Failure.


    Sanah was a failure.


    It was written in the speechless stones, carved into the accusing eyes of the Undorn. She had turned her back on the Dragon’s Eye, and on everything she stood for.


    Sanah had fled, scurrying on a path deep into the mountains where none could follow and whence she did not intend return. Her limbs, pained by every step at first, were now numb. She dragged herself along, one senseless footfall after another as the peaks rose around her. The scorching sun laughed at her misery, while the moon prolonged her torment with its soothing and deceptive light. And all through the wheeling of the sky and all its colours, a chill threatened to lay her down into sleep. Perhaps she should accept it. Perhaps she should lay down.


    Nathariel was dead.


    Shurun’el was dead.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    What remained for her? Only her Lady’s ire and Rubi?l’s unceasing taunts. She did not want to face that. Every breath she took was momentary reprieve from the inevitable.


    Tumbling scree whispered around her as she climbed onward. These rocks would become her catacomb. Better this than the shame of a fury too weak to avenge her lover. Better this than the absence of his touch, his kiss.


    Sanah collapsed. Her weapon dropped and tumbled away somewhere in the crags. She did not care. Her blade had been a lie. There was no fortune in this. There was no hope for her new world.


    She turned over to take one last look at the sky. The dust and the cold were close. But she saw instead the branches of a strange tree, stark and veiny like a reverse lightning strike. Its curious design splayed against the stony background.


    The old tree’s roots barely clung on to unwelcoming rock. Are you here to die, too?


    So bright was the light of the sun splintered through its branches. Sanah welcomed it. Oh, how she welcomed it.


    And out of those blinding rays, a silver-haired figure appeared before her. Riala was in their hand.


    The last thing Sanah heard before all went black was a voice as soft as starlight.


    To be continued in...


    THALASSAE


    Book II of The Shadow of the Dragonking