The blood-song rose as he sat there, a new tune, stronger and clearer than before. As his thoughts turned in his head he found the music changed, mournful as he recalled the final whimper from Scratch, bombastic as he replayed the fight with the thing that had been Barkus, and with the music came images, sounds, feelings he knew were not his own. He understood that for the first time he was truly in command of his song, he was finally singing.

Somewhere in a place that wasn’t a place something was screaming, begging forgiveness from an unseen hand that dealt punishment of depthless pain, untroubled by mercy or malice.

In a palace far to the north a young woman composed the greeting she would offer her brother on his return, a carefully crafted speech combining grief, regret and loyalty with expert precision. Once satisfied she lay down her quill, requested some refreshment from her maid and, when she was certain she was alone, put her perfect face in her hands and wept.

To the west another young woman gazed at a broad ocean and refused to weep. In her hand she held two wooden blocks wrapped in a finely embroidered silk scarf. Below her the sea beat against the ship’s hull, scattering spume into the air. Her hand itched to throw the bundle to the waves, anger burning in her, a hard pain she couldn’t escape, making her hate the thoughts it provoked. A desire for revenge was not something she understood, never having felt it before. From behind came a shout of pain and she turned, seeing a sailor collapsed on the deck having fallen from the rigging, clutching at a broken leg and swearing profusely in a language she didn’t understand. “Lie still!” she commanded, moving to his side, returning the blocks and the scarf to the folds of her cloak.

Aboard another ship sailing another ocean, a young man sat, silent and still, his face a blank mask. Despite his stillness he provoked fear in those around him, their master’s orders having made it clear that to awaken his interest invited the swiftest death. Although the young man was as unmoving as a statue, within his shirt the scars on his chest burned with a continual, fierce agony.

Vaelin focused the song to a single pure note, casting it forth across the deserts, jungles and ocean that separated them: I will find you, brother.

The young man stiffened momentarily, drawing fearful glances from those who guarded him, then returned to his previous immobile, expressionless state.

The vision and the song faded, leaving him sitting in the blazing sun, a dust cloud rising in the east, soon resolving through the haze into a troop of horsemen, the tall figure of Grand Prosecutor Velsus at their head, riding hard, eager to claim his prize.

END OF BOOK ONE

Appendix I: Dramatis Personae

The Unified Realm

The Royal House of Al Nieren

Janus Al Nieren – King of the Realm.

Malcius Al Nieren – Son to Janus, Prince of the Realm, heir to the throne.

Lyrna Al Nieren – Daughter to Janus, Princess of the Realm.

The Noble House of Sorna

Kralyk Al Sorna – First Sword of the Realm, former Battle Lord of the King’s Host.

Vaelin Al Sorna – Son to Kralyk, Brother of the 6^th Order.

Alornis Dinal – Illegitimate daughter to Kralyk.

The Noble House of Myrna

Vanos Al Myrna – Sword of the Realm, Tower Lord of the Northern Reaches.

Dahrena Al Myrna – Lonak foundling, adopted daughter of Vanos.

The Noble House of Sendahl

Artis Al Sendahl – First Minister of the Council of Unity.

Nortah Al Sendahl – Brother of the 6^th Order, son to Artis, Vaelin’s comrade.

The Noble House of Hestian

Lakrhil Al Hestian – Lord Marshal of the King’s 27^th Regiment of Horse, later Battle Lord of the King’s Host.

Linden Al Hestian – Lord Marshal of the King’s 35th Regiment of Foot, son to Lakrhil, friend to Vaelin.

Alucius Al Hestian – Poet and second son to Lakrhil.

The Sixth Order of the Faith

Gainyl Arlyn – Aspect of the 6^th Order, Vaelin’s superior.

Sollis – Swordmaster and Brother Commander of the 6^th Order, Vaelin’s Master.

Caenis Al Nysa – Brother of the 6^th Order, third son of the House of Nysa, Vaelin’s comrade.

Barkus Jeshua – Brother of the 6^th Order, son of a Nilsaelin blacksmith, Vaelin’s comrade.

Dentos – Brother of the 6^th Order, Vaelin’s comrade.

Frentis – urchin and pick-pocket, later Brother of the 6^th Order, friend to Vaelin.

Makril – Brother of the 6^th Order, renowned tracker and later Brother Commander.

Rensal – Master of Horse.

Chekril – Master of Hounds.

Hutril – Hunt Master.

Jestin – Master of the Smithy.

The Fifth Order of the Faith

Elera Al Mendah – Aspect of the 5^th Order.

Sherin – sister of the 5^th Order, friend to Vaelin, later Mistress of Curatives.

Gilmer – sister of the 5^th Order, attached to the 35^th regiment of foot.

Harin – Master of Bone Lore to the 5th Order.

Sellin – veteran brother of the 5^th Order, Gatekeeper to the Order House.

Others

Scratch – Volarian slave-hound, friend to Vaelin.

Spit – Warhorse of foul temper, Vaelin’s mount.

Nirka Smolen – Captain of the 3^rd Company, King’s Mounted Guard.

Sentes Mustor – Drunkard, Heir to the Fief Lordship of Cumbrael.

Hentes Mustor – Younger brother to Sentes, called the Trueblade.

Lartek Molnar – Finance Minister of the Council of Unity.

Dendrish Hendrahl – Aspect of the 3^rd Order.

Tendris Al Forne – brother of the 4^th Order and servant of the Council for Heretical Transgressions, later Aspect of the 4^th order.

Liesa Ilnien – Aspect of the 2^nd Order.

Theros Linel – Fief Lord of Renfael, Vassal to Janus.

Darnel Linel – son to Theros, Heir to the Fief Lordship of Renfael.

Banders – Knight and Baron of Renfael, bondsman to Theros.

Gallis – climber, criminal and later sergeant in the 35^th regiment of foot.

Janril Norin – former apprentice minstrel, later standard bearer in the 35^th regiment of foot.

Bren Antesh – Captain of Cumbraelin archers during the Alpiran war.

Count Marven – Commander of the Nilsaelin Contingent during the Alpiran war.

The Alpiran Empire

Aluran Maxtor Selsus – Emperor.

Seliesen Maxtor Aluran – (Eruhin: The Hope) adopted son to Aluran, Chosen Heir to the Imperial Throne.

Emeren Nasur Ailers – Wife of Seliesen.

Verniers Alishe Someren – Imperial Chronicler.

Neliesen Nester Hevren – Captain in the Imperial Guard.

Holus Nester Aruan – Governor of the City of Linesh.

Merulin Nester Velsus – Imperial Grand Prosecutor.

Ahm Lin – Stonemason of Far Western origin.

Meldenean Islands

Atheran Ell-Nestra – Meldenean Sea Captain and Shield of the Isles.

Carval Nurin – Captain of the Red Falcon, Later Ship Lord.

Seordah Sil

Nersus Sil Nin (Song of the Wind)

Hera Drakil (Red Falcon)

Appendix II: The Rules of Keschet

Keschet is played by two players on a board of one hundred squares. Each player begins the game with 1 Emperor, 1 General, 1 Scholar, 2 Merchants, 3 Thieves, 4 Lancers, 5 Archers and 8 Spearmen.