Darksong Rising
Authors: Jr. L. E. Modesitt
Tags: #Fantasy, #Science Fiction, #Adventure, #Music
| Darksong Rising | |
| Spellsong Cycle [3] | |
| L. E. Modesitt, Jr. | |
| Tor Fantasy (1999) | |
| Rating: | *** |
| Tags: | Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adventure, Music |
Darksong Rising
is the third Spellsong book , and concludes a trilogy featuring Anna Marshall, the music teacher and soprano from the midwest transported into a fantasy world where magic works according to musical principles--making her a powerful magician. Now Regent of Defalk, Anna must battle men who would destroy her and claim Defalk for their own.
The third volume of Modesitt's popular Spellsong Cycle may be its conclusion, but enough loose ends remain to both create realism and allow another trilogy--a felicitous combination for a saga in which music is a source of magic and a bereaved voice teacher from Iowa becomes a mighty ruler. Anna Marshall is now undisputed regent of the fantastic realm of Defalk. Everyone there seems to want their own way in spite of her authority, however, starting with Jimbob, the youthful heir to Defalk who is now well into his teens and suffering from an excess of male pride and adolescent enthusiasm. Keeping him out of trouble creates numerous diverting episodes, as do the intrigues of various nobles, local and foreign, who cannot deny either Anna's power as a wizard or their own distaste for obeying a woman. The Defalkan musicians, the accompanists to Anna's magic, are loyal--but small-group politics afflict even their ranks. Indeed, the suspense and tension in Anna's situation is created largely by her having more to do than any three people could, even without opposition--and she meets resistance at every turn. Modesitt's knowledge of academic politics is also a fruitful source of plot complications. Despite a somewhat episodic treatment and occasional plot lags, this novel is yet further evidence that Modesitt can tell an entertaining story, with panache. Author tour. (Jan.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Transported from her home in Iowa to a world where her musical talent makes her a powerful sorcerer, Anna Marshall has risen to the position of Regent of Defalk. When rivals for her position threaten to take her land from her, Anna gathers her loyal supporters together to defend her realm. Modesitt's deceptively simple prose and true-to-life characters add a realistic touch to an epic tale of magic, love, and war. Suitable for most fantasy collections.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
DARKSONG
RISING
BOOK THREE OF THE SPELLSONG CYCLE
L. E. MODESITT JR.
ATOM DOHERTY ASSOCIATES BOOK
To and for the sorceress
who made this all possible—Carol Ann
Note: If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as
“unsold and destroyed” to the pubIisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped
book.”
This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book at either products of the author’s imagination or are
used fictitiously.
DARKSONG RISING
Copyiight © 1999 by LE Modesitt, Jr.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof, in any form.
Edited by David G. Hartwell
A Tor Book
Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
175
New York
,
www.tor.com
Tor is a registered trademark of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC. ISBN 0-812-56668-8
First edition: October 1999
First mass market edition: January 2001
Printed in the
United States of America
0987654321
CHARACTERS
Anna Regent of Defalk and Lady of Loiseau
[Mencha]
Jimbob Heir to Defalk, and Lord of Falcor and
Synfal [Cheor]
Hanfor Arms Commander of Defalk
Dythya Counselor of Finance
Essan Lady and widow of Lord Donjim
Herene Younger sister of Lady Gatmne [Pamr]; warder of Dinfan, heir to
Suhl
Herstat Saalmeister of Synfal [Cheor] Menares Counselor
LORDS OF DEFALK
Jecks Lord of Elheld [Elhi] Lord High Counselor to the Regent
Birfels Lord of Abenfel; consort is Fylena
Cletliner Lord of Mordland
Dannel Lord of Mossbach; consort is Resengna
Dinfan Underage daughter of late Lord Sargol; heir to
Suhl
Ebraak Lord of Nordfels
Fustar Lord of Issl
Gatrune Lady of Pamr
Geansor Lord of Sudwei
Genrica Lord of Wendel
Gylaron Lord of Lerona, consort is Reylan
Hryding Lord of Flossbend [Synope]; consort is Antenna
Huther Lord of Silbenfelt
Jearle Lord of Denguic
Klestayr Lord of Aroch
Mietchel Lord of Morra, brother of Lady Wendeila of Stromwer
Nelmor Lord of Dubaria consort is Delyra, eldest son and heir is Tiersen
Tybel Lord of Arien
Vlassa Lord of Fussen; heirs are twin sons, Ustal and Polar
Vyarl Rider of Hemnene
Wendella Lady of Stromwer
FOSTERLINGS AND PAGES
Alseta Daughter of Chief Player Liende
Barat Page
Birke Heir of Lord Birfels [Abenfel]
Cataryzna Daughter and heir of Lord Geansor [Sudwei]
Cens Page
Clayre Younger daughter of Lord Birfels [Abenfel]
Hoede Youngest son of Lord Dannel [Mossbach]
Kinor Son of Chief Player Linde
Lysara Daughter of Lord Birfels [Abenfel]
Resor Page
Secca Daughter of Lord Hryding [Flossbend]
Skent Page
Tiersen Son and heir of Lord Nelmor [Dubaria]
Ytrude Daughter of Lord Nelmor [Dubaria]
DEFALKAN ARMSMEN
Alvar Overcaptain
Himar Overcaptain
Jirsit Undercaptain
DEFALKAN PLAYERS
Daffyd Viola; first chief player
Liende Woodwind; second chief player
Delvor Violino
Duralt Falk-horn
Hassett Violino
Palian Violino
Yuarl Violino
OTHERS OUTSIDE DEFALK
Ashtaar Spymistress of Nordwei
Bertmynn Lord of Dolov, Ebra
Hadrenn Lord of Synek, Ebra
Konsstin Liedfuhr of Mansuur; heir is Kestrin; eldest daughter is Aerlya
Maitre of Sturinn Leader of Sturinn; master of the Sea-Priests
Matriarch Head of State, Ranuak; consort is Ulgar
Nubara Overcaptain of Lancers, Mansuur, stationed in Neserea as Regent
Rabyn Prophet of Music, Lord of Neserea; regent w Nubara
Siobion Widow of Lord Ehara; Regent of Dumar
Tybra Leader, Council of Wei, Nordwei
I
------------
LIEDFALSCH
1
-------
Anna readjusted her floppy brown hat and shifted her weight the saddle. Beneath her, Parinelli,
the big palomino gelding, continued his quick walk eastward along the dusty road that ran south
of the
sandy-haired captain—overcaptain now—whose mustache drooped more than usual—perhaps
from the road ~... perhaps from sweat. Two of her personal guards flanked them—Eckel on her
left, and beyond and slightly back of Himar, Lejun. An overcaptain, personal guards—sometimes
it was still hard to believe that she was Regent and Sorceress of Defalk, and Lady of Mencha
Less than two years earlier, she had been Anna Marshall, struggling assistant professor of voice
in
Ames
,
Defalk and her own ill-uttered wish to be anywhere but
Ames
had thrown her into the intrigues
and battles of Liedwahr, both colored by the ever-present male chauvinism, a chauvinism that so
often she seemed the only one to recognize, even after she’d survived three attempted rapes.
Because the world of Erde was governed by the harmonies—and song magic that worked—those
snuggles she faced were more deadly than the faculty politics of
Ames
. But only slightly, Anna
reflected as she thought of the fate of untenured and discarded junior faculty members at the
universities where she had taught over the years.
Th. late-summer sun had burned the back of her neck, despite her ever-present felt hat, and the
sweat that oozed from her hair added to the stinging. In her green trousers and shirt, and floppy
brown hat, she scarcely looked like a regent. Only the gold-trimmed purple vest betrayed the
slightest indication of rank-that and her position at the head of the column that stretched a good
hundred yards behind her.
An older-looking woman with red hair liberally streaked with white rode up alongside Himar,
clearing her throat to announce herself.
Anna turned toward her chief player. “Yes, Liende?”
“Lady... the players are tired... especially young Delvor."
Anna glanced at the road ahead, rising slowly to a crest perhaps a dek away—roughly a
kilometer in earth terms—then back to Liende. “I suspect all the armsmen are tired, too,” Anna
temporized, blotting the sweat from her forehead. “Everyone can rest a little when we get to
Sorprat I mean, this side of the river. I think it should be only two or three deks from here.”
“Four at the most,” added Himar.
“It won’t be that long,” Anna promised.
“As you say, lady.” The woodwind player nodded, then let her mount drop back.
The air was still, so hot that the browned gasses to the south of the road hung limply in the heat.
Road dust coated the legs of the horses, and a finer film covered the riders’ legs. Anna rubbed
her nose, gently, wondering why she had ended up breathing so much road dust. Because there
wasn’t any other way?
Himar eased his mount closer to Anna, his eyes on the pair of scouts nearing the rise in the road
almost a dek ahead. “I will be glad when you have completed this task, lady,” the overcaptain
said in a low voice, “and you can return to Falcor.”
Anna nodded. Lord Jecks would also be glad when she returned, since the white-haired and still-
young-faced lord of Elheld had questioned the need for her mission, even though he was the
grandfather of young Jimbob, the heir to Defalk, for whom Anna ruled as Regent. Regent for a
youth not always grateful. Yet you‘ve used your sorcery for Jiinbob when you can’t even use it to
see your own children.
She swallowed, her throat even drier than from road dust alone. Would she ever be able to use
the mirrors and her song magic to see Elizabetta again? Or Mario?
"Lord Jecks was concerned about this task,” Himar added, unnessarily.
The blond-haired Rickel—head of her personal guard— smiled, if briefly, before the
professional indifference again masked his amusement at Himar’s acknowledgment of Jecks’
protectiveness of the sorceress.
Anna hadn’t realized how much she missed Jecks, but she’d insisted that he remain in Falcor to
heal from his wounds. In their efforts to drive the Sturinnese out of Dumar, to save Anna he’d