Book Excerpt Sword of CHo Nisi (book 1)

From the moment Erika makes a fatal mistake that could cost her father his kingdom, she meets the challenge of redemption head-on, tackling the Dark Wizard, rescuing her brother from a torturous curse, and wrestling with a stormy love affair. She's not alone, for the struggles are more than one person could handle, and her help comes from both family and unexpected sources. Regardless of who proves their allegiance, the Sword of Cho Nisi series is a test of courage for all our heroes.
Book Trailer

Barin and the King

 Chapter 7

The young valet’s elegant blue tunic caught the sun as light filtered through the curtains. A single beam landed on his matching felt hat and yellow hair. Moving in and out of the morning ray, the boy quietly draped Barin’s cloak over his shoulders and fastened it with confident hands. Barin stared past the boy. Emotionally unable to make eye contact with anyone from the palace—certainly not a youthful domestic who had never seen combat. The bloody memories in Barin’s mind were too vivid still.  Not only the death of his men during their encounter with the skura, but the terrifying mountain giants that had taken his squire’s life and left the rest of his troops traumatized. He had no desire for this royal protocol.

Still weary from the trudge over the mountain with a shattered and bleeding militia, he considered himself emotionally, mentally, and physically drained. The battle brought him in touch with his humanity. He felt for his men. His heart went out to the common folk of the valley, and the poor souls who took that journey with him. His soldiers, and the farmers who worked the fields, were foremost on his mind.

He had buried his disappointment toward Erika. For now. He would not speak of the murder of King Rolland. Another time. If he were to tell his father tonight what happened, all the anger and shame rooted inside of him would rise to the surface. Barin needed to temper those emotions if he were to act like a prince, a son, and a brother.

At least his sister hadn’t whimpered or carried on during their venture home. She had made him proud of her response to the terror in the canyon.

He bit his lip as the valet strapped the royal sword around his waist. A beautiful tool made for formality rather than for use. A heavy piece of steel with a gilded hilt and etching of a destrier, the Potamian symbol for honor. He didn’t deserve such honor. He pushed the belt away.

“My Liege, it’s required of a prince returning from battle, otherwise it would discredit your Father.”

Barin looked into the boy’s innocent blue eyes. Correct. Protocol required him to wear the sword. He cleared his throat and muttered.

“They say a prince who has honor will not wear it around his waist to flaunt it but will instead bow his knee to the servants who gained it for him.”

“And if the prince gained the honor for himself, my Liege?” the valet asked.

“No one gains honor for himself save those who died in its name.”

The servant hesitated. “Yes, Vasil” he whispered and bowed, backing away to return the sword to its mount.

The death of the Cho Nisi King brought not honor, but dishonor. The image of Rolland bleeding at his feet haunted Barin more than the evil giants that later attacked him. He would have mourned for the king’s death regardless, but that his sister had slain the man devastated him. Barin should have taught Erika better.

All his life he had wished the best for his younger sister. He’d been training her, hoping that she would gain the skills she needed to be a warrior simply because she wanted the challenge so badly. He hoped she would overcome her gloom. A sadder person he had not known, always wishing for something just beyond her reach. Eventually Father would learn that she had killed their ally, and then what would happen to her?  A soldier’s punishment? He doubted their father would admonish her too severely.

Father had a soft spot in his heart for Erika. Their mother had sacrificed her life to bring Erika into this world. And if rumor does not become public, there will be no repercussions from the kingdom’s citizens. Finding a tactful way to deal with the island will be another matter.

Barin sighed when the valet stepped back and bowed.

“You are ready, Vasil.”

Barin nodded, allowed the valet to open his door, and walked into the hallway. Cold air greeted him as his eyes rested on the marble statue of Pólemos, the God of War holding a bolt of lightning in his right hand, and a sword in the other, a chiseled robe draped over his shoulders. Barin didn’t believe in his father’s gods. There is no such thing as glory in war, nor is there a god that offers men a portion of that glory. Barin breathed deeply and proceeded to the grand hall.

 The castle held the chill this time of year. The ceilings were high, the walls cold stone. Every tap of his boot heels echoed down the chamber to the throne room. He struggled with forming the words he should say to his father as the majestic doors swung open to the king waiting on his throne for him.

Morning light seeped through the stained glass, accenting more statues. Eidy, the goddess of love and her lover Eroto. Father had moved these deities to his throne room after their mother had died, to keep the love they had shared burning.

Busts of his ancestors lined the walls in between the gods. Grandfathers and uncles who, for centuries, had kept this kingdom united. The wars they saw, the celebrations, the deaths were folklores now. Their heritage bore legends of heroes and mighty deeds, and still the threat of annihilation haunted the empire. Barin did not consider himself a hero among them.

He bowed before his father.

 “Son.” A gentle sigh came from King Tobias. “It hurts my heart when you do that.”

“It’s protocol, Father.”

“Rise.” Tobias stepped off his throne and as soon as Barin stood, they embraced. “Your soldiers tell me the battle didn’t go as expected.”

“No. It didn’t.”

“Well, sometimes we expect too much.” Tobias kept his arm around Barin’s shoulder, a warmth that only his father could give. Barin needed reassurance, not just for losing good men in a conundrum, but for losing faith in his capabilities. He should have trained Erika better, or have prevented her from coming. Barin was responsible, in part, for the death of King Rolland.

“At least you and your sister came home alive. Are you hungry?”

Barin shook his head. “I’ll wait for dinner.”

“Tell me what you’ve learned.  What happened?” King Tobias ushered Barin to a table while a servant placed two chalices and a decanter before them. The king nodded for the servant’s dismissal.

“I learned there are way too many skura in this world. It seems no matter how many we kill, twice as many reappear. We slew hundreds. The most impressive fighters were those from Cho Nisi. Their magic did remarkable things. The surviving skura fled. To where I don’t know. They’re back in the valley already. I’m certain whatever good we did will not be the end. They’ll return, possibly in threefold. Or hundredfold.”

“What do you propose?”

“I promised Lord Garion we’d dispatch troops and that they would stay in the valley with him. They’ll be under Felix’s command. We can’t leave Tellwater unprotected. Felix lost more men than we did.”

“Very well. We’ll prepare to send him men. Supplies maybe. Anything he needs.  This will take time. How many men did we lose?”

“Twenty in the valley and my squire in Canyon Gia on the way home. He fell to mountain giants!”

The king’s eyes widened. He moaned. “Squire Richard? I’m sorry.”

Barin ran his finger over the rim of his chalice. He hated losing men, and Richard had been but a boy. He grieved silently, but a prince must quell his own suffering. Otherwise, he would shrink from battle, and there were many more to come.

“The other men made it back safely, though worn and disheartened. We had a long and grueling journey. I suggest we return by the southern route and with a mounted army.”

King Tobias nodded and fell silent, as though struggling for words. He poured wine into Barin’s cup, and then into his own. Barin stared at the dark red liquid before taking a sip.

“The best from Lord Garion’s vineyard.” King Tobias offered a toast. Barin tapped his chalice to his father’s. The king frowned. “It’s my hope there will be more wine after this. And crops. Whatever mastermind is behind those demons will seek revenge. I’m believing the legends. If what they say is true, this Skotádi’s hand is swift and vehement. I fear the loss.”

“Skotádi. The phantom demon,” Barin whispered with a nod, remembering the cloaked figure in Canyon Gia who vanished with the mountain giants.

“Perhaps. I’m not one to believe in ghosts. Nevertheless, Lord Garion will need a good-sized army…”

The king looked up from his chalice. “I heard that the Cho Nisi King died.”

Barin took a sip without looking at his father. “How did you hear?”

“Your sister told me.”

Shocked that Erika had already told their father, Barin met his eyes.

“Yes. She told me she accidentally released the first arrow that began the battle and killed our friend. She is suffering remorse over the matter. As much sorrow for his death as for your rejection of her.”

“I don’t snub her. I am equally guilty. I didn’t know the Cho Nisi had already arrived, but I should have. My negligence caused the Cho Nisi king’s death.”

“And you will have a price to pay, I’m sure. We lose many men in war, and many still in friendly fire. This accident could have been avoided, but perhaps we’re all to blame,” the king replied.

Barin shook his head and set his cup down. “What if they find out whose arrow shot their king? Neal spoke with the warriors. He apologized, but they seemed not to accept. I’m afraid they’ll seek revenge.”

“Yes, I fear that as well.” King Tobias leaned back and cleared his throat with a concerned frown.  “They may deem us enemies now. If that’s the case, we will take the offensive. Do you know if King Rolland had children? An heir?”

“I have no way of knowing. The warriors never mingled. I barely spoke to any of them. You spoke to King Rolland, didn’t you?”

“Only politics. I didn’t inquire about his family life. He mentioned no children. I had heard enough reports of his magic, and I’d have been a fool to refuse his offer of help. Because no son or daughter fought with him, I am going to assume there is no heir. I’m thinking it’s time we move to secure that island.”

Barin stared at his father in disbelief. “An invasion at a time like this? After we caused the loss of their king? Father! That would guarantee a war!”

“We must take our chances. Negotiate! An island without a ruler is fodder in the hands of our enemy. The island rests in our seas. Should the Vouchsaver’s army conquer Cho Nisi, our own kingdom will fall.”

“Too soon. They’ll think we assassinated their king intentionally.”

“Don’t they already?” King Tobias’ face flushed, and he clenched his fists when he rose. “My intention is to protect the people of Prasa Potama and the Potamian kingdom. That is our charge! Let this island become part of our kingdom and we’ll protect it.”

The Sword of Cho Nisi Rise of the Tobian Princess and its sequels can be found at D.L. Gardner’s Boutique eBook shop.