Steel and Sorrow
Authors: Joshua P. Simon
Tags: #Science Fiction & Fantasy, #Fantasy, #Epic, #Historical, #Sword & Sorcery
Steel and Sorrow - Book Two of the Blood and Tears Trilogy
By
Joshua P. Simon
Copyright © 2012 by Joshua P. Simon
These stories are works of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from Joshua P. Simon.
ISBN: 978-0-9846988-4-4
Visit the author at
http://joshuapsimon.blogspot.com/
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Cover art by
Brooke White with Sprout Studios (Houston, TX)
www.sproutstudio.us/
Editing by
Joshua Essoe
www.joshuaessoe.com
Works in the Blood and Tears World
Warleader - A Blood and Tears Prequel Short Story
Rise and Fall - Book One in the Blood and Tears Trilogy
Walk Through Fire - A Blood and Tears Prequel Novella
Steel and Sorrow - Book Two of the Blood and Tears Trilogy
Hero of Slaves - A Blood and Tears Novella
Trial and Glory: Book Three of the Blood and Tears Trilogy
*Forthcoming*
Table of Contents
Excerpt of
Walk Through Fire - A Blood and Tears Prequel Novella
Excerpt of
Hero of Slaves - A Blood and Tears Novella
Dedication
For Leah
Maps
Prologue
Charu paced the quarters given to him that morning. The plush surroundings befitted his station as an emissary for the Red Mountain Clan, yet the ornate woodwork of the Green Forest Clan failed to impress him. Each clomp his boots made on the oak floors only increased his anger, causing him to focus more on the time of night than the impending meeting.
The warchief rubbed at his smooth face with an open hand. He cursed, wishing he walked the granite floors of his home in Guaronope. “Do they not know how to work stone at all?”
Melat spoke in her calm tone. “Feruse’s walls are made from stone, as are many of their buildings’ foundations.”
Charu threw up his hands at her. “Yes, and what walls! Barely eight feet. How do they expect to defend something a man could scale without even the use of a ladder?”
Melat shrugged. “I didn’t say they were good at working stone. Just that they could do it.” One side of her mouth turned up into a lop-sided grin. Instantly, Charu forgot his anger, enthralled by the woman’s ever-seductive allure. He drank in her curves and smooth, brown skin. Her smile grew wider. “I know that look. You need to stay focused for when Jolnan arrives.”
Charu frowned, remembering the true focal point of his anger. He started pacing again. “He’s kept me waiting for over an hour. If we were in Guaronope, it would be different.”
“But we aren’t,” said Melat. “Though it wounds your pride, you need to remember that. We need Jolnan to win over the council.” She walked over and placed a hand on his arm.
Charu sighed. After becoming warchief of the Red Mountain Clan, he had planned to invade the Green Forest Clan with his army, and then move on to the other clans until all of Hesh bowed to him. But the Blue Island Clan had acted first.
“You’re right,” he admitted.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Be strong, but be respectful,” said Melat.
“Let him in.”
Melat opened the door and Jolnan strode through with chin high. Lamplight danced off his bare scalp. Dark green trousers and a white shirt hung loosely from his thin frame. He wore an odd smile that reminded Charu of someone recalling an old joke.
Jolnan gave a slight bow that Charu begrudgingly returned. “I apologize for my tardiness, Warchief. Duty called.”
Charu gestured to a couple of chairs and the two sat across from each other. “Yes, especially in such troubling times.”
Melat came over with cups of wine for each. Jolnan’s gaze lingered on the woman’s figure before accepting the cup.
After a long swallow, Jolnan set his drink down. “So, what did you wish to see me about? It’s unusual for a council member to meet in private with an emissary the day before he is to speak before them.”
Charu remembered Melat’s warning. He set his own cup down and leaned forward, elbows on his knees with hands clasped. “How about we forget the formalities and get right down to it? I know the power you possess among the council and I need your help.”
Jolnan raised an eyebrow. “I’m listening.”
“Despite our differences, the Red Mountain Clan has always held a great deal of respect for the Green Forest Clan,” lied Charu. “I hope the feeling is mutual.”
Though Jolnan gave a slight nod, Charu noticed the lie it also held.
“Our clans must unite against a common enemy. The Blue Island Clan. They conquer the Orange Desert Clan. They form an alliance with the Gray Marsh Clan. Their warleader mysteriously disappears and his successor, his own brother, kills his father and gains command over the people.” He paused. “If not for the change in weather and the mobility of the nomadic Yellow Plain Clan that delayed Tobin’s victory over them, I have no doubt his armies would already be on your land.”
“We’ve considered these things and have begun retooling our forces. There are also plans to raise our walls.”
“That’s not enough. You can’t afford to sit behind the insignificant walls of the capital and wait for Tobin to come for you.”
“You’re talking about becoming the aggressor?”
“Together, we would hold a significant advantage in numbers.”
“They hold other advantages. Armor and weapons.”
“Yes,” admitted Charu. “But it isn’t like our blades will be useless against them. Besides, let’s not forget the advantage the Green Forest Clan has in terrain or our advantage with shamans.”
Charu could see Jolnan weighing his words. He did not seem convinced.
“What about Nachun?” asked Jolnan. “Reports say he is more powerful than anyone since the Elder Age.”
Charu clenched his fists at the shaman’s name. “Nachun’s abilities are an exaggeration, I assure you. You remember when his father sought aid from you some time ago?”
“Yes, we respected your wishes not to admit his family into our clan.”
“And for that I’m grateful. His family wronged me and the Red Mountain Clan.”
“The rumors are that you defiled his sister.”
Charu grimaced. “Lies.” He refused to elaborate, the truth was not for Jolnan to know. “But, I knew Nachun’s family well. The shaman was weak. If he had shown any real ability, wouldn’t his father have used that as enticement for you to accept them? No shaman is as strong as the stories say.”
“Then how do you explain those stories?” asked the councilor.
Charu shrugged. “He must be a figurehead for Tobin. His shamans are probably focusing their power through him. From a psychological standpoint, it is far more intimidating for it to appear as though one man can wield power on that scale rather than a collective. As an outsider, Nachun’s story adds to his mystique among the Blue Island Clan.” He paused. “If we face Nachun, we will destroy him.”
“So, you want our armies to join forces. You could have made this argument before the council yourself. There has to be something else you’re interested in.”
Charu quickly glanced at Melat who gave a slight nod. “I’ll be blunt. My army is better trained and better prepared. I want complete command over our combined forces. Someone must have final say otherwise our chances of success will be drastically reduced.”
Jolnan snorted. “That will be a hard sell to the council.” He looked down and played with the hem of his sleeve. “I’ve recently learned of your own plans of conquest.”
Jolnan reached forward and grabbed his cup of wine. He had not asked a question. He made his accusation and waited to see how Charu would respond. The warchief grew angry at the man’s arrogance and angrier still that he had learned such information.
Melat passed between them, jarring Charu from his thoughts. She sat on Jolnan’s lap and threw her arm over his neck. Jolnan froze, eyes widening. “Councilor, would you really consider spreading such an awful thing to others? Something like that could harm both our causes.”
Jolnan cleared his throat as if intending to speak. Yet he failed to find the words as Melat grabbed his hand and placed it on her leg. Jolnan began to sweat.
Melat continued. “I know something about you too. I know that you’ve wanted to do away with the council and rule Feruse outright for some time. So much so, that an assassination attempt you orchestrated against one of your rivals failed less than a month ago. If word of that got out, I’m sure it would be just as damaging to you as your news would be to us.”
Jolnan took his hand away and stirred uncomfortably in his seat. “It would still be your word against mine,” he muttered.
Charu heard the lack of confidence in his voice. Melat stood and gave a wink as she walked to a side door. Though Charu hated to see her flaunt herself to others, he could not deny its effectiveness.
“Convince the council to put me in command,” said Charu. “After we’ve defeated the Blue Island Clan, I want your help solidifying my rule. I admit that I did plan to conquer the Green Forest Clan, but I’d much rather do so peaceably. Do this for me and I’ll see that the council is eliminated and you are put in charge of managing Feruse in their stead. It may not be exactly what you wanted, but you’d have a great deal more power and wealth than what you have now.”