Read Online Trials of the Hierophant: Vol. II of epic fantasy The Sundered Kingdoms Trilogy by Ethan Risso - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Ethan Risso
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the Féinmhuinín’s innocence in the assault on the clansmeet.
“Taí,” Neirin beckoned.
The man entered silently, carrying a tray. He handed Gawain a tankard filled with sweet spiced mead.
“You will forgive the taste,” said Neirin. “We have not often made it. Its creation is left to the Reibirians who dwell in the surrounding area.”
“You have my thanks, Lord Taí.” Gawain took a sip of the mead, stifling a grimace at the overt spiced quality.
Taí smiled and nodded as if he completely understood.
“Do not think him disrespectful, he does not speak.”
Gawain looked back to Taí. “Does he not?”
“He long ago cut out his tongue in attribution to the Goddess. He sought to earn Her favor by providing sacrifice to prove his worth as a supplicant. He felt he was too prideful in his disregard for the Gods, but his actions fell upon deaf ears.”
Taí had a forlorn look upon his face as he set the tray down on the desk and took his place once more near the fire, at Neirin’s side.
“Children, it is good you have returned,” said Neirin when Aeronwy and Brân entered the room.
Gawain was also glad to see them. He felt outnumbered, despite Neirin’s kindness toward him.
“Have you news?” Aeronwy asked, glancing at Gawain.
“Yes,” said Neirin. “I would like you to accompany Gawain on this quest to enlist Eurig’s help. Though it pains me to admit, the Duamor’s help is greatly needed if we are to save our way of life. It seems befitting that the circle is complete now. They once sought our destruction, and yet now we must rely on their assistance if we are not to face genocide.”
“Leave Glyndŵr, my lord?” Brân’s face trembled slightly.
“Yes, child. Though not forever. You must help this young man to fulfill his goal. It is of the utmost importance. I have pledged the Reibirian’s help to Arlais’ cause. If this land is to be rid of Hume atrocities, we must all play our part.”
“What would you have of us, my lord?” Aeronwy placed her closed fist upon her chest.
“You and Brân shall travel to Eurig with him. Show him swiftly through the mountains. You know your way through the crags as well as anyone. We must put past misdeeds aside and swallow our pride.”
Brân looked to him, and Gawain could tell he was glad to be able to travel together for a longer period of time, though he looked nervous to leave the safety of the forest. He wondered how often Brân had left the forest before the scouting mission when he and Aeronwy traveled to what was left of the Vega Outpost.
“Pack lightly, there is no need for trinkets.” Neirin smiled slightly. “And be safe. Our fate may very well rest in the hands of this young man, so I trust in you to make certain he succeeds.”
“We shall leave tomorrow, assuming Gawain has fully recovered.” Aeronwy bowed her head.
“Ah, yes, your injuries.” Neirin frowned. “Stay in Glyndŵr until you are fully rested. Take as long as you need.”
“There is no need, my lord,” Gawain said, as he stood, maintaining his balance with all his strength to prove his health to the others. “We will leave on the morrow.”
Chapter VII
endric pahne had not expected a summons from his lover Caden. He had sent him to see Vaughn Garanth several days ago with news of Ellen’s strong and healthy son, and he expected him to return to his household the day prior. Instead, Caden had sent a servant with a message. Kendric was to meet him, as soon as possible, at an old sentry near the shore of the Valden Channel, which lay between the eastern coast of Denorheim and the western coast of Valifor. But whatever for?
“My lord, your horse is ready.”
“Thank you.”
Kendric’s cloak billowed around him as he stepped out into the blustery winter air. It was not yet noon, but the sky was dark as dusk. Clouds came in from the sea and brought cold, damp air with them.
“Snow will soon fall,” he lamented, holding out his hand. He pulled his
“Taí,” Neirin beckoned.
The man entered silently, carrying a tray. He handed Gawain a tankard filled with sweet spiced mead.
“You will forgive the taste,” said Neirin. “We have not often made it. Its creation is left to the Reibirians who dwell in the surrounding area.”
“You have my thanks, Lord Taí.” Gawain took a sip of the mead, stifling a grimace at the overt spiced quality.
Taí smiled and nodded as if he completely understood.
“Do not think him disrespectful, he does not speak.”
Gawain looked back to Taí. “Does he not?”
“He long ago cut out his tongue in attribution to the Goddess. He sought to earn Her favor by providing sacrifice to prove his worth as a supplicant. He felt he was too prideful in his disregard for the Gods, but his actions fell upon deaf ears.”
Taí had a forlorn look upon his face as he set the tray down on the desk and took his place once more near the fire, at Neirin’s side.
“Children, it is good you have returned,” said Neirin when Aeronwy and Brân entered the room.
Gawain was also glad to see them. He felt outnumbered, despite Neirin’s kindness toward him.
“Have you news?” Aeronwy asked, glancing at Gawain.
“Yes,” said Neirin. “I would like you to accompany Gawain on this quest to enlist Eurig’s help. Though it pains me to admit, the Duamor’s help is greatly needed if we are to save our way of life. It seems befitting that the circle is complete now. They once sought our destruction, and yet now we must rely on their assistance if we are not to face genocide.”
“Leave Glyndŵr, my lord?” Brân’s face trembled slightly.
“Yes, child. Though not forever. You must help this young man to fulfill his goal. It is of the utmost importance. I have pledged the Reibirian’s help to Arlais’ cause. If this land is to be rid of Hume atrocities, we must all play our part.”
“What would you have of us, my lord?” Aeronwy placed her closed fist upon her chest.
“You and Brân shall travel to Eurig with him. Show him swiftly through the mountains. You know your way through the crags as well as anyone. We must put past misdeeds aside and swallow our pride.”
Brân looked to him, and Gawain could tell he was glad to be able to travel together for a longer period of time, though he looked nervous to leave the safety of the forest. He wondered how often Brân had left the forest before the scouting mission when he and Aeronwy traveled to what was left of the Vega Outpost.
“Pack lightly, there is no need for trinkets.” Neirin smiled slightly. “And be safe. Our fate may very well rest in the hands of this young man, so I trust in you to make certain he succeeds.”
“We shall leave tomorrow, assuming Gawain has fully recovered.” Aeronwy bowed her head.
“Ah, yes, your injuries.” Neirin frowned. “Stay in Glyndŵr until you are fully rested. Take as long as you need.”
“There is no need, my lord,” Gawain said, as he stood, maintaining his balance with all his strength to prove his health to the others. “We will leave on the morrow.”
Chapter VII
endric pahne had not expected a summons from his lover Caden. He had sent him to see Vaughn Garanth several days ago with news of Ellen’s strong and healthy son, and he expected him to return to his household the day prior. Instead, Caden had sent a servant with a message. Kendric was to meet him, as soon as possible, at an old sentry near the shore of the Valden Channel, which lay between the eastern coast of Denorheim and the western coast of Valifor. But whatever for?
“My lord, your horse is ready.”
“Thank you.”
Kendric’s cloak billowed around him as he stepped out into the blustery winter air. It was not yet noon, but the sky was dark as dusk. Clouds came in from the sea and brought cold, damp air with them.
“Snow will soon fall,” he lamented, holding out his hand. He pulled his
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