Storm Warrior, Storms of Magic Book 4

By P.T. Hylton & Michael Anderle

Snippet 3

Unedited

“An Arcadian, two Barskall, and the captain of the Holdgate city guard walked into the woods. Sounds like the beginning of a damn joke.” Roald’s voice dripped with disdain, as if he couldn’t believe his life had come to this.

Fannar clapped him on the back. “Cheer up, my friend. It’s a beautiful fall day, you’re armed to the teeth, and the possibility of battle hangs in the air. What do you have to be glum about?”

Roald just shot him a look.

Fannar tried not to take it personally. He’d been in Holdgate nearly three weeks now, and in that time he’d grown accustomed to the strange looks he got while walking down the street. Not from everyone, since there was nothing about his physical appearance that made it obvious he was a Barskall, though he was a bit shorter than most men in the city. But people talked.

It was one thing to have Barskall Storm Callers on the stormships. The people knew the Storm Callers had been held against their will and forced into servitude by King Elias. But having Barskall warriors walking free in the city was something else altogether.

And Fannar wasn’t the only one. While most of the Tall Grass Raiders had elected to return home to Barskall after their escape from Gren, Hekla and Sigmund had decided to stay with Elliot. Three Barskall warriors now walked the Holdgate streets.

For Fannar, it was still a time of trying to figure out where he fit into things. He wasn’t a sailor. Perhaps with time he’d be able to learn, but even the thought of a rocking sea made his stomach roll. He was a fighter.

So it was that he found himself out patrolling the woods east of Holdgate with Benjamin, Hekla, and Roald, the captain of the Holdgate city guard.

It had been Benjamin’s idea, of course. They knew Barskall warriors were hidden somewhere out here waiting for their chance to strike, so why not use friendly Barskall to find them?

They’d been walking for a few hours, investigating a number of tips from local lumbermen about possible Barskall sightings in the area. So far they’d come up empty.

As they walked, Fannar said, “It’s impressive to see a captain out here. Many leaders relax and make their soldiers do the hard work.”

Roald scoffed. “Maybe that’s how they do things in Barskall. Not here. A leader who doesn’t lead quickly loses the respect of his men. He keeps it up too long, he’s likely to get his throat cut some night while he’s sleeping.”

Fannar glanced at Benjamin. The blacksmith had been silent almost the entire journey. It was clear he wasn’t a big fan of Roald, but the Holdgatesman seemed oblivious to everything but his own disdain.

After they’d been walking for a few more minutes, Benjamin spoke. “Hekla, Fannar, tell us what you think. If a Barskall army were gathered in these woods, what would their approach be?”

Hekla let out a chuckle. “I should probably let Fannar handle this one. I haven’t been to Barskall in more than a decade. I will say this: it took the Tall Grass Raiders a long time to come to terms with the approach of raiding small villages. That’s not our instinct.”

Fannar nodded his agreement. “I won’t pretend to know what the warlord Eril is thinking. I’ve never met the man. But from everything I’ve heard, he conforms to the typical Barskall ideals. That means he’ll want to make a big statement with a large-scale attack, especially because he’s waited for so long. And that means Holdgate is the most likely target.”

Roald grunted. “The way I understand it, they had some sort of arrangement with Dahlia. Now that she’s dead, maybe they’ll sit in those mountains for years waiting for a return that will never happen.”

Fannar chose his words carefully. He didn’t want to act disrespectful toward this man who already disliked him so much. “I don’t believe that’s the case. It’s a miracle they’ve waited this long.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” the captain of the guard allowed. “I suppose you can’t expect a bunch of drug-addicted savages to act rationally.”

Despite the crude way he said it, Fannar agreed with the sentiment. The Barskall would have brought a limited amount of seiderdrek, and they had to be running low by now. They’d save a supply for their big attack, but it wouldn’t be easy. Fannar knew from experience that the drug was almost impossible to resist. Ever since he’d drunk it during the fight at the palace in Gren, it had been in the back of his head like a strange song, calling him to find more—anywhere.

He hadn’t spoken about this craving to anyone, but he knew that if he’d had any seiderdrek on hand he wouldn’t have been able to resist it for long.

Roald nodded toward something up ahead. “This must be it.”

They approached a small clearing just off the trail and found the remains of a campsite. The logger they’d spoken with had reported a group of ten men who’d camped there two nights previously. He’d claimed they were Barskall, but Fannar was skeptical. After all, how would he know that just from observing the smoke from their fire?

“Well,” Benjamin said, “if they were trying to cover their tracks, they did an absolute shit job of it.”

Fannar couldn’t disagree. He spotted the bones of three rabbits that must have served as a meal.

Benjamin turned to Fannar. “Let’s assume for a moment that they were Barskall. What would they be doing here?”

Fannar considered that a moment. “They’d be scouts. Perhaps searching for the best route to bring a large group of warriors to the city? The logistics of moving an entire army through those mountains… I don’t even want to think about it.”

Roald sighed. “That’s all well and good, but I’m not sure what we are going to learn from a campsite. Except that whoever camped her has a taste for rabbit.”

Hekla bent down and picked something up off the ground. “Perhaps this would help?”

She held it out to Roald. Fannar was shocked to see it was a rolled piece of parchment.

“It was sitting on top of that pile of bones there,” she said, “like someone wanted it to be found.”

Roald’s face was grim as he read the parchment. When he finished, he wordlessly handed it to Benjamin. The blacksmith looked no more pleased as he read.

“Well, that answers the question of who camped here,” Benjamin said. He handed to the parchment to Fannar.

The Barskall’s eyes immediately went to the beginning of the block of text on the page. Then they went to the end. What he saw made him grimace.

The note began, “Let this serve as warning to the people of Holdgate.”

It was signed, “Eril, Warlord of the Barskall and future ruler of Holdgate.”

Storm Warrior, Storms of Magic Book 4

By P.T. Hylton & Michael Anderle

Snippet 2

Unedited

Chapter One

The Foggy Day glided across the water and raced toward her target, propelled by a powerful wind.

“She’s turning!” Elliot called from the crow’s nest.

Abbey shielded her eyes from the sun and gazed in the direction Elliot was pointing. It took her a moment, then she saw it through the spray. Sure enough, their target was angling toward port. Tempest Chaser, the stormship they’d been hunting for the last three days.

“Set us three degrees port,” Captain Syd shouted.

“Aye!” a sailor called in response as he made the adjustments to the wheel.

Abbey marched to the quarterdeck, where her captain stood. Syd’s arms were crossed as she watched over the crew carrying out their well-orchestrated dance.

“Think they’re angling back for a fight?” Abbey asked Syd.

The captain didn’t take her eyes off the ship in the distance.  “Not if they’re smart. Running won’t do them much good either.”

Tempest Chaser was a mid-sized stormship, one that held no special renown. It was one of the many ships in the fleet that spent most of its time sailing the fishing routes, making sure they were safe for the fishermen and women.

Her captain was an older man who had spent much of the last few months complaining about the state of Holdgate to anyone who’d listen. He didn’t approve of the fact that the city had turned on its most favored son, Tor. He didn’t like that they’d given Thunderclap, the flagship of the fleet, to an underachieving, easygoing captain like Roy. Most of all, he hated the Barskall Storm Callers who had recently been brought to the city, and he was indignant that the Holdgate fleet was actually using some of them on the stormships.

So when Tempest Chaser hadn’t returned from their latest voyage and a handful of villages along the southern Kaldfell coast had reported devastating attacks, it wasn’t difficult to put two and two together.

Captain Syd spoke, her voice thick with disdain. “Storm Raiders. I thought we were done with this idiocy.”

Abbey chuckled, but there was no joy in it. “If there was one thing I learned in our travels, it was that idiocy wasn’t the private property of Captain Tor or Dahlia. It’s a widespread affliction, and those who have it are all too happy to share.”

Syd nodded toward the bow of The Foggy Day. “Check on our Storm Caller for me?”

“Aye, Captain,” Abbey said. As she walked to the other end of the ship, her eyes scanned the deck, appraising her crew. She was happy with what she saw. They were working hard, quickly and diligently going about their tasks. The pre-battle energy practically crackled in the air, yet they remained focused.

It was a credit to Captain Syd, and to the crew themselves. They’d been through a lot together, this ragtag bunch. They’d fought Barskall and Stone Shapers. Now they were back on the Kaldfell Peninsula, and things had come full circle. They were home and fighting Storm Raiders, just like the good old days. It was almost enough to make Abbey smile.

Almost.

She’d been to three of the villages these assholes had raided. She’d seen the devastation they’d left in their wake, and she’d spoken to the families of those they had killed. Abbey wouldn’t be smiling until this was over and done with.

She’d almost reached the causeway to the foredeck when Olaf stopped her.

“Hey, Abbey, did you tell Dustin my idea?” His eyes were so big and hopeful it almost made her laugh.

“Just to be clear, your idea was that he not destroy them with storm magic, right? That he get us in close, and we try to board them?”

He nodded eagerly.

“No, I did not tell Dustin that idea. Because it’s horrible.”

If he was insulted by her comment, it didn’t show. “Okay, yeah, I can see why you’d think that. But we need to show these guys that Storm Raiders don’t get off easy. I mean, a massive wave and it’s over? We need to strike fear into their hearts. And nothing strikes fear like a warrior with a flaming sword rushing at you.”

Abbey shook her head. After everything they’d been through, Olaf still thought battle was a glorious game. She almost admired his ability to keep his Holdgate ideals.

She put a hand on his shoulder. “Listen, Olaf, I know you’re excited about your magic abilities, and you want to put them into action.”

“They basically turned the tide at the battle in Ammaas,” he interjected.

She decided to let that one go. “I’m sure you’ll have plenty of opportunity to strike fear into your enemies’ hearts with your flaming sword, but we’re going take care of this the most efficient way possible.”

He gave a brisk nod. “Understood.”

Abbey turned back toward the foredeck, pleased at how well he’d taken the decision. The Olaf of just a few months ago would have argued his point, and probably challenged her to a fight over it, too. He’d come a long way, though it had helped that every time they did fight she knocked him on his ass.

As she reached the bow, she slowed her pace. She’d learned not to surprise Dustin when he was stormcalling. The task took total concentration, and surprising him—especially before a battle—could throw him off his game.

She spoke in a soft but confident voice. “Hey, Dustin, what are you up to this fine day?”

He sounded a little distracted when he answered, the way he always did when he was stormcalling. “Not much. Sailing on a stormship. Catching some sun. Hunting Storm Raiders. The usual Tuesday stuff.” His voice grew more serious. “These idiots are showing us their portside. Nice big target. I think it’s time to stop chasing and start playing rough.”

“You know I like it when you talk that way.” Abbey crossed her arms, settling in to watch the show.

“Careful,” Dustin said distractedly. “Elliot will get jealous.”

Abbey didn’t think that was very likely. Things had remained frustratingly platonic between them since their return to Holdgate, despite every sailor on the ship knowing there was a mutual attraction there. It was starting to annoy Abbey. “Let’s stay focused on the battle and leave my love life alone for the moment.”

Dustin grinned. “What love life?”

Without another word, he closed his eyes and tightened his grip on his staff. Almost immediately dark clouds appeared over Tempest Chaser, and the air grew thick with electricity. A lightning bolt crashed down, striking the mast of the stormship. It was quickly followed by a second. Then a third.

Abbey let out a soft whistle. “Looks like all your practice is paying off.”

Not long ago Dustin had considered calling lightning his weakness in storm magic, but he’d made a point of changing that. The mast of Tempest Chaser was in flames.

He opened his bluish-green eyes and nodded toward the other ship. “Hey, what do you say I bring us in close? I’ll bet the crew would love the chance to finish these idiots off personally.”

Abbey frowned. “Olaf got to you, didn’t he?”

Dustin couldn’t hide his smiled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Abbey just shook her head and told her crew to prepare for battle.

Storm Warrior, Storms of Magic Book 4

By P.T. Hylton & Michael Anderle

Snippet 1Prologue

Unedited

Prologue

Arcadia, Sixteen Years Ago

When they came to kill Lara, she was reading the letter she’d written to her daughter.

She’d read it dozens of times, at least once a month ever since Abbey was born. There was a ritual to it; it soothed her troubled heart to read the words she couldn’t say aloud. The things Abbey was too young to understand. The things Lara wasn’t sure she’d be there to say later.

Lara had long ago resigned herself to the fact that she might not live to see her daughter grow up.

It was early afternoon and Benjamin and Abbey were visiting the home of one of Benjamin’s fellow Hunters, a man with a son a year older than Abbey. With her three-year-old daughter out of the house, Lara had a rare few hours to herself.

And yet, she was spending the entire time reading and rereading this piece of parchment.

She finished the letter and refolded it so the word “Abbey” showed on the front. Then she stared at it for a long time, considering what her daughter would think of her on the distant day when she finally read it. Would she understand? Or would it make her hate the woman who’d given her life?

A loud pounding on the door startled her, interrupting her thoughts, and a chill ran through her. That wasn’t the knock of a neighbor wanting to have a casual chat.

That knock had authority.

She briefly considered ignoring it—just pretending she wasn’t home—but if her visitors were who she suspected, that would only lead to them breaking down the door. They weren’t really the “We’ll come back later” types.

She stood and straightened her dress, using the time to steady her nerves. If it came to it, she’d fight. Taking a deep breath, she mentally prepared herself for that possibility.

She strode purposefully to the door, forced a smile onto her face, and pulled it open.

Her heart sank at what she saw.

Four Hunters.

“Hello, gentlemen,” she said in a chipper voice. “Here to see my husband?”

The grim looks on their faces made it clear they were not.

She recognized all four of them, but she couldn’t remember the name of the one in the back. He’d only been a Hunter for a month. She knew the rest of them all too well. These were her husband’s friends.

Daryl, the man in front, looked her in the eye. “No, ma’am. We’re here to see you. Let’s step inside.”

Lara stood firm. “We’re very busy. I’m making dinner, and Benjamin—”

“We know Benjamin isn’t home, Lara.” Darryl sounded almost regretful.

Luke, the man who spoke next, did not sound sorry at all. “You think we’d do this when your husband was here? How dumb do you think we are?”

“Very.” Lara shouldn’t have said it, but she couldn’t help herself.

Daryl grimaced and pushed his way past her into the small home.

Lara forced herself to stay calm, to remain composed. Yet she held onto the fear and anger that was forming a tight ball in her stomach. If it came to a fight, she would use that emotion.

“Come right in.” Her voice sounded remarkably calm, considering the fear raging inside of her. She had to get through this for Abbey’s sake. “Such brave men, waiting until my husband’s gone before paying a visit. Were you watching the house?”

Darryl cleared his throat. “We didn’t come alone.”

All four Hunters had entered now and they stepped aside, allowing another man to come through the door.

Even though he was draped in shadow, Lara recognized him immediately. She let out a gasp of surprise when she saw him.

He stepped into the light and flashed his signature wide, toothy smile. His raven-black hair was shorter, but other than that he looked exactly as she remembered. It was difficult to believe it had been five years since she’d last seen him.

“Hello, Lara.” He crossed his hands in front of his waist and stared at her with those piercing eyes, so dark they were almost black even when he wasn’t using magic.

She froze, torn between running away and slapping him square in the face. “Carter. I didn’t know you were back. Last I heard, you were following a lead south.”

“Indeed I was. Then I went east. Farther east than you could imagine possible. I’ve seen things that you wouldn’t believe. Places where the sand stretches so far you think you’ll never see the end of it. Places so cold you practically have to put your hands in the fire just to get the feeling back in them. And the people…” He made a strange scoffing noise in his throat. “Such people. And I thought the scum on the Boulevard were bad! But I’m back now.”

Lara fought to keep her voice level. She wanted nothing more than to get this man out of her home as quickly as possible. If he was still here when Benjamin arrived…well, she didn’t want to think about what might happen.

“Does this mean you’ve finally completed your mission?” she asked.

Carter’s gaze cooled a few degrees. “I’m afraid that’s still a work in progress.”

“And how’s Chancellor Adrien feel about that?”

The man paused a moment before answering. “He understands the difficulty of the task. That was why he assigned it to me.”

Lara wasn’t so sure that was true. Some claimed Adrien had given Carter the job because it would send him far from the city. Carter was the only person in Arcadia who could hold a candle to Adrien when it came to power, so he was a threat. Or so some people speculated.

The Hunters stood on either side of the room, flanking Lara. They held their shockers ready.

Carter cast a disdainful eye around the room. “Tell me, does your husband really believe you picked up your magical skills from some uncle? Or has he figured out you’re lying to him?”

Lara practically snarled her response. “I’m protecting him!”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night. Fortunately, your story provides the perfect cover for your death.”

Lara had known he was there to kill her the moment he walked through the door, but hearing it spoken plainly sent an icy chill through her. If she was going to get out of this, she needed to fight.

Carter gave her a pitying look. “Lara, you had to know this day was coming. After everything you’ve seen? Everything you know? You refused to help us, so there’s no other choice.”

“What about my family?” It was a foolish question, but she needed to keep him talking.

He chuckled. “That’s the beauty. We’ll claim you’re just another Unlawful who was caught practicing magic. You provided us our alibi. Isn’t it rather convenient that after—”

Lara raised a hand and cast, sending a dagger of ice flying through the air toward him.

For a gratifying moment a look of surprise crossed his face, but he quickly recovered, moving his right hand before the dagger reached him. The ice turned to water and splashed harmlessly onto his shirt.

He shook his head sadly. “You’ve gotten slow. Time was that ice dagger would have been through my throat before I even knew you were casting. Domestic life has not agreed with you, Lara.” He turned to the Hunters. “Take her.”

“No!” she turned and grabbed the nearest piece of furniture, the dresser. But the Hunters were soon on her.

One of them knocked into the dresser and she watched in horror as the letter she’d written Abbey slid backward and fell behind the heavy oak piece.

As they dragged her from the house, she gave no thought to the loss of her own life. She’d known for a long time that this could be coming, and, in a way, she’d been the cause of her own downfall.

Her only concern was for the letter.

How many years would it be before Benjamin moved that dresser? Or would he even stay in that house once she was gone?

In her heart, she knew he would not.

And with that knowledge came a terrible realization. Benjamin would never know the truth. Abbey would never know the truth.