Heroes of the Sundered Crown Excerpt

An excerpt from Book 5 in the Sundered Crown Saga: Heroes of the Sundered Crown. Pre-order from books2read.com/HEROESPRIME *content subject to change on release*

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The snow-covered plains beyond Caldaria’s walls looked serene, but the peaceful view was deceiving. Beneath the ice, standing still and silent, numbering in their tens of thousands, was the undead horde. Thick snow covered most, and the frigid cold had frozen all into macabre stances.

“They never move. Day after day they stand there like statues,” grumbled one of the knight's sat opposite the fire.

“I’ve seen them move,” said one of the Fleetfoot archers manning the walls with Kaiden and his knights.

“Liar. I’ve been manning these ramparts for months and aside from that first attack they’ve not moved an inch,” replied the knight.

Kaiden narrowed his eyes. Was there a light on the horizon? Slowly, he stood and walked over to the crenellations. He brought the Spyglass hanging from his belt to his eye. He scanned the distant Great Wood but at first, he saw nothing but darkness. He turned his head slightly and traced the line of where the now buried road lay. An orange glow flickered amongst the trees. His eyes widened as he recognised the shapes of men and pack animals moving through the night.

“Who are they?” one of the knights asked nervously as they too saw the lights.

Kaiden twisted the spyglass handle, and the figures became clearer. Five men wielding swords and dressed in furs were running through the undergrowth. They were waving frantically to a group of people struggling through the deep snow.

“They look like refugees. Must have come from the east,” he said.

“I can’t believe anyone would risk such a journey in this weather,” the knight exclaimed.

“Depends on what they’re running from,” the hooded Fleetfoot added ominously.

Kaiden lowered the spyglass.

“Either way they’re walking into danger. We need to warn them.”

The Fleetfoot’s face paled.

“I think it’s a bit late for that sir,” he said pointing to the treeline.

From their distant vantage point, they could see the column of refugees begin to panic. A howl filled the air, shattering the silence. The knights muttered a prayer to Niveren.

“Werewolves, they’re pursuing them straight onto the plains and towards the undead.”

Kaiden stepped down from the rampart and using his numb hands picked up the iron headed hammer placed in an alcove. He was about to swing it with all of his might to strike the alarm bell but hesitated. Raising the alarm could stir the undead. It hadn’t been for nothing that the mages had cast spells over the city to mute the sounds of the populace within. For months it had worked and the undead had not been roused from their frozen slumber to attack.

“Use lanterns and wave your arms like madmen. We have to try and warn them, but do so as quietly as you can!”

He waved over the squires who’d been huddling with each other next to a nearby brazier.

“Run and tell the watch commanders to wave their lanterns and to keep their men silent. Hurry now, there’s good lads.”

The others did as commanded, and they climbed onto the crenellations with lanterns in hand. Along the wall, other lanterns were lit as other watchmen spotted the approaching refugees.

Kaiden bounded down crystal steps almost slipping as he did so. Warning shouts came from the now riled city defenders, but they were quickly hushed by angry commanders. Kaiden was satisfied that the men under his command had their troops under control. It took him several desperate minutes to reach the courtyard far beneath the walls, already knights were strapping on armour and sheathing their swords. He barked hushed orders to the squires to bring them their lances and get the horses ready to ride. His squire, a ten year old boy named Joti jogged over to him all red faced from the bitter cold. He handed Kaiden his lance, helmet, and shield before passing him the reigns of his horse.

“I’ve saddled Herald sir. Did so as soon as the order reached us. Although I don’t think he’s much of a fan of this cold,” the boy said.

“Good lad, Joti now make sure you get to safety, this could get a little rough,” Kaiden replied, ruffling the boy’s mop of brown hair affectionately. Joti like many of the squires was one of the many boys orphaned in the war. The Mages had taken them in, but the Knights had given them a purpose. He adjusted his thick woollen cloak and climbed into the saddle. Ten other knights had done the same and he gestured at them to follow him. He spurred Herald on, and the horse galloped through the streets of Caldaria and towards the crystal gates. Men rushed to positions on the walls and he could see a squad of Nightblades waiting at the gatehouse. One of them stepped into the street and held up a hand.

“Hold, Sir Kaiden. I cannot let you exit the city. Grandmaster Thanos hasn’t given the order to open the gates.”

Herald stamped his hooves impatiently mimicking the irritated mood Kaiden now felt.

“There are people out there. If we don’t do something they will run straight into the undead!”

“I’m sorry,” the Nightblade replied bluntly.

“We are the knights of Niveren. Our order is sworn to defend the weak, that is an oath that we shall not break this day. Step aside,” Kaiden snapped.

The Nightblade was unable to hold Kaiden’s stern gaze and with a reluctant sigh gestured for one of his men to open the gates. They all watched with held breathes as the mighty crystal barrier moved inwards. A group of mages stood nearby, their staffs aimed at the gate, they were muttering a spell of silence to mute the sound.

Kaiden flicked Herald’s reigns and the squadron of Knights trotted forward. Once outside the walls, the frigid air slapped them in the face and Kaiden longed to return to the warmth of a fire. The horse’s hooves crunched on the snow, sounding like thunderclaps in the deathly still air. With every stride, he winced and cautiously glanced at the just visible frozen figures of the undead. The horses struggled through the snow but ahead Kaiden could see the refugees. Screams carried on the air and the ravenous howls of the werewolves sent fear shooting through all who heard them.

“Sir!” hissed one of his knights in warning.

Despite the freezing temperatures sweat formed on Kaiden’s forehead. He looked to his left and his stomach flipped. Some of the undead were beginning to stir. He watched in horrified awe as one skeletal zombie twitched causing ice and snow to fall its emaciated limbs. A low groan came from its shattered mouth, a groan that grew in volume as more and more of the undead were stirred.

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