Soul of Swords (Book 7) (48 page)

And, with a growing sense of panic, she realized she could not remember who she was.

Calliande, her name was Calliande. She knew that much. But the details of her past turned to mist even as she tried to recall them. Shattered, broken images danced through her mind. Men in white robes, warriors with eyes of blue flame, armies of blue-skinned orcs…but all of it slithered away from her grasp.

Something, she realized, had gone terribly wrong.

“They were supposed to be here,” she whispered, her voice cracked and rasping. “They were supposed to wait here.”

But who?

She didn’t know.

Her panic grew, her hands scrabbling over the altar’s stone surface. After a moment she realized that she was looking for something. A…staff? Yes, that was it. A staff.

Why?

Calliande looked around in desperation, her panic growing. 

“They were supposed to be here,” she said again.

But through her fear, her mind noted some practical problems. She was alone in a strange place, her stomach was clenching with hunger, and she was so thirsty her head was spinning. Despite whatever had happened to her, she could not remain here and wait for someone to find her. 

Calliande took a deep breath, braced herself on the edge of the altar, and stood. Her boots clicked against the stone floor, and her legs felt as if they had been made of wet string. Yet she did not fall, and after a moment she took a step forward.

Something brushed her left arm and fell to the floor.

She looked down at herself and saw that she wore a robe of green trimmed with gold upon the sleeves and hems, and the left sleeve had fallen off, exposing the pale skin of her arm. Once it must have been a magnificent garment, but now it was worn and brittle, the seams disintegrating. The leather of her belt and boots was dry and crumbling, and the few steps she had taken had already split her right boot open.

The clothes looked centuries old.

Her fear redoubled. Was she dead? Had she been buried alive?

Another part of her mind, the cold part that had urged her to find food and water, pointed out that a dead woman would not feel nearly as hungry as she did. Had not the Dominus Christus eaten food in front of his disciples to prove that he was not a spirit? 

Whatever had happened to Calliande, she was still alive.

But she needed to take action to stay that way. 

She crossed the nave, her boots crumbling further with every step. A thick layer of dust covered the floor, and she glimpsed more cobwebs stretched between the heavy pillars supporting the ceiling. No other footprints marked the dust. It was clear that no one had entered this chamber in a long time. Soot stained the pillars, and here and there Calliande saw piles of burned wood that had once been furniture.

Had this place caught fire?

She saw the first bones after that.

Three skeletons lay in the dust nearby, clad in rusted armor, swords and maces lying near their bony hands. She saw the marks of violence upon their bones. Plainly a battle had been fought here, long ago, and it had been followed by a fire.

How long had she been lying in this place of death?

Calliande reached the archway at the far end of the nave. A skeleton lay slumped against the stairs, clad in the ragged remnants of a robe. 

A white robe.

She remembered the image from her dream, and reached to touch the bones.

As she did, the blue light brightened, and a specter appeared on the stairs.

Calliande took a step back in alarm, but the specter made no move to harm her. It looked like an old man in white robes, his head encircled by a tangled mane of gray hair, his eyes deep and heavy and sad. 

“Forgive me, mistress,” said the specter.

“You can see me?” said Calliande. “Who are you?”

“Forgive me, for we have failed in our sacred charge,” said the specter. “The Tower of Vigilance is overrun. The warring sons of the old king brought their foolish quarrel here, and the Tower is taken. I wished us to remain neutral, but the others thought differently…and our Order has paid for it.”

“Answer me!” said Calliande. “Who are you? Why am I here?”

But the specter kept talking, and Calliande realized it wasn’t really there. Or, rather, it was not a spirit or a ghost. Rather, it was a spell, a final message to her.

Left by the man whose bones now lay moldering at her feet. 

“I have no doubt they would kill you simply out of spite,” said the old man, “and I have my suspicions of the darker forces behind the strife. But I have activated the defenses of the vault. Sealed it from the inside.” He took a deep breath. “Only you can open it.”

“But that means…” said Calliande. 

That meant the old man had sealed himself inside the vault.

And to judge from the skeleton, he never left.

“Do not mourn for me,” said the old man, “for my course is run. I am wounded unto death.” She saw the spreading crimson stain across his white robes, and realized that he had been wounded. “You will be safe here, until you awaken.”

He closed his eyes and shuddered with pain.

“Mistress, I beg, listen to me,” said the old man. “You were right. You were always right, and I should have listened to you as a young man. This war between the Pendragon princes…no, it did not occur on its own. They were manipulated into it. Mistress, beware.” His voice grew thicker, his breathing harsher. “The bearer…the bearer of the shadow. You were right about him, too. This was his doing. Everything has been his doing…and he has been laboring in the darkness for centuries before Malahan Pendragon raised the first stone of Tarlion itself. Mistress, please, beware…he will come for you…he…”

The specter vanished into nothingness.

And the blue glow faded. 

With a surge of alarm Calliande realized the glow had been part of the spell. And now that the spell’s message had been delivered, the light would fade away.

Leaving her alone in the darkness.

“No!” she said, her voice echoing off the walls.

The blue light faded away a moment later, leaving her in utter blackness. 

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Frostborn: The Gray Knight
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Glossary of Characters

ADALAR GREATHEART - Lord of Castle Dominus and a vassal of Malden Roland. Once the squire of Mazael Cravenlock, and known for his valor and skill with a sword. 

ADELAIDE STORMSEA CHALSAIN – The bastard daughter of Lord Alberon of Castle Stormsea. Wed Prince Hugh Chalsain of Barellion after the defeat of the usurper Malaric, and is now Hugh's Lady Consort.

AEGIDIA - Once the Guardian of the Tervingi, the teacher of Riothamus, and the mother of Ragnachar. Betrayed and murdered by Ragnachar at Stone Tower. 

AGANTYR – Formerly the High King of the Aegonar and the anointed of Sepharivaim. Killed by Hugh Chalsain during the defeat of the usurper Malaric.

AGRAVAIN RAINIER - Lord of Tumblestone and a vassal of Malden Roland. A skilled battle commander. 

AIDAN TORMAUD - A Commander in the Justiciar Order. Fled with Gerald Roland, and now in rebellion against the Grand Master of the Justiciars. 

ALDANE ROLAND – The eldest son of Gerald and Rachel Roland. Now three years old. 

ALBERON STORMSEA – Lord of Castle Stormsea, and now Prince Hugh's Lord Lieutenant in Barellion, though the Lady Consort holds most of the actual power. Known for his petulant and morose nature. 

AMALRIC GALBRAITH - A son of the Old Demon, and half-brother to Mazael Cravenlock. Formerly the Grand Master of the Dominiar Order, and killed by Mazael and Adalar Greatheart at the Battle of Tumblestone. 

ARDANNA - The High Druid of the Elderborn tribes and Romaria Greenshield Cravenlock's mother.

ARDIFF - The bailiff of Blueholt village.

ARNULF, SON OF KAERWULF – Headman and swordthain of the Tervingi nation. Steady and unflappable in combat. A loyal follower of Mazael Cravenlock.

ATARANUR - The alias adopted by Lucan Mandragon while in disguise at Knightcastle. A High Elderborn title meaning "Lord of Gifts."

ATHAELIN GREENSHIELD - Romaria Greenshield Cravenlock's father, and formerly the Champion of Deepforest Keep. Killed by Ultorin during the siege of Deepforest Keep.

ATHANARIC - A hrould of the Tervingi nation, betrayed and murdered by Ragnachar at Stone Tower.

AULUS HIRTAN - A knight in Mazael Cravenlock's service, and Mazael's herald.

BELIFANE ROLAND – The youngest son of Gerald and Rachel Roland, now a year and a half old. Named for Gerald’s elder brother, slain in battle against Lord Richard Mandragon of the Grim Marches. 

BRYCE SPEARSHORE - Lord of Spearshore in southern Greycoast, and a loyal supporter of Prince Hugh Chalsain.

CALDARUS - The Grand Master of the Justiciar Order of knights. Famed for his ruthlessness and his single-minded advancement of the Justiciars' wealth and power. 

CARASTER – A renegade wizard and rebel, and one of the last remaining Demonsouled. Killed by Lucan Mandragon, and raised as a runedead wizard. 

CIRCAN - A wizard formerly in Lord Malden's service, and now aiding Gerald Roland's rebellion. 

CORMANE - A Justiciar knight. 

CORVAD – Son of Mazael Cravenlock and twin brother of Molly Cravenlock. Killed by Mazael in the throne chamber of Arylkrad. 

CRAMTON - Formerly the innkeeper of Cravenlock Town, rescued from an unjust execution at the hands of Lord Mitor Cravenlock by Mazael Cravenlock. Now serves as Mazael's seneschal. 

EARNACHAR SON OF BALNACHAR – A headman of the Tervingi nation. Once a loyal supporter of the hrould Ragnachar, but now a grudging follower of Mazael Cravenlock. 

EDGAR TALLBARTH – A knight of Greycoast, in service to Lord Alberon Stormsea of Castle Stormsea. A capable scout and skirmisher, skills acquired during his checkered past of stealing cattle from his neighbors. 

EDMUND - The bailiff of the village of Lord's Stump.

ELISE – A maid in service to Rachel Roland of Knightcastle. 

ETHRINGA DAUGHTER OF JORDANIC – A holdmistress of the Tervingi nation, respected and influential among the other holdmistresses. Known for her sharp tongue. 

EVERARD CHALSAIN - Formerly Prince of Barellion and the liege lord of Greycoast. Murdered by Malaric during the Aegonar invasion of Greycoast.

GAITH KALBORN – The knight of Morsen Village, and a San-keth proselyte. Killed by Mazael Cravenlock during Corvad’s attack upon the village. 

GARAIN ROLAND - Once Lord Malden's eldest son and the heir to Knightcastle. Murdered by the San-keth during the Malden's war against the Dominiar Order, making Tobias Roland the heir to Knightcastle. 

GERALD ROLAND – The youngest son of Lord Malden Roland of Knightcastle. With all his brothers dead, he is now the heir to Knightcastle, and leads his father's vassals in a revolt. 

HADRAINE - A commander of the Justiciar Order.

HAGEN BRIDGEBANE – The armsmaster of Castle Cravenlock, and one of Mazael’s loyal vassals. Known for his utter lack of humor. 

HARBINGER - A rebel of Knightreach and a follower of Caraster. 

HIRAM STORMCREST – Liege lord of the Stormvales, and lord of Castle Stormcrest. Generally ignored by his nominal vassals. 

HJALSK - An Aegonar warrior, skilled at carpentry.

HUGH CHALSAIN – The Prince of Barellion and the liege lord of Greycoast. Formerly the youngest son of Prince Everard Chalsain, Hugh became Prince of Greycoast when Malaric murdered most of the House of Chalsain and usurped the Prince's throne. 

KADARIUS - A commander of the Justiciar Order.

KARLAM GANELON - Lord of Castle Rutagne in eastern Greycoast, and only a grudging supporter of Prince Hugh Chalsain.

LADY OF BLADES - A powerful spirit creature, and ruler of a domain within the spirit world. 

LUCAN MANDRAGON – A wizard of terrible power, and the architect of the catastrophic Great Rising. Bearer of the Glamdaigyr and the Banurdem. Killed by Mazael Cravenlock during the Great Rising, and now an undead revenant. 

KORVAGER – The High Priest of Sepharivaim among the Aegonar, second only to the Heralds and the High King himself. A powerful wizard, and ruthless even by the standards of the Aegonar. 

MALARIC - The bastard son of Prince Everard Chalsain of Barellion. Using the skull of Corvad, Malaric obtained Demonsouled powers, and used them to slaughter his half-brothers and father and claim the throne of Barellion for himself. Later defeated and killed by a spirit he had attempted to enslave. 

MALAVOST – A renegade wizard who tried to murder Aldane Belifane, using his blood to open the Door of Souls. Killed by Rachel Cravenlock Roland in the High Elderborn Temple atop Mount Tynagis. 

MALDEN ROLAND - Lord of Knightcastle, husband to Rhea Roland, and father of Tobias and Gerald. His youth has been restored by Lucan Mandragon's necromancy.

MATHER - A master assassin of the Skulls.

MAURUS – A master wizard in service to Prince Hugh Chalsain of Barellion. 

MAZAEL CRAVENLOCK – Lord of Castle Cravenlock, liege lord of the Grim Marches, and the hrould of the Tervingi nation. The son of the Old Demon, and one of the most capable warriors, skilled commanders, and powerful Demonsouled now living. 

MITOR CRAVENLOCK - The older brother of Mazael Cravenlock and Rachel Cravenlock Roland. Allied with the San-keth and rebelled against Richard Mandragon, but killed by the San-keth after his defeat. 

MOLLY CRAVENLOCK – Mazael Cravenlock’s daughter and heir to Castle Cravenlock. A powerful Demonsouled. Raised as an assassin by the Skulls, Barellion’s feared brotherhood of paid killers. Called “the Lady of the Shadows” by the Tervingi for her Demonsouled-granted ability to travel instantaneously through the shadows. The lover and betrothed of Riothamus. 

MOREBETH GALBRAITH - A daughter of the Old Demon, and half-sister to Mazael Cravenlock. Seduced Mazael, and attempted to turn him into the Destroyer, the prophesied Demonsouled who will destroy the kingdoms of men. Killed by Mazael and Lucan Mandragon at Knightcastle. Her spirit has returned to aid Mazael agains the Old Demon. 

NICHOLAS RANDERLY - Lord of Knightport. Young, and newly come to his position, as his father and older brothers were slain in the Great Rising. 

NIZIUS - A calibah of Aegonar descent, in service to Skalatan.

PHILIP MONTIGARD – A Travian knight, now in service to Prince Hugh Chalsain of Barellion. 

RACHEL CRAVENLOCK ROLAND – The younger sister of Lord Mazael Cravenlock, and the wife of Sir Gerald Roland. Mother of Aldane and Belifane. Once a San-keth proselyte, but since repented. 

RAGNACHAR SON OF NO ONE – Once a powerful hrould of the Tervingi nation. A son of the Old Demon, and at his bidding led the Tervingi over the Great Mountains to the Grim Marches. Killed by Mazael Cravenlock outside the walls of Sword Town. 

RANDUR MAENDRAG – The most powerful high lord of Old Dracaryl, and using knowledge obtained from the Old Demon, the creator of the Glamdaigyr, the Banurdem, and the Wraithaldr. The creator of the Great Rising, and transformed into a revenant in the great spell’s failure. Later destroyed by Lucan Mandragon using the Glamdaigyr, who then claimed Randur’s knowledge and powers. 

RHEA ROLAND – Wife of Lord Malden Roland, and mother of Tobias and Gerald Roland. Dignified and respected, and indifferent to her husband’s frequent infidelities. Killed by the runedead at Knightcastle.

RHODEMAR GREENSHIELD - The half-brother of Romaria Greenshield Cravenlock, and current champion of Deepforest Keep.

RIOTHAMUS SON OF RIGOTHARIC – The Guardian of the Tervingi nation, their defender from supernatural threats, and wielder of the ancient Staff of the Guardian. The lover and betrothed of Molly Cravenlock. 

ROBERT HIGHGATE - The Lord of Castle Highgate, and one of the most powerful lords of the Grim Marches. A skilled commander. 

ROCARD - A knight of Tumblestone, in service to Lord Agravain.

RODRIC CHALSAIN – The eldest son of Prince Everard Chalsain of Barellion, and heir to the throne of Greycoast and Barellion. Murdered by Malaric at the Prince's Keep in Barellion.

ROGER SPEARSHORE - Son of Lord Bryce, and currently serving as squire to Hugh Chalsain.  

ROMARIA GREENSHIELD CRAVENLOCK – Wife of Mazael Cravenlock. Half Elderborn, giving her the ability to change her shape to that of a great black wolf. A skilled hunter, archer, and tracker.

ROSALA - A serving maid at the Knights' Inn of Barellion, and a member of the assassins' brotherhood known as the Skulls.  

RUFUS HIGHGATE - The eldest son of Lord Robert Highgate. Serves as Mazael's squire. 

RYNTALD - Formerly an earl of the Aegonar and a trusted advisor to High King Agantyr. Known for his cunning in battle. Ryntald became the High King of the Aegonar after Agantyr's death.

SKALATAN – Archpriest of the San-keth, known for both his great age and brilliant intellect. The other San-keth clerics consider him both mad and heterodox, yet fear to cross his tremendous magical power. Now carries the skull of Corvad, taken from Malaric after his death.

SKALJAR - An earl in service to the High King of the Aegonar.

SKHATH - San-keth cleric who masqueraded as the human knight Sir Albron Eastwater. Killed by Mazael Cravenlock during Mitor Cravenlock's rebellion against Richard Mandragon. 

SOUTHER – The First Dagger and leader of the Skulls, the assassins’ brotherhood of Barellion. One of the most feared men in the city. 

STRAGANIS - San-keth archpriest of great power. Betrayed and killed by Amalric Galbraith during the Dominiars' war against Malden Roland. 

SYKHANA – A San-keth changeling, and the abductor of Aldane Roland from Knightcastle. Betrayed and murdered by Malavost at Deepforest Keep. 

SZEGAN – High priest of the San-keth temple hidden beneath Morsen Village. Slain during Corvad’s attack upon that village. 

TANAM CROWLEY - A knight in Mazael's service, famed for his skill as a scout and skirmisher.

TANCRED STILLWATER - Lord of Stillwater and a vassal of Lord Malden Roland. Known for his skill as a quartermaster.

TERVINGAR - The semi-legendary founder of the Tervingi nation, who led the enslaved Tervingi to their freedom after escaping from their Dark Elderborn masters. Revered among the Tervingi, and held up as an exemplar of valor and strength. 

THOMAS – A serving man in service to Lord Malden Roland.

TIMOTHY DEBLANC – Court wizard of Mazael Cravenlock, and veteran of many battles. 

TOBIAS ROLAND – Formerly eldest surviving son of Lord Malden Roland, and the heir to Knightcastle. Killed by the runedead at Knightcastle, leaving Gerald Roland as heir to Knightcastle. 

TORAINE MANDRAGON - The older brother of Lucan and briefly the liege lord of the Grim Marches. Killed by Lucan at Swordgrim during the Great Rising. 

THE OLD DEMON – The eldest and most powerful of the Demonsouled, and the father of Mazael Cravenlock, Morebeth Galbraith, Ragnachar, Amalric Galbraith, and the grandfather of Molly Cravenlock and Corvad. A wizard of unsurpassed might and a manipulator of great skill and cunning. 

WESSON STILLWATER - Once Gerald Roland's squire, and now a knight in Gerald's service.

ULTORIN – The last Grand Master of the Dominiar Order, and commander of the Malrag invasion of the Grim Marches. Corrupted by a bloodsword forged by Amalric Galbraith. Killed by Mazael Cravenlock during the siege of Deepforest Keep.