Suspicions

I hope you can forgive me for not writing. I have no excuse--things have been terribly quiet. It would seem the Ansgar Empire is either amassing more soldiers or reconsidering its strategy to conquer Boadhagh. I suspect it is both.

I have journeyed back to the king's castle. King Airell agrees with my suspicions. He too believes the Ansgarians are considering another way to invade his kingdom. They slew my parents, the king and queen of Rivalin, just before their seizing what should now be my kingdom.

But all we can do now is await their next attempt. I fear we shall not have to wait long.

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An Ominous Report

King Airell told me several days ago Ansgarian scouts were watching the Pass. Both of us feared what such news foretold for Boadhagh.

Windfire and I went to the Pass and joined the Boadhagh soldiers guarding it. They pointed out to me the tree-like soldiers in black and gold uniforms observing us. My warhorse snorts fire now. So battle is imminent. We await whatever the Ansgar army throws at us.

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A Soldier's Way

I am a soldier, a warrior. I trained to fight all my life--my father trained me well to use Deathsong. War is all I know and fighting is what I do best.

My lust for vengeance against the Ansgar Empire makes my thrusts with my long sword against their soldiers harder and quicker. I sometimes think that anger against them helps keep me alive when I should perish in battle.

As a warrior, I have simple values; duty and honor I value above all else. And so I continue to fight to keep Boadhagh free and someday liberate Rivalin from the yoke of Ansgarian occupation. I have a duty to my father to take the throne, even though I think myself unworthy of that task.

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Pondering

There are times, even with my lust for vengeance against the Ansgar Empire, when I wonder if I shall ever succeed. Seeing hoards of Ansgarian soldiers charge towards me without fear time and again makes me question if it is even possible. Remembering my fight against their encroachment across the Boadhagh border last week had me pondering this morn if what I seek is futile.

Windfire nudged me several times while I rubbed him down today, encouraging me that all is not lost. I know he is right. Yet, I cannot help but wonder about that as well as my fitness to be king of Rivalin.

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Wondering

Every time the armies of the Ansgar Empire attempt to invade Boadhagh, their forces grow larger and larger. It is only Kalen, King Airell's army commander, who outwits our opponents and brings victory out of certain defeat. There has been more than once, I must admit, when I was not sure any of us would survive the day.

With so many being thrown against us, I sometimes I wonder how I can bring about the destruction of the Ansgar Empire.

Bruce Skye, fantasy book, fantasy novel, Grayrider, new book release, sci fi fantasy, science fiction and fantasy

The Soldiers of Ansgar

The warriors of the Ansgar Empire are not human. They appear human from a distance, for they have two arms and legs as well as a head. But they are covered with bark. Cutting through their armor and their bark is trying sometimes.

That is why I am most glad I possess my magical sword, Deathsong. The blade will set some of the varlets aflame before Windfire and I ever reach them. And that causes panic among those set afire. It is an advantage that has saved us more than once.

Ansgarians have no fear of battle. Even knowing they face my glowing sword, they attack.

I fear Deathsong's power. But I know not how I could fight the Ansgarians without it.

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Kalen

The leader of the Boadhagh army, Kalen, has become a good friend these last three years. I have fought often with his army against Ansgarian invasions of the kingdom.

He is a cunning warrior. I have yet to see the Ansgar Empire deceive or defeat him in battle. I have marveled often at how he can anticipate their strategies.

But it is not just about winning battles for him. Kalen truly cares about the men under his command. After a fight is over, he is inconsolable for at least a day afterwards. He grieves for the Boadhagh soldiers he has lost.

His friendship is a great boon to my spirit.

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Duty and Honor

I am a simple man. I see myself as a soldier and as such, I have a few simple values. I believe in duty and honor above all else.

I have a duty to one day sit upon my father's throne. But how I can fulfill that duty, I have no idea. Rivalin, my ancestral kingdom, is now part of the Ansgar Empire.

Honor, I have heard it said, is doing the right thing when no one else is looking. I agree with that wholeheartedly. I only hope I live my life by that precept.

Bruce Skye, fantasy book, fantasy novel, Grayrider, new book release, sci fi fantasy, science fiction and fantasy

My Craft

I am a warrior. My craft is slaying Ansgarian soldiers. My father, the king of Rivalin, believed I must use Deathsong well. So even as a small boy, I was trained in swordsmanship and shield usage.

Deathsong is a great sword. Most men would need both hands to wield such a weapon. Because of the intensive training my father gave me, I am able to use it with one hand. And I have been thankful for that ability many times in the last three years.

Most soldiers wear armor. I do not. I find it impedes my dexterity in using Deathsong.

I only hope one day I can bring about the fall of the Ansgar Empire. After they murdered my parents, it is the only way I shall ever know peace.

Bruce Skye, fantasy book, fantasy novel, Grayrider, new book release, sci fi fantasy, science fiction and fantasy