King's Blood
© 2017 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 2017
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.
ISBN 978-1-4412-3073-7
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016942746
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.
To Brad Williamson, my hero
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Cross section of the Seffynaw
Key Players
Epigraph
Part Four: Kingdom at Sea
Prologue
Trevn
Wilek
Charlon
Inolah
Grayson
Kalenek
Trevn
Wilek
Trevn
Charlon
Hinck
Kalenek
Wilek
Trevn
Wilek
Charlon
Hinck
Inolah
Gozan
Wilek
Grayson
Trevn
Hinck
Part Five: Maelstrom
Wilek
Trevn
Wilek
Kalenek
Charlon
Hinck
Wilek
Trevn
Amala
Kalenek
Wilek
Kalenek
Charlon
Trevn
Grayson
Wilek
Amala
Hinck
Wilek
Hinck
Wilek
Trevn
Hinck
Grayson
Gozan
Kalenek
Wilek
Charlon
Gozan
Trevn
Wilek
Hinck
Part Six: Voices of Blood
Charlon
Trevn
Grayson
Wilek
Gozan
Wilek
Trevn
Charlon
Grayson
Trevn
Hinck
Wilek
Amala
Kalenek
Trevn
Qoatch
Charlon
Trevn
Wilek
Amala
Wilek
Kalenek
Wilek
Trevn
A Note From the Author
Acknowledgments
About the Author
THE KINSMAN CHRONICLES
Back Ads
Back Cover
Key Players
Armania
House Hadar
Echad [EE-kad]-Rosâr Hadar, king of Armania
Schwyl, Echad’s onesent
Captain Lebbe Alpress, captain of the King’s Guard
Zenobia, Echad’s concubine
Lilou Caridod, Echad’s mistress
Brelenah-Rosârah, Echad’s first wife, Wilek and Inolah’s mother
Captain Rayim Veralla, captain of the Queen’s Guard
Hawley, Brelenah’s onesent
Wilek [WILL-ek]-Sâr Hadar, son of Echad and Brelenah
Sir Kalenek Veroth, Wilek’s High Shield
Novan, Kalenek’s backman
Agmado Harton, Wilek’s backman
Dendrick, Wilek’s onesent
Laviel-Rosârah, Echad’s second wife, Janek’s mother
Janek-Sâr Hadar, son of Echad and Laviel
Sir Jayron, Janek’s High Shield
Hinckdan Faluk, Earl of Dacre, Janek’s backman
Timmons, Janek’s onesent
Mattenelle, Janek’s concubine
Pia, Janek’s concubine
Sir Kamran DanSâr, son of Echad and Zenobia
Fonu Edekk, friend to Janek
Thallah-Rosârah Orsona, Echad’s third wife, Trevn’s mother, Ulrik’s great-aunt
Trevn-Sâr Hadar, son of Echad and Thallah
Sir Cadoc Wyser, Trevn’s High Shield
Ottee [Ot-EE], Trevn’s onesent
Valena-Rosârah, Echad’s fourth wife
Enetta, Hrettah and Rashah’s nurse
Hrettah-Sârah Hadar, daughter of Echad and Valena
Sir Kenard Taldun, Hrettah’s High Shield
Ulmer Gelsly, Kenard’s backman
Rashah-Sârah Hadar, daughter of Echad and Valena
Sir Zeric Meray, Rashah’s High Shield
Rey Kael, Zeric’s backman
Other Armanians
Onika [ON-ik-ah], the True Prophet, a blind woman
Tulay [TOO-lay], honor maiden to Onika
Yoana [Yo-AHNA], honor maiden to Onika
Kempe [KEM-pay], Onika’s personal maid
Rustian, Onika’s dune cat
Mielle, Kalenek’s ward, honor maiden to Lady Zeroah
Amala, Kalenek’s ward, Mielle’s little sister
Darlow, Mielle and Amala’s nurse
Inolah-Sârah Orsona-Hadar, daughter of Echad and Brelenah, mother of Emperor Ulrik
Princess Vallah Orsona, Inolah’s daughter, Emperor Ulrik’s sister
Sârah Jemesha, Echad’s sister, Oli and Eudora’s mother
Oli Agoros, Duke of Canden
Eudora Agoros, Oli’s sister
Admiral Hanray Vendal, admiral of the king’s fleet
Captain Aldair Livina [Liv-EE-nuh], captain of the Seffynaw
Quen [Kwen], first mate
Norgam Bussie [BUHS-ee], second mate
Nietz [Neets], master’s mate
Shinn, master’s mate
Zaki, sailor
Bonds, sailor
Rzasa [RAW-zuh], sailor
Hara, the king’s cook
Shemme, Hara’s daughter, a maid
Father Burl Mathal, medial priest of the Rôb church
Jhorn, a retired soldier and amputee
Grayson, a boy with a gray rash
The Omatta Clan
Rand, leader of the Omatta
Meelo, Rand’s son
Zahara, Rand’s daughter
Teaka, Rand’s mother
Errp, Teaka’s newt
Traitors to Armania
Barthel Rogedoth (also known as Prince Mergest III), former Pontiff of Armania, uncle to Loran of Sarikar
Dendron, a great shadir, bonded to Barthel Rogedoth
Filkin Yohthehreth, Rôb prophet
Zithel Lau, Rôb priest
Sarikar
House Pitney
King Jorger Pitney, king of Sarikar, the God’s King
Prince Loran Pitney, Jorger’s son and heir
Princess Saria, Loran’s daughter
Prince Thorvald, Loran’s son
Zeroah Barta, Loran’s niece, betrothed to Wilek Hadar
Doth, Zeroah’s guard
Ephec, Zeroah’s guard
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br /> Rystan Barta, Duke of Tal, Zeroah’s little brother
Prince Rosbert, Jorger’s son, Loran’s brother
Lady Riyah, Rosbert’s daughter
Lady Tesslia, Rosbert’s daughter
Lord Kanzer, Rosbert’s son
Rurekau
House Orsona
Emperor Ulrik Orsona, emperor of Rurekau
Sir Iamot [EE-uh-moht], Ulrik’s High Shield
Taleeb, Ulrik’s onesent
Prince Ferro Orsona, Ulrik’s younger brother
General Balat, head of the Igote guard
Kakeeo, Rurekan sheriff
Burk, a Rurekan passenger
Magonia
Ruling Clan
Mreegan, Magonian Chieftess
Kateen, First of Mreegan’s Five Maidens
Astaa, Second of Mreegan’s Five Maidens
Roya, Third of Mreegan’s Five Maidens
Rone, number One of Mreegan’s Five Men
Nuel, number Two of Mreegan’s Five Men
Vald, number Three of Mreegan’s Five Men
Torol, number Four of Mreegan’s Five Men
Gullik [GUHL-ik], number Five of Mreegan’s Five Men
Charlon, Mother of the Deliverer
Magon, a great shadir, bonded to Mreegan and Charlon
Krola, captain of the Vespara
Tenma
Priestess Jazlyn, High Queen of Tenma
Qoatch [KO-ach], Jazlyn’s eunuch slav, a seer
Gozan, a great shadir, bonded to Jazlyn
Main Ships of the Fleet
Seffynaw [SEF-EE-naw], Rosâr Echad’s ship, flagship of Armania and the fleet
Rafayah [Raf-AHY-uh], the vice flagship of Armania
Berith [BAIR-ith], advance guard ship of Armania
Baretam [BAIR-IT-am], Emperor Ulrik’s ship, flagship of Rurekau
Gillsmore [GILS-mohr], the vice flagship of Rurekau
Kaloday [KAL-UH-dey], Loran’s ship, flagship of Sarikar
Vespara [Ves-PAR-uh], Chieftess Mreegan’s ship, stolen from Sarikar
Amarnath [EY-mahr-nath], Barthel Rogedoth’s ship
The Wanderer, Grayson’s first ship
Malbraid, Rand’s ship
Taradok [TARE-uh-dok], Zahara’s ship
The Gods of the Five Realms
Arman, the father god
Athos, god of justice and law
Avenis/Avennia, god/goddess of beauty
Barthos, god of the earth/soil
Cethra/Cetheria, god/goddess of protection
Dendron, god of nature
Gâzar, ruler of the Lowerworld, bringer of death
Iamos, god/goddess of healing
Lâhat, god of fire
Magon, goddess of magic
Mikreh, god of fate and fortune
Nivanreh, god of travel
Rurek, god of war
Sarik, god of wisdom
Tenma, the mother god
Thalassa, virgin goddess of the sea
Yobat/Yobatha, god/goddess of pleasure and celebration
Zitheos, god of animals
The Prophetess urged the people to hurry and leave the land. “For otherwise,” said The Prophetess, “you will all die!” So the people set out from the Five Realms, traveling by sea into the unknown, trusting Arman to do as He promised and lead them to a new land, a good and spacious land of plenty.
—The History of the Armanites, Hinckdan Faluk,Castle Armanguard 27
Prologue
Gozan flew through the Veil, just out of reach of the ocean’s spray. Behind him his swarm followed, a cloudy mass of colors and shrieking sounds. He wished for silence but hadn’t the energy to rebuke them just now.
If things didn’t change, he might never have the energy again.
In the distance the Armanian king’s flagship Seffynaw sat low in the water, a fat tub stuffed with treasure and humans whose greed had nearly killed off their race. The shadir had played their part as well. Gozan hadn’t realized the effects of his dependence on human bonding. None of the shadir had. They had always taken for the sake of taking, for pleasure and power and to please their master Gâzar. They had not ever considered consequences.
But now they must, for their way of life was at risk.
Gozan reached the Seffynaw from its starboard side and circled the hull. He soared above the railing and onto the stern deck. Slights and commons filled the area, invisible to the humans seated at a table there. Magon stood at the back of the ship, leaning against the taffrail. For centuries she had preferred to take form as a human female. Gozan never understood why she wanted to look like her slaves.
His shadir swarm met Magon’s, and the cacophony of the two groups intermingling grated on Gozan’s nerves. “Silence!” he yelled.
To their credit all obeyed, even those shadir loyal to Magon.
Gozan folded his arms and let the soles of his feet rest on the deck so that he stood before Magon, looming over her frail, human form.
She smirked at his posture. “Greetings, Rurek.”
The name sent fire through his limbs. “I am Gozan now.”
“Still hiding, are you?”
“Waiting.” He had never been hiding.
“Well, I have waited long enough,” she said, which brought cheers from her votaries. “We must act before all is lost.”
“You have a plan, then? How to survive this setback?”
“I’m bored with no access to my mantic,” said one of Magon’s slights. “It’s no fun merely whispering in ears. I want the humans to see me and be swayed by my influence.”
“Mine hasn’t seen me since we left the land,” said another.
“Mine either,” said a third.
“They are completely out of evenroot on my human’s ship,” said one of Gozan’s brood.
“Mine too!” echoed the first of Magon’s slights.
“Stop fretting, all of you,” Magon said. “We simply must lead these ships to land. Once the humans plant and harvest new evenroot crops, our power over them will return.”
“But it takes at least three months to reap a harvest,” a slight said.
“And harvesting that early, the roots will be small,” said another.
“Patience,” Magon said. “We must remain calm and focus on leading the ships to land.”
“But, master,” Masi said to Gozan, “with so little evenroot, we have no control over the captains of these vessels.”
“We only need control the one who leads,” Gozan replied.
Snickers broke out among the slights, and a common behind Magon said, “Humans will never agree on the same leader.”
“They will follow Armania,” Magon said. “They always do, despite my efforts.”
“Then we must work together to lead the Armanians to land,” Gozan said.
“I have no power in Armania yet,” Magon said. “I am close. But my mantics are divided at present as to how to proceed.”
Typical. Magon bored too easily. “You never could stay loyal to one human.”
“Where is the fun in that? It’s much more entertaining to bait them against each other. Better than hiding for decades in a lowly position.”
“Jazlyn is loyal to me,” Gozan said, “and now that she is High Queen of Tenma, I am in a place to use my power to advance her realm.”
“The real problem is that I am uncertain where land is,” Magon said. “The humans are headed to an island now, but if they are to plant a substantial amount of evenroot without interference from religious zealots, we must lead them to a great expanse.”
“Are you certain another exists?” Gozan asked. “Perhaps only this mysterious island remains.”
“This world is vast, Gozan,” Magon said. “If there is a great stretch of land out there, my swarm will find it.”
This sent Magon’s votaries into a flurry of color and objections.
“Go without you?”
“We mustn’t leave you, Great One. We would be lost apart from you.”
“Lost without your guidance.”
“I refuse to leave your side,” a purple slight said. “I will die before I do.”
“Die, then!” A wave of Magon’s hand obliterated the purple slight into a wisp of smoke. Her votaries scattered briefly, then cowered at her feet, trembling.
“Are you ready to listen?” she asked.
Her swarm stared at her, eyes wide and contrite. Some nodded. Not one made a sound.
“I have no need of you here at present,” she said. “You will be of better use to me seeking out land. Remember, as your great shadir, I can summon you all at a word. And no matter how far you drift from me, call on my name and you can always return.”
It would pain them, though, to be parted from her, and it would weaken her to be without their energy. Gozan hesitated to join her risky plan, knowing it would cost him as well, yet he couldn’t afford to be left in the dark. “My shadir will go with yours,” he said.
A heavy silence fell over their group. The two swarms appraised one another as if trying to decide whether or not such a joining was in their best interest.
“We might as well get started,” Magon said, and she set about dividing her followers into four groups with a common at the head of each.
Gozan did the same with his swarm.
“Do not return until you have found a fair amount of land or until I summon you,” Magon told her shadir. “Now fly!”
As her swarm flitted away, Gozan lowered his voice to his own. “Return to me when summoned, when you find land, or if you sense a betrayal from Magon’s swarm. I want them tracked at all times. Understood?”
His shadir throbbed and spun their agreement.
“After them!” he yelled.
They shot away like streaks of smoke on the tails of fire arrows. He watched them, pride welling inside. They would not fail him.
“You are vulnerable without your swarm,” Magon said. “As is your mantic.”
“And you are not?”
She smiled. “My mantics still have stores of evenroot.”
“If it’s a fight you seek, you will not win. Alone, I am stronger than you.”
She cackled. “I have no wish to fight you, Rurek. My fight is with Dendron. It always has been. I cannot defeat him alone, but we might do so together.”
She did not tempt him in the least. He hadn’t even seen Dendron since The Great Parting. “I have no quarrel with Dendron.”
“Not now,” Magon said, “but Dendron has a hold on Armania. The realm is his. And once the humans find land and set up their seats of power, Armania will rule. It will not be long thereafter that we will all come to odds with Dendron. I have a plan to protect myself. You should too.”