A Time of Courage Read online

  JOHN GWYNNE

  A TIME OF COURAGE

  Of Blood and Bone

  BOOK THREE

  Contents

  Acknowledgements

  Cast of Characters

  CHAPTER ONE: DREM

  CHAPTER TWO: JIN

  CHAPTER THREE: RIV

  CHAPTER FOUR: DREM

  CHAPTER FIVE: RIV

  CHAPTER SIX: FRITHA

  CHAPTER SEVEN: BLEDA

  CHAPTER EIGHT: FRITHA

  CHAPTER NINE: BLEDA

  CHAPTER TEN: JIN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN: DREM

  CHAPTER TWELVE: FRITHA

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN: RIV

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN: DREM

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN: FRITHA

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN: DREM

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: RIV

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: DREM

  CHAPTER NINETEEN: FRITHA

  CHAPTER TWENTY: DREM

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: RIV

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: DREM

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: RIV

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: DREM

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: RIV

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: DREM

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: RIV

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: DREM

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: JIN

  CHAPTER THIRTY: FRITHA

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: DREM

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO: FRITHA

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: RIV

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: BLEDA

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE: DREM

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: RIV

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN: JIN

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT: BLEDA

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE: JIN

  CHAPTER FORTY: BLEDA

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE: JIN

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO: FRITHA

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE: RIV

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR: BLEDA

  CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE: JIN

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX: BLEDA

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN: JIN

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT: BLEDA

  CHAPTER FORTY-NINE: DREM

  CHAPTER FIFTY: BLEDA

  CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE: DREM

  CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO: BLEDA

  CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE: DREM

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR: JIN

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE: DREM

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX: BLEDA

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN: DREM

  CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT: RIV

  CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE: FRITHA

  CHAPTER SIXTY: RIV

  CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE: BLEDA

  CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO: JIN

  CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE: DREM

  CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR: FRITHA

  CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE: DREM

  CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX: RIV

  CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN: BLEDA

  CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT: FRITHA

  CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE: RIV

  CHAPTER SEVENTY: FRITHA

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE: BLEDA

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO: FRITHA

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE: RIV

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR: BLEDA

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE: FRITHA

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX: RIV

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN: FRITHA

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT: JIN

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE: BLEDA

  CHAPTER EIGHTY: JIN

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE: FRITHA

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO: JIN

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE: BLEDA

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR: DREM

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE: FRITHA

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX: RIV

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN: FRITHA

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT: RIV

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-NINE: BLEDA

  CHAPTER NINETY: RIV

  CHAPTER NINETY-ONE: BLEDA

  CHAPTER NINETY-TWO: RIV

  CHAPTER NINETY-THREE: BLEDA

  CHAPTER NINETY-FOUR: JIN

  CHAPTER NINETY-FIVE: DREM

  CHAPTER NINETY-SIX: RIV

  CHAPTER NINETY-SEVEN: FRITHA

  CHAPTER NINETY-EIGHT: DREM

  CHAPTER NINETY-NINE: FRITHA

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED: RIV

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND ONE: FRITHA

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWO: RIV

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THREE: JIN

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR: BLEDA

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE: FRITHA

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIX: DREM

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN: RIV

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT: JIN

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINE: BLEDA

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TEN: JIN

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN: BLEDA

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE: RIV

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN: DREM

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN: FRITHA

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN: RIV

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN: DREM

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN: RIV

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN: DREM

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEEN: RIV

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY: FRITHA

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONE: RIV

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-TWO: DREM

  For my beautiful son, William, who has inspired a hero in this tale. Of course you have, because you are a hero to me. Love you x

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  So, finally we come to the end of this series, and with it, the end of the Banished Land’s tales. Although Of Blood and Bone is a trilogy that can be read as a standalone series, it is also the final chapter of a longer history that involves the four books from The Faithful and the Fallen series. When read together they form around a one-hundred-and-fifty-year history of the Banished Lands, and a sizeable chunk of my life. Roughly seventeen years have flown by, I think, since lifting my pen and writing down my first ideas. I hope that you’ve enjoyed your time spent here, and that this book feels like a fitting and satisfying conclusion to all that has gone before.

  As with any book, it has not been written alone, and there is a whole warband of people to thank.

  My daughter, Harriett, was seriously unwell during the time I was supposed to have written this book. Thank God she is well now, but to say it was a dark, difficult time does not really come close. For a long time I did zero writing, and then, when Harriett was home and on the recovery trail, I started going back to the Banished Lands. With a lot of help from my family, and kindness and understanding from my publisher – I’m thinking of you, Bella Pagan – I managed to write this last instalment in something of a marathon sitting. Deadlines were adjusted and I cancelled a lot of what I would call ‘general life stuff’ to get this book finished.

  Whilst I was writing, I was reminded of the things that are most important; family, friends, love and kindness. I hope that you find a glimmer of these things in this book – as well as a lot of battle and bloodshed, of course.

  So, on with my thanks.

  My wife, Caroline, the engine room of our family, a woman I love and respect beyond my meagre powers of description.

  My children, Harriett, James, Ed and Will. I love you all dearly, and thank you for being the wonderful, quirky, adorable human beings that you are.

  Julie ‘Bloodthirsty’ Crisp, my extraordinary agent and editor. If this book makes you weep at any point, I’m going to point the finger at her . . .

  Bella Pagan, head of Tor UK and an all-round fabulous person to work with, as well as, of course, all the team at Tor UK and Pan Macmillan for their behind-the-scenes work.

  The always excellent Priyanka Krishnan, my editor at Orbit US, as well as the whole team at Orbit. Your efforts to get the Banished Lands out there are deeply appreciated.

  Jessica Cuthbert-Smith, my copy-editor, who never fails
to amaze me with the level of depth and detail that she throws herself into all things Banished Lands.

  A huge thank you to my small warband of beta-readers. I will never stop being grateful to you for giving up your time to delve into my world, and your thoughts and comments are always gratefully received.

  Ed and Will, who I suspect know the Banished Lands better than I do. Our Banished Lands chats (and battle reconstructions) have made for some wonderful memories.

  My dear friend, Sadak. Who would have thought our ‘Tolkien Club’ at school (where we were the only members) would have brought us here! Thank you for taking the time to read and chat over this book. I’m still recovering from how organized you were this time round.

  Kareem Mahfouz, a force of nature. Your excitement and passion for the Banished Lands and our gang of heroes has been a constant encouragement and source of joy. Chats on the phone with you have become a tradition that I look forward to after every book.

  Mike Evans. One of the first friends I made when I embarked on this publishing rollercoaster, always kind and ready to give of your time and thoughts. And your contributions are invaluable, especially on the military details – although I never want to know how you have come by such specific knowledge.

  And Mark Roberson, who has been reading drafts of my books as long as I’ve been writing them. Our Banished Land’s chats over a breakfast are becoming a solid tradition.

  And, of course, an enormous thank-you is aimed at you, the reader. Without you there would be no Banished Lands. No Corban and Storm, no Drem, Riv or Bleda. Thank you for following me on this adventure. I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it, and that you find this last chapter something to shout a battle-cry about.

  And, while I’m saying that this is the final episode in the story of the Banished Lands, while it is most definitely an end, and my next project is taking me to an altogether different world, I would never say never . . .

  Truth and Courage,

  JOHN

  Cast of Characters

  ARCONA

  Cheren Horse Clan

  Jin – new leader of the Cheren since the death of her father Uldin at Bleda’s hands. She was originally a ward of the Ben-Elim, raised in Drassil and betrothed to Bleda.

  Gerel – Jin’s oathsworn guard.

  Tark – scout of the Cheren

  Sirak Horse Clan

  Bleda – new leader of the Sirak since his mother Erdene was killed by Uldin of the Cheren. He was originally a ward of the Ben-Elim, raised in Drassil and betrothed to Jin.

  Ellac – a one-handed warrior of the Sirak. Bleda’s guard.

  Ruga – oathsworn guard of Bleda.

  Yul – once first-sword of Erdene, now sworn to Bleda.

  LAND OF THE FAITHFUL

  Alcyon – a giant who resides in Drassil.

  Aphra – mother of Riv. A White-Wing of Drassil, captain of five hundred.

  Avi – Fia’s son.

  Balur One-Eye – father to Ethlinn. Spoken of as the greatest warrior of the Banished Lands.

  Ert – veteran sword master of Drassil. Trainer of the White-Wings.

  Ethlinn – Queen of the Giants. Daughter of Balur One-Eye.

  Fia – a White-Wing of Drassil.

  Jost – a White-Wing of Drassil.

  Riv – half-breed daughter of Aphra and Kol. Trained as a White-Wing, though she has become disillusioned with the Ben-Elim and White-Wings.

  Sorch – a White-Wing of Drassil.

  Vald – a White-Wing of Drassil.

  ORDER OF THE BRIGHT STAR

  Dun Seren and Other Garrisons

  Byrne – the High Captain of Dun Seren. A descendant of Cywen and Veradis, Drem’s aunt.

  Craf – a talking crow of Dun Seren.

  Cullen – a young warrior of Dun Seren. A descendant of Corban and Coralen.

  Drem – a trapper of the Desolation. Son of Olin, nephew of Byrne. He has joined the Order of the Bright Star.

  Durl – a talking crow of Dun Seren.

  Fen – one of Keld’s wolven-hounds.

  Friend – a great white bear who has followed the Order of the Bright Star’s warband and saved Drem during the Battle of the Desolation, against Fritha and her warband.

  Halden – a warrior of the Bright Star. Leader of the garrison at Brikan.

  Hammer – a giant bear.

  Kill – title for the captain of Dun Seren’s warrior school.

  Keld – a warrior and huntsman of Dun Seren.

  Rab – a white talking crow of Dun Seren.

  Ralla – one of Keld’s wolven-hounds.

  Shar – Jehar warrior.

  Tain – the crow master of Dun Seren. Son of Alcyon.

  Utul – Jehar warrior.

  Reng – a warrior and huntsman of the Order of the Bright Star.

  KURGAN GIANT CLAN

  Raina – wife of Alcyon.

  Ukran – Lord of the Kurgan.

  BEN-ELIM

  Dumah – captain of the Ben-Elim and White-Wing garrison at Ripa.

  Hadran – loyal to Kol. Riv’s guardian.

  Kol – High Captain of the Ben-Elim of Drassil. Father of Riv.

  Meical – once High Captain of the Ben-Elim. Recently released from his captivity within starstone metal, where he was sealed for over a hundred years with Asroth in Drassil.

  KADOSHIM AND THEIR SERVANTS

  Aenor – Lord of the acolytes.

  Arn – acolyte of Gulla, from Fritha’s crew. Father of Elise.

  Asroth – Lord of the Kadoshim. Recently released from his captivity within starstone metal in the Great Hall of Drassil.

  Bune – a captain of the Kadoshim, close to Asroth.

  Choron – one of Asroth’s elite guards.

  Elise – acolyte of Gulla, daughter of Arn. Healed by Fritha into a creature half-woman, half-wyrm.

  Fritha – priestess and captain of the Kadoshim’s covens.

  Gulla – High Captain of the Kadoshim.

  Morn – a half-breed Kadoshim. Daughter of Gulla.

  Rok – Lord of the Shekam giant Clan, allied to the Kadoshim.

  Sulak – Kadoshim captain, leader of the southern covens.

  Wrath – Fritha’s draig.

  ‘Better to fight and fall,

  Than to live without hope’

  The Völsunga Saga

  CHAPTER ONE

  DREM

  The Year 138 of the Age of Lore, Hound’s Moon

  Drem threw his grapple-hook high. He felt it reach the apex of its climb and then drop. There was a thunk as it connected with wood. He pulled, felt it catch in timber, gave a tug to check it had caught properly and would hold his weight.

  Drem was huddled tight to the wooden wall of a stockade. The only sound he could hear was his heart pounding, echoing in his skull and the rasp of his breath. Just being back here, where it had all started – it set him on edge.

  The mine at the edge of the Starstone Lake.

  Upon Byrne’s orders, he and a few score huntsmen of the Order of the Bright Star had crept out of the northern woods in the full dark and made their way to the walls. Drem had noted that the hole Hammer had made in the stockade wall had been repaired. Emotion had swept through him as he’d looked at the spot where he had last seen Sig alive, where the giantess had made her last stand.

  The mixture of grief and anger set his blood thrumming in his veins, even as he’d crept through the heather and rocks; it had not left him yet. And now he was here, pressed tight against the wall, waiting to go over, just as he had, twice before.

  This time, though, I am going over with sixty of the toughest, hardest men and women I’ve ever encountered. Hunters of the Order of the Bright Star. There was a reassurance in that. His hand went to the hilt of his seax and brushed it lightly. There was a reassurance in that, too. He rolled his shoulders, shifting the weight of his mail coat, wincing as it rubbed on raw skin, even with two layers of linen and wool between the mail and his flesh. He’d l
ived and breathed in it for more than a ten-night, slept in it as well, as they’d made a forced march from the battleground in the heart of the Desolation to here. He’d learned the value of his mail at that battle and, no matter how uncomfortable it got, he was not taking it off any time soon.

  The grey dawn was seeping into the land around him. With the dim light he could just make out the deeper shadows of another man and woman either side of him, twenty or thirty paces away. They had cast their grapple-hooks, too, and they were all waiting for the signal.

  An owl hooted.

  Keld.

  Drem sucked in a deep breath and climbed, hauling himself up the rope, feet scraping on timber. He was a big man, heavy, but he was strong, stronger than most, and the climb was little effort to him. In a few heartbeats he was at the top; he rolled over, lowering himself to the walkway, crouching low.

  A nod either side to his companions and then he twisted off the walkway, hung suspended, then dropped to the ground. A moment’s pause, holding his breath to listen, and he was slipping his seax and short axe into his hands and moving into the complex.

  The mine was a place of shadows and grey light, of muffled sounds: a door creaking on old hinges, the skittering of rats, in the distance the lapping of the lake. Drem made his way slowly from building to building, pushing doors open, checking for any inhabitants, searching the shadows. He saw tracks and crouched to inspect them. They were not a man’s, being too long and distended, the ground scarred by claws, but they were not an animal’s, either. Drem had seen too many tracks like this for his liking, lately.

  A Feral’s.

  But they were old, the soil hard and dry.

  A moon at least, maybe longer.

  And the fact that they had not been scuffed away by new tracks was a confirmation of what he’d suspected. The mine had long been abandoned.

  Drem moved on, continuing his methodical search, opening every door, scrutinizing every track. His path led him ever inwards until, abruptly, a space opened up: a square bordered on three sides by an assortment of buildings. To the north a slab of rock rose to the sky, like a cliff face. Deeper patches of shadow scattered across its darkness hinted at caves. Drem knew what they were, had seen them before.

  Cages for Fritha’s experiments.

  In the centre of the clearing was a table.

  Drem shivered as memories crawled out of the dark corners of his mind.