Jill Criswell - Kingdom of Ice and Bone

Copyright 2020 by Jill Criswell
E-book published in 2020 by Blackstone Publishing
Cover design by K. Jones
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced
or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the
publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
The characters and events in this book are fictitious.
Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental
and not intended by the author.
Trade e-book ISBN 978-1-982556-73-0
Library e-book ISBN 978-1-982556-72-3
Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / General
CIP data for this book is available from the Library of Congress
Blackstone Publishing
31 Mistletoe Rd.
Ashland, OR 97520
www.BlackstonePublishing.com

For Katla Sahara, who is a force of nature

Upon her death, blessed Aillira found no peace,
for her soul was condemned to the bowels of the Halls of Suffering,
where the god of death reigned.
In rage and envy, Gwylor did rend Ailliras soul
and thus did the serpent-goddess, the eater of souls, devour the pieces.
From his black prison, Veronis screamed for his beloved,
the sound swallowed by the infinite dark.

The Forbidden Scriptures

PART ONE
CLAN OF THE FORSAKEN

PROLOGUE

The grass was mossy and green beneath his boots, the air smelling of soil and rain. With the spring snows mostly melted, the vast lava field teemed with life. He crept with his brother through the sprawling maze of rock, so tall he couldnt see over the top. Silently, they watched and listened for signs of game hiding among the crevices.

A rustle made them both turn their heads. His brother raised his bow, following the sound until the hare appeared. The boy let the arrow fly and it sailed through the air, piercing the creature through its neck. Did you see that, Aldrik?

That shot was beneath you, Aldrik said. You could have struck it in the head.

Reykers face fell. It was easy to diminish the boy, to make him question his abilities. Aldrik knew it was cruel, but someone had to push him. Katrin, the boys mother, was far too soft on him, and their father let Reyker think too highly of his small accomplishments. Reykers other weaknesshis desperate desire to please his older brother, to make him proudwas a whetstone Aldrik used to sharpen the boys focus, to hone his strength like a blade.

Lets find another, then, Reyker said, retrieving his arrow and picking up the hare by its hind legs. Ill strike the next one straight through the eye.

As they made their way between two long sections of rock that rose up like a tunnel from the earth, a new sound came from behind themthe crunch of feet on the ground, the shuffle of bodies. The noises of something stalking closer, but these were boots, not the paws or hooves of game.

Aldrik drew his sword. Announce yourselves or be slain!

Laughter answered. Above the rock wall he saw the telltale flash of steel. We are the wolves at your door, lordlings, a booming voice said. It is you who shall be slain.

Aldrik? Reyker whispered. Who are they?

Enemies. Aldrik and Reykers father was lord of the lands of Vaknavangur, and he served Jarl Gudmund, a powerful overlord who claimed to be a child of All-God Sjafs loins rather than simply one of the gods many distant descendants. Vaknavangur was surrounded by tribes who disputed Gudmunds claim as king of the Streamlands. Your sword, Reyker. Now.

The boy drew his sword with trembling hands.

Aldrik grabbed his arm and shook him. You are a rival lords son. They wont hesitate to gut you. Remember your training. Kill them before they kill you. No mercy.

No mercy. The boy steadied his hands on the hilt.

Eight armed men clambered over the rocks and leaped down, circling them. One was huge with a misshapen nosea brawny ogre.

Your father was warned to stay out of Jarl Eldjarns affairs, the ogre said. Yet he sent men to aid the campaign against Eldjarn on behalf of Gudmund the Pretender. He shouldve listened. Perhaps he finally will, when we send him his sons heads.

The warriors closed in on Aldrik.

Aldrik sliced his sword through three of them before the men had even begun to swing their weapons. But the ogre was faster than the others, and Aldrik had to duck under the arc the hulking mans axe made.

Ive got the snake-eyed bastard, the ogre said to his comrades. Get the boy.

Three warriors stepped toward Reyker, and something fluttered in Aldriks chest, a rancid taste rising from his belly. Is this what fear feels like? He ignored it, bringing his sword up to meet the ogres axe. The blow sent vibrations up his arm. The axes blade hovered just above his head.

Is it true your harlot mother was a volva ? the ogre asked. Is that why you have eyes like a demon?

True enough. Aldrik smiled. These men had no idea the danger theyd walked into, the secret strength he possessed because of his witch mother. Aldrik shoved, and the giant stumbled into the wall of rock behind him.

Aldrik glanced at Reyker. The boy had blocked the strike of one warriors axe, but he was merely defending himself. He did not take the opening the man left, did not let loose the killing blow Aldrik knew he was capable of delivering.

Fight, Reyker! Kill them!

The boy did not listen.

The ogre launched himself at Aldrik once more, and their weapons locked. After I gut you, Im going to eat your demon heart and gain your half-breed powers. Then Ill send the rest of you to Ildja in pieces.

Aldrik dropped his guard, baiting his opponent, and the ogre rushed forward, crashing his axe into Aldriks stomach. Pain shot through his nerves, and it was a struggle to stay on his feet. The ogre came closer, grinning. Youve overlooked one thing, Aldrik said.

The pain was worth it for the look on the ogres face as he watched the bleeding hole in Aldriks belly close, the skin knitting itself back together.

My mother was blessed by Ildja. As was I.

Aldrik thrust his sword below the ogres ribs and sliced sideways, eviscerating him. The ogre hit his knees, holding his intestines as they spilled out into his hands.

No witchs mutt, are you? the ogre mumbledhis dying words, as he toppled sideways into a puddle of blood.

Aldrik made quick work of cutting down two of the warriors whod gone after Reyker. The thirdwho wore a torque of braided gold that marked him as a keeper of the god shrines, a warrior priest who killed only in the name of the godshad dropped his sword and backed away.

Aldrik kept an eye on the priest as he grabbed Reyker and searched his wounds, ensuring none were life-threatening. Then he shook the boy so hard his teeth clacked together. Why didnt you kill them?

I couldnt, the boy said. I couldnt.

Gud-mund, the priest gasped, staring at Aldrik. You are the god-man Ive heard whispers about, not your overlord. Only flesh born of the serpent-goddess herself can evade death.

A beat of silence passed before Aldrik scoffed. There is no god-man, you fool. Thats a yarn spun by weak jarls desperately clinging to power they did not earn.

The priest kneeled. Ive witnessed it with my own eyes. You are the one we have searched for. I pledge my fealty to you, son of Ildja.