Roars of War: The War for the North: Book Two Read online

  A CHAPTER IN

  THE TALE OF SECOND EARTH

  THE WAR FOR THE NORTH

  ROARS OF WAR

  The War for the North: Book Two

  SEAN RODDEN

  © 2017 Sean Rodden

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 1974648818

  ISBN 13: 9781974648818

  For my father,

  who came to believe.

  In Gratitude:

  A loving thank you

  to my beautiful children

  for allowing me

  to be their father.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  A gain, there are so many people who have combined to encourage and inspire me in the writing of this chapter in the Tale of Second Earth. I am by nature a forgetful person, and I spend more time in my fantasy world than I do in the real one, so should I fail to mention you here, know that I hold you and all that you have done for me in my heart! Firstly, as always, I want to thank Sandra and the ELFS for being the most loving and supportive family for which a man could ask – you are the stars in my heaven! I also want to express my gratitude to my brother Blaise, and sisters Robin and Rena and their beautiful families (except Bruce… Bruce isn’t beautiful, he’s more ruggedly cute than anything else) for not actually murdering me whenever they get the chance. To Marc Whitaker of MTWdesign for his unmatched genius and patience. To all the crazy folks at GAGFME for blazing the trail to Second Earth. To my friend and fellow author Deborah A. Wolf for her unceasing support and encouragement. And to the wonderful and talented Genevieve Allen, my go-to cowgirl for all things horsey and honkytonk, for her love and laughter!

  Special thanks to Alex Zekovich,

  my soul’s own brother,

  without whose brilliance

  this Tale would never have been Told.

  THE WAR FOR THE NORTH

  BOOK TWO:

  ROARS OF WAR

  CONTENTS

  Acknowledgments

  Map

  Dramatis Personae

  Prologue

  Chapter One The Seven Hills

  Chapter Two Where Dragons Weep

  Chapter Three Doomfall

  Chapter Four Ulviathon

  Chapter Five Caramel Dark

  Chapter Six The Harbinger

  Chapter Seven Embers

  Chapter Eight The Way of Darkest Night

  Chapter Nine The Fires of the Fallen

  Chapter Ten Blood and Flame

  Chapter Eleven The Hard Hills

  Chapter Twelve The Bloodspawn

  Chapter Thirteen Ugloch Nur

  Chapter Fourteen Blood and Rain

  Chapter Fifteen The Lamps of Welcome

  Chapter Sixteen The Gods of War

  Chapter Seventeen The Blood King

  Chapter Eighteen When the Sun Rises in the West

  Chapter Nineteen Lament for the Fiannar

  Chapter Twenty Esperance

  Epilogue

  Afterword

  DRAMATIS PERSONAE

  The Erelians

  Axennus Teagh: Commander of the North March Mounted Reserve

  Bronnus Teagh: Captain of the North March Mounted Reserve

  Runningwolf / Abbawontandontas: Left Tenant of the North March Mounted Reserve, originally from Rheln

  Hastiliarius: Right Tenant of the North March Mounted Reserve

  Teji Nashi: an Undercaptain of the North March Mounted Reserve, a healer

  Regorius: a Decan of the North March Mounted Reserve; Whitey

  Maddus: a soldier of the North March Mounted Reserve; Maddy

  Riffalo: a soldier of the North March Mounted Reserve; Riff

  Rooboong: a soldier of the North March Mounted Reserve; Ruby

  Lionnus: a soldier of the North March Mounted Reserve; Lio

  Anconas: an Undercaptain of the North March Mounted Reserve

  Lacius: a Left Tenant in the North March Mounted Reserve

  The Fiannar

  Alvarion II: Twelfth Lord of the Fiannar, Master of the House of Defurien

  Cerriste: Lady of the Fiannar, Mistress of the House of Defurien, wife of Alvarion II

  Caelle: Shield Maiden to Lady Cerriste

  Sarrane: Seer to Alvarion II, Mistress of the House of Eccuron, wife of Tulnarron

  Eldurion: Marshal of the Grey Watch, Eldest of the Fiannar, father of Caelle, uncle of Alvarion II

  Taresse: mother of Caelle, wife of Eldurion, governess to Aranion

  Tulnarron: Master of the House of Eccuron, Warden of the East

  Accamon: a Fian of the House of Mirmaddon

  Albannon: a warder of the Grey Watch

  Alysse: a Singer of the Grey Watch; Black Alysse

  Aranion: son of Alvarion II and Cerriste, Heir to the Lordship of the Fiannar

  Arumarron: son of Tulnarron and Sarrane, Heir to the Mastery of the House of Eccuron

  Berradan: Master of the House of Shon Rodain

  Chadh: adopted son of Teillerian

  Chelyse: a warder of the Green Watch

  Collinan: Master of the House of Cilcannan

  Darthadain: son of Teillerian, father of Chadh; deceased

  Diamine: a Fiann of the House of Mirmaddon

  Dragodurn: a warder in Harlastian’s Eye of the Grey Watch

  Emanthe: a Watchcaptain of the Green Watch

  Ethline: a warder in Harlastian’s Eye of the Grey Watch

  Ferraron: a warder in Harlastian’s Eye of the Grey Watch

  Gornannon: a Fian of the House of Eccuron

  Gostullian: a Fian, a scout of the Grey Watch; Ghost

  Harlastian: a Watchcaptain of the Grey Watch

  Hyrre: a warder of the Green Watch

  Janne: Mistress of the House of Serra-Collean

  Lucce: Mistress of the House of Cilcannan

  Milutin: a standard bearer of the Fiannar

  Noldarion: a young Fian, the Heir to the House of Cilcannan

  Radannan: a standard bearer of the Fiannar

  Rovanian: a warder in Harlastian’s Eye of the Grey Watch

  Sandarre: a Singer of the House of Eccuron, cousin to Tulnarron

  Sennadan: Heir to the House of Shon Rodain, son of Berradan

  Silmarien: a warder of the Grey Watch; Silly

  Spedamon: a warder of the Grey Watch; Speedy

  Teillerian: Master of the House of Mirmaddon

  Tielle: a young Fiann, Heiress to the House of Mirmaddon

  Trimmanon: a Singer of the House of Serra-Collean,

  Valerre: a Watchtenant in Harlastian’s Eye of the Grey Watch

  Varonin: Marshal of the Grey Watch

  The Daradur

  Azugar: First Axe commanding the Fifth Army of the Daradur, kulg-Dor of the kanga Kulgum; the Golden One

  Brulwar: Earthmaster to the Wandering Guard, First Made of the Firstmade

  Dandar: a priest of Maiden Earth assigned to the Fifth Army, urthron of the kanga Kulgum

  Drogul: Chieftain of the Wandering Guard, Lord of Doomfall; the Mighty One

  Dulgar: a Captain of the Wandering Guard; the Wild One

  Gulgrum: a Captain of the Wandering Guard

  Jadun: a Captain of the Fifth Army of the Daradur, a kulg-Kor of the kanga Kulgum

  Mundar: a Warder of the Wandering Guard

  Rundul: a Captain of the Wandering Guard

  The Athair

  Gavrayel: King of the Athair of the West of First Earth; King of the Athair of Second Earth

  Aeline: Queen of the Folk of Gavrayel

  Evangael: a Prince of the folk of Gavrayel; a Sun Lord

  Thrannien: a Prince of the folk of Gavrayel; a Sun Lord

  Yllufarr: a P
rince of the folk of Gavrayel; a Sun Lord

  Arymeryl: a Sun Knight; Arymeryl of the Laughing Eyes

  Derru Tollir: a Sun Knight; Guardian of the Gith

  Ingallin: Prime Consul to Gavrayel; Chancellor of Gith Glennin

  Lalindel: First Knight of the Sun Knights of Evangael

  Lyrrienn: a Sun Knight; Lyrrienn of the Golden Heart

  Sammayal: Lord of the Shaddathair, First of the Unforgiven

  The Bloodspawn

  Kor ben Dor: the Halflord, leader of the Bloodspawn, a general in the Blood King’s army

  Ev lin Dar: a Black Shield of the Bloodspawn

  Gren del Mor: a Black Shield of the Bloodspawn

  Sil kin Hesh: a Black Shield of the Bloodspawn, Liaison to Urchin

  Aida dan Char: a Screamer of the Bloodspawn; assassin, sorceress

  Umbar’hal: a Graniant, the witchdoctor of the Graniants under Earthfall, shaman of shamans

  The Free Nations

  Arbamas: Prince and ruler of Ithramis

  Holy Shore: an Ithramian soldier

  Midnight Sun: First General of the Ithramian Army

  Whiskey Kisses: a Captain of the Ithramian Heavy Infantry

  White Frost: an Ithramian soldier

  Ri Niall (of the Thousand Battles): the High King of Rothanar

  Connar: a Rothman, Warthane of the caelroth

  Ingvar Dragonsbane: a prince of Nothira, Earl of Invarnoth, son of Eleric Bloodhand; the Mad Earl

  Eleric Bloodhand: King of Nothira

  Tilbeder: Unchained Celebrant of the Cult of Thyr

  The Enemy

  Waif: a Leech-possessed child; a sumanam demon

  Urchin: a Leech-possessed child; a sumanam demon

  Suru-luk: Blood King of the Wraithren; the Red Wraith

  Kal-suruk: Skull King of the Wraithren

  Umun-dron: Demon King of the Wraithren

  Zan-zurak: the Death King, most powerful of the Wraithren

  Arn’badt: the animated corpse of the dead King of the Giants

  The Drone: war leader of the dwar-Durka, the Solemate to the Queen

  Dijin Amora: a Blood Mage, former Master General of the Dragon Emperor’s military

  Hundo g’Ulbab: an Unwoman, Chief Daughter of the Grudd Clan

  Kh’arsh: a kuarok

  k’urth Deen dur Hamma: the Hag of Lies; urthvennim

  Mak Lorro: Queen of the Urkroks of the Blackbones

  Malal ach Ammut: the leader of the Norian contingent of the Blood King’s army

  Sten Hjerte: a prince of Var

  Ulviathon: a fallen Hiath, a Demon of First Earth

  Others

  Arrowwing: an elliam, steed of Thrannien

  Eveningwind: an elliam, steed of Yllufarr

  Ha-Kame: a chelydra; a dragon turtle

  Kuroma: a mor-marran; a black mirarran

  Shar’eth: a Graniant, shaman of shamans, deceased

  Teraras: the Lord of the warokka

  Teller of the Tale: the Creator of the universe; Iu

  Thunderlight: an elliam, steed of Evangael

  Thyr: Wulfic / Nothiric god of thunder and war

  Zalkan: Xiao al Khan, former Imperial Weapons Master, last of the saburau, Swordlord of the Dragon Emperor’s Draconian Guard; the Harbinger

  From Antiquity

  Alliane: Fourth Lorde of the Fiannar

  Alvarion I: Tenth Lord of the Fiannar, ruled during the battle of Mekkoleth on Sark-u-surum

  Amarien: Eleventh Lord of the Fiannar, son of Alvarion I, father of Alvarion II

  Amhran Aifile: High Bard at the Court of Cara at the time of Ri Connar

  Asrayal: King of the Athair of the South of First Earth

  Branne: Second Lady of the Fiannar, wife of Vallian, daughter of Eccuron and Yasminne

  Catarinne: Sixth Lorde of the Fiannar

  Cerristallin: one of the first Fiannar, founder of the House of Cerristallin

  Cilcannan: one of the first Fiannar, founder of the House of Cilcannan

  Colleanne: one of the first Fiannar, founder of the House of Colleanne

  Cothra: the Hiath of War

  Dalorion: one of the first Fiannar, founder of the House of Dalorion

  Defurien: First Lord of the Fiannar

  Dragon Eye: a Singer of the House of Eccuron

  Eccuron: one of the Fiannar, dear friend to Defurien

  Fircuine: wife of Defurien, First Lady of the Fiannar

  Hiridion: a Fian, founder of Erellan, the South Kingdom of the Fiannar of Second Earth

  Idallion: Third Lord of the Fiannar, son of Vallian

  Ilurin / Unluvin: brightest and most beautiful of the Hiathir, fallen Hiath of great power, brought war upon the Athair of First Earth

  Iu: Athain name for the Teller of the Tale

  Jorjararem: a bard

  Majan al Khan: White Mage to the last Turian Emperor

  Megane: Ninth Lorde of the Fiannar; Long Megane

  Mirmaddon: one of the first Fiannar, founder of the House of Mirmaddon

  Noth the Red: eldest bastard son of the last Kyetnik king of Var; first King of Nothira

  Palladian: firstborn son of Defurien, twin of Vallian

  Rekishiya: Imperial Historian of Tur

  Ri Connar: High King of Rothanar during the Fiannar’s second war with the Wraithren

  Roidarrin: one of the first Fiannar, founder of the House of Roidarrin

  Ruthallane: a Fian of the House of Eccuron; ‘the Red’

  Serraline: one of the first Fiannar, founder of the House of Serraline

  Shiverlance: a renowned playwright

  Shonnahan: one of the first Fiannar, founder of the House of Shonnahan

  Thundarron: a Fian of the House of Eccuron

  Ulviathon: a fallen Hiath, a demon of First Earth

  Vallian: secondborn son of Defurien; twin of Palladian; Second Lord of the Fiannar

  Yasminne: the first Mistress of the House of Eccuron and Seer to Lord Defurien

  PROLOGUE

  “Let the enemy see the risen sword

  waver and vacillate in shaking hands,

  Let the foe mark the poor position

  and ungainly heft of the shield,

  Let him note the awkward stance

  and the gracelessness of the dance,

  Let him witness all weakness before him

  even as the dagger plunges into his back –

  For all triumph rises from grand deception,

  and all defeat comes of dying for the lie.”

  Hiridion, A Philosophy of War: Volume One

  First Day of Autumn

  Year of the Strype 2025

  Nothing but the dead.

  But among the dead, none of those whom the First Axe of the Fifth Army so fervently sought.

  Not one.

  First Axe Azugar surveyed the appalling slaughter that had made an unholy abattoir of cavernous Andur-dun under Axar. Beneath his garish golden war-mask, the mighty Darad’s teeth grinded audibly in bunched jaws. He barely refrained from spattering a glob of spit against the underside of the mask. The cantankerous First Axe had never fared well whilst frustrated. He needed something to kill. Desperately.

  The vast vaulted ceiling glowed with the inherent light of innumerable diamantine stars, casting the hallowed hall of Andur-dun in a shimmering twilight of shining stone, a subterranean crepuscule of haunted halfdark, now heinously stained with the sheens of blood and fire. Hundreds of hulking warriors of the kanga Kulgum, the fearsome Fifth Army of the Daradur, moved between the titanic crystal pillars of Andur-dun, searching among the heaps of enemy dead, kicking aside corpses, stomping through embers, kneeling to sift amorphous mounds of dust and ash between thick callused fingers.

  Different demons left different dead.

  Some demonic entities shattered into shards of blood-coloured glass upon being slain; others melted into puddles of luminous green slime or foul black sludge; still others exploded into furious yet fleeting storms of incandescent flame.
Some disintegrated to ash as they dropped, some turned to stone, some simply vanished. A few pseudo-reptilian strains left corporeally intact corpses. But neither the manner of the dying nor the matter of the dead was of any significance to the Stone Lords.

  Dead was dead.

  Yet among the hundreds – nay, thousands – of demonic dead, not a single dwar-Durk was to be found.

  Azugar absently prodded the smouldering remains of a fallen sug’thok demon with the blunt toe of one gold-sheathed boot, inadvertently causing the scorched corpse to emit a gurgle of postmortem borborygmus. The great Darad’s gilded war-axe instantly smashed ever so satisfyingly through the thick saurian plates of the fiend’s abdomen. Something black and viscous and abominably foul splashed over Azugar’s ornate golden greaves. The First Axe barked a vicious curse. He stamped vigourously, shaking the steaming demon shit from his leg, then repeatedly kicked the offending corpse with a passion approaching psychosis.

  And that is how Dandar, urthron to the kanga Kulgum, found him.

  “Uldwan.”

  Azugar whirled about at the sound of the voice. He raised the mask of his gold-plated helm. His eyes burned like heated obsidian.

  “Don’t call me that, priest,” growled the First Axe, shaking his head. The strings of gleaming gems and precious stones woven into the braids of his bronzy beard rattled as he did so. “Makes me feel… old.”

  “As you wish, kulg-Dor,” responded Dandar laconically, accustomed as he was to his general’s eccentricities. “We have done as you ordered. We do so again even now, for the sake of certainty. We have found no dwar-Durka.”

  Azugar shook his head once more. Emeralds, rubies, diamonds jangled.

  “Makes no sense, priest. I saw them. They were here. A whole host of them. Ten thousand, maybe.”

  “At least. I saw them as well.”

  “Did you also see who led them?”

  “I did. They were commanded by the Drone.”

  Azugar bristled visibly, turned his head, launched a huge globule of sputum onto the smoking remains behind him.

  “Had the Dwarks engaged, the enemy would have had us, what, ten to one?”

  “More. But the dwar-Durka did not engage, kulg-Dor. And they have not been seen since the third day of battle.”

  “Day? What do you mean by ‘day’, priest?”