Warriors of the Veil Read online

  © 2018 by Jill Williamson

  Published by Bethany House Publishers

  11400 Hampshire Avenue South

  Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

  www.bethanyhouse.com

  Bethany House Publishers is a division of

  Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan

  www.bakerpublishinggroup.com

  Ebook edition created 2018

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

  ISBN 978-1-4412-3085-0

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Cover design by LOOK Design Studio

  Author is represented by MacGregor Literary, Inc.

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Map of Er’Rets

  Key Players

  Trevn

  Grayson

  Mielle

  Trevn

  Gozan

  Charlon

  Hinck

  Oli

  Qoatch

  Grayson

  Trevn

  Kalenek

  Onika

  Trevn

  Charlon

  Inolah

  Grayson

  Hinck

  Oli

  Trevn

  Grayson

  Gozan

  Onika

  Qoatch

  Trevn

  Hinck

  Grayson

  Onika

  Kalenek

  Trevn

  Onika

  Charlon

  Qoatch

  Hinck

  Trevn

  Hinck

  Gozan

  Charlon

  Trevn

  Grayson

  Oli

  Trevn

  Charlon

  Qoatch

  Trevn

  A Note From the Author

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  THE KINSMAN CHRONICLES

  Back Ads

  Key Players

  ARMANIA

  House Hadar

  Trevn-Rosâr Hadar, king of Armania

  Hawley, Trevn’s onesent

  Ottee, Trevn’s honor man

  Sir Cadoc Wyser, Trevn’s High Shield

  Rzasa, Trevn’s backman

  Nietz, a guard

  Bonds, a guard

  Jhorn, Master of Requests

  Grayson, son of Jhorn, a spy

  Sir Kalenek Veroth, Grayson’s High Shield, former protector of Shanek and former One of Charlon’s Five Men

  Mielle-Rosârah, Trevn’s wife

  Tonis, Mielle’s onesent

  Pia, Mielle’s High Shield

  Bero, a guard

  Abree, Mielle’s honor maiden

  Onika [ON-ik-ah], the True Prophet, a blind woman

  Kempe [KEM-pay], Onika’s personal maid

  Rustian, Onika’s dune cat

  Zeroah Barta-Hadar, the dowager queen

  Doth, Zeroah’s guard

  Ephec, Zeroah’s guard

  Brelenah-Rosârah, the dowager queen mother

  Hrettah-Sârah Hadar, Trevn’s half sister

  Rashah-Sârah Hadar, Trevn’s half sister

  Enetta, Hrettah and Rashah’s nurse

  Inolah-Sârah Orsona-Hadar, Trevn’s half sister, mother of Emperor Ulrik and Prince Ferro

  Princess Vallah Orsona, Inolah’s daughter, Emperor Ulrik’s sister

  Princess Tinyah Orsona, Inolah’s daughter, Emperor Ulrik’s sister

  Sir Doran, Inolah’s High Shield

  Kreah, Tinyah’s nursemaid

  Other Armanians

  Oli Agoros, Duke of Canden

  Kipp, Oli’s honor man

  Eudora Agoros, daughter of Sârah Jemesha and Zeteo Agoros, Oli’s sister

  Danek Faluk, Duke of Highcliff

  Zura, Danek’s wife

  Hinckdan Faluk, formerly Earl of Dacre, now Duke of Armanguard, a seer

  Barek Hadar, Duke of Odarka

  Arzah, Barek’s wife

  Lady Brisa, daughter of Barek and Arzah

  Lady Trista, daughter of Barek and Arzah

  Joret Vohan, Earl of Idez

  Cabena, Joret’s wife

  Sir Ransen, son of Joret and Cabena

  Enko, son of Joret and Cabena

  Madara, daughter of Joret and Cabena

  Rennik, son of Madara and Jarmyn Koll

  Tace Edekk, Duke of Raine

  Gitla, Tace’s wife

  Lady Imara, daughter of Tace and Gitla

  Lander Leevy, husband of Lady Imara

  Captain Korvoh, captain of Tace’s private army

  Natod, Tace’s onesent

  Gunrik Koll, Earl of Blackpool

  Sabin, Gunrik’s wife

  Sir Jarmyn, son of Gunrik and Sabin

  Dendrelle, Sir Jarmyn’s wife, Tace and Gitla Edekk’s daughter

  Finbar Wallington, Duke of Everton, brother of Mahat, father of Finnel Wallington

  Gia, Finbar’s wife

  Hirth, son of Finbar and Gia

  Allain Ortropp, a nobleman

  Rayim Veralla, captain of the King’s Guard

  Sir Keshton, Rayim’s son, an officer in the army

  Zanre, Rayim’s son, swordplay drillmaster

  Father Burl Mathal, medial priest of the Arman church

  Admiral Aldair Livina, admiral of the king’s fleet

  Norgam Bussie, captain of the Seffynaw

  Novan Heln, a guard

  Collak Ensley, general of the Armanian army

  Rowan Winstone, marshal in the Armanian army

  The Omatta Clan

  Rand, leader of the Omatta

  Meelo, Rand’s son

  Zahara, Rand’s daughter

  BARTHIA

  Barthel Rogedoth (also known as Prince Mergest III), self-titled king

  Timmons, Barthel’s onesent

  Iamos, a common shadir, loyal to Barthel

  Daliza, a slight shadir, loyal to Barthel

  Paliki, a slight shadir, loyal to Barthel

  Agmado Harton/Harton Sonber, Barthel’s general, a mantic

  Yobatha, a common shadir, bonded to Harton

  Captain Orbay, captain of Barthel’s guard

  Filkin Yohthehreth, Rôb prophet, a mantic

  Mikray, a common shadir, bonded to Filkin

  Zithel Lau, Rôb priest, a mantic

  Shama, a slight shadir, bonded to Zithel

  Zenobia, a mantic

  Kabada, a common shadir, bonded to Zenobia

  Mattenelle, called Nellie, a mantic

  Hwuum, a slight shadir, bonded to Mattenelle

  Lilou Caridod, a malleant

  Mahat Wallington, a malleant, brother to Finbar Wallington

  SARIKAR

  House Pitney

  Princess Saria Pitney, daughter of the late King Loran

  Sir Menel, Saria’s guardsman

  Sir Oris, Saria’s guardsman

  Princess Nolia, Saria’s aunt, sister to the late King Loran

  Finnel Wallington, Nolia’s husband, son of Finbar and Gia Wallington

  Sir Malder, Finnel’s High Shield

  General Norcott, general of Sarikar
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  Wolbair, a prophet of Arman

  RUREKAU

  House Orsona

  Emperor Ulrik Orsona, emperor of Rurekau

  Sir Iamot, Ulrik’s High Shield

  Taleeb, Ulrik’s onesent

  Jazlyn, Ulrik’s wife, empress of Rurekau, former High Queen of Tenma

  Qoatch [KO-ach], Jazlyn’s eunuch slav, a seer

  Niklee, an acolyte

  Prince Jael (Adir), son of Ulrik and Jazlyn

  Princess Jahleeah (Noyah), daughter of Ulrik and Jazlyn

  Zinetha, nursemaid to Ulrik and Jazlyn’s children

  Prince Ferro Orsona, Ulrik’s younger brother

  Thallah-Rosârah Orsona, former queen of Armania, Trevn’s mother, Ulrik’s great-aunt

  General Balat, head of the Igote guard

  Kakeeo, Rurekan sheriff

  MAGOSIA

  Ruling Clan

  Charlon, Magosian Chieftess

  Shanek, Charlon’s son

  Dendron, a great shadir, bonded to Shanek

  Amala, Kalenek’s ward, Mielle’s little sister

  Rurek (Gozan), a great shadir, bonded to Amala

  Masi, a common shadir in Gozan’s swarm

  Kateen, First of Charlon’s Five Maidens

  Astaa, Second of Charlon’s Five Maidens

  Roya, Third of Charlon’s Five Maidens

  Rone, number Two of Charlon’s Five Men

  Nuel, number Three of Charlon’s Five Men

  Vald, number Four of Charlon’s Five Men

  Gullik, number Five of Charlon’s Five Men

  NATIVE CLANS

  Ahj-Yeke Giants

  Bolad mi Aru, headman of Ahj-Yeke

  Uul-Yeke Giants

  Ulagan, Bolad’s nephew

  Jiir-Yeke Giants

  Abaqa mi Niseh, headman of Jiir-Yeke

  Duu Ovdog, a kholoi priest

  Puru

  Muna, a matriarch

  Conaw, Muna’s grandson

  Trevn

  Mielle? Answer me!”

  Trevn searched with his mind for his wife, but it was as though she’d vanished, gone mute. He leapt off the longchair and reached for his shield’s mind. “Cadoc? Something has happened to Mielle.”

  When his shield did not answer, Trevn flung open the antechamber door and ran into the council room. There stood Cadoc, leaning against the arrow loop window.

  He pushed off the wall. “Your Highness, Master Hawley is—”

  “Something happened to Mielle,” Trevn said. “Why didn’t you answer me?”

  Cadoc frowned. “Forgive me. I didn’t hear you. What happened to the queen?”

  “And now? Can you hear me?” Trevn voiced.

  Cadoc walked toward Trevn. “What has happened?”

  Trevn tore out of the chamber and ran past Novan and Bonds, voicing people along the way. “Hinck? . . . Saria? . . . Master Grayson? . . . Duke Canden? . . . Miss Onika?”

  He fled downstairs, desperately trying to understand what had happened. Shanek must have found Mielle, but how had he sabotaged the voicing magic? Trevn turned on the stairs. His King’s Guards were right behind him. “Where might Duke Canden be at this hour?”

  “The roof, likely, with his students,” Novan said. “Or in the great hall.”

  That those locations were opposite one another made Trevn want to scream. “Find Duke Canden and Master Hawley and bring both to my office at once.” He continued down the stairs, frantic to locate anyone with the ability to mind-speak.

  “Master Hawley is in your office,” Cadoc said from behind. “He asked to see you at your earliest convenience.”

  That turned Trevn around, and he jogged back up to the third floor. “Did he say why?”

  “No, sir.”

  Trevn found Hawley sitting at his small desk behind Trevn’s. “Something has happened to Mielle,” he said. “She cannot seem to hear my voice.”

  Concern etched the man’s face. “Both Miss Onika and Rosârah Zeroah complained this morning that they were unable to use their mind-speak magic. And Duke Canden was having trouble last night.”

  Others had lost their magic? “I spoke with Princess Saria not a half hour ago about the attack on Hinck, but now I can hear no one.”

  The men stared at Trevn. He paced to his desk, not sure he wanted to sit.

  “How is Duke Armanguard?” Cadoc asked.

  Trevn met Cadoc’s gaze across the room. “Saria said the wound is not fatal. I can feel Mielle to the northwest. There must be a way to find her.” Grayson had been with her. Trevn reached for Hinck to ask about Grayson, then stopped his foolishness. If he had no magic, he could contact no one.

  “Would the God take away this magic?” Hawley asked.

  Trevn didn’t know, but he suspected a different cause altogether. “I believe we have been silenced. Gather everyone who has the mind-speak magic in the council chambers as soon as possible. And bring Cook Labren to my office. I’ll speak to him after I discern how many are affected.”

  Cadoc nodded to Novan, who set off at a run.

  “The âleh tonic has been decreed highly confidential,” Master Hawley said. “Only a select few should know about the substance.”

  “Which is why I want to speak with Cook Labren.” The man had been tasked with creating âleh tonic for the prisoners in the dungeon. He’d know if any âleh was missing.

  “And the queen?” Cadoc asked.

  Trevn fell into his chair and ran his hands over his hair, tugging at the braids. “I sense her, but I cannot find her without the mind-speak magic or Grayson’s help.”

  “Let’s get you to the council chambers so you can question Master Grayson,” Hawley said.

  “Master Grayson is with the queen,” Cadoc said.

  Hawley instantly sobered.

  Trevn could take no more. He rose and started for the door. “The âleh will wear off as long as we don’t take any more. The sooner we discover how we ingested it, the sooner we can recover our voices and find my wife. I’ll be in the Temple Arman.”

  Father Mathal made a burnt offering on behalf of Mielle, and led Trevn and Onika in prayers. When he finished, Trevn remained on his knees before the altar, Miss Onika at his side.

  “Trust Arman to bring you through this, Your Highness,” the prophetess said.

  Trevn’s anger flared. He wanted a prophetic word about Mielle’s safe return, not vague lessons. “I never trust anyone fully, Miss Onika.”

  “People will let you down, Your Highness, because people make mistakes. But you still need people in your life.”

  “I need Mielle back safely.”

  “You need to trust Arman. He will fight for you. And he never makes mistakes.”

  “That’s not a prophecy,” Trevn said. He could feel it.

  “No,” Onika said. “It’s a fact.”

  By the time everyone had assembled in the council chambers, the evening bells had chimed. Trevn stood behind his chair at the head of the table and gripped the back.

  “I cannot mind-speak either,” Hrettah was telling Lady Brisa.

  “Nor I,” Lady Brisa replied, picking at her fingernail.

  “I didn’t know that I couldn’t until Trista told me she couldn’t,” Barek said.

  “Vallah can,” Trista said. “And Rashah too.”

  Hope filled Trevn. Perhaps not all had been compromised. “Please stand if you still have use of your mind-speak ability.”

  The two young princesses stood. No one else. Two of the thirteen present. “Voice each other right now, girls,” Trevn said. “Confirm that you are still able.”

  Every eye on the room focused on the twosome.

  “I heard her,” Rashah said.

  “Me too,” Vallah said.

  “Very good,” Trevn said, somewhat relieved. “I want you each to voice Master Grayson and find out where he is. Do so now.”

  Another strained moment passed. Rashah’s brow wrinkled in concentration. Trevn prayed the young man would reply with good
news.

  “He doesn’t answer,” Vallah said.

  Rashah slouched. “Me either. Is he hurt?”

  “I have no reason to think so, Rashah,” Trevn said. “No one here is hurt, are we?”

  The girl shook her head.

  “I do need your help, though,” Trevn said. “Will you help me?”

  The girls nodded.

  “Good,” Trevn said. “Rashah, please voice Princess Saria and inquire as to the whereabouts of Queen Mielle and Master Grayson.”

  A collective gasp rose from those seated at the table. Rashah’s bottom lip began to quiver and tears filled her eyes.

  Perhaps Trevn should have worded that better. He seemed to have frightened his sister. “As I said, there’s no cause to worry, Rashah. Please try to send those messages.”

  Rashah began to cry. Rosârah Brelenah, who was seated beside Trevn’s littlest sister, scooted back her chair and pulled the girl onto her lap. “Perhaps Princess Vallah could voice Saria, Your Highness?”

  Trevn nodded at Inolah’s daughter. “Please do so, if you can, Princess.”

  Vallah curtsied. “Right away, Your Highness.” She sat down, folded her hands in her lap, and closed her eyes.

  “Is the queen in peril, Your Highness?” Zeroah asked.

  “I don’t know,” Trevn said, sick to his stomach.

  “Have we been poisoned?” Lady Brisa asked, now biting her thumbnail.

  “Silenced, at least,” Trevn said. “Until I find out what has happened, you will all eat and drink in this room. I’ll make sure everything served here is uncompromised.”

  Vallah still had her eyes closed. Trevn couldn’t stand here waiting for the girl. He had to speak with the cook. “Rosârah Brelenah, bring Princess Vallah to me when she has finished speaking with Saria. I’ll be in my office.”

  Trevn returned to his office with Cadoc and Hawley, where they found Captain Veralla and Cook Labren waiting.

  “Report,” Trevn said.

  “My âleh supply has not been tampered with, Your Highness,” Cook Labren said, “nor have we recently employed any new servants.”

  A dead end there. “How long ago did you hire the newest?” he asked.

  “Over two months, at least,” Cook Labren said.

  “The âleh must be coming from another place,” Hawley said. “But where?”

  Trevn sat down, frustrated. “I put a ban on imports from the houses Sârah Jemesha named as her allies. Could some have slipped by?”

  “Not through the kitchens,” the cook said. “I and my staff have been very careful.”

  If the silencer had come from one of the banned houses, they must have gotten it here another way. “Keep a sharp eye, Cook Labren. Dismissed.”