.
Amcaro turned to his left and scowled. Rhindora was tall, homely, and stout. By appearance alone, she was the most intimidating mage of the group. She did little to intimidate Amcaro who gritted his teeth. “Show a little compassion.”
“We’ll have plenty of time for compassion after we learn what happened here, Master. We have yet to move past the inner courtyard,” said Rhindora.
“Although I don’t agree with her tone, she’s right. One Above knows what awaits us within the castle itself.” Essan ran fingers through his thick blond hair as he looked over the lifeless form that Acus still cradled.
Amcaro opened his mouth to respond but was cut off.
“It was Nareash,” said Acus.
“I knew it!” said Rhindora pacing about. “I never did trust that snake.”
Amcaro looked down to Acus, whose bald head was still bowed over the boy’s body. “Is that what the boy told you?”
Acus finally set the boy down and slowly rose to his feet. “Yes.”
“Well, there were rumors among the peasants about the king being manipulated,” said Edali, standing in turn and wiping the dirt from the bottom of his robes.
“And do we just take the gossip of peasants as fact now?” asked Essan, throwing his short pudgy arms into the air.
“The boy saw Nareash,” said Acus.
“Was he sure? How do we know it wasn’t someone or something else he mistook for Nareash?” said Essan.
“Look at this place,” said Rhindora, picking up speed as she paced. “Look at Fei. Who else but Nareash could do this? Don’t let your friendship with the man cloud your vision.”
“My friendship with Nareash has nothing to do with it. I just find it hard to believe that the man we grew up with could do all of this.” Essan spread his hands wide. “He’s never shown this kind of power before. It doesn’t make sense.”
“The boy told me a few things before he died. Together with other bits and pieces we’ve pulled together I think I have an idea of what happened,” said Acus. “Over the last couple of days, several suspicious deaths among the staff left many uneasy in the castle. Those who died were all near an open flame that seemed to take on a life of its own. They were all vehemently outspoken against Nareash, spreading discord among the rest of the staff. After their deaths, most others who were dissatisfied with Nareash stayed silent except the mother of Captain Marc of the Royal Guard. When she died under similar circumstances, the captain went to the king who acted as if nothing was the matter. In secret, Marc convinced many of the guards and staff to work with him to overtake Nareash.”
“And there it is,” said Essan. “Nareash was falsely accused and then attacked. He acted in self-defense.”
Edali shook his head. “Wake up, Essan. Look at the path of each sorcerous attack. Most of these people, especially the servants, were running away.”
Amcaro rested a hand on Essan’s shoulder. “This is not easy on any of us but I know you see the truth here.”
Essan started to argue again but shook his head. Shoulders coming forward, he seemed to lose any desire to put up a fight. “No sense in putting it off then. We must rein in Nareash. Rhindora...” His voice trailed off as he faced where the woman was pacing only moments ago. Seething and red-faced, he added, “That brainless woman.”
Amcaro turned to the sound of great double doors closing on the opposite end of the square. Essan was stalking toward the doors when Amcaro called out, “Essan, wait!”
Essan halted. “Wait for what, Master?” He pointed toward the doors. “You know those two have always hated each other. This is exactly the justification she needs for settling her own vendetta. We need to catch her before she does something stupid.”
“She’s already accomplished that. We will not make the same mistake as her or Fei by doing this alone. We will stay together and go after Nareash with caution. He knows we’re here and he will be ready for us. Let’s not give him another advantage by having our emotions get the best of us.”
“But Master, Nareash is not a match for you. Together, we have nothing to worry about.” said Edali.
“Think, Edali. Look at this devastation. Nareash fought and killed dozens of armed guardsmen while also battling Fei. She may have been the least experienced among us, but she was still a High Mage.” He paused. “And we still have yet to see the rest of the castle. Something is not right.”
“All the more reason to hurry after Rhindora,” said Essan.
“No. I will not risk our lives and the safety of the kingdom to run off recklessly after one so careless. She is on her own. Now isn’t the time for emotion to get in the way of judgment.”
Amcaro noticed a few looks of displeasure from the others but none said a word. The mages readied themselves, preparing sorcery that could be unleashed at a moment’s notice. Once finished, Amcaro led the way to the massive oak doors. Although grand in dimension, the craftsmanship was more impressive. On the face of each, carvings showed key events from Aurnon the First’s conquering of Thurum, and the settling of Cadonia.
And there at Aurnon’s side throughout all his accomplishments stood Sacrynon. Not just allies, but friends as well. A great king and a great high mage stood side by side, working together, earning the adoration of the people.
Amcaro shook his head as he compared the carvings to the present day.
Nareash, what happened between you and Aurnon the Eighth?